My reasons for missing the Elegant Simplicity in the Living Room today where, as the hostess Sarah at Plainsong writes:
The family comes together, prayers rise like incense, memories are carved on our hearts, feastdays are celebrated, music is enjoyed, conflicts are resolved, the new baby just home from the hospital is loved for the first time by his siblings, tears of sorrow and joy fall, guests are welcomed, books are devoured, a warm fire is stoked. . .and it all happens within the four walls of our LIVING ROOMS.
What's my excuse for being so tardy to the party? The girls had a mini-sleepover...(I believe in this photo, the girls are trying to catch popcorn in their mouth)
...while hubby and I finished staining the new pantry door and worked on the new room...destined to become the study. We had to use the girls' thin paint brushes to get between all the grooves.
My living area is pretty big and, thus, messy. I didn't have a chance to clean it so, as you can see, the coffee table is littered and there are socks on the settee and hubby's shoes are on the floor:
Our piano, given to us by friends, is a point of "elegant loveliness" always. I always make sure this area is kept nice.
This picture (below) hangs over the piano. It was given to me on my last birthday by the children. It's a view of St. Peter's/Vatican Square on April 4, 2005. The note on back reads: "This photo was taken of St. Peter's Basillica on the morning of April 4, 2005 from the center of Vatican Square. This is the first day of viewing for Pope John Paul II. The lines of people in front of the church stretch for blocks. The estimated waiting time to view the Pope is approximately 12-24 hours by this time."
And another peace angel sits in quiet elegant tranquility with a windchime my goddaughters/nieces bought for me:
This settee (see below) is at least 100 years old.
It needs a good upholstrey job...thus the blanket covering the top... but I'm waiting until Starr gets a little older and can sit like a little lady instead of crawling on it like a cat.
It belonged to my father's grandparents, was passed down to my parents then to my aunt/godmother, then back to me. My father remembers walking into his grandparent's home and seeing it against the wall. I'm sure back in those days it truly was a sign of "elegant simplicity" to all. It still is because of the families who have sat upon it, been cuddled there, read to there, and even played on like a cat. Oh, the stories it could tell.
Speaking of animals, the blue chair does belong to the family lap dog so...Beware! I mean the "real" dog, not the painted wooden one on the side table. That was one that my mother-in-law painted. The stands which house the hurricane lamps were all made by my father-in-law.
And what is a living area without plenty of pictures of the children as they grow? Despite the size of my living area, this is the only spot for these frames that I love. A painting of my mother-in-law (Jan. 29, 1926-May 30, 2003) hangs in the back with a crucifix overhead.
Sarah did a lovely job on the newest loveliness fair. Don't miss it!
I enjoyed seeing your living room - it looks a hub of all activity. How nice to have a large area for a living/sitting room.
Posted by: Leonie | September 18, 2006 at 05:21 PM