Teena Flanner

gray days!

My house is just what I want after all these years, except for the clutter of course but my kitchen! yikes! so that is my project this year, a new kitchen  and remodeling of the dining room space.not looking forward to the process!Here is part of my darling family in my 1970's kitchen.
 
 
I guess we need to look at these gray days as a sign that spring will come. and of course time flies too fast! Just a few photos of what I am doing and my household in general!


all is bright and cheery in   
  side!

April

April was all about travel. I went to Reno to visit Chris, my son ,and meet his newly adopted 12 year old german shepard, Miranda. It is wonderful to see your children one at a time as well as all together. We drove to Lake Tahoe and talked and ate and just hung out. He has completely found his niche. Reno has soaring, skiing and an interesting engineering job.

Then I flew to Denver to see my brother and sister-in- law and Mom. Lovely trip!

My niece, Kara, had a wedding shower in Madison and the second photo is of my daughters and I at that event. Grandbaby Jack had his 2nd birthday with lots of family and a train cake made by Susannah.

Miranda and Rosey

This is mostly about Miranda but I just couldn't exclude old Rosey.Years ago I innocently opened the Norfolk classified on a peaceful Sunday. There was the sweetest gray muzzle on a dark, red golden, a stray ,with the SPCA. I couldn't wait until Monday when I could call and get information on the old girl. When I asked her age, they were hesitant so I asked about her personality. She is soo sweet, no tags and it looks like she ran away (no way! she was thrown away ,I haven't a doubt) Well ,she had some age on her , elegant and was a pure delight. She would dance when she saw the leash. There are websites on senior pets and I would highly recommend a senior pet.

Back to Miranda.I haven't met her yet but she is over 11 years old and she and my son, Chris, live in Reno. He adopted her a few months ago and she immediately fit right in to his lifestyle . She is beautiful, doesn't mind waiting at home while he skiis or works. She loves the walks and he has adapted to her 6 am wake up call.I can't wait to meet her and I already think she is fabulous!

 

The waning winter

I truly love this time of year! The promise of spring clear as day, the work of the spring garden delayed, just the promise.A sturdy snowpack of about a foot, bright sunshine , wine and a fire pit, fun!

Today I went to a dog party with my Chicago daughter's Norweigan elkhound, Norman,a very spirited fellow. Norman and I were accompanied by my eldest daughter Katie and her black lab, Willie.He has not taken to my grandbaby Jack so he is coming to live with me. An amiable fellow, he will be wonderful for sitting on my feet when I  am in my studio!

Norman

This is me and Norman.He is my Chicago daughter's Norwegian Elk hound, from the Chicago shelter . His job in the forest was to run circles between the legs of elk until the elk dropped. That explains Norman !He is here for 2 weeks while Susannah is out of town! This is a photo of one of his calmer moments!

Snow

How lovely it is in Elm Grove today.Fresh snow each day makes me want to just stay in my studio and have a fire all day long. Sort of a lull in my life, before the book staff arrives(tonight), before my 70 year old elm is felled (Monday)and before my youngest daughter and her enthusiastic dog, Norman, comes to town, tomorrow.He tries to play with my old Charlie and I give him an "A" for effort but Charlie doesn't get it.

I will put up a couple of photos of ideas I have for the book, preliminary shoot ideas. I will try to be more interesting next week!

We are doing 4 seasons so I have a Thanksgiving and autumn room set up, Winter with Christmas and winter ideas, a Summer room(the hardest on a snowy day of Feb 1 and Spring with lots of bunnies, daffodils and vintage millinery. Spring is always so easy to imsagine in Feb as the days are getting longer and flower markets, even the local giant Pick 'n Save has bulbs growing in little pots. My forced narcissus have all wilted so I am going to purchase a few plus summer garden flowers.

This book has been fun and a lot of work. Have a lovely February  .

Teena

Birthday

Today is my birthday.Tomorrow I will begin anew...on this blog and with my new age!

My sweet little Charlie's last week-end.

Book shoot this week-end. I have a make up pers on, a couch on end in the middle of the kitchen and lots of props for the stylist and photographer, they will be here for 3 days!Promise to be more interesting next week!

Teena