Best Friends Forever!

Random Fact #7: I have had the same BFF for 36 years!! My friend, Carlee, and I have known each other since the fourth grade. I was the new kid in the neighborhood having just moved from Anchorage to Eagle River (Alaska) after my mom and stepdad were married. I thought she was the nicest person on the planet to invite me over to play. We've been best friends ever since.

Okay. Now that you've been dragged through my seven random facts, those of you who've not been tagged.....you're it!! Rather than list 7 random facts, howzabout listing 7 of your all time favorite foods? I'll start!

1. Devil's Food Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
2. Steamed Broccolli
3. Marinated Chicken Kabobs
4. Filet Mignon
5. Red Robin's Fiesta Pollo Salad
6. Cheeseburgers with Mustard, Tomato and Lettuce Only
7. Cocoa Puffs Cereal

You're turn!!

Have a lovely Memorial Day! Thoughts and prayers to all our military men and women....not only today, but every day.

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

P.S. The dolls pictures were made by Christine Crocker of Deerfield Farmhouse. You'll find a link over to the left. :o)

Another Obsession!

Okay. I'll come clean on another obsession. Random Fact #6: I'm hoarding antique and vintage children's wear. One whole side of a walk in closet in my new studio is full....top and bottom rods....and the shelves above and below them!! It's bear wear, you know. I'm collecting them for the bears!!

The thing about bears, especially my girly bears, is they need a selection from which to choose. Much like women, a bear must try on a quite a few outfits until they find the perfect fit for their figure. Round figures, slim figures, heavy arms, stick arms, long body, short body.....they simply must have a selection. They are not one size fits all bears!!

It's a simply perfect explanation for such a vast obsession.....er, collection! Don't you think? Ha!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Pillows, chairs and bunnies! Oh my!

Random Fact #4: My name is Aleta and I'm a pillowholic! Yes, my dear friends, this obsession has overwhelmingly overtaken the 27 bear chairs. I have collected exactly 90 pillows!! Shhhh. Don't tell my family though....you should hear the teasing I get for having so many bear chairs! Ha!!

Random Fact #5: I collect Bunnies by the Bay bunnies!! Not just any BBTB bunnies, mind you. I've whittled down my collection to only include bunnies that match my decor. Little Miss Persnickety here!!

Webster's dictionary defines persnickety as 1. too particular or precise; fastidious; fussy 2. showing or requiring extremely careful treatment.

Perhaps this would also explain the fact that each bedroom bed has exactly 8 pillow each and two bed pillows in each closet!! HeeHee!! One might also define this as obsessive compulsive!! Oh the things we learn about each other on a blog!!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

I'm always painting something!

Random Fact #3: I love to paint!! I've painted and repainted so many times over the years that I no longer need to tape around doors or trim. As long as I have several cups of coffee in me before I start, I'm steady as she goes!!

I like flat paint best! I wish someone would make a flat paint for bathrooms and kitchens. Well, why don't they? Hmmm.

The second guestroom is coming along nicely. All the trim is up!! Yay, Bill!! I just have to give it a final coat and then I'm ready to move the furniture in. Oh, that reminds me. I still have to get a curtain rod!!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Roses, roses, everywhere!!

Random Fact #2: I have a thing for roses! Inside, outside, upside down...my home is filled with roses with a scattering of other posies for good measure. Upholstery, lampshades, artwork, perfume bottles, needlepoint, linens, vases, candles.....all with my beloved roses! It's only fitting we have finally settled in The Rose City, Portland, Oregon!!



My favorite outdoor rose? Sunsprite. It's nearly trouble free and has the most delicious rose scent with a hint of lemon. I don't bother with roses that don't have a scent. I don't care how pretty a rose is, if it doesn't have a scent I don't want it in my garden!! Oh, if you could only breath in the scent of my garden on a warm summer evening!! Roses and gardenias and Angel's Trumpet......sigh. Simply heaven on earth.



Warmest rose filled bear hugs, Aleta

A sneaky tag!

Here I was, taking a minute to peek in on my favorite blogs when all of a sudden...WHAMMO! I was tagged! I was tagged just by reading Teresa's, Sewing Stars, blog. That was sneaky, Teresa!!

Since I've got such a busy week ahead....and because I can't think of seven random facts about me right now...I'm going to share just one or two each day for the next few days. I'll post my "You're It!" tag at the end of the seventh random fact.

Random Fact #1: I garden but I've never grown vegetables or fruit. Flowers. That's it. However, that's about to change. My lovely neighbor, Linda, brought over a whole tray of strawberry plants a couple of days ago and asked if I wanted them. Not one to turn away an offer of free plants, I say "Sure! I'd love them!" Okay, so now I'll be learning about growing strawberries. I'm up for the challenge!! Don't they look scrumptious?!!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

It's Friday? Already?!!

Where did the time go? What did I do all week? Scratching my head here. I know I worked in the studio all day yesterday, but what happened to the rest of the week? Ahh, yes. Distractions happened the rest of the week!!

The biggest distraction? My hubby, Bill. He was home early most days this past week and actually scheduled time off on Wednesday to put up the chair rail and trim in the second guestroom. Did the all the trim go up? Well....not exactly. You see, we had "The Boys" (Our son Justin and our son-in-law, Jeremy) over working on the sprinkler system. What was supposed to take "a couple of hours" turned into a whole day ordeal because of broken sprinkler heads, buried sprinkler heads (by voracious grass) and a broken sprinkler line in the ground. Oiy!!

Long story short......around about 5 o'clock Bill was finally able to start cutting the trim boards. So, I have new door trim and floor trim, but the chair rail needs to be finished. (sigh) And so it goes. At least the sprinkler system is operational again!! Wahoo!!

Oh, and the picture? That's what I got accomplished this week. It doesn't look like much, does it? Two words: Distraction Bill. Distraction phrase: "Hey babe? Can you come here for a minute? I need your opinion." Ha!

Have a lovely weekend!! Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Yellow and Green!!

And the winner is......everyone who posted a comment on my Eenie Meenie Minie Mo contest!! Rather than pick one winner, I decided everyone who joined in on the fun should receive a little something in the mail!!! Now isn't that more fun than just one person getting a little something?!! I think so!! It's my way of saying thank you for peeking in and reading this silly chicks blog. You gals ROCK!!


And now, here's a picture of the paint colors...Fresh Lemon and New Spring!! You might be able to see a bit of the old Lilac color between the two...that will be covered with chair rail on Wednesday. Bill promised the chair rail and trim WILL be up on Wednesday. Uh-huh. One can hope. Ha!


The new paint colors are bright and fresh and the best thing is that they look lovely with all my pink bedroom stuff. Just this afternoon, when I went to Monticello, I found the heart shaped pillow, lampshade and frosted green glass plate. I bought the sheer white with green polka dot curtains at Pottery Barn for Kids on Saturday while shopping with my Mom. I'd say things are coming together quite nicely!! Oh, that reminds me to make a note for myself. I need a curtain rod. Hmmm. I think this requires a trip to Target. Oh darn. **wink**


I'm still looking for a chandelier too. I was thinking about one of those Italian Tole chandeliers with the pretty metal flowers but came to my senses when I found one in Anthropologie for $1,400.00. I don't think so!! I'll just keep looking. I'm sure something will turn up that will work. I'll probably end up finding an old brass chandelier and painting it white. As long as it has real glass prisms I'll be happy. They give a lovely sparkle to a room AND they bring good chi.

There you have it....my decorating folly!! I'll post a picture when the trim is up and we get the furniture in. It won't be DONE done....it will be a work in progress!!

Chrissi, Shantell, Brenda, Samantha and Jill....please confirm your mailing addresses with me. You can contact me through my website.

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Happy Mother's Day!!

I feel so lucky to have my own mother here to spend a lovely Mother's Day with. I have come to realize she is where my boundless energy comes from. Can you imagine TWO Energizer Bunny's in one room? I heard more than one of you say "Oh My!" Ha! It's fun and crazy at the same time. My hubby, Bill, is such a trooper too. Having the two of us together doesn't even seem to phase him. I think perhaps he's a saint!

Tomorrow afternoon, when things calm down a bit, I'll announce the winner of my room color contest and post a picture. I was tickled with the amount of responses to my post. Thank you so very much for taking the time to guess.

Warmest and biggest Mother's Day hugs, Aleta

Eenie Meenie Minie Mo!

So, what color do you think I chose to paint the second guest room? Perhaps I chose two colors....or three! Here are my inspiration pieces. They're vintage Beatrix Potter prints on hardboard that I found this past weekend at an Estate Sale. Aren't they fabulous?!! I know, I know they look a little like I'm getting ready for the pitter patter of little feet. Alas, no. (sigh) However, thinking long term....the paint colors are perfectly suited for a wee arrival!

Post your guess in the comment box. The first correct answer will receive a lovely little something in the mail. Sorry Bee (pet name for my daughter Brittany), you can't play. You already know the answer!! The deadline for guessing is Mother's Day, May 13th.

Warmest paint spattered bear hugs, Aleta

Cottage Garden Salvage

I truly wish my photos of the Garden Salvage Show at Monticello had turned out better. They just don't convey the wonderfully colorful eye candy the vendors brought to the show this weekend.


Cottage garden was featured prominently with only a couple of booths displaying quiet old world elegance. I only have one room in my home that fits the cottage look. It's one of the upstairs guestrooms....one we affectionately call the "Pink Room". Although, it may be changing to the "Yellow Room" tomorrow. I have to make a decision on the paint color today. Tomorrow I paint!!


I have soooo much to do this week before my Mom arrives on Friday. Her room is ready but there are piles of bearaphernalia scattered throughout the hall and upstairs landing. Things that need to be organized in the new studio closet that I started a month or so ago.

These things take time when you've got several projects going on all at once. I keep reminding myself that these things will get done and that my Mom is coming to see me....not my house. Although, in the back of my mind I can hear, "Aleta Kristine!", as she sees for the first time, that my house is not absolutely perfect. Happy Mother's Day Mom! I really can be Little Miss Messy!

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta

Moving right along!

Four Silly Bears! Finished at last. Whew. Now onto painting the second guestroom, planting the back garden, working on submissions for Art Doll Quarterly, and sewing up the eight Storybook Bears I have already started!! Oh, and my Mom is coming next weekend for Mother's Day just to add a little something to the mix. This is my life. Busy doesn't even describe it!

As a little reward for myself today, I think I shall drive on over to Monticello Antique Marketplace. They're having a Salvage Garden Show today through Sunday. Several new vendors will be showing their wares in the Atrium. Perhaps I can find a little something pretty for the garden. If not, I can at least have a latte in the cafe!! That is a reward in itself.

Warmest bear hugs and a lovely weekend to you!! Aleta

Happy May Day!

What a great day!! The first day of May. Here in the East Hills we can finally set out bedding plants without danger of frost. Yippee!! Not that I have any to set out, mind you. I learned my lesson the first year we moved to Portland. I set out plants the on the day the Extension Service said all danger of frost had passed. That was going by Portland proper guidelines. I live around 800 ft. about sea level. You should have seen me that year, erecting tents throughout the back garden with garden sticks and every blanket I could find from the house. I hung on every word the weatherman said throughout April. I can laugh about it now. It wasn't so funny then.

May 1st also marks the day we turn on the pool heater for the season. Joy of joy! I've missed floating around the pool with the noodle thingie across my chest and under each arm. I probably look a bit like a struggling bug but that's okay!!

I'm not much of a swimmer but I sure like to jump off the diving board, sink to the bottom and then spring back up to pop out of the water. Doesn't that sound like fun? Yeah, baby!!

I took this picture last night as the sun was going down. The evening was so calm. I wish the world could feel such peace and serenity.

Warmest bear hugs, Aleta