Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day Monday

It’s quiet here at the old manor house on the hill this morning. It’s a good day to reflect on what this holiday really means and the men and women who have given their lives to defend it.

This morning I slept late. I know that my ‘late’ is many people’s ‘early’ but hey, my husband is up around 5 and out walking, so 7:30 is late.

I poured a cup of coffee and walked from room to room in my gloriously clean house. We had company over yesterday afternoon - people we’ve known for years and one old friend that was my high school bff. I still see Colleen once or twice a year and it’s always always good.

As I walked from room to room, I wondered what people in past lives did here on Memorial Day. Well, before it was officially declared a holiday in 1966, Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, was observed around the country in different ways, after the Civil War. My friends and I talked about it yesterday for a bit when we explained to them that the Mason-Dixon Line is just down the road.

I took a photo of the entry foyer with my back to the front door. We never use this entrance, preferring the one off the breakfast nook instead.


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When we moved here, there was nowhere to put our bookcase, so here it stays. And yes, that’s a sheet you see hanging there on the right. A flannel sheet, to be exact. We have a window AC unit in that room and have hung sheets to keep the cool air contained. At the end of the hall on the right is a staircase, and on the left is a grand room that we don’t use because it houses many of the owners furniture and belongings.


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We rarely use this staircase and believe me when I tell you that it needed cleaning after a long winter. I finally got around to doing so on Saturday.


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Standing next to the staircase and looking out the front door. It’s a beautiful morning here in Maryland but it’s already begun to hold the promise of a steamy day.

My husband told me that when he got up this morning there was a chimney swift on the INSIDE of the screen in the living room. We have no idea how the bird got in but my husband was surprised that it stayed perfectly still and let him slowly open the window so it could go out. Either the bird was terribly smart or scared stiff – it’s a mystery.

Bluebirds have taken up residence in one of the two other boxes along the fenceline. I’m planning on heading out there soon and trying to get some photos. Later on, my husband is going to rig up the froggie sprinkler under the dogwood tree so I can sit under it. I believe that if I ever have a home with a pool, I might end up terribly missing the days when I had to use a sprinkler hooked up to the low branches of a dogwood tree to keep cool. I’m actually serious.  The sprinkler is a sweet way to stay cool and it waters the tree and the flowers underneath at the same time.

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Newest addiction: The vintage photos that have been appearing on The Sartorialist, one of my favorite blogs. It’s not just the photos that do it for me, but the captions as well. I’ve gathered several of them here to show you what I mean:


Sartorialist Vintage Photos


Have a blessedly wonderful holiday Monday, my friends. Love,

123 Signature

28 comments:

The Weaver of Grass said...

It is rather nice that we are having a holiday today on the other side of the Atlantic too.

TexWisGirl said...

how interesting to have parts of the house you never (or rarely) use. but i can understand how that would happen in a large home and one that you are taking care of. we live in our 'gazebo' so every inch of the bottom floor is filled with dust, dirt and dog hair. :)

thanks for coming by. means a lot!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

Enjoy the day and the froggy sprinkler. Sounds like a great wayto spend a hot, sunny day.

Reena said...

I love the image of sitting under the dogwood tree with froggie sprinklers. Reminds me of childhood days!
Enjoy!

Country Gal said...

A lovely home !
I remeber those days of a kid running through the sprinkler to stay cool , before my parents got a pool ! Wonderful post and photos !

wayne15575 said...

I love it when we get to explore the Manor. Thanks for the tour.

tj said...

...I love the froggy sprinkler! It just goes to show that there's a little girl inside the Country Girl! *giggle* ;o)

...And I've said it before and I'll say it again, your house is [singing] a-w-e-s-o-m-e! :o) And might I add, I love how the colors in the sheet match the color of the trim. Most people would just throw any ol' sheet up there, it just goes to show you put a lil' panache in everything you do... Yeah, you rock! ;o)

...Enjoy your holiday and your sprinkler too!

...Blessings... :o)

JacksDad said...

I think Jack would enjoy your froggie sprinklers too! :)

Lisa said...

How very beautiful Kate. I would love to see more also.
I went to visit your link and its just as you said. Fantastic.
Stay cool , and enjoy your evening.

Andrew said...

Looks like a very beautiful home Kate. I'm loving your photos.

Andi said...

OMG'sh I have some photos from my MIL that would be awesome for that Vintage blog....maybe I will do that. :)
Hope you enjoyed the froggie sprinkler! You are welcome to come to Pa and sit by my pool any day!

Mental P Mama said...

I wish I was there with you....

GailO said...

Thanks for the link to the vintage photos at the Sartorialist...I love vintage photos but have very few of my own family...they just weren't into cameras or photography unfortunately. This reminds me that I have been meaning to scan the ones I do have. That was supposed to be a winter task that I just never got around to:)

Love the sprinkler! I have been more than happy to join my grandchildren in their wading pool or running through the sprinkler on a hot day...

xox

Peppermint Ph.D. said...

I loved the vintage photos...but what makes them so perfect is the little snippets of information about the people in them and their relationship to the photographer...Oh, how I would love a book of just that very thing!
We have a new puppy who has become my alarm clock...I used to shun early mornings; I am a sleeper extrordinaire!! But, I'm relishing the alone time first thing before everyone else begins stirring...the birds singing, the squirrels jumping, etc. It's the simple things really that make life so wonderful! :) We just have to take the time to look. :) Hope you've had a wonderful day!

Flea said...

What an amazing site! I can see why you're addicted. :)

Deb said...

it is fun to learn more about our blogging pals...

Bluebird49 said...

Oh, thanks so much for the tour--I've always wanted to see more of the inside of the Manor House. It didn't disappoint. And what's wrong with a flannel sheet? It's pretty and it's serving it's purpose! Like the frog sprinkler!

alphabet soup said...

The manor and the Mason-Dixon Line!! The latter being one of the few things I have retained from the long ago days of secondary school and Modern American History.

And I would never have known it was a flanelette sheet if you hadn't told me...

Md Soup

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

So, when am I going to get to see this place in person, my friend? LOL! I will get there one day, I promise you that. I will sit under the sprinkler with you. xoxo

Carolynn Anctil said...

Your sprinkler idea sounds wonderful! We haven't had days warm enough to warrant anything that cooling.

Those vintage photos are awesome! Thanks for sharing them here.

Hope you had a lovely weekend.

Daryl said...

could you come here and clean ... with the windows open and Jack's constant shedding its not pretty

and thanks for the link to the vintage photo blog, I submitted a photo of The Aunt and The Uncle ...

Tess Kincaid said...

I always love a peep into your lovely manor house! (I've been enjoying the vintage Sartorialist pics, too)

Kerri Farley said...

Ahhhh.... that froggie sprinkler sounds heavenly! What a lovely home you have :)

The JR said...

What a great house with lots of memories attached to it.

Diane said...

We had quite the visit by a unique bird yesterday in the back yard. I was able to get some shots despite some "coaching" from TOG!

Sounds like you had a lovely weekend!

Candis said...

Oh, so much charm!!! Love how bright and cheery the manor house is. :-)

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Sound like you had a lovely weekend. Your home looks lovely!

Lili said...

We almost never need a froggy sprinkler around here to stay cool! Enjoyed seeing yet a few more pictures of your manor place. Oh those vintage photos on that link you provided are captivating! xo ~Lili