We are home from our relocation trip. I didn’t see much of DC at all, we were in the burbs the whole time apartment and furniture shopping.
At first, I thought it looked like Anytown, USA with all the chain restaurants, apartment buildings and strip malls, but then realized, that the East is very different.
Burbs in Kansas City or St Louis SPRAWL. Outside of DC, they build UP not OUT. The buildings are high and all the people stack up and squeeze in. 
I got a bit homesick for the spaciousness of Kansas, but will learn to live with the high paced, jammed in life style there.
We got a bit homesick for the fairy grand baby too, and went immediately to pick her up when we got back from the airport to take her out to lunch. Of course, we’d been out to eat for every meal since Thursday, but there was no food in the house and it is always a good excuse to go pick up Sugarwings and her family and take them out to eat.
We find ourselves coming up with so many of those little bribes, I mean excuses, to see her. 
OK, this doesn’t look like my style, but I took my husband into consideration while furnishing the new place. At first we were going to go with rental stuff. then used, but decided to buy some decent pieces for his place because it is going to have to be his home away from home for a long time.
I got a slate top dining table and matching living room tables for the apartment. All the colors are earthy and the look is slightly rustic. No girly roses at the East Coast Bachelor pad.
I shopped like a woman possessed trying to find the cheapest, yet still stylish things I could find in just a day. It will all be delivered on Jan. 2nd when we go back to get settled in.
Do you have any idea what kind of pain it caused me to buy brand new things from a furniture store and have it delivered???? I just don’t do that. I buy the things no one wants and fix them up.
I know that I could have gotten a sofa table for $3- $20 at a garage sale in Kansas instead of $159 there. Really painful.
But here were my concerns:
- no time
- no truck
- no tools
Of course, also my husband wants it all simple and easy to care for and doesn’t give a durn about Pretty.
He doesn’t notice stuff like in this photo of our Kansas living room, a cabinet from a junk shop ($35) repainted and set on top of a small table from a garage sale ($15) that was painted to match.
Or the mirror from the dumpster above it. Or the free lamp given to me by Beth. I foofed its lampshade and painted it, then set it next to some old chippy paint finials that are serving as candle holders ($5).
So- I know how cheaply I can find things and what can be done.
I am still in pain from going to a furniture store and decking out most of the apartment in one swoop.
Oh well, it will work out. It is stuff he likes and will make him comfy there.
Now on to something more interesting. Joy and Roses!!
I’ve decided what to send the winner of my November drawing, Joy. I know I am a bit late, but with the trip and the open house, she was very understanding about it.
I am also behind on Etsy shipping, but will get all of it caught up and in the mail tomorrow. Thanks so much to everyone who shopped there and thanks also for your patience.
I am sending Joy a JOY sign. It is made from the end of a magazine rack that came from the same dumpster that mirror in the earlier photo did.
She seems to be a person who enjoys salvage and sees the possibilities in a discarded piece herself and I thought she might like this hand painted wreath on something rescued. If you’ve read her blog, you know she has a great eye for redoing things herself.
Don’t forget that we will have more gifts during the What do you LOVE about your Holiday Home? party on Wed. the 12th and that all comments are entered into the giveaway for December too. I love to try to match the gift to the winner instead of just naming something that will be given away at the end of the month. Joy will also receive a little pack of ephemera and doodads for projects.
I had sent Natasha some vintage and hand painted ornaments as well as a Noel banner made up of vintage papers for our trade in the Deck the Halls Swap hosted by Monica. I love the way Natasha has displayed the ornaments on a springlike vine to complement the Australian weather at Christmas.
But wait till you see what she sent to me!!
And to Sugarwings too. Of course, Twinkle thinks everything that the baby gets is half hers.
There is a possibility that Twinks will be wearing this cute little crown that is meant to hang on the tree as a gift to the fairy baby. Either one of them would be adorable wearing it!
And look what else she got- a Santa on a Kangaroo! She thought it was hilarious. That kid has a sense of humor that makes her have deep belly laughs when she sees something funny, and this little santa really struck her funny bone.
She was also given a book about Santa’s summer Christmas, so much fun to read to her and tell her about Christmas in other parts of the world.
Natasha had everything wrapped up so sweetly. And yes, I saved every pink rosebud!
She made a wonderful wooden banner with a matching snowman in glitter, the pink rose bud "cookie", and the 3 little glitter framed wallpaper pictures to go on to the tree.
And she sent Tim Tams. Which we discovered are the world’s best cookie. And I cant find any more around here, I was hoping World Market wold carry them. 
And thats not all. A blown glass angel ornament that I immediately hung on my white and gold tree.
Thanks, Natasha! and Thanks to Monica for hosting. What a fun swap. I made out like a bandit on this one. But I do say that bloggers are the most generous people around and if you get a chance to swap with one- DO IT!!
Little Miss Maddy Cat came by to have her Christmas photos taken at my house to use the painted bench as a back drop. I had some trouble with the red eye on this one, but as cute as she is, it didn’t matter.
She and Sugarwings are starting to interact now that Miss Maddy Cat is getting bigger. Sugarwings leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek and it looks like they are about ready to plan a cousins play date together.
Wow, I’ve ran on long enough. I’d better go and mail those packages. Thanks again to all of the shoppers who went to my Etsy Shop and to Natasha!
Karla, I so love your recycled furniture as opposed to the new stuff too! Your recycled made over pieces have so much character. Oh well as you say he will feel comfy there and it is easy for him to clean. he will miss Sugarwings soo.. much. The swap goodies you and Natasha exchanged are lovely. Check my blog and see some real kangaroos on my last post.
Looking forward to the Holiday Home party.
Alison
I do love the way you do your furniture around your home, i guess sometimes we’ve got to bite the bullet and get the new mass produced stuff. (wow $159 for a sofa? things like that are so stupidly expensive here, that would be several hundreds here!!!)
Oh so glad you liked your goodies and that Sugarwings loved the kangaroo. I saw that when I was up in Queensland with Kathy and immediately thought of you!
Those tim tams, the pink ones are a special one they bring out to support breast cancer research but there are other flavours like the regular chocolate ones and I believe a mocha or coffee or something. I don’t know, as i don’t eat them, they are way too full of calories, but I do like them, don’t get me wrong!!! I just avoid having them in my house. Thought i’d send you some pink ones (they looked nicer) and because I hear from people that they love to send Tim Tams overseas.
Enjoy the week! xo
OH I so felt your angst with the new furniture thing! It’s sooo hard to use stuff without a soul! big hugz
barb
You picked out some nice basic things for your hubby. Although you are used to getting things for a song, the price for the sofa table wasn’t bad, for new. It’s going to be hard for you to work with white walls, though.
How often will you go back to DC and how often will he visit home?
~elaine~
I know what you are saying about new furniture but your choices were good and it does look nice. Sugarwings just gets prettier by the day, can understand you missing her so much. Love how there is always a Dorkie in at least one of your photos, our Boxer was like that! Lucky Joy and lucky you getting all those gorgeous goodies from Natasha. Tim Tams are the best!!!!
Karla, you have been one busy girl! It is so hard to pay full price for new furniture when you have got so many great recycled pieces at home. Love all the goodies that Natasha sent you. Tim Tams are my favorite but unfortunately they go straight to my hips! Hope all goes well for you with the move,glad you still have lots of time with your beautiful Sugarwings[what a sweetheart] Look forward to the Holiday Home Party.P.S. Love the sign for Joy.
I was looking at the “new” furniture and was like ok…then you showed the cabinet and stuff below and I smiled. I don’t have anything here that sweet or cheap to redo! (boo hoo)But I try hard to make it sweet and comfy like you who totally inspire me and make me smile. Maybe you can send a little “homespun love” with your husband a sign a lamp something so he feels a little more like home. (I know you can do it)LOL! Thanks for sharing. Grace
Glad to see your back to blogland Karla! I prefer your Kansas furniture to the new stuff too! I can’t wait to hear what your thoughts were on the area! (even though I’m out in the country- not in the city where you were!)
I love that you stopped and picked up sugarwings on the way home from the airport! You must have been in withdrawl! Can’t wait till Wednesday! Although it was dreary and cloudy here today,didn’t get many good daylight pictures!
You are handling all this change, very well my dear. xoxoxoxox Clarice
Looks like you did a great job with the time limits, etc. Love all the goodies you received from Natasha. Looking forward to the Holiday Home Party.
Vickie
Welcome Home Karla! I have missed your posts!
Barbara
Southern Lady’s Vintage
I love that table so rustic, Mary
What a lovely blog you have here, and thank you for stopping by mine!
Wow…thats a big change for sure!
I wish your hubby much happiness in his second home…
Priscilla
I love love your white tree! those were great finds on the shelf and table! Have a wonderful christmas!! Toodles!
Karla, I’m sure you will have that apartment foofed up in no time, no matter what the hubby says. Your house is just so pretty. It is just the perfect setting for Sugarwings and Miss Maddy!
It is hard to have your life disrupted as well as your normal style but I’m pretty positive the new living arrangements will be spiffed up gloriously in no time at all.
Karla, I will be smiling all day about the pic of Miss Sugarwings in her fancy pink hat and that sweet little baby who came over to have her picture taken in your magical home:) and oh my!!! all the swap goodies are VERY good indeed!!!
I’m sure your hubby will be missing some of your homey things, and eventually take some back to DC with him! Or you can just bring some with you. I’m sure it wa a little overhwleming, but maybe just a little fun, to buy things totally unlike what your usually have. Good luck!
Oh Karla, I feel for you. The pain of buying new! It’s a hard task. And I bet your husband does notice the things in your home together. And if he doesn’t, he will when he’s able to get there for breaks.
Dona
I love the hats! They are so cute!
Karla, You wait and see he’ll misss all the frou-frou!!!Put me on for the 12th, I’ll get my banner up right after this! later, Lori
OH I wanna see a video of Sugarwings having her belly laugh! She is growing so fast.
I like the things you chose for hubby’s apartment…it is fun to go between two diff. styles I think.
Hi Karl I loved all the pictures on your blog and all that you had to say, not too long for me at all! I can sympathize with youhavong to pay store prices for the furniture. If your husband is like mine he will think the furniture is just fine. I also wanted to let you know I changed the name of my blog.
Wow, Karla, you need to take a breath! So busy. I have never seen a Santa on a kangaroo before..so cute! The furniture issue, was a very sensible one. You can add some nice lodge/rustic style pillows and accessories. I am sure, that in time, you will have fun with it. Your pictures keep me smiling. Susan
Hi Karla~ Your hubby’s place looks like a nice quiet retreat, minus all of the girly touches of course. I am sure that with your touches though, he will be reminded of home each time he sets foot into his place there. How awful to have to live apart like that. I have some friends who lived in San Francisco during the week and then here on weekends.. Tis tough.
Anywho, just wanted to add my name to the list of participants for your Open House on the 12th. How fun and thanks for doing this – again!!! Looking forward to it.
hugs,
Becky
I will have my pics ready wednesday! Please add me to the list! I can’t wait! I love decorating , especially this time of year!
LOL! You always post so much at one time, that I’m never sure where to start commenting! I’m glad that the trip went well, and that you’ve made a start on the new place. It’s a lot to have to think about any time of the year, but especially right now. It’s pretty great that you’ve had a head start on all your Christmas decorating and all.
Lovely photos of the fairy grandbaby. I have a little 2 year old niece who laughs just like that….she always makes me laugh too!
Hi, Karla, looking forward to your party on Wednesday! I’ve got some Christmas decor to share & can’t wait to see what others are up to.
Rhoda
Looking forward to Wednesday!!!
Now don’t worry about cramped DC burbs! A little further north (that would be Cape Cod!!!) we are flat and sprawled out, too! I can’t promise you any cornfields, but instead we have oodles of cranberry bogs (oh yes, sand dunes and beaches, too)! =) We have serious restrictions on height for buildings on Cape Cod, so apart from a few old motels near the beach, nothing is taller than a 3-story antique home. We can’t build anything higher than two stories on the Cape now.
I am glad you made it back before the bad weather set in. Looks like you made progress in DC, the furniture is nice, but not as nice as your fru fru remakes!
Karla, gosh, I came here to tell you how much I’m looking forward to the party on the 12th & read about DC!!!
Hopefully it is just a temporary thing ~ you couldn’t stay that far away from Sugarwings anymore than I could be separated from my “baby”!
Hugs,
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
Karla, on your next trip takes some of your ornaments to put on the sofa table.
Wow! You did get a lot accomplished over the weekend!
Hi Karla: I just posted some party pictures on my blog.