The tree in the Ladies' Parlour - in two parts. It is about 18 feet tall, and impossible to photograph all in one pic - at least it is for me.

An arrangement that I did, sitting on the sofa table in the Library.

Rhonda did this one, which sits in the main foyer hallway.

Mel's mantel in the ballroom, one of two. It doesn't show here, but there is a figural urn in the center.

Mel's mantel in the Library. The color is way off in this one. I did the 4 foot square boxwood wreath, which is studded with berried holly. In the center are small bright red vases, a signature color for the pottery here in NC that produces them, and a clay piece that is a "choir".

My arrangement for the main foyer console table.

Two fun art pieces made by NC artist Toni Cappel. While we were working, we made up stories about them. The man on the right, whom she named "Colin" is (according to me) a "lounge lizard"; a man past his prime who now sings on cruise ships and in obscure Vegas lounges and panders to women of a certain age.

I had to show you this, my favorite piece in the Mansion, a beautiful green cut glass bowl with a silver rim. Here it is sitting on the grand piano, which is itself a work of art. I couldn't get a good photo of it, due to light reflections.

One of the art glass pieces on loan for the season; a green glass bowl made of glass tubing. It is really spectacular! Here it is sitting on a mirrored plateau in the middle of the dining table. I am hoping that you will be able to enlarge these photos, so you can see these things in greater detail.

Too Tired.....

All you get tonight is Maxine! (At the moment, I look a lot like the woman in the bottom cartoon!!)

I worked 9 hrs. and 40 minutes today; we finished the Mansion and went back to the shop to start the weekend events. Maybe I can post the rest of the photos of the Mansion decor tomorrow. But tonight? It's a hot bath and early to bed. It all starts again tomorrow at 8am.

P.S. If you live in the area and take the Raleigh News and Observer, you'll see a guest column I have in the North Raleigh section today. It is one of my former blog posts, which I sent in response to a request for submissions. Enjoy!

Decor and More

The tree in the Gentleman's Parlour - Before.....

And after! I made all the bows on these trees. Click to enlarge.

The top of the Carousel Tree. It may help your sense of scale to know that the horse on top is about 4 1/2 feet wide from nose to tail.

and the middle! Many of the ornaments were made by NC school children.

Door wreaths in the hallway leading to the kitchen. My co-worker Rhonda made these.

One of the art pieces - Kaitlyn - carved of wood. Beside it is a small greenery arrangement that I made, but you can't see it well.

An arrangement atop a bookcase in the Library, which I made. There are two others in the room, but they are almost identical to this one. It may not look it here, but they are 3 1/2 feet wide and 4 feet tall.

Rhonda also made this wreath; one of four that grace the Library windows.

My employer, Mel Day, always does the mantels. This one is in the Gentleman's Parlour. The cardinal in the center is carved of wood, and it is really realistic looking and well done.

The mantel in the Ladies' Parlour.

Over the front door. I can't photograph it, but there is a "cross" of garland going diagonally across the top of the porch from column to column. I made all the bows here too.

Here's a bow I didn't make. One of our volunteer helpers wrapped this pillow to look like a gift today. It sits on the sun porch love seat, beside the Carousel Tree.

We had our usual crew of eight or nine today and enough volunteers to make twenty around the dining room table for lunch, which was fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, broccoli, salad and the usual selection of desserts, which was (for me) chocolate souffle. Two more rooms remain to be done; the dining room and the ballroom, which is the place we do all our work. They spread canvas tarps over the beautiful hardwood floors; set up tables for us, and bring in trash cans and buckets of water. They could not be more accommodating! I will take more photos on Thursday and I might be able to get better pics of some of the trees. Check back tomorrow.

And remember: it isn't "my crew" - I am part of someone else's crew when doing this decorating.

Quotes of Note

Human beings are perhaps never more frightening than when they are convinced beyond doubt that they are right.

Laurens van der Post, explorer and writer (1906-1996)

&&&&&&&

That some good can be derived from every event is a better proposition than that everything happens for the best, which it assuredly does not.

James Kern Feibleman, philosopher and psychiatrist (1904-1987)

&&&&&&&

To be able to destroy with good conscience, to be able to behave badly and call your bad behavior "righteous indignation" -- this is the height of psychological luxury, the most delicious of moral treats.

Aldous Huxley, novelist (1894-1963)

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Do something for somebody every day for which you do not get paid. Albert Schweitzer, philosopher, physician, musician, Nobel laureate (1875-1965)

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Decor today at the Governor's Mansion:

No photos, yet. We haven't gotten far enough along for pics, but maybe tomorrow. We had a GREAT lunch today, sitting around the very long dining room table, amid gorgeous surroundings. The chef sets up a buffet everyday for people who work in the Mansion: pork loin or chops (your choice), white and brown rice, fried okra that was to die for, salad and about five desserts to choose from. One of my neighbors brought dinner in for us tonight and it was pork chops, white and brown rice, green beans and apples. All of it was good, and I was so tired that I didn't mind eating almost exactly the same meal twice.

The theme in the Mansion this season is North Carolina Art. They have brought in many items from various museums and private collections all over the state, to be on display during the week of public tours, starting next week sometime. As we sat around one end of the table at lunch today, at the other end of the table were about seven pieces of art glass - one of which is said to be worth $75,000. Guess who kept her distance?? I can just imagine klutzy ole me getting anywhere near that piece!!

Norman Rockwell 6

Rockwell and the Scouts go back a long way. In 1912, when he was 18, Rockwell went to see the editor of Boy's Life, having learned that the Boy Scouts were about to publish a magazine by that name. He wanted to become one of the first illustrators. After making 3-4 paintings for them, the art editor accepted two and asked Rockwell to make 3 more covers, and gave him a $75 check. That must have been a small fortune in 1912, especially for a teenager!

In 1916, one of his paintings was accepted by the Saturday Evening Post, and he left Boy's Life. But in 1925, the Scout's published a calendar with one of Rockwell's earlier paintings on it - and it was in instant success. His last calendar painting came in 1976, when he was 80.

Note: We decorated Sullivan's Restaurant today and then we started at the Governor's Mansion. I was surprised to see the governor walk into the ballroom dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans. As he extended his hand, I shook it and said ...."Governor, it is very surprising to see you in jeans and sweats!" He replied that he was going to put on his "governor suit" in a few minutes. I liked seeing him in regular clothes, as it proves he is a "regular" person. I found out that he is a woodworker in his spare time, and as such, he will appear on "The Woodwright's Shop" on PBS sometime in the near future. He has made three tables, one of which is a beautiful trestle table with a gorgeous finish. I don't know what kind of wood he used, but it is lovely.

More Decor ~ Day Four

The lobby of the Capital City Club here in town. The arched entry leads to the pub/bar.


The tree in the main lobby.

A rather blurry pic of the wreath behind the desk in the main lobby.

Wall sconces (one of six) in the main dining room, behind the buffet. There were eight of us working today, and since we didn't have to replace the lights or make new bows, we were finished in 4 1/2 hours. We did six trees, plus all that you see here.

And the Decor Season Begins...

Faux garland and ribbon atop an antique armoire at The Cardinal Club, Raleigh, NC. It is almost as tall as the ceiling, so there isn't much room to do anything exciting. The first time I did this piece, it was in the main dining room, and the high ceilings allowed us to place a gilded deer family on top, sitting amid greenery and ribbons. It was a great focal point.

This garland and wreath hang behind the main desk in the lobby of the club; greeting members and visitors alike all through the season.

The newel and staircase at The Cardinal Club. Always garlanded and beribboned, the staircase is the focal point of the lobby. The 18' tree sits in the semi-circle formed by the curve of the stairs. I can only show you the top of the tree (next photo). It is hard for me to take photos of the lower part of the tree because you have to shoot it while backlit from the 2 storey windows behind it.

Decorating this tree is not easy! You can do the top only by leaning out over the stair railing, or by reaching through it. One has to be a sort of daredevil to attempt it. My forte is bows and ribbon. I did 99% of the bows and ribbons in these photos.

We did this tree today at Brier Creek Country Club. It is in the main ball room of the club. The main colors we used were burgundy, antique gold and purple, because they lend themselves to the carpet and wall colors of the club. You'd be surprised at how many brides ask if the colors can be changed to fit the color schemes of their weddings!

This is the main tree in the lobby of this club. It is (I think) 15' tall. Twig deer lie and stand at the base of the tree, along with wrapped presents.

One of the many wreaths we hang at Brier Creek. I think there are about 25 of them, in sizes ranging from 6' in diameter to 24" ones, for doors. Every two years, we take out the old lights and replace them, re-do the ribbons and change out the ornaments.

One of four carriage lamps flanking the entrance doors of the club. I caught the ribbons in a very rare moment of stillness. Usually they are blowing in the wind.

Today was another 8 1/2 hour marathon of ribbons, lights, wreaths and garlands. Tomorrow we do the Capital City Club, and I hope to have time to take more photos to show you. All of the decor here is artificial, since it has to remain in place for more than a month.

Monday we do Sullivan's Restaurant and then we start the Governor's Mansion, where everything has to be fresh, most of which is cut from the mansion grounds or other state properties.

If you have access to the latest issue of "Our State" (a North Carolina Magazine), please check out the photos from last year's Mansion decor. On P. 97, there is an interesting article about the Mansion and Christmas decor, and my employer, Mel Day, of Dogwood Tree Florals.

If You Ate Too Much on Thanksgiving...

I ate too much.......but not that much!!

I worked 8 1/2 hours today, decorating a city club. There were 7 of us in the crew and it still took over 8 hours! I only had time for a few photos; maybe I can show them to you tomorrow. I'm too tired to post anything more tonight.

Another Meme....

I stole the meme from Betty. I hope she doesn't mind! The answers have to start with the first letter of your name:

1. What is your name? Judy

2. 4 letter word: joke

3. Vehicle: Jaguar, jitney, jinriksha

4. City: Johnson City, TN, Jakarta, Indonesia

5. Boy Name: John, James, Justin, Jacob, Jonah

6. Girl Name: Jessica, Julianna, Jennifer

7. Alcoholic drink: (mint) Julep

8. Occupation: juggler, juror, jailbird

9. Something you wear: jumper, jacket, jewelry

10. Celebrity: Jennifer Garner

11. Food: juice, jam, Jerusalem artichoke, junket

12. Something found in a bathroom: a joint (not the kind you smoke, the kind you find in pipes!)

13. Reason for Being Late: jungle fever, journey

14. Cartoon Character : Jeckle and Heckle

15. Something You Shout: Jump!

16. Animal: Jaguar, jackass

17. Body part: jowl

18. Music style: jazz (I added this one)

19. Word to describe you: jaunty? jocular? jolly? jovial? joyous? juvenescent? just? jealous? jubilant? jittery? jabbery?

I JUST realized I've done this meme before. I can't remember when - but I did.

Maybe you'll do it too? Let me know if you do. It's great to post when you have nothing else......LOL

A Funny Thing Happened......

We had company here for dinner tonight - a sort of Pre-Thanksgiving/Happy Birthday meal for good friends of mine and mr. kenju's. After I cleared the table of most everything, I was cleaning up in the kitchen and my younger daughter came in to talk.

She looked into the dining room and saw my cat Eclipse (the one I call Clipsie) standing on one of the chairs, inspecting what was left on the table. A few minutes later, Clipsie was dipping her paw into the cream pitcher, licking it and then sticking it into the sugar bowl, licking it - and repeating the process. When I went to retrieve the sugar and creamer, the cat was looking quite pleased with herself! Where there's a will........

Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone!

I know all of these are making the rounds of email, but maybe some of you missed them. Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Odds and Ends - and Old Foreign Coins

BIG coffee cups and I get along very well. Recently I broke the last large one I had, so I pulled out this one I bought last year after Christmas. I do love a bargain - this one cost about $1.89 on sale, and with my 15% coupon. It is 4" across and deeper than that, so it actually holds two cups.....just my speed. You are perhaps thinking....."The coffee will get cold before she finishes it", and you would be wrong. I can down the whole thing in about 4 minutes, and be back to the pot before you can say ....."Would you care for some more?" And that Santa stop here sign? From my mouth to Santa's ear - I promise I've been really good this year!

*******

Christmas decorating with my boss and the crew starts on Friday, and we work ten straight days, lay off for three and start again for at least three more. Posts may be few and far between on all those days - or maybe I will have a second wind and do it justice - who knows? Therefore, if I am scarce here on the interwebs, you will know why.

*******

Last Saturday found us having dinner at the home of a local blogger, and it was a very nice evening. Food was tasty and plentiful, drinks available, and conversation sparkling - at least theirs was. I'm not too sure about mine or mr. kenju's. A sweet little kitty was present as well, and after an hour or two of patient coaxing on my part, he finally consented to having his head scratched. Every cat I have ever had was at least 10 pounds overweight, so small ones (who are past the kitten stage) always fascinate me. This one was all the more fascinating because his whiskers were white, while most of the rest of him is black. Tres chic! A designer cat!

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Are there any numismatists in blogland? I have a small collection of foreign coins, and 2 of them are dated 1919. Surely 88 year old coins are worth something to a coin collector?! They are a penny and a half penny from England; copper coins with the inscriptions:

"GEORGIVS V DEI CRABRITT OMN REX FID. DEF. IND. IMP.

The penny is in fairly good condition, but the half-penny shows some wear on the reverse.

I just discovered I also have a Canadian coin dated 1900. The inscription on it is:

VICTORIA DEI GRATIA REGINA

It is in good condition as well. If you know anyone in coin collecting who might be able to give me an approximate value on these, send them over, please.

It works with wives and husbands too!



Ain't that the truth!



I think I'm beyond preservatives now......LOL



Or if they remember the secret, they can't remember
where they heard it!