Debuts And Deja Vus

(A post by Contributor Poppy from Poppyview…)
One cold winter afternoon, while wandering around the thickly populated blogosphere, I suddenly stopped in my tracks, as I found myself standing in front of the the cutest, most colourful house I had ever seen in the land!
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I immediately felt at home, identifying with its cottage-y, farmhouse feel, where cows and chickens lived harmoniously among primary pigments printed on crockery, quilts, artwork, and fabrics. Polka dots, checks, stripes and floral patterns featuring red, my favourite colour, had me doing double takes; this could easily be my house, I gasped!
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I needed to find out who was behind all this serious fun and flair! First, I went into marathon mode and read her beautiful blog from first post to last! Then, I visited every day and felt like I was getting to know this very honest and humble lady.
From helpful tips on bettering one’s blog, to eloquent excerpts on personal experiences, I was so intrigued that I wanted to tell her how her simple and whimsical style had made me smile, (after collecting my jaw from the floor, that is!).
So, I wrote Miss Brenda a long letter, telling her just that: how much I had admired her cozy little house, and if she had the time, I would love for her to visit mine – a new blog, barely a week old! 
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Of course, being the sweet soul that she is, Brenda wrote back right away, boosting my confidence, cheering me on and giving me valuable advice. She extended her hospitality by introducing Poppy View to her many devoted readers, on her very unique Welcome Wagon Fridays, a kind and generous invitation.
Poppy View debuted on my daughter’s birthday, May 18th, 2012. A few days ago, Brenda asked me if I would consider becoming a regular contributor here, at this warm and wonderful space. Needless to say, I was ecstatic! And so, today, I thought it most fitting to celebrate Poppy View’s one year anniversary, here at Brenda’s cozy little house, which for me, has been more of a home, as its gracious hostess always takes care of her guests, in the most attentive and delightful ways. 
In addition, I’d like to thank everyone who visits Poppy View. Reading, commenting and simply saying, ‘hello’, are treasured gifts and your presence inspires me to joyfully communicate to you, colourful creations, in pictures and words, from my own little house, in the hilly fields, of the pretty, Cretan countryside. 
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Until next time,
Poppy

I’m a Greek-Canadian, born and raised in Toronto, currently living on the island of Crete, where we’ve just finished building our home in a quaint little village in the countryside. POPPY VIEW was created to share my ideas of house and home, a few thoughts here and there on life and hopefully make some new friends along the way. Drop in anytime!

Welcome Wagon Friday 5/17/13

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Okay, let’s welcome three new bloggers to Blog Land.

Up for you this week I have…

Looks Like White

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Oh, I know all of you love this look. And this…

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Circle Of Pine Trees

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And what a truly beautiful circle of pines she has to look out on.

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Love My Simple Home

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A pretty new office all set up for blogging.

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Okay, you know the drill. Let’s visit these ladies and welcome them to our friendly little community.

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A Calm Day After A Thunder Storm

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It rained all night. I looked out the window this morning, and the flowers are drooping a little under the night of storms.

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It is quiet outside now. Just the sound of the birds.

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I have the whole day to stay in today. My favorite kind of day.

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The way the weather has been here lately, warm one day and cold the next, I may end up with a quilt in my favorite chair with the dogs settled around me.

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Light some candles.

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Maybe spend some time in the front bedroom that serves as my office. For months now, I’ve been putting things in there when I didn’t feel like finding a good place for it, and it’s piling up. I’m tired of seeing the disarray.

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Right now I’m going to head to the kitchen and fix some coffee. One of my joys of the morning. And sip it while I read email in the living room.

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And see what the rest of the day has in store. Because it’s far too muddy to go outside and take photos, or pull a few weeds that may have cropped up.

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What have you got on your agenda today? Anything exciting?

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All Fall Down…

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I walked down the street to see how the empty lot looked. Well, I knew it wouldn’t be very interesting. But the bull dozers and semis have left. And it’s done.

And so here it is. Nothing remarkable or anything.

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I worry some about the trees that got scraped in the process. But hopefully they’ll be all right.

It’s funny how I house I vaguely remember now has hold of my attention so.

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I took some photos of other houses to show you what’s along this block.

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Mostly just little two bedroom one bath houses. But they hold character you don’t often see in newer neighborhoods.

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And characters, period. There’s this man who never ever mows his yard. Yet flowers thrust through the scraggly weeds and reach toward the sun to bloom.

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Probably just weeds that bloom. But they are pretty weeds.

I have only seen him outside once in nearly two years.

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The white house is where the Navy medic currently lives for a little while longer.

And the house next to him. They always have roses.

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Just a little neighborhood near a university. People who I don’t know for the most part. But share a block with. People who have lives and worries and histories and houses that simply happen to be in this spot.

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And now an empty lot, clean and smooth. The debris all taken away. That once upon a time was home to an elderly woman and many cats. Some will remember her and bring her up in idle conversation once in awhile. But now, she and the cats and the house are gone.

And it is simply an empty space ready for a new beginning.

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Decorating & DIY Coupons

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We all love a deal. Money is tight for most everyone these days. So we wait to find coupons, discounts, online deals. Here are a few to get you started on that new decorating or DIY project.

DIY home décor deals:

Save on home decorating DIY needs using these coupons from BeFrugal.com:

·      Joann Fabrics coupon code: 40% off 1 regular price item, expires 6/16. Plus get 6% cash back.

·      Build.com coupon code: $10 off your $199+ order, expires 5/31. And get up to 5% cash back on your purchase.

·       Ace Hardware coupon code: $5 off a $75+ order, expires 6/16. Plus get 5% cash back.

·      Great Big Canvas coupon: 30% off any order, expires 5/31. No coupon code needed. Plus get 5% cash back.

·      Linens ‘N Things coupon code: 20% off any order and get free shipping, expires soon. Plus get 1% cash back.

Cash back rates can change from day to day. These rates were valid 5/13. Join now for free and earn cash back when you shop!

Tweak It Tuesday #40

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Last week The Blissful Bee showed us how to make the backs of our bookshelves beautiful on a temporary basis. And you can even change the fabric out when you get tired of it. Love this!

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At Home On The Bay shows off her beautiful dining room. I have always been smitten with that plate wall she created.

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Decor Amore baked some cinnamon roll waffles, and they sure look mighty tasty.

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I’m Not A Trophy Wife showed us how to add “jewelry” to our plant pots.

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Dwellings took apart a lamp and showed us her skills in making sure the electrical is safe. And now it’s pretty as well!

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Cottage Instincts took this little table from dull to darling.

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The Homespun has decked out her space for comfort and relaxation. And it doesn’t hurt that it’s mighty pretty too!

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Town And Country Living has done such a wonderful job decorating her dining room in farmhouse style.

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Sunset Coasting stenciled a shower curtain and tells us how she did it.

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Little Brags planted up an old wash tub planter.

You ladies sure have a lot of creative juices flowing out there. Now let’s see what you’ve tweaked this week.



A Big Day In The Neighborhood

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Today has been a big day around here. A place where it’s normally really quiet and not much goes on.

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I saw my two grand kids for the first time in a long, long time. They acted like they’d just been here yesterday. They toted and carried the dogs around, and now the dogs are plumb wore out. They didn’t like it one bit, but seemed befuddled about it all.

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These two photos were taken before they arrived. Just around the time Miss Abi decided to go on an adventure. Yes, she managed to get past me at the front door and off she went like a rocket.

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My word, that dog can run fast. I got in the car and started looking for her. Charlie was very upset and worriedly watching from the storm door. Chris next door got in his pickup to help.

Various neighbors I didn’t know saw her hurtling down the street like a locomotive and were looking for her. Finally I got her. Then I was worn out from nerves.

Got a bit of bad news. Chris, the Navy medic, is having to postpone medical school. He has been deployed and will leave the country in September. I will be so sad to see him go. He’s such a good neighbor. Said he found out right after he moved in.

Oh, I had such high hopes for him living in that house that had been treated so badly. I could tell he was someone who would take care of it.

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My daughter and I walked down to the demolished house a bit later. So sad to see a house that’s stood for so many years reduced to a mass of debris in about 30 minutes time. Kind of amazing, isn’t it?

The neighbor next door to it came out and said the elderly woman who had lived there has been in a nursing home about four years. And she had about 20 cats. She said the city or someone closed it up. She didn’t know if all the cats got out or not. Oh, I hate to hear stories like that.

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She said someone had bought the lot and had the house torn down. I just hope whoever bought it will build a house in keeping with this very old neighborhood. My house was built in 1934.

There’s still a wooden shed and part of the foundation to go. The bulldozer sits ready to start in the morning. It’s quiet there now. Just a lot full of broken concrete and shattered boards and bricks, and a bright yellow door peeking from underneath some of it.

I wondered if the woman liked yellow, a cheerful color, and maybe painted her door that color to express welcome to whoever came to see her. Before she became frail and sick and could no longer care for herself or her house.

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So that’s been my Mother’s Day. A good one, except for hearing about Chris and chasing Abi all over and scaring me half to death.

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I can’t stop thinking about the woman that once lived in the demolished house. Probably lived there much of her life. What memories she must have had there. Walls that held a family inside. Doors slamming with children running in and out. A typical family.

Then as she got older, she took in all those cats. Perhaps she was just lonely and didn’t want the strays to go hungry. I wonder why it is we hear so many stories of old women and lots of cats living together?

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I look at the life teeming in my backyard. All the plants that have come back from last year, despite the long, long winter of cold. Colors and textures and blooms, all so happy.

Then I think about that house, empty for years. Shut up tight and the grass grown high, with no one to love it.

And that just makes me feel sad.

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