Just Peachy

The weather has been beautiful here in Dallas - sunny, fresh and cool.  It makes me dream a bit about spring.  Ground Hog's Day is this Thursday and I'm wondering if spring will arrive early and give me permission to infuse some peachy spring color into my life.  I love these sunny, fresh and cool images below.

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Laura Gurton

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Simple Quiet Pleasures

Details matter.  

Time alone matters.

Creating a small space for beauty...

Recognizing when you need a moment of silence...

It all matters so very much.

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Charlie News

Thank you all for your emails and comments in support of my son, Charlie, who recently had an MRI.  Our neurologist wanted to take a look inside Charlie's beautiful head to see the current state of his perinatal brain hemorrhage.   For those of you who are interested, I have posted a full report of the MRI on Charlie's blog HERE.  And just for fun, I want to leave you with cute baby giggles, which seem to heal most any problem. 

All my gratitude,

Upholstered Headboard

Today, I want nothing more than to stay in bed 

with a cup for tea and read something by Jane Austen.

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But if I'm going to do that, I'd like to have a bed that looks like this.  

Not to be picky, but it would certainly add to my reading experience.

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Little Tree

I picked up this little Bonsai style Ficus tree at IKEA last fall and have been enjoying it all through the winter.  It sits in my front window, where I usually do morning coffee.  Today, I'm spending the morning at a neurology clinic with my little Charlie, so I'm keeping it simple here at La Maison Boheme with a little post of my little tree.  Have a beautiful day!

Heavenly Henna

I've never had a henna tattoo.  I see them on the beautiful bellies of my pregnant doula clients all the time.  Its such a wonderful way to celebrate a rite of passage.  I've been thinking about having some henna done this summer to celebrate my birthday.  Have you ever had a henna tattoo?  Where on your body did you have it done?  Were you celebrating something special?

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And one of my sweet readers, Karla, sent this AMAZING photo 

of her daughter modeling a henna corset.  Isn't it spectacular?  

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Art Nouveau Doors

One of my very favorite moments in history for art and architecture is the Art Nouveau period - roughly 1890-1910.  It was most popular in Europe and can still be seen all over France, Austria, Spain and elsewhere.  My understanding is that it was a "back to nature" movement, where artists were interested in harmonizing their environments with the natural world around them.  (Obviously, I'm not an art historian...)  Mostly I'm drawn to the undulating lines, circular motifs and highly ornate decorative details.  Here are some beautiful examples of doors crafted in the Art Nouveau style. 

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A House with Soul

Some people say that the kitchen is the heart of the home.  

Well, if the kitchen is the heart, then the home library is surely the soul. 

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And here is a shot of my own home library.  

One of my favorite places in my house!

Be a Poem

 
"Let your amazement out into the room. Pry open the box you hide your joy in. Be a poem.”

- John Patrick Shanley, Playwright

Once again, that's...

Let your amazement out into the room.

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...and then...

 Pry open the box you hide your joy in.

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And finally...

Be a poem.

Holcombe Waller and Ben Landsverk

Create a Piece of Art Within Yourself

Take a look...

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Charlie and Kenna's Kids

Its been a while since I've shared an update on Charlie.  As most of my long-time readers know, Charlie had a stroke before he was born, the effects of which cause him lots of physical delays.  He's almost 18 months old, but cannot use words, sit up or crawl.  The stroke was on the right side of his brain, which means that his left side is somewhat rigid and his left hand is usually balled in a fist.  Charlie has been in physical therapy since he was seven weeks old and he will continue to attend therapy sessions for most of his young life.

Charlie's physical therapy is going very well since we last checked in and just this week he said, "Mama" for the first time!  (Well.... its was more like, "mamamama" - but I'll take it!)  It was pure joy hearing my name come out of Charlie's mouth.  Charlie has also recovered beautifully from the skull surgery he had last August.  His scar is totally invisible and he has no traces of his former head shape, which was small and pinched due to a condition he had called Craniosynostosis. 

Tomorrow, Charlie has an MRI, his first in over a year.  Doctors are going to look at the stroke site and also assess whether Charlie has had any recent seizure activity.  Then on Saturday, Charlie will be having a full physical assessment to determine his next phase of physical and speech therapy.  But Charlie also has some very exciting news to share with you!

We're so excited that Charlie has this wonderful new opportunity.  With the help of Kenna's Kids, Charlie will have access to a larger variety of therapies and Kenna's Kids maybe even help us pay off some of our outstanding medical bills!  Feel free to visit Kenna's Kids at www.kennaskids.org to find out more about Charlie's new advocates and how they are preparing to help.  And as always, you can stay connected through Charlie's blog, Help Charlie Heal.

I cannot express my deep gratitude to you, dear readers, who have supported my family, loved Charlie from afar and buoyed me with your words of inspiration and thoughtful messages.  It has meant the world to me.  And thank you to Kenna's Kids for choosing Charlie.  I have a feeling, things are about to get a lot better. 

Want to get involved with Kenna's Kids?  Click HERE to learn how.

Or, contact Jeremy Pigott at jeremy.pigott@mastech.com.

You can also stay connected through Kenna's Kids on Facebook.

Go "like" their page and show your support!

Vintage Door Knobs

The interior knob on my front door needs some serious help.  For six months now, the knob has been coming off the door when pulled in a certain way.  So every once in a while an unsuspecting guest pulls on the knob and the whole thing comes off leaving a brown swipe of grease on their hand, or worse, their clothing.  I have absolutely no idea how to replace a front door knob and lock, nor does my husband.  I may have to call someone in.

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