OK, I confess that I've hit the wall... I'm very short on inspiration for my photos at present. But since some of you have said you want to read what I'll share, even this small composition says a lot about my old-fashioned sentimentality. Years ago we added a dining room to our house to capture the feel of my favorite old home where I'd lived as a child in Illinois. We wanted to raise our girls where dinner was a time to sit together and share the events of the day and we've had a lot of friends join us in this room as well. For those of you who thought the picture of the chair by the window looked like it was in a cabin, that sits just at the left in this picture. As for the framed photograph, I'm not sure of the location of this home, but I love that period styling and the beautiful old frame. Even the mauve and deep purple in the wallpaper is a color combination that's very pleasing to me. At Christmas we always put a second Christmas tree in the corner and decorate it in old-fashioned ornaments. I believe this room is my favorite in our house; it's been in a couple of my photos this year. Anymore, with our girls now grown, the only time we use the dining room is over the holidays...or when I go in to take pictures...
Forgive me for the self-indulgent overuse of the word "I" above. My journaling is getting out of hand... I need to get out of the house for some new perspectives!
We're about to be busier with shopping, appointments & packing, arranging to leave before long. I had a wonderful afternoon yesterday, leaving comments and looking at many pictures, and will use available free time to do more of the same. My thoughts so frequently turn to all of you, and your comments make me smile! Thank you SO much!
"Hit the wall" or "Photographed the wall"!! We've all had those moments and so take the next thing.... favourite, nearest, oddest.... doesn't make much difference just so long as it helps us over the hump.... It is so good to see inside each other's homes, to register the special places, memories, moments.... thank you. I'm wondering if that is a William Morris paper - so beautiful, deep and rich.
Here too I think creativity has gone into hibernation.... the skunk will feature this week and then maybe things will pick up. Work here has had its tough moments and energy levels are a tad low..... hopefully later in the week there'll be the chance for a break and a day off. Meanwhile.... plodding on!
Louise, this looks like yet another photo journal submission for you...certainly not you "hitting the wall". You have so much to share and sometimes it is more through your photos and sometimes it is more through your words. But I feel that is a lot of us on here. I know that is definitely the same thing for me. I never intended for my 365 to be a journal...and yet every so often, I find myself going off on tangents about my day, observations, and inspirations.
Your wallpaper is so wonderful...it reminds me of those quilted Vera Bradley bags ( love those). Is that a picture of your childhood home hanging up in the frame? The frame and the old-timey shot of the house are both beautiful.
@christifitz ...I rescued someone else's history from an antique store because I, too, loved the look of this old framed photo. I wish I did have a street-view photo of my home in Rockford, but have many other views as my dad was an avid photographer.
it is hard to be creative everyday......I was just musing to my husband how I can't believe that since March I haven't missed a single day. I am not sure how I have managed to do when there have been many many days where I have not wanted to pick up my camera. So good on you for doing!! Plus I always love hearing more about you and your life.
I love the picture, the wall paper and the wall sconce. All so perfect together. Our dining room when I was growing up was for family meals too. My mother now uses it as the holiday room as well. I could relate to your story.
I've hit "the wall" and haven't quite broken through and it's been 2 weeks. I look at my 60% complete and wonder how I'm going to make it. I've taken a bit of a break from commenting lately, but hope to start making my rounds again. There are a handful of folks here that I really enjoy following and you're definitely on that list. Hope you break away from the wall quicker than me! :)
Oh, and didn't get a chance to get across town to Green Genes while in Chicago. Really hoped to. I went on a far walk my last day there as I had some time before my flight. At one point I remember using my phone to figure out how long it would take me to get there on foot and it said over 2 hours! Next time :).
I'm with Freida. We all hit that wall from time to time. That said, even in that, your picture is very nice and evokes feelings of a different time. I love your Christmas tradition.
Louise, I really like that framed photo on the wall. You can just imagine the large spacious rooms. I think once you get out again, moving about, your inspiration is going to come back in full bloom.
i grew up like that ...dinner in the formal dining room. i can still see it in my mind. then you had to ask to be excused to leave...if you weren't...uh oh!
I love the composition of this photo and your narrative is wonderful...the photo of the old home is a nice addition...I've seen old photos of people in antique shops with a sign that read 'instant relatives'
I wouldn't know you didn't have much inspiration, i have been very much enjoying your recent photos! This is a great shot too, i like the wallpaper alot!
this is beautiful---we also try to sit down for dinner as often as we can to talk about our day--we also share high/lows...the good parts and not so good parts of each day...I can learn a lot about the kids through what they share....
I loved the story. The picture of the house is great. I love houses like that. Oh, and Cheryl, I have "instant relatives". LOL......sometimes you just can't pass up one of those photos.
I LOVE that old house photo and its frame, and It's so fitting on your dining room wallpaper. It reminds me of many of the photos of homes that my grandfather shot in Washington, GA. I know what you mean about the comfort of a dining room. We would only gather in ours on special occasions, but I relish those memories today.
BTW - I saw your comment on Chimom's page about missing 365ers at our gatherings, and I suppose there are some that have slipped through the cracks. I have contacted Chicagoans individually by searching through photos tagged with "Chicago", but I'm sure I have missed many. Perhaps your idea of grabbing people with cameras on the street is a good idea to enliven our group. Ha!
This is great...I could read your stories and look at your photos all day long. I hit the wall a long time ago. I feel like I'm taking the same photo everyday now. I hope everyone is not too bored with the pups pics : )
@chard ...See...you grew up in the midwest, and "of an era"...that's what I was going for...including the manners that didn't allow for just dashing off... I just felt CA was a bit too relaxed sometimes, especially when the realtor told us the bar in the kitchen would be sufficient for dining...
i'm usually not a big fan of wall paper but i must admit that this is an exception to me. this wallpaper is so rich and beautiful! and the photo frame is perfect for the decoration! feel like you just got home and now you will be on the road again! but that means i will be seeing you soon? hehe.
@greenpots ...I always cringed a bit at the notion of "instant relatives", but I do love finding nice old albums and photographs. (I used to use them in journal collages) Now my girls tell me to be sure to label which pictures are of our family & which are flea market finds!
Hey Louise
I love the photo it's so nice
That's cool how you put the tree in the dinning room! So your getting ready to leave on your trip I hear. I hope you have fun!
I haven't posted a picture in a few days because I was sick going to try to post a picture today
Eva
It's nice to have a dining room, I've always liked having family time at meal times. I'm at a bit of a wall too, sure we'll pull through. Maybe it's the change of seasons?
I love your dining room, that wallpaper is smashing! We don't have antique stuff or wallpaper, with the boys its totally impractical. One day when the boys are a bit tamer we might give sprucing up the house a bit of a go. I'd love to have a dining room, we tend to eat at the kitchen table.Our dining room is the boys play area and flull of garish plastic that the boys love! I sometimes yearn for the sedate old time ways! As for hitting the wall, the title is apt. I have given up trying to be too unique or arty, as I just don't have time, but I post my snaps anyhow, more for fun than anything else!
this is a great "memories room"! old fashioned came to mind, and timeless as well. I can imagine your children having vivid memories of times spent in this room as a family. I love it.
Don't apologise! It is so interesting to read about your lovely room - I'm totally with you on the christmas tree! I have one in the kitchen that I let the kids do their way and another special one that no one else touches or else for my christmas ornament collection - including some gorgeous antique ones that my grandma gave me. And I love your wallpaper!
Journaling is from your point-of-view, so it's okay if the I is there....all over the place. Thanks for sharing your sentimental journey. It's hard to believe how muc hthe world has changed.
That wall...it is there for all of us. But people like you and the many above give us each the patience to persevere. Love the stories so much, Louise!
Ah yes, what a beautiful shot full of wonderful memories! We still eat at the kitchen table every night. Even when I'm not here for dinner, my boys still eat there together. I was a stay at home mom for over 20 years and just recently took a job outside the home. I really, really, love having me time now and getting to work somewhere else! I still have dinner ready for the boys either in the crockpot, or something they can stick in the oven.
Okay, see what your stories do, they make me ramble on about my own life LOL!
I don't think you used the word "I" too much at all!
I picked up my grandson today after school and drove by my old house in my old hometown. Every time I see it, I feel a tug…the house is over 100 years old now…has 3 floors, hardwoods throughout, a lovely dining room with old fashioned wallpaper – similar to yours – but cranberry in color – and I still see the table surrounded by our family, hear laughter, see the china, hear the clinking of glasses. Kids grow up and move on – we’ve moved on…but the laughter, chatter and love is still there and is now in our new home. My dining room is smaller now…but it’s still filled with the same sounds…and love. Ok….now back to you….sorry about that…cause and effect, I guess. Love this photo – the wallpaper, the photo on the wall, the love and yet another peek in to the real Queen of 365!
I understand hitting the wall (as I am sure most of us 365ers are!) and I know it won't be long before you are overwhelmed with new inspirations. Glad to see you here and love catching up with you even if only through photos. *hugs*
Ah, you're allowed some wall hitting. Pretty soon you'll have too many fabulous pictures to choose from (and I'm really looking forward to your selections!) Great description, as usual!
Louise, as a teacher I learned that it is not necessary or even important to be creative or "do your best" every day. Some days doing poorly, or nothing at all IS your best, and it's Ok. I thin you have been an inspiration to so many on this site, judging by all the comments and support you got here. That won't change even if you post what you consider uninspired photos.
We had a formal dining room also, reserved for Sundays, holidays and company. Thank you for reminding me I should start to use mine more often. I also agree that it's interesting to see inside 365's homes and see more of the wonderful personalities. I'd love to see the whole room; you have teased us with this special small view.
Are you off on another vacation??
@tangie You haven't been here the whole year, so here are two photos I took in the past http://365project.org/Weezilou/365/2010-02-19 http://365project.org/Weezilou/365/2010-04-04 In a way, while I love the look of some of what I've photographed, I'm not a formal person (at all!), but with our addition, I incorporated the leaded glass & oak woodwork of the old home we lived in that was built during the Civil War era. A real trick translating that to a California home, but it did become my favorite room...most of all because it brought the family together there everyday.
@phxjanice It was *because* I was nostalgic for our old home & my grandmother's as well, we tried to put a bit of that into our California home. I think I was born into the wrong era! (except for computers!)
Oh Louise, I love this. It is very *you*...I think you know that while I love the mid-century modern stuff, there is a special place in my heart for stuff like this and like what you saw in my photo-gift to you (my mom's tea set)...I also love to decorate our Christmas tree with old ornaments (and tell stories about each of them to whoever will listen). Speaking of Christmas, you won't be surprised to hear that I have an aluminum Christmas tree from my childhood. Todd has agreed to alternate every other year between the aluminum tree and a real tree. This is the year for my aluminum tree, baby!
I've gotten off-topic......Thanks for sharing this glimpse into your home! :)
Your home photos make me miss having my own place. We have been leasing since moving back to Australia. We hope to buy when this lease expires next year.
Wow! Louise I have been reading all the comments on your photo.
I agree with everyone. There is so much in this - just a beautiful image caught by your lens.
I too put a Christmas tree up, only one though - a bit different too.
Everywhere in the world we travel, I buy a Christmas ornament or such & I hang them each Christmas - it's wonderful to recount where we were when we bought them.
Tomorrow is another day & I'm sure you'll have a new subject to photograph :D
Here too I think creativity has gone into hibernation.... the skunk will feature this week and then maybe things will pick up. Work here has had its tough moments and energy levels are a tad low..... hopefully later in the week there'll be the chance for a break and a day off. Meanwhile.... plodding on!
Your wallpaper is so wonderful...it reminds me of those quilted Vera Bradley bags ( love those). Is that a picture of your childhood home hanging up in the frame? The frame and the old-timey shot of the house are both beautiful.
Oh, and didn't get a chance to get across town to Green Genes while in Chicago. Really hoped to. I went on a far walk my last day there as I had some time before my flight. At one point I remember using my phone to figure out how long it would take me to get there on foot and it said over 2 hours! Next time :).
BTW - I saw your comment on Chimom's page about missing 365ers at our gatherings, and I suppose there are some that have slipped through the cracks. I have contacted Chicagoans individually by searching through photos tagged with "Chicago", but I'm sure I have missed many. Perhaps your idea of grabbing people with cameras on the street is a good idea to enliven our group. Ha!
I love the photo it's so nice
That's cool how you put the tree in the dinning room! So your getting ready to leave on your trip I hear. I hope you have fun!
I haven't posted a picture in a few days because I was sick going to try to post a picture today
Eva
Okay, see what your stories do, they make me ramble on about my own life LOL!
I don't think you used the word "I" too much at all!
We had a formal dining room also, reserved for Sundays, holidays and company. Thank you for reminding me I should start to use mine more often. I also agree that it's interesting to see inside 365's homes and see more of the wonderful personalities. I'd love to see the whole room; you have teased us with this special small view.
Are you off on another vacation??
http://365project.org/Weezilou/365/2010-04-04 In a way, while I love the look of some of what I've photographed, I'm not a formal person (at all!), but with our addition, I incorporated the leaded glass & oak woodwork of the old home we lived in that was built during the Civil War era. A real trick translating that to a California home, but it did become my favorite room...most of all because it brought the family together there everyday.
I've gotten off-topic......Thanks for sharing this glimpse into your home! :)
I agree with everyone. There is so much in this - just a beautiful image caught by your lens.
I too put a Christmas tree up, only one though - a bit different too.
Everywhere in the world we travel, I buy a Christmas ornament or such & I hang them each Christmas - it's wonderful to recount where we were when we bought them.
Tomorrow is another day & I'm sure you'll have a new subject to photograph :D