Oh my!

How I wish that lots of fun things I write about inspired the sort of mail that I have recieved over my posts about blessings! Many of you understood what I meant, some agreed and some disagreed. Most of you who disagreed did so with love and respect and for that I thank you from the bottom of my heart. One of the many reasons I do not discuss religion or politics on this blog is due to the fact that we all have different ideas, come from different places, worship in different churches (and some who do not attend church at all), have different beliefs...well, you know what I mean! And boy are those two subjects hot button issues!

I never said that I do not believe that God does not grant blessings! Of course I do. Sometimes in the midst of our lowest days, a blessing is given! Sometimes it comes so quietly, so softly that we could easily miss it if we are not looking! I simply said that I am careful about saying that everything  in our life IS a blessing directly from God. Also, I do not believe that everything bad is due to something we did wrong. My beliefs may well differ from yours...

But I was raised in a church that looked at things differently than some of those who wrote me. Oh my. The emails I received! As I said in one of those previous posts, I will most assuredly lose many readers for writing anything at all about how I feel but it is just that...how I feel! What I have come to believe after living for 53 years! We all have opinions, beliefs and ideas...none are more valid than anyone else's. Mine are certainly no more right or wrong than any of yours are. I fully respect your beliefs and all I have ever asked was that you do the same for me. Not too much to ask for right?

And even if we do disagree on some things, I think we can agree that God is good and loves us all. As a Priest that I came to know and respect once told me, "God gave you the gift of a brain and he wants you to use it...and He loves you, no matter what as long as you keep His love in your heart and share it with others by being kind and doing good for your fellow man and woman."  If my brain comes up with ideas that God finds foolish, then it will be God that, one day, will tell me so!

Perhaps I should not have posted such a thing at the very time I am considering pulling our of blogging all together. The unkind emails alone would serve to make my decision an easy one.

See Sue? Stick to decorating posts and no one gets hurt!

It's funny how most of the  "less than understanding" mail has come from those who know me the least...or, in many cases, don't know me at all. I am being judged on this and this alone. How sad!

Lest I be labeled overly sensitive, trust me. I am not as sensitive as some would have me be. I am a pretty tough cookie about most things that people say or do to me personally. If age has one virtue, that has been it! But why bother at all when so many would brand me a Heathen based on this and this alone?

I have a busy and fun week ahead and planned to *take you all along* with us...

I hope to see most of you next week...here and at your sweet cyber homes.

Love and Hugs to you all,

Susie Q

Quiet Reflection

This was a sunset, as seen from my front porch, last week...a burst of fiery color on a cold Winter's evening.

It doesn't get more beautiful than that now does it?

I live in a smaller house. I don't have lots of bells and whistles. In touring the blog community it is easy to become disenchanted...well...for me at least. So many are doing so much with their homes. I look around our place and see that it pales in comparison...yes. I know that it does. But after 4 days of coverage on the horrific Haitian situation, I know that I am so, so lucky. You will never hear me use the word *blessed*.

I just do not think God chooses who to *bless* with a fine life while others suffer. No, not blessed. It is luck...having a good education yes. Hard work, yes. But luck plays the biggest part. Most of the time it comes down to just that. Yes, some occupations earn more income. Some folks inherit money. Some save and save for years. But much comes down to luck. And I am grateful for the good luck I have received.

I do not have the fanciest of homes but I am grateful to have a warm bed, clean water and heat on a cold night. So many in this country and the world at large do not have these luxuries. Yes, luxuries. The very things that many take for granted are the very things that others live without. My heart is filled with pain just now, to see what so many are forced to endure.

Call it survivors guilt, call me a hippie...yes, I have been called that a time or two...but I look around and even with all I lack, I know I have so, so much. So, instead of doing some of what I had planned to our home, we will give away what we can. I realize that my readership will dwindle even more but that is not what matters now...

I will post about our home and the little tweaks here and there (Mostly done with no money at all!) or about the little viginettes that I play with...but most posts will be about the beauty around us, the silliness found in life, the joy of being in a busy family. Yes, many will see this as unimaginative, boring even. But it is just my *luck* to live such a boring life.

I hope that most of you will stay with me...and we will see where this all takes me.

Wishing you all peace of heart and spirit. Wishing you joy and happy smiles.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

Brilliant Days...Deep Thoughts

* Update on my giveaway. I have the books ready to mail.  *grin* I will be away this weekend so all three books will be mailed on Monday. I apologize for being late. Bring sick is one thing, having a really sick kid is another! I know you all understand that! I am slow but I do get things done eventually! I promise!

I wanted to share some of our glorious Autumn color with you...I am glad I was able to get out and do a ltttle photographing before the last of this brilliant color was gone. I was so ill with whatever virus is upon us and then Grace came down sick too. We are both on the road to recovery, she more quickly than me for which I am very grateful!

Our seasonal color was just amazingly stunning this year. I would just ooh and ahh as I ran my daily errands around town. What a lovely area I am blessed to live in and what a beautiful world we ALL share!

I wanted to thank those of you who left such sweet comments on my previous post and those who have also sent uplifting emails. As some of you guessed, I have been in a bit of a bloggy funk. These 3 years have brought me so much joy but lately, I have been re-thinking my place in the blog world. I came very close to deleting Rabbit Run Cottage, the blog, on Monday. This will be news to some of you who I speak with often as I kept it to myself. *smile* I have decided to keep at it, albeit differently. I am, and will always be, so grateful that so many of you have been loyal friends and visit me even when I am a neglectful poster and visitor/commentor on your own blogs. You have been so understanding that I just don't have the time I once did and have had to face the fact that blogging must take a back seat all too often to real life!

PLEASE know I am not asking for comments telling me why you read my blog or that you still love me (Heck, IF you come here to visit, there must be somethin' you like right?) as I know who does and I love ya back. *grin* I never set out to blog for *numbers*, for glory, for money. The good and special friends I have made through blogging made every moment I have spent writing and working at improving photos, well, well worth it. But I write for me, for those who I KNOW I reach and who share many of my passions.

I write for the 22 people who have, over the last year, sent me emails that shared how a post I wrote made them laugh while they were under going chemotherapy, or made them feel good for the first time since they suffered a great loss. Some let me know that they shared my silly sense of humor and love of life,the joy that IS Brian Dennehy, the imperfect home and busy family. They *got* me. They said I *got* them. These 22 emails, these 22 people made it ALL worth while.

I have never taken blogging lightly. I spend far too long on most posts and stress when I can't or if I don't feel one is done well. I spend way too much time making sure each photo looks good and is something that you might like to see. I know I do not always get it *right* but oh how hard I try.

Still, the funk came over me. It has been there for months now but darkened last week. Let me explain. Among the 22 emails that were so positive and spirit lifting were 5 that were sour indeed. How did I expect to have blog visitors when *I* was negligent in commenting and making rounds myself? That was just one of the 5 but all had the same bent. Well, to sum it up as succinctly as I can, I DON'T!  If the only reason you come here to visit is because I visit you, well, I release you from your duty! I have no desire to make anyone adhere to such a silly rule. 'Nuff said. I have been *told* I am too long winded in my posts. Well, I am a talker. Born and bred. If you don't like to read, I give you my blessing to pass me by. I was told I needed to do more posts about home decor. I will address this in a second...

I was left feeling angry, more than a little flummoxed and ready to shuck it all.

But then I realized that I do not blog for those 5, I blog for the 22 who found *something* of value here.

I once had a much wider base. There was a time that a giveaway post would net over 100 comments. Did I like that? Hey, I am human right? Now, if I get 25 on such a post I am lucky. But, as I mentioned earlier, I never set out to write for *numbers*. I write for those 22 and for the loyal and dear friends that I have met along this blogging path. I try to visit you all as best I can and yes, I fall short often. For that I apologize but it is my reality.

I also do not post as much decorating as I once did. I know those posts get a lot more traffic. But the time I have to DO them has decreased dramatically. So the traffic will just move on down a different road I am afraid. *smile* But I WILL do posts about our home, our very much less than perfect abode.

I have projects that are still waiting to be finished and many that have yet to be started. Yes, we have lived here for almost 8 years and yet *SHOCK*, *HORRORS*, I am still living with what I see "lovingly" referred to in many blogs as "boring, stock" cabinets, "ugly, builder light fixtures", non exceptional counters, floors and furniture. 3 long years ago I thought I had a pretty sweet house but reading blogs almost had me believing I was living in cluttered squalor! Egads! All right, so I am indulging in a bit of hyperbole here but you get my point. So I posted less and less about home and hearth. I LET it get to me. But after receiving an extraordinary email from a reader, I now know that MOST of us live in less than perfect homes. I have written about this before but it kept rearing it's nasty head and I had to face it once again.

After adopting Grace, our pot of available monies for home projects dried up. But I also began re-thinking my desire to always want to change something. I had to but I needed to.

I came to realize that I was happier driving around snapping photos than I was cleaning and painting.

I was happier hitting garage and estate sales with my buddy Sue than I was going from store to store looking for the perfect home accessory. I am happier planning the next trip or get away than I am planning a home project. Do I LOVE home projects? You bet your noodle. And I have a few on the back burner that will see the light of day when we save up for it. I have tossed all the home to do lists and replaced them with

 to do lists that include weekend getaways, parks to visit, trails to walk, cities to explore. If you don't find that interesting, I give you permission to take me off your blog rolls. If you don't see the humor in a middle aged lady having a crush on an aging actor, pass me by. If you expect to see me do a weekly mind altering tablescape, I am not the blog for you. I am not wealthy or creative enough for that I am afraid! You have to be one or the other and I am neither! I will always look for those who make their homes warm and cozy via creativity rather than bucks everytime. It is just more ineteresting to me! If you don't like that about me, say bye bye for your own sanity! *laugh*

I will alienate some I know who will think I am being hard edged or that I am being unfriendly. I know that those who actually KNOW me will know I am neither of those things. But I must be truthful to myself.

I wll continue to write posts that are often long. I will continue to be silly and write about Brian Dennehy from time to time. I will try to be funny, often missing the mark. I will write more about family and movies and books and trips and my area far more than my skills as a decorator which are vastly limited. I WILL show you my house but in its all too glorious imperfectness.

I will share my inadequacies as a home maker, decorator, mother, wife and human being.

I will write for me and hope you find something that makes you smile or think. I hope most of you will remain my friends. Those who do not, I wish you well and wish you a sweet life. I may ever stop into your blogs from time to time. I may even leave you one of those coveted comments!

For those who, like me, have little time to post and visit my blog or others, I will be understanding and never chide you for it! Hey, you will do what you can when you can!

I will just love ya, admire ya and send ya lots of hugs. We are in this together. Together as imperfectly as possible. And, as I have said before, being IMperfect is PERfect in my eyes.

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q 

3 Years Ago Today...

A great event in the history of man occurred. Okay. Just a bit of hyperbole there. It wasn't a *great* event and very few people noticed. Actually NO one noticed at the time. It was the day that old Susie Q introduced herself to the world. Well, so to speak.

Howdy do, my name is Sue!

It was the debut of Rabbit Run Cottage. October 20th, 2006. Just click on the words Rabbit Run Cottage and you can take a peek at what passed for a post back then! I had no idea what blogging would come to mean to me or of all the delightful friends I would have come into my life because of it.

I have truly been blessed to be a part of this wonderful blogging community. It is an honor to be invited into your lives, your homes, to have you share a bit of your world with me. I hope you have found something here at Rabbit Run that has made you smile, laugh or think. I have been so inspired, uplifted and delighted by each one of you.

I hope to continue blogging for a long time to come and I hope that you will share that journey with me. I may not always post or visit in a timely fashion but I hope you will forgive me for this...and for that I want to thank you so, so much!

AND, to thank you for being such special friends over these past 3 years, I want to have a little giveaway.

I am offering 3 books. The first is Waterside Cottages  by the fabulous Barbara Jacksier for the decorator and home lover in you,
Eloise: The Ultimate Edition for the child in you, and Julie and Julia just because I loved it AND the movie!

Just leave a comment here, on this post, and I will add your name to the list of possible winners!

I will pull a rabbit...er...name out of my hat on Tuesday, October 27th so you have a week to get that comment on here! 'K?

Thanks to you, each one of you who mean so much to me!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q

A Warm Heart

I am overjoyed and so heart warmed that so many of you want to participate in Blogging Babe Blowout Weekend 2008! The thought that many of us could meet and share a weekend of fun and friendship overwhelms me. Thank you for your responses! I have always been one of those wimpy folk who fear upsetting anyone and always wish to make everyone happy! Still, I know all too well that no matter which place we choose, someone we all adore may be unable to attend. That pains me, I do hope you all know that and will be gentle with me! I stayed up almost all of last night, tossing and turning over this. The dog and cats were most disagreeable about that. Bill did not seem to notice. He is far too deep a sleeper. That said, what do you all think about late Spring or early Summer? I was thinking the second week of June. After Memorial Day weekend but it still will not be stifling hot. Of course, this is still up for a vote. I thought this would give us all time to arrange our travel plans, save our pennies and for me to lose 100 or so pounds. Okay, so that last item will never happen. You will have to take me as I am I guess! I COULD insist on meeting in NYC sometime in February-March. You see, Brian is doing a play then and well...gee...okay. So that may only thrill me but... And gee does Andi's April in Paris sound magnifique! But I guess that will have to be tabled for another weekend together! I love the idea of Napa Valley or Carmel because they are 2 of my favorite places on Earth. Oh sweet Strawberry Lane but I would LOVE San Diego or LA and the sweet, sandy beaches. We lived there for awhile and I long to return and see it again... Dear Chris...a Boston adventure would thrill me! Our trip to Boston was one of our best and I would so enjoy being there again... And many of you agreed that a Disney weekend would be such fun! Oh what wonderful ideas you all had! But, in truth, I think we will need to go with something very central to everyone. Something with a nice International airport, good public transportation, centrally located hotels/B & Bs, great restaurants and lots of wonderful things to do. Here is what I propose and you all may feel free to smack me around, slap me silly and scream at me until you are blue in the face. Or red in the face as red would be so pretty this time of year...the holidays and all... I narrowed it down to Chicago, Nashville and St. Louis. I love all three. I have spent a great deal of time in all three. All three fit the above specifications. Now, here is where I tossed and turned. And squirmed and whimpered and fussed and cussed and finally said, "A HA!". St. Louis has some of the most wonderful parks, a history museum, a stellar art museum, a glorious botanical garden, the ever popular Arch, casinos, a zoo, Grant's Farm, an old train station with shops & restaurants, lots of beer (Hey! It's the home of Budweiser you know!) beautiful old homes, Mary Englebreit (Well, we COULD invite her!), fantastic Italian restaurants on The Hill, an enclave where many Italian immigrants settled years ago, theater, a symphony, baseball and it is near St. Charles, a gem of a town, rich in history and chock full of shopping and antiques. There are also many antique shops in the area as well as some fantastic high end malls....have I piqued your interest yet? How about if I mentioned that most of the attractions, ala the zoo, botanical gardens, museums, etc. are free or almost free? How does that grab ya? OH! And our Pat lives near by! Hey Pat? You will HAVE to come. You are already THERE! It is as centrally located as we can get, affordable, drivable for many of us, or easily reached via air for the rest. So? What do you think? Have I lost some of you? Ready to soundly thrash me? Hey, I am a big believer in the democratic system. We can put it to a vote. I never really wanted to be an evil dictator. Okay, so I did but that was in 1986 and I got it out of my system. So, go ahead...and in the words of one of my younger years idols, "Hit me with your best shot...fire away!"

Stick What To Who? Or Is It Whom?

This was a bit from our Mama P's recent post, "Stick It": So who does it for you? (Okay, Susie Q, I know you'd stick your husband under a bus for Brian Dennehy.) But other than that wacky Rabbit Run Cottage woman - who makes your heart sing more than a Rudolph marathon? Oh dear Mama P! I could not be more shocked! Okay, I could but that would necessitate getting up and sticking my finger into an outlet and I am way too lazy to do that. I would never throw Bill under a bus after all, he is too big for me to lift him and toss. Push maybe but throw, never. Now *stick* under a bus I could handle. No lifting required right? Poor Billy. I do so love the guy. He has weathered this obsession I have...this teensy, tiny, little, small (Don't you just love redundancy?) love affair I have with Brian, for 33 years. Of course, Brian has no idea he is involved with me but a one sided affair has far fewer complications. No excitement but no problems either. My poor, sweet long suffering Billy has had a reoccurring dream for years that has me jumping into a cab with BD in NYC and taking off leaving him alone in Times Square. I would never do that sweetie! After all, you usually carry all the money when we travel and I would need you to pay the cabbie! Gee, you big silly! Now back to Mama P. This woman can write. Uh huh...w.r.i.t.e. She is a professional, gets paid to write and everything. And she is funny. Hysterical at times, deeply poignant the next. A loving wife and mom and dang diddly dang good writer. She is doing what I aspire to do and I am proud to know her. If you have never visited her, run on over and say howdy. Tell her that wacky cottage lady sent you. You will be glad you did.

The Apples Of My Eye

I had a thought today....I want to introduce you to some of my blogging buddies. Some you may know, others will be new to you. All are a great joy to me. Each one is a "Apple Of My Eye" I will be highlighting new *Apples* often but I think I will begin with these wonderful ladies.... Mary at The Little Red House is living in my English country dream. You will be bowled completely over by her home, her style and her charm. She is a dear and generous lady with a lot of heart. Kari at Just Livin' Large is a pure delight. If you find yourself in the need of a smile, you will find it here. Beautiful home, family, beautiful lady with a gorgeous heart and spirit. This gal is a hoot and a menopausal holler. Sophie at Sophie Honeysuckle’s English Décor is such fun and has a home so lovely it will make you cry! Okay, maybe just smile but it is darling! Her posts are fun and witty and beautiful. Just like the lady herself. Andi at Andi's Everyday Adventures is one of my daily joys. Andi is an elegant lady with beautiful style, a gorgeous home, generous and joy filled heart and, well, just a wonderful friend. Valerie at Random Thoughts is a fantastic writer, a great wit and has a heart and spirit as big as the state of California. She is a special lady to me and I know will be one to you as well. Go grab a smile... Please do something special for yourself and pay each of these ladies a visit. Tell them I said hello...

Hugs, Susie Q

Blogging Joy

Today I received the loveliest email from a very special lady. Carolyn at Mountain Meadows sent me a note to let me know about a post she had written after reading about my nephew Boo. Her words just warmed my heart and made my spirit soar. Carolyn truly does have the soul of a poet. I just want to say thank you to dear Carolyn and to all of you. When I began this blog last year, on October 20th, 2006, I really had no idea where it would lead. I just wanted to try it, have a little fun and, perhaps, use it to stay in touch with family and friends far away. It has become so much more. It is my creative outlet, my source of inspiration, support, my joy. I have discovered new friends that have become so very important to me. I have learned that we are all really so much alike. It does not matter where we live, what the color of our skin may be, the size of our house, or our family status. We are all different, we are all the same. We have each made connections that, without blogging, would not have been possible. I can not now imagine not checking in with Kim or Rhoda or Pat, Andrea, Sue, Lidy, Bethy to see what new tweak they have added to their decor. How sad I would be not to see how dear Pea's garden is prospering ot how Sharon Kay is up to! I would surely have missed out if I had been unable to check in with Corinne (our Jafabrit) and see what amazing work she was creating in her studio. I have come to depend on the creative inspiration of blogger friends like our house romantic Cindy, Rosemary in California, Sophie Honeysuckle in England, Jenny the Polka Dot Pixie, Donna at the Decorated House, Charlotte, Cherry, Deb K., Robin at Frecklefarm, Gold, Sugar Bear Karla, Kim and Toni at Rabbit Hill Creations. I feel so blessed to be able to share in the lovely photographs by special talents like Nature Girl and Betty Jo. I would have missed the connection I now have with Andi, Jen, Terri, Sheila, Missy, Teresa, Cheryl, Gretchen, Dawn, Valerie, Jolene, Coleen and so many others who now hold special places in my heart. I would not have come to know the precious faces of the children and their delightful stories that Melissa, Leona, Jill and our Brown English Muffin share every day. I would not have learned the lessons I now incorporate into my life from dear bloggers like Susie, Sioux, Connie, Betty Jo, Mari-Nanci, our Sheila in Canada and her beautiful daughter Blue. And, of course, what would I do without sweet Deb and her lovely girl, Kate, Lisa (our oceandreamer), Cassandra, Grace, Susie Q, Carolyn, Twinkle Pink's Ginny, Tammy, Chris, Country Pleasures and dear Rosemary. I would have missed out on the delicious writing that has, at once, made me laugh out loud and shed more than a few tears. Such talents like Pamela, Mama P., Brenda, Mom2Fur (Clare), Wendy, Carolyn... When I began this blog, I had a few detractors. There were a few who felt it was a waste of my time and just so much fluff. Needless to say, those people were wrong and are no longer near by to see how wrong they were. What a joy this blog has been to me. You are all so special to me. I have come to lean on your strengths and to learn from your teachings. You make me laugh and weep. I love seeing your children, your pets, your gardens, your homes. I feel that I have been able to delight in your happiness and to share in your painful experiences. I think the world of each and every one of you. I thank you for your love, your support, your prayers, your warmth, your compassion, your bright spirits. I wish I could hug each of you and tell you, face to face, what you have meant to me. Until I can, this will have to suffice. Much love and heartfelt thanks. Now and always.

Springtime In Ohio

*I have added this photo tonight. We saw this glorious rainbow on our way to pick up my mother. We had 2 rounds of thunder storms, this beautiful sight appeared just after the first blew by. I wish I could have gotten myself in a better position to take a picture but the darned traffic would not cooperate! Still, a rainbow is always a precious thing to behold...after a storm, there is always a sense of peace.... It is like that in life as well as nature.*

Okay, so these are pictures from the Amsterdam Flower Market. Amsterdam HOLLAND, not Ohio. But, they are Spring flowers nevertheless! We were in Amsterdam, in April, 2005. It was an amazing trip and the tulips were delightful!

It has been cold, rainy and not exactly glorious weather....but then you know? I am alive, well and surrounded by people I love. I am safe and secure and actually *like* rain. So, on second thought, the weather is quite glorious today! The cloudiness helps little babies sleep well so their babysitters can get more done around the house! Always a huge plus. And I love the sound of rain tip tapping on our windows and roof. I even love the occasional rumble of thunder. My Grandnother always told me it was the angels bowling. I have passed this image on to my children and even today Daniel will tease me that his Grandpas are having a go on the lanes again!

I will download a few Easter pictures for you this evening. I took some family time and did not get online at all recently. I have missed checking in with all of you and am catching up now!

I feel blessed that so many of you dropped by and wished us a happy holiday and told us that yours was sweet.

We shared dinners and lunches with friends and family, watched movies, read, took walks, talked and laughed. Just quiet delights. The best.

I also have a few of you to thank in considering my blog for a special honor. If I have made even one of you smile or giggle along the way, them I am truly blessed. To you Sheila at As Time Goes By, Betty Jo at Digi Scribbles, Dawn at Be Inspired, I Am, Lisa at LisaOceandreamer and Rhoda at Southern Hospitality...I offer my heartfelt thank yous and will do my part with a post later today or tomorrow. I want to do honorably by you all.

Thank yous go out to all of you for understanding when I get behind here!

I hope your week has been a good one so far...no matter the weather where you are, enjoy it. Find something good about the day, something to smile about. Those things are never far away.

Hugs,

Susie Q

And You Call This A Good 300th Post?

Instead of blogging Monday night, I actually jumped into this

bed and slept! I should feel guilty but hey. I needed to sleep!

And, then, last night, instead of blogging, we cuddled up on

this bedroom love seat and read... Okay, so this is a lousy excuse for a 300th post. I will make it up to you I swear. I have been so busy here at home and with the kids, my family, pets, etc. and blogging took a little back seat. I know, how can THAT be?? I LOVE blogging but there it is. Now, this is not exactly the sort of post I had planned for my 300th...not even close. But that aside, let me just say this. I think the world of all of you. You have become an important part of my day, my week. How I enjoy hopping online and visiting your spaces and sharing a bit of my life on mine. I often think my blog is nothing more than vain self indulgence on my part...vapid and serving nothing and no one. Still, I do have such fun with it. I thank you for welcoming me and making me feel a part of such a wide, sweet, inspirational and creative blog circle. Meeting all of you has made my life far richer and sweeter. I do plan a giveaway in honor of the 300th...so do not forget to post something. Anything! I will get back to you on the particulars! Now I am off to have dinner with the family. We are driving over to Mom's after dinner and going to get ice cream, all of us, even the dogs! Have a sweet Thursday. Hugs, Susie Q