Remains Of The Day

Time is an amazing thing. I start the day with the same amount as everyone else, but there just never seems to be enough of it to go around. I've been trying to get things ready for the Zapp Hall Show and still have time for a life, but I don't think it's possible. Something has to be kicked to the curb and in my case...it's my personal appearance. I don't know how everyone else manages. I haven't brushed my hair except to go with Jenn to Bella's weekly checkups. Makeup...what's that? I haven't blinged or blogged in what seems like forever. I do manage to keep relatively clean, but that's about it when it comes to daily grooming. I am so ashamed. I am, after all, a Texas girl and this is totally unacceptable to all that is holy here in Big D.

I realize I am not the greatest in time management. I prefer to work while stressed to the max, putting everything off to the last minute! That gives me the perfect opportunity to whine about something I forgot to do or ran out of time trying to get done. Thank goodness the show is only three weeks away or I would be fiddling around, getting nothing accomplished, thinking I have all the time in the world. Thank goodness for friends too...especially blogging friends. When I begged, I mean requested help with dried flowers, I never expected to receive anything like this! Pam at Frippery sent me this HUGE box of hydrangeas from her own garden. Can y'all imagine having the luxury and time of going out into your own backyard and cutting all this? I was gobsmacked beyond words when I opened this wine box!

This wonderful gift will go far in masking my ineptitude at display. These beauties will disguise the fact that I put off certain things and hopefully help make my tent look like I know what I'm doing! It's all smoke and mirrors when it comes to merchandising. So what if one of the legs on a little table is shorter that the others...doesn't it look beautiful with that silver bowl of hydrangeas on top? Didn't buy enough smalls? Place hydrangeas in bare spots and voila...instant appeal!

Thank you so much Pam for your generosity in helping me perpetuate the illusion of being pulled together.

While hydrangeas and bittersweet are wonderful for a fall presentation, another source of inspiration this year for me was Jermonne and Joe, the Barn House Boys. I could look at their show photos over and over again....and do! Y'all just can't imagine how much I would love to be able to attend one of their shows and to see it all for myself...up close and personal! (I know I am not a fan club of one, but if you've never been to their blog, take a look and thank me later!)

Their recent Barn House Show provided a much needed jumping off point for me as to what I want to do with our tent at Warrenton. I don't usually have a plan in mind...just arrange what's left after unloading...but these two guys make me want to do more than just throw it all into the tent. I aspire to be them when...or if...I ever grow up. They have a unique look and if I were able, I would steal it. Problem is, I can't steal talent like this...try as I might. It takes vision. All I can do is try and recreate some of their wonderful twists and turns...then admit freely that any and all ideas go back to this fantastic pair of men! Thanks guys for showing me that it's not just about buying the right stuff, but in loving what you do to take the time to present it creatively. One of Cat Daddy's favorite sayings (not mine...his) is to remind me around 10:00 on a Saturday morning that the day is half over. He goes to work so early and expects to have a lot accomplished by noon. Needless to say, I drive him crazy as I am not on the same time clock! I sometimes find it necessary to remind him that I'm not on his payroll.

When I told him what I had in mind for our tent this year, he went into hunt mode. He found and bought these wonderful shipping crates for me. Time will tell if I will be able to pull off what I have in this old noggin of mine. Y'all will have to let me know later if my mission was accomplished!