Time for the flannel sheets. I love village scenes like this, don't you? This summer we did a huge puzzle, Andy and I. It was a seaside village scene in fall. It was right after Audrey died and I didn't think I could do anything other than figure out where to put those little pieces. A thousand of them. I lost myself in the layers of the little village — the village bakery, the hotel, the boat shop, the tiny trees getting smaller and less distinct the further they moved up the hillside. Maybe there's a metaphor in it all, but it doesn't even matter. It worked — that is, it relaxed our sad heads — and when it was done, maybe a week after we'd started, we felt strangely better. A bit better.
These sheets I've had for maybe five years now. Another Christmas present from my mom, from Garnet Hill? I can't remember. And the blanket is from my mother-in-law, maybe the Company Store? You see how my mommies take care of me. My mother has bought me sheet sets all my life, and I keep my sheets for years and years. Since grade school I have cared a lot about my sheets. When we went to the beach with my sister a few months ago, she pulled out a twin flat sheet I hadn't seen in thirty years — dancing cartoon cats, doing ballet. I have a lot of my old blankets and sheets from Chicago. Every day after school, I'd walk past Marshall Field's on the way home, and my mom's office was a few blocks away from that beautiful old department store with its dark green gate and gold clock. I remember going regularly with my friend Mary Davis, who was infatuated with an English guy named Simon who worked in the shoe department and looked like the guy from A-ha. She'd head for the shoes, and I'd head for the sheets. I was infatuated with a mint green comforter with pink flowers. I went to flirt with it constantly. The day it went on sale I flew out of the store, back toward my mother's office. I raced into her building and skidded to her desk saying, "Mom! Mom! My comfie's on sale! Pleeeeeeeeease can you lend me some money to buy it!" (Riiiiight — "lend.")
Of course she came down after work and got it for me. Of course I promised to pay her back but surely didn't. I worked as a movie-theater candy girl all through high school and spent all my money on various things from the Hallmark Gold Crown store. And this place called Essence that sold Crabtree & Evelyn soaps and lotions. I had every Spring Rain thing that they made. I have the comforter still, though. It's on the guest bed now, and kitten-soft after twenty-something years. I love to sleep, but I haven't been getting too much lately. For the past several weeks, I have been working on revisions and additions to the book, and re-shooting and adding a lot of photos. The night before last I was so worried about everything and going over it all repeatedly in my mind that I didn't sleep at all. Andy had gone with his friends to see Junior Brown and he came home around 1 a.m. He smelled like the bar and could not stop talking, then woke Clover up to play with her on the bed. I require all residents of the bed who can't stop talking after 1 a.m. and who will, within four seconds of hitting the pillow after a few beers, start snoring like foghorns to sleep in the guest room. So he left, but I still couldn't sleep. I read half of Still Glides the Stream, which has seriously got to be one of the most soporific books on earth, but it didn't even work. Finally around 5 a.m., the snoozing ensued. Clover woke up at six, and you know the rest. 'Morning, sunshine!
Such snuggly sheets...oh how I wish it got cold enough here for flannel.
I have the same set of sheets...love them! I think I got mine from Garnet Hill catalog a few years ago. So glad you reminded me. Weather's chilly today. Think I'll go up and put them on the bed right now.
I love that you have loved sheets and blankets after all these years! I just returned from visiting my family back in Wisconsin and what did I find myself doing... going through all the old sheets and pillowcases from my childhood. They sure don't make them like they used to.
Ha! Love the "residents of the bed" paragraph! "Snoring like a foghorn" - snort! You crack me up, Alicia. : - )
Love the sheets, btw.
I have kept several sets of sheets and pillowcases from my children's rooms. How surprised they are to see them on the bed when they come to visit (but secretly thrilled) Of course I'm not to sure how my new SIL likes sleeping on rainbow unicorn sheets..except they are sinfully soft and comfortable!
I just love everything about your house and your style. I love retro and cozy and homey!! Life is so chaotic and filled with so many stresses. Home should be where you snuggle in and feel safe. You certainly have that down. Thanks so much for your blog--I absolutely look forward to reading it.
Your sheets are gorgeous. I love fabrics like this one (and jigsaws too) and though I have quite a few harvest and Christmas ones in my stash I can hardly bear to cut into them in case I slice across one of the little scenes.
I love that you hold on to special things. I do too. Some may call it being a pack rat or messy but too many people treat possessions, and people, like disposables. I never can trust, or like, anyone who throws away "stuff" and friends once they get bored.
What a sad, selfish life...
YOU have such a sweet, cozy, love-filled life. Thank you for sharing. (Try to REST!!)
Oh, the joy of puppies! I haven't been allowed to sleep past 8am since I got mine last year. And, I totally had those ballerina cat sheets! Amazing.
Ah, Spring Rain. I, too, had everything Spring Rain! Loved it, wish they still made it. Mom loved Summer Hill and I still buy her that collection. And little villages, what is it about them? Love imagining what goes on there. Good stuff. Thanks for the nostalgia!
I still have a white (read 'blindingly white') sheet that belonged to my grandparents. It is such good quality thick cotton, and has been washed so many times that it feels like the finest velvet.
I absolutely depend on earplugs at night. I'm so auditorily-oriented, that every little noise would wake me up at night, not to mention the BIG night noises emanating from a certain bed companion :)
See if you can nap today when the puppy naps.
I love linens too...although I've never admitted it out loud until now. My nana still has sets that my mom slept on.
Your sheets look so comfy!! Like I could just put on some tall socks, and slip my feet right in. I remember the days I slept in flannel, so warm, soft, and safe. I wish I could go out and buy some right now, but the bf can't take the heat so it's all cotton for me.
I have the same rule for bed residents. Of course when it's me who comes in smelling of vino and snoring then all bets are off! ;-)
LOVE those sheets, I so wish that somewhere in the UK did stuff like that. Off to check out LL Bean et al and see if they'd ship here!
I was just thinking this morning that it's time for the flannel sheets. Thanks for affirming it for me. Love your village sheets. Mine are a boring pale green, but ever so cozy.
I'm a huge fan of bedding. There's something so comforting about the combination of soft and warm. I need that tranquility.
cozy flannel sheets + early-rising pup = afternoon nap. Sleep tight!
Yes! I just put the flannels on last night...a maple leaf print from Lands' End a few years back. Had to be my best purchase with my then-employee discount! Good luck with the book revisions. It's hard to let go, isn't it? :)
love those sheets!
I didn't know the OP Marshall Fields was still open when we were in high school. I always imagined it closed up back in the 50s or something. I was so sad it was just a dumb old Borders now. and now devastated of course that MF is gone altogether, such a blow to my Christmas spirit.
What a completely comfortable bed!! I love the sheets, too, and the red blanket. The village reminds me of one on a vintage Christmas tablecloth. Hope you get a cozy and good night's sleep tonight!
I do love village scenes. I thought I was the only one. How lovely that I am not alone in this pleasure. I can stare at them for a long time. They are my favorite, especially on a Christmas Card.
Memories....I love Crabtree & Evelyn and I used to have Spring Rain everything as well. And little village scenes...I do adore them!
Funny thing... Last night my better-half and I said at the sametime. Gee, do you think it's time to put on the flannels?. We laughed over that one.
I just love those pretty sheets and pretty sheet stories..It makes me want to take a nap..