Kim Hoegger HOME

Wallpaper & Red Geraniums

 
 

Took some photos of the wallpaper in my house for you guys to see. I LOVE wallpaper and know for sure that this LOVE has come straight from my Grandmother's heart to mine. To me, there is no other wallpaper more beautiful than her living room paper. I can see the color and pattern so  
vividly when I close my eyes. Beautiful pink and white flowers on a dark green background. It was the most beautiful room I had ever seen! (Note to family members who may remember that paper differently, please keep those thoughts to yourself as I felt like a princess in that room! Lol, for all I know it could have been hideous or obnoxious, but to me, it was magical and I would like to remember it that way.)

 My Bedroom wallpaper, love it so very much even after ten years!
 
 

 
Guestroom wallpaper. Does this look familiar to some of you?

 

My Maternal Grandmother was a Nurserywoman. She loved flowers of all kinds but especially red geraniums. I remember summer vacations spent at her side walking greenhouse to greenhouse checking on each beautiful flower. And if I was really lucky(and she was really busy and needed to keep me occupied for a little while)she would set me up in the at the potting table in the greenhouse on a very high stool and I would pot plants for what seemed like hours and I was in heaven. I can still smell the potting soil when I think of those summer days.

I also remember growing bored of the potting task and crawling underneath the potting tables with my sister, brother and cousins for a little game of hide and seek. We would sneak from greenhouse to greenhouse via our under table tunnels and scare customers to death. We would giggle and giggle like no one knew we were there. Needless to say, Grandmother was not fond of this game and neither was Helen, my Grandmother's go-to girl at the Nursery. I think Helen grew tired of us after a few days, well, a few hours most likely. We loved scaring her from under those tables! I remember her mumbling beneath her breath when she couldn't find us but knew we were there! Poor Helen, she was so sweet too and loved us all so much in spite of our mischief.

 
Guestroom bathroom wallpaper, love it! So charming.

Grandmother is gone today, but Helen is still around town and we love to visit with her when we see her. She hugs us real tight and her eyes fill with tears when we talk of my Grandmother and those summer days. Whenever I see a red geranium or smell potting soil or Merle Norman face powder, I think of my Grandmother and all those wonderful memories. I owe my love of flowers to her and especially my love for floral wallpaper.

Hope to hear from you about your wonderful wallpapers! I will have to find a picture for you of my Grandmother's living room wallpaper. I know there is a picture out there of the whole family sitting on the sofa in front of that paper, I have seen it somewhere! I will do some research and post it soon. Family members, please send along a copy of that pic if you have it, I would love to have a copy!
 
Love to all, and miss you Grandmother so very much, but you are with me always.

Kim   

Hello Saturday,

Busy day today at the store...Founders Day on the Square with a late afternoon Sip and Stroll. Lots of people in for wine tasting. Nice day.

Bub's party was a huge success in spite of the continuing rain. Fourteen year olds dont mind the rain at all. Everyone had a great time.

Wrapping up at the store, headed home for the evening. More later.

Warmly,
Kim

Hello Friday

Feeling rushed today, so much to accomplished and so little time. Have to go to Sam's for the party tonight and it stresses me out just thinking about the crowds and how long the whole process takes. It I weren't tied to time constraints I might actually enjoy my trip to Sam's as there are really lots of interesting things to peruse. Anyway, need to make a list and get it on with the trip. Rain, rain please go away. I do not have the slightest idea what to do with forty kids here for a pool party if it should rain as forecasted. The cookout and the football games wouldn't be possible either so please, please rain go away. Family members you are welcome to come for dinner and help chaperone hint, hint. Party starts @ 7 and prep way before that! Saving grace is that the guests are 14 and will not notice that I haven't attended to things like the remaining laundry or made my bed, just closing the doors. They are also very easy to please, thank goodness, and will enjoy whatever food we provide as long as ther is cake. Speaking of cake...need to touch base with the baker and schedule time to pick up. Maybe she will deliver ;) Being that this is a swim party and of mixed company, I am praying that ther will be no issues of scantly clad girls. Surely their parents will monitor their attire, right? Anyway, looking forward to the party because I really enjoy his friends and he is so excited. Prayers for no rain and appropriate dress. Oh and a few prayers for a safe and unadventurous trip to Sam's would be much appreciated as well. Happy Friday, Kim

Party Planning for a 14 year old

I love to plan and execute parties. Probably love the planning more than the party actually. Lol. However, it is enormously gratifying to see those you love enjoying the party you have pulled together. Makes me smile. When I am planning a party, I like to think about the guest of honor for a few days, really think hard about them and who they are, what they love, what would surprize them and make them the most happy. Things like their favorite color, their hobbies, favorite sport, their preference of cake flavors and whether or not they are a cake person or a cupcake lover. All really important when planning a party for someone special. I read the book, The Five Love Languages a few years back and I have since planned my families parties thinking about how each family member receives love. It really does make a difference in how their perceive what is being done for them. For instance, my oldest daughter takes alot of time in selecting gifts for us every Christmas. Her gifts to us are exactly right for us. She is very perceptive and can remember things that we have said throughout the year that we would really like to have. She gifts with alot of heart and it shows in her gift-giving. So when planning a party for her, I do the same. I attend to details like she does for me and make special surprises for her because she does so for me. People tend to give things and in ways that are important to them. I give back to her in her way of giving and she feels loved and very special. Now, with my youngest son, who I am planning a party for now, I am making it really special but in a different way because he is not about the gifting per say but more about making the party reflect WHO he is. Partially because he is 14 and at this stage it is important to him that he appear strong and athletic to his peers. So, he will feel most loved if I capture his spirit and strength in his party. I am pulling together a football themed party in strong color of brown, black and dark green. Adding football themed bowls and platters and put together a photo collage of him for the invitation. He and I spent a sunday afternoon together at a neighbor's pond taking photos of him doing his favorite things like casting a rod, throwing the football etc. Photos turned out great and he was so pleased with the invitation. So proud, smiling ear to ear. Worth every cent and time spent. He feels loved and important. Will post photos of the party at a later date. Praying that the rain holds off until after the party. Yikes, what to do with 40 adolescents who cannot swim at a swim party. Must have a Plan B. So, anyway, just a few thoughts on party planning as I am enjoying my party planning adventures today. Next time you plan a party, spend some extra time thinking about the guest. And if you are up for a good read pick up a copy of The Five Love Languages, it's a very enlightening book. Off to finish my shopping. Oh and speaking of shopping, parties need not be extravagant to make someone feel special. It's not about how much you spend but on what. Make it special, keep it simple. Talk to you soon, Kim

Soggy Cabbage

Just a note about the Crunchy Slaw that I mentioned this morning; not so good on day three and most likely day two either. I didn't try it yesterday but from my experience today I would say this is a a salad that must be served immediately due to the ramen noodles. Both the noodles and the cabbage were a little soggy today. Fabulous salad day one! Oh and something else to note regarding the recipe, I cut the recipe in half for my family of six and still had leftovers. So, it appears that this recipe is for a large family gathering like maybe a reunion or something, makes a very large quanity. Enjoy!

Hello Thursday. Great night out with the hubby and good friends. Late night dinner @ Sullivans, yum. Really late like 10:50 to be exact, lol. Hubby insisted we have a good dinner and charms the chef into preparing one more dinner for the night. A much preferred choice over What-a-burger. Had the Meatloaf and mashed potatoes with a wedge of iceberg lettuce and house made blue cheese dressing. It was divine! hubby had the porterhouse steak with chipolte glaze and lobster bisque soup. He also enjoyed an iceberg wedge and blue cheese. needless to say, we took home leftovers because our eyes were much bigger than our stomachs at that hour. Good lunch today! In Trisha's cookbook there is a recipe for the wedge and a homemade blue cheese dressing. That's next on my list as everyone in this family loves blue cheese! Can't wait to try it. Made the Crunchy slaw recipe on page 116 Tuesday night for dinner. Paired it with leftover roast beef and it was amazing! Fabulous recipe, just the right combination of sweet and salty and a little added crunch from the ramen noodles, toasted sesame seeds and almonds. Highly recommend. Mmmmm...might have the leftovers for breakfast this morning with my boiled eggs. So good. Lots of errands today. Pulling together Bub's party for Friday night. Almost forgot to order the cake. Just sent Annie a text with the order. Hope it doesn't rain Friday, praying for sunshine would settle for cloudy. :) Happy Thursday :) More later on wallpaper as I am seeing it in all the magazines and feel the need to explore as I have always loved wallpaper. Til later. Warmly, Kim