This afternoon, I went and picked Anthony up from the nursing lodge to take him to the upholstering business that last rejuvenated the three antique armchairs in the living room. Since then, around 18 years ago, the business has changed hands and is owned by a delightful sister and brother. Today we actually found that the exact same fabric is still available, so that’s what Anthony wants.
But now here’s the thing: I don’t really love the fabric and even felt it was a little too dark all those years ago. I would much prefer something a little lighter and less flowery. The decision hasn’t been made yet so we shall see, but what I really like about this experience is that, even though it’s down to me in the end because I’m the one who lives here, I want him to choose, so he still knows this is his home.
When I got home from this mini-adventure (if you care for someone with advanced Parkinson’s disease, you will know what I mean by ‘adventure’), I decided to cook myself some cauliflower soup. It looks gross in the photo but is was delicious.
Then Ming and Blaze posed for me.
jmgoyder 
Hope you can reach a compromise on that fabric.
We have now!
I’m with you on the fabric. Ming and Blaze look adorable!
Blaze is more adorable at the moment!
Decorating with one’s life partner can be a challenge, even after decades of marriage! I do love how you look at and a nice bowl of cauliflower soup does soothe the soul.:) Ming and the puupy are so cute in the picture.
Marrying into an already established home can be tricky. I always just went with Ants’ choices. Strange now to be the one who has control – very strange!
Living with someone else is an adventure and when the balance of power shifts it must take a while to get used to it. You’ll be fine, I know it. 🙂
you are very generous about your decor–I would not be so generous
boy Ming is a handsome guy!
Ming will love that!
tis true
Great picture of Ming and Blaze! That cauliflower soup looks delicious! I have a cauliflower in the fridge. I think I’ll look up a soup recipe. Thanks for the idea.
Did you make the soup?
You and Anthony inspire me. What love.
Yes, we are lucky.
Not sure about the flowery fabric. Reminds me of my grandmother’s three piece suite. In Scotland women used to embroider Irish linen cloth and make wee covers for the arm rests and for the backs of the chairs and couch to stop them getting dirty.
When my friend lived in Canterbury (England) she wanted an old chair recovered. We went to this upholsterer and while she was looking at fabrics, I noticed a beautifully carved oak chair with a high back.
The man in the upholsterers said it belonged to a customer and had been carved by his grandmother when she was18 years old. She had lived on the Isle of Harris on the Outer Hebrides in Scotland and carved the chair during the long winter nights when it is only light about 5 hours a day.
The chef at my last workplace used to make cauliflower soup. It was very nice and everyone bought it mainly because a large soup and a roll was only 1.35 GBP, while the meals were 3.50 GBP.
The house is old and a lot of the decor is a legacy of his mother (who I adored) so it feels odd to be the one making decisions now.
Mrs Tootlepedal usually tells me what I like and she is usually right too. Good shot of Ming.
Mrs Tootlepedal seems very wise.
Ok that print reminds me of out next door neighbour because I am sure that is the print on her chairs…………..it is good that you have included Anthony in the decision if only he would have picked something you liked……………lol
Ha!
all in all sounds like a very good day:)
Yes!
Yes, it must be hard to chose home decor if you both have different tastes, but I’m glad you allowed Anthony to chose. He must have few pleasures in the daily routine, that anything different IS a little adventure. (that’s how I think of my ‘excursions’ – little adventures).
Lovely shot of Ming and Blaze.
We mostly agree with each others’ tastes ( I think!)
You do the same thing that I do with Al. You try to include him and still make him feel very important in your life
Yup.
Never seen Blaze before, is he a new member of the family? I have a sofa with a similar print. It doesn’t show the dirt.
Blaze is nearly 10 and was born here. He is a mad chook killer so he is not in my good books.
oh…I get it.
Do you think if you asked Anthony if you might choose something else he would be upset…? Diane
No – he is really amenable but I want him to be thrilled.
A sentimental, Victorian man! But, I’m with the crowd. A change might be nice. 🙂
Peacock upholstery?
I loved their photograph of Ming and BLaze, so lovely… Thank you dear Julie, Love, nia
You’re welcome!
This is why I like you so much Jules!
How come you only like me when I adore you? Just kidding!
Cause my Liking you.. has everything to do with loving you ~ 😉
Ha! Ditto.
Love the photo of Ming and Blaze. Both very good looking guys. 🙂 Hope you and Anthony can reach a compromise on the fabric. I quite like the old one.
Can’t afford it yet anyway!
Love the photo and bet that soup was tasty.
Love the photo of your son & the dog. Very cute.
Yum.
Ming looks so very much like Anthony in this picture. 🙂
Yes – I am so glad.
That is pretty fabric, but if you don’t care for it… well, it is a tough decision.
Love the photograph of Ming and Blaze! Too cute!
Caring for a loved one through a long term illness is demanding, draining, and backed by devotion on the part of the caregiver. An “adventure?” I think (for me) it was more like Mr. Gump’s box of chocolates: “You never [knew] what you were going to get!” 😉
Ha – great comment – thanks Lynda!
Lovely photo of Ming, but the soup looks disgusting. Sorry Julie!!!!
LOL!
Julie, Your right the soup looks gross, and I truly hope it tastes great, but I don’t see how that could be LOL LOL. As for the fabric I totally agree with you. Then and now. Take care and have a great day. See you in September — Bill
I’ll have you know, Sir, that the soup was delicious lol!
This is too funny – we had the exact fabric on our couch (I noticed in previous pics) and Hubby picked it out. A little too traditional flowery for me … We had it for 25 years. The couch was also very uncomfortable. We finally donated it! Yay!
I’ve never had cauliflower soup. Sound yummy!
So we are twins in upholstery conundrums too!