A Fireplace for the Master Bedroom

Now why would anyone want a fireplace in the Hill Country? Most people think it is HOT AS HADES in Fredericksburg but the truth is the temperatures drop into the teens during the winter. The wind can be fierce and lowers the temperature significantly. We use our fireplaces and firepits in Fredericksburg more than in Shreveport. Omesa will have 2 wood burning fireplaces and 2 firepits. The firepits will be for gathering in the courtyard and gathering off the veranda in the backyard. I love the idea of gathering in a circle...something about the circle is comfortable, inviting, healing, sacred.

Spanish Antiques

Here's a photo of one of the two matching chests to be custom made for the great room. One chest will go on the dining side and one on the TV side. A wonderful antique store in Santa Fe had the originals which were already sold.

Chinking, Front Door, Fireplace in Great Room...we are looking like a Hacienda!

The Look

This is just one of the pieces I purchased in Santa Fe. This will be used in one of the casitas opposite the bed for easy TV viewing. Each casita is planned with an open entrance hall with coat racks for easy storing, an efficiency kitchen with an icemaker, microwave and antique dish racks, full bath with both a soaking tub and a shower, double sinks with vanity, private water closet with antique saloon doors, a large master bedroom with king size bed, TV stored in an antique cabinet, closet for suitcase storage and weekend racks for hanging garments, an extra bedroom or room for families to grow. This extra room is designed to grow with each of our children from game table to crib to twin beds or bunks or a double bed. Each casita bedroom suite has a similar floor plan but very different in color and design with unique details. Antique pendleton blankets have been purchased for each casita along with beautiful antique throw rugs, Brazilian skins, natural sisals and great looking fiber rugs. This is the fun part as "the look" begins to come together.

50% COMPLETE.....

Jim Donaldson gave me an update today since we have not been back to Fredericksburg for several weeks. The sheetrock is nearly complete, tile preparations begin for all the bathrooms, stone for the walkways and patios is being shipped to the site, landscape design and pool is out for bid after I approved the revisions this week, driveway pavers have been selected, interior stone walls and fireplaces are nearly complete, antique American Oak floors will begin in a few weeks, all interior and exterior doors are hung and I approved the cedar to be used on all outdoor gates. It is a busy time at OMesa! Currently, I am working on interior design by selecting a few more light fixture, mirrors, antique hardware and finishes for cabinets and custom furniture.

The Goods from Santa Fe

I have to confess, after the third day of shopping I had a mini meltdown. This is the time of life when I feel I want to give things away, simplify, you know the knda attitude that " less is more". SO WHY AM I BUYING ALL THIS STUFF? I continued to toss and turn all night wrestling with myself....my gut said " what the hell are you doing?", my mind said " remember this is a gift for your children and has value in many ways" and my emotions said " we are entering lent and it's all DUST TO DUST"...then this deeper voice of spirit said " Why are you fighting this? Remember you are exactly where you are supposed to be, let go of the fear, this is God's house, it all belongs to him, trust where I am leading you, enjoy the fruits of your labor, be still and know I am God, what's the BIG DEAL?"...God has a sense of humor, you know...and besides, the dream I had just the night before was reassuring.

I dreamt that I returned to OMESA after being gone for awhile, it was quiet, peaceful. I noticed the apple tree was huge, really really BIG with branches full of apples, so many the limbs were heavy, apples of all sizes and so many I couldn't imagine how I could pick them all. My thoughts went to " Where am I going to get all the containers to put all this fruit so I can begin giving it all away."

Lent has begun now, things don't seem to matter much these days but I continue to make decisions about hardware, pool design, the type materials we will use for the driveway, where the barn will be placed, how the firepit stone will be stacked, where the chaise lounges will be place so the stones will be set in the correct place poolside, how the furniture will be best arranged for conversation, ....in all this while I just want to be quiet and as I remember how my Mom and I gave everything away when my Dad died. I guess I am still wrestling with having one foot in this world and one in the eternal. Do we ever understand? So I count my blessings and all the apples from the tree of life, still looking for the containers to give them all away...they aren't mine, remember....thank you GOD for the fruits I can share and for the humble reminder that things are only gifts when they are shared, given in love.

I look forward to what you, my dear God, has in store ....he sure knows what he's doing and I know I don't! following along....

Santa Fe...I don't want to see another chili pepper!!

Since the Mexicans are cutting people's heads off in San Miguel, I decided Santa Fe might be the safer bet for furnishings. It is definitely safer but many of the fine shops are closed or moved and what is left are mostly rustic, southwest, cowboy and indian in style. There were only a few stores that had the type of furniture I was looking for, that is, more refined casual antiques, spanish colonial or comfortable Mediterranean