Weekly Wrap-up – Innovation, Inspiration and Tables
Hello friends! Welcome to my weekly wrap-up called the Sunday Soda Sip – where I share random thoughts, along with tips, tricks, and inspiration from around the web. This weekly wrap-up is the innovation, inspiration and tables edition. So grab your drink and let’s chat and sip.
Innovation, Inspiration and Tables
This week I headed to the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit with my daughter and granddaughters. It was going to be a rainy day so we decided to visit the indoor part of the museum, and skip Greenfield Village.
I hadn’t been down there for over 25 years! All the way back to when my kids were in elementary school and I chaperoned a field trip. So It’s been a hot. minute.
We began in the dinosaur exhibit, because that’s where all the buzz was. What a treat of innovation inspiration! There were all of these life size (or larger) models of dinosaur skeletons, along with some giant birds that still exist today, that moved.
They were powered by all the children who visited, who could pull on levers, and push buttons to have these giant art pieces dance around. Who thinks of this stuff? It’s amazing to me all the creative minds out there that bring things like this to life.
If you are ever in the Detroit area, the Henry Ford Museum is a must see.
Major inspiration, could this car be a room?
Heading toward the car exhibits, there was much to reminisce about and be in awe of. The one I kept going back to was the Packard. This car was the luxury vehicle of its time. They were so expensive to produce, that they ended up making less than 300, as they weren’t big sellers. But how stylish is this?
I could totally see this as an inspiration for decorating a room! Imagine a library with Packard green walls and shelves, leather sofas, brass rails and lighting, and wicker accessories around the room. I’m drooling just thinking about it.
Tip: Inspiration for home decor can come for anywhere. Keep your eyes peeled for great colors, detailing, and materials that are paired together. Your stroke of genius inspiration is out there!
Clearly if you are riding around in this gorgeous vehicle, it would have to be a sunny day. Bring your picnic basket and we can stop for a bite. Yes, that is what we all need! A car to go on picnics in.
The car I really want
If we’re truth telling, I had major fantasies about hopping in this VW van and driving right outta there. I wonder if they would miss it? I could see myself at an estate sale or flea market, picking treasures throughout the day, then stopping for a bit of overnight camping in my darling van.
Of course, I was thinking, where did they even find this van? In mint condition and with its original awning and paint, yes please.
But if I can’t have the van, the next best thing would be the wiener mobile. Although parallel parking could be an issue. And the parking lot at Trader Joe’s would be a little tight.
Important vehicles in history
There were many other cars to check out as well. I enjoyed rolling down memory lane in seeing all kinds. From race cars, to the first cars manufactured, a replica of a muscle car I once made out in as a teenager, and an original yellow checkered cab, amongst many others.
But the most significant ones that gave me goosebumps were the actual bus Rosa Parks sat in and refused to give up her seat, and the presidential vehicle where Kennedy lost his life.
In the bus, we learned a bit more history about Mrs. Parks and it made me think of my own mother who was mixed race and lived through segregation as a child. Lots to emotionally unpack there.
This is the original car that Kennedy rode in, that after the tragedy, was modified in 1964 and again in 1967. It was actually used occasionally by presidents all the way up to Jimmy Carter. Notice the platforms and handles on the back, where the Secret Service could ride and hold on.
What’s the big deal with tables?
I began thinking about tables because there was a vintage game table at the museum from the 1800s, similar to one I have from my parents.
Explaining to my daughter how it folded out, and telling her she couldn’t ever get rid of it after I’m gone. I really need to put pictures of all the family heirlooms into a book, while I can still remember everything and identify it.
If you have antique items that you want to stay in your family, you better tell someone or write them down. Or they may end up lost from the family forever.
Lots of things happen around tables. I was looking at this table (that I built many years ago) at the cottage. It’s imperfect and primitive, and showing its age. We have had countless meals with family and friends around this table, and the memories it holds is immense.
If furniture could talk, oh the stories it could tell of the life being lived that it has seen.
When making decisions about buying or redoing furniture for your home, think of not only how it will LOOK but how it will FUNCTION and LAST. This is why, sometimes, THINGS are important, as they hold memories of the life we have lived around them.
Inspiration from the web
When the bustle of a day is over, I always love to cruise around the web for inspiration.. Here are some things I discovered this week:
If you love a French inspired home, this website will have you drooling. The photography is amazing and make sure you check out the blog.
If you need something cute and fairly cheap for your home, look at these.
This couple has the whole amazing lifestyle thing down pat! Visit their blog.
Tomatoes are in abundance, so check out this recipe of deliciousness.
What new innovation and inspiration awaits you?
Okay friends, I hope that you have an amazing week. I’d love to hear what you are doing and what inspires you. Tell me in the comments.
As we enjoy these last few weeks of summer, notice how things are blooming riotously around you and make a mental note for any garden planning you do for next year. Can you add something new? Move some plants? It’s always good to notice how space is when everything is fully grown.
And my friend Kim has a garden planner on her website you might like.
Have a great week! Thanks for joining me today for Sunday Soda Sip. I hope you enjoyed the weekly wrap-up – innovation, inspiration and tablesI’d love to have you join me more often, follow along on these platforms.
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Thank you, friend!
So interesting!!! I love the pictures!