At Home With Sasha

Several weeks ago, I invited Sasha, one of RMS's most beloved members, to spend a day with us in Gollumland. Many of you may remember that Sasha always had encouraging words for RMS members; she was supportive, wise, and kind. When it became unbearable on RMS, many of us fled or went into hiding, but Sasha kept her rooms on RMS, no matter the stars or ratings.

Sasha's home is absolutely beautiful, and it reflects the inner and outer beauty of its owner. During those dark, troubled days at RMS, Sasha took a stand, and refused to allow the meanies to chase her away. She (along with so many other much loved RMSers) became a symbol of all that is good in this world. Her rooms were a haven, where the RMS community could find a glimmer of sanity and touch base with each other. Sasha's uploaded photos became much more than a "space." They were a calm, nurturing oasis in a dry, whirling vortex. Her kindness was already well known, but her bravery became an inspiration to us all.

Okay, I'll stop talking and let Sasha take you on a tour of her beautiful lakeside home.

"Hello, everyone--here I am, Sasha."

'
and here are the loves of my life, my grandchildren Rylee and Logan.
Here is Logan"

'
and Rylee, at her first formal dance recital"


"I share my home with my three furkids Sophie, Clancy and Janice. Janice is the cat (her picture is below). Sophie is the black dog, and Clancy is blonde."

"I think Mom of a German Shorthair and several others will remember the night they were up with me waiting and worrying with me the night Clancy got out. He did come home about 3:00 in the morning."

"Here's the guest room, with Janice Joplin (the cat) taking a snooze."


A bathroom


The screened porch--my favorite spot:


This is the lake I live on:


Next are fish from my back yard:


"I didn't realize I had such a thing for hats. I guess this is my signature, every room seems to have a hat!"





"These are just some odds and ends. The first picture is my favorite thing and it was free, it came out of an old Fl. bungalo and this was the shutter to cover the window, actually the house had no windows, only wholes cut for windows, this shutter was the only protection from the outdoors."


"The next picture is Christmas last year, I love decorating for Christmas, this is one time of year you can really get away with having too much, lol."



"The third picture is the first gourd I ever made and the only one I own, I have made and sold hundreds of them thru the years."



"The next picture is of a mirror I just made last week."


"The next one is just a favorite table setting of mine."


"I have had to think about what my decorating philosophy really is and I guess I will have to say it is " Never be satisfied," for me anyway. I feel sometimes that contentment brings with it stagnation and doesn't allow your creativity to grow.

"I would also say 'learn your style'.. Are you a cave dweller or a sky person? A sky person likes open, airy, uncluttered spaces and cool colors. A cave dweller ( which is me) likes warm, intimate and cozy settings. Determine what you are and go from there.

"Also I don't buy the "less is more" thing, I don't think that is always true. I think it really depends on personal style and preferences. Like Meryl Streep in "Out of Africa," I like my things.

"I also believe a good room cannot be done over night, it is a sort of evolution and it takes time to collect the things you love. Avoid the cookie cutter look, always make your rooms personal. Whimsy is good too.

"Always go for bigger accessories when given a choice.

Finally, remember what the eye gets used to seeing it doesn't take notice of, anymore, so move your things around from time to time."

"Gollum, here is my recipe, this is the best fudge I have ever eaten and so easy to make! Great for chocolate lovers and people who do not like to cook ( like me) you would never guess it has cheese in it. Love it! I am telling you that stuff is wonderful--the best stuff since grits.lol"


SASHA'S CHEESE FUDGE

8 OZ. BOX OF VELVEETA CHEESE
2 STICKS LAND OF LAKES BUTTER
1 TSP VANILLA
1/2 CUP COCOA
2 BOXES POWDERED SUGAR
1 CUP CHOPPED PECANS OR WALNUTS ( I USE MORE THAN ONE CUP)

Melt cheese and butter in large sauce pan over low heat, remove from heat, add vanilla and stir well, add cocoa and stir until mixed well, sift sugar into cheese mixture, stir in nuts. Spread into 9 x 13 glass pan and cover with foil, cool in fridge.
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Hi, it's me, gollum. I wanted to share several more pictures that have appeared on the blog:







Sasha, my dear, I want to thank you for opening your beautiful home and sharing facets of your life. Our homes are where we live our lives--and everything within those walls reflect our spirits, as Sasha's spaces prove.

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I wanted to give you an update about the snake: my brother says it's a copperhead; my sweetheart wants it to be a water snake. So we don't know. Just the other day I was standing on the ledge, cleaning the fountain (the spickets) with a coat hanger, and I kept wading into the water to cool off. LOL That won't happen again! :-)

Family matters are taking me away from my desk, and I won't be posting anything the rest of the week. But I will be with you in spirit.
Love to all,
Gollum