her journal

Yesterday was the last day of school. My girl brought home 40 lbs of stuff from her desk. She presented me with her writing journal and asked if I wanted to read it. (Are you kidding me? YES! How long before she hides this stuff under her bed?)

Can I just say that I struck the daughter jackpot? This girl is golden.

My favorite excerpts from her writing:

"No, I don't want a bat for a pet. My father's wife would freak out probably."

...

"When you are on a team you need to be gleeful if you lose. And you should try to be calm and willing. You don't have to be stylish or brainy. You just need to be big-hearted. And that is priceless. Plus thats all you need to be a swell team."

...

"I wouldn't like to be a paleontologist. Because I don't like to get my clothes derty. Every body else in our class might want to but I don't. So being a paleontologist isn't easy. Thats why I don't want to be one. And also they are getting derty right exactly now possibly."

...

"If you have a swell sibling their good. But if you have a wild sibling their not good. I think I am a swell sibling. And I think the same for my brothers. Plus some brothers are great when you play castle. Because they could be a gard. So sisters could be the princess or queen."

the solution

Remember this corner? Does it look a little different? Like, no toys? {ahem, no visible toys?}

Did the children move out? No. They're still here. For a long time. With all their stuff. But now, some of their stuff lives in these boxes.



The top two hat boxes...I painted them. And then painted them again. And then smeared on a little more paint. And then I did that again. And again. I couldn't stop myself. I just don't know when to quit. So I didn't. I kept going and going until I wasn't quite sure if I liked them anymore.



Then I tried a new technique with the bottom one. Just some smearing of paint. Once. I like it okay. They're all okay. For now. I figured I needed to call them 'good enough.' They look so much better than the random chaos that was residing in this corner fifteen minutes ago. And I was really sick of them drying in between coats on my counter.



So here they are, for now. Good enough, I say. Good enough!

That'll do, pig. That'll do.

Another problem

I've begun the process of transforming the fancy dancy hat boxes. A few of them have been painted. With a first and secondish coat of paint. It must be this pregnancy that's slowing me down, because it usually only takes me 20 minutes to finish any project. I can paint my entire kitchen/dining room in the time it takes my kids to watch Calliou. Almost.

When I get a wild hair, and NEED to do a project, I NEED to do that project now. I want to see the finished results. NOW! It's all too exciting. I have no patience. None. Not even a little.

I used interior paint on those boxes, and it's taking f.o.r.e.v.e.r. for them to cure. They still have the tiniest bit of sticky-ish-ness. Once they're set a little, I'm going to give them some kind of pattern. What kind of pattern? I don't know. And I won't know until I start wrecking on them. That's my style. No real thoughts or plans.....just a lot of jumping right in with out consideration. That's how I roll. Crazy style.

Impatient and callous. My parent's are very proud.

Is that my other problem? Perhaps it's another problem, but not the one I'm considering right now.

My other problem is that now I'm thinking in terms of wanton reckless painting. My bathroom isn't content. It doesn't have cohesion. It has a bad case of mishmash. Random paint colors, free wallpaper, a cluttered counter, wrong shelving.....

When I was putting on my make up this morning, the bathroom started talking to me!

"You should really paint me. I'm feeling neglected. Like an afterthought. Please. Take pitty on me. Go out to the garage and nail together a new armoire for my towels. You know there are random bits of lumber in there. Your husband won't mind. He loves when you go out there and haphazardly staple things together. Mitered corners, shmitered corners. Shabby chic is a style that covers a multitude of crude decorating ills. You know you want to. Go to the paint store and grab a gallon of grey. Not gray. Grey. It's cooler. Like I want to be. Toss in some bits of sand for texture...go to town! Psst. You don't even need to mention it to anyone. Before they know it, it will be done. It will only take you 20 minutes."

The stinker. It knows just what to say. So, now, once those boxes are finished, I might just have another project on my hands. (Unless the man I'm married to reads this first and locks up the garage when he leaves for work.)

the problem

See all these toys in this corner?

Of course you can. They're right out in the open.



This is what remains of the toys that are "allowed" to be out of the bedrooms. (That sounds way harsher than I mean it....they spend nearly all their time playing in their rooms. We don't have a toy room, and I really don't want my living room to be a living room/toy room. So there are a few random blocks, Mr. Potato Head and his family, a block train and some wayward trucks piled up next to the sofa.)

The mussieness of it is my "problem."


The solution. Part one:




I found these hat boxes on major clearance. But, they're the wrong color. Or pattern. Or something. I like that they're hat boxes, but I don't like that they're floral. Maybe one floral one would be nice, but not all.

So, as the day progresses, I hope to make them a little different.

I'll put up some pictures when they're all done.

So I married a super hero

This man that I married. Wow. There is nothing he can't do. Nearly. I don't think he can make a bed, or wash a dish, but he can build! By his own physical abilities, he has dug over 90 feet (3' x 30+ times) into the ground. He set 30+ eight foot posts, ran hundreds of 2 x 4 stringers, and is in the process of installing a gazillion boards to said stringers and posts.

AND he's doing all of this on his only two weeks "vacation" for the year. What a hero, what a guy. (Baby Bear, anyone?)

.

I can't tell you how much fun I've had watching. I'm the cheering section. Which, I'm sure most people don't realize is the most important part of any project. I boost morale. And bring drinks.

.

So, I guess you could say that WE are building this fence.

presto-changeo-rearrange-o

In Kindergarten, that's when all the kids switch up rooms for Reading.

Today, I was feeling adventurous, and energetic, and crazy, and illogical.

So, I did some bedroom switcheroos. Our daughter has had the fortunate opportunity to reside in each one of the three rooms in our home over the course of our time here. More than once. And again.

I was feeling a bit nesty, and thought it would be best for one of the kids to have the "master" bedroom...not sure that She will be the one to stay....it will all depend on baby number three. Should baby be a girl, then the girls will get the "big" room. In the event that baby is a boy, then the boys will get the "big" room. And Little Miss will get to travel once more.

My idea came to me last night. When I was left alone to my thoughts. I knew better than to mention it to my husband. He would have told me to wait for his help. And then he would have had to spend his evening taking apart beds and moving dressers and toys and clothes and the like. So, last night, as I was alone in my thoughts, I conjured my game plan. My bed to come apart first, and into my sons room. Then the rug removed. Then all over vacuuming. (That alone made the whole fiasco worth while.) Then her bed apart, and moved. Her rug removed to the new room and a good vacuuming in her old room. Then the dance of the dressers....carefully sliding down the halls....toys....curtains....pictures....etc....etc...etc....

It only took a few hours, with a break for double cheeseburgers and fries from McDonald's. All that scootching and careful moving made me a hungry gal. Specifically for a greasy double cheeseburger. (Which is no longer appealing.)

When we picked up my gal from school, we whisked her home to the big surprise. She was thrilled! She is a mover and a shaker and LOVES when we rearrange. She gets that from me.

(Please know that I am an expert rearranger and took great care of my body in all the manoeuvring. My hallway floors are a different story....they're going to be needing a little love.)

d.i.y.

I'm getting a new sink. And faucet. I can't wait! Only, what was originally slated to take my super husband 2 hours, has become a two day affair. He's handling things pretty well. I've heard a few grumbles here and there.

He was sold some wrong parts that have the wrong threading to connect to some kind of dealy-ma-bob. He discovered that during a conversation with a wonderful hardware store owner this morning on his third attempt at keeping it local. Unfortunately, none of the hardware stores here have the right whatchamacallits, so he had to make a run to the next town over. To a big box store. Where he finally got all the right pieces to the puzzle. So in a few short hours, or a few more days, I'll have a shiny new sink and faucet. Hopefully. And my husband will be able to gaze at his Man of the Year trophy. Which is me. His trophy wife. Of course. *cough cough*

Editing to say that the new sink is in!

Here is the before:

(See how the old one had scuff marks? They would not come off. I tried everything. It looks horrible, I know. And the old fauctet? Same deal. They just never looked "clean" to me. Even though they were both bleached and scrubbed every day. --I have some issues. I'm almost embarrassed to put this old photo up, since it looks so bad. But, the bad one only makes the new one that much more wonderfulicious.)

Behold, the new:

I think I'm in love.

pox

My living room has come down with a bad case of spots.

They're everywhere.

The cause? Me. And a hammer. And too many nails. And the propensity to rearrange pictures.

I started filling a few holes in the kitchen today, and then glanced around the living room. Plaster in hand. I removed the current arrangements, and was astonished by just how many {tiny} holes I've punched into these walls. I just hope I can match up this color....or this small patch job may just turn into a big painting job. Man!

notes on the garden

It's been so wintery lately. Blustery. Cold. The wind chills straight to the bone. While I think myself a lover of winter, I know myself to be fickle. Jumpy. Impatient.

::::

Which is why I planted these lovely seeds so incredibly early. It does my psyche good to watch faux spring occurring in my home. I know the real deal will eventually come. And hopefully these things will be able to make a transfer well....time will tell.

::::

the foxglove

the peas

the tomatoes

When I'm bored...

....or, why I'm glad paint is inexpensive....

I painted my Kitchen/Dining room, (again). When we bought the house, there were these funky coppery 50s tiles in the kitchen. I love them. The walls are nearly the same cinnamon-y color now.

These pictures found a home.

This painting feels right at home.

The wall, the tile, the cabinets, and a reflection of the cook~book~ends.

Twice IS Nice

I was driving by a local thrift shop yesterday evening, and spied this lovely little table. I stopped and peeked in the window, and the price sticker? Eighteen dollars! The store was closed, so I had to spend the evening and night wondering if I would make it in in time to snatch it up. Whew! I did. It's mine and I love it.

I thought I would wander through the store a bit, and happened upon these beautiful sisters:

I'm not exactly sure where they're going just yet, but had to share them with you. Aren't they wonderful? They fit my home so well...they feel sort of Courier and Ives. Oh! And they were marked down from $40 to $20, for the pair!

Merry Christmas to ME! And you, too!

Special company

My parents are in the middle of a move. I have the distinct pleasure of furniture sitting for a little while. These two pieces were really lonely being stored, so I made them a tad more comfortable...(Mom, I promise that they aren't too comfortable, I will hand them back when you are ready!)

They belonged to my Great~Grandmother.

Aren't they wonderful?

Jumping the gun

If I knew how to add music to this blog, I would have "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" playing. Alas. I do not know how to do that, but thought that just typing out those words would make you hum it or at least play it in your mind. Did it work? Great!

So, last night, the tree went up. Woot! I'm such a Jesus' birthday lover! What a celebration!! I am so thrilled with the season, and The Reason for the season, that it is all I can do not to start the festivities in September.

I am also super pumped about the gifts under the tree! The doll, little buddy, Al O. Dile, ssSylvester, the peanut, the purse, and the ornaments (1,2). I'm still planning on making more, but have hit a bit of a creative slump. The way I've been working (mostly) has been to lay out the bits and baubles that I have on hand. I look at them until they become something in my mind, and then I try and make the idea tangible.

Hopefully, the creative juices will start flowing freely soon. Project homemade Christmas isn't over yet!

{wip}

Here is the start of the hutch project. There used to be some sloppy shelves here that I nailed up when we first moved in. This little niche is perfect for shelving. These are a huge improvement. This piece was part of a large wall unit at my Granny's house. By the grace of an aunt, they came into my possession. My house isn't large enough for them to be anywhere in their former splendor, so my talented husband set to dismantle, trim, cut, repurpose, and then REmantle them. (is that a word?)

If you follow this, you can see the dorky shelves that I stapled up. Really...I should steer clear of all things construction.

This piece still needs its top, and a door at the base, and perhaps a stick of crown and a few of facia trim...I just wanted to put this up so my parents (and you!) could see the progress. Next up on the docket is a little bench to go here.

When the flowers have passed...

But you still need some color...

Tie a scrap of fabric onto a stick and jam it in the flower box. Add the branches that you just snipped off the shrub that grows too fast. Realize you need more yellow, and cut from the flower you don't know the name of, and poke them in as well.

Voila. Perhaps no one will realize that you killed off all the color. Perhaps they will think you have gone a little crazy. Perhaps you have. Gone a little crazy.

At least you still have color.

A light unto the path

Found a use for the jars.

A little something to light the walk.

Some scraps of fabric, sand, and a votive.

Will add pictures of them lit in the night.

Green...it's the new brown.

A few years ago, I went to a design seminar, and sat in on a Color Forecasting breakout session. It was both interesting and hilarious. Interesting, in that a group of people get together and look at the trends in fashion, automobiles, interiors, exteriors, the Internet, society...and come up with THE color palette that will be HOT in the next 2-3 years. And hilarious, in that a group of people get together and look at the trends in fashion, automobiles, interiors, exteriors, society...and come up with THE color palette that will be HOT in the next 2-3 years.

Isn't that great?! People. Get together. And decide. On colors. How do I become one of those people?! :) How awesome would that be?! Very awesome. And hilarious.

It all seemed so fantastic in the moment. It still seems fantastic, but I've got a new perspective now. The perspective that wonders if it's all entirely necessary. Does it *really* matter? I understand that it matters in business to be on the cutting edge. But, are you on the cutting edge, if everyone is next to you on the edge?

At the time, they told us that brown is the new green. That all colors were still in, but with a brown tone. Orange would be burnt sienna. Green would be olive. Blue would be denim. Purple, plum; yellow, mustard; red, rust; etc etc etc.

And, surprise! They were right! (of course they share their forecasting information with everyone) Can you think of the "new" vehicle colors that are hot right now? Home decor, fashion...everyone followed the forecast.

I myself, am a lover of brown. My home is slathered in the chocolaty hue. But! There is a new color on my horizon. I am forecasting a shift. Back. to. green. Green, it's the new brown. (At my house.)

Got a little bored.

So I painted my kitchen.

And found a spot to hang this little shelf.

I'll retake this pictures later today when the sun peaks out of the clouds a bit more.

I tried to take them with the flash...but

flash + semi-gloss = yuckidoo.

Projects.

I've got these wonderful old black walnut hutches that used to belong to my great grandmother, given to me by one of the world's coolest aunts. They used to be a huge wall unit in her home, and are slowing becoming elements of my home. The unit itself is, sadly, WAY to big to fit anywhere in my house while in their current state.

So, my extremely talented husband has been morphing them into the things I imagine up, scribble designs for, etc. etc. etc.

Last fall, he ripped down a few of the shelves into frames for my kitchen doors. One day they'll have some glass, or screen, or tin, or wood...something as a recessed panel to finish them off. Right now, I imagine they have glass. Clean. Unprinted. Invisible. Glass. (Imaginary glass is SO user friendly!)

My current plans for the unit are three fold. First off, they'll become an inset book shelf/computer desk to replace these shelves that my very pregnant (read: even more bull headed than usual) self hastily screwed into the wall the week after we move in 3 years ago. They're not level - which is why I took the picture at an angle. They're supported by scrap 2 x 4s. Frankly, they're ugly. They hold books, and that's about all they have going for them.

This is what I want them to become. Drawers to hold toys, LEVEL shelves for books, and a nice place to house the computer. Afore mentioned wonderful husband is out in the garage dismantling one large unit to begin the process. Will post pictures when the unit is closer to finished.

Quite Contrary

Here's how my garden grows~