Scary and Exciting All At Once

We are about to embark on a big home project and I look forward to it being finished but the thought of starting and not looking back, scares the bejezzuz out of me just a little. 

As long as I have known my husband (15 years) he has been dreaming of having a garage.  As you have guessed, right now we do not have one and over time, my hubby has constructed three sheds to fill the void.  Well this is the year that we not only get our garage, but out new attached garage will also have a cab-over where our bedroom, closet and new bathroom will be.  The entrance to the new addition is resulting in a need to rearrange our kitchen as well.  We need to flip things around a bit.  Oh.....and we are taking out a wall.  No biggie!  (ACK!!)

We had a late start to the spring and so we haven't started digging the piles yet, but soon enough our life will be even more chaotic than it already is.  That is the scary part!

The fun part is going on Pinterest and planning the future.

The Longest Winter Ever!!

At this time of year, we should be frolicking in the grass and smelling the rain.  This year however, the ground is still covered in snow.  People are still in hibernation mode. 

Spring is my favorite season for many reasons.  I love that you can smell the dirt and grass again (strange maybe...but true). I love that our neighbors are suddenly visible again and the children are playing on the bay.  Bikes, scooters, basketballs and sidewalk chalk litter the lawn and I love it.  I love running out to the garden on a (sometimes) daily basis to check for new shoots poking through the soil.  At this point, I am longing for spring so much I can taste it. 

Last week, I did get a small taste of it when I flew out to the west coast for work.  It was a very busy two days but I got to see green grass and flowers and it was magnificent.  I know that it has to come here soon and when it does, I have warned people that I will have the worst case of spring fever ever known to man.  I may end up singing and spinning or skipping in the street.  If you see me.....feel free to join in.

Tutorial

For those of you who would like a quick and easy way to brighten up your dreary winter coats this holiday season, I have added a link to my 2009 Poinsettia Pin tutorial. Enjoy!

Pointsettia Pin Tutorial

Everything Old is New Again

I have been wanting a little home office for quite a long time.  One of the things standing in my way of having a home office was the fact that I could not find a suitable desk for the space.....that was in my price range.  I saw pictures of desks that I liked online, but nothing local. Until one day.......

My daughter had to make a wind chime science project and I suggested that we go to the local thrift store to find old spoons to use for the chimes.  We found a little bag of spoons and in the back corner, I spotted the desk.  It had loads of storage and looked like the right size for the space, but there was no price on it.  I asked one of the employees how much it cost and he went to check with the manager.  They said I could have it for $19.50.  I tried to look cool as I said I would take it, but inside I was sooooo excited.

I had to call my husband to come and pick it up as I was driving my little car.  He was not sold on the desk, but didn't say anything as he loaded it up and brought it home.  He primed it for me and I put on the second and third coats of paint.  That is when he admitted that he didn't think that it would have turned out so well.  I still want to buy a couple of shelves to mount on the wall above the desk and I have to put up a magnet strip and a couple of other accessories, but I just love it.

Summer Lovin'

For the first time ever, I took the kids on a trip to the great outdoors all by myself.  In this case, the great outdoors had indoor plumbing, electricity and a microwave but it was an hour away from any stores and there was no cell service.  (I know!!!)

It was a beautiful trip.  We went for a ride in a canoe, went hiking and biking, had a picnic on the beach (which was cut short because of bugs and a leech issue) and we read and had games nights where we broke out the old Battleship games that we found in the closet. The best part of the trip was being able to spend time away from my "to do list" at home and really appreciate the kids and the things that we saw and did. 

Even though the summers have changed since I went back to work, there have been at least three fantastic memories that we have made so far either as a family or with friends that have made this a truly memorable year.  Getting away from the hustle and bustle (and housework and shopping and .....) forces you to stop and really enjoy life again.  I didn't realize how much I needed that until I got it.

Nothing like finding a frog in your pjs

Towels make great capes

Home Decor

I have wanted a painting for my home for a long time.  I do like prints because you can change up the look of your home without the commitment, but I have always had a soft spot in my heart for original artwork.  Problem was, I thought I would have to spend thousands of dollars to have it.  Well I was wrong. 

I was going back through the pieces that I put into my favorites on Etsy and was reminded of some paintings that I had selected by an artist named Nino.  They were beautiful but I wanted something larger, so I contacted the artist.  She did have a larger painting, sent me some pictures which I loved and pretty soon, that painting was making its way to my home.

The more I look at it, the more I like it.  One word....happy.

For some reason, my walls look pink.....

Wish List Wednesday

White Dog Vintage on Etsy

Something just kept pulling me back to this sky blue glass serving dish from White Dog Vintage.  I put it in my favorites list on Etsy and just kept going back to look at it again and again.  So I bought it!!  It is no longer a wish, but arrived on my doorstep on Monday.