Thankful for Dirty Dishes?

I saw this thought for a kitchen around Thanksgiving time and it really stuck with me, I love that it makes me grateful for the little things that I have--even the chores that I am not grateful for--

I bought a couple of these plates, and think they are so pretty with vinyl on them. 

If you would like one, they are in my etsy shop.


I am linking to:

Aaargh! NO THROWING BALLS IN THE HOUSE!

Yes, I was yelling! Chandler was tossing a racket ball around the living room 

(I really don't know why--I guess because he is 11 and a boy).

I was in the kitchen very calmly reminding... "do you really think that is a good idea?"... when the ball bounced off my window, my favorite window, the HOME window. I watched in horror as everything fell in slow motion. the window slid down the wall, toppled over the entertainment center, knocked the decorations over, bounced off Chandler's head (I had a hard time not telling him that it served him right), and tumbled to the floor- followed by all my decorations.

Would you believe that NOTHING broke? not even Chandler's head?

Now the window is propped against the wall waiting to be re-hung. I have got to find some stronger hardware, any suggestions? 

(I must get it hung up quickly, 

Addyson has already tried to climb it like a ladder!)

Playing with my new toy.

I just got a band saw, what a fun toy that I never thought that I would need/want. I remember when I dragged my feet when my husband wanted to buy his chop saw. I am not sure, but I think that I may have used it almost as much as he has. Now I have collected more fun "toys" than he has!

My first project that I cut is these Easter Eggs. Inspiration via Lyndsey.

She has great ideas. You ought to check out her blog.

Linking up to:

A Few of my Favorite Things...

Have you seen these? I love the idea and when I sat down to make some for a friend; I decided that I wanted a set for myself. 

I planned to add the photo holder wires, in fact they are cut and shaped already. But I couldn't find the proper drill bit. I tied a large grosgrain ribbon around the blocks, and decided that I liked it just like that.

I will probably add the wires at some point but right now, they are fine. I think that I like the more subtle designs better with the pictures, my papers are so busy...I love the designs but I think that is why I like them better without photos...

Do you want a set for yourself or possibly a gift? I would be happy to cut the vinyl for you for a minimal cost. Just send me an e-mail.

New/Old Window

Do you remember this window? I love it! Of course I can't keep the Christmas wreaths up there. So it was time (a little while ago) for a change. I just hadn't taken a picture yet.

What do you think? 

I love being able to cut vinyl whenever the impulse hits me.

I do think I may be getting carried away, but I just can't seem to stop.

I love this font, especially when there is a shadow behind it from the sun. It is just what I imagined.

Shiny Brass to a Little More Class

Our goings on lately have included completely re-doing our master bedroom. I mean ripping the yucky drywall with a ton of holes out, pulling out the lathe and plaster, adding insulation and new windows and brand-new walls. We are doing this on a shoe-string budget, so the decorating part has a 

budget of close to $0. 

We originally purchased this ceiling fan about 14 years ago when we were first married and it has traveled with us from apartment to townhouse to this house, it was a huge purchase for us then; and I remember lying in my bed admiring how pretty it was with the sparkling, shiny brass. 

Well... styles and my tastes have changed since then. I would love to throw the whole thing out and start over, but since our budget doesn't include a new fixture and I don't want a hole in my ceiling; I decided to try to transform it a bit.

I used two different spray paints, Hammered Bronze for the metal, and Caramel Latte for the blades. Since it is so very cold outside, my spray painting takes creativity. I put the metal pieces in two large cardboard boxes, shook the paint really well and took one box at a time outside to spray the pieces and raced back inside with the box, it took some juggling. 

Even moving as fast as I could, it was still too cold. I think the bubbles that form the textured finish were small and didn't spread as well as they should have. The brass still peeks out a little, but I think it gives the color some depth.

More pictures of the transformation to come later.


I am linking to:

A Sad Day and a Plea for Advice

Today has been a rough day for one of my 11 yr-olds, Chandler. A close friend of his passed away last night and he is really struggling. I am at a loss, I don't really know what to say to him. I just want to make it all better, but I know I can't.

He knows that it is all part of God's plan, and that she is no longer hampered by her crippled body; and he is happy for her. But he is really having a hard time with the fact that he didn't even get to say good-bye.

How do you handle situations like this with your kids?