Just a minute of my time...

Candy Canes

On Sunday I spent my entire day hauling up totes and covering every flat surface available throughout my kitchen, dining room and family room until every tote was empty. This alone is an overwhelming experience, not knowing where to start to make sense of it all... but somehow, every year, I go through the same thing, and know as I plug along, it will all come together.

As things started taking shape, I kept noticing a pile of candy canes, and knew I wanted to put together something special with them... not knowing what it was I was going for, I decided to check out Pinterest and do a search on Candy Canes...

And as I scrolled through all the candy cane images, I knew imediately when I found this picture and link to this site... I had found my idea!

and so I began gathering the supplies that I had to create my candy cane bouquet 

 

I was so excited as my creation began to take shape

 

have you started your decorating yet?

Checking in...

 

my poor neglected blog. It seems life has gotten in the way of me staying updated here. I'm hoping my fall schedule gives me more time for the things I love. Reading, blogging and of course running. With training full speed for the marathon it seems to take quite a bit of my time in between everything else that needs to get done daily.

 

Then you have those days with girlfriends, a little getaway to revive you and remind you that these friends are there for you through the good and the bad...

Well, this was definitely all good! We shopped at Debbie's store, which is awesome! Lunch and relaxing over Brenda's in the evening. After dinner we did the cutest craft while enjoying great conversation, wine and lots of laughter!

Debbie and her hat

My mom

Brenda hiding behind hers

and Debbie... surrounded by hats and pumpkins!

Another great Michigan visit... and as I've learned throughout my life, you regret the things you DON'T do, not the things you do... and I certainly don't regret hanging out in Michigan for a few days!

Cutting down some trees

Since Chelsea's graduation party in 2008 we've been talking about cutting down the trees on the side of our house. They had gotten so overgrown in an area that we don't "notice" quite as often as the rest of the yard!.

Believe it or not there is a house behind there! And this picture was taken after he had already trimmed up the bottom of the trees so he can cut them down!

While I was off running, my husband was working in the yard

Including having to wash the house down from the trees being so close!

Funny because when we first moved here many years ago there were no trees on this lot, now everything is getting so overgrown!

We just need to decide what we are doing with this side of the house?  I had suggested that we add on to the porch and have it wrap to the backyard?  Of course, I always come up with plans that cost more money...

But at least finally those trees are down!

Decorating for Easter

On Sunday I spent the day decorating and cleaning the house.  Getting out my Easter decorations and changing around the furniture a bit.

This included my antique secretary, one of my favorite pieces that I needed my husband to fix so it could stay open.  I called him and explained that I couldn't go any further in cleaning or decorating until he fixed it... so he came home and fixed it :)

ahhh, it feels good to have that done... more pictures to come

Painting furniture

I had a few people ask questions on my kitchen island and chairs that I painted so I thought I'd do a post about it. At first my husband was a little hesitant on my painting oak, which basically was only the front of the cabinet but once he saw it finished he loved too! Yes, I still have one tree up - kind of a winter snow tree may turn into a valentine tree...

I used Olde Century paints lamp black, and it ended up being just over a quart for the island and all 4 chairs.  I had used it previous to paint the tables in my family room.  This paint is kind of pricey but goes a long way! My girlfriend whose painted several cabinets uses a Behr quality paint so you don't have to use the Olde Century paints.

Now the Briwax I haven't used on the island or chairs yet, but I plan to.  I did however use the briwax on the wainscot in my family room and the chair rail in my dinning room and depending on the color briwax you get will depend on the look you get.

Good luck in all your painting adventures!

My latest project complete

or almost completed...

Now I'm thinking it needs a granite top?  Going to look into it after Christmas.  Debating whether it will be black or brown?

the kitchen island before

making progress, my husband was a bit apprehensive

 My chairs, I got from Spiegel catalog - are they even still around?  painting the chairs was a pain, but so worth it!

Finished!  Just in time for the holidays! And hubby loves it too!

Paint it black

My latest project involves some kitchen chairs our kitchen island and black paint.

I've had these chairs for 12+ years now and still love them, just thought they could use some updating, as well as my kitchen island.  So I got out the black paint

I have the wainscot painted black and ready to be installed and I painted the front of the cabinet today... see what happens on snow days!  I love it already and its not done yet!

It should be done this weekend after my brother in law comes by and then its off to another project I want to complete before Christmas...

 

Easter decorating

Well I finally got a few things decorated for Easter...

Here's that bunny I fell in love with at AI Root

   

I really enjoyed getting out the spring/Easter stuff this year!  As much as I really don't mind our winters, this one seemed especially long!

 Oh and this cute little container I found during a recent visit to Williams Sonoma!

 Just loving this spring time weather we are having too!
 

So glad February is over

and now I'm just looking forward to spring!

I found this site in my quest for anything spring and have been inspired by all the tablescapes and spring ideas!

And all these pictures sure are fun ideas too!

     
 

Looking forward to snow melting, grass growing, birds chirping, blue skies...

Looking forward to spring...

Perfectly Charming

Last week me and the girls made a stop in one of our favorite, or perhaps it is safe to say.... OUR FAVORITE store in Medina, Pefectly Charming.

 It is one of those stores where you never know what your going to find, but there is always something that you have to have.  It's wonderfully decorated, inspirational and just plain fun!  Their prices are unbelievable and I guarantee once you shop there you will be in love too!

 

 Debbie from Michigan fell in love with this cabinet for her kitchen (not sure if they ended up coming back for it or not?) and what did I pick up while shopping there? 

 
this adorable compote dish, which right now is adorned with some valentine's sweets

   you can never have too many throws!

and this adorable mirror!