hello again

For some reason I lost track of time and have failed to post anything in a while. It could be all the craziness going on in my head, getting ready to move and all but here I am. This is just a few of the things we've been up to lately.

We went for snow cones but this is the only photo I have.

My little boys were not into them at all.

They really aren't into ice cream either so I'm not surprised.

This one was mine. Yes, it did turn my mouth red but it was well worth it at the time.

Bahama Mama.......Mmmm!

I broke down and bought an inflatable pool for out on the porch.

 We'll only be able to use it until we move but it's already been well worth it. 

They absolutely love it and beg for it daily.

I just love these happy little faces.

My amazing husband had a few weeks off of school recently. (He's back to class now and we miss him terribly in the evenings.) While he was home though, we tried to live it up as much as possible. 

We're quite wild, going to the park after dinner before it gets dark, taking the boys to Chick-Fil-A just to play on the playground and sometimes get ice cream. Hee hee

I promise to post again soon with some of the projects I've been working on. Some are almost done others far from it but I'll save that for next time.

Enjoy the last bit of summer. Or maybe you're already celebrating the first day of school.

 Either way, have a great day!

Quilt & Sweet Moments

Yesterday I finished a quilt I've been working on for 10 years. Yes, you read that right, 10 years. I have to say though that the reason it took me so long to finish it is simply because I failed to work on it AT ALL. We're talking I sewed all my squares together, base stitched (not sure that's an actual term) my quilt top, batting, and backing together and started quilting a few squares but then I just lost my steam. So, I've carried it with me all these years, I've forgotten about it several times, pulled it out a few times only to quilt a few squares and put it away again. But a few weeks ago, I found it again and decided once and for all to finish it. The fabric may be a little dated and definitely isn't something I'd pick out now but it's nice and it's cozy. Favre absolutely loves it and Brett wanted to get his share of cozy time with it too. Favre is a lover of all things cozy...........blankets, his blankie, stuffed animals, pillows, soft towels. lol He's a little snuggler!
I'm just thrilled to finally have it completed. I washed it today and it's simply perfect, if only it were colder outside.

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Afternoon watercolors.

Handy Manny paint pages were a big hit.

They usually fall asleep together in one of their beds. It's one of the sweetest things to me.

S'mores......please

A very rainy day.

An emergency trip to the store. (Out of milk.....oops!)

Additional purchases........graham crackers, Hershey's chocolate, and jumbo marshmallows. I'm sure you know where this is going.

One long, much needed nap for all three of us.

More rain outside.

S'mores time in the kitchen.

Since we don't use our fireplace (not that I'd even consider lighting a fire in the midst of the summer heat) I roasted our marshmallows over the stove top. Works every time!

B investigating the yummies.

F didn't want the crackers and s'mores to be together. You know, contamination and all. lol

Mmm.....graham crackers.

#24 on our summer list.

Kind of funny.

So, I was watching my two littles play with their favorite toy of the day (Melissa & Doug Alphabet blocks) when I noticed something. They were both sorting and gathering the blocks into mini piles of red and yellow facing up. This is not an uncommon thing for them to do. Only, this is the first time I realized they both do it. I think in all the times I've been witness to this behavior I hadn't put the two together. So, the slightly interesting/funny thing is that they were doing it together this afternoon. How cool is that? Okay, maybe only a mom would think it was cool but now you know too. Ha!

I did get some pretty cute photos of them though. *happy sigh* Most of the time it feels like it's work to get their photo but today the daylight coming through the window was perfect. The littles cooperated just a little better too.

He was making a "motor" noise.

I guess that's one way to play with blocks. lol

Have a great night!

Just a little paint....dresser update

A couple weeks ago I decided it was time for a little updating in our master bedroom.
Our dresser/nightstands were so dark and I've been falling head over heals for all things white. I guess you won't be surprised to know that painting the dressers white is exactly what I did. They look amazing now. I love the fresh, clean feeling they bring.

This is only the beginning though. For a while now, okay really since we moved here and the office stuff invaded our bedroom, it's not been the most inviting or relaxing space. This is my mission. To somehow make the office and bedroom work together to create a cozy retreat.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted as to the progress of this room. For now, here's a look at the dresser/nightstand before and after.

Before:

Not the best before photo but this was all I could find and I failed to take a picture of them before painting. Oops!

After:

A little distressing, love this look. Plus, my little guys love to bring their toys and trucks in our room. Knowing they like to put them up on our dressers makes me feel more okay with all the nicks and scratches I know are inevitable.

The drawer pulls were a lovely GOLD before. Yep, that's right, GOLD.

 After a little light spray painting they are gorgeous.

I used Rust-oleum Oil Rubbed Bronze. Love the nice even finish.

As for the painting, I applied a couple coats of Zinsser primer first. Then a couple coats of BEHR premium plus paint in Swiss Coffee. 

Instead of painting them plain white, adding the little bit of color brought just the right amount of warmth to the dressers. Plus the name is so cute too! I'm a sucker when it comes to paint names. I guess you could say I'm somewhat of a paint geek. lol Not sure that's even a term, it's just the way I see myself.

About the office stuff invading our room? This is what I'm talking about. Somehow I'm going to make this work. :o)

Happy Wednesday!



Etsy Items.......love

There are so many amazing shops in the land of Etsy. I love perusing the various vendors. The photography prints are some of my absolute favorites. They're simply breathtaking! So, I thought I'd do a post on a few of my personal favorites today.

Love these recycled wood signs from WilliamDohman. Beautiful.


Cup of coffee anyone?



Fun wall art from Lucius Art.


How cute are these? They're from Knot & Bow.
I think they're going to be a future purchase of mine. Adorable.


Love these baby shower invites. Super sweet!
Katiedid


One more photography print. This one's from ISPHOTOGAPHY.


Hope you enjoyed all that eye candy. What are some of your favorite shops on Etsy?

Craft closet & DIY photo canvas

Organizing. It's something I love but still struggle to keep up with most of the time.

My craft closet is one of the best examples to the above statement. Things get stashed in there, thrown aside so they're simply out of my way. New supplies get center stage, though. I love opening the closet and seeing the new stuff right away. lol Anyway, as I work on being more organized and staying that way I thought I'd share with you a couple before and after shots of the closet. Why you ask? It's the same reason I love to browse other blogs. To get a glimpse inside someone else's world. To see how they live and work through their day. And let's face it, who doesn't love a good before and after photo shoot. Ha!

Before

After

Still not fabulous but better than it was before.

(I'm sorry to say that since these pictures were taken it's now somewhat messy again)

Like I said earlier, it's something I'm working on. A daily struggle that is sometimes overcome.

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I am posting a little late about our Father's day gift but alas here it is.

DIY photo print.

Canvas was purchased at Michael's. We used a 16"x20".

Varnish medium was also from Michael's, Liquitex Gloss Medium and Varnish

16"x20" photo print from Shutterfly

When I put this together I didn't take any tutorial photos but here is where I originally found instructions on how to put it together. I realized after the fact that I used a different varnish that she did but mine still came out great.

Putting this canvas print together was so easy, I already have plans to make more.

Have a great weekend!