Garage Shelves

Guess who's been busy this weekend?

Yep, that's an air gun.

Dining Room Curtains

Hanging were these old lady curtains when we bought the house.  They were very nice and I think I even got $10 out of them at a yard sale.  Just not my style.

Thanks to someone else's yard sale, I found this red toile for $4/yard.  The same seller had about 8 yards of curtain liner for $3. Holla!  My mom found the cornices at another yard sale, though they were baby blue they were the right length!  Hubby painted them white and my dad hung them when he was here a month ago.  After I sewed the curtains, I stapled them to the cornice.  The Nester would be so proud.

The Bookcase

For about ten years, my husband has been dreaming of this project.  Last summer, he convinced my sister's husband to make the shelves.  These shelves have been stacked in the guest bedroom since.

At Christmas Hubby taught my mom to text and in exchange for her proficiency, my dad said he would drive to Little Rock to help finish the bookshelf.  Dad didn't want to teach Mom how to text but truth be told, he has been the driving force behind this project - he's amazing.

The work in advance was plentiful.  Dad worked on the trim pieces in his shop for weeks before coming.  Hubby worked for at least a week staining and finishing boards.

Once the two carpenters met here in Little Rock, they worked around the clock (my neighbors will testify!)  Installing the upright supports took the longest amount of time - they had to drill into the concrete floor which was quite a task.

Hubby tore this picture from a woodworking magazine over a decade ago.  Love the pose.

Isn't the trim work impressive?!  Custom made dentil work and crown molding.

The final project.  It is quite amazing and looks even better in person.  The shelves are almost full of books already!!  (Where were all these books hiding before this?)  I am thankful our home is on a concrete slab.  Otherwise, we might need to add additional supports for the floor.

And happy birthday, Mom!  Note bookcase in background.  Ever the selfless servant, she was willing to share her special day with the excitement of a completed project.  Not to mention she has worked like a crazy person herself while here.

Make Your Own Chalkboard

I've had the idea for a while - of making my own chalkboard - but haven't been able to find the right surface...for the right price.  I wanted something large.  Large size usually means large price.  At summer's beginning, I was inspired by this friend who used a footboard for a chalkboard (scroll down in the post).

Patience pays when Goodwill shopping.  This beauty of a painting was scored at an estate sale for $20 - holla!  The surface is a bit textured (from the faux painting) but firm (like stiff card board or thin wood).  I had baby girl pose in the picture so you could get an idea of the size.

 After taping it off, Hubby sprayed it first with dark primer then two coats of chalkboard paint.

 I splurged and got a set of Chalk Ink markers from Amazon.  I love the way they write on the chalk board - and erase with water.  There's no way I could have written as many words with regular chalk.

And for bonus:  the cutest girl in the house - wearing a vintage 1978 shirt.  She is super excited about the turtle a neighbor brought over.  The girl has a thing for turtles these days.

Weekend Snapshots

The city gave away mulch this weekend. We borrowed a neighbor's truck and got two loads of FREE mulch!

Sister loved every minute.

This bush is now by the curb.  I do not understand why anyone would plant these prickly holly bushes.  They are evil if you step on a fallen leaf, or heaven forbid, brush against it.  I take that back, I know why people plant them: they will never die.  Unless you dig them up.

Last weekend, we traded sweat equity with a friend, Matt Maguire.  Yes, Matt Maguire - his real name.  He fought with dug bushes and in two weeks, we will go to his house and help.  Win-win for both families.

Brother got in on the chopping action.

Remember when my parents were here in October and we chopped the bushes to wash the windows?

Since then, a landscape architect friend drew up free plans for us - yay!  We decided the wicked bushes should be ripped out.  I'm excited to plant new flowers.  He described the theme "sort of English-garden-ish."  It will look a bit rustic, creative and wild...not very groomed...and just my style.  
After working in the yard, Sister took a nap then brother and I went to the Children's Theatre to see "If you take a mouse to school."  It was very creative.  We both enjoyed it. (except I get crazy headaches after being in that theatre...I must be allergic to something in there.)

Once home, Hubby took us out for dinner.  Then we went to Home Depot where Sister found something just her size.  In this picture, she is hamming it up - pretending grunt at the weight of the shovel.  This was picture #2 because #1 was blurry and she went and posed again.  Silly girl.

And Sunday nights are all about a messy kitchen.  It's kombucha night.  One of two nights a week since I'm bottling ELEVEN gallons a week now.  We drink about a gallon a day.  I told my people that we must slow down our consumption.  Four of the gallons I use to barter for fresh milk and babysitting.

Please notice the pink camellias in my window.  The neighbor's bush is stunning.  In the yellow pot on the sill is a cactus that was a gift.

Oh, and somewhere along the way I was blogging for Real Food in Little Rock.  I'm doing a series of interviewing local farmers.  Well, the farmers write their articles - I just edit.  Some need more editing than others...if you get my drift.

That was my weekend.

New Fence (well, partly new)

Last Saturday, I walked into the backyard to see this glorious sight.

My hunka-hunka-burnin' love was replacing a section of the fence.  The entire fence needs to be replaced; this section screamed the loudest since it just fell down.

This is what I heard.

Two 'tween neighbor girls and Mr. Intensity banging away at the old section.  They first laid the fence flat and used it as a trampoline (it was rather loud) then they used hammers to remove the nails.

Hubby had no idea he would have such an audience (or did he?).  None of us gave him instructions though.  We all stood in awe.  Sister decided to help out with her spade of dirt here and there.

Meanwhile, Mr. Intensity and the gang played in the creek.  Well, he was in the creek with his rain boots - the girls watched him.

Isn't he amazing?

Now...on to other household projects...

Beauty

I love this tree. I think the color deepened overnight. Three neighbors commented today at its loveliness. Gorgeous.



From my kitchen widow I can see my neighbor's golden delight in contrast.



And I painted this $3 Goodwill beauty.



She got a new shade, too.

The Neighborhood Hangout

I love this tree.  Not only is it BEAUTIFUL right now, but my son loves this tree.  He has taken to spending most of his awake hours in the limbs of this sugar maple.  That's not much of an exaggeration. At one point Hubby and I were concerned that the tree would be damaged from excessive climbing, bungee cord wrapping and other abuse.  We decided that the tree could probably take it from a seven year old.  I hope.

Admittedly the above picture is not the greatest.  I wanted you to get a feel for the placement of the tree.  From my kitchen window, I can see the tree.  Most of the time I also see a monkey in the tree, except when he is wearing camouflage.  Then I must look for the movement.  The window to the left of our front door is the dining room.  We can see the lovely tree from there, too - as well as all the other happenings on our street.  The dining room is one of my favorite places in the house and it is next to the kitchen, both in placement and where I spend my time.  :)

At lunch today we could see "TRUTS" as Sister likes to call trucks.  Of course Brother wanted to check them out.  I called the other stay-at-home momma on my street, she gathered her brood and we walked up the street to the action.

Sister took her place on the porch of our up-the-street neighbor, finding Race for the Cure paraphernalia to wear.  I love that she knew what to do with the lei!

Brother and the other neighbor kids ran around like kids should on a perfect fall day.  Outside.

The porch we were sitting on, those neighbors, weren't home.  I texted the owner to tell her we had porch envy and were missing her; she was missing the action.  That neighbor was very sad to be at work.  My heart was full that I was at work.  

At about 3:30 the busses start rolling home and the teenage girls are milling up and down the street.

When I talk with these girls, I am so glad that I am not an 8th grader anymore!  Oh the drama that happens between the six of them.  But I love that they want to come play in our yard.  Well, at 14 years old, one does not actually play except with their cell phone.  Their bodies are with us, though they are probably dreaming of being elsewhere.  I am glad for their presence, at least they are not alone in front of a computer screen.

Nonetheless, Mr. Intensity tries to entice them to play tag, climb his tree, jump on the trampoline or other shenanigans.  The preschool girls like to build salads from weeds, jump on the tramp, play in the Little Tykes Car in the driveway or just sit in Momma's lap.

My heart is very full when they are all here.  It seems like our house is beginning to be the place to hang out and I love it.  I want more of it.

Since the weather is more tolerable, we are outside a lot.  One of my neighbors is an architect and sent me a link to Playborhood.com where the author intentionally made elements of his yard to attract neighborhood children.  The space is used like a front yard family room.  What a fabulous idea!

Hubby and I would like for our front porch to be more inviting, a more usable space - maybe where we could eat outside.  No rush though.  A few weeks ago we ate outside as if it were normal to eat in the front yard.

For now, I'm living a dream.  Life is good.  I am content.  

Weekend Snapshots

Last Monday Hubby and Mr. Intensity went to Kentucky for Hubby to work on raising new financial support.  I had high dreams and aspirations of crossing a lot off my "to do list."


BUT I was stricken with a very horrible stomach ailment.  I didn't eat for 2.5 days, or do much of anything for that matter.

Then the heavens parted and I felt better.  First on the list was painting the kitchen.  It will be a while (weeks, months? years?) before we are able to install a tile backsplash like we want, so I decided the next best thing would be to paint it.


When the countertops were replaced, we just pulled off the old backsplash.  It's textured with glue and stuff.


First pass was painted two tones: pacific and quarry (darker).  Lots of friends came over and gave their advice.  In the end, I decided that it is my kitchen and I can do what I like.


So I painted over the lighter pacific.  Eventually the backsplash will be a lighter color so it will help the kitchen to be lighter.  Let's face it, I have a HUGE kitchen and could paint it all black and it would still look huge.


I also got out the spray paint.  Two very 80's brass lamps were blessed with a new persona.  They are so much happier now.  I only wish I'd taken before pictures.
And I began painting these plantation shutters.  There are SIX of them.  Four cover the below window and two more on another window.  (A big shout out to my neighbor, April, who gave me the plaid chairs and has helped me with decorating.)

Meanwhile, Mr. Intensity is loving being spoiled in Kentucky.  He lost another tooth this week.

A trip to Bass Pro Shop found him as the new owner of this cross bow. (The other grandparents also spoiled him - with a Lego set - but I don't have pictures of it.)


As if driving nine hours to Kentucky wasn't enough, they decided to drive three more to visit more family in Indiana.  In red is Gretchen, one of Hubby's favorite cousins.  To her left is Joel, Hubby's brother who lives in Louisville, KY.  On the very end in pink is Naomi, who was born on Caroline's birthday...mere minutes before Caroline.


Speaking of cutie Caroline...she helped scout out the new donated cypress boards that will be used for raised beds in our neighborhood's community garden.

I decided to pick all the green tomatoes in my raised bed this weekend.  Fingers crossed that they turn red.
The boys came home about 7:30 last night.  Sister was over the hill excited that Brother was home.

Here's a funny story that I've told lots of people this week: She would walk around the house looking for Buh-boo so I decided to call him.  I asked that he just speak on the phone.  Ever the obedient child he clammed up and wouldn't talk.  Then he decided to growl/roar, very loudly, like a mad animal.  I thought it was rather frightful sounding.  Sister thought it was the most hilarious thing.  I suppose that is the sound she hears most from her brother.

That's our week/end.  How was yours?
Come play with Mom and Kiddo and tell us all about it.