just add a lamp

Remember when I told you we had a grad party to plan for? Well, that's what we've been doing since then. The once, very lengthy list is now nearly complete. We have accomplished so much since last fall. I can't imagine how overwhelmed I would be at this point had we not started then.

Here's the latest re-do.

Sue moved this desk into the kitchen and suggested that we use it as a buffet area when entertaining. What an easy way to gain counter space. She also suggested we add a lamp to add some interest and soft lighting. I've always wanted a lamp in the kitchen so I was quite pleased when Sue (our neighbor/decorator) suggested I get one. I spent my lunch hours last week on a lamp hunt. I found this one the first day out but wanted to be sure it was the best choice. I purchased it today (and it had been marked down to clearance since I looked at it!). Once home with it, I placed it in the corner and it didn't take long to realize that I liked it. This is our little 'Americana' nook ~ the Declaration of Independence, a 48 star flag, and our rooster with flag wings.


I'm anxious to see it this evening with the blinds drawn and the overhead lights off. I love the soft glow of lamps. I'm surprised what a big difference one small addition to a room can make. I feel like we've got a whole new dining area.

I'll plan to show you the other 'like new' spots in our house. Stay tuned.

we're making progress

Remember that graduation party I told you we needed to prepare for? Well, we've started and we're making progress.

The photo above is of the basement area that Lawman ripped the carpet out of. He has since put in new wood flooring, we've had cabinets and a counter installed and we've purchased a new bar which serves as the divider between this area and the tv area where there happens to be a new 50" flat screen hanging on the wall (our Christmas present to each other). I did the painting (and my shoulder hasn't been the same since but that's another story). Carpets have been cleaned. Furniture moved. We've had some framing done and the new art is finally hanging on the wall.

We're not done down here though. There's a gap between the tall pantry cabinet and the wall. We're planning to have a custom wine rack built that will also include an area at the bottom for serving trays. We need new blinds on the window. And, you will probably notice there's the head of an animal hanging on the wall. That's a story in and of itself that I have to share with you.

Our friend, who I will refer to as BS (his initials, honestly) happened to mention weeks ago that he had a wild boar's head that would look great on the wall in the bar area. About 3 weeks ago I asked our neighbor gal, who is helping me with decorating because she's got a natural talent for that, to come by and see what we have accomplished. It had easily been 2 mos. since she was here last so alot had changed. It was also the day the bar arrived and BS knew that. As soon as the neighbor gal got here, I immediately took her downstairs to show her our progress. I flipped on the light, noticed that u.g.l.y. animal hanging on my wall, screamed and hollered for Lawman! I immediately called out BS on the extra decorating that had taken place that day. No wonder he kept calling that evening to see when we were going to be breaking the bar in! Needless to say, my decorator and I were in agreement that Mr. Boar did not add anything positive to the atmosphere. Lawman on the other hand thought it gave the bar a more manly feel....whatever!

I tolerated Mr. Boar until last Saturday. We had that little "break in the bar" party and I sent him home with BS as a nice parting gift. I won!

i was patient and it finally paid off

How cute are these two? An elephant and a monkey. I've got a matched set. It's the base of new lamps I purchased for our bedroom. Something that was long overdue.

The thing is, I found them months ago. As in at least 6 or 7 months ago. At the time I wasn't willing to fork over the cash...$60 each.

So, I watched. I waited. They went on sale and when they were on sale I still couldn't bring myself to buy them. This is something I do often and it usually bites me in the you-know-what...I find something I like, I don't buy it when I see it and when I finally decide I'm ready to buy it, it's gone. I've no idea why I do this. I'm trying to be better about it because I've been disappointed about missing out on something too many times.

Well, New Year's Day was my lucky day. The lamps were still on the shelf, they were still on sale and there was a bonus...an extra 33% off! I can't tell you how excited I was to get these boys in my cart and finally on my nightstand. How excited was I? I didn't even take my coat off before I started clearing off the night stand and putting the new lamp in place! (I have finally removed the price tag - you can see it in the photo above if you look real close.)

I am still loving these lamps. I turn them on in the morning and it's the last thing I turn off at night. It was so worth the wait....made getting them all that much more exciting. Now if I can just keep this ball rolling, there are so many other decorating things I need to do....hang pictures, get photos framed, new throw pillows, re-cover 2 chairs and an ottoman....the list goes on but I am planning to work on it regularly this year. And, I am not a decorator but I would love to hire one. But, like Michelle says, "...dig out these pretty items and actually use them in this house. It encouraged me to turn this house into our dream house until the dream comes true." This is what making a house a home is all about. Let's use the pretty things when we can, because we can, because we want to. Just because.

I would still like a decorator though.

bath redo

At this point, either we are committed or we need to be committed. Why did we think we wanted to start this project?

We've lived in this house for 8 years. We've never done anything with our master bath other than talking about doing something with it. No more.

Say good-bye to the 1980's style wallpaper. It started coming off today and it wasn't easy. The only area we completed is the small area above the shower. This is going to be a looonnng process.

Once the paper is all off, I'm eliminating the popcorn. That awful popcorn texture on the ceiling. I hate that stuff -- it's too hard to keep clean. You try to remove a cobweb and you get a face full of popcorn.

Then there's flooring. We want tile. Several people have told us how easy it is to "do it yourself." I suppose we'll try that.

Then it's time for new light fixtures, new drawer/door hardware, new towels, new accessories. Oh, and did I mention we'd really like to have a new tub/shower unit too? And add in a big shower head.

Have I forgotten anything? Can you see where this is going? And why it may take months to complete?

$$Cha-Ching $$!

Preserving Art

Here's the scenario. It's the end of the school year and your child brings home their art work. All of it. Nine months worth.


According to your child, every piece is a master piece. It must be saved.


Now here's where you, the parent, comes in. What are you going to do with it?

My girls are 16 and 13 so you know I've seen my fair share of art projects. Several years ago I got these projects out and had them framed. They now grace our entry area as art.


I've loved these projects since the day they brought them home. In kindergarden, each child does this same project. They paint the Statue of Liberty (aka Lady Liberty).

They're darling. Plus, the fact that I have a matched set makes it even better.

Less Fortunate Gourds Find Home

Since it is starting to feel like fall, I thought it was time it started to look like fall. At least on our front porch.

The girls spied some pretty good fall decorating items while we were grocery shopping this weekend. B3 found this Indian corn and then selected a ribbon that would match.

B2 liked the unusual green gourd/pumpkin that you see below. The stem on it was broke and the pumpkin that is the scarecrow's head is missing a stem. So we decided we were the family that chose to help the less fortunate gourds! Oh, aren't we funny?

Lawman contributed as well. His old straw hat found a new home. Lawman is also the artist that graced the pumpkin with a face.

Mums are the only thing missing. I plan to pick some up this week.

I also noticed this weekend that the Christmas displays are going up. I realize that retailers are always ahead of the game but I find it so frustrating to be bombarded with all the decorations so early. I can't purchase any of them until I have a plan and know what I need. That won't happen until I pull out the Christmas decorations and that won't happen until Thanksgiving. Just let me enjoy fall.

Signs of Fall

Our buffalo grass has tasseled. That's a sure sign of the end of summer and the beginning of fall.

That's not all. Here are the other signs that I've seen this week.

1. Hot cocoa in the morning.


2. Needing a jacket before heading out the door.


3. Closing windows before going to bed.


4. Wearing socks...yes, the flip flops are in the closet.


5. Seeing pumpkins and mums everywhere.

I hope to purchase some pumpkins and mums this weekend and do a bit of decorating at our front door. Check out the cute pumpkin decorations that Amy did for her front step.

Will you be doing some outdoor fall decorating?

Vintage Linens

Last weekend we went to see my folks. Mom wanted help cleaning out her clothes closet. She also wanted the linen closets done but time didn't permit so it's on the list for the next trip.

I don't know how the subject came up but I happened to mention that I love vintage linens. She sent me home with these dishtowels.

Aren't they great? She thinks she bought them at a local bazaar years ago. Can you imagine the time that went into these? Not only are they embroidered...

...but they also have crocheted edging. No two are the same. Each crocheted edge is different, even on the same towel.

I love the colors. They're so cute that I'm even considering purchasing a coordinating fabric for a backing and making pillows out of them. I think they'd be darling in a guest room.