Maybe next week?

What I want to work on next week, weather permitting:

I want to paint this metal patio set back to it's original black.  I'm sure I'll have to sand it a bit, and it has a wonky leg that Hubby will need to adjust.  There is a potted plant that normally sits in the middle, but I would just as soon have an umbrella there.  In the corner is where my ficus lives, and I want to refinish the deck itself, too.  I would also love to toss the wreath under the patio, add some hanging plants, maybe a straw rug, some herb pots...

The easiest chicken pot pie...

...is one I make using canned soup, cut up cooked chicken, veggies, and pre-made pie crust.  It smells divine, there are never leftovers AND you can change it up depending on what your family likes.  You could use that leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, or a different flavor of creamed soup.  One of my versions uses spinach - the kids devour it. All depends on what's in the freezer. (and you can freeze pie crust, too, ya know...) Last night I made mine with a Jenni-O Turkey , cooked and chopped,  added with it's gravy to a can of cream of onion soup and frozen mixed veggies, then topped with the crust.  Bakes for about an hour...  Here's a peek!

You want to cut a couple slits in the top so it will vent.  And yes, this time around I made my own crust (which is why it looks so "rustic"), but honestly, I think the Pillsbury ones are best.  Dig In!

It was not part of "the plan"

We had a pipe burst near the sidewalk out front so, we've had no running water for almost three days.  The plumber comes this morning. I'm not going to rant and rave.  After all, that's not the motto around here.

  I'm going calmly through the day...looking at this in a positive way...

and I'm not even going to post photos of it.  Instead, I'm gazing at this:

Rustown Art

A beautiful reminder that Spring will come...eventually.  And, I have several projects on the back burners waiting for those mild days.  I plan on sanding, priming, and repainting the wrought iron deck table and chairs, and the patio picnick table.  I want to re-pot several plants - I  really like terra cotta for this.  Want to seal and stain the deck.  Plan on enlarging the brick entry into the backyard, tear down the eyesore of a playscape, re-plant grass.....aahhh...Spring.  It brings nicer weather but more work!

What a difference a day makes...

Remember the front room windows? No? Here they are - with the empty curtain rods still up:

The blinds on the middle window are hung higher than the side windows, for some unknown reason.  ALL of the blinds were filthy. And that's after I washed them and hung curtains over them.  They were here when we bought the house 13 years ago, and they were nice quality so we kept 'em

I took down the old blinds, patched and painted the window boxes,

removed the top valance rod and extended

                   the curtain rod to span all three windows.                    

I bought new cordless cellular shades in a shade called "Sahara".  You can get these custom cut at Home Depot.  I never knew that!  I guess I will leave the curtain rods up for now.  I might get inspiration.

Maybe a couple of panels? or a long valance? Hmmm....for now I am loving the blinds and how they coordinate nicely with the sandy colored walls!

On that note, look how the windows look nice from the outside...and check out the sunshine! This photo was taken 24 hours after the snowfall...I miss it already... that was fun!

Snow Day!

I wish Scout and Bubbie were home from school!

It was awesome!

Their silly sister did a snow dance to summon the flakes...

 And I guess it worked.

...'cause we got lots of the stuff! It made the house and neighborhood  look so pretty...

And it was fun to photograph and play in...look how huge the flakes were!

Stay warm!

Just like having a puppy...

 Bubbie really loves his siblings.  

I think that sometimes, he really likes being the youngest, too. 

He never expresses frustration at being the baby.

 

It comes in handy as he's tagging along,

going from sibling to sibling, wanting to see what they are up to.

"Whatcha doin' brother? Can I watch?"

 

Of course, he doesn't just watch, he has lots of opinions!

And they let him.  And hardly ever tell him to bug off. 

Is is because he's small? Cute?  Interested in what they're into? 

Is it because he looks up to them? 

Because they like teaching him something?

I don't really know.
It's just nice to see them interact in a positive way.  

And I love that he has so many people to follow.

I got a plan.

 Rustown Art

And it goes something like this:  I'm going to stay on top of the wave this week.  Get all the things done that I have to do....enjoy a few things I want to do.  Not stress over the other stuff.  It includes doing some more craftsy stuff and more cooking.  It involves making a cozy home for my family on the cold days we have in the forecast.  It also involves making plans for Spring Break - I like to plan ahead a little.  And I would love to visit the library and get a nice book to read.  I think it sounds like a fabulous plan.  Can't wait to get started...and if I feel stressed this week, I'll just remember our motto "Keep Calm and Carry On".

And stick to the plan.

Crafty Me

I had a lot of fun these last couple of days, making things that are both useful and pretty.  I sewed this to match my apron from IKEA and even made some dishtowels to match!

Underneath is my new mixer.  I love it.  I just didn't love it sitting there exposed.  I had to sacrifice a tablecloth, but like I said, I have lots of fabric leftover and plan on making my mom some dishtowels, too.  The colors are jazzy, I think.

Over my desk area I crafted this little cutie:

A french memo board.  The color coordinates with the "new" room.  I need to get about 5 more buttons, but I may wait til they go on sale..they are pretty but pricey.  Lastly, I was digging through my recipes and spied:

Oh the delishciousness of Lemon Bread.  This recipe is from Mark's sister, years ago.  Warm from the oven it is sooooo good.  K. Enough.  Time to put up my crafty self until next week; it was fun.  Now to get into weekend mode and ready for working at the hospital.  Next week I will get to work in earnest on the alphabet photo project!

Relax...

Well.  I'm feeling a little OCD when it comes to all the projects I want to work on.  Basically I want them all done now.  So you can imagine how hard it is for me to have them be drawn out and difficult.  Case in point: the curtains in the living room.  They look like mud next to the couch.  I hate them.  They must go.  I am replacing the blinds with new cordless ones, yet that in itself has become an odyssey today...

Rustown Art

Time to pause and reflect.

  I have done a good enough job today of getting a few more things on my To Do list done.  (Breathe deeply)  I made a French memo board for over my desk.  I love it.  (Exhale)  I made a delish dinner of 4 Layer burritos with a nice salad. (Inhale)  I got a handle on the laundry. (Exhale)  I bought more wine. There, that's better.  Yesterday I even took more photos of my kid's art, which makes me smile each time I see it.  Just needed to get a handle on myself.  I've got my perspective back.  Tomorrow is another day...

One project down...

Today I picked up the re-upholstered couch.  And I have two words:
HOO.  RAY.
Let's review:

Yikes.  Blue lampshade has to go, along with all the blue gee-gaws on the shelf above. 

Ditto the "orange" upholstery on the couch.

Printed chairs - not happening.

And the pics above the sofa - love those. 

But the scale is off. 

They look too small for that area. 

Ahhhh...so much nicer! Walls are a lovely shade of light sandy brown, chairs are a soft moss., couch is cinnamon colored. Shade is now cream.  Still need help with the shelf above and I'm open to suggestions!  A lot of those framed pics got moved to albums.  Also, might add a rug and a large framed print or painting.  I'm probably going to leave the furniture arranged the same since this is a living room/dining room and I want it to be as "open" as possible.  Now, might be time for me to move on...I have so many other things to do...

Unstoppable

The girl is getting antsy.  She is highly annoyed at having to regress over the last week, depending on her parents to do for her.  Bringing her things.  Cooking her food. Helping her dress. This isn't the norm.  She's been anxious about this for a week now.  Anxious to get the surgery over with....

(but still smiling!)

... anxious to get back to her life, both at school and on the computer...

And really anxious to get back to driving.  Which isn't gonna happen until at least Friday.

 No driving today.  Put your keys up, hon.  I'm OK with driving you to where ever you need to go...

Sorry...  I'm pulling the reins in on the unstoppable girl for now.  Because in a few days, she'll be back to the  teenage girl who is chomping at the bit to leave.  And for now, I can slow that down...

Too pooped to pop...

That's what you call it when you've been camping all weekend in the 30 degree weather, cooking and hiking and building fires and things, learning all kinds of new skills with the "big boys" in scouts,
fending for yourself, sleeping on a hard cot..
not to mention the facilities are not nearly as clean and fresh-smelling as they are here at home.

And here we have soft beds, cuddly blankets...and a nice kitty to keep your toes warm...aahhhh..

Home, sweet home.

Shallow depth of field

Here's what I was able to do this afternoon in fading light.  Not great. 

But not bad.....at least I completed the assignment!  

It's a start, so don't judge harshly. 

Besides, it has a certain beauty to it, even in the dead of winter....

Photos #5 and 6

Happy Valentine's Weekend

Rustown Art 

Valentine's day is Sunday and I cannot believe how fast the year seems to be moving.  Didn't we just have the holidays?  We've made it through a dozen or so basketball games, a band concert, several scout functions including Crossover, not to mention the trauma of The Girl breaking her clavicle....and right now, she is  resting comfortably, with nice narcotics and a diet coke by her side and the cat next to her on the bed.  (OK, the cat isn't there for her benefit, but she does add a certain comfort to the room.)  Me? I am so tired I could fall asleep on this computer.  Hubby took the boys camping - don't know how he isn't crater-ing right now.  Must be pure reserve energy.  We made it through  the week.

Proving once again, we cannot fail if we all stick together.

Go Us!

Keep Calm and Carry On - The Girl has surgery

 

 

Rustown Art

It's another drab day outside.  But warm inside, and there's so much to do. I'm trying to stay busy and not think too hard on what comes tomorrow.  I'm trying to cross things off my to-do list and stay current on the chores.  It's hard to get focused and moving.  I hate being in this funk that paralyzes me when I should be productive.  There's only so much coffee you can drink.  And sometimes it's hard to put on a brave face. 

But there are only so many hours in the day.
And only one daughter. 

And she needs to see me calm and confident.

I have to get a grip and not let fear drive the day.

One Last Time

you did your best - always

you never gave in to disappointment

never stopped for pain

your teammates saw you as a true leader

perseverance, courage, determination, love;

you poured it all into the game

and we, your family, are so very honored to have

been able to watch you.

we are so proud of you, beautiful girl