From Stormy to Cloudy in 3 hours

It had been years since I updated Firstborn's room

  

The old color is a dark and stormy blue - the new color is  cloudy grey.  I lost my paint swatches so I can't tell you the exact color names.  I used my pad painter to frame out the walls first.  I patched nail holes first, since I knew I would be hanging things up a little differently.

I used an empty lunch meat container and brush to tackle the corners, an old towel to catch drips, and a bucket of soapy water with a rag to clean baseboards as I went. I also vacuumed thoroughly before I began.

Coming around the corner to the least favorite wall - all that stuff has to come off the shelves.  I try to hang things back up as soon as the wall is dry to the touch, including the outlet and light switch covers. 

 

 Three hours total because I had to clean along the way.  I even hung up a collage using those small framed prints that were already in there, and adding some new ones.  His new quilt looks nice next to the blue and grey, and a pop of red from the chair keeps the room from being somber.

One of the things he least wanted:  a whole bunch of "family" pictures in his room.  So, most of the ones from the shelves went into a photo album instead. 

I know it's hard to tell, but the new color is very different and makes the room much, much lighter.  It all looks so clean.

I replaced his old sparkly bulletin board with a fresh new one.
And now I am ready for a day off to recharge before the weekend.

Gina

Cherry Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Cherry Fudge Cake
1 box devil's food cake mix
2 eggs
1 t. almond extract
1 can cherry pie filling

Pre-heat oven to 350. Put cake mix, eggs, almond extract, and cherry pie filling in your mixer and beat til smooth; grease a 13x9 pan and pour in batter.  Bake for 40 minutes. Note: if you have a deep 13x9, decrease the cooking time a little - mine is shallow and took 40 minutes.
While the cake is cooling, beat 1 stick softened butter with 1 box powdered sugar, another teaspoon of almond extract, and about 1/2 cup or so of powdered cocoa.  Frost while the cake is warm, not hot.  Serve with cherry vanilla ice cream - and be sure to eat a square of it to "taste test" like I do, ha ha.

so moist!

Gina

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La Grange Quilt show 2011

A couple of weekends ago, my sister and I took my mother to a quilt show in La Grange.  The "Best Little Quilt Show in Texas".

My mother is something of a quilting pro - I have no idea how many of them she has made, but I bet in the dozens.  Which is no small thing considering she pieces, appliques, and hand quilts. Truly an art.  I have several at my house:  Drunkard's path, Carolina Lily, Cats, Little Houses, Log Cabin, Butterflies, Sunbonnet Sue - and she has given many more away over the years as gifts. 

She recently sent "Checkers" to Firstborn.

 Only a few that we saw actually impressed me - they were almost too perfect - know what I mean?  Most of them had machine quilting, instead of by hand.

They are beautiful, yes, but I think some of the art is lost if all the patterns are color-coordinated.  My mother uses fabric from a closet, an entire closet, full of fabric she has accumulated over the years.  My sister and I like to point to various prints and say "I had a dress made of that!"

This one is just lovely - a Wedding Ring quilt.  My mother has one of these in her linen closet.  Hers is well-loved and worn with scalloped edges.  Quilts make you feel connected to a mother, grandmother, aunt...a womanly pastime with so much history sewed into each piece.

 She and my sister pose in from of another pretty one.

 After the quilt show we stopped in Round Top for lunch - the best burger I ever had! - and to the Texas Czech Heritage and Cultural Center with even more quilts and other handmade crafts.

 I love this Yo-Yo quilt, it make such a fun, textured bed covering.

Just lovely and a nice way to spend an afternoon with my mother and sister.

 Well, and my silly niece, too!

Gina

Eight minutes to cleaner and prettier

Eight minutes is more than enough time to do a little tidy-ing up in my makeup drawer.

My routine is low maintenance, for sure.  This drawer looks full, but it is a skinny drawer and this collection just about covers the basics for me.  Moisturizer,  hair products, deo, very little makeup, dental stuff, cotton balls, and a pair of hair scissors for when my bangs start touching my eyeballs.

  Hair clips and pony tail holders found their way back into the little storage basket.

I bought myself some new beauty products earlier today and tossed the old or almost empty.  

 While I was at it (actually, around minute 5), I cleaned my hairbrushes
with soap and hot water and arranged them neatly. 

 With still some time on the clock, I did the same for the basket of bath items by the tub.  

 

I replaced my razor refill, threw away a half dozen disposable ones, cleaned out the little cup they live in...DING! Timer is done. 

Gina

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The Checkers quilt

Firstborn got a package from UPS:

Aren't you going to open it?  It's from Grandma.

Oh, how beautiful!

 

 

I think someone will be warm at night!  

Gina

Camping weekend

Here are the packs lined up by the front door.  

They represent a lot of forethought and planning.

Using a document Hubby named "The Scoop Sheet",  we pull clothing and equipment for each trip.  The sheet lists what to do up to a weekend beforehand.  It lists the activity, who is in charge, the phone numbers, the place to "show up" and "show down", and a detailed list of what to bring. It's actually a pretty impressive document that leaves no question unanswered and allows us to make sure our boys get to the right place with the right stuff.  This time, I sat with Bubbie and went over it with him completely - so that row of backpacks you see?  Two of them were ready Thursday afternoon before Dad got home - a first!  Considering they camp about twice a month, that's huge!

Much as I hate an empty house, I know they learning and growing as young men.  And I know they will have a great time doing it.

Gina

What's this owl worth?

One of the treasures I found while bopping around the antique and junk shops 

last Saturday in La Grange was this little guy:

 I don't want to be known as a Crazy Owl lady, but I do love them.

 I've researched this company a little but haven't found anything about what he's really worth - I paid $3 for him.  I almost didn't buy him, was just walking around hugging him as I looked at everything.

For now he is roosting in the living room.  If I never discover his monetary value, that's ok. I probably wouldn't part with him anyway!

Gina