Some Days Are Diamonds

2012-01-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Pausing...

But I'll be back...
Karen

Looking forward...

2012-01-02T14:49:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone!

We spent the weekend at our neighbor's RV pad at a motor coach resort in Indio, CA.

"Niiiiiiiiiice" doesn't quite describe it.

Joy and Dale got a spot across the golf course.

This was the view we woke up to every morning...

Looking in from the street - it's a double wide spot.
It has a casita with a full kitchen and 3/4 bath,
and then a full kitchen,
living room and dining area
under the patio covers.

Cooking in this kitchen was simply incredible.

Made me want to come home and rip the
one here at the house out and start afresh!

From the golf cart path looking in.

I do believe this is the most beautiful
spot we have ever stayed in.
Thank you Mike and Maureen.

Happy New Year Everyone...

I look forward to seeing what 2012 brings our way!

All is well...

2011-12-29T13:36:00.000-08:00

So here it is the end of the story!

The package arrives! WHOO HOOO!!!!!!

Zack and Chris...

The most adorable, sweetest, most

WONDERFUL SIL in the world!

I couldn't have hand picked any one girl for Chris whom I cherish more than I do Christie.

These two guys are just the world to me.

Aunties have to get it right - ya know?

And I DID! EXACTLY!

Ordeal over. Whew!

Golly I miss these guys.

Maybe next Christmas needs to be at their

house in Colorado in the SNOW!!!!

Well, all the trimmings and treasures, paper and ribbons, china and silver is all packed away until next year. My house is once again quiet and calm and CLEAN! Sigh.

Happy New Year everyone! Be safe! I can't wait to see what 2012 has to hold for the DeCapite family!!!

HUGS!

THE SEASON OF MIRACLES!

2011-12-24T07:39:00.000-08:00

You aren't going to believe this!

FED EX FOUND THE BOX!

My son got an Email from them last night at 10:30 that the 10# box that was checked in on 12-13 was located and delivery date is expected to be 12-29!

I wish that box could talk...

Enjoy your times with family and friends.

Big hugs and smiles

from me to you!

Merry Christmas!

I'M SAD...

2011-12-23T07:43:00.000-08:00

So...to make a long story short...my Christmas box filled with the entire family's gifts, on it's way to Colorado, is missing. No - no insurance, it hadn't reached that part of it's destination. It was shipped out of my son's office, and somewhere along the way ... somewhere between the post office and Fed Ex (yes you heard right, that's the way his office ships) it has disappeared.

My heart is heavy - there is no way I can replace all that was in that box. I will for the kids...but I can't for my bestest sister-in-law in the world.

Somewhere out there - someone has my gifts. And it makes me angry. I know, I know it's the season for forgiveness and compassion. But - when people steal...especially something like gifts...it isn't out of need it is out of sheer ugliness.

I called Christie in tears, knowing it is quite doubtful we will ever see that box... and of course she was the positive outlook girl that she is. Yesterday I got this Email...

Made me start bawling all over again!
I love these boys!!! (and the SNOW!).

sniff...sniff...

My Family...

2011-12-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

My sister and BIL, two of their kids and their spouses, and their kids (did you follow that?) came up yesterday for our Christmas Celebration together. We have to do it a week before Christmas because our families are branching out and everyone has places to be and it's just gotten too hard to do it either Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Here are a few pictures of our day...

(Heather - this post is for you- We sure missed you!)

My sister JoAnne and her two granddaughters.

Jessica and Steve and Dakota

Jennifer and Brandon

(not married, but a Mom can always hide her crossed fingers...)

and our Harley

Staci and Andy (the parents)

Decided it might be best to start the little one early...

Auntie Karen painted her a

Minnie Mouse on a lap tray

(Pam if you are reading this - this is your job!) :)

"Not now Mark, I have a ton of food

to get on that table..."

There is nothing better than the men

in the kitchen doing the dishes.

Sigh. Perfect.

Our newest - Little Miss Reagan.

"Hurry up Mom...she's screamin' "

So is Miss Taylor. "Time for bed!"

We do a gift exchange and draw names.

Jess got Brandon.

And I got Reagan while

my sister opened her gift.

Jenn got a scarf she wanted.

Jenn had Justin...he loved his jacket.

Heather - this one's for you...

Justin got Andy and you should've seen

the two of them go bananas over this new

type of tire for his dirt bike.

Men!

And lastly - Steve got his sister Staci.

And she got her Kindle...

We then headed into the family room and proceeded to play the Wii. We do the Michael Jackson dancing and the Country Western dancing and trust me, you do not want to see pictures... but BOY we had a good time!

Now, I think the last load of dishes just beeped, the dryer is dinging, and I have to reset the table for Christmas Day dinner...so I had better get a move on.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

QUIET...

2011-12-16T09:26:00.000-08:00

That peaceful time of day...

before the world comes rushing in...

a time just to enjoy the sunshine

in my little escape room.

To gaze at a new little box I just finished

just to do something...
to take a break from all the green and red...

All cleaned up...

Big day tomorrow.

13 family members for Christmas dinner.

We'll be missing two - for the first time.

Heather and Cedric.

They live in London now,

and will be spending Christmas in Paris.

The wind is blowing again - FIERCE.

Cards are done -
packages are shipped -
Now to head to the market,
set the table, get some baking done,
continue wrapping...

I better get moving! Lots to do.

Enjoy your day!

WINDS...

2011-12-01T16:40:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't heard - Southern California just about got blown off the map last night. Our house was literally shuddering. Leaves, branches and twigs everywhere. Downed trees up and down the streets. We couldn't even go out the main gate of our development - 2 HUGE pine trees down. And the winds are expected back again tonight - it's been blustery all day but nothing like the 80 mph gusts we had over night. It looked like a hurricane went through our poor towns I passed through while navigating my way through it all this morning on my drive over to work.

There was no power at my office this morning - so came home after doing a couple of hours of things I could do without power. I decided it was time to post a few of my favorite little Christmas spaces around the house.

I must admit - decorating around the aqua was at first - a challenge for me. I can't believe I'm going to say this but I didn't have enough "stuff". So I had to go buy, and then go again, and then one more time. But I think I've got it. And I must say - I am really liking it.

The dining room table.

It is so pretty at night which the candles lit.

All the blue and aqua are new.

And the pink garland down the center.

My big pink mercury glass ornaments.

I have four of them and they are precious.

I made this little banner a few years ago and I still really enjoy it.

The living room.

Details on the mantle.

At first I didn't think I could mix in gold, but I like it.

A pretty new Santa and trees

on top of a pretty new tray.

I LOVE MY SOLDERED BOX!

I made this in the Fall of 2010 in Oregon

and it is one of my favorite things I've ever made.

It was a TON of work and it was hard (yes we molded and painted that clay angel) It was an awesome class!

Our tree. New location this year too.

Love my mercury glass ornaments.

The entry...still need to play with this spot a bit more...

My little Claus's greet you from the bottom of the backers rack as you enter the front door.

My pretty little Christmas Fairie.

She greets you also.

Thanks for stopping by!
And to everyone in So Cal - stay safe tonight. Here we go again...

Hugs!

ALL OVER THE PLACE...

2011-11-25T12:48:00.000-08:00

Well, I have the house to myself for 6 days - but much to my surprise and dismay, I have a HUMDINGER of a cold. This one has knocked me for a loop. For the past two days while I should've been decorating my house - I've only gotten two things done. Sigh...

So this post is all over the place because I have taken cold medication which makes me loopy. :) OH JOY!

I'll start with last weekend!

I had two days to make this

estate sale purchase go from this ...

Yup - it was pretty bad!

to THIS!

I am a happy camper!

Some of my favorite things...

Some of my bling...

And my favorite books from my childhood...

It allowed me to keep my little wicker shelf.

I also took this bookshelf from this...

To this...

Yup - Happy dancin' here...headache and all.

But do I dare say I am not a fan of the Chalk Paint everyone is oohing and ahhhing over.
("One coat" my rear...!!)
1 quart barely covered this bookshelf
(only 1 coat - I basically just used it for a primer cuz I knew there wouldn't be enough to finish the hutch)
so the blue is my stencil paint from the entryway.
And I could not even finish the hutch
had to do the doors in the entry blue too.
Which I ended up loving - but...
disappointed after the big hoop la.
But - it was nice as a primer! :)

Anyway...that might be TMI for some folks...

Then last Sunday we went down to my in-laws
for our Thanksgiving.

Our group is so small without my
bil and sil and their two boys.
They have been gone to Colorado for a year now - :(
But I talked to Christie on the phone yesterday for about a 1/2 hour. I just love her to pieces.

While I am all over the place with this post -
I might as well share with you our
fun little dinner party which we hosted
a few weeks ago.

It was my turn for our "wine tasting friends".

Right before we sat down...

We were short 3 people... but still had a ball.

1 day to clean and set up.
1 day to cook - literally!
1 day to clean up.
But it was so fun! Good times with good friends:)

Well...I am exhausted! Last night was the first time I have ever taken NyQuil ( I know, I know - but I hate taking meds...) and it just has me zoning' today.

I think I'm headed for a nap...

Thanks for putting up with me today ... :)

Happy Black Friday to all you shoppers...

2011-11-19T14:49:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day - wherever you are - whomever you are with.
Blessings!

2011-10-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

Trick? or Treat?

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO...

2011-10-23T17:06:00.000-07:00

Here they are.

The pictures of the house.

Finally!

(But wait'll you see the end...)

Come on in...
(Entry - paint on walls, ceiling and stair trim.)

To the right as you walk in the
front doors is the staircase.
I am still looking for a special piece
of furniture to put here.
But for now...these will do...

To the left is the living room.
(Paint, drapes, reupholstery and accent pieces)

And straight ahead is the dining room.
(painted ceiling, back wall of built-ins, drapes and hardwood flooring)

I love how the color just made the cabinets pop.

And I can't tell you how tickled I am
to see a WHITE ceiling.

Down the downstairs hall is Mark's office.
(Hall paint, and hardwood floor covering in the office)

Back to the staircase landing...

(staircase - paint, stencil on walls and carpet)

The large niche area at middle landing.

This continues to be a work in progress...But

I LOVE the pieces that I have found!

Looking down at the living room

from the upstairs landing...

These bookcases were one of the first
things we added when we bought this house.
Along with the built-in hutches
down in the dining room.

Straight ahead the master bedroom.

(Master bedroom - carpet and decluttering!)

Back out to the landing and hang a left.
(My office area - paint and laminate flooring)

(My craftroom - laminate flooring, new table and PURGING!)

Turn right down the short hall to the guest rooms.

(the laminate continues... I LOVE IT!)

Left - first guest room (Justin's)
(Carpet, paint, TV - left to do? NEW CEILING FAN!)

2nd guest room (Brandon's)
(just cleaned out! Still need to SHOP!)

And in between on the right - the guest bath.

(paint, decor and linens)

You still with me? GOOD!

Well, guess what?
Remember this?

The leaky roof which started this whole thing?
Guess what?

It's Baaaaaack!
Sigh. Nothing is ever easy...

HUGS TO ALL!

CHANGING OF THE SEASONS - CALIFORNIA STYLE

2011-10-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

I know - I have been an absentee blogger.

And I do apologize, but life has just had a way of taking away my blogging time.

But for anyone still hanging around to see what I'm up to - here's where we've been this past week.

We jumped in the coach and drove up to...

The HIGH SIERRAS!!

Silver Lake, in the June Lake Loop -

25 miles past Mammoth Mtn.

"We're going for a walk! Come on!"

"Down to Rush Creek!"

"Look how pretty!"

"There it is!"

"OK, let's follow this path to Silver Lake."

"Karen! Seriously? We want to see the lake!
Take Christmas card pictures later!"

"Come on Mark, hurry up!!"

"Ahhhhhhhhhh. Silver Lake."

"Karen's favorite place in California."

"There is even a little snow left.
They had 4 inches fall last week."

But in 2 more weeks, they will close the road to here because they do not plow it during the snowy months. They just get too much snow.

"OK, we're exhausted! Let's head back to camp.
There's the coach and the Jeep!"

"And Gramma and Grampa are right next to us!"

Silver Lake Campground is in a big meadow next to the lake. And Rush Creek borders the campground and runs down to Grant lake, about 7 or 8 more miles.

What do we do at Rush Creek?

FISH! Going to have a great dinner tonight!

So...that's a little bit of what I've been up to.

BTW - the last room of flooring goes in on Friday and then I will be ready to show you the house!

And you WILL NOT believe the ending!

To be continued soon...

PAINT - Part 2

2011-09-15T19:47:00.000-07:00

I think the pictures will speak for themselves.

Welcome to my life.

I have been this way for one week now.

Had to take everything out but the buffet.

But that comes out this weekend.

In preparation for hardwood floor.

Look at that GORGEOUS WHITE CEILING!

No more goofy looking tile mosaic painting.

They still have to paint the back of the built-ins.

I'm going with the same color teal as the living room.

We painted as much of the wood trim on the stairs as we could without having to strip all the varnish and restain which would've cost BOO-KOO BUCKS.

I think it looks so much better...

The view looking down...

The view looking up...

We are putting new carpet on the stairs and in our room (straight ahead in the above shot).

Turn right at the top of the stairs and you're in my office space. I want a wood laminate floor in here and on into...

the craftroom.

I know - I have to take it all out.

Sigh. Just shoot me now...

OK Caroline - this is the part you've forgotten...

turn right past my desk and there is a small hall.

The mattresses are in Brandon's room.

This is the wasted real estate room - Justin's room,

which started all this...

And directly across is the guest bath.

Painting should be done tomorrow.

Whew. I am choosing all the flooring tomorrow.

Hopefully they can at the very least get the carpet for Justin's room in on Monday. That way I can get this room put back together, and in turn get the other guest room back together where the mattresses are - just in time to move my studio stuff into both of them!

And whenever they can do the rest of the flooring - WHATEVER!!!

And if all that wasn't enough?

I decided I didn't like my bookshelves so am reorganizing them for my office storage.

Some day my house will be back to normal.

I have a big dinner party here on Nov. 5th so I know it will be beautiful by then.

Have I mentioned lately that I am too old for this?

BREAK THE SILENCE

2011-09-13T18:31:00.000-07:00

BREAK THE SILENCE ON

OVARIAN CANCER

You may or may not know that 13 years ago on Sept 20th, my Mom died from ovarian cancer.
BUT! Finally today - A VOICE!

Someone else who thinks that this killer needs to be made more PUBLIC! So WOMEN ARE AWARE! It's always been labeled the "silent cancer". Now it's labeled the "whisperer..."

Thanks to Dr. Oz.

It does talk. It does give symptoms.

All of which my Mom had, and never uttered a word to either me or my sister because we had kids and carpools and field trips and "Honey - I didn't want to bother you!"

GOD, I WISH SHE HAD!

LADIES!!!

Watch your Moms.

Watch your friends.

And watch yourself.

And each and every one of you -

FILL OUT THIS FORM!

WASTED REAL ESTATE

2011-08-28T13:01:00.000-07:00

He's gone.

Sigh.

The one who just cracks me up.

The one who I worry about the most.

He who adores his grandparents and little cousins.

The middle of the night kitchen messer-upper.

The ultimate bathroom slob.

(Only Justin can fly fish with a beer in his mouth...)

My friend. My son. Justin.

And I am not embarrassed to say that I am looking at his bedroom thinking "this is wasted real estate!".

Little things...

2011-08-10T16:15:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, it's the little things in life

that just make your day.

Like your dogs being SOOOO excited to see you when you get home from work. No matter what kind of a day you've had...they are always happier than heck to see you which just makes all your stress fade away.

Makes my day!

Or walking out to your tomato plants and seeing two more BIG ones that you didn't know were there before! Sure made my day!

Or walking out to the mailbox and opening it to find an unexpected package! REALLY made my day.

CeeKay of Thinkin of Home

and I met back in the Fall of 2009.

I surprised her by attending the

Arizona Bloggers Luncheon that our sweet friend

Marty from A Stroll Thru Life put together.

It was such fun!

And we've been close ever since.

We just have a connection.

So she surprised me the other

day with a sweet little "just because" gift.

Aren't those the best kind?

She made me little notebook

and it turned out just perfect.

I love it CeeKay - and I love you too! I am so Blessed to have you in my life.

DETAILS

2011-08-08T18:18:00.001-07:00

I started going through some old pictures of a friend's home today...and got sidetracked by the details. Hope you like as much as I do!

The details just invite you in....

Guest room

Stairwell

Master bedroom

Guest room

Dining room

Living room

Thanks for visiting.

Confessions

2011-08-02T15:56:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!

First off I have a confession to make.

"My name is Karen,

and I am a Pinterest-aholic."

I LOVE Pinterest.

It suits my needs perfectly!

I am a visual kind of person,

and to have something so simple to use,

taylor-made for me for exactly what I want ...

well - it's a dream come true.

No pressure of posting.

No pressure period.

It is simply FOR ME!

My boards. With my dreams and

visions on them. For no other purpose.

Perfect!

On to something very off the wall.

I have to laugh.

Does this only happen to me -

or does it happen to others also?

This is my front door.

With one of those 3M hangers that are

supposed to come off SOOOOO easily.

Read the directions. Pull the strip DOWN. Check.

Snap. And I am left with a

piece of stretchy goo.

And what now remains on the glass

on my front door.

Sigh....

In the meantime...

I finished my stencil project. FINALLY!

Still have to have the wood painted...

But at least this much is checked off my to do list.

And we all love the way it turned out.

Now is the fun part - just shopping for

more pretty pieces to hang here.

I need some ovals and some smaller squares...

maybe a small mirror or clock...

and I still need a piece for inside

the door on the bottom wall...

hmmm I think a trip to

my favorite antique store

"Treasures and Junk" is necessary -

but it is so bloody hot and humid here

and they have no a/c there.

It'd be miserable.

sooooooo....maybe not.

Have no fear! I'll think of somewhere!

Hugs to all!

I'm here...

2011-07-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

Good morning.

I thought I should write a

few lines just to say I am well

and just busy!

We just returned from

a 10 day trip to Colorado.

Majestic beauty everywhere we turned.

The Rocky Mountains. Sigh.

Did some Jeepin'...

Got lucky with a few awesome monsoons.

The view out our front window at one

of our favorite RV parks in Pagosa Springs.

And now it's

"back to the swing of things".

Have a good day everyone!

COLOR...

2011-06-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

Color...finally.

This painting adventure of mine has taken quite a while and we aren't even done yet.

And to top it off, I had the cyst from hell removed from my back last Friday and now can't lift my arm until the stitches are removed in two weeks.

So...we wait.

But in the meantime ...
Here is a sneak peek.
(The color is looking mighty
BRIGHT in these pictures!
It is actually a soft teal.)

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the color.
Somehow I will take a true
color picture and show you.
It makes you go "ahhhhh"
when you walk in the front door.

And I love the new drapes too!

Below is a good picture of the color.

I got both the loveseat and the sofa recovered.

Here - below is a better

picture of the paint color on the wall.

The dining room we haven't finished...

painters will be back to paint the ceiling

and the back of the built-ins

which will be the same blue.

I was so tickled to find a very

small thread of the chair upholstery

contains the exact shade of blue.

Here is the small wall inside the

front door where I did the stenciling.

close up - (now this shot looks grey -

big frown!) But at least you can see

what the pattern of it is like.

I still need to stencil the other lower

stair wall, (you can see it in

the top picture) but it'll have to wait

for a few weeks until I can lift my arm

without ripping out all my stitches.

The painters are going

to paint all the trim

risers on staircase treads-

it's all going to be painted white to

match the spindles. I think the wood color

looks kind of odd...

And there is my 50 buck hutch -

now painted white.

I painted the back of it inside using the

same paint I used on the stencil.

Now the color in this shot

looks like the REAL color!

So that is what I've been up to. What a major undertaking. Holy cow.

And we aren't done yet...

I know I've been gone for forever - I promise to try and post more often. But I've been reading up on all of you - even if I am not leaving comments! I'm trying so hard to visit everyone...it's hard to leave a comment when there is so much to catch up on! Summer houses, projects, vacations - you've all been busy!

I've just been painting...and working...and painting...

Hugs to you all! HAGD!

The Good Life...

2011-05-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

Guess where I've been?

Here are a few hints...

FABULOUS spring weather...

The aroma is awesome...

Row after row...

Who said California doesn't have Spanish Moss?

"Only the beginning..."

Presentation is everything -

And LeCuvier does it perfectly.

They are moving to their new facility -

(I'm going to miss the old one.)

A sneak peek of the new one.

Everyone gathered around for some

wonderful wine pairings...

Lots of laughter!

Our favorite picnic spot - Thatcher Winery.

We all pack a picnic basket and

lay out quite the spread. :)

With the goats.

Wonderful days with friends.

And mile after mile...

beauty around each bend...

Not sure when we will make it

back to Paso Robles.

I am missing my mountains -

I think we will go to Silver Lake in the Fall

instead of back here for the Harvest.

Until next time!

"Cheers!"

Inspiration

2011-05-15T16:21:00.000-07:00

Where does your inspiration come from?

Have you noticed sometimes it comes

from something you least expect?

We are getting ready for a major painting expedition throughout much of our home. And I needed to find just the right accent color for the living room, entry, stairway and downstairs hall.

Piece of cake right?

I thought so but NOT!

It took me forever!

I knew exactly what I wanted

but you get cross-eyed after

staring at all those little squares.

Trip after trip - I have more

sample paints than I can count!

Too blue - too bright - too nursery.

My poor walls! LOL. :)

I am a visual person. I have to see

color before I can choose.

I had to put a small sample of

each one I tried on the walls

that are going to be the accent color.

Seemed like it should be so simple.

But it turned out to be very difficult.

Until yesterday when I was wrapping a

birthday gift...

THAT'S IT!

That's the color!

I went running to Mark

"LOOK! I FOUND IT!"

And he looked at the ribbon

I held in my hand and said

"I think you've finally got it."

YAY!

I took in to Lowes, they matched it,

I brought it home and threw a square

sample up on each wall...

BINGO!

FINALLY!

That's it on the left.

These "sea glass" bottles from Pottery Barn

were my inspiration.

As for the other color that will be on the majority of walls, I'm just going to carry the color I already have in the dining room into the entry and living room. Easey peasey!

Decision made!

I'm so glad because I really was going cross-eyed...

I've ordered my drapes...decided on the hard ware... had to change my plans for the sofa and loveseat - it's looking like I'm going to have them recovered.

So...now I just have to find FABRIC!

Yikes...

:) Karen

IT ALL STARTED WITH ...

2011-05-02T14:28:00.000-07:00

Today I am puttering around my house,

which has turned into a BIG project.
Now remember, we've lived here 8 years now...

It all started with...

the view from our front door.

Notice anything BAD?

(other than the lighting)

YUP! Right there.

WWAAAAYYYYYYY up there,

on our 22' high ceiling

in the living room.

A leak. But it is fixed now.

Gotta get that taken care of.

Which leads me to this.

GOLD paint.

Can you see it, the painting technique?

I know it's hard to see in the pictures.

While the family who lived here

before us with their two

little ~~monsters~~ boys probably paid

someone a fortune to come in

and faux paint all of this...

I am so over it.

Do you see those painted-on faux

"works of art" over the windows?

TWO of them, one on each side!

OVER IT!

I'm over the furniture too!

"JUSTIN! When are you moving out

and taking this stuff with you?"

And the drapes...how embarrassing.

While we are on the subject

of "faux" how about this one

over your dining room table?

Over it too!

Then of course there are all the

little - oh- for lack of a better word

let's call them "bumps and bruises"

a house comes with it when you buy it.

Here's one! (left over from the

~~monsters~~ little boys who

used to live here.)

Right at the front door.

OVER IT!

Removing those pictures down

that hallway is not an option.

She had about 40 pictures

hanging down the hallway.

And very nicely filled the holes with

white filler, and did not leave

me the colors of the faux painting

when she left. I did my best but...

OVER IT!!!

See that spot?

Right there in the middle?

This is on the very first landing

going up the stairs.

It's the first thing

my eye goes to going either

up or down the stairs.

It is varnish from when I had

the woodwork refinished.

The painter accidentally hit their

brush against the wall.

No way to remove it!

OVER IT!

And I must do something different

with that alcove up there.

OVER IT!

Are you sensing a theme here?

YUP! We are painting!

I hired the contractor last week.

And my husband is not happy.

He likes the paint.

"But it looks fine Karen!

Why are we going to waste all that money,

painting over a fortune in painting,

to make it look like plain old

tract home painting?"

MEN!

"Honey, do we have computer, stereo and home theatre equipment from 1998?"

"Uh....no."

"I rest my case!"

"You are just going to have to trust me Honey!"

MAY 31st it begins. I cannot believe the amount of work that lies ahead of me...the living room, the dining room ceiling, the downstairs hallway, up the stairs, the upstairs landing and the hall down to my craftroom where my entire desk area is...all at the same time...

I know, I know... SHOOT ME NOW!!!

Scaffolding...plastic...fumes

painters in my house...

But I am so excited! OMG!

I have waited so long to do this.

So, to the birds who built a nest in the unlikely spot of the flashing alongside a vent right where the two parts of the roofline come together, which in turn caused the leak up on our 22' high ceiling -

Bless your little hearts!

XOXO
(Ok, Theresa made me do this. I'm supposed to tell ya'll it's my birthday today!
I'm 39 .... again! :)

Fallen petals

2011-04-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

After coming home from our trip and unpacking the coach - I brought in the roses I had taken with us and set them on the kitchen counter. I don't buy myself flowers very often, and I have decided it is time to change that. :) (Thank you Liz!)

The next morning when I came downstairs to make the morning coffee - some of the petals had fallen off.

I like the way it looks with the petals gently sprinkled where they landed.

Hence the name of this post.

Fallen Petals.

Have a great week everyone.

A FUN Easter!

2011-04-25T11:46:00.000-07:00

I've been away!

We headed down to Glamis on Wed evening for Easter for 4 days. (For those of you who don't know - Glamis is in the Imperial Sand Dunes located pretty much where the CA, AZ and Mexico borders all meet.) We joined my entire family and had a BALL! But 3 of the 4 days were so windy - the sand was blowing as high as your head and it HURT when it hit you! So while the guys rode, it was indoors for the ladies, catching up and talking, eating, playing games, and playing with my great niece Baby Taylor of course!

We celebrated Easter morning on Saturday because four of the kids had to leave.

So we lined up the tables end to end ...

And laid out a big brunch buffet style...

Lox and bagels, pastries and muffins,

fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, breakfast potatoes,

Mimosas and Bloody Mary's were on the menu!

What fun!

Then we all got together for a family photo!

And then, because the kids dragged me out into the middle of the desert at the end of April where it was HOT - I gave them an ultimatum. "I have a surprise for you - but you must make or buy an Easter hat and wear it when I tell you to." (hehehe)

The girls looked adorable.

l to r - Heather (niece) Staci (niece - pregnant with #2)

Jessica (niece-in-law) Jennifer (my son Brandon's girlfriend)

The guys didn't look too bad either - wearing whatever their wife, girlfriend or cousin made them wear!

And not a complaint out of them!

l to r - Justin (mine) Steve (nephew) Brandon (mine)

Andy (nephew-in-law) Cedric (Heather's boyfriend)

All the kids!

"You are going on an Easter Egg hunt!

Ready, set, go!"

And then they were off!

"MOM! Get out of the way!!

I gotta hold onto my hat!" says Brandon.

Don't I look like a giant Easter

egg in my tie-dyed shirt?

Justin found a pile...

Heather found one!

Jessica is telling Cedric

"You better up!"

He is from a small country off the

coast of Africa, so I am not sure

he'd ever been on an Easter egg hunt before...

and never with our crazy kids!

Yes, Cedric you must RUN!

"Oh!"

I hid the eggs EVERYWHERE!

"Run Steve, RUN!" my sister says.

Everyone was scrambling.

And the wind was blowing them all over!

Goofy dog!

"oh boy - oh boy - this is fun!"

Andy looking hard...

"I got it - no! I got it!!"

Then it was back into our

coach to tally them up.

Oh...bummer. Jess got a rotten egg.

Heather loved the money!

"Boy Auntie! I remember when we used to get quarters! Now we get DOLLARS!"

Her and Cedric are moving to London

in July so they need every dollar

they can get!

Steve got a "pick a box"

In fact he got two of them -

so he gave one to his wife.

What a guy!

And we were only missing two.

Heather said "How cool is that

if you find an egg out in the middle

of the dunes and open it up and find a dollar!"

Miss Taylor and her Mommy

opened our gift to her.

She wasn't too thrilled with the

ceramic bunny basket I made.

But Mom was happy with the college money!

Auntie Heather and Taylor.

She isn't going to be here

when the new baby is born

and is VERY sad.

We had such a good trip - except for the wind. But it made for good indoor time with each other. Crowded but perfect. I learned how to play a new game called

"Settlers of Catan". It's HARD!

I hope everyone had a happy Easter too!
See you soon!

XOXOXO

Just a Sunday Afternoon

2011-04-17T16:00:00.000-07:00

Hello! How is everyone?
It is sunny and HOT here in So Cal. Yesterday it was 92...today is cooler at about 85. Kind of hot for springtime! But, it sure is a pretty day!!

While in Texas I picked up the

ugliest little roll top desk.

It was love at first sight!

I knew I had to have it!

It was built in the late 1950's

and the little man who sold

it to me told me all about it.

The green is leather....

It was one of the reasons I

had gone to Round Top!

I was hoping to find something like this.

It was in pretty rough shape -

but no matter!

I knew exactly what

I wanted to do with it.

Here it is now...

I had such fun painting and sanding.

Ready for indoor or outdoor entertaining...

I love every single inch of her!

Thought I would lay out a

little Sunday afternoon graze

while the ballgame is on.

Speaking of grazing...Joy told

me about a new cheese shop

out in Claremont. It is called

the Cheese Cave

and it is AWESOME!

We won't talk about the prices...

I bought a selection for Easter...

This Lavender cow cheese is

TOO DIE FOR!

Some yummy flatbread...

A soft cow's cheese...

Sigh. YUM!

If you have a cheese store near you -

I suggest you pop in and

see what they have.

You can usually taste everything

before you buy it.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

HUGS!

Spring Puttering...

2011-04-09T09:31:00.000-07:00

Good morning.

A few pictures of some things I picked up in Texas. I am so happy with all my purchases ... I thought I'd share what I've been doing. Just puttering around ... decorating for Easter and Spring.

I've been picking on the big

corner in my entry again.

My new birdcage. Sigh.

It's a big one!

It stands almost 5 feet tall!

Love the rust...

I also swiped the tray from my

family room coffee table and put

it in the living room on the ottoman.

And I set the kitchen table.

Love my little Tulips...

And my new lazy susan

I picked up in Texas.

It is made from an old

wine barrel lid...wine stains and all.

And finally a cute little ironstone

pitcher I picked up too. One tiny little

chip made it affordable.

Have a wonderful Saturday. Thanks for stopping by!

Is it really OVER?

2011-04-04T20:08:00.000-07:00

My trip to Round Top is over.

Golly it went by fast.

4140 miles - round trip. YeeHaw!

This was our view for 2/3 of the trip.

Nothing but sky! Over the next hill ...

and around the next bend ...

nothing but sky.

And then all of a sudden it got green!

Joy and I had such a fun time.

I had a few medical inconveniences

here and there, but I made it through!

Hot and horribly humid Texas weather doesn't

bode well for anyone who is suddenly

allergic to the antibiotics they are on.

(Ended up in the ER for that one.)

But Joy was a trooper right alongside me.
And we did have a ball.

All the way there -

and then all the way back home.

Even the flat tire in Palm Springs

doesn't seem so bad now ... :)

Antique week. How to describe it ...well,

it was hot, it was humid,

it was freezing, it was raining -

the weather ran the gauntlet.

Just like we were told it would.

And I wouldn't change a thing!

Our Hostess with the Mostest -

Miss Charlene from My Hearts Ease

was just the most gracious Texas Tour Guide. Every time we all got together - everything ran so smoothly. She was absolutely awesome. She had us rolling on the floor with her stories of her parents tour guide escapades. She took us to the best restaurants around. And had our shopping days filled to the brim with adventures.

So here is most of our group!

Zapp Hall for lunch on Saturday!

(Sandy and Cindy hadn't arrived yet
Diane was setting up at her Marburger display)

(left to right, Joy, Rita, Riki, Susie, Karen V, Charlene)

Golly we had fun.

Here is the entire group at the Blog Party
on Sunday night -
which I didn't get to go to (sniff)

'cause i was red and white and itchy all over!
Sandy, Charlene, Susie, Karen, Joy
Rita, Cindy, Riki, Diane
This was just the BEST group of ladies!
We had a FABULOUS time!
I hope we all get together again and I'll have more time to really get to know each of them better.

My special treat was these two ladies.

Karen Valentine - My Desert Cottage.
I actually got to hug her for real!
She designed my blog and after many a phone call and a few panicy Emails has helped me through many an iMac question! LOVE HER!
And of course, our Hostess,

Charlene from My Heart's Ease

I met Charlene last spring on my trip to Savannah.

While I didn't really get to know her until the end of the trip - I've gotten to know her since, and how could you not love this woman? HUGS GIRL!

You are awesome! The bestest tour guide EVER!!

Ok - on to the SHOPPING!
We got home Friday night, and I spent all day Sunday changing things around in my craftroom and my home. My husband was actually HAPPY about my purchases! I really tried to only get things I can use in projects - and pieces that I wanted around the house.
Joy and I each had a checklist and we
followed them pretty closely.
We rented a trailer to bring all of
our treasures home in...(hehehe)

WHAT FUN!!!!!
My biggest purchase was my pie safe.
Sigh. It was love at first sight.
An oldie but a GOODIE!

Love the mouldings...

Love the color on the inside...

Love the old hinges - aren't they pretty?

And the drawer pulls.

Here she is in her new home!

My second biggest purchase were these

wood and rod iron pieces.

I am going to hang them on the stairwell.

Then I got this FABULOUS little tureen.

It is perfect! I was a very happy, HAPPY camper when I bargained him down to my price! YAY!

And this adorable little creamer.

Look at the entwining handles! Cute huh?

I did find these three baskets which fit

perfectly in my pie safe...

LOVE these two perfect vintage suitcases...

And these lovely french paper covered books.

Works of art!

Fell in love with this old broken clock...

And of course - all the STUFF!

Love my train case! It was purely

coincidence that it matched one of

the other suitcases I found!

All the must haves!

The bling, the bobs, the rust,

the lace and snips and tats,

the vintage GASPS,

the one of a kinds!

You know! The piles of stuff that makes

your heart beat faster just thinking of it!

What? You couldn't hear me squealing

each time I found a new treasure?

Just look at these old ornate door plates...sigh.

Oh I know - that's enough for today. Trust me when I say - there is LOTS more to share. And I have some very fun projects in my future! YAY!

Hope you enjoyed my little slice of Texas Heaven I shared today. Stay tuned for more...

But for now - it's off to work tomorrow ... back to the real world! But it sure was fun while it lasted!

Hugs!

Loading Up and Heading Out!

2011-03-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Where?
Why to Round Top, Texas of course!

With my best shopping pal Joy!

And we are DRIVING! 1427 miles!
Yee Haw!
What are we going to be
doing there you ask?
SHOPPING!
At one of the largest antique fairs
in the country! :)
Farmers rent out their barns,
their pastures and even line up
along side the road just
waiting for people to come and find their
most wanted treasures. Thousands
of vendors, and thousands of people!

Miles and miles of shopping
for antique and vintage pieces.

For the best deals and the
perfect pieces.
I want that buffet cabinet in back...

Love this little chest... I want
a bigger night stand...and
love the pitchers too.

I want another Baker's Rack
for my bedroom. Every time I see
a cute pillow now I think of Sissie!
Does that happen to you?
We carry our favorite bloggers in
our hearts and minds every where we go!

I would LOVE to bring
one of those old tubs home.

And it'll be so fun looking at it all.
I have a list - cause I can't remember
it all, so I can just read
the list occasionally and hope
I find even just a few of my
"wants - don't need" :)

Everyone said in the hot
Texas sun you must wear a hat.

So I bought a new hat at Target

and spiffed it up a little.

I know, I know - it isn't a cowboy hat.

But I look positively ridiculous

in a cowboy hat. This one actually
looks pretty cute. :)

I bought a new bag at Target too

and spiffed it up also.

I needed something that if it got dirty

I wouldn't have to worry about it.

A little lace here...

A little lace there...

And I made a little flower

to add onto it too.

I really like them both!

I also saved two of my favorite pairs

of jeans from the Goodwill.

Can you see why they were

in the Goodwill bag?

The pockets were separating from the

jeans, and leaving holes.

Now nobody knows those

holes are there but me.

Well....and you...shhhhhh.

I needed more jeans, to last 11 days.

Yup, that's how long we are going to be gone.

Two days driving there,

and two to three days driving home.

(It'll depend on if we are
pulling a big trailer full of
FABULOUS STUFF behind us or not.)

And six days at Round Top

in Antique Heaven.

Catching up with friends we

haven't seen in a while.
And seeing some for the very first time!
(Are you jealous, I get to
hug Karen Valentine!)

Holy cow. I can't wait!

I am going to miss a special little
Someone's first birthday -
agggghhhhhhh! :(

But her presents are ready for

Uncle Mark to take to her party.

And Miss Taylor's Mommy and

Daddy have exciting news!

They are expecting again!

YAY!

I sure hope to find me some Texas

cowboy boots while I am in cowboy country.

Joy is picking me up at

6:00 am sharp tomorrow morning...

well, if you know Joy it'll be more

like 6:15. But that's OK.

Were going to have a great trip!

I'll be up and waiting for her...

So off we go -

headed towards aTexas sunrise.

See ya'll in a few weeks!

With hopefully lots of fun adventures to share!

HUGS!

Pray

2011-03-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

Just a little behind...

2011-03-07T11:04:00.000-08:00

I have to laugh. I was waiting for the coffee to brew this morning. This corner of my kitchen is command central on Monday mornings. Monday is my day off - my day to get stuff done. The first thing I usually do (besides playing Words With Friends on my iPad- THERESA!) is plan the week's menus. I've already been thinking about them...and have an idea. So the cookbooks and recipe cards get stacked up in the cookbook stand and I make my grocery lists.

I happened to glance up at the calendar...

Whoops!

Now I am a really organized person.

I like things in their place. Occasionally things get out of hand - like my junk drawer in the kitchen.

But doesn't everyone have a drawer like this?

I mean...you NEED this stuff. :)

But for the most part it is all good.

My everyday dishes cupboard.

Yeah I know - I like dishes.

You should see the rest...(ahem!)

I know - that one shelf is kind of empty.

Those dishes are out on the table for spring.

(hehehe) Did anybody else see it?)

See that red heart box?

I FORGOT ABOUT IT!

That was the whole purpose but I didn't think I'd actually really forget about it!

It's my Valentine Candy from hubby. :)

I only like one piece out of the entire box of See's candy. (I know... I know!) So he gets me a whole pound of the one piece. When I opened it this year I kept thinking "Karen, you can barely get into your jeans as is...you are going to Round Top soon and you are going to be just MISERABLE! you better NOT do this."

Cause I could've!

I could've eaten the entire box in like 3 days.

So I hid it. Hehehe. GOOD JOB KAREN!

'Cept now I've found it again ....hmmmm.

I forgot to show you the cute little not-so-vintage spice rack I got last weekend in AZ. LOVE IT! Doesn't it look old? NOT! Brand spanking new!

OH! And while waiting for the coffe to brew on Monday March 7th, I changed the calendar too!

It's raining here -

and we got an inch last night! YAY!

Have a good day all.

Hugs!

This and That

2011-03-05T12:34:00.000-08:00

OK, fair warning - this post is all over the place... :)

Last weekend we went to AZ for 4 days for a Nascar race. My first one. And can you believe I forgot my camera at home? DUH!!!! Anyway - I really only enjoyed the final race event with the big boys. I don't know - I just can't get excited about a bunch of cars going round and round. It seems all everyone does is wait for a wreck or for someone to pull ahead...give me hockey game!

Of course the last night we were there Jorja just HAD to give us some drama. The little turkey. I had set a bottle of my prescription pain medicine for my feet in my cup holder next to the front seat in the coach. I had had them outside that morning because I was telling everyone how IMPOSSIBLE it was to get this childproof container open! Then I just set them up there just inside door and didn't think twice about them again. The chair was facing backwards anyways...

Well - apparently not so hard for Jorja to get open. I calculated that within 8 minutes of me turning the seat around to face forward because we were getting ready to leave very early in the morning...she had found that container and got it open. We must've walked in on her but she jumped down and we didn't notice it right away. I hear "OH SH#@* KAREN! We have a HUGE problem!" There they were, all the pills, some only halves and lots of powder on the seat. Oh criminey!

Well the first thing I thought of was that they are supposed to be taken with food and lots of water or they can cause bleeding in your stomach. So I fed the dogs. No matter that it is 10:45 at night, I fed them a 1/2 portion and made them drink. (I knew it was Jorja - wasn't too concerned about Harley.) Then I googled the medication. UGH! Not good for a 15 pound dog to ingest a 500 mg pill. They listed poison control's phone number and I called and explained what happened. They told me to give her 2 tsp of 3% hydrogen peroxide and wait for her to throw up. If she doesn't puke in 10 minutes, repeat. (tapping foot here while waiting and just DIEING on the inside!) Nothing. She was happy and seemed OK and we just kind of looked at each other like "Well...what do we do now?" We were out in the middle of nowhere ... had no clue where the nearest emergency vet could be. At 11:30 we went to bed. Not to sleep, but to bed. And at 1:00 AM she puked (of COURSE on the bed!)

WONDERFUL! >:(

But at least it had came up. I didn't sleep a wink all night, I kept feeling her to make sure she was breathing. Next morning we left at 6:30 to head home. I fed her about 1/4 of her normal meal and she wolfed it down. We thought all was fine. We get home, back the coach in and I was just coming inside to CALL the vet to see what they recommended and I came in to a MESS everywhere on the kitchen floor. Called the vet, "bring her in NOW!", threw her in the car and headed down. My heart was pounding. I was so scared!

Well, they kept her the rest of the day, took X-rays, ran every test imaginable on her pancreas, intestines and stomach, gave her some prescription stomach coating, drew blood work and pushed iv fluids through her. I did the math with the pills and figured she could've gotten one MAYBE two down. For some dumb reason I had saved the towel of throw up. The vet asked me "Did any come up?" "Uhhhhh...I never looked!" Needless to say when I went home I looked and YUP! One whole pill. YAY!

$600 later .... one lucky little ~~rat~~ girl.

While it may be Karen proof,

it is definetely NOT dog proof.

It's a horrible feeling to have this happen.

How stupid can I be? I know she is a trouble maker.

From now on - we are checking and double checking everything and now she is permanently locked up

in the kitchen and family room downstairs. No more roaming around the house looking for trouble for Miss Smarty Pants.

But she is fine now. Thank God.

So anyway while we were in AZ, Mark and I met CeeKay and her hubby for dinner at CRACKER BARREL! We don't have them here in CA, so it is a treat for us to eat there. Let alone SHOP! We had such a nice evening with them. I just love CeeKay's hubby.

Then early the next morning I met up again with CeeKay we drove up to Glendale and went shopping. GREAT STUFF! We each bought an adorable hand towel and we are going to create something with it, and then share them when she gets back from her trip back east. Mine is green for my family room. :)

Then we met up with Marty and had a wonderful lunch, then shopped some more. She gave me this box.

"I figured you could do something with it..." It is big and deep, and I can't wait. She told me her husband looked at her and said "You are giving her an empty candy box?" And she said "She'll love it!"

Men! They just don't get it! :)

I always have such a good time with those two. And to think we met through blogging. Now I can't imagine my life without these two women. I just love them!

CeeKay and I went to a fabulous store called Melrose Vintage in Phoenix. I could spend HOURS in there.

We each found some old stamps with our initials.

Aren't they great? I already had the K,

and found the a, r, e, and n.

I also found these adorable magnets at a little boutique in Glendale.

One of my cousin's friends at our Nascar camp,

Kathy - she lives in Montana (sigh)

is an INCREDIBLE quilter. All hand stitched.

Not a machine to be found. Well, she taught me

how to felt! I have been wanting to learn. YAY!

I have to perfect it, but I am going to do something with new found technique. You can felt on to any fabric or felt. Instead of applique, use roving! I'll keep you posted on what I come up with.

A few weeks before we left for AZ, I had some free time one weekend and finally made something that had been on my mind for a while.

I had so many of these vintage empty thread spools, and knew I wanted to do something with them.

So I did. I wrapped each one with french lace and trims and little vintage flowers and jewelry.

I love it.

Yesterday I went into Michael's.

I hadn't been shopping in probably 2 months.

Found some cute boxes for a future project.

And these faux books.

I want to change the accent color of our bedroom to that pretty shade of blue.

Today we are cleaning the coach

and I am getting READY FOR ROUNDTOP!

Joy and I leave in 2 1/2 weeks and I am so excited - I just can't wait! I hope we find AWESOME STUFF!!!!

I've never been to Texas, let alone driven there. I love exploring! And seeing new things! And we get to see everyone! I get to see friends I haven't seen since Savannah last April, and I get to actually "meet" and give a real life hug to Karen Valentine! I can't wait!

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Hugs!

2011-02-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

Inside-out, upside-down and BACKWARDS!!

This poor little cart that I bought for my upcoming trip to Round Top looked a little naked.

Both my friend Joy and I bought one so we won't be carrying everything around all day. (Can you think of anything worse?) Joy says "We can make them cute! Come on - you can do it!"

What exactly was I thinking?

I don't really sew... I never have done anything really difficult, just easy patchwork quilting, pillows, shams, curtains, EASY STUFF. I did make a lot of my own clothes when I was a teenager. But everything always had a PATTERN!

Well I thought to myself "How hard could it be?" Joy wrote down the size pieces to cut and then she kind of left me to my own devices. I looked at hers and then went home and began mine.

Cutting it out was a piece of cake.

WHOO HOO!

"I can do this! YAY!"

Then I started sewing the pieces together -

At first it was easy...

Then I really had to start thinking.

I didn't buy enough fabric for a pocket

so I just sewed a doilie on.

That'll work.

I pinned everything together first...

And just when I thought I had it....

Nope - unpin and try again.

OK, that seems to work, stitch it...

But how do I ...

(insert four letter words here)

Call Joy...

"Nope - you did it wrong. Rip it out and do this ..."

(insert more four letter words -
only underline them this time)

How on earth...?

Oh my stars!

I got the ruffle! kind of...

So after a LOOOOONNNG
afternoon, I got it.
Or maybe I better say -
this is as good as it is going to get.

I made a little flower with a vintage pin in the center.

And I made another pocket on

the back to throw my junk in.

I am so stinkin' proud of myself!

I finished it - and lived to tell about it.

So if you see me at RoundTop - don't laugh.

Just smile and say "GREAT JOB KAREN!"

Note to self - do NOT let Joy talk you into doing anything like this again...

From Our Heart to Yours...

2011-02-13T13:39:00.000-08:00

From our hearts to yours...

(Mike & Jeanne) (Karen and Mark)

MONTANA

I love my duck...

personally - I like the pink hearts best!

Happy Valentines Day!

Hugs!

A NEW HOME!

2011-01-29T08:39:00.000-08:00

Yes - it's finally time!

The Sorority has a new home.

My wonderful friend Debi at

Life In My Studio

has agreed to take over the role of

"House Mother" (hehehe).

She has created an entirely

new blog devoted just to our Sorority.

The name of the new blog is

"Bloggerette Sorority"

and Debi has done a

wonderful job designing it.

I love, love, love our new picture!

SO! For those of you who are currently members of the Sorority - please replace the old Sorority button with the new one from the sidebar at the new blog.

(I am having a heck of a time

with Blogger this morning -

but I will get the new button

on my blog sidebar ASAP!)

And if you happen to see Sisters out there with the old button on their blog, please leave them a comment and let them know we've "moved".

Help spread the word!

Now pop over to the

Bloggerette Sorority's

new blog

and introduce yourself to Debi,

(if you don't already know her.)

She is creative BEYOND BELIEF and

she has so many wonderful things

in store for all of you.

We talked on the phone for

several hours the other night

finalizing the details and

I am TOTALLY EXCITED!

Thank you so much Debi for

continuing my dream with this Sisterhood

idea. I had no idea it was going to become so large when I began it, and I hate having to give it up due to my work schedule, but I know you are just going to do a fabulous job!

Big hug to you my friend!

Thanks everyone!

Have a good weekend!

HUGS!

But I don't have a porch...

2011-01-26T16:54:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to share this with you!

One of our Sorority Sisters, Jill at Gypsy Brocante is starting something wonderful! She is calling it her PORCH CLUB! You don't have to join or anything like that. You just pick a Monday morning when you feel like having a cup of coffee or iced tea on "the porch" and JOIN IN! She is even going to feature a Porch of the Month!

Sigh! I wish I had a porch.

But Jill says it's OK if I don't

- I can still join in on the fun!

She has all the details on

her Jan 24th post over at Gypsy Brocante.

(I know - you'd think I would've

learned how to link up the posts

and dates and all that -

but I have no clue.

I can get you to her blog -

just not a specific date. SORRY!)

I just love Jill to pieces, I took a jewelry making class from her last summer when she visited So Cal and just had a ball. You'll love her too. She is so genuine and warm and friendly. So put Monday - January 31st on your calendar. That is the first party and join in on the fun!

Very fun Miss Jill!!!!! :)

Domesticity

2011-01-24T16:02:00.000-08:00

I sat down to my computer this morning - just to check out what was going on in blogland and hopped over to see my friend Liz at Rose Vignettes.

It was meant to be.

She had posted about her last Saturday morning when she made homemade laundry soap. At first I thought "what?". Then I kept reading. She got the recipe from a blogger who about 50 miles away from me - MaryJane at The Beehive Cottage. And after reading both of their posts - I knew I wanted to give it a try. I'm all for saving a dollar here and there - and just the act of doing this - made me feel good. You know? And it's good for the environment - I'm really big on that too!

So off I was to the store where I thought I could find all the ingredients. I am not a Wal-Mart shopper, I love Target. But I headed to Wal-Mart just to see. Bingo! All but one ingredient. I was so excited! Headed to Target next - nope - nobody had even heard of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda. Came home to put everything away and got on-line and found out Ace Hardware carries it. I called our local store and YUP! Dashed down there, hit Lowes, the post office and the market on the way back and was done running around.

Gathered all my wonderful new things together and began. Talk about simple. Open and dump - then grate the soap - voila! done in under 5 minutes. TOO EASY!

Here we go!

The soap came in one big bar.

Just grate it with your cheese grater.

All done.
Everything in an air-tight container.

mix it up ....

I put the lid on the container and
shook it all around

and mixed it up because I

wanted to make sure it really was

mixed together well.

Isn't it pretty?

Now all I need is a pretty vintage

tablespoon to measure it with.

OK - I NEED DIRTY LAUNDRY!

No problem, it's Monday - laundry galore.

Now normally I rotate my
bed sheets, but not today.

I want to sleep on these tonight!

Here comes the good part.
1- 4# box of baking soda

1 bar of Zote Soap
FOOTNOTE!
1 1/3 bars of the pink Zote!
Add $.33!!!

1 - 4# box of Borax

1 - 3.7# of Washing Soda

For a grand total of ...

Should be $9.87!

Now considering a box of
laundry soap at Sam's Club is about $17 -
this looks pretty good to me.
And you only use TWO TABLESPOONS
per load. YES!
TWO TABLESPOONS! That's it!
The other thing they suggested
was using white vinegar as
your fabric softener.
Hmmmm.
I bought some. $2.28 for a gallon.
I used 1/2 cup on my sheets.
And when I took them out
they didn't smell like vinegar at ALL!
:)
Now I just need to find a pretty,
vintage glass 1/2 cup measuring cup.

I'm a happy camper.
A happy domestic camper.
And my hands smell REALLY good
from grating the soap.

Hey - how did these get in my
Target bags? ...

Thanks Liz and MaryJane!!!
This was FUN!
Happy Day!

Some Days Are Diamonds

Looking forward...

All is well...

THE SEASON OF MIRACLES!

I'M SAD...

My Family...

QUIET...

WINDS...

ALL OVER THE PLACE...

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO...

CHANGING OF THE SEASONS - CALIFORNIA STYLE

PAINT - Part 2

BREAK THE SILENCE

Related Content

WASTED REAL ESTATE

Little things...

DETAILS

Confessions

I'm here...

COLOR...

The Good Life...

Inspiration

IT ALL STARTED WITH ...

Fallen petals

A FUN Easter!

Just a Sunday Afternoon

Spring Puttering...

Is it really OVER?

Loading Up and Heading Out!

Pray

Just a little behind...

This and That

From Our Heart to Yours...

A NEW HOME!

But I don't have a porch...

Domesticity