Spray Paint Magic

What do you get when you cross a candlestick, and an old cheese tray and dome? A unique and attractive pedestal display. Candlesticks are easy to come by at any thrift store and they are generally 1-4$ - it doesn't really matter what material they are made of - just look for an appealing or interesting shape. Then hunt for one of those wooden round cheese trays with a glass dome (you know, like the one that you took to the Goodwill a few years back). Using liquid nails, attach the cheese board to the candlestick and spray the entire unit - distress with sand paper to your taste. Obviously, you will not be serving cheese in it, but certainly you have something that needs to be showcased!

A few more items ready to go . . .

Here's my finished product in satin nickel. Also pictured are some picture frames that now function as chalkboards. I grabbed some frames at the GW (these are sometimes ridiculously high priced), took the glass out and sprayed them with chalkboard paint, then painted the frames the desired color. I'll let you in on these projects, but you'd better leave some cheese domes and frames for me at the Goodwill!

Deere John -

This riding mower has been a dependable unit over the years - notice the pedal extensions which allowed us to teach our toddlers to mow (just kidding). Yes, the hood is obviously absent and it occurred while the 14 year old was operating the equipment (this is the same child that is due to get his permit in 3 months). Apparently there was a moment that required intense braking action which caused the hood to fly forward and crumple under the mower. No body parts suffered harm, but I think I'll take to wearing full protective gear when he starts driving.

Aunt Shelly's in Town!

Grungy beach kids crowd on Shelly

phormal phamily photo

Oregon Coast Getaway

We were offered a FREE last minute stay at Neskowin this weekend and our only responsibility was to take delivery on a new chair. Hey, no problem! We have made ourselves at home in this cozy cottage perched near the sea, and we even lucked out and had some sun today.

It's tough to wake up to this scene

Our round bungalow - the closest one to the beach in this neigborhood

They were very agreeable to this pose

Skim boarding or dancing, I'm not real sure

A little chilly

Maren was so excited to be at the beach, she was running in and out of the water, and jumping for joy. Always one to live life to the fullest, she ran up to us excitedly and exclaimed that, "This is the most fun someone could have!"

A Teensy Eensy Secret

The elementary school that the girls attend has a big fundraiser soon and they are looking for an auctioneer. I am always (well almost always) careful to not "sign" up #1 Huband for things at the PTC without first consulting him, and I was certainly NOT going to sign him up for auctioneer duties. Well, he let it slip that he has recently been practicing to be Mr. Auctioneer while in the car. He tried out his new found talent at home and we were impressed! Give that guy a microphone, a bolo tie, and a cowboy hat - he's going to be selling "icecubes to Eskimos" - I'll try my hand at undercover super secret spy video footage so you can see him in action.

FYI

If you are interested - I've added a link to "Trash to Treasures" just to the right. This is the local store where I take my "junk" to sell. I've started a blog for them and we have some exciting things coming soon, so check in regularly!

A Little Re-do

Sherman and Leslie have had a home at Sunriver for nearly 11 years, and it was time for a little updating . . .

A red wall

Out with all white walls

Now we think that we need some "wall words" on the yellow wall - any suggestions? This picture makes the wall look a bit greenish yellow, but they are more golden.

Out with the old . . .

In with the new - I think we'll be adding some color to these walls too -

Here Kitty Kitty

This cougar was trapped (and shot) on our property. It weighed 125 lbs and is not to be confused with those furry creatures that curl up on your lap or sleep at the foot at your bed. If you are a guest at the pond this summer - you may want to go home before it gets dark and definitely think twice before you reach down to pet the nice kitty that's purring at your side.

Aaaah - I smell Photosynthesis

I've been looking forward to this one since last Fall - the open doors and freshly stocked racks at the local nursery. Ok, I was agreeable to nixing the "flower" allowance on the budget, but that was in the dead of Winter. I simply cannot resist a colorful annual or the promise of the perfect perennial (I look at them as a long term investment). Oh, and the aroma of fresh cut grass - unmistakably Spring!

Rah Rah Rah!

Milah has been waiting for YEARS to be involved in track. Today was her first track meet and although she didn't get first place, she was "hot" on their tails. We have track meets for the next several Saturdays, so she'll have a chance to smoke 'em.

Milah's adoring fans

With good 'ole Grandpa who has finally returned from Switzerland



With her french braids aflyin' . . .




One leg of the relay - DON'T drop the Baton!

Hmmm, the videographer and enthusiastic spectator would be "Grandma".

Mom gave Milah a special pillow and Milah loves it because it smells like "Grandma". Milah has now requested that Mom use it for a few weeks so she can "recharge" the scent.

Project, Recycle!

What do you get when you take a stack of Hardback Books

At some Goodwills you can get these 3 for 1.49 or I found a few in a give-away pile. I didn't want them to be uniform in size.

Add some scrapbook paper, mod podge + old cabinet hardware

= a unique collection of vintage books


After the paper dried, I used sand paper to scuff the edges then I took a bit of stain and went over the scuffed edge to give it a more worn look. I added some details to each as embellishment.


To Market, To Market
These are my "goods" that will hopefully sell in town. I generally try to take a batch in every week. I scored that cool hat print at the Goodwill, frame and all. The pillars are from Habitat for Humanity and were chair legs that I cut to different lengths.

April Fools!

I should've known something was up when Susie and Sten kept insisting that I go to bed early . . . I should've know when an unfamiliar alarm awoke us in the wee hours in an extremely loud and obnoxious tone. I should've know when I stepped out of our door and Sten had left me a note that said, "Good morning Mommy" (aaaahh).

BUT, when I came in the living room and the furniture was upside down and the stools were missing, and the screensavers were changed (one to a certain unsavory character), and my shampoo wouldn't come out, and there was a painted sign on my vehicle - I figured it out.

I think I should've slept with one eye open . . .