What you're seeing here, is one happy little girl (stylin' in her Where's Waldo? shirt). She is ecstatic to be riding a real horse and thrilled that she has had 2 lessons while Milah has been gone to San Diego, so this definitely puts her "in the know". 
A tired toots hauling the gear to the tack shed
Spurs - every cowgirl's dream
My friend, Kristen and I went garage sale-ing on Saturday. I don't like to go to garage sales in our small town as I feel obligated to buy something if I know the people having the sale. However, in the big city it's altogether different. We enjoyed our day together (immensely) and both came home with lots of loot and $1.00 to spare. Her Suburban was packed so I had to go pick up this wood yesterday . . .
I think Fall is my favorite Season - so I hurried the decor just a bit with some burlap, rusty metal, and old galvanized buckets (discovered at Sunriver Thrift Store). The kids continually harrass me about my "saying" on the mantel. They think it's a bit ooey gooey, but it's a universal "mom" feeling.
And, decorated for School - can't believe that the summer is over. I always have a difficult time adjusting the first weeks of school. It never seems long enough and we always wish we had more time . . .
Note to Milah - I appreciate your help with the laundry, however it seems as though your Sketcher shoes have some shrinky-dink properties when placed in the dryer. These shoes WERE the same size before their terrifying trip in the Whirlpool. I guess you needed a new pair anyway - those look quite grungy. By the way, I purchased these shoes at Big Lots for 5$ - that's a deal.
We have had a few equine fatalities around here, with one being a pony that Sherman bought for the girls (another being one that Scott gave mouth to mouth in the back of the horse trailer - 'nuf said). Papa was looking for a replacement, when someone informed him of this 23 year old Mustang that was up for the taking. Apparently "Cricket" is bullet proof and the previous owner just jumped on her back and took off, dismounting with a back flip. The girls are madly in love and Cricket is their dream come true.
And, how does one get neatly split and stacked wood ready for winter coziness?
It's "Hay Boy" turned logger!
I've been busy with a few more signs . . .
Chalkboard from free wood at Habitat
Before - ugly headboard, $1.50
After, stylish coat rack
The drive from La Grande, South towards Dayville and into Prineville is a beauty. Two points if you know where "Fox, Oregon" is. There's no run'n to Target for supplies out there and you'll be walking a LONG ways if you run out of gas- they are remote!
I really really really NEED this sign.
Multnomah Falls
Painting pro Milah - this room was painted a dark gray, so it took several coats to cover. Susie, Sten, and Sara went to La Grande earlier to do some painting, and this past weekend, Susie and I went over to finish the painting, put things away and decorate a bit.
Mr. Fix it - apparently Sten has a few home improvement tricks up his sleeve, so I think I'm going to be calling on his expertise.
Susie liked her bedroom that I painted back in December (even tho she never stays there), so she wanted a similar style in her new bedroom.
Susie's Dad, Chuck - making a closet. Her parents came for the day and experienced some mechanical failure on the way home - that's a horrendously expensive closet!
Roommate Kyle, mistakenly mentioned that he knew how to tape and mud drywall. 
There is an adorable corner cupboard in the kitchen that was begging to be "accessorized". I have been grabbing "olive oil" things for years, so I guess Susie now has a Tuscan kitchen. Plates and bowls from Pier 1 imports. Everything else- Goodwill treasures.
Kyle was glad to have some furniture and said that this old empty house felt like "home" when we left. I dare you to watch this without shedding a tear, I soaked an entire kleenex. I think Milah and Maren's reaction would be exactly the same . . . can't beat a loving Dad.
Apparently this Dad had been in Iraq for 350 days and he had promised his little girl that he would be home before she was done with the 4th grade.
Ok, this is strange - I completely agree. When the girls and I went on the "mannequin" Craigslist run and the man had them sitting on his porch, our "creep meter" skyrocketed. They've actually been quite entertaining and we may keep one around to scare unsuspecting guests, but the others are going to be beheaded and burlapped. 
Finished product - not creepy, but classy.
A 16$ purchase at Habitat. This table has 3 leaves (don't look at the disaster in the background) and a cool leg design.
Paint - distress - stain treatment. Cute and cottage -ey
I'm a bit unsure about how this turned out. I love the design of the headboard (a 10$ purchase at Habitat), but it ended up being a little too shabby for my tastes - it would look awesome in the right room with shabby style bedding tho.
Icky Icky Ucky Ucky. I grabbed this at a sale for 5$. Susie is becoming a college student (at EOU), a homeowner, and a landlord all in the same breath - so I've been hunting for furnishings at a bargain.
First I painted everything cream and then wiped on two different tones of golden brown. I used stamps to spell the different places/streets/towns near LaGrande, distressed it (of course), and then stained the entire coffee table. On the end table, I spelled out her address, but will not jeopardize her security due to questionable blog lurkers. Oooh - I love it, and I think it's a guaranteed original!
On our way home, we shared the freeway with this impressive 1965 Ford Crewcab. I snapped some photos for the crewcab maniac in residence.
So, what in the world is this mess? These are garlands made from scrap fabric, and they actually look much better in person (trust me). Cut different fabrics in strips and tie onto a ribbon or rope (I used jute). Fabric that has the pattern on both sides works best. Use different textures, lace and ribbons, and OF COURSE, burlap. Use it as a swag on a mantel, on a wreath or as an accent on a table. Easy peasy, and which of us doesn't have reams of scrap fabric hanging around?
