Friday, December 30, 2011

Rough'n It

The vacationers enjoyed an 8 day Caribbean cruise on Celebrity Solstice. They stopped in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and St. Kitts. Their cruise ship is the one on the left.


George, the monkey - enjoyed a perch on Milah's hair.







Ziplining in the rainforest. They went 65 (YIKES!) mph!!!! At one point the ground dropped out from under them as they flew over a canyon.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Rustic Retreat Complete

While the kids were sunning themselves poolside
And touring tropical islands, we were busy.
Sten's room was sorely in need of an update. I had painted this faux log wall 8 years ago and it was time for something fresh.
All the walls were painted and we mounted rusty metal awnings above the windows and covered the faux log wall with rusty metal.
The accent walls are dark brown, orange, blue, and green. Argyle fabric is ordered that ties the colors together (I promise) I was wanting a neutral color for the majority of the walls in a brownish/gray tone. Paint is (eek) expensive, so I cruised the shelves at Habitat for Humanity - grabbed 2 gallons that were close to the desired color, mixed them together and voila! Perfect!

The signs will be hung on the metal wall, and the doorway to the secret hideaway will be covered with metal as well. Down the hallway, we finally installed the closet doors that had been in storage for 8 years - no procastinators here, no sir. My plan is to make this so cozy that he never wants to leave home. However, upon his departure, both the girls have called "dibs" on his hip pad.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

It's nearly impossible to beat Lady A. Enjoy! I dare you to only play this once.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Baking Tip

My family likes soft cookies.

Occasionally (once in a great while) I get distracted and the cookies get a little too crispy, in their opinion.

If this should happen at your house - throw the cookies in a ziplock bag and include a piece of bread. It works! It works!

Don't look at me like that - it works!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Moment of Truth

Ok, here's the deal . . . Scott and I are, for the most part opposites. He is type A, I (pause) am (pause) not. He is a neat freak, I am so not (can you spot me under this pile?). He is adventurous, I (teeth chattering) like to play it safe. He is lean and wiry, I am fluffy (gotta do something about that). He has chest hair, I (thankfully) do not.

But it works.

Last night, we had an enjoyable evening out. We dined at a restaurant together - chatting, enjoying the companionship, laughter and conversation. We did not talk about the kids (too much) and our menus did not come with a cupful of crayons nor did we have any ketchup with our meal. We explored the aisles of an upscale grocery store together and ended the evening with me driving home and him snoring in the seat beside me (some things never change) -can't you just feel the romance?

Dr. Laura (yes, I like her) believes that one of the keys to a successful marriage is: "Choose Wisely and Treat Kindly". I have to say as I looked across the table at my goofy but lovable mate of nearly 22 years, I gave myself an A+ for making such a wise choice. I'm positive he was thinking the same thing (wink wink).

Friday, December 16, 2011

Empty Nest

We are having a trial run on the empty nest as the kids left today for nearly 2 weeks. A few months ago, it sounded like an exciting proposition. But I cannot lie. As the time grew nearer, I grew more and more anxious. I don't consider myself insecurely attached to my kids nor are they to me, but I felt like a big part of my heart would be ripped away. My crazy mind leaped to the worst - what if something happened?

In 1995, we became parents.

Since that time, we have enjoyed "breaks" from parenthood, but never for this amount of time and never all of them gone at once for an extended period. And, I have never been away from Maren for more than a few days - although I would've liked to farm her out for her entire 3rd year.

They should send those little buggers home with a warning tag. WARNING: this little person is gonna get under your skin, under your feet, all over your walls, and into your heart. You will never be the same and life as you know will be turned (blissfully) upside down. FOREVER.

I am looking forward to spending time with Scott, and I'm sure he is hoping that I will be more productive at work. Yesterday, I had to take both girls to the Dr as one had pink eye, and one an ear infection. Let's see . . . I am also looking forward to less laundry, no looks of disgust as dinner is served, and catching up with friends.

Guess the dog is gonna get some extra lov'n.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Welcome to the Family

Meet Katrina! The newest member of the family. This is where a casual search on Craigslist will get you. We've always had a "thing" for these Mercedes wagons and this one was too good of a deal to pass up. It is a 10 year old car, but has only 95,000 miles on it and is deluxe compared to the escort wagon. It has electric windows, door locks and cruise control - something I have sorely missed.

We have named her Katrina as the carfax stated that she was originally purchased in Florida. My Dad (ever the skeptic), decided that she was an awesome deal cuz she was a "hurricane" car. I guess we'll soon find out if we bought a bargain or a headache.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Virtual House Tour

Check out this http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/. It is a virtual home tour and a fun peek into these crazily creative women and how they "deck their halls" for Christmas. It will make you feel inadequate and boring (I speak from experience). But it is impressive, and maybe you can "steal" an idea or two for your own. My Scrooge -ish theory this year - if I don't get decorations out, then I don't have to put them away! Bah Humbug!

Monday, December 5, 2011

2011 Wrap-up

Looks like it’s that time - time to buy a new calendar and figure out how to make our lives sound as exciting and prosperous as possible! I may fail on both accounts, but here we go . . .

We will be having a very quiet Christmas break as the kids will be on a Caribbean cruise with Scott’s parents and sister this year. It is a celebration for Sherman and Leslie’s 50th. Yes, we were invited. Yes, we’d love to be basking in the sun, eating chocolate covered strawberries & sipping lemonade. But . . .

We are waiting for new trucks to be delivered, inspected and detailed before taking them to paying (yea!) and anxious customers. In November, we received word that our shop that we adore and feels like “home” has been sold and we will have to be out by March. We aren’t sure where we will relocate, but it’s going to be a heap of work to move. Volunteers will be gladly accepted, especially ones with strong backs and large pickups. Like many others, our business has been slower than we’d like, so we have picked up additional lines of equipment to sell and Scott is very industrious, energetic, and upbeat about the future. He continues to swim 2-3 mornings/week and recently participated in a local choir group, honing his singing skills.

Sten is a Junior in High School and became a licensed driver this past summer – this has caused me occasional bouts of anxiety, but mostly it is stink’n convenient. His hay business is steadily growing (baled 180 tons this year) and he is on the lookout for more fields to cut. He has a steady stream of satisfied customers purchasing hay and is an ace at fixing the tractors and equipment – I dun think we raised ourselves a farmer (to be said in slow drawl). He was recognized for his outstanding offensive and defensive efforts on the water polo team and is in swimming now. His 1979 Ford pickup restoration is slow as there are so many other priorities that it is difficult to find the time to complete the extensive project.

Milah is in the 6th grade and is a dedicated student and a passionate soccer player. After last year’s disappointing season, she was thrilled to be on a winning team. She has found her niche as right forward and sometimes plays midfielder. She is a non-paying hay customer as she keeps her “hay burners” (horses) fed. She enjoyed participating in 4H this past year with her horse, Ronie and especially loved competing at Fair. She typically has the cleanest room in the house and her schoolwork is impeccable. She despises shopping. Unless a farm store or a sports store is in the plans, she would rather stay home. She is a kind and tender hearted kid, a little on the shy side, and extremely loyal.

Maren is in the 3rd grade and typically has the messiest room in the house. She is a whirlwind of activity: singing, dancing, talking and twirling (did I mention talking?). She is an amazingly attentive student. In her haste to complete work- her handwriting at times was nearly indecipherable. However, she has recently learned cursive, which she has mastered beautifully. She also competed in soccer, and although the teeniest one on the team – was never intimidated and had the most joyous “victory dance” after scoring goals. She loves everyone and simply cannot comprehend when someone doesn’t like her. Her zest for life and people is refreshing, and we often shake our heads in amusement. Although seemingly lighthearted, she comes up with mind blowing and soul searching questions.

My job is to lend a listening ear, a pat on the back or a kick in the rump when necessary. Scott and I work well together– I only wish I had more to offer in the math, accounting & mechanical arenas. Unfortunately, my brain thinks in colors, not numbers. I jumped at the chance to decorate a friend's model home in March, have loved designing the window displays in a friend’s flower shop recently and continue to peddle my wares.

Can’t wait to hear from each of you – please keep us “in the loop” and drop by if you can.

Love Scott-Lisa & kids

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Lap Quilt ala Milah

We enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving break at the Coast with the VDB side. Milah learned how to sew by fire - might as well give her a challenge - her first quilt!
Precision cutting
The first square - a disappearing 9 patch pattern
Voila! 72 seams later - she completed 9 squares. Just have to sew sashing material, back & bind. She loved the process and I think she's hooked!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Check Check

A few years back, I hesitantly allowed Maren to pack her own bag for a 3 day get away. She proudly brought her things to the door and I unzipped it to find 10 pairs of underwear and THAT'S ALL! To be on the safe side, I began printing off a checklist of items that they need to take. The girls LOVE checking off the boxes, and preparing their suitcases. And, I breathe easier knowing they'll have something to wear - besides clean underwear.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011



This looks too fun - I would need multiple casts, stitches, and probably an ambulance transport.


I have listened to this over and over - love the sound of their voices.

A little bit CRAZY

Today was crazy hair day. Milah was Pippi Longstocking and was in too big of a hurry to get a picture. Maren's extreme UP DO was achieved by gathering her hair around a plastic cup and spraying with copious amounts of hairspray.

Monday, November 14, 2011

on the SLY . . .

Given a chance to tease or harass a person, we quickly seize the opportunity at this house. Sten downloaded an android app on Scott's phone tonight called "crack your phone". It appears that the phone has been dropped and the screen scrambled and destroyed.


After dinner, I casually mentioned that he might want to check his phone as someone had called while he was on the deck. It wasn't easy to keep a straight face as he glanced at his phone repeatedly, disbelieving, disgruntled and grasping for an explanation. Laughter erupted and his blood pressure settled to normal within a few minutes.

Try it on an unsuspecting victim . . .

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Cluck! Cluck!

I have been itching (or should I say scratching?) to make one of these feed sack bags AND, I just happened to spy an empty one on a burn pile recently. As previously mentioned - I am a quick and dirty seamstress, so this was a perfect project for me. I trimmed the bag at both ends and turned down the top once. I gathered a printed fabric and sewed it to the top and made bias tape out of burlap and overlapped the top edge. Made big handles in the print fabric and embellished with a burlap rosette. Then folded in the sides and threw a stitch in the bottom. I think it's stink'n cute - tho I may get some odd looks at the checkout stand.

Tasty

In June 2009, Sten caught this big dude in Alaska. We are still enjoying the halibut. I say that loosely as I am not too crazy about halibut. I love halibut fish -n-chips, but that's about it.

Until today. Until I stumbled on this recipe.

Arrange halibut pieces on a baking sheet. Bake @ 425 for 20 minutes, mix together ingredients below and spread over all for the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Mix together:

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter
3 T Mayo
1 T Lemon Juice
3 T Chopped Green Onion
1/4 t Salt
Garlic to taste
Dash of hot sauce

Guess I shouldn't be surprised - adding butter, cheese and garlic would probably make Kibbles-n-Bits tasty

Unbelievable!

It all started when their oven went out . . .


When Dad & Mom moved into this home about 17 years ago, they painted the cabinets white, bought white appliances and installed corian countertops. But, when the oven went on the fritz this year - it seemed like a good time to "kick it up a notch."


They removed the island in favor of a peninsula. The existing base cabinets were used, with new drawers/fronts. New uppers were made and the cabinets were extended to the ceiling. They used a mix of stained and painted woods. The finish is a "conversion varnish" and is glazed for highlight.





Granite countertops, an apron front sink and stainless steel appliances were installed (yes, a new oven). It is extremely posh and feels like an upscale restaurant. We still need to choose a small chandelier for above the sink - but I am in awe - it is amazing.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Never Again . . .

Poor Luke has been tortured by Maren all day. This is the girl that needs absolutely NO personal space - looks like Luke is protesting here.


At 11:11:11 on 11-11-11, we had a quick celebration. Luke was in on the fun, guess we have another chance to do it tonight as well.

No Fail Tutorial



Some ideas in blogland are way cool but seemingly impossible to recreate. This one is a cinch - transferring images from the computer onto fabric or wood.

The most difficult part of this project is locating the blasted Citra Solv. I finally found this at an art store and it is not cheap - I payed $24.00 for this 32oz container.


Print an image from your computer - if it includes type, print a mirror image. If you are not familiar with the Graphics Fairy, you are missing out. Click on the sidebar to check out her site - her images are free and fun.


If you do not have a laser printer, you must take your image and get it color copied - this only works on toner based ink - not ink jet.


Place image face-down on fabric and secure with a clip to keep image from slipping. Spray citra-solv on the backside of image and "burnish" with a spoon. Too much liquid will cause the image to "run" on the fabric, also will waste the expensive potion. The possibilities are endless - tear fabric around image and sew on other fabric to make pillows, curtains, table runners . . .

Dollar Tree Makeover

I always enter the Dollar Tree with great expectation. I peruse the aisles, my index finger tapping the corner of my nose, wondering what $1.00 item I could transform with little effort and sell for 15 times the price (hey just being honest). 5 of these foamy pumpkins landed in my cart, but I didn't like the orange color nor did I like the line in the middle. Hmmmm . . .


For starters, I spraypainted them a creamy color - not enough - still had to get rid of that ugly line.


Enter some French typography . . . There's some benefit to having a sister that lives in the French speaking part of Switzerland. It gives you cheap digs when you travel to Europe and it sounds fairly impressive and sophisticated, don't you think? (I say with my head high in the air, and an obligatory nod in your direction - "Yes", a slight flick of my wrist to free the embers off my long cigarette - "She lives abroad"). Forgive me.


Back on topic - One of the best souvenirs was a bunch of used books with French writing. Very cool, oui?


I tore pages out of the French books and ripped them in small pieces to "Modge Podge" them onto the pumpkin. Have no idea what they say?! Elmers Glue (slightly watered down) works just as good as modge podge and is a fraction of the cost (especially when you find a supersize container at the Goodwill). It dries with a completely flat sheen which I prefer.


Wrapped twine around stem and frayed the ends - added some wire for more texture.


Discovered a slim candlestick and mounted the pumpkin - making it a pumpkin pedestal.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

And the award goes to . . .

Water Polo Awards


Our poor water polo team struggled this year. To "field" a polo team, you need 7 players in the water. We had 8. However, the teams we played had upwards of 18 kids on their teams. Needless to say, we were a little outmatched - only winning 1 game. Sten collected a handful of awards tonight - he was the 2nd leading scorer and was given recognition as one of the best defensive players and the hardest worker on the team. He made the all league honorable mention team and will be madly recruiting players for next year's team. After all, who wouldn't want to swim like a dog, attempting to put the yellow ball in the net while fending off vicious attackers. Oh, I know why - cuz it's so fun to drown the opponents at the other end!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Win Some - Lose Some

Don't let that bigger girl scare you #2!



The girls competed in a soccer tournament this past weekend and they both walked away with 1st place trophies!


Milah's team did not win a single game last year, so they were thrilled, jubilant, and over the moon ecstatic to be victorious.


But, into her life, a little disappointment must fall . . .


Milah was not voted President in the election. Unfortunately, the school is predominately boys (those icky creatures), and the boys voted for the boy candidate.


It is has been a good lesson - she is the type of person that (seemingly easy)excels in everything, and sets high expectations for herself, so it is a dose of reality to be defeated. Someone wins and someone loses - that's life.


You're still a winner in our book Milah Moo! Kiss & Hug, Slap & Squeeze