Let's get Cozy

This is our heat source - I love this picture (taken several years ago). The stove box is surrounded by water, which heats the water that flows through tubes in our floor. Yes, we have our favorite "warm spots" throughout the house.

This is the way we build a fire, build a fire, build a fire. Take a heaping garbage can of newspaper (that is a full size kitchen can) . . .

Grab some sticks of kindling out of our stylish kindling shed built by the master craftsman in residence . . .

Oops! Some of my less than desirable projects make excellent fire starter - sorry Auntie Carol

Several handfuls of wood later, she's creating some BTU's

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.

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.

Is it December?

We woke to a blizzard this morning. We must be right at snow level because just down the hill it's raining. Maren was pondering why we should have snow and our neighbors have rain. "I know", she said excitedly, her face brightening with revelation - "It's because we really wanted snow!" Also, she added, "It isn't too fun at school when it snows, they won't let us throw snowballs at people." Big Bummer!

Looks like perfect weather for track and golf practice, don't you agree?

Creative Wanderings

A sunny day in Colorado is sort of ho-hum, but a sunny January day in Oregon is cause for celebration. Oh, except when it shines through the (dirty) windows. It almost feels like Spring today.

One of my favorite things in our house is a little shelf unit (only about 5 inches deep) at the end of the refrigerator that has plate racks for my do-dads and rods for kid's awards/artwork. I think perhaps this seasonally changing decor is a colossal waste of time, but . . .

In my perusal of other blogs, I have loved what some creative gals have done with burlap. I fashioned a burlap wreath last night - very simple. 4 inch strips of burlap strung on a wire coat hanger - I added a button garland on twine. One thing that's awesome about burlap is that it's inexpensive - only $2.99/yard.


What a great Holiday - an opportunity to tell the people you love that you love 'em. I wrote 10 traits that I love about each of our kids on the sheets of paper. Milah really liked it and Sten hasn't said anything (although I suspect it gave him a "warm fuzzy") I'm waiting for my paper in return . . . hmmm, still waiting . . .

More burlap . . .

This old enamelware sign hung at a Red and White grocery store and was saved from a trip to the landfill many years ago. It is sitting in the basement and I'm not sure where it's home will be, but I'm going to find just the right spot for it somewhere . . .

More burlap . . .

If you want your name on burlap - just let me know. It's very simple but it looks classy in a Pottery Barn/Ballard Design kind-of way.

I made these penants with (you guessed it) BURLAP and an accent fabric. I have started selling things at a store in town, so we'll see if they go. I loved the bird material - kind-of vintage/old lady-ish.

Another penant (with burlap) -

This is the headquarters of a crazy person. Creative minds feel most free while working in a bit of clutter.

Mr. Fix-it to the Rescue

Scott was in a frenzy to re-coat the South side of the house before the pending rain, so his new/improved bucket truck sure came in handy. The forecast doesn't look as gloomy now, but at least it's done. I'm looking forward to the rain which will force him inside to finish up a few projects (well, maybe more like a dozen or so). Sten and a friend completed the wood stacking endeavor - so we're ready for some lower temps.

tch-tch-tch, we have sprinklers!

We finished a little more landscaping recently and Scott installed a sprinkler system (hooray) with the help of some friends. Can't wait for that brown grass to turn green.

This old cart used to be my Grandpa's. He was not known for his superior carpentry skills, as his tool of choice was a chainsaw, but he loved all things mechanical. He used this cart to haul engines while he was working on them . . .

The tired sprinkler installation crew . . .

They were eager to eat heaping bowls of ice cream on this 100 degree day

What a difference a day makes

Turns out that I am married to a landscape architect and I didn't even know it. We have had this big amoeba shaped mound of red dirt in the yard and it's been just taking up space. After a few hours of labor (made a wee bit simpler with a rented trackhoe), we have a faux water feature and some interesting shapes. I've always admired these "rivers" of rock in landscaping and we have plenty of the bigger rocks on our property - so we just had to add the grasses. The grasses are so graceful as they catch the wind.

The Heart of the Home

This used to be the toy corner, and we are down to a small basket of toys - hooray! I was forever throwing things in this corner that had strayed to the far corners of the house. The girls love to sit here and color - something Sten always thought of as torture.

The great room - minus the scaffolding!

Someday we'll have a fireplace, but it hasn't been

at the top of the "to do" list or the "save for" list, I should say . . .

Since everything is cleaned up and looking sharp, I thought I would take a few pics. The kids have been gone for a few days, and it's amazing how clean (and quiet) the house stays. Aaahhhh.

The pantry

You guessed it, the dining area

Progress!

The 2 patients - Grandma Patty had her middle toe amputated this week and Maren (well, you know the story). Grandma Patty is doing well - she is certainly glad to have the surgery behind her.

Before - Main Room

After


After - still a little pile behind the couch (don't look)


Before floor in Maren's desk area, hand painted
by the resident rookie faux painter, Ms Lisa -el cheap-o

After floor - by the professional installation team of Chuck and Scott. A much more refined look.

The covers are pulled back . . .

Our guest room is complete and I think I just might move in myself, it's so posh . . . especially if there's room service! I want to put a saying on the wall that says, "A good traveler has no fixed plans and is not intent on arriving."

Once upon a time, when I was a wee lass - I had the pleasure of staying in many a Motel 6. On the nightstand, between the beds - was one of these devices that jiggled your body in a most uncomfortable fashion. Regardless of how it felt, we always begged Dad for a quarter and I'm sure he always pretended not to have one, just to hear us wimper. I went on a search for such a critter for our guests to enjoy - the first night's on us. After that- you'll have to supply your own quarters.

Your bed awaits . . . oh, did I forget to mention that your roommate is Maren? You might need another quarter . . .

So, I have a soft spot for vintage suitcases . . . now that I have collected them from every corner of the house, it appears that I may need to discontinue procurring these items or seek medical treatment - YIKES! My "sculpture" in the guest room is over 6 feet tall - but can you imagine the stories that experienced luggage could tell?

Catching Up . . .

I thought these shirts were rather fitting . . .

Please don't look at the dust on the stairs -

I'm done dusting things off until we're finished!

Milah and Maren had a lap-a-thon for the swim team.

Milah completed 84 laps and Maren did 32 laps in an hour!

YIKES - they were exhausted and starving.

Our bedroom floor before faux finisher arrived. We had hired a company to refinish some floors, and decided we would start in our bedroom and see how they did. We ended up firing them, because they were extremely unreliable and didn't seem to have a clue what they were doing.


After grinding on the floor, taping the walls, and coloring and sealing the floor - it looks much better.

Ta Da!

I can't seem to get rid of this duplicate picture - I know I've done this before, but my brain won't engage this morning - must be filled with dust.