A great day at "Great Seneca State Park"

We had a wonderful day fishing, kayaking and just spending quality time together. Life is good!

More backyard pictures tomorrow...

Cheers,

T

Backyard reveal almost ready...

I have a few finishing touches to the backyard and the reveal should be this week...

Cheers,

T

Backyard Power....

I took full advantage of the Sun today and brought out the POWER washer today...man can I go crazy with that thing. I need to power wash all the furniture and the deck so I can put a shiny new coat of chocolate brown paint on everything.

We would love to replace the deck with concrete to blend in with the rest of the concrete around the pool and install a new fence for the yard but that is just not in the bank this year. So, I thought I would disguise all the ugliness and freshen up the backyard using the pillows I purchased last year as my design inspiration.

You can't tell in the picture but the pillows have chocolate brown in them. I am going to paint the wrought iron furniture and the deck a chocolate brown and use the other fun colors on the bar/food stand my husband built 11 years ago as well as the cart I rescued from the side of the road. A fresh coat of paint and I'll have a new drink cart.

Now, if only that sun stays out so I can get busy painting.

Cheers!

T

Redesign and Rain...Rain GO AWAY!

Before...

After...redesigned using the homeowners furnishings. Reuse, Recycle and Renewed!

The only new addition will be new drapes.

I have so many outdoor projects and this rain has kept me from starting them. On the other hand, I always over extend myself with volunteering for various things...now I am behind on my indoor projects as well. I have decided tomorrow is another day and I am going to wake up with a positive attitude even if it is raining.

Here is a quick peek at a redesign I am working on.

Hope you are staying dry!

T

Outdoor weather at last!...

I hope your Easter was great. Unfortunately our entire family came down with the stomach bug... not so good. We were suppose to go to the beach for Easter. Needless to say we never made it to the Beach. The Easter Bunny had to come up with alternative plans. Actually, being home by ourselves turned out to be a special day. I managed to make it to the grocery store, Michael helped with dinner, and Meagan set the dinner table. It was all good!



Soccer Season is in full force for both kids. I think it is going to be a good Season...they both have my favorite number 8!



The weather is finally warming up so we can spend most of our time out door's. Nothing like ending your day around a fire roasting marshmallows...Bring on Summer!



Next post I'll share some latest outdoor projects. T

"Hopping" In To Say "Happy Easter"

We just returned from visiting the Wilson's in Harrisonburg, Va. We have been friends since our oldest kids were 18mths. old. They are now 9 and 10 and our youngest kids are 7 and 8. We try and visit at least twice a year. During our visit this time around we went hiking in Skyline Drive. What a beautiful place and amazing views of the mountains. The only sad part was we were missing a friend due to a stomach virus. We left on Tuesday morning and unfortunately, that stomach virus followed us home and my kids have been staying in the house the last two days recovering. I wanted to take the kids to see the Cherry Blossoms in D.C. and go for a hike around here before we head off to Delaware to visit the grandparents for Easter, however, I think we are just going to have lunch in the fort in our backyard today.

"Hopping" in before we head back out tomorrow (praying we are all well) to the beach and wishing you a very "Happy Easter"

T

Spring Decorating...

Are you decorating for Spring/Easter this year? I am scaling way back this year with Spring/Easter decorating. I want to save my pennies for Summer flowers and yes, more painting projects.

If I haven't told you already (which I am sure I have ;0) I am a fake flower snob. However, every once in awhile I will find a really pretty fake flower that I can live with. I found these pretty little purple flowers at Michael's yesterday and decided to add them to a grapevine wreath to brighten up the front porch. I loved the bright green ribbon but when I put the ribbon on the wreath, it just didn't work for me. Now I have to find the perfect ribbon that will work and my wreath will be complete. (Note: When working with grapevine wreaths, insert the flowers in the direction of the vines.)

Enjoy the few items I put out for Spring this year. (Don't worry - the Easter Bunny will visit the kids this year I promise!)

T

St. Patrick's Weekend in Rehoboth...

We had another great visit with the Grandparents in Milton, Delaware. We feel very fortunate and blessed to have such a lovely place to visit and be with family. Not to mention the fact that we are within 15 minutes from Rehoboth Beach and many other State Parks.

Oh, I almost forgot the main reason we went for a visit this time around wasn't to see Mega (aka grandma) and Grandad, the kids had to see the newest addition to the family and he is so cute! A new golden retriever named Duncan.

Happy St. Partrick's Day.

Cheers,

T

Down to the details...

We are finally near the end of our bathroom remodel. It really has been a challenge with the contractors. Of all people, I should have known to ask the appropriate questions of my contractor before he started, however.... The contractor is very professional and he was a recommendation from two reliable sources. But....his "workers" were not. Long story short, we had to literally have them come back and redo most of the tile work. It was that bad. Supposedly, the tile guys have worked for a leading commercial store but had never laid tile before for this contractor. Never be afraid to ask questions and assume the "workers" are as professional as the owner. Lesson learned!

After three weeks, we are finally happy with the results. Now it is down to the details. The contractor is going to seal the bathroom today so I can finish up the details this week. One thing I will share is the paint color. I wish I could take the credit for finding this perfect color but I can't. I was looking through my Spring "do it yourself" (www.bhg.com) magazine and read this amazing article on John and Sherry (thisyounghouse.com) documenting every detail of their remodel of their 50 year old ranch home. I too live in a ranch home and was amazed at the transformation. I just loved every color they chose for the home. One of the colors they used in their bedroom was "Gentle Tide" by Glidden. I am not going to paint my bedroom this color but thought it was perfect for the bathroom. It is such a calming color, I just love it. I typically don't use Glidden, so thank you John and Sherry for sharing this awesome color.


T

New Projects and unfinished projects...

The kids bedrooms just need some finishing touches.

First is my daughters bedroom. I just need to hang something over her bed to complete this area.













The dresser belonged to my husbands Grandmother. It's rather large but works out great for a little girls room. She can put all her "Stuff" on the dresser. Where do they get all that "stuff" anyway? The shelf over her bed she decorated herself with horses.













The only area left to complete is her desk area. I am looking for the perfect desk (that we can afford) and shelves for both sides of the desk. I am going to put a cork board in the middle on the wall so she can hang all her artwork. She loves to color and create books.















Michael's room is decorated with a lot of his own artwork. I am waiting to get the perfect soccer picture to put in the frame over his bed. Right now the frame has one of my favorite drawings of his from kindergarten. Isn't he cute?

I have a few poster's to hang around his desk and I have to find the perfect rug then his room is complete.

I know it is hard to believe, but I have to claim this boring master bedroom. But, not for long. I am finally going to complete the room with new bedding, artwork and new color on the wall. We are also going to gut the teeny tiny bathroom and make it more user friendly. I know, it is hard to look at. YUCK!

I have another project for a client so I need to get to work. I'll keep you updated on the progress of my projects.

Warmly,

T