Can You Feel It?

Can ya? We're on the brink of the first holiday for the summer season. (I consider there to be 3 - Memorial Day, 4th of July - duh! and Labor day) The weather is dry and hot, car windows are down with arms held out and fingers spread with wind blowing between... ahhhhh the sights and sounds of warmer weather make me GIDDY! Not sure if its the UV rays frying my brain or what, but I LOVE IT! There's a certain energy in the air right before a long weekend. Especially in the summer. The anticipation of a smoky burger or hot dog on the grill with a side of potato salad, washed down with lemonade or a cold beer. What could be better!? - Seriously I am so excited thinking about it! - That being said I hope that each of you has a safe and relaxing kick off to summer with friends and family.

Here's an old post I did ahwile back on Themed Gardens - IF you're looking for something productive to do this weekend :)


Spring is here and I love the thought of themed gardens. Here are a few different ideas I found from my favorite magazine: REAL SIMPLE

Create an Outdoor Water Garden

Water has a calming effect, and you can set up a water garden in a few minutes. Fill a metal pail or washtub with floating candles; low-maintenance aquatic plants, such as water lettuce, or delicate glass baubles.

An Herb Garden

What to Plant: Consider a themed garden,

such as one planted with lemon thyme, lemon basil,

lemongrass, and lemon balm. I think I'll do mint for sure! Spearmint, peppermint and I've even seen mint that has chocolate undertones!! Or a Salad Garden. Include different types of lettuce, peppers, tomatos and cucumber.

How to Maintain: Herbs are relatively self-sufficient, so water about once a week ― more often during dry spells and less during rainy periods. Make sure to direct the water gently toward the base of the plants, which prevents runoff and allows the moisture to percolate down to the roots.

Perspective - is the grass really greener?

Seems like all my life lessons are based around perspective lately. The old saying "the grass isn't always greener on the other side", has profound truth to it. I have always been one to try and value the thoughts and opinions of all, but sometimes when I get someone else's perspective on what I think about something, I am blown away by how closed minded I had been. Sometimes the grass is greener on the other side and it makes me thankful for God's guiding hand, that He always knows whats best for me. Most recently I've had some eye opening experiences about how you view things as a child, versus what you learn is actually true as an adult. Some times the way you imagine your family or your future or your friendships with others seem to be - I really don't want to use the word "perfect" but that's all I'm coming up with - so.... seem to be "perfect" and then one day the reality of what things have become, where relationships have been strained and ended or changed comes to light. Its not always bad - the perspective part is always enlightening to me, but we all grow up at some point (mine seems to really be hitting this year - 27) and some times the truth/reality can be a let down. It makes me sad, but some how it makes me realize what is truly important and to be thankful for what is really good in my life. Seems to me that the list of really pure and simple good things isn't long, but what's on the list is worth a lot more, than what's not.

The 3/50 Project

I came across a really cool project after a recent trip to my home town ice cream shop, Dietsch Brothers in Findlay, Ohio. Side note - the best hot fudge malt you'll ever have and the greatest Easter candy a grown kid could ask for!

The project is called 3/50. The concept is based around supporting independent and locally owned businesses. Choose 3 that you'd be totally bummed if they were gone, and spend $50 total among these 3 stores every month. Could be a pizza joint you love, a consignment shop or scrapbook store. It doesn't matter what it is, just committ to supporting them each month. Doing so will not only help keep your favorite shops in business, but also creates financial stability in your local community. You can check out Project 3/50 on Facebook or directly to their website the350project.net!

Project Update

Remember that ugly dresser I was painting and updating? And that mirror I said I was going to paint - they're finally done!

What do you think?

BEFORE:


















AFTER:




























































AND remember this mirror?




























































I still have to repair the glass mirror part, but the frame is pretty well finished! It matches the green polka dot knobs on my dresser!

I apologize for being SO Busy!

You know I hate to leave you hanging with weeks of un-updated blog pages, but as lame of an excuse as it is - I've been BUSY! :) I'm starting a new job next week and wrapping up things at the old job, plus the endless weekend events that warmer weather brings has just lead me to leave you with nothing. I'm sorry! To make up for it, I will now bombard you with several new updates! Enjoy!

Everyday Novelty

Meet the newest addition to my morning routine! Her name is Maxine and I look forward to using her everyday. I am ALL about everyday things in fun patterns and colors. My sister has the best knack for finding fun things for everyday use. Anything from lotions, little bottles of perfume, spatulas and keys. I love going to her house and rumaging through her bathroom and kitchen drawers. Its fun to find novelty items that make even the simplest thing like a flat iron fun. I recently shorted out 2 flat irons and was in the market for a new one. Not being too concerned with quality or cost at $17.99 and extremely adorable there was no way I was passing this beauty by! Have I mentioned I LOVE animal print? :)

Keep your senses alert for everyday items in prints, patterns and colors you love. If it makes you and ooo and aaaa chances are you'll get a little kick out of using it!

bakedbree.com

I ran across this little blog, on another blog I follow. It particularly caught my eye, not only for the beautiful photos, and not to mention the topic of food is always a good thing.... she's writing about meal planning. I've always struggled with grocery shopping and meal planning. I, like most of us, have picked up my eating and shopping habits from my mother. What I (she/we) do works I guess, but something about it has just never clicked right for me and hubbs. I've asked countless women what their techniques and tips are and they all seem to be similar, but each time I catch an article on it, I'm definitely reading. Here's an article from bakedbree.com. Meal Planning 101

The rest of her blog is pretty great too. What are your best tips?
















(Flickr-Todd Klassy)

Project Update

I have to apologize for the lack of recent posts. I don't want to get into complaining about my day job, but am sorry that when things get sressful for me, I tend to lose sight of things I enjoy (like blogging). Whining about it gets old and I was reminded today of just what usually perks me up. A project. I love to create things and put my own personal touch on, well... anything really. After a stressful day, focusing my attention on sprucing up an old dresser was just what I needed to get my mind off the negative.

We aquired this dresser from the in-laws and usually I turn down the hand me downs, but this one had potential.



















First I removed those boring old wood knobs and started sanding. Some by hand, but mostly with an electric sander. I used to wonder in college if my wood scultping and welding classes would ever come in handy later in my life... turns out they have! Once I had most of the stain and varnish removed from the dresser, I started painting. I used a white "pickling" stain. Its sort of mix between a paint and a stain. It has more of a traslucent finish than opaque paint. Its taken about 3-4 coats to get a good covering though. I applied the stain with sponge brush in long streaks - I like that look. You could use a roller for a smoother finish. I have a few more coats to apply and some final sanding. The addition of some cutsie knobs from Hobby Lobby and a cute sheet or two of contact paper to line the drawers and I'll call it complete. Here's where we're at so far!

Liberty of London

Anyone else out there loving the new line at Target? Liberty of London has the most beautiful mod floral prints in anything from dresses to bicycles! If you don't know what I'm talking about RUN to your nearest Target and get something in that adorable print! You can afford it! Mini picture frames and individual plastic ware starts around $3!

A Cup of Life

So this new little $2.99 purchase from Target inspired a thought today.


Wouldn't it be fun if when you went on vacation you and everyone on your trip bought a cup when you got to your destination. It could be a cup with the name of the place you're visiting, simple, complicated, plastic, glass, sippy style or just from Target... that cup is your cup of the week. You drink EVERYTHING from it. Coffee, tea, water, beer and cosmopolitans. You and your cup become companions for your time away. When vaca is over, you take the cup home as a keepsake from your fabulous get away. Use it on a daily basis or display it on a shelf. Hopefully you've built some good memories with your cup and the friends and family you were with. Sure beats a silly souvenir!

Here's a few things I've been fillin my cup with recently! Cheers to warm weather!

Menage a Trois WINE (please don't google... trust me)Discovered this at Woodhaven Farm. Its a mix of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet... YUM!


















Magic Hat Beer - had this one on tap in Florida while on vacation. The Spring Lager is my favorite. They're logos are so darn creative too!

















And good ole' fashioned Sweet Sun Tea! Made in my own backyard. Another personal favorite is Cane's Sweet Tea.