Thursday, May 31, 2012

Two Years ago Today



 Two years ago today, May 31, was Memorial Day.  Mountain Man and I had just arrived in Juneau, Alaska for our summer assignment at Mendenhall Glacier Campground.

We worked for the Forestry Service and on Memorial Day the ranger that hired us invited us to take a ride out in the bay in his boat.

It was a wonderful time.


We saw two humpback whales.







We also were followed by seals - they were so cute.









 They kept their eyes on us, but wouldn't come very close.






Waterfalls




Yes, that is the boat that we were in



Beautiful flowers




Thanks Mark -

for a wonderful day!

One that Mountain Man and I will never forget!

Hugs -

Carol

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Just Not Happy With This One


Today I'm going to share with you our guest bedroom.  I have resisted showing you this room because, well, I'm just not happy with it.  Now, don't get me wrong, it has come a LONG way from where we began.

These pictures were taken right before we started the remodeling project.
As you can see, the office was in here - along with a bed.  That's about it.



Mountain Man used this room as his "staging" area before we did the remodel - see his shoes and suitcase on the bed?  Don't ask me why - Why do men do half of what they do?

Anyway, the only major thing we did in this room was close up a door.

Now, once again, please excuse the quality of the next few pictures - they are pictures of pictures - so the quality stinks, but I wanted to show you what I mean.

This is a picture taken from the living room looking toward the guest bedroom.  

Do you notice something strange (beside the ugly cornice board on the sliding doors)?




How about this one?


Well, there are three doors leading into the guest bedroom.
One that leads into the hall/bathroom, one into the room, and then another one into the room.

Really?  Three?

Who needs three doors into one room that is about 10 by 12?


This is the door that we decided to close up.

(BTW, this was a pocket door - which we removed and Mountain Man used it to replace the regular door that lead to the bedroom/bathroom.



This shows where the door was from the bedroom side of the room.
The other door is the one off the hall and bathroom.


Right after we finished the remodel this is the bedroom.

Not much there - a bed a couple of lamps, ugly nightstands.

At least the blinds matched and the quilt on the bed was one my mom made.




However, this just wasn't "cutting it".

So, we updated some things.

First we bought a night stand.


Then we also got the cube thingy from IKEA to use as a night stand on the opposite side of the bed.



Then, at a garage sale a few months ago I found this shelf.  It was ugly brown, but I thought that we (meaning Mountain Man) could paint it white and mount it over the bed.



So, after we (Mountain Man) painted the shelf and mounted it - we needed to decorate it (meaning me).




 My daughter (the mom-to-be) gave me this sign for Christmas a few years ago.  It is something that Mountain Man and I try to live by.


Then there is the dresser - another IKEA find.

The mirror was one that my daughter that lives in Atlanta gave us when we moved into the house.  It had a black frame, however, we (Mountain Man - do we see a pattern here?) painted it white.  So, much better.



 Just a few things that we had on hand for the top of the dresser.




This is a painting that Mountain Man did last summer - yep, he painted it all by himself.

He is pretty talented huh?





Now, everything I've shown you so far - I'm pretty happy with.  There are a few things that could be "tweaked" some, but really - not too bad.

However, we move to the other side of the room.

Remember those ugly night stands.  Well, we haven't gotten rid of them they were just put together with another piece of the same furniture.

We hate it!

You see, this is going to be Lorelai's room when we are babysitting her.  So, we need to make room for her crib - and we hate these pieces.  We have looked at bookcases from IKEA, but we just can't decide what to use.

I know that these have GOT to go.

We still have to have a place for the television and some storage, but the crib will take up a lot of this wall.


.

Then there is this side of the room - I'm not happy with it either.  This table just doesn't go with the rest of the furniture.

I've talked to Mountain Man about painting it white, but I'm not sure I want to do that.

I've also thought about painting it the same blue as the dresser.





Then there is the lamp.

I've thought about painting it - not completely sold on that idea.

I've thought about doing a twine treatment - I'm not sure about that one.

So, you see my problem.

Half the room is okay - the other half not so much and I'm sorta stumped.

This summer (when we aren't on vacation, but before we start keeping the baby) I'll come up with the right solution.

When I do, I'll be sure to share.

You guys have any suggestions?

Hugs -


Carol


I'm linking up to some of these great parties:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Meet Me Monday at You Are Talking Too Much
Your Cozy Home Party on Monday at Cozy Home Scenes
Motivated Monday at Be Colorful
Beautify It Monday at http://bringingbeauty.blogspot.com/
Show it Off Mondays at http://www.getouttamyheadplease.com/
Make it Great Monday at http://etcetorize.blogspot.com/
Just a Party with my Peeps on Monday at http://howtonestforless.com/
Monday Marketplace at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/
What's in the Gunny Sack on Monday at http://www.thegunnysack.com/
Cowgirl Up on Monday at http://www.theivycottageblog.blogspot.com/
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie
Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z
Terrific Tuesday at http://adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com/
Swing into Spring on Tuesday at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/
Tuesday To Do at http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/
From Dream to Reality on Tuesday at http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/
Uncommonly Yours on Tuesday at http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
DIY by Design on Wednesday
Uncommonly Yours on Wednesday at Uncommon Designs
Show and Share on Wednesday at Southern Lovely
It's a Party on Wednesday at http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/
Hooking up with HoH on Wednesday at http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
Catch as Catch Can at http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/
Time for a Party on Wednesday at http://www.finecraftguild.com/
Open House Party on Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
Thursdays Favorite Things Blog Hop at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Link It Up Thursday at http://kadie-sevenalive.blogspot.com/
Show Me Extroidinary on Thursday at The 36th Avenue
Grace at Home on Thursday at Imparting Grace
It's A Party on Thursday at A Creative Princess
Open House Party Thursday at No Minimalist Here
Share Your Creations on Thursday at Kristen's Creations
Grace at Home on Thursday at http://www.impartinggrace.com/
Transformation Thursday at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/
Time Travel Thursdays at http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Super Sweet Thursdays at http://sofabulouslyflawed.blogspot.com/
Thursdays Favorite Things at http://katherinescorner.com/
Tickled Pink Fridays at 504 Main
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Feature Friday Free for All at Five Days...5 Ways
Addicts (not so) Anonymous on Friday at Addicted 2 Decorating
Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence
Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Friday's Unfolded at http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/
Friday's Features at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/
Freedom Friday Blog Hop at http://myturn-evelyn.blogspot.com/
Weekly Top Shot on Saturday at The View From Right Here
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
A Pinteresting Party on Saturday at http://herestohandyandy.blogspot.com/
Say G'Day on Saturday at http://www.natashainoz.com/
Overflowing with Creativity on Sunday at It's Overflowing
Sew Darn Crafty Sunday at Sew Many Ways
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming
Simply Klassic Sunday at A Simply Klassic Home
Sunday Round Up at http://www.arosiesweethome.com/
It's Party Time on Sunday at http://itssoverycheri.com/
Nifty Thrifty Sunday at http://www.niftythriftythings.com/







Monday, May 28, 2012

Monday Menu


I hope that you all are having a wonderful Memorial Day!

Our plans for outdoors have changed because ------



We are getting RAIN!

Glorious
Wonderful
 Rain!

We need the rain so badly - so,

I'll give up a cookout for the rain!





So, I've been busy today, since we are getting our wonderful rain, and did my menu plan for the month of June.


Confession time - I did not do a monthly menu plan for the month of May, and boy oh boy, could I tell it.  I was just NOT organized and just couldn't seem to stick with what I thought I wanted to cook on Sunday when I did the plan to what I would cook during the week.  Of course, part of that could have been Mountain Man trying to help, especially last week when I was sick, or maybe that's just an excuse.  I am so envious of you out there that can plan by the week and carry that plan out - I just can't.  I need the accountability of that menu staring at me from the refrigerator!

So, I am back with my monthly plan.

Okay, so what is the menu plan for this last week in May?
Well, since you asked-------


Monday, May 28 - Standing Rib Roast, Baked Potato, Corn
Tuesday, May 29 - Beef Enchilada Casserole
Wednesday, May 30 - Pork Chops, Rice, Mixed Vegetables, Biscuits
Thursday, May 31 - Skillet Macaroni and Beef
Friday, June 1 - Movie Night , Pizza
Saturday, June 2 - Tangy Chicken, Buttered Noodles, Green Beans
Sunday, June 3 - Crispy Pecan Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli

Now, I know you are probably wondering about the Rib Roast - yep, those "turkeys" (not really a turkey, but you know what I mean) are expensive, but we bought it at Christmas when they were on sale (it was still expensive, but not as bad as they usually are - anytime you pay $30.00 for a piece of meat - that's expensive in our household!)  and it has been in the freezer.  It needed to be cooked - so we thawed it out Friday (in the refrigerator), and I decided to cook it today since the cook-out was cancelled, due to the
Glorious
Wonderful
RAIN.

I hope you guys are sticking to your menu plans - I've love to hear if you would rather do a monthly menu plan or a weekly plan.
Also, just a question - would you like for me to tell you what the plan is for the month and then just review each week or just do it like I have been doing - one week at a time?  Leave me a comment and let me know.

Thanks and I'll "see" you on Wednesday with the next room reveal.


Hugs -

Carol

Friday, May 25, 2012

Fabric Covered Boxes



If you remember in Wednesday's post I told you that I would let you know about those pretty boxes on the shelf in the nursery.

Well, here is how we did them.  (Okay, let's be honest here - Mountain Man did most of the work on this project. but it's a team effort, right?  No, okay, I'll give him the credit - just don't tell him.)

Melissa had the idea that she wanted to cover some boxes so she could have some decorative storage in the nursery.  She had looked at decorative boxes in several different stores but didn't want to pay the price they were asking ($15.00 for a box - really????).  So, she asked me if I thought she could cover diaper boxes.  I said "Sure we can!"

So, she collected a couple of diaper boxes from her friends that already have babies.  At first we talked about covering them with scrapbook paper, but after I saw the size of the boxes she wanted to cover, I thought that material would be a better bet - and a whole lot easier!  When we were in Lakeland last weekend we went to Hobby Lobby and she bought some material she liked and we thought would look good in the nursery (on sale for 30% off!).

Now, she still was going to do the project herself, but I suggested that we use fabric adhesive, instead of the glue she was going to use.  I just thought that it would make the project so much easier and quicker.  However, she sure didn't need to inhale the adhesive fumes.  So, it went from her project to ours.

Saturday afternoon Mountain Man decided that he wanted to get this little project cranked out.  So off we headed to the garage/workshop.

First thing he had to do was cut the large box in half - we needed to make two boxes out of one.  All ready.


.
 We measured and marked where the box would fit on the material  - then covered the material outside the "box" with newspaper to keep the adhesive from getting all over the rest of the fabric.





After we glued the material on the bottom it was time to trim the sides so we wouldn't have a lot of excess to worry about.






By the time we got to the second box we had it all figured out and cut everything to size before gluing anything.  (Smart, huh?)


Then it was just spraying the fabric and the box - then pulling the fabric up tight and smoothing it out on the box.

Really VERY easy.  

We covered all three boxes in about forty-five minutes.

(You know, it is really very hard to take pictures and work on a project at the same time.  My job on this project was holding the material and helping in smoothing it out after is was placed on the box.  Not a whole lot to this  project!)



I did bring them inside the house and take a couple of pictures before we delivered them to the nursery.

Don't you just love the bright, cheerful colors?





Here they are in their permanent home.

I'm sure they will soon be filled with diapers, burp clothes, or blankets.



You always need extra storage in a nursery!

I hope you have a fabulous Holiday weekend!

Be safe and I'll see you Monday for the Menu Plan!

Hugs-

Carol


I'm linking to some of these fabulous parties:

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

The Nursery - Almost Done!


Today I thought I would share with you the progress that has been made on the nursery.  I don't think I have shown you pictures of the nursery yet - so I'll start at the beginning.


Here are Mountain Man and Justin marking the wall where the new chair rail will go.  (Oh, and there is Brady's rear end! LOL!)



Melissa showing what the chair rail will look like as is we didn't know.
(Pretty 'momma to be')




Painting in progress.  Two shades of gray.

(Yep, it's dark outside.)



 Chair rail being installed.



Detail of the chair rail.




Mountain Man working on putting putty on the nail holes.






Now, I have a confession to make - I am not a good picture taker for a blog.
Why, you might ask?

Well, I didn't taken any more pictures of the nursery until this past Sunday.
  
The nursery is almost finished - the parents-to-be still want to add some finishing touches - like pictures to the walls - but I think all the major stuff has been done.  So, I'll share the pictures that I finally took.

Lorelai's room from the door.
You can see the little project that we were worked on Sunday hanging in the corner.  The tissue pom-poms from the baby shower were finally hung.
Mountain Man had things ready for a long time (like a couple of weeks!) - we just couldn't find the time to go over to hang them.

The green and white "box" under the window is the toy box we found at IKEA the last time we went.  We think it will work out well.

We still have to make the book slings that Melissa wants to hang on the wall beside the window.







I'll have a future post on these boxes.




Looking from the crib back to the door - see the cute little dirty clothes hamper - that was a shower gift.

I didn't take pictures of the closet - but let us just say that it is FULL of clothes.  This little baby sure will be well dressed thanks to all the wonderful shower gifts they have received.










While there are still a few things that the proud parents-to-be want to do, IF Lorelai decided to come early they would be able to welcome her home with everything all ready.




I think the momma to be is ready!


Hugs -

Carol
(or, soon to be called - Nana!)

This post was featured at:


Fabulously Flawed









I'm linking up to some of these great parties:



Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Meet Me Monday at You Are Talking Too Much
Your Cozy Home Party on Monday at Cozy Home Scenes
Motivated Monday at Be Colorful
Beautify It Monday at http://bringingbeauty.blogspot.com/
Show it Off Mondays at http://www.getouttamyheadplease.com/
Make it Great Monday at http://etcetorize.blogspot.com/
Just a Party with my Peeps on Monday at http://howtonestforless.com/
Monday Marketplace at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/
What's in the Gunny Sack on Monday at http://www.thegunnysack.com/
Cowgirl Up on Monday at http://www.theivycottageblog.blogspot.com/
Tabletop Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie
Tutorials and Tips Tuesday at Home Stories A to Z
Terrific Tuesday at http://adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com/
Swing into Spring on Tuesday at http://diybydesign.blogspot.com/
Tuesday To Do at http://blackberryvine.blogspot.com/
From Dream to Reality on Tuesday at http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/
Uncommonly Yours on Tuesday at http://www.uncommondesignsonline.com/
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
DIY by Design on Wednesday
Uncommonly Yours on Wednesday at Uncommon Designs
Show and Share on Wednesday at Southern Lovely
It's a Party on Wednesday at http://acreativeprincess.blogspot.com/
Hooking up with HoH on Wednesday at http://www.houseofhepworths.com/
Catch as Catch Can at http://www.myrepurposedlife.net/
Time for a Party on Wednesday at http://www.finecraftguild.com/
Open House Party on Thursday at http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
Thursdays Favorite Things Blog Hop at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Link It Up Thursday at http://kadie-sevenalive.blogspot.com/
Show Me Extroidinary on Thursday at The 36th Avenue
Grace at Home on Thursday at Imparting Grace
It's A Party on Thursday at A Creative Princess
Open House Party Thursday at No Minimalist Here
Share Your Creations on Thursday at Kristen's Creations
Grace at Home on Thursday at http://www.impartinggrace.com/
Transformation Thursday at http://www.theshabbycreekcottage.com/
Time Travel Thursdays at http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
Super Sweet Thursdays at http://sofabulouslyflawed.blogspot.com/
Thursday Favorite Things at http://katherinescorner.com/
Tickled Pink Fridays at 504 Main
Flaunt it Friday at Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Feature Friday Free for All at Five Days...5 Ways
Addicts (not so) Anonymous on Friday at Addicted 2 Decorating
Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence
Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/
Friday's Unfolded at http://www.stuff-and-nonsense.net/
Friday's Features at http://www.redouxinteriors.com/
Freedom Friday Blog Hop at http://myturn-evelyn.blogspot.com/
Weekly Top Shot on Saturday at The View From Right Here
Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
A Pinteresting Party on Saturday at http://herestohandyandy.blogspot.com/
Say G'Day on Saturday at http://www.natashainoz.com/
Overflowing with Creativity on Sunday at It's Overflowing
Sew Darn Crafty Sunday at Sew Many Ways
Sunday Showcase Party at Under the Table and Dreaming
Simply Klassic Sunday at A Simply Klassic Home
Sunday Round Up at http://www.arosiesweethome.com/
It's Party Time on Sunday at http://itssoverycheri.com/
Nifty Thrifty Sunday at http://www.niftythriftythings.com/


Where does time go?

I have really fallen off the blogging wagon I guess.  I can't seem to get a schedule down so I don't post - but it's been almost...