Oh the possibilities

Sometimes, when I wake up, I think of so many things to do that day...happy things, productive things...that I freeze up because I don't know where to start. In comes my lists. Lists help me see what I need to do as well as see what I've accomplished. Sometimes, if I do an extra chore or project, I'll add it to the list and cross it off. I feel like I'm only giving myself credit for what I do if I make that list. Sounds silly, but its the only thing to help me focus. I can clean aimlessly for hours and the house looks tidy, but the justified three hours that I spent dusting, sorting, vacuum, only looks to some like I straightened the livingroom. Interested in other list makers, I started nosing around online.

I found this article on NPR's website. #6 is my favorite "Making lists can make you famous!"
10 Reasons Why We Love Making Lists

There wasn't much else out there on the web discussing the psychology of list making. There were lots of resources on "how-to" but I tend to fall back on my favorite blogger for organization matters. Clean Mama She also has a new e-book out called "Pulling Yourself Together" with tons of printables and rules to live by! Her blog is just amazing. Organized. Pleasing to the eyes. And, most importantly, tons of free printables. She also has a shop on Etsy, Clean Mama Printables, with more detailed and colorful printables, most available for instant download!

Now that you have the tools, the know how, and a little of the history, get your list making on! There are underoos to be washed and papers to be filed, for Pete's sake!!  Or, go play on Pinterest and dream about what you could be doing instead. You lollygagger. 

December To-DIDS!

Ok, so, I was never out of the action, just a different kind of action. I work at the world's second largest package sorting facility. AKA Santa's workshop. AKA UPS. During the Holiday season, I basically cease to exist to friends and family. I love my job but I wish our busy time was in July instead of missing all of the Christmas activities with loved ones. BUT!  Its over. FINALLY!!  AND! I'm ready for more projects. I have a few to post about that I did for Christmas and through December.

First up on the list is my new burlap garland that I made for my new Christmas tree that Hubby surprised me with!  It was super easy to make and looks FABULOUS!!
Burlap Garland

I used this blogger's tree as my inspiration: http://brennaball.blogspot.com/

Its so beautiful and natural. I love me some pinecones, especially sparkly ones!

Next we did a hot chocolate bar for a Christmas party. I did not much care for the crockpot hot chocolate recipe found on pinterest.com so I shan't be posting it. BUT, we did do the Candy Cane Marshmallow swizzle sticks!  I used traditional shaped candy canes with the hook so it could stay hooked on the mug while it melted! Stick one end into a marshmallow, then dip the marshmallow in some time of chocolate and then into sprinkles or sanding sugar for sparkle!  Sit them on wax paper to harden up and you're done!  

Candy Cane Marshmallow Swizzles

A new tradition that we started in the house is the Elf on the Shelf. Never was I happier to see Christmas, than knowing that I didn't have to find new ideas for that stinkin elf, Jake, every day!  At first it was fun because Soph was very unsure of Jake. He TP-ed the tree. He roasted marshmallows over a candle. He painted her nose red. He made her elf donuts. (cheerios covered in sprinkles) He drove around in My Little Ponies' convertible with Tina, her stuffed Llama. He made snow angels on my kitchen counter. He hung snowflakes and white paper chains all over the diningroom, like in the movie, Elf. One day, he was riding a deer that was on my mantle. The list goes on and on. Glad to say that Jake is in his box, awaiting his 2013 debut. I guess I should start looking now for ideas. It was fun though. I want things to be magical for my girls. I want them to believe in elves, fairies, gnomes, Santa, the Easter Bunny, talking animals. Whatever. All with the understand of why we celebrate certain events. I just want the lives, their eyes, their imaginations to sparkles. There IS happiness in magic. Watch them when they believe.

Stay tuned...we are already back into projects full speed ahead. The diningroom is going to supercalifragilisticexpialiawesome!

A beautiful day for a wedding...and another project filled weekend!

So, how did you like them there before and after kitchen pictures? Amazed, I know.  I thought so. Anyhoo. Onto this weekend. How many of you have gone to the store to print off a bridal registry list, purchase a gift and a pretty bag, bagged it up, and took off to the wedding?! Yeah. Me too. Several times. Its easy. Its stuff they want. However, since this whole Pinterest craze, I have found that many a nifty way of coming up with gifts for people. I nosed around on the bride-to-be's pinterest boards and found crafts that she wanted to do for her house for after the wedding or just because. I picked three different projects and made them for their wedding present! Its personal. Its something that she wanted.

The ring dish

This is a very easy tutorial on the dish without the monogram or birds on the side from http://abitofbeesknees.blogspot.com/2012/02/diy-lace-bowl.html  

Monogrammed Ornaments




The simple quote on canvas

A refreshed kitchen...

Well peeps, this project took a little longer than expected due to only one thing:  I'm cheap. I was waiting for my bank points to tally up to enough for paint and whatnot's to my fav hardware store. But, in reality, the total time to do this only took about 3-4 days. I am in LOVE with how bright and airy my kitchen is. This was phase one. I have plans to add more cabinets to the other side of the kitchen which is technically an eat-in area, but I don't believe in a formal dining room that is only used for special occasions. I would rather have a regular dining room with more cabinets, a double wall oven, a nice size kitchen island, and a little breakfast bar in front of the window. I could utilize the space much better for my cake business. 

Just so we're clear on the BEFORE. You can also see the space on the right side that I would like to add cabinets to and bring everything together with a good size kitchen island.

Mimi getting the "unders" of the cabinets and shelves

The almost final product. Doesn't it look FUGE!!  (that's Sophia's word for huge, btw) I can't wait to get that island in there. I think it will make a world of difference.

The fridge and shelves...my fav place for cookbooks now! I guess it wouldn't have killed me to clean the fridge for the picture.  And, my sweet girl.

Emmaline helped by being her cute self and  walking around patting us on the back

Behind the sink

 The tile backsplash was so much easier than I thought it would be. I took a "Ladies Night" class at Home Depot to learn how to use this special mesh backing that eliminates the need for backer board and grouting behind the tile. It works GREAT!  The tiles "stick" to the mesh and you grout over the tiles as you would normally. The tiles could be re-positioned. There was less mess and took SO MUCH less time!  My only suggestion, put on your big-girl pants and RENT A WET SAW!!!  I am terrified of saws in general, so I thought I'd cut everything by hand using a manual tile cutter. FAIL. It took my 10 times as long, blisters and pain galore. Maybe Home Depot will have a man for me to rent with the tile saw next time!!

Along the counter...pre-grout and plate covers

Weekend #5

Spent a little time trying to get together a family binder. I want a sort of "control center" where we can keep our most important "go to" items for the house, doc appointments, shopping lists, coupons, etc. Its not hard to put together, but its going to be hard to maintain. Its going to take all hands on deck and getting Hubby into my organizational mode is next to impossible. Having a plan for anything is our biggest downfall. I like to plan everything days/weeks/months in advance, but Hubby is more of a spontaneous creature. Unfortunately, we need some plans to secure our financial future as well as the well-being of our household. Sorry Hubby, I win this one.

Here is a great HOMEKEEPING BINDER tutorial from my favorite organized momma blogger!
(I also purchased my printables from her)

Weekend #4

Getting ready for our favorite time of year!! This weekend we tackled some Halloween projects and a lovely Fall craft!!

Train Wreck Green, Too Green, Shamrock, Napple, Al Green, "It has to go" Green, Mint Custard, The Green Screen

...some of the names that people gave my wall in a FB contest to NAME THAT COLOR!!  Pictures do this color no justice. You just don't feel it like you do in person. It has a vibe, maybe a pulse. 

This is probably going to be  long post because I want to tell you a story about a crazy green kitchen and its journey to a land called NORMAL COLORS. The pictures of this kitchen on the realtor's website were what kept me from even looking at this house for about a month. I didn't even want to go in it. The size, square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms did not entice me in the least because of THIS kitchen. THIS green. THIS lattice. THIS fake copper tile back splash put up with sticky tape. THIS sunflower wallpaper border with matching drapes... hand sewn yellow material with wallpaper glued to it. THIS was too much. I'm a girl who loves a challenge but I was afraid that I had met my match. But, clearly I overcame my fear of THIS and decided the kitchen would be my first project to start on. The first things we did were take down the wallpaper and sand down the lattice...that was meticulously hand-painted. Then we primed the walls and painted them a lovely light blue-green. That alone made such a difference in the mood of the room. After that, we decided to tackle the floor. Literally. We had to tackle it, hammer it, scrape it, peel it off. There were 6 layers of flooring and subfloor to take up. Each layer was nailed, stapled, and glued down like the previous layer my try to jump up and run away. 

Hubby, doing his manly thing

The garage was full of old gross flooring

 So, here we are a few months later...the flooring was such an ordeal that I decided to move on to some other, simpler projects before doing anything else to the kitchen. My momma and I were trying to decide between some Fall projects for our weekend challenge and she just said "Lets do you cabinets." It was so bold that I couldn't say no!  Insert a quick trip to Lowe's for sanding blocks and paint rollers plus some coffee to perk us up. We came home, removed the doors and hardware, scrubbed everything down...

Before anyone gets all "oh your cabinets are so pretty, why would you paint them?" This is why. They aren't pretty. They are full of old holes, scratches, and only have one coat of black paint.  And, I don't like black. SO there.

After priming them, this is what we were left with. The doors and drawers are all drying in the garage.

This is what I keep taped to the cabinet door so I am constantly reminded of my kitchen goal. I love this kitchen. Its so simple and pulled together. Now if my PNCpoints Lowe's card would hurry up and get here, I can buy my paint which will technically be free to me!!

Thanks for reading!!