Monday, May 30, 2016

Dreamy Weekend Projects

We practically lived outside this weekend and I am sad to see it end.  But we got a lot done and are feeling pretty proud of our accomplishments.  I picked up Hostas at Lowe's, they were on sale for 3 for $10.  I love Hostas and have the perfect place for them out front, just under the living room window.  I can't wait to see how big and beautiful they grow!
I started a little vintage container garden area in a front corner of the yard.  So far I have my Radio Flyer Wagon out there with some alyssum and other flowers, a galvanized tin bucket filled with a Hosta and bright pink dianthus (left over from last year I might add!) and a coal bucket with big, tall marigolds.  I want to find some more things to add to this corner, Cody said I can use an old wheelbarrow that we have and I can fill with all kinds of pretty flowers.
We also worked on some fun things for the front of the yard where we seem to spend most of our time.  It is quickly becoming our own little oasis.  I saw this idea on Pinterest and knew that I wanted to do it.  I bought the planters and hooks at Lowe's and they also had their hanging flower baskets on sale for 2 for $10.  Cody did all the dirt filling and 2 by 4 setting, screwed in the hooks and made my vision come true.  We got 4 done today on this side and will add more to the other side soon.
 
See what I mean about our little oasis?  I got the spools from my dad (he is a telephone guy and has tons of these but would only give me 3) and Cody took them over as a new table and chairs.  I guess I won't be making a clock for my living room with them as I had originally planned.  But I love how they fit right here so it's okay. 
Here is what it looks like when it starts to get dark outside and the lights are on.  I took this picture with my phone so it's a little grainy, but you get to see just how dreamy this little space is!  I can't wait to have friends over to enjoy our oasis at night.

And my most favorite part of this weekend?  We finally got my hammock hung up!  I spent a lot of time in it today between loads of laundry.  My dryer is broken so I was hanging my clothes out to dry on the line.  I read my book, sipped on sun tea and enjoyed the peaceful, beautiful day.  It's a 2 person hammock and Cody and I tried it out today, I think we will be spending a lot of time in this thing! 
I hope everyone had a wonderful, long weekend and that you were able to reflect and remember those we've lost, however you choose to do so!

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Sunday, May 22, 2016

Decorating the Outside of the Pump House

We did a little decorating on our pump house this weekend.  It turned out so cute and I am sure that I am not quite done with it yet!
I had this window with a window box just sitting around looking for a home.  I asked Cody to hang it on the side of the pump house and from there, we just kept going.
The other side of the pump house that faces the camper, has this window on it.  Cody painted the window panes black and at first I was so mad.  But then when I saw that it makes it look like it is a real window, I calmed down.  He's so clever about these kind of things! 
I put some of my vintage gardening tools on the corner.  One of these days I am going to get a green house with a potting bench and these things will help decorate it. 
And this is the "front" of the pump house.  Cody hung another window on the door and put a vintage crystal door knob on it.  A "Welcome" mat is definitely needed on the little front step.
I had the perfect little sign to hang on the side of the door.  I think Cody might be out there right now putting a mailbox out there as well.  We are two peas in a pod, once we get going, we just can't stop! 
If this pump house was just a little bit taller and wasn't the pump house, I would definitely be making this my she shed.  But there is another shed that just needs to be cleared of all of my stuff that will one day be my she shed.  I am not looking forward to the cleaning out part but this cute little transformation is great motivation!

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Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Barnwood & Mason Jar Centerpieces

When you see something you love, you just have to share!  I photographed a wedding this past weekend and I instantly fell in love with the centerpieces.
The bride told me she saw someone selling these on Facebook around Christmas and decided she wanted them to be her wedding centerpieces.  Her fiance had some barn wood that they used to make them and her dad built all of them. 
As I am editing pictures, I am falling more and more in love with them.  I might have to ask if I can buy a few or just ask my own handy husband to make me some.  I wanted to share so that you could see what a great little project these are and make some for yourself!
This wedding was inside of a riding arena and the lighting was not very good for picture taking.  But it was a beautiful wedding and I got a lot of great photos both indoors and out! 
This was hanging above the head table and I love it too.  Another project to add to my list of things I am going to have to make very soon! 
Here is a picture of the bride and groom.  She was a stunning bride! 
We have had some amazing storms lately and the sunsets that come after them are breath taking.  Look at how perfect this ombre sky is.  I love the thunder and lightning and the colors that Mother Nature shares with us! 
I cut these beautiful, deep red peonies out of one of the flower beds at my work.  They are so pretty and add so much vibrancy to my office.  Hope you enjoy your week!

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Submarine Sunday
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Amaze Me Monday
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No Place Like Home
Inspire Me Tuesday
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Make It Pretty Monday
Homemaking Party
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Swing Into Spring
Talk of the Town
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Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Our little slice of country life

It's amazing what some nice weather and warm temperatures can do to really make your new house feel like a home.  We have been spending a lot of time outside lately and the more I am out there, the more I love it.  We are lucky to have bought a home that is just outside of city limits, sits on an acre of land and has all the perks of country living.  This is the view from our back deck, which faces west.  
There are 3 cows in the pasture behind our house.  And I have named them all.  This big red cow is Momma.  She definitely protects the other 2 little cows. 
This is Bully.  I love his shaggy fur and his little horns.  He uses those horns to scratch his side all the time.  He isn't too sure what to think of us! 
This is Baby.  He is so cute and so curious.  Every morning when I go out to start my car or when I come home from work, he mooos to tell me hello!  These 3 like to sleep right outside our back door and every morning when I let the dogs out, I tell them good morning! 
Grady is loving all the space he has to run.  Since it isn't fenced in he doesn't get free range but if we are outside, so is he.   
I made the mistake of telling Bella that she wasn't a real cow dog the other day.  In retaliation, she went and rolled in a fresh cow pie.  Joke's on her-she had to take a bath as soon as we saw what she did.  Guess I won't tell her she isn't a real cow dog ever again! 
The neighbors have random farm equipment all over the back of their property.  I met the neighbor across the street the other day and she said she felt bad for having such an ugly yard when this guys is so perfect.  I told her to come see the back and all the junk and she wouldn't feel so bad anymore. 
I think this arbor has grapes growing on it so I can't wait to see it when they are all grown in.  This would be a perfect spot for taking pictures! 
Dandelions are everywhere around here.  I remember as a kid making necklaces out of them or rubbing the flower on my skin to turn it yellow. Did you do those things? 
And of course dried dandelions made for the best toys when you blew the seeds all over! 
This is the view from the back of our property.  The hill in the background is called Clay Peak.  At night, there is a cross that lights up and I love seeing it.   
We have so many trees on our property and since we moved in the late fall/early winter, we didn't get all the leaves cleaned up before it snowed.  Cody spent one whole weekend loading the back of his truck up with leaves and taking them to the back to be burned.  We spent another weekend burning them all. 
This riding lawn mower was left in a shed when we moved here and Cody was able to get it running!  So we bought a house and got a free riding lawn mower with purchase.  He mowed the whole back pasture and the yard yesterday in no time flat.  What a lifesaver it will be!  As you can see, Cody is loving this country lifestyle and the smile on his face makes me so happy. 

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Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Homemade Sugar Scrub for Mother's Day Gifts

I have seen this "recipe" on Pinterest for sugar scrub and have been wanting to try it.  Mother's Day was the perfect occasion to make up a batch and gift it to my mom and mother-in-law.  Of course I had to make them look extra pretty!
I bought some baby food that was on sale just for the jars.  Don't worry, I made some ice cream treats for my dogs with the baby food.  Any little jar will do, just make sure it is washed out well and dried.

Fill your jar 3/4 of the way with white granulated sugar.  You might need more later, but that is a good starting point. 
I love this Dawn dish soap.  Not only does it smell amazing but it has Olay Hand Renewing moisturizers so it is good for your skin too.  And it's pink! 
Fill the jar the rest of the way up with the soap.  Then stir away until it is nice and blended.  You might need to add more sugar at this point if it is too runny. 
It will probably separate but a little shake or mixing will do.  You could even include a little spoon to mix it as well as getting it out of the jar.  After I took off the labels, it was sticky so Goo Gone to the rescue! 
I painted the lids in my favorite aqua color and added a little rose sticker to the top.  I love it when things are this cute! 
I created a label and used packing tape to adhere it to the jar.  This way if water gets on it, it won't mess up the label.  A little bit of vintage seam binding tied around the top and you have one adorable Mother's Day gift.  I will probably add some lotion and lip balm and make a little spa package for the mom's! 
And I just had to share this adorable card I made for a wedding shower gift.  I drew the vintage camper in Illustrator, printed it out on cardstock and taped it to a card.  I then punched out little hearts in different colors and glued them onto the card.  I hand wrote "gettin' hitched" and signed the inside.  I love this sweet card and can't wait to make more things using it. 

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