Almost Done

While I have a spare minute, I thought I would share our 4th kitchen. Not much different but it all works.

I am so glad I am finally using the baker's rack the way it was meant to be used-I think. It was so easy this weekend to just grab the dinnerware and serving pieces for use and then just as easy to put them all away after use. And, since almost everything is in plain sight, I use it all so much more!

I guess I was good at ripping pages out of magazines and framing them up because I think this is the third one I have shared just for the 4th. They're all vintage images which makes it all the better in my opinion!

Note to self: ALWAYS check for fingerprints before taking pictures! lol. They truly don't look like this in person but when that flash hits...YIKES!!

 

So that is this year's kitchen. I still haven't found that PERFECT thing to craft for this year's new treasure and time seems to be moving rather quickly. I haven't given up the search but I'm not sure it will happen. You'll have to stay tuned.

Wild Ride

Every time I think we have finished the "crazy" that is our life and things will start to get boring, something new and wonderful always seems to pop up for us! This past week was no exception! We had many appointments, a trip out of town and the "beginning" of the celebrations for hubby's birthday this year. It seems like the women's way of celebrating in this family has rubbed off on him and he began his week of celebrating last Tuesday with a surprise party thrown by daughter #2 and her family as they knew they would be off on a cruise for Father's Day and his real day. He truly didn't expect it at all which made it more fun!

And, as if that isn't enough excitement-lol-my brother and sister-in-law came down for the weekend and took us out for a wonderful birthday dinner on Saturday.

And then yesterday, Father's Day, the "girls" hosted a day for all of the men in our lives. And, since I won't get to be with daughter #3 and her family for the 4th as they will be on vacation, I seized the opportunity to "celebrate" the holiday yesterday as well. I ALWAYS love it when I can put my holiday stash to good use. I must say that I started well intentioned with the picture taking and then the hosting duties kicked in so I really missed a lot of photo ops. Just know that a good time was had by all!

I had fun setting the table. I wanted a meal I could assemble a day or so ahead so I could enjoy the family time on Sunday as well and I wanted it to be something the guys would like so I went with Michael Symon's "World's Best Baked Ziti" (recipe from The Chew), steamed broccoli, a big salad with all the toppings and 2 kinds of artisan breads. We let my husband choose dessert and he went with shortbread cookies and lots of fresh fruit-who knew?

Look at the centerpiece. It is the one I have been using in the sunroom and I copied it from a very similar one I found on Pinterest. I had originally planned to make a larger white, wood box but I already had this one and time was short so I went with what I had and it is perfect!

My plan had been to get pictures of everyone at the table but once the food went down, we started serving and passing and this is what I got!

After eating, we did gifts for Father's Day and then these 3 hit the pool while the guys zoned in on the U.S. Open

You would think that after all of that celebrating, my husband would be done for this year but tomorrow is his "real" day and there is more to come. As I have said many times before, "we know how to milk a birthday in this family"! More 4th to come also. Stay tuned.

Show Your Colors

Even though red, white and blue are not my favorite colors they are this time of the year. I love going through the house and seeing the flags and the glittery lights. And so today, let's head into the dining room.

A few years ago I replaced some old star lights with these LED stars and I really like them so much better-especially when the room is dark. I think I am going to keep my eyes open for some to go on sale this year so I can replace our other old, tired lights in the LR and FR.

The dining room is pretty simple and doesn't really need much elaboration. We are off to Gainesville this afternoon and when we head home tomorrow I am keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be raining and we can make a stop in Micanopy. I will let you know if I find any new treasures. Stay tuned.

Feeling Patriotic

So on we go to the family room. Lots just the same as last time but with the addition of more of my "flame-less" candles all on timers, I love to be sitting in this room right about dusk when they all just light up. The glow is beautiful and I could honestly nestle in there forever!

You can see all of my 4th photos in the TV armoire and on the shelves so I am not going to bore you with pictures of them...just know that there is no red, white or blue frame safe anywhere near me. My photos on these shelves serve as my "living" scrapbooks and I look at them all often! I love our memories of so many 4ths together and always looking to make more!

I love my Uncle Sams. I have several here as well as the ones in the living room. They all came from "The Shoppe" in Micanopy and it is kind of reminding me that we need to make another visit to this sleepy little town soon.

This wreath is one of my most reposted pins on Pinterest. My daughter made it for me many years ago. I loved it so much that I took it apart and laminated it and it has stood the test of time so well. Sadly, I would need a LOT BIGGER wreath these days to recapture those now not-so-little handprints!

When I took out my 4th boxes this year, I found this frame that I must have bought late last summer when HL was almost giving it away. I went to print a 5X7" photo when I realized that all of the pictures I had ran horizontally and this is one of a few frames that simply could not be used in either direction. I was going to make a new stand for it when I came upon this old image of a Good Housekeeping cover and fell in love with it. A quick download later and here it is. That being said, the next time I have all 7 grand kids in one spot for the 4th, I will probably try to squeeze them all into a vertical picture to use. As much as I love this little girl, I would rather see those faces I love looking back at me!

 So that's it for this room. Today is 2nd Sunday so company will be arriving soon. I'm watching the weather so I'm not sure exactly what chores we might tackle but I know for certain there will be a yummy dinner at the end of the day. Stay tuned.

Hooray for the Red, White and Blue!

Even though I have not been able to find time to create any new crafts for the 4th yet this year, I have managed to get the house decorated. We have been having some much needed rain of late and although my lawn and gardens are very happy, I am pretty much housebound as my eyes just aren't good driving in heavy rain any more-hence, no chance to buy new supplies but lots of time to decorate!

Welcome to 4th of July 2017!

I will admit that because my time is so limited these days, there isn't a lot of it left for rearranging. I kind of took the easy way out and put things back where they were last year. Of course, as I begin to get out and about a bit in the next few weeks, if I see a new treasure, make a new craft or tweak what I have, things may change a bit. But, for now, if it ain't broke...

I still LOVE this "liberty" banner that I made many years ago. I think you know the story...I saw it on a Bethany Lowe site and loved it but the price was high and I figured I could make it. And, so I did without even looking at the dimensions. Fast forward to a trip to The Shoppe in Micanopy where lots of Bethany Lowe is featured and I spy this very banner-except that it is on a small feather tree. Apparently her banner is in miniature. I have to admit I like mine better and it made the price of hers even more ridiculous-although, I will say, if I had all of the money in the world, my house would probably be covered in her holiday things. Her vintage designs speak to my heart!

I must admit that when I look around this room and see so many of the things I have crafted over the years, I get a bit sad that I haven't done anything so far this year. I think I need to FIND the time to get something done! I made this flag holder out of old "ball feet" that I found at the "FancyFlea" a few years ago and the flag picture is just an inexpensive flag removed from its dowel and then the words to the Pledge of Allegiance written on the striped lines.

I still love the U.S.A. hanger also. The girls and I made these as gifts for everyone years ago. We just got inexpensive wood letters, covered them in 4th scrapbook paper and embellished. A little twisted wire and you're done!

The framed print on the blanket chest is just a page ripped from an old Mary Englebrit magazine.

Did you see the "new kid on the block"? This beautiful rusty tin tray was a Mother's Day gift from daughter #1. Does she know me or what? A BIG statement made of tin and rusty and old looking...what could be better?! And, it is one of those pieces that will probably stay out all year in one vignette or another. I LOVE it when that happens!!

It feels so good to be getting myself back on a bit of a routine-although at this point in my life flexibility is good too! Spring is just a crazy busy time-always-in our family and when you add in a H.S. and a college graduation and the festivities that ensue, life gets super busy...but, so many memories are made that getting a little behind on the every day things is a small price to pay! There is more to come so stay tuned.