Momma Said...

 It's just "one" of those days! I have been decorating for St. Pat's for two days now and pretty much have everything out and was making my plan of action for putting all of the Valentine stuff away when I got a message from daughter #3. She was in one of her cleaning and purging moods at her house and asked me if I would like a PB cabinet she has had in her house in one form or another for awhile. Since I was in the throes of trying to find more storage in my house for all of my "stuff", I couldn't say no. I'm like the "Mikey" of my family...just ask Nana, she'll take anything! Lol

And before I knew what was happening, my son-in-law was in my driveway with said cabinet. I really didn't have any idea where it was going to go but there was a smaller cabinet in daughter #2's old room that would be easy to move right now so that is what we did. That cabinet went to the sunroom and the "new" one was put in place. 

Of course, there was the remainder of our old intercom system behind it so it wouldn't fit close to the wall-which, we all know, would drive me crazy so in a flash this morning, I disconnected that. Of course, that left a hole in the wall that I knew I wouldn't be able to address correctly for some time so I started mixing up some paint-unfortunately there is none of this old paint left over-and the adventure began. I don't think I would have had the trouble I had if I had had the correct colors of paint to start with but I didn't. And so, it pretty much took the whole morning of mixing, testing, mixing again, etc. I was starting to get really frustrated until I remembered to add in some black and it took me to the color but it still keeps drying too dark.

I actually put a piece of clear contact paper over the hole and just started painting. I'm getting closer but it still keeps drying a little too dark. I have used every bit of white paint I have and it is still too dark so I have left this project for now and will figure it out later. At least I can get all of the stuff that was taken out of the old cabinet into this one so when my daughter and grand daughter arrive next week the bed will be usable!

Of course, each time I try the paint I go a bit larger than the time before so I might as well just go buy some paint and redo the whole room. Lol

There is actually SO much to do around here but, I am off to another lacrosse game tonight. At least this one is a home game. If you had told me just four years ago that I would be watching as many as six lacrosse games a week, I would have laughed. I don't think I really even knew anything about the game back then but, that is where I am right now.

Presley had her first scrimmage game a week ago here in Ocala. It is the first year of girls' lacrosse at her high school and she and two others are the only ones who have ever played before-all of the other girls are brand new. Presley got to play at another local high school last year since her school didn't offer lacrosse and that year definitely made a difference for her. She has scored in every game-3 goals in the last one. The team is starting to come together. They know it will be hard but they are doing better each game so we shall see how the year goes...and then next year will be even better!

So, with all of that being said, my plans for Valentine's Day changed in a blink. Daughter #3 decided to take the day off and invited me to go down to Winter Park with her and have an early dinner before heading into Orlando for Presley's game down there. And, as usually happens with this daughter, the adventure began. On the way, we decided to make a detour to Eustis to our favorite shop.

It was really crowded so taking pictures wasn't easy but suffice it to say, it was decked out and ready for every spring holiday and then some!

Then we were off to Winter Park again when we passed a side road to Mt. Dora and decided to make another detour-until we missed our turnoff because both of us travel by landmarks and things have changed so much that our landmarks were gone-and ended up kind of back where we started. At this point, we decided to just get on to Winter Park so that we could have a nice leisurely lunch before having to get into heavy Friday night Orlando traffic!

I used to go to Winter Park a lot and almost always ate at the same restaurant. Jen liked it also so we dcided that was where we would head. I guess it's been awhile since either of us have been down there as the menu was totally different and the prices were really high. That being said, we both saw something that sounded good and we were hungry so we ordered. I had a fried rock shrimp po'boy and broke down and got the fires as a side. That thing was so delicious and, I must say, worth every penny!

About the only remnant of the old restaurant was this:

Since we felt bad being there while Presley had to ride down on the school's bus, we got her a slice of the chocolate cake. That thing must have weighed two pounds!

Then we were off to Lake Nona.

It was a beautiful evening and the girls didn't win but they played well...and Presley scored three times!

Saturday I started my decor swap but then stopped at noon to watch my grandson's college lacrosse game. They were playing at SUNY and as the game wore on the snow began. Harrison said it was a bit "chilly". Even though they didn't take the win, the game was exciting and close!

And now here I am ready for another game tonight. Since the boys' team and the girls' team don't play in the same place at the same time we can't be in two places at once so I guess the only games I will see for my youngest grandson will be his home games. It's fun but it is a long, busy season!

I am off to try yet another lighter coat of paint...fingers crossed! I will leave you with a little sneak peek of St. Pat's and hopefully will be back soon. Stay safe and stay tuned.

Desperation

 I am back out of sheer desperation! Now, don't get me wrong-I love being here with you. But, I prefer to be here when I have something I think you will really enjoy seeing or hearing about. Seems like my life has been anything but lately.

We have had the most beautiful weather of late-yes, maybe a bit too warm for this time of year for my liking but, definitely weather where I would prefer being out in the garden. But, just as I was about to cave and head out to start cutting back all of the uglies left from the frosts, I caught the most recent forecast. And yes, our temps are going down again soon. None of them are looking like they're going frost level again but, still, I don't know what is coming after that so I am struggling with myself once again to stay out of the gardens no matter how much they are calling to me.

And, the other voice in my head is saying that it is time to get rid of the RED! Those of you who are here a lot know that red is just not a favorite color of mine. I will tolerate it for Christmas, 4th of July and Valentine's Day because how else can you celebrate those days-remember, I'm also not a big fan of neutrals-although I do seem to be veering slightly more in that direction these days-what is happening? LOL

In any case, I am over the red of Valentine's Day but, me being me, I can not take it down until I have celebrated the holiday-which for this year will mean by myself because my daughter and grand daughter will be in Orlando at a lacrosse game while my son-in-law and grandson will be over near St. Augustine for their lacrosse game. And, since they're the only ones here, I will be celebrating alone but, I am just a big enough holiday fanatic that I will have no trouble doing that. Lol

And so, since I couldn't get into the gardens or start my swap out here in the house, I needed to do something yesterday. I did get to spend all of Monday with an old friend and make some of my favorite soup yesterday but then time began to drag and I looked for something to do.

I really didn't have a clue but then I caught a bit of an inspiration and this happened.

I love using my old fence slats for craft projects. Believe it or not, this is the last piece I have so time to start replacing some more of the old slats again. I love that the slat is weathered but I wanted a bit of a darker color for this project so I watered down some antique wax and gave it a once over.

Before I did that I taped some copy paper together and made a bunny pattern. I prefer doing a pattern instead of just drawing on the board because it gives me opportunities to trim down or add to as I see fit.

Once I got him where I wanted, I traced the pattern on to the board and filled it in with white Waverly chalk paint.

 

I wanted him a bit distressed so I used my sandpaper and tried to knock off some off the white paint but, honestly, the board was so soft that it was taking off the bottom stained color as well. I compromised and landed here.

Then, I grabbed some of the flowers that I had picked up at $Tree the other day. I will say, they were not up to the quality that some of their more recent faux flowers have been so I kind of used them as my base and then added other flowers from Paper Studio that I got in the scrapbooking section of HL. They're a lot more expensive but so much prettier.

Of course, as usual, since this was a "desperation" craft, I really have no idea where he will end up. I wanted to rethink the family room's "carrot" theme last year but never got to it because of the rush between St. Pat's and Easter decor so maybe this year I can address that and this guy will end up in there...we shall see.

And then, for whatever reason, I did another tweak for Valentine's. I was in my bedroom and spied this cute little marble and gold ring holder thingy that daughter #3 gave me and it hit me-gold! And so, if even just for 3 days, here is where it landed for now. After the holiday, it will be back on my dresser I'm sure.

And to keep me busy a bit longer, I'm off to do this:

I'm putting together a basket for my daughter and her family for Valentine's Day and these triple chocolate cookies just have to be in there. Tomorrow I will make the Red Hot Popcorn that is also a must and then get that and the other goodies to them before they head out of town on Friday. 

I think by the time I get those cookies baked and bagged up, the temptation to head outside will be over-for today. We'll see what tomorrow brings. Lol Stay safe and stay tuned.

Everything Happens for a Reason

 I feel the need to post a spoiler alert. Unless you are a member of my family or a close friend who might actually care, you might want to skip this post-no decor or crafting anywhere near this one. Lol I have been missing for awhile...but then I knew I would be because I had a busy few days planned. As it turned out, a few of those days played out a little differently than initially planned. But, in the end, all is well and everything happened for a reason-although I sure wouldn't have believed it while I was in the middle of it.

I started my "fun" long weekend last Thursday. I had my day all planned. I would run some errands where I would pick up some craft supplies and some decor things for the house and then grab some groceries before coming home and begin watching the new drop of "Sweet Magnolias". The weather was perfect and I was having the best time-until I wasn't. I will take most of the blame for what happened yet, if the world only had honest people, it wouldn't have even happened at all.

My last stop before the grocery store was Walmart...not always a favorite of mine but sometimes they have things I can't find anywhere else. Now I always carry a fairly large, heavy purse with me-that's the old G.S. coming out-I need to be prepared for anything. And, I almost always put it in the child seat part of the cart-which is exactly what I did that day. I had a delightful conversation with the young man checking me out and then I headed to leave. Now, I always park and check out down by the garden area. I came in that way but the register was closed as I was leaving so I had to check out at the total other end of the store. As I pushed the cart into the vestibule, there was a man mumbling out loud, looking back at me and then talking louder and, I will admit, he made me a bit uncomfortable...and so, I had my keys in my hand, grabbed my bag and quickly headed all the way back to my car. It wasn't until I was there that I realized that I had left my purse in the cart! I "ran" back as quickly as my 77 year old legs would move but, of course, no purse.

I will say, I don't think I have ever felt as helpless and vulnerable in my entire life. I will abbreviate everything that happened next because it all took many hours but, after finally determining that it hadn't been turned in and not having any of my family's phone numbers committed to memory any more-the funny thing is that I do have a written list of them all in my wallet in case I ever lost my phone-I headed to my daughter's office in a panic.

My the grace of God, she was there and not out at a client's or doing an install. We started canceling the things I could remember and then got a call from my son-in-law-who had been sent out to Walmart to make a report-that someone had finally turned in the purse-minus the cash and my phone. That in itself was a blessing because I had my driving glasses, driver's license, social security card, and lots of other stuff I guess I shouldn't have in that purse. But, losing the phone was a bit of a nightmare.

Again, long story but, since I had to get a new phone I decided to switch to an iPhone (since every other person in my family has one and has been telling me for years that it would be easier for all if I had one too) and, as luck would have it, daughter #1 was just given an offer to receive a new iPhone 16 plus for free with only $.38 added to her account each month if she added a fourth to her account. The only problem was that since I was already a Verizon customer, I had to get a new number. And that meant that my contacts and text messages wouldn't transfer over-although, thankfully, all of my photos and emails did!

There is a lot more to the story but suffice it to say I got the new phone the next day, grandson #2 came over and helped me a bit with the navigating and I am up and running-well, walking-again. I have been an android user ever since my first cell phone and honestly, buying everything at Verizon, I never had anything but a black or red phone and my phone case choices were BLACK. And so, this time when my daughter asked what color I wanted, I chose teal...and I love it. I knew I needed a case but I didn't want to cover the pretty color so when I spied a glittery clear case at Target, I was sold! Isn't she a beauty? And, she really looks so much prettier in person.

And so, now that I lived through that, everything is really better than it started-except that I'm still trying to remember all of the people who need to know I have a new number but...I guess everything happens for a reason. 

My brother and sister-in-law spent some extra time with me, we had a nice meal out at Carrabba's, went to Presley's lacrosse scrimmage-where she scored a killer goal-, went to my brother's race early Saturday morning at the Silver Springs State Park-where he won first place in his division-and got lots of little chores completed at my house that afternoon. And, I had a nice visit with grandson #2 while he coached me on my new phone. AND, I got to finally start watching the new episodes of "Sweet Magnolias" on Sunday with my feet up, a glass of wine and all of the chaos behind me.

I am still learning the iPhone-it has a number of differences and I used an android for so long it will take me a bit to unlearn everything but I am loving it-and my family who all pulled together to get me out of this mess that, let's face it, I created. The only reason I posted this is because this blog also serves as my personal journal and I figured this little adventure needed to be journaled. The next time I'm back I'll be back to decor and crafts-I promise. Unless something happens, I will be switching out Valentines for St. Pat's starting early on Saturday morning! Stay safe and stay tuned.

WOW!

 Wow! Twice in one day. I am in desperate need of a break so I thought I would share what has been happening just since we last "spoke". I managed to get the pie safe into the sunroom and out the back door. I used the "slider" thingies that go under the feet of the cabinet and work pretty well except that you do have to push down pretty hard to make sure the legs of the cabinet stay on the sliders or, before you know it, they are off and you are scratching your floor...ask me how I know. Lol Getting it out the door was a bit tricky because there was really nowhere to grab it to just lift it-although I'm not sure I could do that any more these days anyhow. In any case, I got it out there and set up and I quickly realized that using the sander was going to go much more quickly but it still wouldn't be the complete answer. There are lots of places that the sander doesn't fit. And, of course, there was no need to worry about the skies opening because there wasn't a cloud in the sky and it was reading 82 degrees out there with the sun beating on my head.

In any case, I got a bit of the one side and front done before stopping for some lunch.

After lunch I was in some shade so that helped a lot and this is where I am right now.

You can definitely tell that I'm moving forward. I still have the whole other side to do with the sander and then all of the rest of the detail by hand but, honestly, as much as I want to keep going, my shoulders are not going along with me. Lol And so, I think I will pull it in for the night and see if I can lift my arms tomorrow and maybe get a bit more done. If not, maybe when the crew comes for my birthday I can finagle one of them to help me out.

My initial goal had not been to take it down this far but when I didn't, the paint left on it looked like animal stripes and that wasn't my goal at all. I think it's pretty obvious now that I will need to put some kind of finish on this but I don't want to just do it in pine or walnut like the armoire in that room. I have some inspiration pictures from my designer daughter that looks like maybe a black-wash over wood tone so we shall see. That step may take awhile because if I do that here, I will need to do the same to the armoire-if you give a mouse a cookie.....

At least I was surrounded by beautiful fragrance while I was out there. This is just one of a yard full of tea olives-this one was literally a foot away from me. I probably have 20 or so in my backyard yet the scent is noticed all of the way out by my mailbox in the front! The scent of the tea olives is right up there with gardenias for me!

And, since I was talking so much about "green" this morning, this is happening...in between sandings.

"What in the world is she doing now" you might well ask-and you would be justified. Lol I was trying to decide how I could bring my mom's bone china with the "Irish" themes back out and I think they might look best in a vignette full of just lots of green-at many levels-and natural things. Most of the ones I saw that I liked used books bound in green. Of course, I don't have any of those. But, I do have lots of books that we got from book clubs all basically bound in the same black cardboard. I decided to see if I couldn't "greenwash" them to come up with a fair resemblance. I just watered down some green paint and brushed it on the book covers and then wiped it quickly back off. I'm trying not to have them look like books just painted green. Now that they're dry, I'm starting to play around with a dark green ink pad and a black one as well. I'm starting to get some results I like so we shall see. In any case, they won't be the main focus of the vignette so I think they will work. Maybe I will even bring some of her crocheted doilies back out. Stay tuned...and stay safe. P.S. Did you notice how I chose the books from the "McNally" series? I thought they sounded kind of Irish. LOL Honestly, they might just end up back on the book shelves but at least they gave me a break from the dreaded sander for a bit!

For Whatever Reason?!

 Maybe it's the fact that I am not a huge fan of red. Maybe it's because I am getting tired of the heart decor. Maybe it's because green is my favorite color. Maybe it's because I am 50% Irish. Maybe it's a little bit of all of that but I found myself almost giddy with happiness yesterday. Now remember, it doesn't take a lot to make me happy these days. I love my house and doing anything in or around my house to keep things fresh or updated makes my day...sometimes even my week. Lol

In any case, I told you I would be heading to HL as soon as I saw that St. Pat's went on sale...and that was yesterday! And, that's where I was. I will say, I think they have out more for this holiday this year than they have in the past and I couldn't stop slowly walking the aisles over and over to make sure I wasn't missing anything.

My main goal was the shamrock bouquet that I had seen a few weeks ago-check! It's so pretty and just speaks to me-still no idea where it will end up but it will be fun trying to find the perfect spot. Then, I was looking for some small vintage things for something you will see in a minute-no luck there. But, I did find some other things and they flew into my cart before anyone else could grab them. Lol I know it is silly to be so excited over a holiday that hardly anyone even acknowledges these days but, I am! Here's my haul minus a few generic crafting supplies.

As you can see, I grabbed a few more tulip bundles because they had put out a few more. One of those is pink and the other two are white-both colors that will be used for the next few decor swaps as well as now for Valentine's Day. I have already incorporated them into existing bouquets.

Then, I have never seen the plastic sandwich plates and yes, I like to eat off of "matching plates" for each holiday and I even though I have glass plates for St. Pat's, I like a quick plastic plate for lunch.

Then, I grabbed the only two frames that would work at $Tree. They're not my favorite but will work for my needs. 

This is the first year they have carried St. Pat's pip berries that I can recall. I will definitely be working some curlicues into already made things after I get them out and also have enough for any new project that I come up with. And, I grabbed three of the pip berry/shamrock picks. Not sure where they will end up but I'm looking forward to finding a place for them soon.

The lavender and greenery are just some picks from $Tree. They're not great but will work for filler on small projects.

And so, after all of that excitement, I got back to the peat pots and watercolors. For the paintings, I simply painted the frames green and then distressed them up with a black ink pad. For whatever reason, I think the frame needed that bit of black to compliment the black in the design.

Then I went back to the peat pots. Initially I was going to glitter up the edges of everything-the pots, the small images I printed and the edges of the wood shamrocks. But, I changed my mind on that and just went simple. I can always add that if I change my mind and want some glitz. Since HL didn't have anything else I could add, I kind of had to go with my little postcard, the wood shamrocks from my stash and a pot of gold also from my stash. I will say, this isn't how my plan started out but, until I actually get everything up in the shelves and see what I have going, this is where it will stay.

As I was cleaning up I brought all of the finished things into my office and next to where I sit to use my computer. I like to keep things I've made here because they keep me excited for the next decor switch. When I looked over last night I had to chuckle because I felt like I was playing that old children's' game "one of these things doesn't belong here". Lol Can you find it? Lol

The star is now safely stored away unit June and I am surrounded by a sea of green and soooo ready to get the next decor switch going!

I am still looking for new St. Pat's ideas but, as I said, not many bloggers address this holiday-they are already on to Easter. Fingers crossed something new will pop up and I will be in my happy place again-the sunroom with the table full of craft supplies. Until then, I'm off to maybe start sanding-if the skies don't look like they are going to open because this is definitely an outdoor project! You'll be the first to know. My brother and sister-in-law are coming on Friday and we have two lacrosse games, a race for my brother on Saturday morning, some small chores around my house that need a few extra hands and then a little celebration for my SIL's birthday. Should be a fun weekend! Stay safe and stay tuned.

Lazy Day

 It's kind of gloomy and very humid out there today so, instead of doing what I planned, I looked for something easy and "mindless". I remembered a video I had seen of a lady doing a shamrock watercolor. Now, I have shouted from the rooftops many, many times before that although I love all crafts, a painter I am NOT! But, I have had a bit of success with watercolor when you just kind of "throw down" color onto wet paper. That being said, I really don't understand the intricacies of watercolor-and there are a lot. Well, let me rephrase that, I understand them I just don't have the patience for them. There is a lot of layering and then waiting in between steps before you get to anything that might even resemble what you are going for. And, we all know that that isn't how I roll. Lol

In any case, I didn't have anything to lose except a piece of paper. I also don't have the "real" watercolor paints in tubes. Maybe I would be more successful if I had them but my little kindergarten set of paints will just have to do.

I knew I probably couldn't come close to the inspiration but I got going anyhow. And, when I got here I was ready to throw in the towel because I didn't see any saving it. It seriously looked NOTHING like the inspiration.

But then remembering that things could always be saved with a little zhushing, I pulled out my Sharpie extra thin marker and, again remembering what the lady in the video had said about holding the pen way up high so that it wiggled and the lines weren't perfect-I did GOOD with that-lol-I just started outlining the "blobs" and was surprised when I got done and I liked it. I don't love it, but, put in a cute little frame it might find a home somewhere in my St. Pat's decor.

And then I decided to try another using my own method...that didn't quite work out the way I planned but I got through and, once again, I'm OK with it. I'm trying to think ahead to having two things the same to go on either side of the new shelf in the living room and these might work. I think they might compliment each other if they're in the same kind of frame.

I see where HL will put their St. Pat's stuff on sale starting tomorrow so you know where you will find me. I'll be getting that shamrock bouquet picture that I loved and maybe I can find a few other little things to go with these frames on the shelf. I'm off to cut up some more veggies for roasting but I'll be back to show you any treasures I find tomorrow. And then I think I will finally get going on the pie safe project that has been in the wings for awhile. My sander is up and running so we'll see how it goes. Stay safe and stay tuned.

Soooo-before I could proof read and publish this blog, my mind went to what I had said about using the frames on the shelf and I knew I would need something else beside just a frame in each area and I thought about the peat pots just sitting there waiting for inspiration and then, this happened. You'll be the first to know where it ends up. Lol