Where Were We?

I think so far I have shown you the living room and kitchen...more yet to see so let's move into the family room today. As I was posting these pictures, I realized that I don't have a single Easter light up this year. I think I remember my VERY old "egg lights" dying last year and my decision not to replace them. I'm not sure why because I like to have lights across the mantle...so, I think I will be on the look out for a sale soon!

I honestly still love this guy so much! I love the product but I loved the process even more. I am finding myself wanting to paint another wood piece but there is only so much "real estate" available for something like this. I've got some ideas I will share at the end of this post.

Look what I just found...somewhere in the recesses of my brain I remembered these pastel lights. They were never favorites so I didn't use them much but for now, they will bring some ambiance to this room. They don't look all the special in the daytime picture but tonight, when the room is just lit by candles (and the TV), I think it will be pretty until I find something better!

So this post got me thinking about a new project. We are supposed to get some rain this afternoon-fingers crossed because we could really use it-and I am just itching for another painting project. Off to Pinterest I went and found these ideas on my Easter board. They might not be as grandiose as my Peter Cottontail, but I think I will try one and use it as an embellishment in a wreath or arrangement.

I love a project. I am excited...and I'm off to the yard and garage to see how much "weather beaten" usable wood I can find. Stay tuned.

Keeping It Real...

...or, the "Queen of Jerry Rigging"...or, "Where There's a Will"... I could have named this post soooo many things!

It is funny with me how things happen. One minute, there is absolutely NO thought of something and the next, it is ALL I can think of!  And so it was with my bedroom window valance. I was swapping our autumn/winter bedding for our spring/summer set when I realized that I just could NOT put the ugly, green valance up one more time! We added a bay window to our bedroom many, many years ago and I had a decorator from Penney's Window Dept. come out to measure for shades as I knew I would never get measurements right on my own-remember, I am the measure once, cut twice gal and I knew in this case, that could be an expensive mistake.

We have replaced the blinds at least one time since then but I just use the decorator's measurements and we are good. Unfortunately, I always wanted a valance over the shade tops-and one to match our bedding to boot. I tried to find a picture for you, but apparently I have always disliked that valance so much, that I never even took pictures of that side of the room.

In any case, even if I had liked it once, I venture to say I would be ready for a change about now. But, the old curtain rod that I had bent and jerry rigged so many years ago was on its last leg so I knew this was my chance to come up with something new. I had so many, many ideas-things I have done before on other windows in the house and loved-until I actually got up there to begin measuring and realized that the angles of the window and the fact that I would have to not only cover the fronts of the windows but the side edges as well made all of those choices unacceptable.

I got my sister in law in there with me and we brain stormed some ideas and then I pretty much spent all of the next night awake thinking about the possible scenarios. I really didn't want to have to miter the wood frame but, in the end, I had to. This was one of those projects-at least for me-where I just had to start and when something didn't work, rip it apart and start again

And that is what I did-over and over again. I really dislike that trait that I have where I just want to get something done to see if it will work...DUH, if it doesn't, you're in a pickle...and yet, that is how I roll.

I will say, there is a lot of industrial strength Velcro in use as well as more heavy duty staples and hot glue sticks than I can count. And, it really isn't exactly how I would have done it if I knew how to do it differently but, it is done and I am OK with it.

Now, to keep it real, I will show you what it took to get there-by day 2, I was no longer cleaning up as I went, bed wasn't made, staples and seam rippers and hot glue were everywhere. My house looked like this-and that isn't even the kitchen or craft room where things were also running amok!

We have had a busy, fun week but, perhaps the highlight was on Tuesday when my hubby, brother, sister-in-law and I headed out to Kimberden Farms with Jen and Presley to watch another riding lesson. I just blows my mind to see someone so small up on a big horse and getting up to canter speed already-all by herself! The farm is beautiful and I just love all of the horses. It is a lovely way to spend a peaceful, spring afternoon!

After the lesson, we went to one of our favorites, "The Horse and Hound" for dinner and then home to watch a Hallmark movie. At our ages, that is the perfect end to a perfect day. Stay tuned.

While I Have a Chance...

I actually have a few minutes so I thought I might move along on this year's Easter tour. From the living room we head to the kitchen.

The baker's rack is pretty much the same except for that cute metal pitcher I got on a fabulous sale at Michaels this year. Since Jen gave me a similar one a few years back that I have out for almost every season, I'm hoping this one gives me as much "bang for my buck"!

I'm kind of wishing I get some company soon so I can set a pretty table with my spring china! Who knows, maybe I'll surprise my hubby tonight with a nice dinner at a pretty setting.

Wish I had more brilliant changes and ideas to show you, but, as I think I have said before, I have a bit of trouble decorating for Easter. It is kind of the way I am for Christmas...I like things pretty natural and traditional...and, once I have something I like, I'm not as tempted to change things up as I am on other holidays. I don't know why that is, but it is!

In any case, it is so gorgeous out today that I am going to head out into the yard for the rest of it. Then, I have a little sewing project up my sleeve for the coming week. I was getting out our spring bedding today and decided I just couldn't put up the UGLY window treatment one more time.

And so, I am starting to picture something in my mind. Don't have any details worked out just yet-and there will be many as that bay window has really weird angles and, since the covering has to wrap around the ends of the ugly shade tops, there will probably be much trial and error before I figure it out. Remember, I'm that measure once, cut twice, three times, etc. kind of gal! Keep your fingers crossed and I might be sharing soon. My decorator daughter tells me she has a whole roll of the perfect linen fabric she will give me, so I'm at least off to a good start. We shall see. Stay tuned!

Hippity Hop 2017

Finally got my Easter decor done. There may be a bit of tweaking yet to come because as soon as I had finished the last room, we were off for a week of appointments and fun EVERY day. It has been a bit of a whirlwind but better than being bored. In just a few minutes, we are off for four football games which will pretty much eat up the rest of today so I thought I might at least get the living room documented.

 I changed the entry up a bit. I used to put my vintage decorations here but was ready for a change. The white bunny peeking out usually stands by himself with flowers in the basket he carries on his back but I changed him up a bit too.

I'm not one for egg trees but somehow I like the way these eggs look hanging on the pussy willows so I'm using it again.

I sure get a lot of mileage out of these old pages my daughter found me at Ballard Design. This time they are back in their original green covers and I have added the paper nest my cousin gifted to me a few years ago.

The chest is a bit simpler this year as well...looks like I have a definite green and lavender theme going in this room. That makes sense for me as I don't really like too many pastel colors-even if it is spring and Easter.

I still love the watercolor bunny pillow cover I got at PB last year. The funny thing is that he is a close match to the straw bunny that is on the coffee table.

Hubby and I had a bunch of errands to run yesterday after appointments and I found myself at our mall with a really good coupon from Yankee Candle. You know that I always have candles burning in our house...and, as much as I am not a fan of the design of the YC jar, it is my go-to because I have been known to forget to blow out all candles every now and then and I feel safe with this one even if I forget it. That being said, I have a pretty good "pantry" of scents but somehow realized that I was short on Easter and spring candles. And, I had a gift card in my wallet that made these beauties absolutely free to me! Yay!

As soon as I can get some time to catch up, I will take some more photos and share with you. Stay tuned.