Upcycled Window

While I'm doing 1,001 posts this morning, I thought I might as well show you what we did with an old window we've hauled around for 3+ years.  I saw the idea in a floral shop display in our little town.  Bingo!  What was once just an old window, hanging on the wall, is now a functional piece of art!  And the best part, it was all FREE.  I had these mini iron brackets we'd hauled around, in our many moves, along with a few pieces of old fencing and voilà!  Keith built me this totally cute shelf.  Like it?  Oh, and this is where the milk glass vases, I mentioned here, now reside.

Lefse

The kids and I were invited to make Lefse over their Winter Break with a lady whose grandparents came from Norway, I believe.  Being the amateurs we are, she had us make the kind using flour instead of potatoes since it's supposedly easier to work with.  I think we need quite a bit more practice, though.  None of ours were uniform like hers. 

See?

But we still had a great time!  They tasted good, too.

Coffee Stands

Here is something you might see next to a coffee stand here in the Pacific Northwest.

Located in Allyn, WA

Love driving along the Puget Sound!  The kids and I took a jaunt here over their Winter Break.  Most times I venture outside the house, I am smitten with how beautiful a state we live in.  I am so fortunate.

Upcycled Door

We've hauled this old door around for a couple of years now.  I thought it'd be fun to turn it into something useful so I showed Keith a few ideas of cupboards I'd saved and he built this wonderful piece to fit the door.  Need to seal it when the weather is better to preserve the wonderful chippy patina and rusted doorknob.  Want to possibly whitewash the rest of the cupboard or at least the trim.  What do you think?

I can't stand going more than a few days without decorating something, so of course this got the 'Anita treatment'.  : )  Found bits and pieces around the house that I enjoy and threw together some vignettes on the shelves.  Of course, I meant for this to be totally functional - not just decorative.  But for now, I'm enjoying the "pretties". 

The milk glass vases I've collected from thrift stores and Goodwill, have already found their way to our bedroom and the inside of the cupboard is currently sporting a more simple coastal theme.  But I'm thinking it'll revert back to garden-y very soon.  I'm already thinking I want this piece in a corner of the master bedroom to hold quilts and such.  Hmmmm....  I have ever-so-many projects in this mind of mine.  Now if Hubs just had the time required.  Gotta love him!

A Shelf

Jaeden, what are you building?

For me?  Awwww...thanks!

Target Practice

Brooklyn's dad got her a BB gun (she's a tad bummed it's not PINK) and so her older brother is giving her a few pointers.

 Having a big brother can have it's good sides.

Uh-oh ~ Mom has the camera out. . . .better put on the hood.  Maybe it'll dissuade her from taking pics. 

As if . . . .

Catch Up

Remember this post last Monday?  This is what transpired that evening.

Even though it was a school night, the kids (and dad) made good use of the snow by sledding late into the night.  Gotta take advantage of it 'cause you never know how long (or not so long) it will stick around! 

It did start raining early the next morning and the snow was ALL gone by the time the kids got home from school. 

White Flowers

Ahhhh...the hope of Spring.

 Hyacinths just starting to pop

Had to buy myself these mini tulips at the market yesterday.  Okay, it wasn't the market, but the grocery store.  Just love the sound of market much better.  The cashier asked if they were for someone else or me.  They're for ME, of course!  Every girl needs some fresh cut flowers in the house every now and again, right?!?  Especially when skies are gray - hence, the not so great lighting (I dislike using flash). 

The pretty flowers make me want to get outside and work in the garden, but it's so cold out still.  Can you believe the weekend is just around the corner again?  Where do the days go?  What are your plans this weekend?

White Stuff

More snow pics???  We know you're probably tired of seeing pictures of it on our blog, but we LOVE the stuff!  We don't get it that much so it's still a novelty to us.  It's coming down at a steady clip this morning and already is so much whiter than this pic I took about 15 minutes ago.  School is NOT cancelled.  Whoohoo!  I can stock up on a little peace and quiet in case school is closed later in the week.  I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for a heavier snow that's been predicted.  Make sure freezer and pantry are stocked.  Blankets and quilts clean.  Clothes laundered in case power goes out.

So. . . . . happy Monday morning! 

New Year's Brunch

Cannot believe I didn't take ONE picture of the potluck brunch we hosted on New Year's Day.  We had a wonderful turnout - 44 people to be exact!  I was in charge of making the coffee and made 100+ cups.  Had to keep the people who'd stayed up late New Year's Eve awake.  Lots of delicious food, too.  We hope everyone had a nice time.  I know we did!  After brunch, there was lots of visiting and game playing.  Great way to start off the new year - with dear friends!

These two pics were of our bonus room and the tables we set up New Year's Eve.  Not the best, but you get the idea.  We did simple centerpieces of silver/gold/black noisemakers and silver and gold wrapped chocolates.

Happy 2011!