Some before and after

I have slowly been doing projects here and there. 

This May I have worked extra days and have had less time at home.  That, however, does not mean less time to plan and brain storm.

 I sure like storage.  This was two dollars at a garage sale.

Yeah, I know.  The paint did not dry perfectly but I kinda like that crackled look.  This two drawer set turned out to be perfect for DVD's.

Remember this?  A recent thrift store purchase. 

  

My friend Jill recommend turquoise for a paint color for the stand when I posted this the first time and I thought it was a great idea.  Here is how it turned out. 

  

I have been on a paint craze for a while. I don't see it ending anytime soon.  Sorry.  Hope it doesn't get old. 

 A fresh coat of paint does wonders. 


What do you think?

Cat Stevens and Classical music

When I was a little girl I took dance classes for a short time but moved onto piano lessons.  I did however, continue to dance in my own way.  I have memories of dancing in our living room to Cat Stevens and classical music.  Sometimes I wish I had stuck with the dance classes.  I have no skill in dancing now that I am an adult.  When you are a little girl you can dance anyway you want and everyone thinks it cute and delightful.  That does not continue to into womanhood.  Bummer.  I have three nieces that are taking dance classes and I had the joy of going to their recital.    

Aren't they wonderful?  

This last picture is not of a relative but of a little girl that refused to dance.  I had to work hard to control from laughing too loud.  Her face tells the whole story of how she feels about dancing.  Children are truly a gift from God, even when they have attitude like this one.  I feel so blessed to have so many nieces and one nephew so close by. 

I need to get myself some Cat Stevens and classical music.  I can still dance in my living room when no one is watching right? 

  

For lovers of the pen (and paper)

I like paper.  A blank page of paper is so inviting.  I have been journaling since I was six and so look forward to picking out a new journal, with so many blank pages.  I like to write letters.  I look forward to Christmas time just so I can pick out the wrapping paper.  I have dabbled with origami, for our wedding we folded a swan for every place setting and loved it because I got to touch a lot of pretty paper.  I would like to learn calligraphy just so I can write fancy on paper.  There is a great paper store in Ann Arbor that I enjoy and made sure to stop by there to find some new stationary.  I found just what I was looking for.  

Here is some paper eye candy before I show you what I found.

      

I like this color combination on this bag.  Blues and oranges.

Here is what I found to bring home.  I would have liked to bring it all home but that's not realistic. 

There is a little feather on the top and the paper is nice and thick.  Doesn't this just make you want to send a letter to a friend? 

 

I have already sent a letter and have more planned. Getting a personal hand written letter is such a treat.  Something that is lost in our day of e-mails, text messages, and writing on walls.

Thrifted finds

Here is what I purchased from my day for thrift store shopping in Ann Arbor.  Check out my post from April 27 for pictures of the shopping adventure. 

 

  This was 5 bucks!

I have been wanting to start a little globe collection.  I worked as a home health aide for a while.  I know this sounds creepy but one of my favorite parts was getting to see what peoples homes looked like.  One house had globes everywhere.  Ever since then it has stayed with me.  They were every size and color.  This is my second globe and I am thinking of painting the stand...any ideas?  I am thinking orange or a more gold color or maybe even green.  What do you think?

 

  I like this little detail. 

This table runner is a little short but I still like it.  Cool huh?  I think this was 10 dollars.  I don't know if you have noticed but I like red. 

Isn't this hoodie the cutest?   I know it makes me look about 10 years younger and that doesn't help when people already still think I am in high school.  All well.  I see many summer nights ahead with this on. This was 5 dollars too.  Yes.  High five.  Deals rock.

Now, what is this you may ask?  Well...a banana holder of course!  What else would it be?  I have some other milk glass and as soon as I saw this and that it was only 14 dollars I knew that it was meant to hold our fruit.

Splash of color

While in Ann Arbor I saw lots of really colorful homes.  Here are a few. 

There was a time when we had moved away from our families shortly after we were married for Jason's new job.  I started to look for a job and filled out what felt like hundreds of applications.  I had interviews and still nothing.  This went on for a year and was a very hard time for me.  I was a college graduate right?  Shouldn't I just be able to get a job?  Isn't that what college is for?  I am still gleaning lessons from that year.  Anyway, I was taking a few classes and considering going back to school for another degree.  I was volunteering in the emergency department at a local hospital a few times a week and learning to be a wife (cooking, cleaning, going on dates with Jason) but still had a lot of time on my hands.  One thing I did to pass the time was walk.  I walked for hours sometimes around town, through neighborhoods, through parks, through antique stores.  With all the walking I grew an appreciation for little details in houses.  Now that we live in a more rural environment I do miss walking through neighborhoods.

Among all these colorful homes Steph showed me the church she grew up in and it was beautiful.

 

Doesn't this courtyard area just look so inviting? 

The little details of the dove on the gate, the vertical lines on this door, and the little hidden staircase that make it all so charming.