Rustic Metal Magnet Board

Well, I decided to get started with getting some things up on the wall in Kennedy's new room and I thought I'd start with somewhere to put all her artwork and little bits of paper. She had a tattered old corkboard before that worked, but this is more fun!

Can you tell what it is?

It's an old cookie sheet! Like a really gucky old one that I never use anymore. The spray paint job was a little less than perfect (or a lot, whatever) so I roughed it up a little and I liked the look.

I found these little magnets that look like push pins at the dollar store, but they were all different colors, so I painted them black. I added a little chick silhouette to go with some of the other artwork I hope to add into the room in the future.

And look, it really works! Neat huh? Pin It

Make Your Trash Can Less Trashy!

Well, I have this little white plastic trash can for my washroom. I've had it for about 10 years. I've always wanted to replace it with one of those fancy ones made out of ceramic or wood or whatever, but those things can run like $40. I've just never felt like we were there yet with any of our washrooms and we're certainly not there with these washrooms in the new house yet.

The other day I got an idea for a quick fix.

This idea is an oldy but a goody for sure. Don't like something? Wrap it in twine!

You know how it goes. Wrap wrap wrap, glue gun, wrap wrap wrap, burn your fingers.

I added a little "G" stamp for our last name. It occurred to me after that people might think the G is for Garbage. That works too!

It's like a whole new trash can! Plus I think it looks kind of beachy, which is fun.

Total cost of this project: $2. $1 cause I ran out of twine and needed to buy more, and $1 cause I lost all my craft paints in a box somewhere and I needed white for the stamp.

That's a whole lot better than $40 for sure!

In fact, I think this may be my favorite project of the month! Linking up for the "Best DIY Projects of February" party!




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What a difference a little paint can make.

Sunday was a painting day for us. We finally got to tackle Kennedy's scary dark blue room after trying to get at it for the last 5 months or so. I forgot to take really true "before" pictures, so you'll be spared the horror of the red curtains, but you can get an idea of what it was like from these photos.

We really just piled all the junk in the middle of the room and got to work. Here's Chris.

Here I am taping. Like my bracelet?

The color we went with was Martha Stewart "Almond Butter". I just love it. It's pinky, peachy, but still works as a neutral in the room.

Can you believe that's the same room? Who knew this was the brightest room in the house? Not I!

But those bare walls are really dying for something to be done with them. And that bedside table really really needs to get painted. All in time.

We still need to put up a lot of trim all around the room, curtains, curtain rods, art work, etc. But already, I feel so much more comfortable in here.

Thank goodness Kennedy likes it too! Although, so was a little concerned that we messed up her dollhouse when we were moving things around.

Even late in the afternoon, this room is just flooded with light. I can't wait to get started on all the fun stuff! Pin It

Check it out! I'm, like, a good mom and stuff!

Today I bring you...

THE INSIDE OF MY FRIDGE!

Super exciting right?

Well, I saw this idea somewhere a couple of weeks ago and I just had to try it out.

I'm always trying to find easy ways to get Kennedy to eat more fruits, veggies, and healthy stuff and so far, she seems to think this is pretty fun.

I just got a little plastic bin, labelled it, and stuck it in the fridge. Then I pre-cut enough yummy healthy stuff and put it into snack-sized portions for her (ok, and me too) to grab and go.

I got some fun little juice bottles as a treat and put some straws in there where she can reach them too. I know these things are full of sugar, but I really just wanted to have the little bottles to reuse for healthier drinks later.

Watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers, yogurt, cheddar cheese. Kennedy definitely had her fill of healthy snacks this weekend. And it's even helping me to snack healthier too.

Now... does anyone have any brilliant ideas to get husbands to eat fruits and veggies? I'm all ears!...er..eyes. Pin It

A wee little bit of Irish up in here

OK, I guess technically, there's a lot of Irish up in here, cause we are Irish and all, but you see what I'm getting at here. I mean decorating wise.

So it's a bit early for St. Patty's day, but sometimes things just happen. One thing led to another last weekend when we were sitting around watching TV and pretty soon craft supplies were out and we were rolling.

Kennedy and I made this rag wreath together, which was awesome because all we needed were some old green fabric scraps and a coat hanger. I'm pretty sure I'll be using this for years to come. The little scrapbook paper sign in the middle might not stand the test of time, but you have to admit it's pretty cute, even if it's not the most Pinterest worthy thing ever.

 

When I think of this time of year, I kind of think a Winter meets Spring theme is appropriate. 

See? Fresh-looking greenery with pine cones. Winter meets Spring. That's also why I've once again kept the decor pretty much the same from Winter and Fall. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself. It's not lazy, it makes perfect sense!

 Same ol' wreath the the addition of a couple of green rosettes. 

Oh look! Another area that hasn't changed much in 4 months. It just keeps working for every new Holiday that comes around. Once again, that's not called lazy, that's called good design!

Kennedy made some more signs.

We made a little garland out of twine and green flowered cupcake papers.

And voila! Festiveness achieved!

Hope you all have the most wonderful weekend ever! Pin It

A Misty, Melty Morning

The weather the other morning was so neat and atmosphery.

Know what I mean?

It was like driving through the opening sequence of classic horror movie as I came home from dropping Kennedy off at school. But in a good way.

 

 There was so much thick, misty, moodiness in the air.

The sky was dark gray, but the air was warm.

The ground underfoot was spongy and soft, but the biggest of the snow drifts were still completely intact.

On one side of the creek, Winter. On the other side, Spring.

Everything was just starting to get a little bit greener.

Green and Gray.

Buds and water droplets.

I just had to grab my little camera and see how much of it I could capture and save for later.

Is it Spring yet where you are? Pin It

You get it, don't you?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today I thought I'd just pop in to say hi and share with you my favorite little gift to myself from the "Valentine's season" this year. Shush. It is a thing.

I found this little tea towel at the dollar store this year and I just think it's the best thing ever. So while I don't expect Chris to understand why this makes me so happy, and frankly it would be a little weird if he did, I
knew you would get it.

You're just the greatest.

Be my other Valentine? Pin It

When things just work out.

Oh, I had big plans for my Valentine's decorating this year, just like pretty much every holiday. Especially now, that I've been off work for four whole days, I thought for sure I would have all kinds of wonderful hand-made decorations and a giant feast planned as well.

Note to self: It takes just a little more than four days to change the world.

So, nothing monumental to show today. I did however, manage a few little moments of Valentine's cheer around the house.

I hit up the dollar store and Walmart, looking for a few things Kennedy and I could put up for fun one day when her school was closed. I was thinking I'd just buy some cheap stuff and throw it away afterwards, and start the real collection of decorations next year, but I kind of like the way these cheapies look around here.

Glittery cherub things and some red transfer ware.

These heart pick things are just fun to put all over the place.

We didn't do too much else. Can you spot the Valentine's decor here?

(Oh man, I just realized I left the bag of trash on the floor from when I was cleaning up the laundry room earlier. Oops.)

 

Anyway, there it is! Just a single heart stuck in with the cedar, still there from Christmas. I just can't let go of it yet.

More cedar and hearts in the dining room, along with some tea lights in my gramma's silver sugar bowls, just in case we decide to have a romantic dinner or something.

I still don't have anything planned though. I should probably get on that... Pin It

A Few Minutes of Winter and Some Big News for Me

Well, we've had about 5 minutes of Winter this year, total. I snapped a few pictures of it about a week ago and I thought I'd show you just how lovely it was.

I say was because we're now back in full fledged brown muddy Spring weather again. Who can complain about Spring in February though?

I've been so looking forward to seeing our house looking like a big ol' cake all covered in icing this year, but it looks like it's just not going to happen. This little dusting we got was still pretty charming.

The fire pit and the barn out back. Those bricks are just leftover from a little sled jump that Kennedy and Chris rigged up across the creek one day when it was frozen. Safe. I know.

 

The creek. Don't worry, it actually only about 8 inches deep. Wouldn't that just make an awesome ice-skating track though? 

 

We have a few of these trees. Judging from what I've seen from other people who have these trees, you're supposed to completely trim off all the new growth every Fall and as you can see, we did not. 

Well, we'll just have to see what becomes of it this year and then I'll trim it up next Fall when I have a little more time on my hands.

But wait, Courtenay, why will you have more time on your hands next Fall if you couldn't get around to it this year?

Good question. Well, you see,  I quit my job.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

That's right. A week from today I will officially be a stay. at. home. mom. 

We're getting settled in the new house now. The time is right. I can. And it's just seems like the right thing for our family right now. 

Get used to hearing a whole lot more from me!

I had rather be on my farm

than be emperor of the world.

-George Washington

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