Home Goals 2011

One of my favorite blogs is Nesting Place, and she did a post recently on her home goals for the year. That Nester is one gifted lady when it comes to making your home feel like you. Needless to say, she is an inspiration to me. I decided to follow her lead and create a list of my own home goals, so here goes...

1. Hang up my pictures. I have so many beautiful photos sitting around in their frames. They're leaning against the computer desk or the wall in the hallway. They deserve better!
2. Treat the windows. My living room needs real curtains, the doors need shades or blinds, and the boys' rooms need shades as well. Colby also needs some valances or short curtains.
3. Install new flooring on the first floor. We have yucky carpet that has seen better days. We're in the process of acquiring new laminate box by box. Our goal is to install it in the spring, likely in late March.
4. Clean up the loft. This is our storage space, and it is the most disorganized space in the house. I want to donate most of the clothing up there to charity and then install the closet organizer that has been sitting there for years. Then I'll get my crafty corner organized. Finally, if there's time (ha ha) I'd like to install some rails for safety.
5. Landscaping! The fenced-in yard needs some TLC. I'll be spending lots of time out there with the boys, so I want it to be a space that makes me happy.
6. Paint and decorate the stairwell. This will be a tough job, as the stairwell is super high. I want the stained ceiling painted, the brass chandelier replaced, the walls painted and pictures hung. I think the banister needs a coat of paint too.

That should keep me busy for several months, don't you think? 

Handmade Christmas Ornament

I found a tutorial for this adorable half-eaten gingerbread man ornament on elsie marley's blog. He was super easy to make and I think I may try to make more handmade ornaments next Christmas. As for this little guy, he's headed to the MOMS Club ornament exchange tonight. Hopefully he'll add a touch of whimsy to someone's family tree!

My First Woodworking Project

Sweet Little Ava Marie turned one year old recently. Her mama said she needed some book storage, and being the book junkie that I am, I loved the idea. I looked around at lots of stores, but all I could find was cheap particle board stuff. I wanted something cute and durable, and I found what I wanted on Ana White's site.


I followed Ana's easy cutting and assembly plans and the final product came out better than I could have dreamed! And best of all, I didn't cut off any of my fingers in the process!

Here they are hanging in Miss Ava Marie's playroom.


So cute! I hope she turns into a little bookworm, too!

Glimpses of Home

I love these windows. They let so much beautiful sunlight into our living room. Just a few days ago, it got warm enough outside that we could open the windows. Guess who couldn't resist standing there and gazing at our front yard for what seemed like forever?

I also love this couch. It is my roost. I think its days are numbered because the cushions have lost their "cush", but it has served me well over the past couple of years. Oh, and see that box next to my roost? That's Wyatt's roost. He likes to climb into the very back of it and hide out. I wouldn't dream of throwing it out because it clashes with my decor; that ugly old cardboard box will stay there as long as my boy wants.

Today I'm participating in Glimpses of Home at Chatting at the Sky. If you've never checked out this blog, go there now! The photography and writing are top notch, and Emily, the blogger, makes you feel like she is speaking directly to you with each word.

Menu Plan Monday November 23

One of the most stressful parts of the day around here seems to come at 5:30 p.m. That's when the dreaded question is asked by either the hubby or me: What's for dinner? And it never fails that one of us will come up with a good idea only to find that we're missing one...or five ingredients. Argh.

So in an effort to alleviate this daily frustation, I've decided to try menu planning. I've done it in the past, but it was always just a list I jotted down on the fridge note pad. I'd rather try to put it in a more permanent place so that I can refer back to previous plans, so I decided this blog is a great place for it! And there couldn't be a more perfect week to start, seeing as how Thanksgiving is Thursday, so that day is already planned!

Thanks to I'm an Organizing Junkie for putting together Menu Plan Monday!



Okay, so here's my first Life on the 'Throw Menu Plan Monday entry:

MONDAY: Mexican night! Tacos and Quesadillas; salad on the side for me

TUESDAY: Chicken a la Vodka Farfalle, Steamed Broccoli, Garlic Toast

WEDNESDAY: Crock Pot Beef Stew, Bread, Green Beans

THURSDAY: Thanksgiving turkey for lunch and dinner!

FRIDAY: Pizza night

SATURDAY: Steak medallions, green beans, mashed potatoes

National Poetry Day

The fog comes
on little cat feet.

It sits looking
over harbor and city

on silent haunches
and then moves on.

-Carl Sandburg (1916)

Letter Sorter Therapy

What a sad-looking little letter organizer. Dull brown finish. Labeled a meager $1.99. Empty of all manner of junk mail or office supplies. Simply unable to fulfill its organizational destiny. (Can you hear the violin music?)

I was at the thrift store a few months ago and spotted this gem lying at the end of a checkout aisle. It was ugly, but that day happened to be Labor Day, which means everything is half price! So I purchased it and toted it home where it continued to exist in its depressed state until yesterday when I finally made it purty.

First, I spray painted it a nice off-white, neutral shade:

Yep, that's a glossy finish. This thing's going to sit on my kitchen counter, so it needs to be easy to clean.

Not so sad-looking anymore, but not necessarily chipper, wouldn't you agree? I decided it needed a little color, so I dug out some botanical print scrapbook paper and Mod Podged the backs of the slots:

Now that's an improvement! I added a few label holders and this little letter sorter looked like it was practically smiling at me! But it still wasn't fulfilling its organizational destiny, so...

I stuffed it full of all the items lying on the hot mess that is my countertop. Ah, no more sad little letter sorter. And no more messy landing pad. Now I just have to train the husband to use it!

I'm linking up to DIY Day at Kimba's A Soft Place to Land. Go check out oodles of creative projects!