things I love

1. I love the sound of my 2 year old singing.

2. I love when you finish a project that you have been procrastinating to get done.

3. I love when someone surprises me by cleaning up the kitchen : )

Em does this for me quite often : )

4. I love to see the JOY that abounds when one of my kids does something that they didn't think they could do.

Sara scored her first basket last night in! It was a foul shot!

5. I love the way it feels when you watch the man that you adore loving the children God has gifted you.

6. I love how I feel after I have worked out hard. That sore feeling that makes you know you worked your butt off.

I do not have a picture of this so use your imagination.....

7. I love to see my lulu running.

8. I love the smell of a newborn baby.

& That little cupids kiss : ) Oooh how I love that!

9. I love looking at my children and seeing all the potential in them.

10. I love expressing my self thru my photographs.

My exciting life & Play Kitchen

I have to tell you that I can't even believe just how excited and thrilled I am that I have reached across and touched the United Kingdom! So thank you to the 2 readers from across the ocean! I would love for you to leave some sort of comment or become a follower of my blog. I know I know that sounds like an odd request but it would mean so very much to me : ) Pleeeeze. (must I beg) It is easy. Really. Just click be a follower..... I have none yet. Be the first!

Well, anyway that is my exciting life. ( I am so easily amused)

So I finished the kitchen for Madelyne! Alright! YAY! It took me longer then expected (what doesn't) I would do a few things differently if I ever make one again. My husband (who likes to remain anonymous on this blog) helped me with the big guns (ie Table saw/ Miter saw/ Jigsaw) I guess he likes all my appendages..... hehe. I was so anxious to begin this project (impatient is more like it) I did a few things wrong. I am willing to try again if anyone wants me to make one. It was fun. I got my inspiration from here, Vintage Songbird.

Before.... UGLY (sorry if any of you have this)

I removed all the knobs and plastic veneer trim.

I paid $15 at a thrift store. ( my husband told me that was to much)

I didn't relize at the time that it is plastic on the outside of it. Made it hard for the paint to stick so I ended up (after painting it several times to use a spray paint intended for plastic)

After

I have to find some more little hooks and also something to hang on the Left side next to the shelf. I am going to try and find a little clock.

Thanks to my Aunt Bee who I "borrowed" the bowl to make the sink. The burners are blank CD's.

I sewed up the little curtain, pot holders & oven mitts and towel

The little drawer front my husband removed all the inner working's of the drawer. We put hinges on it and it pulls open like an oven door. We also removed the bottom drawer where the curtain is so she can store the food and play things in there.

This side was supposed to be the chalkboard. After several attempts at spraying it over and over I gave up it kept scratching and wouldn't work so I painted it white.

I decided to paint the back with the chalkboard paint. Here is our budding artist. (She told me that was her name she drew)

Photographs

I Got to go out and photograph some of our good friend "Snow's" Artwork. I have blogged about him before. He is a very talented artist. I love this new piece he has created! The colors are amazing. It is beautiful! So enjoy taking a look.

I really like the one above.

Carm & Em

I have such cooperative models : )

These last 2 were on the way home. Dom made me close the window. (It was about 20 degree's out) some people just don't understand artist..... lol

This is a church in Caldwell, NJ it is very lovely. We were sitting at a light and I looked up and it was so ethereal. I love love love the way the light is coming up from the bottom of the picture. Gradating to the dark blue of the sky. This was taken SOTC (straight out of the camera) No FLASH.

I am almost down with Maddie's little kitchen I was busy busy busy working on it last night. I even sewed up some little accessories to go with it. IT will most likely be done today after nap time. I can't wait to give it to her to play with. I have a feeling it is going to be a huge hit. And it has been fun to make it. (Dom has been helping me with the power tools needed.) More on that in the next post.

Well, Enjoy your day everyone.

ramblings.....

Holy Cuteness! I am in love! I feel some craftiness in my near future..... DIY PLAY KITCHEN

I think this is one of the cutest idea's that I have come across in Blogland. I can't wait to get started.... Nap time seems so far away.

Tonight is the first night of Zumba! I am actually really really looking forward to it. I am forcing my Mom to go with me! Should be fun. Here is hoping for a new healthier me. (I am trying really I am) Need to try harder.

Onto Potty Training. Maddie is doing well. I find the more accidents she has the more she realizes that she does not like that wet feeling and is becoming more aware of what is going on. So it just requires a bit more laundry on my part but that is OK. Maybe by Spring we will be out of diapers. At least during the day. That will be a nice savings in the wallet area. Should have used entirely Cloth. Would have saved money in the entire scheme of things and would have been potty trained by around 2. Oh well.... (I was going to say next time) Don't think that applies..... I wouldn't mind... Dom says "No More" hey it is in God's hands. Right? Right!

Love Dare Update- I didn't do very much reading last week. Em was sick I was tired.... Didn't do well. ( Excuses, Excuses ) We did watch the movie, Fireproof. I sobbed at the end. Great Movie for you to watch with your spouse.

I have to go and purchase one new hairdryer..... UGHHH. I feel like I have to buy a new one every six months. I guess the fact that you have 3 people using it on a constant bases means you go thru them faster. It was sparking yesterday. NOT GOOD. Having one of my girls head of hair catching on fire is not my idea of a good time. Need I say More!

Ooooo I have a upcoming Photo Shoot. My Wonderful Friend , Paul told me about something and I am dyeing to go shoot some pics of it. I will post them when I do. Maybe tomorrow.

Drop Cloths & Old Books - Part Deux & The Progression not in that order

BEARD

THE PROGRESSION

With out

Just getting started

Nice Paul! Good Work! We like the beard!

Drapes and Old Books

First I would like to show you what I have been up to. I made these Drapes for the living room. They turned out better then I could have ever hoped! I love them. I saw the idea here. I ran out and found drop cloths at Home Depot. (They had 2 for $9) Wow! Cheap. Threw them in the washer and dryer to soften them up and then ironed them. I sewed button holes across the top (2 inches down & Every 4 inches across the top) Ran out and got Target' (Say it with La French Accent) Curtain Rods in Black. Weaved them thru the top, asked my Husband to hang them up and Voila! They look like linen. Love them. I still have to hem the bottoms But, I like the way they puddle at the floor. So Grand Total per window......... $20. YAY! we are on a budget over here! I really liked the pottery barn Drapes with the grommets. 1 panel is $69. and One rod is $49! You do the math.... That is $187 per window treatment. ahhh life is good!

The picture is not great. I was rushing... I always try and take my photos while trying to get dinner on the table! ADD brain as Dominic calls me..... (so True)

Old Book Wreath.

So here it is my Old Book Wreath . Saw this here. Loved it. Bought a wreath form for $9 went down into the basement found a old book form the 30's. went upstairs checked the computer to make sure it wasn't worth anything before I tore out the pages. (it wasn't) and went to town with Hot Glue. It took me 3 days ( a bit here and a little there) and I love it! It is huge. I had originally thought it would be smaller (but I had to pick the Largest wreath form they had...) I was going to hang it some place else but it was toooo big. well it is pretty awesome! very happy with how it turned out! and super easy.

Have a great week!