Something Simple

One of the simple things that I love about this house is the swing that hangs from the avocado tree in the backyard. It's one of those things that when I saw it for the first time I knew this house was going to be perfect for us.

Mind you the swing is far from perfect. Whomever put it up didn't tie it right at the top so instead of swinging back and forth it kind of twirls and spins. I actually think Finley likes it better that way.

It was just a plain old wood swing before I got a hold of it. The seat is nice and wide so even us adults can sit on it. But boy was it ugly. Fashioned with just bolts and 2 x 4's.


































When I saw this on pinterest I knew I had to do it to Finley's swing. I had already planned on painting it at some point, but I love the idea of making it that much more whimsical.

I love it now. It's one of those simple things that makes me smile.

Gettin' Big

My little Finley started pre-school today. I wasn't going to send her until next year since she won't be going to kindergarten until she is almost 6, but her best friend Jude was starting this year so I figured what the heck. After I really thought about it I realized that it is probably going to be great for her. She will get a little structure, get to play with kids (including Jude who is in her class), and hopefully will learn to share and listen a little better.

I can only hope.

Curtain Call

When we moved in almost every window in the house had these awful 2" plastic blinds. Not only are they ugly but they are literally chewed on in places.




















The first thing we did when we moved in was take them down in the bedrooms, laundry room, and the windows above the kitchen sink. The laundry room and sink kitchen windows don't really need a covering so we left them naked. Oh, and one fell down in the living room so there is a temporary curtain hanging in that window.

If money grew on trees I would take them out of the living room too. I think we want to do 2" wooden blinds in there but since there are 4 windows in there, one of them being 72", that is going to cost a small fortune.

For the time being I decided to tackle the east facing kitchen windows. I didn't want to put up something that covered the whole window, I just needed something that gave a bit of privacy. I had some great fabric all picked out but the cheapy in me ran across some fabric at Ikea for only $1 a yard. One dollar a yard for decorator weight fabric! Ok, it's not my favorite and it is a bit girly for me but the finished product came out fantastic.

Here are a few before pictures. I will eventually take down the valances when we decide to paint the kitchen. There's wallpaper underneath them so I think it would look too ugly if I took them down now. Plus, I may use them to display my salt & pepper shaker collection. Oh, and don't look at the stuff on the walls. We haven't really hung anything in there yet. Matt likes to tack things to the walls.







































Here are my new privacy curtains. I decided to split the large one so I can open it from the middle if I want to. I also wanted something simple and not pleated. I think they really warm the kitchen up a bit.

Snapshots

It was finally cool enough yesterday to work on the garage a little bit. It's one of those things that feels like will never get done. Part of the reason I think is because I have so much stuff. Matt jokes he is going to call hoarders on me. I thought it would be fun to snap a few pictures of things that you would see in my side of the garage.

Lots of messy thread




















Box of vintage matches




















One can never have too many barbie parts or trophy tops





























Cool cracker tins perfect for storing stuff





























Pins




















Old cameras and flashbulbs







































Love this book cover





























Nunu





























Everyone needs 3 boxes of wood





























And a little stiffy





























Martha





























Name patch




















What will I ever do with these




















7up anyone





























Fabric waiting to be organized

























































Miss Velvet doll case





























3rd wedding anniversary card Matt made me





























Buttons and buttons. This is only the tip of the iceberg here
















































Awesome tissue paper display




















Stack of old credit cards. good for spreading glue and who knows when I will need one for a "project"




















Funny produce company




















Quilt tops I need to take in the house




















Fun fans

























































Bad art. The barbie heads and torsos are in here





























And I finally found Ringo much to Finleys delight