Signs of Spring

So what are some of your favorite signs of spring??? The sun, buds on a tree, flowers starting to bloom---no traces of snow and thawing ground are a two that ring a bell to this would be 'farm girl' as my neighbor likes to call me! I decided this year to expand my garden...just a bit. It is about twice the size it was last year! Another new addition---I decided to take a chance at growing a few plants indoors--starting from seed and transplanting. Lastly, I am doing this garden ALL organic! Wish me luck, I'm going to need it!!!


A good start on the plants
Getting the grounds prepped and ready for what will hopefully be a bountiful harvest!!!! Stay tuned for updates!
Another tell tale sign of spring....baby birds. I tried with all my might to keep knocking down the nest a robin so diligently (and stubbornly) kept building at the widow's ledge in the kitchen. It was such a mess...everyday I would walk past and see yard debris....not to mention bird droppings all over the edge of the patio. I kept taking it down--4 days in a row, but missed 1 day...ONE day, and there was a full nest---embedded into the screen with a single egg in it so I couldn't touch it! After a few more days there were 4 beautiful eggs and a great 'story' for the girls to watch. They got the biggest kick out of the "birdies".


It's time for lunch
Momma bird back with more food
Look how cute!!!

Home Imporvements---At Nini's House!

A while back, I told my mom I would help her remodel two of the bedrooms in her house. She decided to get the carpet ripped out, new hardwood floors installed, and new trim, as well as repaint and remove wallpaper. I can't tell you how amazing it looked once it was all done! She had the color choices narrowed down in each of the bedrooms based on the bed spreads she picked out so all we had to do was patch a few places on the walls, paint the ceilings and walls, then pick out all the fun accessories. I volunteered to make custom window treatments too---just to make it look that much cozier since she wasn't able to find exactly what she wanted.

The pictures really don't do the rooms justice--but you can take a peek anyways! Too bad I don't have before and afters!


The Beach Room
The wall color wasn't exactly what she had hoped for, but turned out to be a perfect compliment to the bed spread! It has a very calming feeling! I just LOVE this room and want to do something similar to the master bedroom in our place in Florida!
The fun accessories we picked out! LOVE those birds!
Adorable lamp and picture frames my mom found. I especially like the 'models' in the photos!


"Lexie's Room". My mom loves primitive, simple decor. The bedspread was a perfect match to an existing picture my mom had. The lamp shade, sheets and curtains all match. The headboard was the perfect compliment to the room--nice job mom!
I love the muted mustard like color on the walls! Simple and stylish!!!
Now, I just need to get cracking on the window treatments for her master bedroom!!!!

You 'bed'a believe it....

Luckily, we never have problems with Lexie (or Olivia for that matter) when bedtime rolls around. Sure there might be an occasional groan or a "can I stay up and watch just a little bit of the Backyardigans---Pleeeease?"...but that is where it ends. Who can blame her for wanting to dive right into her big girl bed---especially since it has new ADORABLE bedding!!!
Thanks to GG and Gpa for this incredibly cute set---it makes her (and her room) feel more like a big girl!


Lexie loves the colors and the characters...especially the owl pillow (she thinks it is a pillow pet)!


Closer detail of the shams and 'pillow pet'. She also got a night light which she calls her 'special little light' that matches the set!


We have a few pictures to put up on the wall to complete the look, but otherwise--her room is PERFECT!

It's begining to Look & SMELL alot like Christmas!

Lexie was VERY VERY VERY into Christmas this year...which made it that much more fun for the rest of us! She wanted to help--with EVERYTHING. She loved decorating the tree, hanging the stockings, sorting through Christmas cards--and BAKING COOKIES! At last count, we made 28 dozen cookies!!! She sure is a good helper!!!

We put the finishing touches on the banister days before Christmas.
Lexie thought it "looked beautiful"
We started running out of room to put all of our cookies to cool.
Lexie put all of the kisses on these cookies! These were my favorite--gluten free, vegan, peanut butter kiss cookies! They were DELICIOUS--and healthy too!

Arranging our goodies for Christmas day!
I found these adorable melted snowman cookies on a blog some time back and thought I would give them a try. Lexie had a field say with these!
By using recipes for royal icing, sugar cookies, and a little imagination...we were able to make these snowman deliciously adorable! (if I do say so myself!)

More Home Improvements

While we have stopped short of any "major construction projects" for now, Russ and I decided that some of our walls needed a splash of color. I decided to start with the dining room. With the new valance, and muslin color already on the wall, it was almost screaming for some attention.
I think Russ and I both had some reservations about the color, but we really love the finished product!!! It really makes the trim work and the furniture pop!

Just in the Nick of Time!

It has been a looooooong process finishing our basement, but there is a light (literally) at the end of the tunnel! Russ completed all the lighting in the main room while I have been working on the ceiling. Once Russ snapped the grid in place, I was able to pop in the tiles. The fun part has been cutting all the border pieces! How did I get stuck with that job??? Anyways, the cabinets for the bar have been installed and my dad is coming this week with the bar top and to help us with the last bit of electrical work and trim. The carpet is supposed to be here wednesday or thursday and the shower enclosure was completed today! It is reallllly starting to take shape now...we just hope, scratch that-PRAY everything works out according to schedule! We don't have much time before our holiday guests arrive! The first group of guests roll in on Saturday, then Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Turkey Day! Keep your fingers crossed!



We are anxiously awaiting the removal of the posts in order to have the carpet installed...neither task is something Russ nor I are willing or able to do!





A "working" view from behind the bar, complete with a mini-man fridge!!





Let there be light!!!! Look at that drop ceiling! This is what we meant by not your "typical grandma and grandpa drop ceiling"...no offense g-ma and g-pa!





I had to throw this pic in for good keeping! It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays!!!! It has been snowing for the last two days! Luckily, the ground is still pretty warm and it hasn't been sticking!


Wish us luck on the last final push to get this basement finished! I promise to post pictures of the before and after as soon as the after is completed! It really doesn't seem possible that we are this close to having it done! I can't wait!!!

All Work and No Play

We have been so busy with the basement that I haven't had the time to post any updates. I think the folks at Home Depot were beginning to think I worked there, so I decided not to make the daily journey or set foot in the basement today. Instead, I focused on cleaning the rest of the house for all of our guests this weekend!

We are further ahead on our "little" project than what Russ and I expected thanks to looooooong hours of hard work, and a weekend visit from grandpa! While my dad's house in Houston was being ravaged by hurricane Ike, he was here to help us tile the bathroom and assist us on a few other projects! We can't thank him enough for all of his hard work and valuable insight! We definitely learned a great deal this weekend! Here are a few pictures of all the progress that has been made!


Russ working on the suspended ceiling. As you can see we have already started panting the walls...they are about 75% of the way done!!!


Here is our fabulous new shower!! Thanks DAD for doing such an amazing job! Russ and I can't decide if we like the paint we selected. He wanted a "fun" color...something that would pick up on the tempered glass accents...I think it kinda looks like someone smeared mint chocolate chip ice cream all over the walls! We may be heading to Home Depot for a little bit less "electric" looking hue!


It was a pizza party for the USC vs OSU game. Lexie couldn't help but steal a bite from her pawpaw.



It was a depressing loss, but Lexie is still a fan the morning after the game!



The visit wasn't long enough for Lexie! Here she is giving her grandpa kisses...she misses him already and can't wait for him to come visit again! (We promise, we won't work you like a dog on your next visit dad!!)

More Progress for the Do It Yourselfers

We are finally approaching the end of the mudding "phase" and will be able to check off that box soon! Now comes the reallllllly messy part of sanding. We have been doing a little bit at a time, and boy does it make a mess...EVERYWHERE, and I mean EVERYWHERE! We have a pretty tough goal to get this part finished, and cleaned up, before the arrival of guest coming for Russ's going away/Lexie's "birthday" bash!!! Keep your fingers crossed!!!


The fireplace without the mantel. Just went in today and is already mudded!!! Yippee!


Russ, behind the shell of his new bar, working diligently on the ledge for his "top shelf liquor".


This project is a real family affair!! Lexie came down to supervise!


Lexie can't wait for the mess to be cleaned up so she offered to help sand a bit!!!

Master's Got Me Working

We have finally been able to get some work done to the outside of our new home.  Thanks to GG and Gpa, who came in for a weekend to help landscape...and a quick trip from Pawpa to help extend the deck, the place is starting to take shape!  The weather cooperated while our little helpers were visiting so a great deal of hard work has paid off!

OHHH AAHHHH.  And Yes, we finally have grass growing, and growing, and growing...and for those of you with impeccable eye sight, we have weeds too~ : )

We have recently started our newest DIY project.  Yes, Russ and I...with the help of Lexie of course...have stared finishing the basement.  Our goal is to have it completed for all of our Thanksgiving guests so we have been working on it in all of our spare time.  Russ and Pawpa Brad roughed in all the electrical and we have even started hanging insulation and drywall. I will keep you posted with our progress!!!