Yep, I'm Color Challenged!!

It's the day before the new counter tops arrive - and I've spent the day priming, painting and RE-painting the kitchen walls.

As much as I love color, after I had carefully selected a caramel color to contrast the counter tops, and painstakingly applied, when it dried - it just didn't work!   Has anyone else done this?   It just dried darker, much darker in fact, that the sample.  And what I envisioned as being cozy warm turned out to be NOT SO COZY WARM! 

So perhaps after the counter tops are installed, I'll give it another whirl.  For now, it's just simple, clean and calm.

But the bright side is that a fresh coat of paint always makes things brighter.

Happy Monday everyone!

Dreaming of Spring...

The sun has been shining the last several days, the snow is melting and I find myself searching for signs of spring.   You know, a bud on the tree, a flower peeking through the snow, etc.  

A few weeks early, but the sunshine has really been a welcome sight for most of us. 

Life continues to happen around here - just remembering to breath and enjoy the good days!  Thanks to those who have checked in....it is appreciated more than you will ever realize.

Best wishes for a wonderful weekend for all of you!

Big Red - Grand Haven, Michigan

I'm joining Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday. 

It has been warmer the last three days - snow is melting, ice melting and sun shining upon us.  The weather forecast for tonight is typical of winter - 8 to 10 inches predicted.  Guess it's to be expected (we are not that far from spring!).  These photos were taken a week or so ago at one of my favorite winter spots.  There is such beauty in nature!

Things that Make Me Happy

Gentle kisses

Hugs

The sound of laughter

My hubby coming home from work

Spending time with my grown children

My grandchildren

Board games with family and friends

Hand-written notes

Good books

Hot cider/hot chocolate

Long walks

Sunsets

Sunrises

Old Photographs

Bubble-baths

A roaring fire

A clean house

Sounds of the ocean

Browsing through antique shops

Fresh clean sheets

Flowers

Visiting historic neighborhoods

Canoeing

Festivals

Good hair days

Down-filled comforters

Scented candles

Music

A good game of Scrabble

Museums

The Weather Outside is Frightful...

Isn't this awesome!   

So many of us have been deluged with excessive and unexpected amounts of snow.  Being one of the fortunate  few, we ventured outside for a bit this past weekend.  And burrr, it was a long walk on a short pier!!   The sight of my walking down the ice-coated pier would have been great fodder for American's Greatest Videos. 

I just don't bounce up like I use to!   

It did give me a new respect for those olympic ice skaters!

Here's wishing us all a warm cup of hot chocolate, a good book, warm boots and the strength to hold on until spring!

We're getting there...

Here's a peek at the almost finished project, or this part of the kitchen redo, and I'm very happy with the results.   I simply cannot wait to get in there and start dusting, cleaning and getting my home back together. I've decided I'm a much nicer person when things are in their right place!  

Thank you for your input - lighter flooring has made such a difference!!   And when we get the new countertops, the transformation will be complete!

Your opinion ...please.

I need some suggestions!

The old tile in the kitchen floor is gone (thankfully!) and the hardwood floor has been extended from the dining room.  I like the look of the natural wood, or the lighter color of  the natural wood. The guy was here today and sanded the dining room and kitchen floors - what a difference.  So light and airy.  We checked they stains they brought and yuck - didn't match, so more are coming tomorrow.  The kicker is the kitchen cabinets are darker with a reddish tone to them. 

My question is - dare I go with a natural or lighter stain on the floor?  Have any of you seen/done this in your kitchens?   This isn't something a can of paint and a little time will correct if I do it wrong!  

Grrrrrr. decisions, decisions, decisions! 

Help!!

I Forgot About the Dust...

We are definitely in the middle of projects......and it does feel good.  That being said, I forgot about the dust involved in taking up tile floors (perhaps because I've never done before!)  Rooms are rearranged, knick-knacks have been packed and moved to a safe location.  Furniture is shoved in the funniest places.

I was setting up a little table last night for computer access and found that I REALLY LIKED this little corner in the living room....feels comfortable and cozy.  More thought needs to be given to the rearranging of the living room (more like a great room).  Then...this morning the dust became a bit to much (and the noise!) so I moved my little table into the bedroom.............and this feels good too. 

So what started out as a simple project (if you can call that simple) feels like more rearranging in other rooms.  Am I the only one who has these moments??

I'll be back - as soon as the dust settles a little more.

Timing is Everything...

For months we have pondered replacing the kitchen flooring, putting in new countertops and sink in the kitchen and redoing the fireplace in our lower level family room.   We've looked at books, leisurely browsed through stores and have taken our time in deciding what we wanted.  I'm not sure what happened, or for that matter, how it happened, but in the last four days everything has come together!

The workers were here this morning chipping away the stone on the fireplace.  The fireplace guys have arrived and are doing their thing.  I received a call yesterday from the flooring company and they will be here Thursday morning.  No problem, we'll just move the stove, refrigerator, etc into the..........living room??? 
(Ah, my favorite thing to make - reservations!!!)

(On a nice spring day we could  move everything into the garage - but winter and Michigan weather just doesn't bode well for parking vehicles outside!)  It will only be 3 or 4 days! 

The wonderful  news about all of this is that I'll need to temporarily rearrange my living room out of necessity ...and as long as we are moving things around, it's time for a new look.   Our furniture is big and heavy and I am unable to move it by myself.  Although I am married to the man of my dreams, he just doesn't see the need to move things around -you know, just find a spot and nail it down.  This is going to be fun. (And to give "the sweetie" a fair shake, he will do just about anything I ask!)

Wish me luck. Pictures will be coming and I'll be asking for input and suggestions.

Have a great day ladies!!

Alzheimers

If your parents are still with you, please take a moment to hug them, hold them, and tell them how much you love them and how important they have been to you.   Don't wait - there may come a day when they just don't comprehend.  And please say a quiet prayer for those who are facing the loss of life as it was once known.

Happy New Year!!

Best wishes to each of you for a splendid, wonderful, happy, healthy and beautiful New Year. May all of your dreams come true!

Do you make a list of resolutions for the New Year? For me, it's time to get busy exercising, start that "Monday" diet and get back to my regular posts!!

Holidays were filled making memories with the family - it is truly the most wonderful time of year! How I miss miss them when they all leave.

And maybe start thinking about taking down those Christmas decorations...........soon.

Happy New Year!

Toys, tops, books and bears...

And as the closets are emptied I am finding more and more goodies - and running out of places to put them!

This one is old, homemade and in my early bear phase - and still one of my favorites.

I should get a better angle so you can truly appreciate it!

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas

Decorating is just fun - happy in your heart fun - no doubt about it.  I am a collector of things and very sentimental when it comes to decorations.   As a result, I have multiple trees and way too many boxes of ornaments.   After visiting your blogs, I suddenly feel much better about it as I now realize I'm not alone! 

I am joining Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Mondays.  Please join her to see more lovely mosaics.

It Sparkles and Glitters

In the Meadow We Can Build a Snowman - Winter has arrived!

Our first snow - 8 plus inches with schools closed!

Isn't is beautiful - I can say that as I'm not driving in it or shoveling it.

Can't wait to get out there tomorrow and see what snapshots I can find. 

And it just goes to show I should have moved the deck furniture BEFORE I put up the tree!

"Scarlett Syndrome" kicked in again - "I'll worry about it tomorrow!"

Holiday Traditions

Traditions are such an integral part of us and the approaching holiday brings out special memories for all of us.  Each year, those traditions become more precious to me.  As I thumb through magazines looking at beautifully decorated trees, my heart soars...then as I unpack the decorations, sentiments kick in.

Who can resist the ornaments made by our grade schoolers?   Am I the only one who has a paper plate angel (made by my 40 year old son when he was in 1st grade) as a tree topper?  They just don't make those Dixie paper plates like they used to!    Or the pictures glued on paper cups or styrafoam cups?

Yes, my tree is beautiful and one of our holiday traditions is the festive crowning of the paper plate angel - which all kids participate in!  And if you look closely, you will find nestled in the tree among the glistening ornaments those homemade ornaments from years gone by.  Truth be known, I treasure those more than anything.

And I've found that multiple trees are the perfect answer.  One for each room!  And this year, we added a new tradition for Grandpa and I.  Our 4 yr old grandson and 18 month old granddaughter put up their own trees in our family room...one 6 ft tree and a cluster of five little trees...the first of another new tradition.  Just watching them in their excitement will be a moment I will forever cherish.   They ran out of steam long before I ran out of ornaments... it was pure delight.  Topped by a special showing of "Tinkerbell" - can you think of a better way to spend the day?

I'm curious - what is your decorating style?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

You can feel the excitement in the air.

People are starting to smile and look you in the eyes

saying "Merry Christmas"

This time of year seems to bring out the best in all of us.

It is time to rejoice!

It's a New Look

It took a new look - and this is temporary - to find my "followers" again.  Although you could see them in bloggerland, I was not able to do so.  Changing the template seemed to solve the problem - wish everything were that easy!

Life just keeps happening and I'm struggling to get back into daily postings.  I'm grateful for those of you who continue to stay tuned.  

Weather here has been absolutely beautiful this weekend.   Ventured out today after a week in bed with the flu - felt so good.    My intentions were to accomplish lots - let's just say that didn't happen, but what I did do,  I did well!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow!

How Quickly It Changes,,,

Snow - was that actually snow this morning - can't be!

But it was and thankfully just enough to cover the table on the deck

and it melted quickly.

I don't about you, but I'm just not ready for snow YET!

Actually this picture is about two weeks ago and the rain took care of the leaves - they are still beautiful - just now on the ground.  And the rain has continued to make it impossible to pick them up.  Hopefully this weekend we will be able to "winterize". 

It's only a few weeks until Thanksgiving and my grandson reminded me tonight that
Christmas is just around the corner.

    How did this happen - it should only be July - August at the latest!

Please tell me I'm not the only one that feels this way.

I'd better kick it into gear if I'm going to be ready for all of this.   Just please, no snow YET!

Oh NO! Oh NO!

I've lost my followers......a computer issue or two....thought I had it resolved. Now I find that my "followers" list is gone. Is anyone getting my posts??? Please let me know.

Thanks.