Nature...

I love Oregon and I need something to distract me from my kid who is home from school. She is pretty much better from her sickness except for a very persistent cough. I took these pictures when we went there last month. Love the green. Love the trees. Love the water. Love the sand. Oh and I even love the spiders. (Only if they are perched safely away from the house and in the middle of their webs!)

Bathroom Redo...

If you have been to my house you have seen my little tiny bathroom that's at the front of the house. You step up a couple steps and there you have it, a little tiny bathroom. The ceiling is very low, I can even touch it standing on my tippy toes. Oh and the thing I really dislike about it is there is a stinkin' window right to the side of the toilet! I can't do anything about the window, unfortunately, but I can do something to make it not seem like a midget bathroom. With some ideas from my friend and some inspiration from a pillow I have I gave my bathroom a little makeover! Here is the photographic evidence:

Before and during pictures (click to enlarge)

Now for the BIG REVEAL!

Looking into the bathroom from outside it.

Above the toilet some much needed decor.

We installed a hand towel ring for your hand drying convenience.

Towels are a work in progress. I like them but Marshall's didn't have enough of the print I wanted (the big one), so I am trying to see if the other one (the small one) will work.

Rug is also trying to win it's way into my heart. What do you think?

Finishing touch is the window valance I made. Big thanks to Darla, I could never do things like this without her inspiration and drill!

Project complete!

Canning Adventure...

Last week a couple friends and I split some boxes of produce. We got them for a good price that Sara so kindly organized and picked up. Stacie and I decided we would can our portions of produce. Well, my dear friend Stacie had never canned before in her life! I, on the other hand, have canned many a times during my life with my grandma and step mom. That being said I am not used to being the one all knowing about what I am canning. So with a little help from this huge jem:

Stacie and I were on our way! First day we did salsa with our tomatoes and jam with our peaches. The next day we did tomato sauce with the rest of our tomatoes (we had a lot of tomatoes that were VERY ripe). Then the last day I whipped out the pears. Here is a collage of the fruit of our labors!

Who wants to join us next year?

I now declare blog strike -OVER!

I suppose I was on a blog strike. At first it wasn't a conscious decision to be on a strike. I really didn't have anything to blog about. Then came the first day of school. Everyone was blogging about the first day of school. The kids in front of the house with their backpacks on. Looking so cute in their new school clothes. Big huge grins strewn over their faces. We took pictures like that. We really did. But what happened after those pictures were taken was something we didn't really see coming. It may seem like nothing to you, but it is definitely something to me.

Separation Anxiety

No I wasn't the one having this problem, my new 1st grader was. It had been slowly creeping it's ugly head just when the summer had started. We can't even say that there was a real trigger, because it was so gradual. Then first day of school happens, and BOOM, it's ugly head is there in full force taking over my sweet sweet child. Because this child is usually such a sweet, happy, and bouncy kid this thing made her seem like someone I didn't even know. It really scared me.

When it came time to possibly blog about this occasion. I sat down on my computer and looked at the cute pictures of the happy child.

Then I lost it.

That is when the strike truly began. With time and counseling my child is doing lots better. The big ugly head that is separation anxiety only comes up a little now. We are having lots of help with dealing with this from her teacher and a therapist that we are taking her to.

I can now share the pictures from the 1st day of school. But you will have to go to the family blog to see them! Let me know if you need an invite to that.

Feelin' crafty...

So here is what I have done in the past few weeks:

I read Confessions of a Shopaholic.
I read Shopaholic takes Manhattan.
I read Shopaholic ties the Knot.
I read The Time Traveler's Wife.
I read The Actor and the Housewife.

I babysat for multiple people.

I helped my kids with their summer schoolwork that I so kindly bestowed on them.

I did laundry, but did not iron, so therefore I have a nice ironing pile waiting for me.

I started a Facebook page, not sure what I think about it, but it's fun to see old friends on there.

I forced my friend to let me and another friend help her pack up for her move.

I gave some much needed cooking lessons to my very young, but dear friend!

I wore my new THE FRAY T-shirt not once, not twice, not three, but four times since the concert. (I may have to post a picture!)

Last, but certainly not least.....
I got CRAFTY!!

This is big for me since I am so far from crafty! Luckily this craftiness was helped by an idea on a website. Here they are:

A little Giraffe!

The Giraffe and (anorexic) Elephant!

Back side is MINKY! (so soft!)

I made these for my friend's little girl that just turned one last week. I LOVE how they turned out. I even had to draw the template by myself. Even though the elephant is anorexic, I don't care! I'm also going to make a couple tote bags this week. I'm in a sewing mood!

Happy Birthday to me!

Last week was my birthday and my birthday present from DH was redeemed last night! We went to THE FRAY CONCERT! You remember my love of their new album? Well I am even MORE in love with it now! Seeing them perform live was amazing and I can't wait til they come again!!!

p.s. I posted a new playlist so now you get to listen to The Fray! Aren't you so happy about that?

YUM-O...

The 4th of July holiday just a couple days away and I have not a clue what we are going to do. So far we are going to hit the parade in the morning. After that, who knows. What I do know is that I want to share with you a super yummy dessert I made a few weeks ago. Here it is:

Simply Sensational Strawberry Shortcake

(if you click on the top picture it will take you to the recipe)

The recipe is from from Kraftfoods and it is so DELICIOUS!! If you need a nice summer treat here you go!