Until next time, think Happy Thoughts!
Monday, April 18, 2016
Hello Summer
Don't judge me, but I think I'm a little excited for summertime! For some, summertime in our neck of the woods is far from desirable. After all, temperatures soaring well into the 100's isn't ideal for most folks. But, since February, our lives have been one giant obstacle after another (although we've taken it in stride most of the time), and I think I'm ready for a little R&R. Otherwise known as summer at our house. I'm talking about no early morning rush for the coffee cup, lunch bags and running out the door to be at the front of the loooooong line at the high school for drop off. No more mad printing of homework and running out for missing school supplies. Just days of bare feet, pjs, and iced coffee by the pool while I watch the boys strategically plan their cannonballs. Yes, the hubs and I will still be working and my oldest son will go to summer school, but it won't be nearly THIS challenging. Thank goodness. So, let's cheer for summer peeking around the corner! And let's dust off our hammocks and our lounging pants!!!!
Until next time, think Happy Thoughts!
Until next time, think Happy Thoughts!
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Springtime Baking
Since I've been displaced from my kitchen, I have experienced unusually strong urges to bake. Reminds me of when I was pregnant with the boys - wanted to bake all the time - and eat all of it, too! Isn't that a given when you're pregnant?
I miss my KitchenAid, too - very much! With spring upon us and Mother's Day right around the corner, every magazine I pick up has pictures of adorable cupcakes, beautiful cakes and delicious looking souffles. Now, I've never conquered the souffle - but I have made my share of cakes and cupcakes. But, which KitchenAid should I get? Red, black, white, chrome? There are so many options out there - I had no idea. I really like the red one - something about the positive, bright energy in that color. But the nickel one is pretty cool, too.
One of these recipes would be great to try out too......as soon as the mixer is out of the box!
So I wait - with idle hands (well, that's a lie - my hands are anything but idle these days - with an entire house to renovate) until my new KitchenAid arrives and my kitchen is complete - oh and the rest of the house, too!
Until next time, think happy thoughts!
I miss my KitchenAid, too - very much! With spring upon us and Mother's Day right around the corner, every magazine I pick up has pictures of adorable cupcakes, beautiful cakes and delicious looking souffles. Now, I've never conquered the souffle - but I have made my share of cakes and cupcakes. But, which KitchenAid should I get? Red, black, white, chrome? There are so many options out there - I had no idea. I really like the red one - something about the positive, bright energy in that color. But the nickel one is pretty cool, too.
One of these recipes would be great to try out too......as soon as the mixer is out of the box!
So I wait - with idle hands (well, that's a lie - my hands are anything but idle these days - with an entire house to renovate) until my new KitchenAid arrives and my kitchen is complete - oh and the rest of the house, too!
Until next time, think happy thoughts!
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Who says drywall isn't exciting?
My local Home Depot probably knows me by first name by now. I swear I've been there about two dozen times in the last week. Lumber, flooring, bath fixtures, more flooring - you name it, I've hauled it in the back of my trusty SUV. On one occasion, I had a small group of bystanders watching my creative juices flow as I crammed sixteen feet of trim lumber into the SUV. Hey, my dad taught me how to pack up from Home Depot the right way!
The bathroom has reached a stage of 80% completion. We still have the faucets to replace and all the baseboards to install. Then I have curtains to sew and hang, towels and accessories to purchase and dear husband will install the brand new toilet. I guess I've reached a new point in my life where I'm actually excited about a new bathroom toilet.
I discovered a new store in my neighborhood the other day, too. At Home Decor store. OH MY!!! This store is not intended for the quick stop. Rows and rows and even more rows of pillows, rugs, artificial trees and plants, outdoor furniture, mirrors, chairs, umbrellas - the list could go on and on. It has mom's night out written all over it. Grab a cup of coffee and browse the aisles. AND maintain control!! One could easily go shopping crazy!!
Focus, focus...yes, the bathroom.....so, the windows are done - cutting all the lumber paid off - I think the windows look fantastic. I'm loving the "Craftsman" look, and the color scheme is really quite soothing.
Don't these look lovely? And wouldn't they just look perfect in the new bathroom?
Yes, those might have to be the next At Home purchase. Along with a few other things, I'm sure.
And in other parts of the house, we are making fabulous progress. After waiting what seemed like an eternity for work to begin, there is now what seems to be a large "push" to get this project done. The work has been phenomenal and the crews have been polite and always, always clean up - not all construction crews do this. But every time they leave, they sweep and stack what they've left behind. For someone who is a "clean freak" this ranks right up there on the importance factor. And I've never been so thrilled to see drywall going up.....
So, tomorrow is one more day closer to going home. We are so excited!!
Until next time, think happy thoughts!
The bathroom has reached a stage of 80% completion. We still have the faucets to replace and all the baseboards to install. Then I have curtains to sew and hang, towels and accessories to purchase and dear husband will install the brand new toilet. I guess I've reached a new point in my life where I'm actually excited about a new bathroom toilet.
I discovered a new store in my neighborhood the other day, too. At Home Decor store. OH MY!!! This store is not intended for the quick stop. Rows and rows and even more rows of pillows, rugs, artificial trees and plants, outdoor furniture, mirrors, chairs, umbrellas - the list could go on and on. It has mom's night out written all over it. Grab a cup of coffee and browse the aisles. AND maintain control!! One could easily go shopping crazy!!
 |
| I see so many things I LOVE..... |
Focus, focus...yes, the bathroom.....so, the windows are done - cutting all the lumber paid off - I think the windows look fantastic. I'm loving the "Craftsman" look, and the color scheme is really quite soothing.
Don't these look lovely? And wouldn't they just look perfect in the new bathroom?
And in other parts of the house, we are making fabulous progress. After waiting what seemed like an eternity for work to begin, there is now what seems to be a large "push" to get this project done. The work has been phenomenal and the crews have been polite and always, always clean up - not all construction crews do this. But every time they leave, they sweep and stack what they've left behind. For someone who is a "clean freak" this ranks right up there on the importance factor. And I've never been so thrilled to see drywall going up.....
 |
| Yeah, I have a ceiling and I almost have walls.... |
 |
| And the outside of the house is coming along just as fast! |
So, tomorrow is one more day closer to going home. We are so excited!!
Until next time, think happy thoughts!
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Tearing Down the Old, Bringing in the New
One trip to the "broken house" as we now refer to it, presented a wonderful opportunity to get some work done. It started with just one swing of the hammer - I come by this honestly. . .
As a child, my father had many home improvement projects. He added a family room, a den (complete with a bookcase that led to a hidden room) and various other projects to the house we grew up in. The year he and my mother decided to add the family room presented some challenges. We were using the existing carport as the frame for the family room, but the floor of the carport was significantly lower than the floor of the living room, where the two would connect. It was Halloween and my mother was taking us out trick or treating. My father stayed behind to remove one brick (yes, we lived in a red brick house - this is important), "just to see how much of a difference between the two floors there really was." JUST ONE BRICK.
Needless to say, it was not just one brick. We happily trick or treated and returned home to find a gaping hole in the wall, and red brick dust absolutely covering every square inch of my mother's new living room. He smiled sheepishly when we walked in and simply said, "I got carried away." I remember my mother standing in the red brick dust, just staring at everything. My brother and I thought it was great. We could now run through the hole in the wall to the enclosed carport. Of course, my mother forgave my dad and we went on to enjoy many wonderful years in the beautiful family room he built.
 |
| My brother and I - circa 1974 |
So, you see, one swing of the hammer at our "broken house" led to well, no more wall. I have to admit, it was fun. My brother was quite upset that he didn't get to participate. You see he is very fond of the "just one brick" phrase as well. The next day after school, my two boys finished off the drywall removal. Guess I've passed down the "just one brick" gene to them, too! Aren't you proud, Dad?
 | ||||
| My helper admiring his work! |
 |
| The next day |
 |
| Love the electrical "hanging" in the wind |
 |
| Missing window won't even be noticed! |
Until next time, think happy thoughts!
Thursday, March 17, 2016
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
c'est la vie ~ we are rebuilding
Lately, it seems as though life has taken me down paths that I truly would not have chosen for myself. At the beginning of the year, I made a promise to myself to reactivate my blog and dedicate time to some of the DIY projects that I really love to do. Our biggest projects over the course of the last two years had been accomplished: the new flooring, the refinished cabinetry and the beautiful, sparkling pool in the backyard. We were happy!
We are very blessed that none of our family was injured! That is the silver lining we constantly remind ourselves of. But, now we are starting from scratch again. When the truck crashed through the exterior load bearing wall, the HVAC unit was completely demolished and the pool pump exploded inside the house. Water flowed all over the beautiful new floors, glass sprayed everywhere, cabinets crumbled to the floor. It was a night none of us will soon forget.
So, we are starting over....better days ahead. We were blessed beyond words by our family coming to our rescue, our friends bringing dinner to us in the hotel where we lived until a rental was secured for us and the most incredibly kind circle of people constantly checking in on us to lend a helping hand.
It is for these blessings that we are forever grateful. I have now been tasked with the "chore" of creating a new kitchen, a new family room and a new living room. I use the term "chore" lightly because part of it is actually fun. I've spent countless hours reading articles, researching cabinetry, looking at hardware, pining over dream kitchens in magazines, touring model homes for ideas and drawing pictures of our new space.
We are finally moving into the demolition stage which will be quickly followed by a mad dash of framers, electricians, plumbers, drywall and stucco guys, etc. It's been a long haul but hopefully some of my ideas will be able to be incorporated:
And then this happened.......
We are very blessed that none of our family was injured! That is the silver lining we constantly remind ourselves of. But, now we are starting from scratch again. When the truck crashed through the exterior load bearing wall, the HVAC unit was completely demolished and the pool pump exploded inside the house. Water flowed all over the beautiful new floors, glass sprayed everywhere, cabinets crumbled to the floor. It was a night none of us will soon forget.
So, we are starting over....better days ahead. We were blessed beyond words by our family coming to our rescue, our friends bringing dinner to us in the hotel where we lived until a rental was secured for us and the most incredibly kind circle of people constantly checking in on us to lend a helping hand.
It is for these blessings that we are forever grateful. I have now been tasked with the "chore" of creating a new kitchen, a new family room and a new living room. I use the term "chore" lightly because part of it is actually fun. I've spent countless hours reading articles, researching cabinetry, looking at hardware, pining over dream kitchens in magazines, touring model homes for ideas and drawing pictures of our new space.
We are finally moving into the demolition stage which will be quickly followed by a mad dash of framers, electricians, plumbers, drywall and stucco guys, etc. It's been a long haul but hopefully some of my ideas will be able to be incorporated:
 |
| Loving the new "greige" colors out there! |
 |
| Pure Beauty - I love these wood floors. |
 | |||
| Although we are removing a wall, we are keeping the original archway and it would be beautiful in stone! |
 | |||
| This is THE LOOK I want, well, except I want darker floors! It's so clean and bright! |
The journey has begun. I will be updating the blog with our progress.
Until then, think happy thoughts!
Thursday, August 13, 2015
Old Fashioned Cream Puffs
Anyone who knows me, knows how important our Italian family is to me. Italians are known for their love for one another, great wine and food and those famous Sunday dinners. We may not practice "pasta Sunday" every week in our house, but we are no slouches when it comes to preparing foods, especially desserts. There's one dessert that is especially close to my heart ~ the Italian Cream Puff.
Delicate, puffed pastry encompassing a creamy, custard. YUM!!!!
I used to make them every Easter, as my mother did. It's been two years now, and those HUNGRY boys have been asking for them again, so it looks like my apron might be coming out this weekend. Pair that with a beautiful glass of wine and some Andrea Bocelli singing in the background and I'm all set!
For the Cream Puffs:
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sifted flour
2 eggs
For the Custard Filling:
2 Tbsp butters
1/4 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups milk
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
Begin by heating the water and butter to boiling in a saucepan. Stir in the sifted flour, all at once.
Stir constantly until the mixture leaves pan and forms into a ball (this will be approx. 1 minute). Be sure to use a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat, and let cool.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until smooth after each addition. Beat mixture until smooth.
Drop from teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake about 15 minutes in 425 degree oven then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 10-15 minutes more.
Remove from oven, cut gash in middle to allow steam to escape.
To begin the custard filling, melt butter in a saucepan. Blend in cornstarch, sugar and salt. Gradually add the milk. Heat to boiling over direct heat. Stir mixture into slightly beaten egg yolks.
Return to heat and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add vanilla. Cool thoroughly. Makes 2 cups.
Fill cooled pastries with custard and enjoy!
Anyone who knows me, knows how important our Italian family is to me. Italians are known for their love for one another, great wine and food and those famous Sunday dinners. We may not practice "pasta Sunday" every week in our house, but we are no slouches when it comes to preparing foods, especially desserts. There's one dessert that is especially close to my heart ~ the Italian Cream Puff.
Delicate, puffed pastry encompassing a creamy, custard. YUM!!!!
I used to make them every Easter, as my mother did. It's been two years now, and those HUNGRY boys have been asking for them again, so it looks like my apron might be coming out this weekend. Pair that with a beautiful glass of wine and some Andrea Bocelli singing in the background and I'm all set!
For the Cream Puffs:
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sifted flour
2 eggs
For the Custard Filling:
2 Tbsp butters
1/4 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups milk
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
Begin by heating the water and butter to boiling in a saucepan. Stir in the sifted flour, all at once.
Stir constantly until the mixture leaves pan and forms into a ball (this will be approx. 1 minute). Be sure to use a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat, and let cool.
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until smooth after each addition. Beat mixture until smooth.
Drop from teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake about 15 minutes in 425 degree oven then reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 10-15 minutes more.
Remove from oven, cut gash in middle to allow steam to escape.
To begin the custard filling, melt butter in a saucepan. Blend in cornstarch, sugar and salt. Gradually add the milk. Heat to boiling over direct heat. Stir mixture into slightly beaten egg yolks.
Return to heat and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add vanilla. Cool thoroughly. Makes 2 cups.
Fill cooled pastries with custard and enjoy!
Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars
Peanut Butter & Jelly Bars....
School has begun, practices are in full swing, nights are filled with homework and I have HUNGRY boys constantly looking for food. When they came home from school a few nights ago to find fresh Peanut Butter & Jelly bars, I actually heard squeals of joy! When they discovered Gramma's homemade jam was in the middle, well, let's just say they were ultimately pleased!
These bars are so easy to make and if you're a fan of peanut butter and jelly, well, these are for you!
Make a quick batch yourself, and you'll see......
8 Tbsp softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup jam (your choice of flavor)
Grease 9/13 pan. Cream together butter and sugar. Add in the beaten egg, vanilla and peanut butter. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt together. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture and blend. Set aside 1/4 of the dough. Press the remaining dough into the pan, spread the jam on top, then crumble the 1/4 dough over the top of the jam. You may wish to sprinkle in peanut butter chips to the top layer. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Completely cool on wire racks, cut into bars and enjoy. (makes 18 bars)
School has begun, practices are in full swing, nights are filled with homework and I have HUNGRY boys constantly looking for food. When they came home from school a few nights ago to find fresh Peanut Butter & Jelly bars, I actually heard squeals of joy! When they discovered Gramma's homemade jam was in the middle, well, let's just say they were ultimately pleased!
These bars are so easy to make and if you're a fan of peanut butter and jelly, well, these are for you!
Make a quick batch yourself, and you'll see......
8 Tbsp softened butter3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cup jam (your choice of flavor)
Grease 9/13 pan. Cream together butter and sugar. Add in the beaten egg, vanilla and peanut butter. In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder and salt together. Add flour mixture to creamed mixture and blend. Set aside 1/4 of the dough. Press the remaining dough into the pan, spread the jam on top, then crumble the 1/4 dough over the top of the jam. You may wish to sprinkle in peanut butter chips to the top layer. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Completely cool on wire racks, cut into bars and enjoy. (makes 18 bars)
Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Sweet Summer Days
Happy summer everyone! It's been forever since I've posted anything to my blog. I promised myself I would devote some time to blogging again, every week. We will see how that goes.
Has your summer flown by? I know ours has. It seems like just yesterday that we were anxiously awaiting the last day of school, and now we are staring down the first day of fall classes within the next two weeks! Every year it goes by faster and faster - it makes me want to hit the 'stop' button and just enjoy life, being a wife and mother, being blessed with an incredible family and reveling in the little things in life.
All that being said, I honestly don't think my brain is equipped with the "shut off switch" for projects. I'm not quite sure if it is because I come from a long line of "do-it-yourselfers" or if it is because I am just never quite "finished" designing and decorating. You would think after all the endless projects, I'd be tired, but still the list is longer than ever. But, shh, let's not tell dear hubby. I think he's almost at the breaking point. There have been some rather large projects in the last two years - New Flooring Project in the fall of 2013, followed by the The Fabulous Pool Build last summer - which then created several smaller projects - planters, grilling area, fire-pit and the newest, the fence to keep the new addition of our family away from the pool pump and pool toys. Cue - cute picture of Bella, our sweet new black lab puppy.
These are actually pictures from just days after Bella came home with us. I actually just looked at a calendar - that was back in April. Where on earth did the last three months go?
Our sweet Sophie spends her days fending off this little non-stop ball of energy, but every once in a while they stop just long enough for a quick snap of the camera lens. See how much she's grown?
We officially have one week of "summer vacation" left before the kiddos are back in school. Reflecting on the summer, I found several pictures that round up some project highlights....
I have passed down my "diy" gene to the oldest son already - he created the poolside fountain and planter, as well as the grilling area (no pic - sorry) and the firepit. He is excited about the new stone arriving at Home Depot, which he will use for the wrap around bench in the firepit areas.
Hubby and I spent a weekend making this simple picket fence and gate for the side yard to keep the "eat everything in sight" lab puppy from further destroying what we own. So far she has managed to eat her share of shoes, two sets of iPhone earbuds, one pillow and a comb, plus chewed her way through a wide assortment of "indestructible" toys from Petco. Thus, a very grateful shout out goes to our friends at Hammerzone.com - their plans for the fence to save our pool pump and air conditioning unit, were very simple to follow: http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/landscape/fence/basic1/installation.htm.
While on one of my numerous "treasure hunting" trips, I found this wonderful clock for $5.00 - It just needed a little TLC - a couple coats of Annie Sloan paint and a new battery.
Yes, the closet is absolutely dingy - we had previously ripped out, quickly patched the holes left behind by the enormous wall anchors, but never painted. I will call that intuition - yes, somehow I knew the closet would be updated again.
The day before the construction (rather deconstruction), we took a trip to IKEA and found a wonderful wardrobe that my budding young middle schooler just loved. We had lunch before cruising the aisles and trying out the rooms - a really nice afternoon for the two of us.
Many of us already know that IKEA instructions are very simple - in other words - no words! Just pictures and the funny looking man.....
To say that the hubby and I had fun putting this together would be a lie. Although I love IKEA for trying to make things simpler and flat packaging and all, an investment in a few words within the instruction pages would be nice to see.
Alas, we had a finished project - and a very happy young man enjoying the update to his tween room!
Last weekend, one of my dearest friends asked for my "design" help in reorganizing her boys' bedrooms. I just love it when people ask for my help and by now, most everyone knows, I almost NEVER say no to helping someone out. So, we set off to develop a plan to give her oldest of three his own bedroom and design a "cool" space for the two younger boys to hang out. She admired the captain's bed we built a few summers ago for my oldest and wanted something similar. I shared with her the plan from Ana-white.com for the Farmhouse Bed. We decided on a variation of this plan and set off for Home Depot. A special shout to my hubby who tried with all his might to cut down the pine plywood we bought. Our table saw simply was not being cooperative - we discovered after the first cut, that the base of the motor for the blade was cracked and causing the blade to tip in the middle of the cut. I happen to like my hubby with all his fingers, so we opted to load all the lumber back into the truck and have the very helpful people at Home Depot cut down the wood to our needed dimensions. After that, it was smooth sailing. Hubby busted out the compressor and the nail gun and off we went. One at a time, the platform pieces were built in our garage, loaded into my friend's truck and hauled off for painting in her garage.
Earlier this morning she sent me this picture.....pretty cool, huh? My husband commented that the platforms were higher than he expected, but I reminded him this is a family of TALL people. My friend is 6', her hubby is 6' 5", one of their boys is already 6' and the other two are quickly catching up, so I think these beds will be quite fitting for them.
The last week has been quite an adjustment for me. My eldest is on a high adventure backpacking trip at Philmont Scout Ranch. His trek is 62 miles long over 12 days, carrying everything he needs on his back. His dad and I are so proud of him. He is the youngest scout on their crew and having the time of his life. He has kept in good contact over the last week, except for the last two days. They had no connection over the last two days and were caught in quite the rainstorm. He sent me a text this afternoon from the top of Trail Peak.....just breathtaking!
I am anxious for him to come home, but am positive the pack will not be in the same condition as it was when it left with him....
And that wraps up our summer....we will spend the last few days poolside, grilling with our friends and family, enjoying those last dog days of summer before the school bell rings!
Has your summer flown by? I know ours has. It seems like just yesterday that we were anxiously awaiting the last day of school, and now we are staring down the first day of fall classes within the next two weeks! Every year it goes by faster and faster - it makes me want to hit the 'stop' button and just enjoy life, being a wife and mother, being blessed with an incredible family and reveling in the little things in life.
All that being said, I honestly don't think my brain is equipped with the "shut off switch" for projects. I'm not quite sure if it is because I come from a long line of "do-it-yourselfers" or if it is because I am just never quite "finished" designing and decorating. You would think after all the endless projects, I'd be tired, but still the list is longer than ever. But, shh, let's not tell dear hubby. I think he's almost at the breaking point. There have been some rather large projects in the last two years - New Flooring Project in the fall of 2013, followed by the The Fabulous Pool Build last summer - which then created several smaller projects - planters, grilling area, fire-pit and the newest, the fence to keep the new addition of our family away from the pool pump and pool toys. Cue - cute picture of Bella, our sweet new black lab puppy.
These are actually pictures from just days after Bella came home with us. I actually just looked at a calendar - that was back in April. Where on earth did the last three months go?
Our sweet Sophie spends her days fending off this little non-stop ball of energy, but every once in a while they stop just long enough for a quick snap of the camera lens. See how much she's grown?
We officially have one week of "summer vacation" left before the kiddos are back in school. Reflecting on the summer, I found several pictures that round up some project highlights....
Hubby and I spent a weekend making this simple picket fence and gate for the side yard to keep the "eat everything in sight" lab puppy from further destroying what we own. So far she has managed to eat her share of shoes, two sets of iPhone earbuds, one pillow and a comb, plus chewed her way through a wide assortment of "indestructible" toys from Petco. Thus, a very grateful shout out goes to our friends at Hammerzone.com - their plans for the fence to save our pool pump and air conditioning unit, were very simple to follow: http://www.hammerzone.com/archives/landscape/fence/basic1/installation.htm.
While on one of my numerous "treasure hunting" trips, I found this wonderful clock for $5.00 - It just needed a little TLC - a couple coats of Annie Sloan paint and a new battery.
 |
| Before |
 |
| After |
As my youngest is transitioning to middle school this year, he felt he needed an "update" to his room again. Not nearly as involved as the last time around - Tween Bedroom Reveal. However, it did involve our trusty sledgehammer and lots of muscle to remove the builder grade closet shelves.
Yes, the closet is absolutely dingy - we had previously ripped out, quickly patched the holes left behind by the enormous wall anchors, but never painted. I will call that intuition - yes, somehow I knew the closet would be updated again.
The day before the construction (rather deconstruction), we took a trip to IKEA and found a wonderful wardrobe that my budding young middle schooler just loved. We had lunch before cruising the aisles and trying out the rooms - a really nice afternoon for the two of us.
Many of us already know that IKEA instructions are very simple - in other words - no words! Just pictures and the funny looking man.....
To say that the hubby and I had fun putting this together would be a lie. Although I love IKEA for trying to make things simpler and flat packaging and all, an investment in a few words within the instruction pages would be nice to see.
Alas, we had a finished project - and a very happy young man enjoying the update to his tween room!
Earlier this morning she sent me this picture.....pretty cool, huh? My husband commented that the platforms were higher than he expected, but I reminded him this is a family of TALL people. My friend is 6', her hubby is 6' 5", one of their boys is already 6' and the other two are quickly catching up, so I think these beds will be quite fitting for them.
The last week has been quite an adjustment for me. My eldest is on a high adventure backpacking trip at Philmont Scout Ranch. His trek is 62 miles long over 12 days, carrying everything he needs on his back. His dad and I are so proud of him. He is the youngest scout on their crew and having the time of his life. He has kept in good contact over the last week, except for the last two days. They had no connection over the last two days and were caught in quite the rainstorm. He sent me a text this afternoon from the top of Trail Peak.....just breathtaking!
And that wraps up our summer....we will spend the last few days poolside, grilling with our friends and family, enjoying those last dog days of summer before the school bell rings!
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