Sunday Surge

Today was a whirl.  Up for church, then off doing some shopping to kill time.  Thanks to coming up with an idea for our home, plus a list of things we need we were able to buy some items that we needed/wanted (such as a bath mat for our guest bath), while avoiding spending needlessly.  Then it was back to church for a couple's prayer service and dinner.  We have only been married nearly 4 years.  The longest marriage there was 64 years.  And the husband (who served in WWII) stood up and said some beautiful words about what an amazing wife and mother his wife was.  Both awesome people.

(To keep things in reference as to how much younger we are than everyone else at our church, the next shortest marriage after ours was 19 years.  But we're loved and we love it there.)

Then it was off to Home Depot for a small dropcloth, some super glue, and some brown paper.  As soon as we got home we attended to the animals, and then it was upstairs to our office to begin with what turned into 6 hour madness.  I sat on the dropcloth painting the inside of some dresser drawers.  Six drawers, two coats each.  Then, being in a painting mood I went to town painting many a thing shades of pale blue greys.  

(Had to use the flash because it was super dark otherwise)

(photo from England, the iron thing is in the middle, partially hidden by the tulips.  It was dark but now is a pretty blue-grey!)

We were able to get the dresser put into the closet in the office, hooked up the printer, put in the boxes we bought at The Container Store yesterday, and I even added the beautiful orchid I picked up a couple of weeks ago at IKEA (yep, IKEA!).  The pictures I just added as we were playing with the look.

I am super excited that the dresser is pretty much finished (I want to touch up the cream and gold paint on the outside) because it means the large box of office supplies up in our suite can be moved down and put away.  It was just the kick start we needed for the office, and we'll be priming and painting this week.  We'll also be building a wall of IKEA bookcases with lights and glass doors (we finally decided that G building them would have had to wait until he got back, and we want our books put away).  The desk is being finished up (as we debate whether or not we love the color I think we're going to say it's okay for now), the sofa is being moved up, and the frame for the television is being hung to await a t.v. this fall.  I'm going to be thrilled when it's all finished as it will be my command station for getting the rest of the house done, as well as a place to write and read.

So, now it's nearly 3 a.m., I have an appointment with a specialist about my tailbone in 5 1/2 hours, so I think perhaps it's time to crash.  I feel like we accomplished a lot tonight (G pulled all our dvd's and alphabetized them and began putting them into a little box that holds the discs), and we're both looking forward to getting a ton done tomorrow.  Maybe we'll even finally get the Christmas tree taken down!*

*Yep, it's still up.  With all of our glass ornaments we have been debating the best way to store them.  Finally decided on tissue paper and small cardboard boxes.  Got the tissue paper and will be picking up boxes at the store tomorrow.  Then the little boxes will be stored in totes. 

On and On

The weekend list has turned into a week-long list.  We decided we were less into getting everything done, and more into spending time just being together.  However, most of the list got partially done, if not completely.  And it's been added to, of course.  I noticed our front and back doors are a bit draft-y, so I will be making draft stoppers to help keep out the cold.  I have no clue what I'm doing, a cat who attacks everything, but I'm hopeful that I will come up with a plan to help our heating bill even more.  We keep it cold in the house in the winter, but hopefully it will stay a bit warmer if we can keep the cold out of cracks!

Any winter projects you're tackling?  I have a home to do list for this winter as long as my arm, but it's my most productive time of year! 

Remember When

Last winter I chose to send a couple care packages to some great ladies.  I did a blog post about it here.  I used the colors turquoise and red because they were non-holiday-ish and because I had some great recipe cards found here at Purple Lemon Design.  Well, today on The CSI Project there is a link up to things done with the color turquoise so I decided it was the perfect time to share how easy sending little care packages can be! If you want to link up, please do and let me know you did so I can see what you've done!

It's Sunday

And not only am I not at mass, but I'm cleaning around the house.  Sophie is sick today, has been since last night, and that coupled with my foot causing me to consider how addictive tylenol is made G think it might be best to stay home today.  But instead of being idle, he brought me a bagel with cream cheese in bed.  We've snuggled Sophie and Audrey (because what you do for one...).  And G is brushing Sophie out (she's been shedding more than usual with this heat), while I'm vacuuming up the problem.  Seriously, I am unsure why she isn't bald yet!  Audrey thinks the vacuum is something to chase and she darts out from under furniture to attack.  But only when it's on.  

Last night I made a veggie quiche with tomatoes, zucchini, baby eggplant, onion and gruyere.  I hope it tastes good (I made it for our lunch today).  I was sad that last night I had to throw out the two large eggplant I had, along with some roma tomatoes.  I waited too long to do anything with them.  Next week at the farmer's market I am hoping to pick up enough ingredients to make ratatouille.  Red pepper, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini and red onion.  Mmm!

I've come to recognize that two things make me happy and content.  A clean, organized home.  And keeping busy.  I hate the days when all I have to do is sit around, maybe checking e-mail.  I love the days (and they seem more common in the winter, perhaps it's hibernation) when I sit and knit a scarf or work on a doll for my niece, all while I have something in the oven and something on the stove.  I think that's why I enjoy the Little House stories.  They were so busy!  I'm making a list of all the homemade Christmas gifts I want to make, along with things I want to make for our home.  The list is daunting, but in a good way.  And with the help of earl grey perhaps I'll get it all done!

Oh, and for those others who are Catholic out there, when we miss mass we find it helpful to look up the daily readings and take some time to read them and discuss.  You can also listen to mass on EWTN.com.

Just Like Rocket To Venus

Tangy bloody mary rimmed in our vintage glasses rimmed with old bay.  Refreshing!

Beginning

At 1 a.m. Saturday morning I decided it was time to begin on the desk, so G and I hauled it down 3 flights of stairs and I got to work.  I sanded the top down completely because it has some marks.  I washed the dust away and let it dry and primed it the next day.  It's now got one coat of paint on it, and is waiting for a second (and possible third).  The drawers have yet to be touched, but they will be worked on once the main part has been finished.  

I cannot wait to show this baby off when she's finished!

Petite Goals

For this year of changes I'm coming up with a list of things I want to do.  Of course at the top of the list is become fluent again in French.  I love the language, and since I think in French so often (as well as the occasional dream) it should be fairly easy.  But I do have a few other goals that have come to mind that I will share here:

* Learn to knit well.  I can do a scarf, with one stitch.  Sure, it looks pretty, but in the end it's not very accomplished, and as the women in Jane Austen novels I wish to be accomplished.  I know there are some knitting stores here in Baltimore that have classes, so I plan on signing up.  My end goal is to get good enough that I can knit some alpaca and cashmere blankets for our home, and perhaps a sweater or two for myself.

* Take tap dancing classes.  I have no idea how to go about this, and perhaps I'll just have my brother teach me a bit, but I love dancing and think this would just be fun!

(Image from Style Me Pretty)

* Learn some basic cooking skills, such as making homemade mayonnaise, homemade vanilla, and hollandaise sauce.  I'm trying to learn to do these so I can make as I need.  For instance, we only use mayo to make deviled eggs, so a jar tends to get wasted in our home.  If I could make just enough for what I need then it would be great.

(Image from A Quiet Little Life)

* Learn to sew a pillow or two.  I love throw pillows for our living room and bedrooms, including frilly girly ones (God bless my husband).  Instead of spending $100 a pillow at some fancy schmancy store I want to learn to do it myself.  I also plan on making some silhouette pillows and painting some patterns for some as well. 

(Image from Love The Music)

* Save for a new violin.  I want to have my fingers fly again, and I want a nice violin on which to play.  I'm considering eventually playing for friends' weddings and such, so I want something that has a beautiful sound.  


*Attend a full orchestra opera in a ball gown.  I'm planning to buy G a tux for theatre and opera occasions, and I want a ball gown.  Thank God I know some designers who I am going to have sew me one divine!


*  Start an etsy shop.  I have so many antique and vintage items that I love but simply don't have the room for, nor do they fit into my home.  I wanted to stockpile them like a Martha Stewart store room, but I've come to the conclusion that perhaps it would be best to sell some.  Vintage pyrex mixing bowls in a rainbow of colors, British tea cups, even a spare vintage pram, I have a whole gamut of things.  What money I make is going into a savings account for when I want to purchase a big item.  


* Finish a few projects.  I have furniture to paint, jewelry to make, and dolls to sew for the niece.  I am the queen of partially finished projects I admit.  And I'm bored with it, so I need to just finish them.  Especially since it includes some furniture I am re-habbing to sell!  


This is only a partial list, it goes on and on and on.  But strangely I am not overwhelmed, just excited to see how things unfold.  And yes, J, I will be updating as often as I can (and I'm journaling to remind myself and keep myself accountable to such!).  I look forward to sharing what I learn as I go along.

Jewelry House

Last night I picked up this jewelry box for $5 at a local thrift store.  It has a missing handle, but I'm hoping to find miniature crystal knobs for it anyways.  The cream paint (thick and horrid) is going to be sanded down, then I will prime it, and paint it to match our bedroom's plan.  I cannot wait to get this beauty ready for use again!

Monograms

Using paint I had on hand and a wooden plaque we got for maybe 30 cents somewhere I've been making a monogram to decorate our home.  I painted the blue grey color this winter. Tonight I saw it staring at me, so while I waited to turn the oven back on the quiche I free-handed the monogram on it.  It's not perfect but will look great either on the art wall in our living room or in our office.  Simple, quick....I literally painted it under 10 minutes.

Having A Marie Antoinette Moment

I bought a mirror at a thrift store maybe a month or so ago.  It was slightly hideous, gold paint, with someone at one point seeming to consider spraying it silver, but quit very early on.  But it had amazing potential.  I considered painting it gold, but tonight decided black was the color of choice.  I love how it turned out.  When it's held upright it's so chic, and glamourous.  And you wouldn't ever guess that I paid $10!  
The Before:

The After:

                         

Detail:  (sorry, the sunlight was a little odd....it's a flower pattern)

                                      

This weekend I am painting my desk.  It's been a huge debate, because I wanted to sand it down and stain it, but it's just too big of a project for now.  I should be able to strip in later if I decide to and do all that, but for now I think (I'm indecisive, so this could change) that I am going to prime, paint and gloss it.  Deep Breath In.  


It's my great-grandmother's desk.  It's nothing hugely nice, just a piece I loved enough to wrangle it away from my parents in college.  It got beat up in the move to England, and needs some love.  But I've been afraid to touch it.  Afraid I would screw it up.  Afraid that my mother would shoot me if she found out what I'm gonna do to it.  But alas, I need to make it mine, a space to write.  A space to correspond.  A place of my own.  I've got the paint for the desk, the chair is going to be different, and I need to find fabric to recover the seat.  (and hardware, but that could take forever for me to make up my mind!)

I like these simple styles in chrome (to go with the lamp).

So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that after this weekend I will actually have some decent things to post.  I've got painting galore to do, lots of sanding down of some furniture, and cleaning (which thank God G will be tackling part of now that his schedule is back to normal).   We've got a timeline of events for the next few months that should really liven things up around here (the blog, not my life, my life is crazy enough already).  

So, let me have it:  hate painting wood furniture?  Think it's a great way to revitalize old damaged wood?  Tackled any fun project lately?  I know some of my readers don't have blogs, but was also wondering if any of you have any projects you might want me to post?  This could be exciting!

Painting Wooden Furniture

I know that a lot of people have strong feelings about not painting wooden furniture.  I am not one of those people.  I am very much looking forward to painting the dresser, and the bar cart, and anything else I see fit to paint (although I am procrastinating out of a strong fear of screwing them up).  However I also love deep colors and grains of wood.  I play the violin, and my favorite part of really nice violins is the back, the grains and the various ways they form patterns.  On that note that is why I will not be painting this:

This is the bottom half of the china cabinet we picked up last month.  I was taking picks for an upcoming post (well, several days of exciting posts, actually) on UneVieChic, and happened to catch this as I was flipping through the photos I took.  It's the first great pic I got of the wood grain.  Each door is 4 pieces seamlessly put together to form this beautiful outward pattern.  So I'm not painting it, but hopefully if I get my act together you will get to see what does happen with it next week!  

Why It Pays To Have A Great Family

My father-in-law has a huge workshop in their basement.  Tools galore, including things like power sanders.  We're planning on making him bring tools to utilize any time they come to visit (but shhh!  We haven't mentioned this to them yet!).  This summer it came in very handy, because he was able to help us deal with the library card catalog I bought G back in July.  G and I both helped a little, and his father sanded it down, we chose to stain it a dark walnut rather than paint it, and then his dad was kind enough to painstakingly poly it.  It was a humid summer so it took forever having to wait for cool days to work on it, but in the end we were able to take this:

and end up with this...

Because of the way the sun is hitting it you can see all the strokes and grain, but in normal (not warm yellow) light it's a darker walnut with a high gloss.  I love the way it turned out and have been searching for it's perfect spot in our home.  

Ribbon Necklace

I loved this thing so much that I wore it today!  Simple red ribbon with a cute white stitching that came off of a Godiva box I think.  I disassembled an old necklace I had from when I was a teen, and re-used the pearly glass beads.  The white part of the ribbon did make it easy to space them out, but it doesn't have to be perfect even if you use satin or grosgrain!

The original necklace

Marking spaces

Starting off

Finished!

I used the old clasp on this one and tada!

Magical

Okay, so I had an embarrassing situation over the past month and a half. I, who never really got acne was getting it bad along my jaw line. BAD. It was annoying, somewhat painful and it made me want to scream. But then 2 nights ago I decided to start using baking soda to wash my face. Problem solved. Really, after one time it had completely gone down and now you can barely see it.

Baking soda is my miracle product. I have tried explaining to people how good it is to always have a lot around but most are skeptical.

Baking soda is tough but gentle. It will work on things without leaving a scratch. For instance, I love the look of a stainless steel sink. Something in me just feels amazingly accomplished when one is shining. However, stainless steel sinks can get gross. Even when clean they can have horrible water spots. The answer? Baking soda of course! Just a little bit of baking soda (and if you want, add a drop of soap) and scrub scrub. It gets them shining like never before. This works for anything stainless (at least anything I've tried so far). I've shined up bathroom faucets that were just aged and ugly. I use it to really make my stainless steel pots and pans shine. Oh, and when my husband accidentally let something burn on hard and nothing else worked on getting it off, I turned to the internet. We made a paste of baking soda (just enough water to make a very thick paste) let it sit on top of the burned on spot for a day (or 3, we wanted to give it plenty of time!) and it came off completely without leaving even a hint of the problem behind! After that we used baking soda to keep our burner pans bright and clean.

It also cleans porcelain amazingly. Our home in England had water so hard that you had to use salts in the dishwasher just to get things clean. In the bathroom the toilet had hard water stains. Well, that would not do for when I had company. So my husband, a pair of gloves, and baking soda got the job done. He would hand scrub with baking soda until the porcelain gleamed. The bathtub? It looked brand new after I cleaned it with baking soda. I also used baking soda on our couch when I wanted to get stains that Sophie brought in out of the upholstery. Is your washer smelling a little off? Use baking soda in one of the washes to help freshen it up. And when we eventually have a baby and cloth diaper, baking soda is one of the things you can wash them with!

I use baking soda more often to brush teeth than I do regular toothpaste. It gets them squeaky clean, with no glycerin overlay. Even when I use regular old toothpaste I add extra baking soda. You can use baking soda in bath bombs. You can use it in your shampoo when you need an extra thorough wash (if you got something gross in it, or got particularly sweaty and greasy). Just be careful to only use a little....your scalp is sensitive you know!

I use a lot of products that most people have in the homes in order to clean my home and maintain my possessions. From baking soda to vinegar to hydrogen peroxide. I think there are some amazing ideas out there (even some books) to help make simple cheap products do an amazing job for you! Have any suggestions, leave a comment. Or better yet, do a post of your own and I will link to you!

I know I've been absent lately. We're switching to nights, and it's exhausting. But hopefully I will have some pics up soon of what I am doing with the furniture we've acquired. We picked up the tea trolley today and I am whoa excited to get started on it and paint it for a drinks cart. I was very happy to note it is a good height.

*EDIT* After examining the trolley in the kitchen I have decided it probably will not be tall enough for a drinks cart. However, for 5 pounds, it will be a wonderful little thing for our closet to be able to pull out when I need it. I am thinking of painting it a bright white, lacquering it and then using it to store some of my going out shoes, jewelry and other accessories. That way when I am getting dressed up and trying to decide on things it can be wheeled out for me.

On another note, for those of you with children I think a trolley would be a fantastic little spot for learning toys to be wheeled out for "school." I am planning on doing a pre-school in our home, and possibly kindergarten and 1st grade (all for our own children, since I do have most of an elementary ed degree with those ages being the emphasis), so it appeals to me.

And after thinking about it I also think the trolley would do wonderfully at it's purpose of being a tea trolley for when I have girlfriends over and we are taking tea in the sitting room. It would be able to hold tea, cakes, sandwiches and make it so I wasn't constantly getting up.

(Can everyone tell my mind runs something close to 500 mph? Seriously all of that was typed within less than 3 minutes. I change my mind a lot!)