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Thursday, September 29, 2011

Ballard Backroom Loot

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Ballard Backroom Loot

Ray recently attended a Church Planting workshop in Woodstock, GA and I got to go along! I had lots of free time while he was gone, so what else would I do but shop? (I did also read, walk on the treadmill, and work on my Precepts Bible study lessons!) Anyway, I googled around a little before we left to see what was in the area, and found lots of good options.  I've never been to Atlanta, so I also e-mailed  Shelli and she was kind enough to send me some suggestions of where to go. One afternoon I drove about 30 miles north to the Outlets in Dawsonville.  I was so excited about going there because they had a Pottery Barn Outlet, Restoration Hardware, Coach, some of my favorites.  I really wanted some horn flatware from PB, but even at a good price there of $19.99/place setting that was still more than I wanted to fork over for 8 or 12. (ha ha, pun totally intended!)  I left without buying ONE thing anywhere.  Oh wait, I did buy two little Christmas presents for my daughter and n...
Monday, September 26, 2011

Fall Mantel

Monday, September 26, 2011

Fall Mantel

My mantel is ready for the season, but nothing else around the house is!  Fall is my favorite season to decorate for.  I think I enjoy it the most because I don't feel the pressure or time crunch that hits when decorating for Christmas.  I can take it slow and easy and do a little bit at a time.   The mantel came together pretty quickly this year.  I did not buy one thing new for it.  I've had the old shutters in the garage and slapped on a quick coat of paint.  It's not perfect but I didn't want it to be.  I got the old window this summer from my sister's garage sale and wish I would have picked up another.   I'm loving a natural, collected look for fall, rather than it looking like I ran out and bought everything at Hobby Lobby.  Don't get me wrong, I love HL and have spent PLENTY of pennies there, but I like to mix the old in with the new. I've had this wreath forever but gave it a little touch up with some burlap rosettes.  Easiest thing in t...
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sunday Morning Scripture

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sunday Morning Scripture

This verse was from my Precepts Bible Study this past week.  I think it's beautiful and so full of warmth and hope.  The last line is my favorite. The people who were sitting in darkness saw a Great Light,  and those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death,  Upon them a Light dawned. Matthew 4:16 (NASB) ...
Friday, September 23, 2011

Autumn Has Arrived...

Friday, September 23, 2011

Autumn Has Arrived...

and I'm thrilled! My favorite season is here.  Time for: -Making s'mores in the chiminea   (if our burn ban ever lifts...yes, my husband  makes us play by the rules) -Cool, crisp air -Leaves and acorns crunching underfoot -Pumpkins and pansies -OU football watch parties -Fires in the fireplace -Fall decorations -Backyard Campouts -Christmas planning (92 more days!) We're headed to the State Fair today, another earmark of Fall.  Enjoy your weekend! ...
Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Quick Before and Afters

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Quick Before and Afters

I wanted to share some projects that I've completed around here lately, so I'll just cut to the chase and show the before and after pictures.  Those are our favorites anyway, right?  Some were quick changes and some a little more time consuming, but with all of them I came away thinking "Why didn't I do that sooner?" Built in China Cabinet-This was a big experiment!  All of our kitchen cabinets and built-ins in the living room and study are stained oak.  I have always loved stained cabinets, but was ready for something different in this house.  I painted this cabinet first as a test to see how painting the rest of the stained cabinetry might look.  I loved it!  By the way, I didn't sand, prime, or do anything the way I was probably supposed to.  I love Behr's Paint with Primer from Home Depot.  A little pricey, by totally worth it. BEFORE AFTER French Dresser-I jumped on the old 70's french provincial craze and found a bedroom set on ...
Saturday, September 17, 2011

So Long Summer!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

So Long Summer!

The kids are well into their school routine, Labor Day has come and gone, and we are at the baseball field several nights a week.  I think I can happily declare summer as officially over, especially considering that we had record breaking heat with 62+ days over 100 degrees.  Very nice at the neighborhood pool, but that's about the only place to be.  So, here are a few (or a lot of) snapshots of our favorite summer memories from 2011. Last day of school! Driving range at Lake Hefner.  Lots of fun for a $3 bucket of balls!   The kids set up a lemonade stand with neighbor friends.  I especially like Emily's name tag.  "Hello!  My name is Emily!  Can I help you?" (hand made and stuck on with masking tape)  They spent several nights sleeping on a pallet on the floor...by their own choice...fun times?   Ray & I celebrated our 17th Anniversary with a trip to Kansas City.  Beautiful place!   Caleb found a large turtle at our neighborhood park....
Sunday, September 4, 2011

$1.50 Lamp Fix

Sunday, September 4, 2011

$1.50 Lamp Fix

Happy Labor Day!  I hope you have a relaxing day spent with family and friends.   I just wanted to share a quick fixer-upper.  I bought these lamps several years ago at Hobby Lobby 80 or 90% off.   Loved them as they were and they were the perfect size to flank my mantel...I love using lighting on the mantel!  I have enjoyed them but am gradually moving away from so much red in the family room, so I put them away for a while.  When the time came to pull them out and use them again (I have a big stash of accessories that I switch out all the time, do you?), I searched high and low for new shades.  Not an easy task, being that these shades are very tall and narrow. Usually I just recover a shade that I'm tired of, but this one had curvy lines that would have made it really difficult.  I couldn't walk into Ross or Target like I normally do and pick up a replacement.  I'm sure I could have found some online or from a fancy lighting store that would have been the right ...