A New French Desk

New French desk for the office.

I had been looking and looking for the perfect desk for our office.

The look has stopped.

I found it.

At my favorite place, of course, Sally!

Great bones but just needed a paint job.

Much better.

I taped off all of the white areas and spray painted the blue.

I like how spray paint gets in all of the nooks and crannies and does not cover up detail.

I did get a little on the top of the desk, oops, that can happen when you don't tape everything.

I decided to sand the top and restain it with a mahogony gel stain.

When it was dry I waxed it with a dark paste wax.

My oldest son was my furniture mover.

First we had to get the large table out of the office and replace it with the desk.

Although we have less space on top of the desk, I now have drawers to put all the little things just seem to accumulate on top.

I love all the drawers.

And those handles-perfect!

Except the one drawer on top, for some reason it did not take to the spray paint.

I have to sand it and try again.

The drawer has been painted several times and I am waiting for it to dry.

Then I can wax it.

This is my new office view from the hallway.

As comfy as that chair is, I think it may need a change.

I just love my new desk and how the colors turned out.

I think it goes well with the colors in the rug.

This cabinet at Miss Mustard Seed was my inspiration.

Don't you just love it. 

She has a way with furniture.

I have a cabinet almost like this in black.

 I just might have to rethink my color choice.

I am glad to have at least one project almost done.

Now I have to finish the weeding and then start mulching all the beds.

That should keep me busy for the next few weeks.

And you, have you found any treasures lately?

I am joining French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday.
Courtney featured my Spring house post from last week.
Thank you to all who are visiting.

We're Not Irish, but I Still Love Green

I worked on the living room mantel yesterday while home with a sick little guy.

I traded in the red books for some green ones.

Nope, we are not Irish.

But, I do love green.

For St. Patrick's day the kids find trails of gold chocolate coins.

This year I am going to try something a little different.

If you MOUSTACHE it will involve a green marker.

When I was a kid, my dad would paint shamrocks on our faces for the day.

I think my mom also made some kind of Irish dinner that I still don't like.

One of my favorite indoor garden angels.

Baby tears in ironstone.

Love the plant but it seems I tend to over water it, so each year I get a new one.

The moss M I made several years ago.

You can make one too with a letter and some sheet moss from Michael's.

You may have noticed I went with simple.

Books again, and other greens I could find around the house.

I went to a local nursery last week and stocked up on several new ivy for spring.

Green, white and silver.

One of my favorite combinations.

How about you? 

Do you decorate for St. Patrick's Day?

I am joining Courtney from French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday.  

Let me say, if you have never visited her blog, you must, you must.

I am also joining Debra from Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday, who is always has incredible displays in her home.

And my last party of the day is with Cindy from My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.

If you can think of a party I am missing, please let me know.

When I get home, my cocktail glass will be waiting. 

Projects For The New Year

This week I spend time putting away all of the Christmas decorations.

Reflecting on the past, projecting on the future.

I am happy with most of last year.

I have made it through another year at my job and I still enjoy going to work each week.

I have scaled back my blogging, spending more time doing projects in the house and gardens.

No, I did not get all accomplished, but that is OK, it just leaves me busy with projects for the next year.

Some favorite pictures of Christmas 2012.

I am looking forward to putting the pine wood floor in the office.

We are taking each room one at a time.

After seeing how wonderful the living room turned out, we can't wait to put the wood in all of the rooms.

The big project of the year.

Of course, will be to continue to work on our garage/mud room/master bed room addition.

Each year we are closer to the end.

Last year we were able to install garage doors, tubes for radiant floor heating, electrical.

All we are waiting for is the heat to be connected and we can go for our next inspection.

Then we have some major work to do-insulation, drywall.

Actually Mr. M. and I are looking forward to the work.

We work well together.

We enjoy the time together on our home, our dream home.

The end result will be a huge garage for our cars, tools and storage.

A mud room to store all the kids shoes, boots, coats, backpacks.

So the mess is not in the connecting kitchen.

Cubbies for their stuff.

Another closet for extra storage.

Cabinets for my gardening tools.

A checkered floor.

Chore boards.

I also have another set of twin wing back slipcovers to sew just like these ones.

In fact, they will almost look the same with only a different bedspread fabric.  

They will go in the new master bed room when it is done.

I have been dreaming of how I want to decorate the room.

It is big, really big 24 x 29. 

It will be our sanctuary.

A place for just him and me.

His and her walk in closets are a must.

Small laundry room.

A seating corner for reading and watching television.

A fireplace.

A desk for a coffee station and laptop.

The room will be connected to the already existing master bathroom.

 A place to go when we have teenagers in the house.

I have a lot to dream about.

It is going to be mostly white too.

With blue.

I have lots to do in this New Year.

How about you?

Who says the parties have to end.
Let's celebrate the New Year.
Make sure to stop by French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday.
Thank you Courtney for mentioning Arbor House Lane in your post today.
I am also Joining Debra from Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday.

Getting Ready for the Holiday

I am joining the new WHITE party BLISSFUL WHITES WEDNESDAYS at Timewashed.

I am almost finished getting all of the trees up.

Now I get to make them special.

I love looking through my boxes to see what new ornaments or decorations I bought at the end of last years Holiday season.

Take a peak into the dinning room.

Dinner by tree light is always the best my kids will tell you.

Looking at the front door from the kitchen.

Looks like Santa had to much spiked eggnog. 

One of my favorite decorations.

A simple snowman. 

An ornament from years past I made for the kid's teachers.

The staircase decorated with new linen stockings I made last year.

Are you having fun getting out your decorations?

Each box is like opening a Christmas present, so much to decorate with and trying to figure out where to put it.

Oh, I wanted to give you an update.  

I was a good wife and did not rip up the carpeting, although I think he secretly wished I had.  

Then he wouldn't have to do the work.

We are replacing all of the carpeting in our home with pine floors, however, the wood we want is on back order and will not be in until December 20. 

 I may be crazy but I will wait until after the holidays to tear my house apart.

Anyway, who doesn't love a good cleaning, organizing and DIY project in January.

Make sure to stop by and enjoy all the wonderful whites at Timewashed.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Only Two Days Until the SPOOKTACULAR DAY!

My absolute favorite Halloween decoration.

So cute, just ready to trick or treat.

I'm not ready!

The kids are out of their minds excited for the Halloween party we are giving for them and their friends.

So far the list is up to 17 kids and about 8 adults and the list could still grow!

I think I am crazy.

You see, I have to tell you a secret.  

I have never given a kids party before!

Oh, I have done parties, lots of them, even birthday parties for my kids.

BUT, I have never done one that was geared towards kids.

I am not in my element.

I am planning, oh, lots of planning.

In fact, if you ask my sisters, they will tell you I have turned into

THE PARTY NATZIE!

I am dictating all that needs to be done.

I am up to my neck in lists.

Lists for food.

Lists for things that need to be bought.

Lists for things that need to be made.

Lists for things that need to be cleaned....moved......chopped....cooked.....it never stops.

But, that's ok.

Because, I know when my guests arrive, I stop, put down that last minute thing I was doing and I have fun.

I am mostly ready in the living room.

Mostly.

I am just loving the white and black with pops of orange. 

Eyeballs, eeeww.

I love the eyeballs on the plates.

Each year I just get out the glue gun and re-glue them on.

Then pop them off at the end of the season.

Such pearly whites!

Doesn't it look like the bird is picking his nose.

Hahahahahahaha

The two pumpkin heads on the cabinet are new this year.

Little miss witch has to be up high.

The poor girl has been with me right from the start.

Both of her teeth have rotted off, and one of her legs has to be fixed each year.

But, I love her.

I actually managed to finish several pillows from shirts and sweaters that were last years undone project.

More little pumpkin heads hanging around.

There are five.

Mini skeletons, there is always something fun you can do with them.

Thanks for stopping by to visit my spooky living room.

So, I have to ask, do you do kids parties?

What is one tip you have learned that you could pass on to me.

I am also partying over at Common Ground, My Romantic Home and French Country Cottage.

Do You BOO?

I am neck deep in Halloween decorations.

I have completed the invitation for my kids first Halloween costume party.

Two of the kids have their costumes are just can't wait for the spooky day.

And you.

DO YOU BOO?

While I am busy getting ready for this year's Halloween party, I thought I would show you some pictures from last year.

The picture above is the fireplace mantel in the dinning room.

I do reuse most of my decorations from years past, but I try to mix it up.

Bats on the wall.

A cheap effect and one I have already started working on in the living room.

Witch in the front yard.

So, how about you?

Are you having fun decorating for Fall or Halloween?

Parties of the week.

Common Ground: Vintage Inspiration Friday

Craftberry Bush: Halloween

My Romantic Home: Show and Tell Friady

BLUE.....Yes I Said Blue

I actually bought blue.

Yes BLUE!

Even I can't believe it.
I thought that blue was just not my color.
Especially after I tried using it so many times.
I guess I can take it in little doses.

I went shopping at TJMaxx looking for some color to bring into our 1/2 bathroom.
I found blue and lots of it that day.



Come in and look at the changes I have made.

A beautiful BLUE transferware plate found at a local thrift shop.

I replaced a picture with a vintage white mirror from my bedroom.

 Blue and green hydrangeas and some sea shells with a little blue.

A beautiful beach oil reproduction.

I just kept coming back to this picture.

It was the final decision to go with the blue.

The rest just fell into place.

A new blue pot. 

A partial view from the mirror above the sink.

Surprisingly I think the blue is here to stay, at least for the summer.

The good thing about all of my choices,

 I can take them down and change them out for a different color.

Yesterday I found some beautiful towels with brown rosettes, the dinning room perhaps.

So have you been brave and tried a color outside your comfort zone?

Did you watch the WALK?

We just finished watching Nik Wallenda walk across Niagara Falls.

Although we live close enough to see it in person, we watched from the comfort of our living room.

Amazing what a person can do if they set there mind to it.

Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

I am joining Show and Tell Friday, Vintage Inspiration Friday and Feathered Nest Friday.

A Little Bit of Color

Spring must be getting to me.

I am letting a little bit of color in.

or

Maybe because it is almost Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day!

I have the table in the dinning room all set for Mother's Day breakfast.

They are already planning on what dad is going to make for us.

My little guy is so excited for me to have Mother's Day,

 he wanted to know if I could have it a day earlier so I could open what he made me at school.

and 

MY BIRTHDAY IS ON MONDAY!

I have started bringing some color into each room.

I love how the colors pop against the white.

I brought out some of my favorite rose tea cups and saucers.

The kids love drinking tea from them, it makes them feel special they tell me.

I will even have them get dressed up for the morning.

One of my favorite rose pitchers.

Dainty little roses.

Thank you for stopping by.
I am sharing with Debra from Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Cindy from My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

and
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday.