{country living} Speckled shades of loveliness
sooth my soul...
nestled
together
home
sweet
home
simple
&
sweet
welcome
weekend
weekend
xo,
simple & sweet...
22
Friday, February 26, 2010
{country living} Speckled shades of loveliness
sooth my soul...
nestled
together
home
sweet
home
xo,
a room and a secret...
47
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Do you remember a few weeks ago I mentioned that I had a small crew in my home with power tools...
dust was flying...
hammering rattled throughout my home....
remember my dilemma over not being able to sit while other people were working in my home...
Well this is the "room" they built for me....
my family calls it the "pool room"
One may think this room was built for all the hours of swimming activity that takes place right outside the french doors....
and for access to the bathroom inside the house...
when you are visiting during the summer months just follow the wet footprints and you will find the bathroom...
one may think that is room is the craft room during the not so perfect for swimming weather months....
or for the many pizza parties, cupcake making, popcorn eating room that the chickadees and their friends can have fun in...
If you thought that this room was built for all those wonderful, family fun activities you would be absolutely right....
however, there is another very important reason why this pool room was built...
but what ever you do don't tell my darling husband this...
it's between you and me...
our little secret that only we would understand because I "sold" the pool room idea to my darling husband with the list I mention above...
and he saw the same vision I did...
he said, "make it happen Number 1 " {he calls me Number 1.... which I find so romantic!!!!}
that's another secret I just told you... I guess I'm in a secret telling mood today....
and the day is young.... just think of what I may spill later... heehee
Sorry I got distracted...
back to the Pool Room...
here are the specs of the room I wanted...
16 x 16 room
french doors...
1 window
4 recessed lights
one center light for a hanging light fixture that I already have visioned...
with a 5 foot wide framed entryway into the rest of our house that can easily have another set of french doors added at a later day if so desired...
right now I desire not to have doors.
I want plenty of easy access to this room and the rest of the home...
especially quick access to the bathroom for the kiddos during swimming time....
When it came to the flooring discussion I've decided to be wild and crazy...
it was pure love at first sight...
which has just deepened over time...
She has been gently placed in her new room and I can tell she is beaming....
dust was flying...
hammering rattled throughout my home....
remember my dilemma over not being able to sit while other people were working in my home...
Well this is the "room" they built for me....
my family calls it the "pool room"
One may think this room was built for all the hours of swimming activity that takes place right outside the french doors....
and for access to the bathroom inside the house...
when you are visiting during the summer months just follow the wet footprints and you will find the bathroom...
one may think that is room is the craft room during the not so perfect for swimming weather months....
or for the many pizza parties, cupcake making, popcorn eating room that the chickadees and their friends can have fun in...
If you thought that this room was built for all those wonderful, family fun activities you would be absolutely right....
however, there is another very important reason why this pool room was built...
but what ever you do don't tell my darling husband this...
it's between you and me...
our little secret that only we would understand because I "sold" the pool room idea to my darling husband with the list I mention above...
and he saw the same vision I did...
he said, "make it happen Number 1 " {he calls me Number 1.... which I find so romantic!!!!}
that's another secret I just told you... I guess I'm in a secret telling mood today....
and the day is young.... just think of what I may spill later... heehee
Sorry I got distracted...
back to the Pool Room...
here are the specs of the room I wanted...
16 x 16 room
french doors...
1 window
4 recessed lights
one center light for a hanging light fixture that I already have visioned...
with a 5 foot wide framed entryway into the rest of our house that can easily have another set of french doors added at a later day if so desired...
right now I desire not to have doors.
I want plenty of easy access to this room and the rest of the home...
especially quick access to the bathroom for the kiddos during swimming time....
When it came to the flooring discussion I've decided to be wild and crazy...rustic and eclectic
for 2 reasons...
one it's my taste...
I like mixing elements
and the second reason was cost...
this room needed to stay under budget
so this was one time hubby was rather excited over my idea....
I instructed them to leave me with a fabulous concrete floor...
I know it's not for everyone but I'm so happy with it...
once my fabulous crew of very talent professionals left...
I washed the concrete a lot....
{that was not any fun}
and then I painted it with a concrete stain in the color Sand...
just so you know I am not a stainer...
never did it before and not sure if my husband would hire me to do it again...
but guess what...
it's rustic and splotchy in a few areas...
but luckily for me, I see that as character!!
Okay, now for the real reason I was on a mission to build our Pool Room....
for my dreamy very rustic hutch that deserved a room all her own!!!
it was pure love at first sight...
which has just deepened over time...I mean really you can't duplicate the layers of paint that are peeking through..
on the side you see a bit of pink..
another spot turquoise..
the brass corner covers someone put on it who knows when...
delicious...
and the wood counter top...
what can I say...
perfection!!!
She has been gently placed in her new room and I can tell she is beaming....or rather I'm beaming for her...
and she definitely needs friends to join her...
So I guess i better get busy finding suitable friends to join the Pool Room...
Here's to thoughts of sunny days and hours of family fun spent in the Pool Room!!
Monday wishes...
25
Monday, February 22, 2010
Hello Monday,I'm determined to tackle this week head on...
dig in...
accomplish great things
one day at a time
with lots of laughter and a few treats...
I'm penciling in a much needed time out for a sweet coffee break with friends...
&
work through my feelings of worry...
I'm typically not a worrier...
so I'm taking these feeling and pushing them out the door...
to melt away with the snow...
shut the door and pour all my energy into much better things...
such as
feeling my heart swell and enjoy the smile that appears every time I see my
3
I have Carissa to thank for her gift of friendship and my 3...
lov ya sweet friend!!!
So here we go...
I'm clicking my heels
1
2
3
and blowing you all wishes for a week full of goodness!!!
xo,
a bowl full of baubles....
34
Thursday, February 18, 2010
has me completely distracted!!!
{image from Country Living}
Oh no...
I think I'm in trouble...
I was minding my own business...
going about my day...
chasing my little guy around the house as I attempted to tidy up...
humming to my own tune....
when all of a sudden I was bitten by the need for...
knobs...
on my kitchen cabinets
Glorious baubles!!!
Have you seen the assortment of knobs?
All the shapes, colors, finishes....
simply divine.
Now I'm completely distracted...
with swirling thoughts...
knobs vs knobless??
I'll get back to you on that one!!!
Wishing you a wonderful weekend,
a girl and her room
62
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
who is growing up...
I still remember decorating her nursery...
she still has her night night baby which has slowly made it's way from her pillow to her bookcase...
but it's still there for her to see...
for me to remember....
placing it in her bassinet for the very first time...
The time had come for her room to have a fresh look...
that reflects the young lady she has become.
Her desk once belonged to my parents. It was part of their first bedroom set...
after a fresh coat of paint it now has been passed to my daughter...
and she sits in my old desk chair I had at her age...
and for the final addition to her room...
I found it last night...
my husband and I snuck away for an hour and look what we found...
a petite chandelier that had me jumping in my husbands arms from excitement...
we both looked at each other and right there and then we knew our little girl is growing up...
{now I just need to hang it... so hubby hurry home!!!}
So, there you have it....
a girl and her room...
I still remember decorating her nursery...
she still has her night night baby which has slowly made it's way from her pillow to her bookcase...
but it's still there for her to see...
for me to remember....
placing it in her bassinet for the very first time...
The time had come for her room to have a fresh look...
that reflects the young lady she has become.
I've loved creating this room for my daughter...
I wanted to make sure everything I picked reflected my daughter and had her seal of approval...
All her furniture is vintage...
slipcovered chair which was a Christmas gift 2 years ago now has a new pillow...
which I'm madly in love with.... the color is amazing...
I turned a vintage buffet into a new dresser for her...
it received a new paint job and had a mirror cut for the top.
I love the size of the buffet...
it fits her room perfectly.
An unexpected find was the new art work I found during our snow storm...
a friend and I had cabin fever and braved the snow covered roads for a trip to Pier 1...
and this is what I found...
the stamp is the same color as her pillow which coordinates with her wall color...
I was pretty darn over the moon giddy!!
Driving home I had my fingers crossed that she would love it as much as I do...
her reply was "oh cool"
that had me attacking her in hugs and kisses...
her love for books reflects her variety of accessories...
her stack of books throughtout her room...
scrabble letters...
silver magnet letters...
her letter "I" that I had the talented and lovely Jeanne from Bushel and a Peck make for her...
Her pillows on her bed are from Etsy...
and her very first quilt I got for her when she transitioned from the crib to the big girl bed is folded on the end of her bed...
I painted her bed French Press {it was originally yellow} it's my favorite brown right now...
it has a weathered feel... there is a pinch of grey in the color, that makes it feel like drift wood you would find at the beach after a long warm summer....
the brown works amazing with the wall color Harbor Haze
Her desk once belonged to my parents. It was part of their first bedroom set...
after a fresh coat of paint it now has been passed to my daughter...
and she sits in my old desk chair I had at her age...
and for the final addition to her room...I found it last night...
my husband and I snuck away for an hour and look what we found...
a petite chandelier that had me jumping in my husbands arms from excitement...
we both looked at each other and right there and then we knew our little girl is growing up...
{now I just need to hang it... so hubby hurry home!!!}
So, there you have it....a girl and her room...
is complete!!!
Here's to a new week...
with less snow...
&
a whole lot of possibilities
I'm ready!!!
cinderella night out....
29
Friday, February 12, 2010
Yes, I'm still here...
it's been the biggest winter blizzard that has left us with so much
s n o w
&
an entire week of snow days....
I've shoved, stuffed chickadees in snow gear 10,000 times
why is it so hard to get children geared up for sledding?
the amount of clothing I put on them is hilarious...
I break out in a sweat each and every time...
but in all the chaos and fun this storm brought us there was
an extra b r i g h t and shinning moment to my week...
my prince charming whisked me away in our snow covered car for a
black tie affair last night....
I was giddy....
I couldn't wait to put on a dress...
and 3 inch peep toe heels...
in the snow...
Oh yes I did...
whats a little chill...
hubby was stunning in his formal attire as
i clung to him walking across the very icy pavement...
we laughed that we were both going to land on our bums...
but said if we go down at least we go down together...
which for some reason had us laughing harder...
As we made our way home in the late evening night
we arrived home to sleeping children...
perfect ending to a perfect night out!
Wishing you all loads of love thisValentines Day
Weekend!!!
xoxo,
a love letter, a reveal, a winner...
40
Monday, February 8, 2010
Part 1...
Dear Darling Husband,
Did I tell you how much I love my typewriter you bought me!!! Oh, I should apologize for squealing so loudly while you were trying to watch the Super Bowl... I was just a little excited that the ribbon on my typewriter still had enough ink left on it for me to compose a Valentine love letter to you...
however, you may need me to read it to you... it's a little faint in spots....
but the good thing about that is I can read it with plenty of "dramatic voice inflection" to key words {giggles}
Love, Your Wife
Part 2....
a reveal...
in stages...
my daughter's room is 95% done....
but I can't keep you in suspense any longer
to refresh you memory I picked the paint color from
her eye color {which you can read about here}
slowly but surely it's coming together...
each piece needed to be just right
when I walk into her room I feel...
peaceful, calming
which is how I also describe daughter's personality.... she is her father!!!
I want to pick up one of her many books, sit in her slipcovered chair and read the day away...
she has a deep love for books which was instrumental in how I decorated her room...
here are the colors I used...
The wall color is Harbor Haze {second from the right}
the ceiling color is Whispering Spring {first on the right side}
I painted one of her nightstands Angean Teal {first color on the left}
for the big room reveal you just need to wait a few more days
I'm waiting for the last piece of the puzzle to arrive from one of my favorite bloggy friend's who has a wonderful esty shop! {to be continued}
Part 3....
You all made the hugest snow storm so much fun....
yikes we have so much snow...
anyone interested in trading homes at the moment...
I can offer you great cross country skiing, warm fire, flannel cover beds and I'll be sure to leave you with all 3 snow shovels in trade for your home in warm weather... let me know if anyone is interest :)
now to the part you are all waiting for....
the announcement of the winner...
for the open circle necklace...
all 109 names went in a bowl
the winner is...
Andrea from fadedplains
drop me an email Andrea and I'll send it on to Lisa!!!
I had so much for celebrating with all of you I definitely think we should do it again...
Dear Darling Husband,Did I tell you how much I love my typewriter you bought me!!! Oh, I should apologize for squealing so loudly while you were trying to watch the Super Bowl... I was just a little excited that the ribbon on my typewriter still had enough ink left on it for me to compose a Valentine love letter to you...
however, you may need me to read it to you... it's a little faint in spots....
but the good thing about that is I can read it with plenty of "dramatic voice inflection" to key words {giggles}
Love, Your Wife
Part 2....
a reveal...
in stages...
my daughter's room is 95% done....
but I can't keep you in suspense any longer
to refresh you memory I picked the paint color from
her eye color {which you can read about here}
slowly but surely it's coming together...
each piece needed to be just right
when I walk into her room I feel...
peaceful, calming
which is how I also describe daughter's personality.... she is her father!!!
I want to pick up one of her many books, sit in her slipcovered chair and read the day away...
she has a deep love for books which was instrumental in how I decorated her room...
here are the colors I used...
The wall color is Harbor Haze {second from the right}
the ceiling color is Whispering Spring {first on the right side}
I painted one of her nightstands Angean Teal {first color on the left}
for the big room reveal you just need to wait a few more days
I'm waiting for the last piece of the puzzle to arrive from one of my favorite bloggy friend's who has a wonderful esty shop! {to be continued}
Part 3....
You all made the hugest snow storm so much fun....
yikes we have so much snow...
anyone interested in trading homes at the moment...
I can offer you great cross country skiing, warm fire, flannel cover beds and I'll be sure to leave you with all 3 snow shovels in trade for your home in warm weather... let me know if anyone is interest :)
now to the part you are all waiting for....
the announcement of the winner...
for the open circle necklace...
all 109 names went in a bowl
the winner is...
Andrea from fadedplains
drop me an email Andrea and I'll send it on to Lisa!!!
I had so much for celebrating with all of you I definitely think we should do it again...
soon... I'm just saying.... there's an awful lot to celebrate... and it's only February!!!
I'm off to find my snow shoes...
to make my way to the paint store...
oh yes,
the cabin fever set in during the first hour of the Blizzard of 2010
and I took full advantage of it!!!
xoxo,
xoxo,
blessed & a giveaway...
109
Thursday, February 4, 2010
One thing I love about life is all the unexpected surprises that happen...
they bring me to tears with feelings of complete and utter joy...
I've always been a person who wears the heart on their sleeve...
I can't hide...
and once I met my husband my heart was his the day I met him...
and everything about how I loved and lived changed the day my children were born...
there are days I feel like it will burst!
One of those unexpected surprises happened when I started blogging...
my life got bigger...
I share my latte daily with you all....
{I'm fairly certain my caffeine intake tripled}...
my heart grew again...
because of you...
I've learned so much...
how to face daily life with grace,
words of wisdom...
that we are all connected in this majestic world we all share...
different locations but deep passion for family, decorating, friendship,vintage, food, coffee...
I have experienced so many "oh my gosh" moments that have me dazzled with inspiration
by the utter brilliance of creativity...
I feel so blessed to get a glimpse of your life and hear your story...
I thank you for that...
what do I say to all who read this little blog of mine...
I'm not sure I am able to articulate how much you mean to me...
and that you come back day after day...
it's a ray of sunshine in all weather conditions...
How about a gift...
here's a little thing all of you may not know...
besides my passion for my family and vintage...
I have a deep love for jewelry...
so can you guess my excitement when I came across the beautiful blog of Lisa Leonard
and her amazing Lisa Leonard designs!!!
Well, guess what?
Lisa has such an amazing heart she is offering one of my readers a chance to win her
open circle necklace
When I received my open circle necklace with my 4 children's names engraved I wept...
it's my first piece of jewelry with my children's name on it...
my chickadees...
how I love them...
So, to all who read LuLu & Co. I thank you for your friendship, for your love and support...your comments... warm my heart, are a hug to my soul, give me a boost of energy, make me burst out with laughter...
and for that i will always be grateful because I carry you all in my heart....
okay enough of me getting all emotional what are you waiting for...
all you have to do is comment on this post, become a follower to be entered to win...
I'd love to know if you win what you would have Lisa engrave....
and you have till Sunday at midnight to enter...
if you don't have a blog just leave me an email address for me to reach you.
Today I celebrate Y O U
and my many blessing...
xoxox,
it's time to celebrate...
32
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
{photo from Country Living}
A couple things happened while I was away from home...
hubby and the chickadees made out just fine without me...
I came home to homemade cards and brownies...
and it wasn't even my birthday!
s w e e t
a few other things happened too...
it snowed...
a lot!
I became unstuck in my daughter's room...
Yes I DID!!!
and
the construction that was occurring before I left...
was completed while I was away!!!
I think this calls for a little celebration...
actually, I think with all that has happened I feel like
Celebrating
B I G
with
a
giveaway
that is close to my heart!!!
hmmm, what could this be?
any guesses?
I'll leave you thinking of what it could possibly be...
until
tomorrow!!!
It's worth the wait...
I promise!!!
Here's to a day with much excitement in the air and celebrating life!!!
xoxo,
f a m i l y....
34
Monday, February 1, 2010
It feels like a dream...
3 days...
a total of 24 hours of traveling
3 hour time difference...
First time I've ever traveled without my children...
my first journey solo...
chickadees and hubby had the weekend without me...
I left my home on Friday at 3:45 AM to begin my journey....
my journey to celebrate the "life, love and history of my beloved grandparents"....
the many planes all began to arrive bringing all 16 grandchildren together...
I arrived to Washington State at 1:37 PM on Friday to hugs from my parents...
my brother and I met up on one of the connecting flights to arrive together...
my oldest sister soon followed 30 minutes later...
we headed to my younger sister's home {she lives in Spokane}
Then it began...
the celebration to honor my grandparents...
On Saturday we all gathered...
3 aunts
3 uncles
16 grandchildren
7 great grandchildren {18 great grandchildren were in all our thoughts}
and a multitude of my grandparents friends gathered for the combined funeral...
it was their wish to be laid to rest together...
and on this special day they were...
It was the most amazing experience I've ever witnessed...
these beloved grandparents brought all of us together at one time...
to share a story...
all the stories had a common thread...
our grandparents made each one of us grandchildren feel completely and totally loved...
we celebrated into the night...
I slept for 4 hours to be back at the airport for my journey home...
3 flights later
I landed at Washington Nation Airport to be greeted with smiles and more hugs from my
f a m i l y...
oh what a sight to see...
for my grandparents taught us all how important family is!!!
So on this Monday morning I awoke to, oh mom we missed you so much
you were gone so long, and it's a snow day... y i p p y...
3 days...
a total of 24 hours of traveling
3 hour time difference...
First time I've ever traveled without my children...
my first journey solo...
chickadees and hubby had the weekend without me...
I left my home on Friday at 3:45 AM to begin my journey....
my journey to celebrate the "life, love and history of my beloved grandparents"....
the many planes all began to arrive bringing all 16 grandchildren together...
I arrived to Washington State at 1:37 PM on Friday to hugs from my parents...
my brother and I met up on one of the connecting flights to arrive together...
my oldest sister soon followed 30 minutes later...
we headed to my younger sister's home {she lives in Spokane}
Then it began...
the celebration to honor my grandparents...
On Saturday we all gathered...3 aunts
3 uncles
16 grandchildren
7 great grandchildren {18 great grandchildren were in all our thoughts}
and a multitude of my grandparents friends gathered for the combined funeral...
it was their wish to be laid to rest together...
and on this special day they were...
It was the most amazing experience I've ever witnessed...
these beloved grandparents brought all of us together at one time...
to share a story...
all the stories had a common thread...
our grandparents made each one of us grandchildren feel completely and totally loved...
we celebrated into the night...
I slept for 4 hours to be back at the airport for my journey home...
3 flights later
I landed at Washington Nation Airport to be greeted with smiles and more hugs from my
f a m i l y...
oh what a sight to see...
for my grandparents taught us all how important family is!!!
So on this Monday morning I awoke to, oh mom we missed you so much
you were gone so long, and it's a snow day... y i p p y...
I'm Back!!!!
and it feels so good...
