We Actually DO Like Our Neighbors!

When you ask your boy to replace the rotten fence boards.

(I'm sure our neighbors love it.)

New Dog Fence

I spend a lot more time on the front porch this time of year-and even more so now that we are always home! I asked Christian to build a doggie barrier to match our porch bannister.

 He agreed to build it, as long as he didn't have to paint it.

 I painted it today, and it looks so much better than the piece of particle board I was using.

 And the dogs love the front yard view!

How My Garden Grows

Tomatoes, basil, cilantro and strawberries

jalapeno

more tomatoes and mint

more tomatoes and pimento pepper

She's Really Bored

Carolyn is so bored, she is touching up all of the trim in the house. 

(YAY FOR ME!)

November Chalk Art

WIP FINALLY Finished

This chair was in the cabin when we bought it and I always planned to recover it. 

I started it... and ran into trouble and so it sat. and sat... 

Then I decided to slipcover it. And started it, and then it sat. 

FINALLY pulled it out again and finished it! Now it is a nice addition to Christian's room upstairs.

New Roof

My New Favorite Toy

Chest of Drawers Rehab

Christian's room has been LSU themed since he was in middle school. That's not really working for him anymore. I'm slowly transitioning his room to a more grown up bedroom/spare room. My latest project was rehabbing this garage sale chest of drawers that I picked up for $20.

Before:

(the top was in rough shape)

 During:

After:

This is the first time I have tried waxing. It is very subtle on the red, but I love it!

Honey-Do Day

Goodbye red dining room!

Bathroom DIY

Christian framed out the powder room mirror for me today. I love it so much!

 BEFORE

AFTER

Great job, Christian!

Some New Christmas Decorations

I added a cute banner to my vintage tool box and it was a great place for this year's Christmas cards.

I love changing out the chalkboard on the mantle

 and my new felt board is almost as much fun as the chalkboard!

 A Christmas update to the vintage typewriter

And a Santa sleigh for the globe

Home Is Where Your Mom Is

A New Toy

Jim got a new powerwasher and powerwashing is his new hobby!  Coleman is earning money for fall retreat by powerwashing the deck. (Yes, he does hire out!)

I think Jim regrets giving Coleman the job-because he wants to do it himself!

(Regardless, look how great my deck is looking!)

Room Redo

We are redoing Coleman's room and downsized him from a full-size loft bed to a regular twin bed.

 Step one of the the makeover, a new duvet cover made by mom!

Syracuse orange and navy, of course.

Way to Start the Day

Several months ago, I made this great sign to hang by the front door. When the kids go out in the morning to catch the bus, they get a kiss from mom and a reminder!

The World's Ugliest Coffee Table-Update

Here is the "new" media table I upcycled from the world's ugliest coffee table. 

 I am so pleased with the way it turned out!

Remember the before?

I replaced the turned legs with galvanized pipe, removed the 1970's trim, painted, and added new hardware and wheels.  Total cost was about $80.  (The wheels were $15 each at the hardware store, but now I know that IKEA sells them much cheaper.)

At some point, the TV is going to hang on the wall and the DVD player will be hidden (it's a half inch too wide for the cabinet, darn it!)

The best part?  It's one of a kind!

The Big (Secret) Project

While Carolyn is at my mom and dad's house, I am redoing her room as a surprise! Here are the before pictures:

This is about as clean as it ever gets.

I started decorating it when we moved here and never really finished.

Yesterday I cleaned out and threw stuff away and now have a huge pile of things to donate and a big bag of trash. Everything is out of the closets and the room is ready to paint!

Right Of Passage

Christmas Explosion

My dining room:

Jim and Christian brought up the Christmas decorations.

I especially like the juxtaposition of pumpkins and turkeys in the midst of all the red and green.