Kitchen & Dining Update

Even though I've pretty much given up on finishing a timely and regular William Morris post, I am still DOING them.  And last weekend, I decided on a whim that it was time to paint the kitchen and dining room.  I've been procrastinating for months, and I really wanted to get it done before the holidays so I could stop looking at those drab, sad walls.  

Let's take a trip back to the very beginning, shall we?

This is what it looked like when we bought it.  

Wallpaper, a border, and an odd, slightly sick looking pale grey-green paint.  

And let's not forget the green cloth vertical blinds!  Months later they were still coated with pet hair and dust, despite repeated cleanings!  

I stripped the wallpaper last Fall, leaving two-tone walls and scrapes to be patched.  

A few months ago we dumped the ceiling fan and hung a new chandelier.  

And then last weekend, fueled by a sleepless Friday night, I decided it was time to paint!  I was going to use the leftover gallon of Creamy Mushroom from the front room, figuring that it was neutral enough to work while we decided how far to take the kitchen remodel (to paint the cabinets or not?  replace counter top?  do nothing?).  At the last minute, the Voice of Reason - aka Husband - pulled me aside & asked if that was what I really wanted.  It wasn't, and so I showed him my very first inspiration image: 

(this was taken from a home tour at The Kitchn, and the homeowner is actually Under the Sycamore)

What I really wanted was a pale, happy blue, with white cabinets and butcherblock counters, and updated appliances.  

So we whipped out the paint chips, picked one, and I ran down to my favorite home improvement store to buy some last minute paint.  

Ta Da!

This is Heavenly Blue by Martha Stewart, color matched into Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint.  

In some of these pics it reads very "baby boy blue", but I swear, it's not.  

Of course I painted the trim white (yes, the wood doors will go white too, but they are really damaged from the previous pets, and I didn't have time/ the desire to fix them right now).  

Do you like the clutter and the missing vent cover?  Just keepin' it real out here.  

We all love the color.  It makes me happy just walking into the room, and isn't that the point of personalizing your home?  And it even got me pumped to paint the cabinets in the Spring.  Best $32 I have spent in a looooong time!

Belated Halloween

This year I did not make a single item for their costumes.  It was bittersweet.  I sort of like working with them to come up with an idea, then stitching it together.  But not spending the night before finalizing the costumes was very, very sweet.    

First up: MARIO from Mario Brothers.  

He is obsessed & has worn the hat EVERY. DAY. since.

He did hate the oversized fake moustache that came with the costume, so it was eyeliner to the rescue.  

SuperGirl and Mario at the church Trunk-or-Treat.  

**SuperGirl costume was bought at Walmart after Halloween last year.  Nothing like a $5 costume!

We finally got around to doing our pumpkins on Saturday afternoon (We trick-or-treat the Saturday before Halloween.  Don't ask.  It's weird.).  One carved, the other painted.  Everyone was happy!

Pirate pumpkin.  Arrrrrgggggh!

This was the ONE shot I snapped on Saturday night before my camera died.  

Great planning, Mom.  

This year was fun because Daddy was home!  The kids insisted that I stay on the porch and pass out candy while Daddy walked them around the neighborhood.  Worked for me - I got to see all the little cuties in their costumes (I just love the babies!!) and he got to experience the mad rush of our neighborhood (we get about 100-150 kids door-to-door). Note for next year: put a glow stick INSIDE their bag or bucket.  Gives a little more visibility in our dark, dark neighborhood.  Plus it's easier to see the candy pile up inside.  

Thankful Thursday #1

As much as I'd like to take a break from blogging until, oh, January, instead, I am encouraging myself to write and to embrace the month of November.  So now that we are on the downhill slide to Christmas (8 weeks and counting!), I am plunging into the spirit of the month and posting for Thankful Thursdays.  

Today, I am thankful for my husband.  Actually, I am thankful for him every day, but TODAY I'm going public with that information.  

He truly is a perfect match for me.  He tempers my crazy with his even-keeled personality.  He supports me in my hair-brained home decorating ideas.  He likes my cooking.  He has a silly side he shows to few, but I happen to be included in that group.  He is a great father, and makes really cute kids.  He is a hard worker, dedicated, persistent, loyal, focused, and let's face it - handsome.  That last one may be hard to tell from the shots below (he is notoriously camera shy), but I assure you, it is very, very true.  And did I say smart?  Oh yes, that too.    

He is my husband, my partner, my best friend, and I am one lucky girl.