which way to the beach?

So, this is my latest flea market find.  There used to be a mirror hanging over this table at the beach house, but I took it down and hung this old freeway sign in its place.  I absolutely love it.  The family had mixed reviews.  One little granddaughter told me she liked the mirror better, but her mom pointed out she probably just liked looking at herself.  The real debate was over whether or not to wash it.  I didn't even think about it when I hung it up, but everyone was very opinionated as to what should be done with it.  What do you think?

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a relaxing weekend

Did everyone have a wonderful long weekend?  We had a lovely and relaxing weekend here in town not doing much of anything in particular.  We attended some family gatherings and messed about the house. Sometimes those weekends are the nicest, don't you think?

How about you?  Did you do anything exciting, go anywhere fun, or just hang out and relax?

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summertime

I must say, I am getting rather excited for summer to be here.  In honor of the start of this summer, I decided to redecorate my mantle.  It is certainly getting me in that summery mood...

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a garden gift

I found all these crates at the flea market last time I went and I thought they would be so fun to use for plants or even as little herb boxes.  So, as usually happens with me when I am sitting in my craft room, I start to think of what fun little bags and packagings I can make to go with these boxes to create cute little individual gifts...  I have said it 1000 times, my craft room is my therapy.  And I had a lovely little session last week putting all this together...  I am going to put seeds in the little bags and fill the big "grow" bag up with some of our super fertile soil from the garden.  Throw in a watering can, some tools and even a cute little tablecloth and there you go.

Would you think it was fun to receive a vintage crate full of gardening supplies as a gift?

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whoa, garden

Our garden is in full swing this year.  Everything is growing and it seems we have more than we will possibly be able to eat.  We keep encouraging the kids to come over and take as much as they can for their families, and we still seem to have so much.  I was thinking it would be so fun to have a salad making party.  Put a huge farm table out in the yard, cover it with butcher paper and lay out all the lettuce and vegetables it could hold.  Everyone could bring a bowl and take home a huge salad for dinner.  What do you think?  Would you go to a party like that?  Any ideas on what else you could do?  Would you prewash the lettuce or set up some sort of washing station in the yard?  Lots to think about...  Oooh, we could even make different salad dressings in little mason jars as party favors to take home!  I have to keep thinking about this one.  Oh, and find the time to pull it off...

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a little green

Every year my son's neighborhood hosts a St. Patrick's Day block party.  And as somewhat of the ringleader of this event, my son, with the help of his father-in-law, builds a pub every year in his driveway (here's last years).  So, this Sunday we went over to help them get ready for the upcoming party this weekend and I started getting in the festive St. Patrick's Day mood.  So, it motivated me to finally get rid of the Valentine's that was still lingering around the fireplace.  Also, I like any excuse to switch up my mantle.  I actually just love moving things around my house in general.  It feels like cleaning out your refrigerator...  its a fresh, clean start.  I moved some green bottles I had outside in to my mantle and took this picture off my desk to throw up there as well.  Then I added some green olive leaves and *wa-la* a whole new, fresh look.  

I have this old journal/log book that I picked up at a flea market, so I ripped out the day of March 17th and glued it to the front of one of the jugs...

As I was adding olive leaves here and there about the house, I also came across these little green books I randomly picked up at a flea market a while back.  I had nothing in mind when I bought them, but loved them and was so excited to put them out in a festive way....

I also moved a couple other things around in my attempt to freshen up the place and love the way this frame that I took off the mantle looks in its new spot...

I also found this painting that used to hang in my daughter's bathroom thrown on the floor (apparently she decided it no longer fit the look of her room) and I was quite glad to add it to my front room...

Do you enjoy moving things all around the house?  Do you think it has something to do with spring and wanting a clean, fresh start to everything?

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then and now

I have been thinking about these pictures of our home from when we first bought it ever since I posted the pictures from 10 years ago.  Our house was built in the 1940's (old by Phoenix standards) and was designed in a Spanish Colonial ranch style, which was very popular at the time.  The property was completely overgrown and the house was dark, musty and in need of some serious love, yet we saw the potential it held and were excited to make it our own.

And here is our home today (I realize it wasn't the best time of day to take this picture, but it is what it is)...

The front door, then and now.

The garage, then and now.

This was the original master bath, that was also the laundry room.

For those that have enjoyed watching our kitchen remodel,
here is what we started with in the very beginning.

Our living room fireplace, then and now.
How about that red?
The entire front entryway and living room were that color...

Our family room fireplace, then and now.

Well, I think our family might be addicted to remodels as my son and his wife in Chicago are in the midst of one and my other son and his wife here in Phoenix just began demo at their new house in North Central Phoenix (pictures to come!).  Oh, and I am currently working on a condo remodel project...  What can I say, there is something very satisfying in the challenge of seeing potential in an old home and making it your own.

Do you love looking at before and after pictures as much as I do?  Don't you love seeing what interesting new styles people choose for their homes?

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