Upcycled Bookshelf

Instant Upcycled Bookshelf

I did this project years ago and still love the results.

I hope you do, too!

1. Take any discarded bookcase (this one was found curbside).
2.  Wash it thoroughly and let dry.
3. Sand it down, nice and smooth.
4. Prime and paint it a light neutral color.
5. Handpaint {or stencil} on lettering of your choice in a complementary color (I handpainted mine). 

I chose three, simple words for this bookcase:

Read · Books · Learn

This post is linked to Tutorial Tuesdays

on HopeStudios.blogspot.com

Playhouse Feature!

I'm always happy to learn that some little project or post on my site has been an inspiration to someone else!  Aside from community and friendship, that's the best part of blogging! 

Our backyard playhouse {above}  has always been one of my most popular posts.  I'm always excited to hear people's feedback on it and to read all of the features that others have done it.

So I was elated when Anette Snarby emailed to ask me if she could feature my son's playhouse on her popular parenting, Norwegian blog Foreldremanualen.no! 

She was looking for inspiration on building a boy-themed playhouse for her two, adorable sons and came across my son's playhouse.  You can check out her blog post here:  A fantastic playground - for the guys!

It's absolutely AMAZING to me that I could inspire someone, anyone - let alone someone so far away just through a simple little blog post!!   Totally makes it all worth while! :)

Anette, thank you so much for reaching out to me,

and for the nice email and post! 

I hope you'll share your finished playhouse with all of us!

Beating the January Blues

Between the warmer than normal temps,

post-holiday blahs, cabin fever,

and the holiday/party hoopla at a temporary end...

Autumn, our Golden Retriever, taking a winter's nap.

January doldrums can set in...

It can get pretty boring with too many rainy/dreary days,

and being stuck inside with not much to do.

The best way to stave off winter doldrums

is to get out and have fun!


Winter Fun Ideas — for kids and kids at heart ;)
....


First, Bundle up {light layers work best}...
Take a {brief} winter walk,
Build a snowman,
Make a snowfort,
Have a snowball fight,
Go sledding or tubing {helmets required for little ones},
Take your family on a snowy sleigh or carriage ride,
Fill empty squirt bottles with food coloring for colorful snow painting,
Freeze empty plastic containers with food coloring for colorful ice blocks,
A weekend getaway to a romantic cabin in snow country would be lovely,
Go ice skating {take lessons to learn},
Take your family skiing {there are plenty of bunny slopes for beginners},
Make a soup bar to warm up ~ {plenty of soup varieties, flavored croutons, grated cheese, etc...},
Beat cabin fever with indoor blanket forts {with bundles of pillows to lay on},
Have a family movie night ~ lots of buttery popcorn, snacks and candies for munching,
Have a late afternoon winter campfire with hot cocoa and toasted marshmallows,
Set up a hot chocolate buffet ~ include plenty of toppings {and don't forget the whipped cream!},
Hang suet to feed non-migrating birds,


or just...


Get out and Have fun!

We finally had our first significant snowfall of the season,

and we couldn't wait to get out and enjoy it!





Acting like a kid again is an instant way to chase away the winter blues.

"The pursuit of truth and beauty is a

sphere of activity in which we are

permitted to remain children

all our lives."

- Albert Einstein

2011 - What A Year!

~ Happy Twenty Twelve ~

Looking back over 2011, it was quite the year. 

From snowball fights and snow painting in January...

to celebrating that crazy love thing in February and my 10th with my hubby in April...

picnics and trips in the summer to see the Duke and Duchess,

to the return of the school year and a new family member in the fall,

and finishing out the year with a thankful heart and a peace-filled home :)

There were projects and parties throughout,

and each season brought its own unique celebrations.

I thank each and every one of you
for following along on this passionate journey of mine :)

I love sharing my enthusiasm for beauty, for blissful moments, love of family and friends,

and my heartfelt joy in celebrating life's random, ordinary moments...the seasons, the holidays, and all of the other little things that bring us happiness.

It really is the little things in life that matter.

Having lost my parents younger than most,

I live with the life philosophy to make each moment count...

to love with abandon,

to bring beauty to the ordinary,

to create fun out of the mundane,

to live life passionately,

and to surround my loved ones and friends

with joy, charm, and sweetness :)

2012 has just begun.

A new year is filled with hope...

a clean slate as Anne Shirley would say,

"...with no mistakes in it yet."

happy new year!