Signs of Spring!

We're finally seeing some definite signs of spring! I know it's OLD news for some parts of the country, but Iowa is a little behind. Yes, you can take that however you want to! 

These little guys have enjoyed playing outside again!

Yes, this little cutie put his hat on this way all by himself!

See how the grass is getting green?

We have lots of landscaping yet to do around Windy Meadows!

J had so much fun jumping! Yes, those are septic tank covers. See above mention on how we still need to landscape!

We were just warm enough without wearing jackets.

Those sticks behind J2's head are actually my rose bush. We've got a ways to go yet!

Can you see the buds forming on the trees?

And the first flowers will be here soon!

I know, that wasn't much to brag about, buy hey, it's something! Finally! 

So here's a question, why is it that when I finally get to blogging more regularly, something always comes up to throw it off? Does that happen to you?

This time, we got sick. My husband came home feeling yucky on Tuesday, and by Friday I had it. Thankfully I was able to take care of stuff while he was sick, then he took over when I had it. Still not sure what 'IT' was--achy, runny nose, some chills, back pain and fatigue... We were also glad that the most the boys had was a runny nose. I think we went through three boxes of tissue last week! 

Anyway, we're mostly better and I have more posts up my sleeve. Hope you are enjoying spring and staying well! 

Hot Glue to the Rescue!

When J1 turned 1 we bought a $20 rug from Lowe's for his big boy room. Sometime in the last few months, one of the edges has begun to fray. It just MIGHT have been helped along by a certain 3-year-old boy, but I don't really have evidence to prove it!

No,  the carpet isn't purple! I used a towel to catch hot glue drips!

Since the edging of the carpet was still hanging on, I decided to try hot gluing it back together.

I started with the back because I haven't used a hot glue gun in YEARS! Not sure why, cuz it worked perfectly today!

The glue squished through just a little, but the edging stayed put after I reattached it.

Yay! The back is done!

The front was a little trickier because the gluing surface wasn't flat, but I got it to work.

Here it is, all finished and as good as new! Hot glue to the rescue!

(Yes, I know, refinishing the floor is high on the list of home improvements!)

Now #9 on my list of typical blogger projects can be checked off!  

Happy Blogiversary!

It's my 1-year blogiversary!

It's been a good year. I feel that I have been blessed by the blogging community. I love knowing there are so many others out there trying to make something beautiful--whether is your home, family, crafts... I'm thankful for the friends I've made, the ideas I've seen, the projects I've gotten done, all in the name of blogging.

Ok, enough of that. What I'd like to do is compare the following completely random and made-up list of typical blog posts to projects I've blogged about over the last year. I know there are a couple 'standard' things I have yet to accomplish!

1. Declare your love for spray paint.


Candle Holder Makeover

Before

After

2. Repurpose something destined for the trash into a great craft project.


DIY Chore Chart

Used canning lids

Magnetic chore chart

 3. Do something with burlap.

Menu Board

Empty frame

Add some burlap and stickers

Dry-erase menu board

4. Set a pretty tablescape for the sole purpose of taking pictures of it.

Breakfast in Bed

Fantasy breakfast

brought to you in bed!

4. Make a wreath.

Fall Wreath

Cardboard circle + twine + coffee filter flowers

= pretty wreath for free!

5. Renovate your bathroom or kitchen.

Bathroom Love

Install beadboard, paint mirror frame

add mason jar accessories

Add Goodwill shelf you painted

DIY art and a fluffy bathrobe

repurposed barn boards into shelves!

6. Paint a piece of furniture.

Dresser & Vanity

Before (free, btw!)

After

After (detail)

7. DIY something that most people would buy.

Bunkbeds (part 1) & Bunkbeds (part 2)

Ana White plans

Handy husband

Amazing loft bed + lower bunk.

8. Organize a small space.

Spring Cleaning - Boys' Closet

Boys' closet before

Boys' closet after

9. Fix something using hot glue.

I did that today! Check back tomorrow for the details!

10. Make something out of a drop cloth.

I bought one yesterday and have all the plans in my head. Can't wait to get the rest of the list checked off so I can be a 'real' blogger!

Here's to another year of blogging! 

Go Fly a Kite!

We seem to always have wind here in the Iowa countryside. Today the temps were in the 50s so we headed outside to fly a kite!

J1 got to fly it! (He's smiling, really!)

J2 was happy just to watch.

 

Love the bright blue sky and sunshine!

I guess kites are easier to watch while reclining. Love these little guys!!!

Hope you're having a great weekend!

Pregnancy Update-33 Weeks

How Far Along: 33 1/2 Weeks

Size of baby: Approximately 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and 17+ inches. 

http://www.babycenter.com

Maternity Clothes: Stretchy pants are my friends! When I'm not wearing maternity yoga pants, I like the ones with the big nylon tops--I find the ones meant to go below your belly are uncomfortable AND they fall down!

Gender: Who's to say?!

Movement: Yes, we have a very active little person in there. I love that the midwives can feel and explain exactly what position Baby is in. One always says, "Hello Baby!" when she's checking the position. I like that.

What I miss: Oh, the list is getting longer! Being more comfortable, especially at night; having more choices of what shoes to wear, zipping up my coat!

Sleep: Yeah, not so fun! I use an extra pillow for my knees, but between my hips hurting and my frequent bathroom trips, some nights I feel like I'm awake more than asleep!

Symptoms: I get tired easily so I try to get off my feet periodically. My midwife team wants me to spend an hour a day laying down with my feet above my head! I've also been dealing with some swelling, so they gave me a list of fruit and veggies to eat that have a high water content (think melons, cucumbers, celery...). I've been paying more attention to eating more protein (nuts and beans). In addition, I'm drinking at least 2 quarts of water a day, plus 1 quart of red raspberry leaf tea. This tea is not only good for hydration; it also helps to strengthen and tone the uterus. THEY say that women who drink red raspberry leaf tea have faster, easier deliveries. Sign me up! 

I also signed up to use the birthing pool. I've heard it's great to labor in because it's deep and cushioned. Anything that might help sounds good to me!

Best Moment This Week: J1 (almost 4) always prays for our 'brand new baby'. It's so cute! Lately he's been hugging my belly too. Love it! J2 (almost 2) still doesn't really get it, but we've been emphasizing what a big boy he is to help him get ready for his role as a big brother. 

What I am looking forward to: Only 6 weeks to go!!! Or 7 or 8...

Ruffle-licious!

I don't sew. 

Not in a cool way like so many bloggers do. I'd love to be able to see something cute and go, hey, I could make that! I do admit that I learned how to run a straight stitch somewhere between my Mom, my paternal Grandma and my Home Ec. class in high school. 

I inherited my Grandma's sewing machine and table and all the stuff in it. This was over 10 years ago and I still haven't gone through the drawers, but every time I open them, I remember Grandma by the smell. Isn't that weird? I'll have to take a picture and show you the table my Grandpa made to Grandma's precise measurements. Everything Grandma did was precise.

Unlike me. 

I finally read the copied version of the 1960's Elna sewing machine manual and figured out how to thread the needle and bobbin. I've hemmed a couple things, sewed a hooded towel for J2 (using a towel someone else made for J1 as the pattern), and a pillow that I won't bother blogging about cuz it's not that great! 

But yesterday...

I conquered a ruffle!

It's not perfect--not even close. But it looks exactly like I wanted it to. Go me!

(And that's a sneak peek of the nursery closet!)