Dresser & Vanity

You're not going to believe the 'before' pictures. Here are the afters.

Ok, brace yourself. What you're about to see is NOT PRETTY!

Last April my husband saw and ad for a free dresser and vanity. We snatched them up, tied them to our trailer and parked them in the barn. Seriously.

The barn is not at all weather proof or bird proof (did you see the proof of the birds on the dresser picture? Gross!), so we moved the set into the garage. The idea was for me to paint them and sell them. 

Before the garden took off last summer, I did some work on the vanity. But then I got tired of sanding and felt overwhelmed by the gluing and filling. And Mr. Ashes got a project car and my project furniture was moved into a back corner.

So it sat there. 

Finally in October the garden was done, the car was done and I felt up to the task. Out came the sander and wood-filler while the boys played in the sandbox and we enjoyed the sunshine. 

And then first trimester nausea and exhaustion set in and I quit again. Then it was too cold and then there were the holidays and traveling and guests...

Finally, a few weeks ago Mr. Ashes got a new project car. I didn't want the dresser to be blocked in a back corner in a freezing garage, so we moved the set inside. 

And I got to work!!!

There was lots of this:

and this:

and this:

Right in the middle of my kitchen. 

I sanded everything by hand to somewhat control the dust (ha!).

After three weeks (speedy, I am not!), two coats each of primer, off-the-shelf white paint and polycrylic, as well as some walnut stain, the set is done!

Here are some detail shots:

I love the contrast of the white paint and walnut stain!

I reused the original hardware, just spray-painted it oil rubbed bronze.

I just love how they turned out!

Don't they look right at home with Classic Pooh?

Good, cuz somewhere along the line, I fell in love with these pieces.

They're enjoying their new home in the nursery!

     
          

Boy or Girl?

I took this test:

It said GIRL!

Can anyone vouch for the reliability? I'm not buying anything pink.

Winter Blues

 Today at noon the temperature was 0. The weather guy described it as "North Pole" conditions. With windchill tonight the temperature is supposed to be around -30. Last week when warned of colder temps headed our way, an announcer used the words "dangerous" and "bitter". 

Here's my little guy on Sunday when it was 30 or so. (Sounds tropical!) Yes, he's trying to eat a snowball.

This is J1 smiling for the camera. I think it looks like my attempt at being happy about the weather! Fake!!!

He likes to lay on his tummy and bite the snow. I think he's watched Arctic Tale one time too many!

The boys are thrilled with their snowman! Daddy built it and they get all the fame. Kids! This is actually the first one this season for them--the snow has either been really fine powder that won't stick or icy and hard. Thanks, Daddy, for taking the time to build us a snowman!

Is it Spring yet?!

Junk Decor

Donna from Funky Junk Interiors is amazing. Her blog was one of the first I followed and she has impressed my decorating style in past posts like this one. In my recent post about redecorating the bathroom I showed you a couple junky improvements to the space. 

I couldn't let the chance go by to link-up to Donna's Copy Me Challenge, so here are some details of my favorite junky pieces.

After a brainstorm of mine one sleepless night, I described these shadow boxes to my husband. It didn't take him long to cut up and screw together some authentic barn boards into these junky lovelies!

One holds extra washcloths, the other is for my husband's shaving gear.

I love this knotty detail!

Next up is a sign in my bathroom that I stenciled.

Cut authentic barn board into desired length, stencil on some letters, sand them to show the yummy texture of the board and now you will never get lost in your own home! In case you were wondering what this room with the tub and vanity and toilet was... 

Add a hook and you have back of the door storage!

Another piece of barn board with a Bible verse became a focal point in our living room.

We store firewood in a tin bucket that I found in the barn.

I found this watering can in the barn too, and painted it white. I love keeping flowers in it in the spring!

In true FJI style, I hung a curtain on a hanger to spruce up a corner of the kitchen. You can read about it here.

My husband found this cool old trunk at a flea market. It's now serves as our coffee table.

Last but not least, an FJI inspired mantle. Nevermind it's really the top of a bookcase I keep in the kitchen for extra storage... It has layers of color and junky finds just like Donna would use. The window is from our barn, by the way!

Hope you've enjoyed my homage to Donna and her Funky Junk Style. Keep it coming, Donna! You're an inspiration!

What's for Lunch?

What tastes better than hot soup when you're snowed in? Not much!

source: AllPosters.com

Ashli from Maillardville Manor included this link to a tomato soup recipe in her menu plan for this week. It's a new family favorite that I'm sure we'll be seeing a lot. We're planning to make it with fresh tomatoes this summer and canning it for use next winter. Yum!

I served the soup with garlic toast and steamed broccoli with a vegan "cheese" sauce (made from cashews, seasonings and nutritional yeast). My boys gobbled everything up and wanted more ... of the broccoli! 

I must be doing something right.