Kick Ice - Ice Day 3

The craft - Sweet Pea and I made this garland with scrap booking paper and a sewing machine.

We cut out hearts from the paper and layered them in groups of three. We had eight to nine groups of three. We then sewed the groups of three together on the machine. Pull out a lead thread of about eight to ten inches, then sew the groups of three hearts every four to six inches. Fold the hearts when you have finished sewing and the result is a fun three-d garland. I saw this on a blog that I can't for the life of me remember, so if you do, please let me know! The post I saw made the hearts out of vintage book pages. Very cute!

Yes, the mini pearls are home again today. This is day three of The Ice Storm of 2011 and yes, I am counting. I have run out of "fun" ideas and I am ready to take my children to school, but alas, school has been cancelled again tomorrow and we are supposed to get more snow! I live south of the Mason-Dixon because I like the token winter snow once a year and I like to visit snowy places to ski, but I don't care to live with it. Oh well. The minis are having a blast and have turned the neighborhood into one big, icy sledding course. I hosted a craft day for Sweet Pea and one of her friends yesterday and made a yummy cake last night, but enough already!

Cardboard box sled races.

The winner - Sport Cort



They came, they saw, they kicked some ice!

My enterprising neighbors and the "ice, donut cart"

No, not so smart to turn donuts on the ice in a golf cart, but oh so fun!

The weekend is looking balmy at forty degrees. I can't wait! Wishing you a warm and happy, "kick ice" kind of weekend!

Krissy

Good Day Sunshine

I sure could use this sunny, yellow kitchen right about now. Anyone else? I am really hoping that Punxatawney Phil was right about an early Spring. It just doesn't seem possible when it is seventeen degrees outside and school has already been cancelled for tomorrow. (That is day three, but who is counting?) Anywho, this cheery kitchen with its fabulous wallpaper, salvaged tin ceiling and exposed brick wall was on Extreme Home Makeover two weeks ago. I must admit that the show isn't really my "go to" for style ideas, but this one is divine! A little sunshine for your day!

xoxo,

Krissy

photos via - http://abc.go.com/shows/extreme-makeover-home-edition

Freeze Frame - Ice Day 2

I am writing this between rolling blackouts, so we will see how far I get. I had planned on a warm, sunny kitchen post today, and I still may get to it, but right now, we are freezing and the minis are out of school for day two of the Ice Storm of 2011! You see, we woke-up yesterday morning to this...

What looks like a light dusting of snow, is actually an inch of frozen rain and sleet! We have Packers and Steelers fans in town for that big football game this weekend and we were supposed to provide warm weather and a "big ol Texas welcome". I blame this on them. They brought this misery with them! They are laughing at us though, as what is nothing to them, has paralyzed our entire state! Sand trucks had to escort their team buses to media day yesterday! You see, we Texans are a strong, proud bunch. We have a history of staring danger in the face and winning. We do have an Achilles heel (as soon as the ice melts, Texas Rangers will be knocking on my door to arrest me for revealing this). What is that weakness? ICE! It stops us in our tracks, occupies every second of tv news time, causes widespread panic and a massive delay of everything.

My Texan dogs and children adjusted quickly, making the day a fun one. We started out with board games and hot chocolate by the fire, but the frozen, steep driveway across the street beckoned. Some neighborhood child (certainly not one of my intelligent offspring - said with sarcasm) got the genius idea to try and ride bikes down the ice ramp. I pride myself on being a "fun" parent, but I had to nip that one in the bud. I had to explain that head injuries do NOT equal fun! Solution? Trash can lids, as no self-respecting Texan actually owns a sled. As the frigid temperature took its toll, they came in and made Lego ice cars. They launched the cars and had races on the ice ramp. Yes, that idea I will claim for my offspring!

So, what is on tap for today? Even colder temps, these annoying blackouts and the minis have asked for crafts. Uugghh! I have to come up with something. I want to suggest mommy's favorite game - "sit by the fire and quietly read a book." I'm not sure it will go over well.
We'll see.


Stay warm and safe!

Krissy

Vintage Valentines

Monday, Monday...it feels like one to me. So, I thought I would share some "happies" with you all today - vintage valentines. I have been collecting old postcards for quite some time. I have little collections for all of the holidays and seasons and I love to tuck the cards around mirrors and in my bookshelves to celebrate days throughout the year. Each little card is a work of art on the front and back, as I love the words penned on the back of each postcard to loved ones. This is a glimpse into the lives of those who lived before us. To me, they are so much more meaningful than the emails and You Tube videos of today. What will people say about our society when they use these as a glimpse about how we lived back in 2011? I shudder to think. Antoine Dodson will be the poster child for our society. Obviously, that is a problem. We are better than You Tube, aren't we? I'll pray about that answer.

Anywho, here are my little valentine sussies tucked here and there. I do love Valentine's Day and sending and receiving cards. It's just so fun to hold a big red or pink envelope in your hands and see what is inside. I wish you all a happy Monday!

xoxo,

Krissy

Reno Memos - Parlez-vous francais?

I have decided that I need to light a fire under myself. We are supposed to be starting the renovation of our new home next week and I have nary an idea hammered-down. I know what I want and I am so excited to have the opportunity to do this, so why am I so behind? I have decided to post on my "Reno Memos" and let you all in on the process. I will start with the outside today. The exterior currently resembles a white "Pizza Hut." All it is missing is some red paint and we could go into the pizza business. This old girl speaks French to me and from the first moment I saw her, I knew that French was the way to go.

First things first, we must add more windows. The interior is quite dark and dreary, as the previous owners had an aversion to windows. Next, a gable over the front door and some dormers to break-up that massive roof! Shutters, yes, shutters would be wonderful. I also like the idea of some decorative, zinc lighthing rods - very French indeed. To cap it off (pun intended), some cast stone accents. So, here are a few of my ideas and inspirations.

What do you think?

Current exterior - we can only improve from here!

Ca c'est bon. This one really speaks to me. Can you see it?

Ooh la la! A little formal but I love the roof lines and dormers and the color of the shutters.

These next two really won't work with what I have, but I love the feeling of these homes.

The roof on this one is similar to my vision. Also, love the front doors.

Au Revoir,

Krissy

My sincere apologies about the pictures. They are ones that I have saved on my computer and have no clue where they came from. If they look familiar, please let me know!

Rodeo Ramblings

Western Pearls

Yes, after all the talk about "cowboy culture" and boots, we finally made it to the rodeo on Sunday. We had a blast! We got there in plenty of time to take a turn or two on some Midway rides. Sweet Pea, Sport Cort and yours truly are the only ones that really love it. Mr. Pearl and Fisherman wanted to get to the exhibits where it was warm and there were cars, tractors and a knife dealer to see. (Fisherman has decided to collect pocket knives and since Mr.P did as a kid, he isn't about to let Fisherman go about it unchaperoned. Some habits you never break.) We went through all of the barns, at least the minis and I did, Mr. P is a country boy that is highly allergic to most large farm animals, so after popping several Benadryl, he isn't much fun, so he found a bench in a well ventilated area to rest on. We were joined by Uncle G and Aunt Holli and capped-off the evening at the rodeo performance. It really was fun! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. Mine wasn't long enough!

Midway fun!



A sympathetic Sweet Pea


Elsie the Cow- I am a little kid at this exhibit!

I love to pet Elsie and get my bottle of chocolate milk!

Western Sport Cort

The Gang - Uncle G, Aunt Holli, Mr. P and the minis

The Grand Entry

Bronc riding

Bull riding - my fave!

Krissy

Painted Furniture

I have read some really great blog posts and magazine articles lately about painted furniture. Most people are usually on one side or the other...painted or natural wood stains. Me? I am both. I have been contemplating painting a couple of stained pieces. I go back and forth, but I am loving the light and airy Scandinavian feel right now. But will I love it later? I am trying to sleep on this for a while. I do have some pieces that I have painted in the past. I guess my problem tends to be that if a little paint is good, a lot is better and I go overboard with the design.

My favorite piece that I have painted is a lingerie chest that I keep in our bedroom. I painted and distressed it, added different knobs from Anthropologie to each drawer, and painted each of our names and birth dates on a drawer. It is meant to be a keepsake chest that I can store special trinkets and mementos in. There are six drawers, so the bottom one contains wedding and "couple" things for me and the mister. It's a really great idea and someday, when I am organized enough, it will be used for keepsakes instead of a giant junk drawer!

The keepsake chest .


Each pearl has their own drawer and me and Mr. P have one with our wedding date.

We have also enjoyed our youth chair. The mini-pearls have pretty much outgrown it, but we keep it around for little guests. I painted the chair when Sweet Pea was small and she and Sport Cort loved it. They always felt so old getting to sit in a chair at the table with the rest of us, instead of a highchair. Oh how I miss those days! I also have a child's rocker for each of the minis. All of these are treasured and I hope to pass them on someday. Do you all have any keepsake furniture? Painted or no?

Chest in Sweet Pea's room

Our breakfast room with a painted chest and the youth chair beside it.



Close-up of the chair - it says "tiny hiny" on the seat, "lamby pie" on the chair back, "little piggies" on the foot rest and has the "God is great. God is good." prayer across the back. It really is precious!

I feel like painting something now! Happy Monday!

Krissy

Flashback Friday - 70's Party

Loving this! Where can I get the clothes?

It's Friday people! For a short week, this one has been a long one! I guess "short week" doesn't really apply to moms who had their children home for an extra day! I have decided to start planning out costumes for a fortieth birthday/70's disco party that me and Mr. Pearl have been invited to in a few short weeks. Oh, decisions, decisions! Do I go for that "disco diva" jumpsuit vibe or a little more of a "country club" diva sort of thing. I don't want some day-glo costumey thing, I want the REAL thing baby! My research led me to the following pictures and some sore abs from laughing so hard. Are you kidding me? These are real ads from clothing catalogues. Oh my. I am glad the seventies are over. Although, I do sort of dig matching bell bottoms. What do you think?

Me and Mr. P would be adorable in one of these! It's that Mork/meets sporty Flash Gordon/roller skater look.

Ok, this is that "country club" diva look - too cool. LOVE the glasses!

This one and the one below, well, words don't do them justice.

This is the "disco diva" look - I wore a red jumpsuit, similar to this, to a disco party in college.

If only I had saved it!

I would pay money to see Mr. Pearl in this! How bout it?

I found all these pictures at www.plaidstallions.com Check it out for a laugh! I will keep you all posted on the costume search! Happy weekend!

Do a little dance, make a little love

Get down tonight!

Krissy

The Sticky Hand

I never claimed to be observant, and apparently, I'm not. You see, I have been living with a foreign object hanging above my head since Monday (when the minis were home for MLK day) and did not notice it until I happened upon all three of my offspring standing on the living room furniture, firing Nerf guns at the ceiling yesterday. They were firing at the red object below, trying to get it down (before I noticed - ha!).

Please ignore the not-so-lovely ceiling fan, I am still saving for my wine barrel chandeliers from Restoration Hardware! (which is now going toward the new abode)

It is well-known around our home that I don't like these sticky things, as at our last home, my precious little ones stuck one to the wall and the observant mother that I am, left it there and it stained the wall! The last thing I need is a red stain on the ceiling but we can't get this thing down! It is fifteen feet up and no amount of stacked chairs, broom sticks and high-powered Nerf gun bullets can dislodge this sticky, red wonder. Yes, we have an extension ladder, but that would require going out to the garage, clearing a path to said ladder and carrying that beast into the house and then back. No, it is definitely more fun to risk life and limb by climbing on a chair stacked on another chair. Maybe I'll just leave it. I'll give it a name. Charlotte. Yes, as in Charlotte's Web. We will be the only house on the block with one. We'll start a trend. Sticky Hand pets - what do you think?

Krissy