The Hidden Meaning Behind This Reclaimed Wood Tray
I never thought there would be a hidden meaning behind a reclaimed wood tray. Yet, here we are. To set the stage, we live in a colonial-era home that we’ve been restoring for the last four and a half years. Old homes should come with a warning. Not the “this house is a money pit” warning. Although, it will be. Not the “this house makes disturbing noises” warning. It does. Not the “people probably died here” warning. For sure they have. They were born here too. Not the “rodents have more entrances to your home than you do” warning. It’s infuriating. The warning old houses should come with is this…
Happy List: #333
Hello! Welcome to today’s Happy List. I’m so glad you could join me here. This week on the blog I rounded up the prettiest tablet or cookbook holders that you could keep out on your counter all the time. I also shared an interesting story about St. Valentine and the unlikely place he turned up. As always, thank you for being here. Don’t be a stranger. We like talking to you! If you want to connect with us or ask a question, you can always comment on this blog post or send an email here. You can also reach out on Instagram or Facebook. Enjoy this week’s Happy List! MOUNTAIN…
From the Archive: St. Valentine’s Remains Are In Dublin
Editor’s Note: I originally wrote this in 2018 but it is still relevant today because guess what? History is still in the past and not much has changed on this topic between 2018 and 2024. I think you’ll enjoy this wild romp through history. Hold onto your pink teddy bear and open up your box of mystery chocolates because I have an interesting Valentine’s Day story for you! The actual saint that kicked off this entire multi-billion dollar holiday is St. Valentine and his remains (or part of them) are indeed located in Dublin. Ireland is usually all about St. Patrick, so this St. Valentine connection surprised me. I read…
In Praise Of: Pretty Tablet Stands
Every time it appears in a photo or video, I get compliments and questions about the brass tablet stand that holds my laptop or iPad while it charges. I agree, it is pretty amazing. My tablet stand is vintage from the 1970s, which means it’s not really a tablet stand. We were still typing on typewriters in the 1970s, not laptops and tablets. My oh my, how things have changed. My stand held a memento from my parents’ wedding. I’ve used it to display various pictures over the years, but now it functions as a beautiful and practical display stand for a laptop or iPad. I wondered if I could…
Happy List: #332
Hello! Welcome to the Happy List. I’m delighted you are here. This week on the blog I shared a personal post about our wedding anniversary. Thank you all for your well wishes and kind words. It meant a lot to us. I also shared a blog post about the cutest wood heart planters. I think they could also be called scalloped planters depending on how you looked at them. Either way, it’s a fun DIY. Once again, thank you for being here. Don’t be a stranger. We like talking to you! If you want to connect with us or ask a question, you can always comment on this blog post…
How To Make Wood Heart Planters
Hello, Valentines! Would you like to see how to make the cutest wood heart planters today? You wood? Fantastic! I’m glad we’re all speaking the same love language here. Puns. I think puns are our love language. And DIY. But mainly puns. This planter is not going to make itself, so let’s get to work! Materials Needed: 1×6 or larger piece of cedar or other wood of preference wood glue small finish nails or brad nails jigsaw or bandsaw sandpaper Wood Heart Planter Dimensions: Opening: 4.5 inches Height: 5.25 inches (total, includes base) Width: 5.25 inches Base: 2.50 x 2.50 x .25 inches To print out a PDF of this…
25 Years
We are celebrating 25 years of marriage this week! I’m not surprised we’ve reached this milestone, but I am surprised it happened so fast. Didn’t we just get married yesterday? Where did those grey hairs come from? Time flies when you’re pretending it doesn’t. I remember right before my dad walked me down the aisle he asked me if I was sure I wanted to get married. I do mean RIGHT before. The organ was playing. The guests were seated. The pastor and my soon-to-be husband were standing on the stage. The implication was that my dad would get me out of there if I asked him to do so…
Happy List: #331
Hello and Happy Groundhog Day. I’m so glad you’re here for another round of the Happy List! I am publishing this before the groundhog does his thing, but I’m really hoping spring is right around the corner. This week on the blog I shared a round up of 10 thrift store treasures that have come home with me lately. It’s fun to add up the purchases to see if I’ve gotten a bang for my thrifting buck. I also shared pictures of our new living room curtains. They are velvet and hang so nicely. Our living room has been a slow evolution. Don’t tell Handy Husband, but it’s going to…
Living Room Curtains (It Only Took Me 4 Years)
I finally hung living room curtains and it only took me four years to get that job done. *pats self on the back* Why did I wait so long to hang living room curtains? I’m one of those people who don’t really mind naked windows, especially if the windows have gorgeous trim like this particular window has. I also didn’t have to worry about privacy. This window faces our backyard and there’s nothing but deer, bear, rabbits, groundhogs, and a fox in our backyard. They don’t seem to mind the view, so I haven’t prioritized window treatments. Until now. Why now? Not sure. In a way that I think will…
My Latest Thrift Store Finds: Part 7
Welcome back to the delightful but infrequent blog series “My Latest Thrift Store Finds.” It’s not infrequent because I’m not thrift store shopping. No, no, no. Even I don’t have that much restraint. It is an infrequent series because I forget to write about my thrift store finds unless they are part of a larger story or project. This blog series is my attempt to right (or is it write?) that wrong. Here’s what has come home with me in the last few months. My Latest Thrift Store Finds: Mini Copper and Brass Colander Once in a blue moon Handy Husband will come to the thrift store with me. He…
