Happy List: #33
Why, hello, again! We are back in Ireland – all settled in and prepping for our first guests to come visit us! It’s very exciting. This week I shared the soap dish I found in the creek. No, it did not come home with me because suitcase weight limits on airplanes are no joke. I also went on and on about why this bed frame was our best hidden storage purchase. Oh, and it holds our mattress up too. Here is what’s on my Happy List this week. DIY INDUSTRIAL LOFT BED Other than the fact that I have NO IDEA how I would get up into that bed, I…
Our Best Hidden Storage Purchase
Have I waxed poetically enough about how moving to Ireland meant downsizing? MAJOR downsizing? Get out your teeny, tiny violins. I’d say we got rid of 60% of Handy Husband’s our stuff. Start playing your sad tune now. The truth is, I don’t even miss Handy Husband’s most of that stuff. Even with all of that downsizing, I still knew storage would be a challenge. Think about all the stuff you store in your home – craft supplies, office supplies, Christmas ornaments, extra blankets, tools, all the shoes you can’t wear now that you have to walk everywhere, etc. My babies shoes! I can’t part with them. Yet. Homes in Ireland don’t…
Natural Rock Soap Dish
The last day of our trip to the U.S. was pretty special. First, we got to spend the morning playing with friends. Can’t go wrong there. After that, I ran into my very first piano teacher. There are a few people God gifted with a sweet spirit and an abundance of talent and she’s one of them. You really need to see her portfolio of oil paintings. Then, my son got a lesson on how to operate the tractor bucket. Apparently, he now thinks that makes him qualified to help Grandpa make hay next year. He’ll be 8. Finally, we capped the day off with a trip to the creek…
Happy List: #32
Hello!! July is flying by, isn’t it? This week I shared a funny farmer tale and my thoughts on why you should try to give your loved ones a gift that is handmade. I’m not advocating that ALL your gifts should be handmade. That would be nuts. But, at least once, try the handmade route. Here’s what making my Happy List this week. METAL SIDING THAT LOOKS LIKE WOOD The wood siding on this house is not wood, it’s METAL. Can you imagine the possibilities? The maintenance savings? Also, that front door. WOW. Mandi from Vintage Revivals shared this siding tip. It’s made by a company called Longboard. BIRTHDAY CAKE…
You Know You’re a Farmer’s Kid When…
You know you’re a farmer’s kid when… Your dad pulls out his wallet to pay for dinner… just a simple, well-worn wallet… and bits of HAY (yes, hay that cows eat) fly out of his wallet and land all over the restaurant table. All. Over. Then, without missing a beat, he says… “It’s just a little seed money.” Get it…hay seed? What dad can resist telling a good dad joke? Truly, I laughed. It was a pretty funny moment. My dad spends pretty much the entire summer on a tractor making hay. And, yes, that hay seems to get everywhere. And, yes, I’m glossing over how hard this season is for…
The Gift of Handmade
I recently said to Handy Husband, “Why did you have to go and make such cool beds for the kids? WHY??” Despite the fact that it was MY idea (and I probably begged) for him to make the beds. “It would be a lot simpler to move or change up the look of our house if I wasn’t sentimentally attached to these huge things!” “STOP BEING AWESOME!” Just kidding about that last part. I love him, but I don’t want him to get a big head. I also have some other things I want him to make, so I kind of do need him to keep being awesome. Then I’ll…
Happy List #31
Hello, hello! Are you ready for the weekend? My days have felt like one big weekend while we’ve been visiting family and it’s been GREAT! Reality will come knocking soon enough. It always does! This was unofficial Raspberry Week on the blog. Be sure and read about our raspberry pie and margaritas. Next week is unofficial “I’m Not Sure What I’m Writing About Yet” Week. Summer fun and traveling do not help me in the planning-ahead department. The same can be said for autumn fun, winter fun, spring fun… But I still make time for my Happy List! FOOD SAFE STAIN I’ve paid attention to butcher block counters and how…
Fresh Raspberry Margarita
I just decided it is unofficial Raspberry Week on this blog. It might be next week too since my in-law’s said they have more berries! If you missed it, do read about how much we love Fresh Raspberry Pie. If you need a quick salad dressing, I make a Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette using raspberry jam that is divine! Now, let’s get on with the show… It turns out, there is a super simple way to annoy your family on a hot summer day. Tell them you are making delicious raspberry margaritas. Make the glorious, ice-cold margaritas. Then let the family know they can’t drink the margaritas until you’ve take one billion photos…
Fresh Raspberry Peach Pie
My in-laws love to garden – especially when it comes to growing fruits and vegetables. I LOVE that my in-laws love to grow fruits and vegetables. You can see where this is going, right? Yep! Straight into my belly. Shameless fruit and veggie moocher over here. This week’s haul was two huge bowls of sun-ripened raspberries! You’d think my in-laws were just being generous because they were happy to see us. We don’t get to visit very often anymore since we live a continent and an ocean way. However, a giving spirit comes naturally to them. It’s really a beautiful thing. With great flourish, I took the berries to the…
Happy 4th of July
Do you know how I feel today? I feel blessed. This week I have the privilege of being back on U.S. soil to celebrate the 4th of July in my hometown with the people I love. It’s been awhile since I’ve been “home” for the 4th of July and I’m excited to share this day with my friends and family, but especially my kids. I picked out festive shirts for the kids to wear to the parade we will attend on the 4th. I used my stern mom voice to ask my son, “will you REALLY wear this shirt to the parade? Because I’m not buying it if you won’t…
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