Step Stool (from High School Shop Class) Makeover
Did anyone take shop class in high school? I didn’t. I also did not take Home Economics. Coincidence? Eventually I did learn to cook (necessity for the win), but I still haven’t mastered power tools. My hubby took shop class, so thankfully someone around here is handy with the tools! So, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Somewhere around 1989, my hubby made this stool in shop class. Anyway, the poor thing was looking a little worse for wear (I’m master of the understatement), but man, that thing is sturdy. I give him an A+. I decided it was time to give this stool a little makeover. I bribed the…
Chatbooks
I think the chances are slim, but just in case I ever give you the impression that I’m the person that has detailed scrapbooks of every milestone in my children’s lives (ha!), let me set the record straight. That’s not me. Sadly, printed photos rarely make their way into our albums…or house. My poor children do not have finished baby books. I’m repressing A LOT of guilt about that one. Eventually, I’m going to have to make up information.    “First tooth? Oh, that must have been October 14.    Yes, I’m sure of it, son. I was there! I would know!    The year? Uh….”…
A Sweater Vest + Knitting Practice = Pillow
A million years ago, when I had a corporate job and wore heels with nylons and had to get up at oh’ dark hundred, I had a sweater vest. I loved to layer it with a pantsuit and a while collared shirt. Fashion mavens, watch out. Turns out, I don’t miss heels, pantsuits or getting up at oh’ dark hundred, but I still do like layering. Clearly, I have my priorities. 😉 Somewhere along the way of having babies and owning a business with a “business casual” policy (emphasis on the casual), I realized that styles had changed and this vest wasn’t working with my long waist. However, I loved the colors…
How to Get the Sweat Smell Out of Workout Clothes
I’m airing my dirty laundry today. I’ve mentioned before that my husband runs to work. I do mean that literally. He runs 6.5 miles each way. Maybe once or twice a week I have mercy on him and offer him a ride, but he usually prefers to round-trip it. That’s 13 miles per day in the Atlanta heat and humidity. When he gets home, he looks like he has jumped into a lake during a rainstorm. He’s that wet. There is not a dry spot on him. He leaves sweaty footprints on the floor if I don’t have a towel out for him to stand on. It’s gross.    …
Hand-Knitted Dishcloths
This is not a “look at what I can do” post. The actual accomplished knitters out there would bust-a-gut laughing. This is more of an “I’m learning to knit and you should try it too” kind of post. Last year I wanted to learn how to knit. My aunt showed me the basics and then I watched a lot of how-to-knit YouTube videos, which were so helpful. I liked this one from Good Knit Kisses. I’ve made a couple of headbands, a scarf, a pillow back (more about that in another post) and now I’ve tried dishcloths. This is the first time I’ve used a pattern and I have to…
Going Green-ery
I have a small confession to make. At present, I have ZERO live plants in my house. I have planted many plants outside in pots on our deck and front porch, but nothing inside. Not even a succulent garden. I’m sure I’ll jump on that trend way after it has passed. I know how much “life” plants add to a space. Case in point – the deck. I just haven’t felt compelled to grow anything inside for awhile. *cough* Uh, I mean, ever. I don’t need the guilt that comes when I forget to water it. 🙂 Another confession. Living in a rental is a good way of challenging me…
Vanilla Glazed Carrot Muffins
If you read this post about vanilla glazed banana muffins, you’ll see that I’m kind of on a glaze kick. So, let’s talk about carrot muffins. Technically, they are carrot applesauce muffins. I just didn’t want to get too wordy…especially since my mouth is full of muffin. My kids devoured these muffins. I should say that I liked the banana muffins a little better. I thought the carrot muffins tasted a little too healthy – I think because of the whole wheat. I should clarify that’s not a criticism of the muffins, just of my tastebuds. They are still evolving. 🙂 Perhaps next time I will mix the whole wheat flour with…
Sweet Cherry and Blueberry Galette
Now, I know summer is practically over (waahhh) and cherries are probably only available in the frozen food section of your supermarket, but I’ll never remember to post about this delicious goodness unless I do it now. Plus, I think it is time we answer this burning question. Can you bake with sweet cherries? I’ve grown up thinking there are pie cherries and sweet, eating cherries. Pie cherries are tart and give baked pies a wonderful flavor. Sweet cherries are deeeelicious! Most growers will also say that sweet cherries are best served as a fresh fruit and not as an ingredient in baked goods. I decided to find out for myself.…
What a View Wednesday – Oregon House
Since I’m still giddy over being given access to the real estate photos from our Oregon house, I thought I’d keep on sharing. Lucky you! One of the things we loved the most about the property was the view. These pictures were taken around the first of October of 2013. The view out the back of the house looks west. Try to look at the beautiful trees and not the lawn that needed some help. It came a long way… Many a fun, Friday night were spent on this deck! This is looking down the right side of the house. The little structure you see is…
A Crate For My Crate – Because Why Not? ScrapMaster Project #2
I hate to burst your bubble, but the “pretty” part of A Pretty Happy Home always has room for improvement. Scandalous, I know! Case in point. Please get your Pinterest pinning fingers ready. This oh so lovely baby wipes box has been doing a stand-up job of corralling my paper plates and plastic serving ware (doesn’t that make my sporks sound so sophisticated?) since 2010. It replaced a box I’d been using for this purpose since 2007. Classy, I know. Go ahead, I’ll wait while you finish pinning. 😉 So when I spied two milk crates left in our garage when we moved in, I knew they could serve a useful…
