Marbled Faux Easter Eggs
Have you ever jumped off something high and the instant you jumped you regretted your decision? Sticking the landing might be the best outcome, but who are we kidding? You’re just trying not to go splat. That’s me and this marbled faux Easter egg project. And also me when I jump off anything. Which is why I don’t jump off anything. I started this project because I wanted to create a marbled paint effect on something. Anything. I had some fake Easter eggs sitting in the closet mocking me while I tried to come up with a way to decorate them, so I thought, “Why not try marbling those Easter eggs?”…
An April Fool’s Day Story
Around the first of February my son spent quite a few days home from school with some sort of virus that the rest of us did not contract. It’s the first time in all my years of parenting that the school nurse called to have me pick my child up from school. Not once, but twice…in one week! When I break a streak, I really break it. And, yes. I felt the judgment of school nurses all over the land. It was during one of those ‘he feels fine, but hasn’t been fever free for 24 hours and I can’t risk more judgment from the school nurse’ days that I…
Happy List: #113
Hello, friends! This week on the blog I chatted about hoarding license plates and my son’s new car-themed gallery wall. Not to be confused with Cars-themed gallery wall, as in the movie. Although, if you haven’t ridden on the Cars-themed ride at Disney’s California Adventure, you must. It was my favorite ride! But, oh boy, I’m getting off-track. I also wrote about my thrifting adventure to Andover, New Jersey. And, yes! This time I actually made a purchase. On a housekeeping note, I’ve been working on my Shop page on the blog. If I’ve linked something in a post (e.g. children’s books) then slowly but surely I’m adding those links (plus…
Happy Thrifting: Andover, New Jersey
The fastest way for me to get “alone time” is to ask my family if they want to go hunting for treasure. They know this is code for thrifting and everyone single one of them will say, “no thanks!” Then I pretend to be disappointed while skipping out the door. My latest adventure for the Happy Thrifting series took me to the small town of Andover, New Jersey. Andover is located approximately an hour and fifteen minutes west of New York City. I didn’t get a firm count on the number of antique or thrift shops in the Andover area, but I went into four shops. I’m fairly certain I…
Gallery Wall with a Car Theme
One project leads to another! At this point in my DIY adventures, that phrase is the leading contender to go on my tombstone. HA! When I gave my son’s bookrack a makeover, I took the opportunity to move the bookrack to a different wall. It just made more sense for how the space was being utilized. That freed up the wall where the bookrack used to reside for some art. I decided to use the space to create a gallery wall with a car theme. It’s perfect for a boy’s bedroom. I believe this bedoom was an attic conversion, so the ceiling angles have a lot of…what’s the word I’m…
Happy List: #112
Hey, hey, hey! We’ve been having half days! That’s right. It’s school conference week and our schedules are all whack-a-doodle this week. Thankfully, I’ve had some homemade ginger ale to keep me hydrated while entertaining the kiddos this week. Still obsessed! With the ginger ale…and, okay, my kids too. I also shared a bookrack makeover I did in my son’s room. I’ve been working on his room a lot lately and have some more projects to share from that space. Here’s the Happy List! MATH FOR THE WIN I had to share this with you because it was a neat, inspirational moment that I shared with my kids this week.…
Bookrack Makeover for an Older Boy’s Room
Before I get rid of anything in our home, I do not ask myself if it sparks joy. No. I ask myself if I can repurpose, reuse or makeover the item to make it work better in our home. I also ask myself if I have the energy to repurpose, reuse or makeover the item. Sometimes the answer is “no.” Sometimes the answer is “maybe.” Sometimes the answer is “I really shouldn’t, but I can’t help myself!” Then I end up doing something drastic like cutting off belt loops on Handy Husband’s old, ripped-up jeans to make hanging loops for kitchen towels. Remember that project? Still using those towels, by…
Would I Make It Again: Homemade Ginger Ale with Fresh Ginger
Ginger ale is one beverage that I never, ever considered making at home. It didn’t even dawn on me that you could. Or should. Or would! But I did. The idea started on a somewhat typical Friday night. I had cooked a package of bacon. Why bacon on a Friday night? Why not?! We had company visiting us for the weekend. Handy Husband was on bartender duty. The adult beverage of choice that evening was a Moscow Mule. This drink is made with ginger beer, lime and vodka. I had purchased a few different varieties of ginger beer and ginger ale for Handy Husband to use to mix these drinks.…
Happy List: #111
Hello, hello! I’m trying not to get my hopes up because I see a snowflake on my weather app for next week, but our high temperature might hit 60 degrees today! This week I wrote two posts about travel. What can I say? It was that kind of week! First was our trip to see Washington’s Headquarters and Ford Mansion in Morristown, New Jersey. Second, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, was a list of places to see in Ireland if you like castles and nature. Here’s the Happy List! ROCK WALL This is my kind of rock wall! More pictures of Michelle Gage’s home can be found at Domino.…
10 Must See Places in Ireland if You Like Castles and Nature
I routinely receive emails from people asking what they should do when visiting Ireland. It’s an impossible question! Especially if you are only visiting for a week. For a small country, Ireland has a lot to see, experience and savor. I should know – I lived there for two years and didn’t see or do everything on my list. Oh, the regrets! With St. Patrick’s Day only a few days away, I thought it would be fitting to round up my favorite, must-see places in the Republic of Ireland especially if you like castles and nature. I’m leaving Northern Ireland off the list (this time!) only because I’m trying to help you…
