Painted Island

I painted an island... again. The light grey just was not doing it for me. And I looked online and I love turquoise islands. Love them. But our walls are blue so I figured that just was not going to work. I didn't think I wanted black...
So I went to Sherwin Williams grabbed a ton of color swatches and taped them up and then ... I decided. How about a dark navy blue. It offsets the white cabinets but does not clash with the blue walls... So I painted it. And at first I wasn't sold... I think at first I just had my heart set on a turquoise island. but after about a week... I came to my sense and realized this actually makes sense in our room. And even though its not what I had planned... I love it.

I love how it stands out in the kitchen... but not too much.

I think its important to be okay with the fact that you will change your mind. Luckily... this was just paint so I was only out 20 bucks. Not too bad...
Sometimes what we think will look good ... does not... at all.

But I find that more times than not its worth it. Especially when it comes to paint. Its the cheapest way to make the biggest impact in a room. Even if you are just painting a piece of furniture :)

Here is my new dark island... I love it :)

In other news... I also finally finished installing all of the hardware... its awesome. I want to hug it. daily

The room is getting closer and closer to being done.

Still left to do

- Back splash
-new sink and faucet
- finish window treatment
- paint window
- paint pantry door
-french doors
-Island cart next to kitchen table
- Rug

Kitchen Update - Coffee Station

I have seen all over Pinterest that people have created Coffee Stations in their kitchens and dining rooms. And I have loved them. I like that its out in the open when you need it and not having to dig through cupboards looking for stuff.

We have a small counter space between the fridge and the pantry... that would be perfect for all of my coffee stuff. So I got some cup hooks and put them into the bottom of the cabinets moved the coffee pot and put my coffees in a big bowl.... and a small cheap quick... little update :) 

I love it... its like my little morning station of happiness.

Also.. as you can see I  finally got around to update all of the hardware. I love the oil rubbed bronze with the white cabinets.

There is nothing better then coming inside and having a hot cup of coffee... It is freezing out there!

Dress Up Storage Cart

I was asked to make a dress up storage cart for an old friend of mine's daughters.

This was so much fun to make :) It makes me wish I had a little girl. I would love to create mini closets filled with tutus and play kitchens... and doll furniture... so many possibilities :)

I took the plans from Ana-White. Added a shelf on the top for a place to put hats or shoes... or purses... or whatever the little girls may have. Added three purple knobs to the side of the unit and then cut out paper butterflies to put up the other side...

It turned out adorable. And if she wanted she could get the letters and add the word dress up... ballet... princess... dance.. or whatever they are into.

Hopefully the girls love having a closet for their dress up clothes that is their size :)

Dear Maddux

Dear Maddux,

You just recently turned 3 years old.

You still have a love of all things super hero. You will spend hours lining up your guys in an army formation. Then one by one you pull them out to battle... with dialogue that usually says. 'I'm Iron Man" "I'm Captain America" "I'm gonna get you" "No I'm gonna get you" Then a bunch of hi-yas. some grunting and grumbling. Ultimately one falls... and one is victorious then you repeat this with the next two characters battle.... This lasts for hours.

You hold Iron Man on an entirely different level than all other super heroes. I mean... Iron Man owns the bat-cave, Spiderman's playhouse, batman helicopter, numerous bat mobiles, Captain Americas motorcycle, Wolverine's helicopter, and pretty much any other superhero accessory ... once any superhero gets a vehicle or home... they immediately surrender it to Iron Man.

At three you have become even more defiant... and stubborn. And I can tell just from the past few months .. we are in for quite a year.

You have become more interested in different forms of play. You enjoy puzzles, play-doh, and games a lot more. You have also developed a love for puzzles on the iPad which makes going out to dinner a little easier now.

You are so much more vocal and entertaining. You are quite the story teller... full of facial expressions. I love watching you explain a situation. Your eyes light up... and you start going a mile a minute.

You have become much more affectionate recently. You love giving hugs and say I love you at random moments. These moments almost bring me to tears. The first time your kid looks at you and says I love you mom... completely unprompted.... Is unforgettable.

We signed you up for your first sport... Basketball. I was surprised they offered it in the range 3-5 year olds... I thought it might be a little tough. Well... you are the only three year old in your class... and it is a struggle. You do so well at stretching... running... and passing the ball. Dribbling and shooting... you try but since the other kids are so much older they can all do it and you can't so you immediately shut down. I can't blame you... You get that honest. I have always been a huge brat when I couldn't catch on quickly too... so I know that this is going to be a struggle :) But once we keep working on it and you start understanding more... we will be just fine :) You are doing awesome at basketball for only being three. I could not be more proud :)

You currently have an obsession with scrambled eggs and ketchup. Its constantly a request.

You love helping me cook. If anyone is cooking... you have to pull a chair up to the counter so you can help. You always want to be involved if anyone is doing anything :) No matter what ... you want to do it too:)

You love doing puzzles. Whether it be the wooden puzzles or puzzles on the IPad. You love doing them. You can sit for hours playing puzzles.

Your favorite game is still Candyland. I have been trying to get you to play Chutes and Ladders.. but within a few minutes you are ready to close it up and trade it in for Candyland.

Your coloring skills are getting better. Now they have been centered around the image on the coloring sheet. Its a scribble still... but very centered on the image. So I can definitely see an improvement.

We are constantly working on manners. Seems to be a day to day lesson. You have been doing very well with your pleases and thank yous :)

It is crazy how independent you have gotten. You rarely want help. You want to try to do everything yourself and get upset if I try to help without you asking.  You are growing up so fast little man. You are becoming quite the character. You can always make me laugh... your crazy dance moves and the pure excitement from just the mention of superheroes cracks me up.

You are nothing less than amazing and I cant wait to see what is in store for us over the years.

Love,
Mom

Disney 2012

This was Maddux's first trip to Disney World... hopefully the first of quite a few. I love Disney World. It's magical. Still as an adult... pure magic.
I just love everything about it.


I loved going at this age. For me this was perfect. Even if he doesn't remember it. I will always remember it. His face lit up every time he got to meet his favorite characters. He truly believed... these were the real characters on TV. He was ecstatic.

I think for me that was the best part. Not the rides... but Maddux getting to meet these special characters. I love how these characters took the time to give him attention and just make him smile.

In future years... he will start to enjoy other aspects of Disney just as much... if not more. I am so grateful that I got to go though at this age and witness the true Magic.

Here are a few of my favorite moments to witness.

Jake... Maddux's favorite pirate playing and tickling him. Maddux developed a new found love for anything pirate after the trip. 

Hanging out with Lightning McQueen.... Just look at that smile :) 

Using the force on the speeder bike. Next time he will be hold enough to go to Jedi Academy. I. CANNOT. WAIT!

Maddux was so excited to meet Buzz Lightyear. We had to stand in line for 45 minutes to meet him. He could not wait. Woody bent down for a hug... Maddux had his sights on one thing. Buzz. Straight past Woody... practically tackling Mr Lightyear. (Poor woody. so sad)

Playing with one of the many weapons he walked away with. This kid was loaded up with toys by the time we left...  

We stopped and saw Santa while in Disney. My favorite moment. He talked to this Santa for quite a while. I believe they discussed the need of a Hawkeye Christmas morning at great length....

And my favorite moment of the whole trip. His love of Minnie Mouse. My son has the biggest crush on this mouse. It's by far the cutest thing I have witnessed in my life. He loves her. Watch out Mickey... Maddux is coming for your girl.

Trim Update

Since I have been painting trim for the past year (well it feels that way.. its only been about a month... OK maybe three months.) But its taking forever. there is so much trim to paint. and well I get bored and leave it then come back to it. I need to just do it and get it over with. but I lack motivation when it comes to trim. Yuck.

Plus when i start getting bored with it I start to get sloppy. and really that's going to just make me redo it so I leave it and come down. Currently the living room, hallway, powder room, laundry room, entry, kitchen, and mini office area are done.

Still working on the master bedroom. master bath. Maddux's bath. the playroom. Maddux's room. the spare room. and ... eventually the dining room.

But one area of the house that is done (not the only... I have been working on it for this long... there is more progress than just this... )

But I thought since I am busting my butt painting trim night after night. well OK. 3 nights a week ...

I might as well share some progress. So the mini office is complete. trim is painted. and it looks amazing :) 

So here's the update! :) small. but this picture makes me happy. because it reminds me that all this work... is worth it. (in my personal opinion... white trim isn't for everyone. but it makes me happy!)

Before

After

If you notice there are two computers. The one on the right no longer works. but there is a small chair there also... Maddux sits here sometimes while i blog and plays on that computer...So now our desk has been set up with two workstations :) 

Anyone want to come over and finish painting all my trim? I make a really good cup of coffee for trade... any takers? Puh-leeze ...

Open Shelves

When we re-did the kitchen this past year... I love so much about it. But I am still tweaking a few things here and there.... Figuring it out as we go.

I opened up a few cabinets in our kitchen when we painted it this Spring. And I love having the two open cabinets but I always thought... they just didn't look right.

So I let it be for a few months. Looked up Pinterest photos of kitchens with the same shelving... and thought. There's looks fine... why don't I like mine?

Well I figured out.. that I thought they would look like they were meant to be open if i thickened up the shelves a bit.

So I took some 1x2s nailed them onto the front. painted and caulked... and voila.

My built in cabinets got beefed up quite a bit and I am a heck of a lot happier.

So a quick 3 dollar upgrade in the kitchen that made a huge impact (for me at least).

And one of my favorite Xmas gifts... My Pig utensil holder. He is adorable :)

I have quite a few kitchen updates coming up soon. A lot of small changes. Can't wait to finish them up and share them.... A lot of really cheap simple updates... :)

2013 Goals

I like to make a list of things I would like to accomplish in the upcoming year... on all levels. So in no particular order here is a list of things I hope to start/change/improve on/make time for.... etc

1. Start Running again! Luckily the new job has a 24 hour fitness center directly across the street. Saying its inconvenient will no longer be an option. I will just have to get my booty out of bed and make myself do it this year

Source: Uploaded by user via Helen on Pinterest

2. Start a garden. I have been wanting to do this for a while. and we have the perfect spot in our back yard that I really don't see us using for anything. So i am hoping to get a few garden beds in and see how this goes .. come early spring

Source: hasselforsgarden.se via Laura on Pinterest

3. Put in a patio! and expand our deck. lets hope we can get these outdoor upgrades in ... planning on early spring so we can enjoy them during the summer. we will have to see how that all goes.

Source: colorcalling.com via Michael on Pinterest

4. Finish the basement. (well get the walls mudded) and things presentable. Hoping to get the floor in this year. but we will have to see what all happens. Floor would be an added bonus... lets just say that.

Source: houzz.com via Fer on Pinterest

5. Actually do something with the dining room. Tear up that gross carpet. put in flooring to match the rest of the first floor. put in the floor to ceiling book cases i have been dreaming off. get a pretty chandelier. build a table. buy some new chairs. you can see... a lot to do in this room.

Source: decorpad.com via Ashley on Pinterest

6. Spend more time outside with Maddux. this year should be easier to do that. we have the swing set up... plans of a trampoline. and Santa just brought him a bat mobile power wheel. So hopefully we spend a lot of time outside.

Source: blogs.babble.com via Norma on Pinterest

7. Birthday traditions established. been wanting to do this. haven't had the time to do it yet. 

Source: ourwonderfilledlife.com via ☠ Kandice on Pinterest

8. Take more trips to zoos, aquariums, museums, Chicago with Lauren... take more small trips with Maddux. :)

Source: Uploaded by user via Jennifer on Pinterest

9. This year Disney kind of outweighed birthday party planning and I had to cut back a lot on what we all did. So this year I would like to get back in the swing of how I want his birthday parties to be. so that means more planning on my part!

Source: liebesbotschaft.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

10. Save more money. learn where to cut back more. put more away.

Source: pcnmoney.com via Amg on Pinterest

11. Eat less processed foods.... this is always requires more planning on my end. which is why i fail at it. but maybe this year. ;)

Source: absolutelybeautifulthings.blogspot.com via Holly on Pinterest

2012 Recap

2012 was a busy year on every single level.
Maddux's personality developed more and more! And always keeps us all on our toes.
House projects were everywhere... And everything else in between.

So here are my favorite posts from this past year

Most Viewed Post
goes to.... Striped Gallery Wall. This seems to get the most hits off of Pinterest. I think its the combination of the stripes and the whole idea behind the photo gallery. Once you have kids your wedding pictures tend to disappear and everything in your house is about them (which ... nothing wrong with that) but its nice to keep a reminder of where it all started and your most cherished memories as a couple out too :)

Most adorable post of the year....

Madder's super hero photo shoot (Thanks to Melody)
Which you can find HERE

Easiest update....

Which you can find here Fireplace

A little place of my own.

Mini office you can find Here

Best Craigslist find.... Original post Here

Maddux's favorite new space

The playroom which you can find Here

Laundry Room/Mud Room reveal

Which can be found Here

Some much needed curb appeal.

Painted door and planter boxes can be found Here

My personal favorite update (that cost less than 30 dollars!)

The board and batten we added to the bathroom... that can be found here

And the never-ending project that is following into 2013
The kitchen - which can be found Here

Most fun has been building furniture... :)
Towards the end of 2012 I started making furniture for other people which has been fun. So those posts can be found Here Here and Here
I have a few requests since then. so I am looking forward to those projects as well!

So there are a few of my favorite posts from the past year...
Hopefully we will have a lot more progress in 2013 to share!

Feel free to email me if you have any questions on any of these posts!

2012 was a fantastic year...  Can't wait to see what is in store for 2013!