Life at the Chicken Coop

2012-02-13T14:27:00.001-05:00

My Henry

Last Saturday (as in over a week ago), Henry cut his head on a broken glass. Since I was outside when it happened, I can only hypothesize how it really went down, and I think it went something like this: Miles moved step stool near kitchen sink, climbs on counter, knocks a drinking glass off counter which breaks the glass, Henry comes sauntering over to the broken glass area, climbs on the stool, falls off stool into broken glass, and cuts his forehead.

And I didn't know how bloody head wounds are, but I do now. I thought he would need stitches for sure. This would make trip #2 to the E.R. for our family in the last two months. So off we all went to the hospital, Travis holding a towel over Henry's wounds as I drove and tried to do as the motto on my wall says, "Keep Calm and Carry On."

No stitches, some super glue and about an hour later, this little guy was back in action and ready to explore his world using his newly-acquired and oh-so-dangerous climbing skills. The poor guy had already got a fat lip from falling off the step stool earlier that day, so I felt especially bad for him. I'm just glad that he's okay and that his wounds are healing very nicely. I have to watch that one like a hawk now!

2012-02-13T14:08:00.002-05:00

From Legs to Table

I have been looking for a console table for my living room for several months and couldn't seem to find anything that worked in my price range (I know, $20 isn't much!)

So on my last trip to Boise, I sent my Mom on an outing across town to find some legs that I could use to make a table. And, she did it! She found these two solid wood legs for $4 a piece at a second-hand store. I was so glad she found them, as they are perfect for what I had in mind.

Using my very amateur woodworking skills, and drawing on alot of time spent watching Travis work on wood projects, I made this table one Saturday. I used pieces of scrap wood and trim we had in the shop and a trusty hammer and nails (I wished our air compressor was working so I could use a finish nailer for the trim pieces, but oh well).

A tip from my Mom: when you want to make furniture look old, sand the sharp edges, like on the edges of the top of this table. I was surprised how much it really did make this table look older with edges that look like they'd seen alot of wear and tear versus the tack-sharp edges of brand new wood. I never would have thought to do that and I liked the added effect it gave.

Next step was to prime it using Zinsser's shellac-based primer (a great sticks-to-everything primer), and caulk between the trim pieces.

And lastly, the most agonizing part (because I couldn't stop tweaking and adding more finishes): paint/stain/oil/sand it.

There really was no method to my madness, I just wanted it to be dark enough to fit in with the rest of the dark furniture in the room, but not be too matchy. I used about six different bottles of craft paint to make a peachy/beige background, then applied a dark walnut stain over that, then some more gold/beige/glazing medium, and then finally, two coats of dark Danish oil.

I am now content (at least for now) with this puppy. I didn't think I could make it by myself, but I did, somehow (with help from Travis to mount it on the wall level). I like how it anchors the pictures on the wall, doesn't get in the way of traffic flow, looks somewhat antiquated, and gives the entry-less front door area more of an entry-like feel.

2012-01-27T22:29:00.002-05:00

Update on John Day: Population Approx. 1,500

Some people ask me how I like living here and I really don't know what to tell them. I like the mountains, the trees and the low traffic volume. I like thinking ahead to when my kids enter high school, knowing their absences will be announced on the local radio station, KJDY (no playing hookie for them!) I like that the banking staff call me by name and don't require a deposit slip. I like that my husband works about three minutes away, and that, actually, everything is about three minutes away: grocery store, bank, thrift store, church. It's true that small, rural communities are simpler than big cities. Things are very different than Cleveland: population 800,000.

But, there's a part of me that dislikes several aspects of small town life. I don't like the limited shopping (I couldn't find any Batman underwear while recently potty-training my own Batman, so I sewed on homemade Batman logos onto all of his underwear). We are three hours away from civilization (aka: Target, Costco, Wal-Mart), so when the dry cleaning truck breaks down, it's three weeks before you get your clean clothes back. And if you happen to miss the FedEx guy, you have to drive to a warehouse in Bend, Oregon, which is, you guessed it, 3 hours away.

And, when I just need a break from the chaos of it all, there is no where to go, except if you count the grocery (open until 9 PM) or the library (only open 2 nights a week, with about half the books Western paperbacks). Sometimes I still think I can just zoom to Target and browse the new stuff in home decor, but then I am really disappointed when I realize that I now live here, and there is nothing of the sort anywhere nearby.

And when I get thinking this way, I start feeling too materialistic, like I am not focusing on the stuff that really matters. It's a fine line I walk.

So, in response to that question, "So, how do you like it here?" I guess I should just say in a Russian accent, "Feevty-feevty." That's what it is for me right now, fifty-fifty.

2012-01-22T22:57:00.001-05:00

Photoshop, I Think I Love You

I found this photo while browsing the web a while ago, really liking it's folksy quality.

So, doing some tweaking, cropping and coloring in Photoshop, I came up with some portraits of the girls (a few of them for my walls, pictures to come).

And I couldn't stop with the turn-of-the-century Russian girls. Sitting Bull got some time (and some rosy cheeks) in Photoshop too!

2012-01-22T22:48:00.001-05:00

Wall Decor Inspiration

I've been hanging artwork, pictures and framed objects lately, finally making this house more of a home. Here are some of the images that I'm inspired by lately:

I've never really gotten into Native American decor before this, but I'm really drawn to it lately. I've seen alot of it popping up around blogland, and because Eastern Oregon is primitive and Western-y, it is especially appealing to me right now. I haven't framed or hung any Indian chief portraits yet, but I still think they're really cool.

2012-01-15T23:45:00.001-05:00

Four

No. 2 at the sink, her hair still wet from the bath

No. 4, the fun one, always ready to laugh and be silly

No. 3, or Batman, as he likes to be called, up to his usual nonsensical antics

No. 1, the first-grader at his quad of desks after the Christmas concert

I always thought I wanted 5 or 6 kids. When I would pretend to be "running errands" on my bike, riding through an orchard of trees that were, in my imagination, stores and offices, I envisioned 5 or 6 kids in the back of my car. In imaginary land, my mind always reverted me to the role of Mother. And I've never questioned that role since. Even when I was single and hopelessly unmarried (only in Provo, UT can a 21-year-old singleton feel she is the age of the ancients), I still desired to someday be a mom.

Fast forward 10 years to me, now: 31-years old, married, four children to call my own and I stay at home with them day in and day out. I now have these little people in my life that I always imagined I would have. It feels surreal. What were once littler glimmers in my eye (what does that mean exactly?) are now toddling around my house, throwing tantrums, eating what I cook, and following my rules (sometimes). Child by child, I have created a mini-me-Universe, where even their feet look like mine, not to mention their hair color, a girlish-raspy voice, and the same mannerisms. It's spooky and so amazing at the same time.

So, what do I do now? My cup is full. My emotions are maxed out on a daily basis and I don't have the energy, (at least for now and what looks like the future) to raise anymore of these beautiful creatures. They require all that I have to offer and more on all levels. I want to give them all that I have, which most of the time feels like it's not enough. I don't feel like I could handle 1 or 2 more children on top of these four, which doesn't coincide with my childhood notions of having 5 or 6 kids.

I have thought alot about this in the past year or so and I have decided that it's okay. It's okay that I will probably not have more than 4 children (and, to be honest, I haven't given away my maternity clothes, yet). But, I really don't feel like I need to overextend myself to the point of being too stressed and too overwhelmed just to fulfill a childhood dream. It's okay. The children I have are a handful and adding any more to the mix would push me over the edge.

I loved this talk from LDS General Conference about children. It hit it on the head. I'm just putting this topic out there because it's been on my mind alot and I thought maybe others would have some thoughts as well. If you do, please share.

2012-01-11T22:50:00.001-05:00

Framing Artwork

I'm finally getting to the fun part of changing a space: wall decor. Lately I've been having a good time getting these bare walls dressed.

One of my favorite pieces I put together is this sky painting I had that my (newly-married) sister Emily did several years ago. Using a cool vintage frame from my sister Whitney, I cut down the painting and mounted it in the frame. I like how the gold of the frame draws in the beige from the curtains.

I love this painting. I love the style of it, the looseness and all the different colors you see when you look up close. Emily is my go-to for great original art.

And speaking of fitting artwork for frames, I trimmed this painting down to fit this frame. Both the painting and the frame come from the treasure trove of my Mom, who is very generous to let me come over and pick out things from her stash.

2012-01-11T22:44:00.001-05:00

Bathroom Floor + Vanity

After Thanksgiving, Travis replaced the kids' bathroom floor vinyl with porcelain tiles. It looks so much better and feels so much better on the feet. The only thing I wish I could re-do is the grout. It is too white. I wanted something that would blend in with the tiles, but instead, it is an ivory color that contrasts with the tile and makes it look alot like the previous flooring. Oh well.

I also painted the vanity white (I know, surprise, surprise) to give the bathroom a lighter feel and look. Travis moved the vanity over so it is flush with the wall now, giving us a little more room between the toilet and the vanity. It comes in handy come bathtime when all four kids are getting out of the tub at once, towels going everywhere, bodies everywhere.

2012-01-11T22:37:00.001-05:00

Little Owl

I picked up this little ceramic owl for $1 at a local antique store, spray-painted, then brushed-on acrylic paint, and now he is perched on my entry cabinet. I like him so much better without those scary black pupils staring at me!

2012-01-11T22:28:00.002-05:00

Music Cabinet

I bought this old, solid (read: heavy) sheet music cabinet for $20 from a friend in Cleveland. I love it's tall, narrow look and the tiny pulls. It has good proportions and is simple, which is always a good thing. I decided it looked too shabby chic in my living room, so I decided to bite the bullet of inexperience as a refinisher. It didn't turn out super-professional, but I really like the natural look of the walnut. It makes the room feel more woodsy, which is what I was going for.

(Above) After stripping and sanding this thing to pieces.

(Above) After applying two coats of Danish oil stain. It was so fun to see it transform into life once I applied the Danish oil stain. (Note: I liked the oil stain too because it is a one-step process versus having to stain the wood, then apply polyurethane).

And here she is amongst her counterparts in the living room. And, what is that in the background? A huge volcanic-like mound of laundry? Yes. That is my folding table which never gets used for dining, sadly. We eat in the kitchen.

2012-01-11T22:17:00.001-05:00

More Before/Afters of Fox Kitchen Remodel

In order to make the doorway wider, Travis had to change out the tall metal duct from an rectangular-shaped one...

...to a 6" round one.

The doorway BEFORE

And, ah, after. I think it looks so much better....

...now that it matches the other archway.

2012-01-03T19:04:00.001-05:00

Christmas: Came and Went

It doesn't seem possible that the holidays are over. It's kind of sad, but it's also nice to have a new start (and to get that dry old Christmas tree out of here!) To recap, in December 2011, I want to remember:

Finn's School Christmas concert
Dying my hair orange with a home kit, then going almost platinum in the salon
Opening presents almost a week early
Delivering goodie plates in keeping with tradition: fudge, kiss cookies, caramels
All the goodie plates we received from our new friends here
Spending Winter Break in Tri-Cities and Boise
The advent calendar candy that never made it to Christmas Day

2012-01-03T18:59:00.001-05:00

New Coat Closet

Last month we took down the doors of our rear-entry coat closet, took down the coat-hanging rods and hung hooks inside instead. It's much more kid-friendly because you don't have to open any doors to get to the coats, hats and gloves. Plus, you don't have to deal with hangers. I love how it turned out. It's the perfect little niche for all our outerwear and doesn't get in the way of traffic flow (a welcomed change from our tiny back hallway in Cleveland where we were stepping over each other just to put on coats and get out the door).

2012-01-03T18:53:00.001-05:00

New Artwork

I have been stewing about what type of wall decor to put on my large kitchen wall (the one where the row of cabinets was). I attempted to make my own Andy-Warhol-ish piece, but that didn't turn out, so I went back to the drawing board. I have always loved this old photograph my Mom has of my Dad's family gathered around the table. So, while I was in Boise, I had it blown up 318 times the original. I had it done at Eagle Blue, a large-format printing place, and they scanned it on a high-resolution scanner, then used a high-res. printer to print it.

It's on a matte photo-like paper and is about 4' by 5.75'.

I really like how it turned out. I think it gives a vintage, museum-like quality to my kitchen and I love that it is a piece of family history. I thought it was well worth the $56. Now, if I can just keep those crayons and markers of my little artists off of it!

2012-01-03T18:51:00.001-05:00

A Productive Visit to Boise

Over the break, we went to Boise to visit and for Travis to give my Mom her Christmas present: a mini-kitchen remodel.

He expanded the little pocket door next to the fridge (on the right) into a wider arched doorway like the existing one (on the left).

He also moved the large island (the one with the grey countertop, on the right), making the space about 3 times larger. In it's place, he built a smaller 30" square island out of a cabinet and old legs out of my Mom's collection. My mom got the marble top at a countertop store for only the cost of cutting and honing the edges. The kitchen feels 3 times bigger. It really makes a difference when there are lots of people eating and being served, which happens alot at that place.

My mom is going to paint and stain the new wood and old legs dark to match the cabinet.

Some serious puzzle-playing going on on a Sunday afternoon.

The mountain goat who saw it all go down.

We also moved the dining room table into the front room, which works well now that the doorway into the front room is larger, giving diners easier access to the table.

And the carrot cakes cooling, christening the new counter.

It was a fun/busy/crazy/rewarding trip. With Travis gifting the labor to my Mom, it was like getting a $10,000 kitchen makeover for less than $500 (the cost of materials). And by using things she already had (the island and the pieces for the new island), she saved alot of money that way. I can't wait to see what it looks like next time I go and it's all painted, put back together and more stylized by my Mom.

2012-01-03T18:46:00.002-05:00

Virtual Christmas Card

(A little late) we wish you and yours a wonderful new year!

2011-12-21T22:45:00.001-05:00

And Christmas Came Early

After two very long, messy, loud days, I declared that we should just open presents and get it over with (thinking that maybe this would eliminate my kids' pre-Christmas restlessness and general over-excitement).

So, last night, by the light of our lopsided Christmas tree, and with much anticipation, we opened our presents. (To be honest, I don't know why they got so excited as we didn't go all out on presents this year.)

Oh, the candy pandemonium brought on by Grandma Deb and Grandpa John's stockings! The Legos and Beyblades were well-received too.

And, with all the happy elves floating around the house after that, someone had to be Scrooge, so I took that role for myself.

I was telling my sister Whitney today that there is something about extended vacations from school that make me grouchy. Maybe it's because everyone is in la-la land, happily enjoying their time off, but I'm not off. Very not off. In fact, my job is multiplied as I am constantly cleaning up after everybody. I know, I know, I just need to let the house go and enjoy the time with them. And, that's what I should do. I think that's what my Mom would tell me to do. I just don't want my house to fall apart, because when those metal-bottomed Beyblades are whizzing around, being chucked from the highest heights, I sometimes feel like it will. I am not good at relaxing. It seems counterintuitive with a houseful of noisy kids. But, they are mine and I love them, so I guess I'll just have to follow the motto of my college roommate Stephanie: "Fake it 'til you make it."

Having typed these thoughts out, I think I can make it through Christmas vacation. Day by day. Baby steps. And a little fudge and caramel pretzel rods in those days and steps wouldn't hurt either.

2011-12-08T23:15:00.003-05:00

Lil' Lucy's Poor Finger

Last night as I was making white chicken chili for dinner, Lucy fileted her finger while trying to pull the lid off a can of beans. The tip of her pointer finger got stuck between the sharp edge of the opened can and the inside edge of the can. I couldn't get her finger out, so she took the can and got it out by herself. She was a tough girl all the way through the 3.5 hour trip to the E.R., the shots of sleepy medicine, the I.V. to sedate her, the 13 stitches and then waking up and coming home (after going through the drive-thru at Dairy Queen for a Blizzard). When we went to the doctor's office for a follow-up visit today, she pulled the bandage off and saw her stitched-up finger for the first time. She was horrified. She started crying and asking all sorts of questions. It did look pretty gruesome, lots of black, spikey knots of suture and red, swollen skin.

But, she is a trooper and she had a pretty normal day today, even helping me through the whole process of making sugar cookies for Finn's classroom. Her bandage got tinted with red, not blood, but frosting.

And, here she is! Hooray for recoveries! Hooray that whole terrifying ordeal is overwith! Hooray for modern anaesthetics! And, hooray for Santa sugar cookies!

2011-12-05T00:38:00.002-05:00

Moving the Cabinets

A while back I posted about wanting to move the set of long kitchen cabinets into the dining room. We finally got around to it and it makes such a difference. There's alot more space in the kitchen for the resident munchkins to do their thing. And, the vast amount of unused space in the dining room is now being put to better use. A win-win.

After lots of reshuffling, removing, repositioning and shifting, we got everything back to where it belonged. These projects provide constant change around this place.

We also, or should I say Travis, put up crown molding along all the cabinet tops. We found the molding in the garage, so it was a free but dramatic change. I love how it gives the cabinets a finished look.

2011-12-04T23:49:00.002-05:00

Decking the Halls

Not with boughs of holly, but with evergreen boughs, pine cones and branches.

I made a double-wired wreath out of wire clothes hangers, then wired the pine boughs to it for this wreath. I added a few small pine cones and the ribbon, and it was done.

Lucy and I made this mitten advent calendar garland this week. The worst part was turning the mittens outside-in after sewing them, and Lucy stayed the course, doing most of them herself. I ironed-on numbers, cut slits in the back for the yarn to string them, then filled them with candy after hanging it. I'm glad I don't make mittens for a living though. Tedious work.

A pine garland for the kitchen windows. For this, I just used leftover boughs from our tree, wiring together small bunches with florists' wire. I wired on a few pine cones, added lights and bows for a very inexpensive decoration.

It's amazing what a little greenery and lights can do to make it feel more Christmas-y.

2011-12-04T23:31:00.002-05:00

Office Christmas Dinner

On the menu: Olive Garden salad, Chicken Cordon Bleu, mashed potatoes with chicken gravy, green beans, homemade rolls, and poached pears with custard sauce.

I made a last-minute run to the Dollar Store for those goblets that, in the words of Travis, "Look like they came from a grandma's attic in the 70's." I took that as a compliment and on the table they went.

The two ladies in the picture are the ones who keep T. Schuller on track and they make a great team. It was a fun evening. Here's an excerpt about it from my weekly family letter:

"I accidentally heated the oil up too hot for the chicken, charring the first batch, but then managed to save the rest of them, giving us just enough for everyone. Lucy and Miles got hold of the charred chicken while we were eating in the other room, and were holding it like a burrito, eating it without a thought."

This, for me, kick-started the holiday season. Let the festivities begin!

2011-12-04T23:11:00.004-05:00

Cutting the Tree

Stretching out in all directions of this little town are forests, with lots of little trees that could make great Christmas trees.

So, with our $5 "Forest Service Christmas Tree Permit" in hand, we set out amongst the pines to find the perfect tree.

It looked like a perfectly symmetrical conifer among the other giant evergreens. That's the one, I said, and Travis made light work of getting it to the ground with his chainsaw.

The drive home: Lucy smiling because she is the lucky front-seat rider, and a Little Red Riding Hood one, at that.

The pre-twilight skies and scenery.

Everyone's favorite part is putting on the ornaments. Before the lights were hung, I kept having to remind them, No, no ornaments until the lights are up.

And here she is, a little skaddywompous Charlie-Brown-like, but our tree nonetheless. I don't think I'll ever tire of the magic of a white-lit Christmas tree.

2011-11-27T01:03:00.001-05:00

Giving Thanks 2012

I felt honored to get to host some of the Fox Family for Thanksgiving this year.

Especially because for the first time in my life, I'm living in a house that I own! It was kind of like a housewarming party too.

I had alot of fun making the decorations out of things I found on walks and in my backyard.

It was my fault that the pies didn't turn out as good as I had hoped. I bought Western Family brand pumpkin instead of Libby, which just isn't as creamy, we decided after tasting the pies. Plus, I didn't have enough evaporated milk, so we substituted cream for part of it, and it didn't taste the same. Now I know what to do differently, I guess.

It was alot of fun with all 8 grandkids together. It was loud (in a good way), especially with the rug-less wood floors (we have two more weeks to go until we can put them down after the refinishing). I really enjoyed spending time with everyone and soaking up all the interactions between my nieces and nephews and kids.

The spread! Holy pile of mashed potatoes (those are Travis' doing)!

And, Auntie Lauren flitting around the kitchen in her knitted scarf, setting rolls out.

I had alot of favorites, but these two were probably at the top of the list. They were like two little munchkins, hugging and smiling at each other when put in close proximity. It was like they both understood each others language in a sea of adult conversation. I wanted to eat them up along with my turkey dinner.

How about your Thanksgiving? Was it all you hoped it would be? Did you have alot of leftovers? Did you have a turkey trot? (I wished we did, but we didn't do one this year).

It was a memorable day for me and I am so thankful for my family and friends, far and near. I have alot to be thankful for.

2011-10-31T23:16:00.001-04:00

Happy Halloween

From the bundled baby, Batman, Little Red Riding Hood, and the Ghost. Oh, and the Mom pushing the stroller!

2011-10-26T18:56:00.001-04:00

Things are Getting Spooky Around Here

Thanks to Whitney for the wreath. I just added some Halloween-ish ribbon and voila! Instant holiday theme.

It's also spooky how quickly this little munchkin is making his way around these days. One minute he's standing, holding onto my pantleg, the next minute, he's getting into the cleaning supplies under the sink. Scary, that one.

And, this one? Downright devilish! She even has her trick-or-treating bag already.

Oh, and this project has "spooky" written all over it: painting trim! Oh, the joy. You know what I'm talking about if you've ever painted trim, and lots of it. It's getting a little crazy around here.

2011-10-21T22:59:00.001-04:00

Hauling Rocks

I spent 4 hours this morning hauling rocks from behind our garage, depositing them above a concrete wall along our backyard.

There was a huge pile of fallen rocks from the hill behind our house and we had to move them so we could put metal sheeting behind our garage. These are my hands. They are calloused, dry and leathery-looking. I must have hauled 100 heavy bucketfuls of rocks.

After I was done, I kept sneaking peeks behind the garage to look at my handiwork. (I have to give Travis credit because we'd already spent last Saturday working on it as well).

I tell people that I like projects because they give me immediate gratification in the midst of sometimes not-very-gratifying work as a Mother. Now, don't get me wrong: I love being a Mom and there are definitely instant perks along the way. But, sometimes, after all the dirty diapers have been changed, messes have been cleaned up, and fights dissolved, raising children can test even the best woman's patience! So, I like working on projects to entertain my need for immediacy in something. And, to prove that I can do things and finish them in a reasonable amount of time (unlike the eternal nature of Motherhood).

So, there you have it. The deeper explanation of that long pile of rocks. And you thought you could read without any of my relating things to Motherhood!

2011-10-20T00:45:00.001-04:00

Batman Turns 3!

Thank goodness he finally turned three because I couldn't take his terrible-two-ness anymore. Miles has been such a blessing to us though and I'm glad I get to spend my time in the trenches with him. When I wished him Happy Birthday Monday morning (his birthday), he said, "What do I get?" He's very clever, that one, at three. :) Love that kid.

2011-10-20T00:42:00.001-04:00

First Grade, Welcome Finn

I know, I know, school has been in session for weeks now, and I'm just now getting around to actually taking a picture of my boy in his school garb, let alone posting it! But, Auntie Erin, you asked and this one's for you.

2011-10-20T00:24:00.002-04:00

Project Central in Pictures

T-dawg still has some pieces of trim to add to the roof (see tar paper sticking out from under roof sheeting), but otherwise, this baby is done! It was a major job, but it's done. Can I get a hallelujah?

With all the funding for our projects being sucked into big things like the roof and floors, we didn't have very much to spend on mirrors, but the ones in there were just boring to me. So, instead of buying a set of mirrors, I decided to use the mirrors already there, cut them down, and add custom frames to go around them. I bought some MDF crown molding at the building supply store, cut the pieces (myself!) and glued them together. After a few coats of paint and some distressing with stain, they were ready to hang. This bathroom is no where near being done, but now at least the frames are more up my alley.

These pictures don't really do this project justice. It was a huge sweat investment. We're talking lots of hours of chipping away at the foundation with a special tool hooked up to the air compressor, scraping, cement applying, painting, etc. It feels so good to have it done.

I didn't take a good "Before" photo, so this isn't a great comparison, but you can see a glint of the old silver-painted mirror that used to be in the bathroom (and the blue paint). I took the original mirror, had it cut to fit an antique frame from my Mom, and replaced the existing mirror. I love the texture of this frame. And it was only $5 a cut to trim down the mirror, making this whole project $10. The warm beige color is now throughout the house. More pictures to come!

2011-10-12T22:34:00.001-04:00

Design Inspiration

Living in the active remains of the good ole Wild West, I have gotten used to the decor 'round these parts (okay, I'll stop the cowboy-ese). The popular decor consists of lots of natural wood- wood cabinetry, wood flooring, wood paneling. While I love wood and appreciate the warmth and earthiness it can lend to a space, I don't like to overdo it.

So in trying to design my own home, I have had to keep in mind the future buyer of this space and not completely remove the rustic, Western-y flair. It's a challenge. But, a fun one. These pictures are all ones I am loving right now. I love a considered mix of vintage, antique, and modern. So, to marry my style with this area's, I've decided on a few things for my home:

emphasize the natural maple kitchen cabinets by picking a paint color that makes them pop
keep the wood on the floors as well, only replace the laminate wood flooring with either original or installed hickory in a matte Swedish finish
paint the wood trim white to give the home a more traditional feel (again, I'm trying to keep the wood look but not go overboard)
use vintage accents and accessories (like lighting, furniture, rugs, curtains, etc.) to express the vintage/eclectic side of me

I hope I can pull this look together. I want to work with what I have (wood kitchen cabinets, some wood flooring) and yet still make the space my own. I'll keep you posted on the progress!

2011-10-11T00:58:00.001-04:00

Family Home Evening 10/10/11

2011-10-10T18:25:00.001-04:00

Dirty Jobs with S. S. or Money Pit or What We've Been Up To

Here's an excerpt from my weekly family letter that gives the run-down on our floors:

Initially, we were going to have the living and dining room floors refinished, plus add wood to the kitchen and have that finished as well. So we pulled up the wood laminate flooring in the dining room and the carpet in the living room this week. We discovered there is a very stubborn layer of old linoleum (with impossible-to-remove tar-like adhesive) on top of the wood. This adhesive is also known to have asbestos in it, so we had to be extra cautious working with it, putting up plastic barriers, using window fans, wearing a respirator, and showering immediately after exposure. Travis spent all day yesterday pulling up just the tiles. We had already spent several hours scraping away areas of the adhesive, trying various methods of getting it off. It was very slow going. I was discouraged. Then the floor refinisher came yesterday from Bend to deliver the wood for the project (it has to acclimate for at least two weeks) and once he saw the exposed wood in the dining room he said it is fir, not hickory like in the living room. So, with fir being a softer wood, and wanting to match the hickory that will be in the kitchen and living room, we decided to just rip up the whole dining room floor and put in new hickory. After looking at all our options and our budget, we decided do the living and dining room and wait to do the kitchen. In a few months when we can afford to do it, we'll have him come out again and do the kitchen. Phew. I am so glad I don't have endless nights of scraping ahead of me!

Above was when I looked like one of the cast members of Mary Poppins. Here's a description (again from my weekly letter) to fill you in on why:

We spent the week before last taking shingles and nails off the garage, then I cleaned them all up, hauling 3 loads of heavy shingles to the dump. I looked like a chimney sweep the whole time, black and dirt all over my face and arms---those shingles are dirty! Travis has been working on putting on the new metal roof to match the one on our house and he's 95% finished. It looks really good. He's only got some thin pieces of trim to put up and more screws to fully secure the roof and it's done.

I've also painted the inside of this house betwixt blog posts, so I'll have some before/after pictures of that coming soon!

2011-10-03T23:53:00.001-04:00

A Spontaneous Hug

I did not prompt this photo, only grabbed my camera to shoot it. Sometimes they actually treat each other like the sweet things they are.

2011-09-30T00:13:00.001-04:00

On an Early Fall Night...

...Sir Fix-a-lot works away on one of the many projects around here...

...a babe motates around the yard with as little knees touching the ground as possible (that rough terrain is not good on the knees!)...

...Batman roams the neighborhood, waving to passing cars and pedestrians alike...

...and the views (sigh)...those trees...never get old.

2011-09-14T12:50:00.001-04:00

Henry Turns One

Yesterday was a joyful/sad day for me, as it marked one year from the birth of my babe. I was glad he has made it thus far and has blessed our lives immensely. I was sad because my wee babe is growing up. In other words, I want to have my cake and eat it too (literally and figuratively in this case).

He had plenty of help getting that candle blown out. In fact, if we hadn't plopped a huge cake right down in front of him, he wouldn't have even cared, for he was more interested in pushing around the car he was holding. The cake was just a formality. And, he didn't get any presents from his mom and pop because, let's be honest, he has plenty of toys (most of which are household items like cupcake pans and shampoo bottles).

I am always making this cake, Martha's One-Bowl Chocolate Cake, and it never disappoints. It is moist, light and dense at the same time (how does that happen?), rich and chocolate-y. And so, as the woman who gave birth to this little bundle who turned one, I chose the cake flavor. Maybe in future years, when he actually develops favorite flavors, he will have a say in his birthday cake. But, this year was my choice and even the day after I'm still reveling in it. Cake for breakfast, anyone? Yes, please.

2011-09-12T01:01:00.002-04:00

Let the Chips Fall

While I love this house and the kitchen especially, I want to move the back row of cabinets into the dining room to make the walkway bigger (see those ones with the glass-fronts? Those and their base cabinets).

My mom, ever the designer/space planner/efficiency expert, was here last week and she was the genius behind the idea. We're going to move that row of cabinets here, along the back wall of the dining room. This will free up precious space in the kitchen walkway, filling in the less-used space of the dining room.

I'm very excited about all of this. And I've got paint on the brain. There are paint chip trails stuck all over my kitchen. I'm trying to find the perfect shade of gray to make my hickory cabinets pop. Life is in the details...

2011-09-08T23:55:00.001-04:00

Afternoon: Down and Dirty

I usually don't like (okay, I dread) those two afternoon hours from 3 to 5 PM. There's something about the stretch between post-nap and dinner-time that drags and tugs at my patience.

But today was different. Under a cushioned cover of overcast skies, we played out that dreaded chunk of time in dirt, driving little metal cars, and spectating Lucy's bike parade extravaganza (I played announcer).

Above: the scene of my posterity in the thick of it.

And who knew that "onions" (aka: gladiola bulbs) burrowed in the front flower bed?

2011-09-01T01:03:00.001-04:00

New Terrain

We made the move! It's been an exhausting, relieving, rewarding and crazy past several days. We've got the remains to prove it: a fort in the basement made of boxes, for one (you know Finn was behind this one: anything involving construction, boxes and tape he is all over). And, a basement! We finally have a house with room enough for a basement! (Not that I'm a fan of basements, but now we have more room to nest our brood).

Exhibit No. 2: Henry christens the new kitchen sink by taking a post-dinner bath

Exhibit 3: Batman himself watches YouTube videos of himself (or the Warner Brothers one) from the new kitchen computer post

And, this photo is from our old house, but it shows the lackadaisical nature of the Matron of the house (me), in the midst of all this moving, unpacking and general chaos. I never would've let child number one lounge on the dishwasher door! I'm turning into a softie/crazy lady!

All jest aside, it feels so good to get settled into a more permanent living space. Plus, with the new school year, the daily drop-off and pick-up of the school bus, the cooling of the weather, and the settling of the memories of Summer, life feels like it's settling. What a welcome sensation.

I think I've left the house twice in the past three days, and have maintained my standard pajamas-while-at-home dress code. Two kind friends took my kids for hours on end so I could move and then unpack. They are angels. I got so much done with no "helpers" around. Between unpacking spurts, I have moved sprinklers and pulled weeds, only to come back inside to continue the "untying-of-the knot" effort.

I feel like I'm finally getting my bearings (much like after giving birth, or getting married, or any major life-change). I'm not hanging pictures yet (that will come after lots of painting and replacing carpet, etc.), but I might make a trip to the gym or the grocery store. I might not change out of my pajama attire, but I will make the attempt to resume my "normal life." (Normal here implies still a dirty house, disheveled-looking children, random piles of stuff scattered around the house, and holes in some of my favorite shirts).

So, life moves on and we've crossed a hurdle, for which I'm thankful. I've read alot in the blogosphere about the happy anticipation of Fall (i.e. pumpkin bread, crisp weather, sweaters, etc.) and I have to say, I am also looking forward to the upcoming season. This morning, as I bent over the overgrown front flowerbed in my multi-colored polka dot pajama bottoms and hole-y gray shirt, weeding, I felt a warm breeze slide through the general crispness of the air. It felt good. Just like being in this new terrain: our new home.

2011-08-20T22:23:00.001-04:00

Dam-Building

Canyon Creek, a small offshoot of the mighty John Day River, butts into our backyard. Most days, it is forbidden to play in it (because usually it's fast-flowing), but today we undid the chicken wire fence partly to let ourselves down. Finn and Lucy were going to build a dam. We spent an hour placing rocks, making sure we had a wide foundation layer to support the top of the dam (Finn taught me that one). I don't know that it'll remain intact overnight, but it looked pretty cool when it was finished.

2011-08-19T22:01:00.001-04:00

Oregon Coast, Simplified

We just got back from a short but sweet visit to a family reunion at Rockaway Beach, OR. On the one day I remembered to grab the camera to take pictures, my battery died. So, here's the beginning of a walk to the beach to capture the little 'uns frolicking in the surf and turf. At least I tried, right?

2011-08-15T02:56:00.001-04:00

Napping

I am a four-pillow sleeper, as this photo attests. A couple months ago I added a fourth pillow to cover my head and it's amazing how soundly I sleep with less noise.

And here's a fuzzy photo of Batman napping at Paradise Point in McCall. He literally wouldn't take that thing off even for a nap!

2011-08-15T02:54:00.001-04:00

More Reunion Shots

2011-08-15T02:48:00.001-04:00

Front Porch Bedtime Stories

While we were in Boise last week, I grabbed my camera to capture this sweet moment.

I loved seeing my Mom read to Lucy. It was like I was a fly on the wall, watching the nightly ritual of reading bedtime stories.

I also loved the pretty planter box, which framed the setting perfectly.

2011-08-15T02:12:00.001-04:00

Paradise Point, McCall 2011

Finn, just doing a little work on the pottery wheel

Miles and his inseparable second skin (a Batman costume from the fathoms of the rec. room closet). He literally wore this for two days straight, through diaper changes, naps and night-long sleeps. I finally threw it away, sucker-juice-streaked-stickiness and all, when he wasn't looking. He had broken the neck tie and the sleeves when he was trying to get it off.

This little snarfblatt (did I just call him that?) played either in the sand or a tube or this playpen. He was his usual plump, content self, especially content in the arms of his mama.

Finn and the Payette Lake scenery. It was beautiful. Already missing that paradisaical place.

2011-08-05T22:07:00.001-04:00

My Country 'Tis of Thee

I found this old 50-star flag at Ki-Yo-Te Antiques a couple weeks ago.

I loved the aged fabric and the tea-stained look of the white stripes and stars.

It's in Finn and Miles' room because blue and red are Finn's favorite colors.

(And, fingers crossed, it will go up in their room in our new house. Yes, that's right: we made an offer and it was accepted on a house here! I am really looking forward to having a house of our own after renting for 7 1/2 years. I'm sure there will be projects to show on it.)

2011-07-29T22:52:00.001-04:00

Finn-Bob Turns Six

Here is the birthday boy, with a proud smile, after building his buttermilk pancake stack topped with raspberries. (I must have snapped this right after the prayer: hence the folded arms).

The cake: buttermilk chocolate sheet cake with chocolate frosting (plus his favorite colors: red and blue).

Some of his friends, including his neighborhood biker gang buddies.

I don't know what he wished for, but I wish for his continued growth and learning and a quick transition to school in the Fall! My Summer babe....Finn-Bob Schuller.

2011-07-28T13:59:00.001-04:00

Babe in Action

Henry is crawling now...

...exploring drawers, things left on floors...

...no territory too dangerous or intimidating...

...and he still has that smile and those chubby legs.

Thank goodness!

2011-07-20T18:44:00.001-04:00

He/She

(Where he works).

(Where she works).

2011-07-13T15:03:00.002-04:00

Repose

Today I'm feeling: annoyed at all the clutter, piles and toys everywhere

Looking forward to: trips to Idaho and the Coast next month

Lunch was: refried beans, sweet potatoes, green salad with red peppers, Ghiradelli dark chocolate chips

Felt weird at: a family-oriented "messy" playtime; not because of the activities, but because I felt like I didn't have anything in common with the parents there except that we all had kids

Need to: make more granola, clear the clutter, piles and toys

Want to: make some homemade wheat bread, start a fun project, find a cool vintage laundry basket

2011-07-09T15:16:00.001-04:00

First Haircut

2011-07-02T21:19:00.001-04:00

Wood Chopping

Our goal is to get enough to heat this creekside cottage all winter long. In my opinion, this was one of the funnest things we've done together as a family. Travis cuts, I haul, and the kids haul and play. Henry just sits and smiles, and naps.

Good times today.

2011-06-29T18:57:00.001-04:00

Master Bath

{Above: BEFORE}

{Above: DURING}

{Above: AFTER}

{Above: AFTER}

Steps to making the master bathroom more human-scale, less hobbit-scale (note the sloping ceiling), and also tying the two vanities together:

Installed beadboard to lower half of walls
Painted the walls a creamy white; trim, ceiling, and beadboard pure white
Painted the vanities pure white
Removed rectangular mirror, hung framed round one
Used shades of white and some brown in pictures and decor to unify the space
Used a large creamy wool rug to soften and unify the room

When we moved in, I hated this room. The walls and ceiling were a light pink, the ceiling hung low in part of it, and the vanities were oddly-placed. I really enjoy this space now. To me, it is calm and tranquil. I'm glad my landlord lets us make changes to this house.

2011-06-29T18:27:00.001-04:00

Horsin' Around

There's something about shirtless Summer days...

...and schedule-less calendars...

...and that enormous amount of children's energy...

...that makes for some danged fun times around these parts.

2011-06-28T20:08:00.001-04:00

Cabinets: Natural or White?

Kitchen BEFORE

Kitchen AFTER

So we are renting this house that is for sale and we just had a showing. I asked the realtor if the potential buyer liked or disliked the white cabinets and she said she preferred the natural oak to the white. So my question is: What would you prefer? As a buyer, I might prefer the natural oak just so I could do what I wanted to the cabinets. I just assumed this was an improvement to paint the cabinets, but maybe I was mistaken? Your thoughts....

2011-06-28T11:40:00.002-04:00

Mother by Day, Painter by Night

Remember how I wanted to add a little more "depth" to my plain white kitchen cabinets? Well, using this tutorial from my sister Whitney I worked away on these babies last night while my kids sawed logs. (Above: the cabinets after I'd wiped the stain on, but before I'd wiped it off with paint thinner).
And, today: a more distressed, older-looking cabinet. We still have to put up the rest of the cabinet hardware, but I really like the way they turned out. I used Minwax Dark Walnut stain, wiping it on with an old sock, then went back over it with a sock dipped in paint thinner.

I hung pictures, curtains and some plates yesterday and it was so fun. This is the fun part of getting settled. More pictures to come!

2011-06-27T15:29:00.001-04:00

One of Those Dog Days of Summer

You know you're in for it when halfway through the day your kids have already broken two dishes, you've been interrupted by very loud, intense crying while on the phone with customer service reps, and your husband leaves you for a week of job training. Does anyone else have a love/hate relationship with Summer?

2011-06-20T02:04:00.001-04:00

Saturday's Project

(Front of our house BEFORE)

(Front of our house AFTER)

Now our house feels a little further from the road and has a little more curb appeal. More pictures of projects to come.

2011-06-10T18:30:00.001-04:00

Mid-Project: Kitchen

BEFORE: Horrible orange walls, sparse lighting, plain stock oak cabinets

MID-PROJECT: Painted white cabinets, 3 can lights added, walls painted creamy white

I love how much more clean it feels, but it still feels a little too sterile. I plan on giving the cabinets some depth with some brown stain or even acrylic paint (hot tip from my Mom). I'm still getting an 80's vibe from the countertops, but maybe we can convince the landlord to let us get new ones (these are poorly installed, have bubbles and chips in them)?

At any rate, I really like the direction my kitchen is headed. I'll post pictures of the finished kitchen when I get it done. In the meantime, just be glad you're not running 6 miles uphill like I will be doing tomorrow. A few of my sisters and aunts are running the Sawtooth Relay from beautiful Stanley to Ketchum, Idaho. Wish me luck and have a great weekend whatever your plans are!

2011-06-08T12:23:00.001-04:00

Immobile

Today I just want to get back in bed. Travis started work, leaving me alone with four kids for three days. It was so fun having him home, working on house projects together. I knew it wouldn't last, but it's still sad to see him go.

I've made my to-do list and I hope to get up the gumption to work on it. We spent a long time eating our breakfast of granola, Jiffy blueberry muffins, milk and grapefruit. Henry had bananas and rice cereal. The kids have friends over and are watching Toy Story 3. I still have lots more painting to do, but don't think I'll get around to it until the kidlets are in bed. I will post pictures of my finished kitchen when I get the pile of dishes in the sink done and the clean dishes put away.

If you're wondering what our town is like, here's an excerpt from my weekly letter to my family:

I've learned some interesting things about the culture here. I've met some women with interesting names, including DeRonda and Tootie. The local paper lists everyone who breaks the law, including those who hunt without a tag or get a speeding ticket. The local radio station has a special segment at 12:45 PM, like the radio version of Craigslist, where they announce anything from "Items Wanted" to "Needing a Ride." Oh, and they announce birthdays too. The fire station sounds the fire engine siren at high noon everyday. Everyone knows everyone and it is like Mayberry, only with deer antlers everywhere. Kids go to school 4 days a week, to save the district money. Some men wear Wranglers and cowboy hats to church. Testimony meeting today was interesting, with members sharing funny personal stories. I went in to check on our mail delivery and the postmaster knew how many mail pieces we'd gotten that day and said the postal carrier was impressed with how Travis built the holder for the mailbox. The customer service here is unparalleled. If there is a form to fill out, the person does it for me. If I buy something, they load it in the car without even saying a word. It is like night and day from the talk-on-the-cell-phone-while-waiting-on-customers kind of customer service in Cleveland. I could get used to this.

2011-06-07T15:26:00.002-04:00

Yes, I'm Still Painting

I had a hard time falling asleep last night because I was worried that I'd ruined my kitchen cabinets. In my rush to get this project done so I can move on to more exciting things, I didn't sand or prime my cabinets before painting. So I was worried that because I was also painting with latex paint (which isn't as hard as enamel or an oil-based paint) that my cabinets were going to show every scratch and ding. Well, after a talk with my Mom today, who eased my troubled mind (she knows paint), I think it's going to be okay. I may be touching up my cabinets every month or two though, which I guess is fine considering I should've started this project right by sanding and priming. I'll let you know how my cabinets hold up... In the meantime, I am enjoying the color: white. I am in love with white lately.

2011-06-06T16:07:00.001-04:00

Today I'm...

...painting the cabinets white. Looks like these early 2000's stock Home Depot cabinets are going to get a new 'do. Stay tuned for more pictures.

2011-06-05T23:06:00.001-04:00

His Mother's Son...

...for back in my teenage days, I slept in a hotel bathtub overnight. Oh, the discomfort!

2011-06-03T00:09:00.001-04:00

Slow, but Steady

Yesterday's Living Room

Today's Living Room

Do you see what's different?
We're getting there, painting one room at a time...

2011-05-31T23:41:00.002-04:00

Counting My Blessings

I'm in a blah mood tonight and to help myself feel better, I mentally listed some of my blessings. It works every time (as does a small bowl of no-bake cookie dough).

One of the "blessed" things was this little chub. He is pure joy.

And, along with my handyman, my house project is on the list. I love seeing a house transformed.

There...I feel better.

2011-05-30T11:26:00.001-04:00

Moving Right Along

In a whirlwind of events, including a move, a graduation, several family gatherings, and now a home remodeling project, we're finally settled back in the Great Northwest!

Sometimes I doubted whether I'd make it out of Cleveland alive, but somehow we survived it and have lived to tell the story.

We had a nice show of support from family. The Dean of the Dental School said it best when he referred to seeing a turtle on a fencepost: you know it didn't get there by itself.

And what trip cross-country wouldn't be complete without a reunion of the babies?

More posts to come.... I'm excited to show you the pictures of our rental remodel!

2011-05-08T13:37:00.001-04:00

Happy Mothers Day!

Wearing my tissue paper corsage made by Lucy at preschool

Take #97 of after-church photo shoot

Take #14

Take #45

Happy Mothers Day to all the women who have influenced me, most especially to my Mother. May you enjoy today because you deserve a little time in the spotlight!

2011-05-06T23:35:00.001-04:00

Eat With Me: Moving Style

As in- my kitchen is packed and we're eating off paper plates- style. I wasn't trying to get all the items on my plate to match scale-wise, it just happened that way.

Trying to simplify things around here, I bought a bunch of microwaveable bags of frozen vegetables. I love those things! Usually I use them when I don't have any fresh produce and I'm short on dinner preparation time. But lately they've come in handy as they require no pans, no servings bowls, and hardly any time. Simple measures to make my life a little easier during this crazy time...

2011-05-05T13:16:00.001-04:00

It's Come to This

Our house is a "disaster zone," with boxes everywhere. I'd say we're about 85% packed. We're all sleeping on mattresses without box springs. In a whirlwind morning, Travis and I cleaned out the garage and the basement, then I did a number on our van. Holy cow is all I can say. It looked like Easter had exploded in our car (think plastic eggs in every conceivable nook and cranny). It took me half hour alone just to remove Easter stickers off the windows in the backseat. That was probably the most therapeutic thing I've done in a year. Then I gave the lawn it's first trim of the year. And it needed it bad. Phew to this morning's grueling jobs that are now done!

Lucy here, donning the dining room light fixture.

Henry has no idea what's going on, but he knows it's fun. Update on his body: as of the last ultrasound, his left kidney is shrinking, as they anticipated, and the right one is robust and very healthy. He has pocketing in his bladder, which isn't causing any problems at this point. At one point his Dr. said he might need surgery about this time, but she has decided that he's doing so well that we'll just need to find a urologist in Oregon and continue to monitor him every three months or so. I'm glad things continue to go well with little Henry.

It's back to the packing and cleaning for me. I just had to pop in and say hello. Ciao!

2011-04-29T13:12:00.001-04:00

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

And that's why I haven't quit posting the babe pictures. I just can't get enough.

2011-04-25T20:13:00.001-04:00

7-Month-Old Bug O' Mine

This is my date and me, fuzzy, before we headed out to the Class of 2011 Senior Dinner. My newly-highlighted hair was a mop for the sweat of my forehead from an afternoon of cleaning and cooking in this humid house. I refrained from washing my meal down with a cold one (so many choices at the open bar!), but drank plenty of bottled water. I slept good that night, stickiness and all.

2011-04-14T20:00:00.002-04:00

Can't Get Enough Of This

via www.ourhomemadehappy.com

Update on "project John Day": We found a house to rent month-to-month until we can find a place to buy. I was hoping to find a place we could just plant ourselves in upon moving, but this was the best option given our current situation. On the other hand, I kind of like this open-ended-ness. If we buy a fixer-upper, I could work some magic on it and really make it my own. If we found a home requiring less elbow grease, we could make small changes that have a big impact. It has me thinking of my ideal home. I've started a list of things I want, not necessarily practical, unattainable or glamourous:

sink disposal
kitchen without a major traffic flow running through it
large yard
eat-in kitchen and formal dining room
2 bathrooms

Those were the big things, and I'm sure I'll think of more as the days go on. What would you like in your "ideal home"?

2011-04-03T08:58:00.002-04:00

Images from a Weekend

Spring Break is officially over. Like most weeks, it has worn me out. Despite the little traces of remaining snow, I can feel Spring is near. Thank goodness!

This week I will go find a place to call home in our new town. I'm afraid I won't find anything I like. I'm afraid I won't find anything we can afford. I'm afraid of the unknown, basically.

There's only so much thinking about the future one can do until she reaches a point she just has to "jump!" and experience it. I'm ready to jump.

2011-03-18T13:17:00.002-04:00

Things are Gettin' Crazy (In a Good Way)

Just when I thought Spring would never come, she peeked out at me from behind the clouds and sent the crocuses shooting out of the ground. It's electrifying.

Where did all the time go I had to prepare to move? By the looks of my calendar, which is getting filled with appointments, school functions, and a trip West to secure a house, my time left in the Emerald City is running out.

Things are chaotic around here. I'm busy, but in a good way. I like this kind of hustle and bustle. Henry is downing baby food, Miles is talking like never before, Lucy is still sassy, and Finn wore his pajamas to school today for the official Pajama Day. Life is good. Unpredictable, fast-paced, and downright jarring sometimes, but ultimately very, very good.

2011-03-07T20:12:00.001-05:00

Making: Pillows to Paper Chains

I've been absent because my computer was with the Geek Squad getting a new fan installed.

Lest you think this ready-for-Spring-crazy lady has been twiddling her thumbs, here's a look at my new living room pillow cover. I used vintage fabric scraps and blue yarn from my stash. It's been a pleasant change to see lately.

The kids have also had a gajillion days off of school (either from sickness or snow or official-off days). To bide our time, one day we made paper chains.

They are so fast and simple, it was the perfect project considering the attention spans of these two.

2011-02-18T12:57:00.001-05:00

Random Photos from the Week

I'm not sure who is responsible for half of the pictures on my camera from this past week (I'm suspecting Finn), but here's a random assortment of them.

My camera can vouch for signs of life around these parts even when my blog can't.

2011-02-18T12:47:00.001-05:00

Eat With Me: Lunch on a Friday

Travis thinks me eating sauteed spinach is weird. What do you think? I say if I'm gonna get my leafy greens, it's the easiest way for it to go down. I know you can make shakes out of the stuff, but I just prefer it cooked in a little bit of olive oil with salt and pepper. And as for the tuna, I prefer chopped celery in it. What about you? We had it with apples, nuts, and celery growing up. And now I'm eating an orange to cap the whole meal off. I always have to have something sweet after a meal!

2011-02-16T12:51:00.001-05:00

Healing

Things are looking up for the sickies in this household.

Nasal congestion has subsided tremendously, we're actually getting some good sleep at night...

...Henry is adjusting quite nicely to drinking from a bottle. (This photo is of a couple days ago when he was sick, hence the red eyes).

Thanks for all of your well wishes.

2011-02-11T08:49:00.001-05:00

Proving Ground

Do you ever have those times where you feel like the Man Upstairs is trying to see what you're made of? I'm sure I'm not alone in this one. I've caught a nasty bug that manifests itself in headaches, chills, hot flashes, achiness, sore eyes, and congestion. On top of that, I am weaning Henry because he was pinching me, giving me cut-like marks, causing me to bleed. When I saw that his mouth was covered in blood like a toddler getting into lipstick, I decided it was time. So I'm engorged. Not fun at all. I woke up unrested after one of those nights where someone needed help every hour. I went in to get Miles who had pooped all over his sheets and his body. Luckily I can't smell very well, because what I could smell was awful. Henry had a similar, but not so messy, morning greeting for me, plus he spit up all over me. Finn has missed 8 out of 10 days of school the past two weeks because of a bug he has. Plus, Travis is on a rotation at a hospital that he describes as "outer darkness" and says it's so dumb he can't even talk about it. Poor guy.

Some good things to counteract all this negative:

My new nephew Ted, born on Wednesday morning. Such a cutie!

My friend brought me chicken noodle soup and homemade bread this morning. How do I have such sweet, kind friends?

The weekend is here. Maybe I can catch up on my sleep while my main man is at home.

2011-02-05T19:58:00.002-05:00

Virtual Treat for You!

{World Market had this pretty red paper ribbon--I couldn't pass it up}

It's Saturday night, the kids are in bed, Travis just left with some friends for the evening, and I am reveling in the quiet. The ticking clock, the sound of the dryer running, the hot air coming out of the heater vents. It is soothing. A stark contrast to the constant motion around these parts in waking hours.

This past week has been nonstop. I feel worn out and tired. Finn missed the entire week of school getting over the flu. Lucy caught it at the end of the week and stayed home to heal up too. I don't know if it's the unrelenting "on-call-ness" of being a mother to four young ones, or the time of year (read: snow and dreariness), but I feel like my reserves are depleted.

I'm kind of in this holding pattern: not soon enough to start packing, but not settled enough to dig deep. We move in a little over 3 months. I've already thought out what needs to be done between now and then (remember, I'm a planner and list-maker), but it's a little soon to get cracking on it. Do I start sewing quilts to bide my time, or just watch, ritualistically, Entertainment Tonight, like I've been doing. I take heart in my Mom's advice to watch as many movies at night as I want during these cold winter months.

The big production (having a baby) is over, and now it's time to find the next thing to sink my teeth into. Don't get me wrong: I am loving this phase of little Henry. He melts me like none other. It's just that the dust is settling and I need that healthy distraction all mothers need to keep doing their daytime jobs (i.e. a project). Always a project with me.

I'm sure I'll find the spark again. It seems I have written about this before (wink). And, as in times past, something good will surface. If I just keep putting on those winter coats and boots, keeping an eye on the horizon, letting the snow fall, something good will come of it. I can feel it.

2011-02-01T09:49:00.002-05:00

Cupcakes for Lucy

I saw this method for decorating cupcakes in a book at the library and filed it away mentally for later use.

The petals are made by simply cutting mini marshmallows in half diagonally, then dipping the sticky part in colored sugar.

The book showed the whole top of the cupcake covered in them, but to save time I just did a single little flower, then put a dot of colored frosting in the center. With canned frosting, you can't get much easier than that.

On her birthday, we had white texas sheet cake. It is divine. Here's the recipe if you'd like to make some (and go to heaven) too.

White Texas Sheet Cake

1 cup butter
1 cup water
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda

Frosting

1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

In small saucepan, bring butter and water to boil. Remove from heat. In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, eggs, sour cream, almond extract, salt and baking soda. Add butter and water mixture. Beat until smooth. Pour into greased 15x10 inch baking pan. Bake at 375 for 16-18 minutes or until cake is golden brown and tests done. Cool for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, for frosting, combine butter and milk in saucepan. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add sugar and almond extract and mix well. Spread over warm cake.

2011-01-31T20:14:00.002-05:00

Nursing (Literally) Him Back to Health

We've got two sickies in the house today, Finn and Henry, and it's been a full day of administering medicine, wiping noses, calming cries, feeling foreheads, keeping the healthy kids off the sick ones, and keeping Netflix on steady. Lucy was out of school too, for a professional day, though she felt fine. As draining as it was, now that my brood is off sawing logs in dreamland, today was not that bad. It was sort of fulfilling, being needed and being able to help. I mean, I may not be the most mild-mannered person as we're rushing out the door in the morning, but I can wipe noses and give hugs. Oh, and change diapers. Today was sort of like the imaginary day a young girl plays out in her head, pretending to be a mommy, taking care of her children. And that's what it was. I kind of like this job I have.

2011-01-29T12:47:00.002-05:00

In the Sky With Diamonds

The lone sister in a pack of brothers, she can hold her own. She can scratch, yell and boss with the best of them, skills she has developed, I'm sure, to fend for herself in the mayhem. But underneath the independent, sassy display is a tender, other-aware girl. She shares her best treats willingly and makes sure Henry has his pillows, blankets and toys (because you know how much a 4-month-old needs those things). I love this girl.

Happy 4th Birthday, Lucy!

2011-01-24T12:17:00.001-05:00

Eat With Me

Lunch Thursday
White chicken chili with sauteed zucchini, clementine orange

Lunch Saturday
Seitan medallions with bbq sauce, sauteed red pepper, sweet potatoes

Lunch Today
Sauteed tempeh and zucchini with soy sauce, Aunt Suzy's corn bread (recipe coming soon)

Sunday Dinner
Oven-roasted chicken and vegetables, cornbread

---+++---

I've been trying to add as many vegetables into my diet as I can lately, as those (and protein) seem to be the hardest for me to get enough of. I can down carbs like no other, but with the vegetables I have to make a conscious effort. I try to get one green one a day, which ends up being either zucchini or spinach. Luckily, they are both good sauteed with a few hefty dashes of Johnny's Seasoning Salt.

I've also been inspired by reading what Trainer Momma has to say about fitness, nutrition and balancing it all.

What about you? Do you have any tricks to getting your vegetables in? I would love to hear them!

2011-01-19T13:56:00.001-05:00

My Hiatus: An Explanation

I've been M.I.A. for a while now and I have a few explanations. One, I had a baby four months ago. Two, we've been in where-are-we-going-to-live-after-school mode. Three, I've kind of become okay with the idea that just because something important and meaningful to me happens, it doesn't mean I need to blog about it to "count it." And, finally, after a week-long trek in the West, Travis landed a job in none other than John Day, Oregon!

We are very excited about this new prospect called employment, and the small-town living this will entail. (John Day had a population of 1,200 in the year 2000, just to give you some idea of how small it really is). I'm a little out of sorts, making all the adjustments one does after a week away (including laundry, paying bills, budgeting, etc.), but also because I'm thinking of housing for this family of six in a town where the economy is slowing down at best. I'm sure we'll find something suitable, but all of the unknowns kind of switch my brain into hyper-think-ahead mode.

It feels good to know that this decade plus of schooling, between the both of us, is finally going to pay off. Travis will work for an Oregon-based company on salary with a three-year contract. There is actually alot more in John Day than I envisioned, including a McDonald's with a playland, a grocery store and even a health food store! (Maybe I won't miss Whole Foods so much). At any rate, I'm sure there will be alot of adjustments and good/bad things about our new digs. I'm just excited we've made it this far and have lived to tell about it! Here's to a new year, a new job, a fresh start and (let's hope) a decent new place to call the chicken coop!

2011-01-04T19:53:00.001-05:00

My Baby is the Next Leonard Bernstein

He's also discovered his hands.

He must have sucked on his first for a good half hour this afternoon.

2011-01-02T21:27:00.001-05:00

Impromptu New Year's Eve Eve Party

Someone's snitching fudge from the smorgasbord!

2011-01-02T21:16:00.001-05:00

The Aftermath

I always get a little sad Christmas afternoon when the presents have all been opened and the excitement has died down. This was our little living room Christmas afternoon, stockings on the ground, ornaments almost completely removed from the tree (by Lucy), and the sunlight shining through the windows.

And, whoa, look at this hair! Every morning is a new concoction from a good night's rest (sprinkled with a few feedings, of course).

2011-01-02T21:10:00.001-05:00

Christmas 2010

Highlights:

Buzz Lightyear and Miles are inseparable
Breakfast casserole (think bacon, sausage, bread, eggs and half and half=divine!)
Smiling happy Henry
Legos for Finn, Belle for Lucy
A nap for the Missus
T. Schuller hamburgers on ciabatta for dinner (I know, I know, so traditional)
A surprisingly mellow crowd while we watched "The Nativity" on Christmas Eve

2011-01-01T20:36:00.001-05:00

The Beckoning Sled Hill

And what sledding excursion isn't complete without a round of hot chocolates topped in huge swirls of whipped cream?

2010-12-24T20:05:00.000-05:00

2010-12-23T19:32:00.001-05:00

Candy Houses

What have we been up to, you ask? Among other things, decorating candy houses. I love seeing what these little minds create: gardens, flowers, trusses out of pretzels, on and on and on, out of some royal icing, marshmallows and M&M's. (I had made the houses the night before and then the kids decorated them the next day. It was nice because the houses were already set-up and we didn't have the whole slanted-house-falling-apart-shenanigan).

And, in other news, Travis finished Part II of his boards today. I feel like I can breath again. It was pretty touch and go there these last few weeks for me, single-parenting. I couldn't operate on a long-term daily basis without his help! But, he's back and we've lived to tell the story of how we almost celebrated Christmas 2010 with a Dad whose nose was stuck in a book. I think a hallelujah chorus is in order. And some wassail. Or fudge. Or both.

2010-12-17T12:25:00.002-05:00

Teachers Lunch

Instead of giving a bag of pretzel rods this time of year, like I usually do, I decided to give Finn and Lucy's teachers a special box lunch.

Inside each clam shell box was: chicken salad croissant sandwich, fresh fruit, vegetable bundle, spinach dip and turtle brownie.

And, to down it all? Sparkling lemonade.

This gift was so fun to put together (it's all about the packaging!) I felt like a kid in a candy store picking out the containers at Dean's Supply yesterday. I used some vintage wrapping paper, satin ribbon and a tag to spruce them up and finish them off. Even the postman got one.

2010-12-11T20:12:00.002-05:00

Decking the Halls

It was our last gig as Activities Co-chairs for our ward this past weekend: the Christmas Dinner.

White paper on the tables for coloring, white lights galore, simple and easy as it should be.

It was a bittersweet night for me. Sweet for the friends and acquaintances enjoying a traditional turkey meal together, and bitter because this girl's "party planner" hat will be on the rack for a while. Or maybe not. Lucy's birthday is coming up in January....

2010-12-09T12:48:00.001-05:00

Edible

If only all parts of my day could create such joy for me as bathing this little guy. I had to take the opportunity the noontime sun and snow-covered backyard gave me to photograph this one. He is content most of the time and buttery skin covers his ever-growing fat rolls. He coos (doesn't talk back). He loves being kissed (doesn't resist affection). Faces provide a world of interest for him. And I thought my "babymoon" was over.

2010-12-07T13:24:00.001-05:00

Bed Buddies

Every night we put Miles to bed in his crib and Finn to bed on the adjacent double bed.

And these are the scenes we come upon when we go to check on them before we go to bed.

I'm glad to see Elmo has made his way into the mix.

2010-12-07T13:18:00.001-05:00

Adventing It + Blessed Baby

Day 1

Day 2

Day 4

Henry on his blessing day. He is still as sweet as can be and my late-night drinker. As I always do when they're this little, I want him to stay this small for alot longer. I think he has other plans though.

2010-12-01T12:13:00.001-05:00

Happy December 1st!

Just listed this. Go to sidebar link to see it in my shop!

2010-11-30T11:20:00.001-05:00

Fly is Timing By

We're still here, though a little rounder due to some serious candy-making this past weekend. Henry let me sleep a whole 6 hours at a stretch last night (bless him), and Finn has decided he wants to eat not only lunch and snack at school, but breakfast too. He likes to play board games with his friend Xavier after finishing his Rice Krispies and strawberry milk. I'm listening to Pandora "Cambridge Singers" station non-stop and thinking of things to put in my advent calendar this year. Our neighbors are moving this week which makes us sad, but thank goodness it's only a few blocks away. Play dates live on forever! I hope this finds you all well and enjoying my favorite time of year- the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

2010-11-26T23:37:00.001-05:00

Working It

There's something very soothing to me about working with chocolate. It requires something of me. I can't temper it (pouring and handling it on a cold marble slab) without surrendering impatience and bitterness. It pulls out bits of laziness and replaces them with sweetness. I suppose it's the nature of the large-batch process: it would be a shame to eat them all myself. It requires, or at least politely asks for, generosity. The craft wasn't mine to begin with. I was taught. It came with the unspoken expectation that I would share it with others. And besides the chocolate-y cuticles, I get a little mini-tutorial in patience and giving every time I do.

2010-11-25T12:09:00.001-05:00

Giving Thanks

From start...

....to.....

....finish.

Happy Thanksgiving!