Summerize

I decided that I needed to get some color in my house.

I love color.

I don't know why I don't use it very often in my home.

I shopped the house and put some summer into it.

This table was out on the patio.

It was black.

I spray painted it and brought it into the living room.

My husband said, "Isn't that the patio table?"

I said, "Yes, it is."

He said, "Isn't that kind of a redneck thing to bring your patio furniture inside?"

I said, "No, it's only redneck if you move your living room furniture outside."

What do I know, maybe it is.

Maybe I don't care.

I found a use for an old wood box I've had for a while,

I'm using it to hold my books.

An old end table was also brought in from the back patio.

In the kitchen, I spray painted a lazy susan that I had found at GW and now it holds what I use on a daily basis right next to the stove.

And cut flowers brighten everything up.

Have you changed up your house for the summer?

Side note:  Hey Larraine!  Your inbox is full again! 

Holly

xx-oo

I'm home and my camera clickin finger is achin

I had a great time visiting with my Dad, Sally, my sister Kelly, and her husband Bill.

Dad is feeling pretty good right now and Kelly and I had a wonderful time with him.

I love my Dad's house. 

 He enjoys buying disasters and turning them into beautiful showplaces.

Here are some pics of his home.

It was difficult to get a good picture of the house with the cars in front.

Here are a few pictures of his living room.

Click on the pictures to get a better view.

I love my Dad's decorating style.  He's quirky.

Here are pics of the master bedroom and bathroom.

And the sun room.

The hall bathroom.

And the guest bedrooms.

And another bathroom.

I understand that this is a pretty long post but I would like

to introduce you to the first entry in a long series of mini-posts.

MONDAYS WITH MAX

My father, Max, is retired and I thought it might be fun to check in and see what he happens to be doing with his leisure time.  My Dad can paint, draw, build furniture, create beautiful pieces of art and he can cook like a maniac.  Mondays, however, I will be showing you just a glimpse of some of the little cartoons that my Dad has done in the past.

Here is the first in the weekly series, Mondays with Max.

I'll be back tomorrow to show you what a great time I had with my sister.

Holly

xxx-ooo

 

Chevron and Vomit

I'm not a fan of Chevron.

There I said it. 

I know it's huge now and you see it everywhere in Blogland.

It makes me dizzy and nauseated. 

source: apartment therapy

source:  examiner.com

source: craftzine

source: designsponge

If you have anything in this Chevron pattern, please don't hate me, I'm pretty sure it's just me and I have no taste.

What new decorating trend are you seeing that you don't care for?

Holly

xxx-ooo

Can We Talk Crotches?

I meant to say Couches.

But that wouldn't have been nearly as interesting.

My dilemma:

Our couch and love seat have seen better days.  They are worn, and dirty, and ugly.  It's time for a replacement.  My husband wants something comfortable and reclining.  I want traditional and pretty.  I'm trying to find something we both like at a price that won't kill us.

The reason they are so dirty?  Well, I'm sure I have no idea:

My husband wants one of these:



I don't.  I'm not into the over-stuffed puffy arm thing.  I do, however, love to sit on these when I go to other peoples homes because they are super comfy. 

I like this reclining couch:

It's much more traditional but my husband doesn't like the small arms.  (I have no idea when he decided he was allowed a say in the purchase of home decor and furnishings but in the case of the couch, he is undeterred by my pouting).  I'm having a problem with the $1600 price tag for this one. 

I could use some advice about fabric also.  We have a big naughty, dirty dog that will never learn to stay off the couch so don't even suggest it.  We have two cats.  (We actually have three but two sounds so much less crazy cat lady-ish).  Tell me about pet hair.  Tell me about what you use to remove it.  Tell me about the best fabric choices.  Tell me you're going to buy me a couch.   Tell me I'm beautiful and skinny.

Love Ya'll

Holly

xxx-ooo

Haven't Forgotten

I haven't forgotten about Ya'll.  I've been busy this past week.  Work has gotten a little out of hand but I see the light at the end of the tunnel.  I've been trying to figure out how to design my new craft room/office, I've been running crazy errands, I've been sewing, making cards, and learning how to use the camera that my daughter loaned to me.

Of course, this lady has kept my busy too.

Last night I made her pot roast and followed her recipe exactly because I am not known for my delicious pot roast. 

photo credit here

Holy Cow it was Delicious!

I need to run to the grocery today because I think I'm going to make this yummy pumpkin french toast this weekend.

Once the office/craft room is finished I will try to get some decent pictures for you.  (Shaking fist in the air, "I shall never craft in my kitchen again!")  Heading off to Home Depot to look at their butcher block again.

Holly

xxx-ooo

Mookey Likes to Be Fancy!

So, I was Goodwill the other day.  Remember when I bought all that fabric?  Yes, that day.  I also found some plates that I just loved.  The colors were so pretty.   They were in great condition.  I bought 6 dinner plates and 6 salad plates. 

When I got home I looked them up on line and found out that they are vintage 50’s plates and are worth quite a bit.  SCORE!!!   Hubby is happy because he assumes that I’m going to sell them on Etsy, but I’m not.  Shhh.. I’m keeping them.  But that is not what this post is about.

Here's what this post is about.

After I put the plates in my cart I walked past this thing that grabbed my attention.  I couldn’t stop staring at it.  I was thinking, “Who in their right mind buys something like that?  What is wrong with people? “.

I started to walk away but those plastic beady eyes seemed to be following me. I went back to look at it again. One of the eyes was halfway out. It was filthy. Yet…..

I put it in my cart and grabbed a towel to cover it up. I didn’t want anyone to see what I have just placed in there. I went to the checkout and put the thing on the counter. The cashier looked at it and said, “Holy Cr*p!” I hung my head, and whispered, “I know.”

When I got home I took it out of the bag and put it on the kitchen counter. I kept walking past it all day. I finally picked her up (see, now “it’s” become a “she”) and scrubbed her in the kitchen sink. Then I pulled her eyes out.
My husband came home about this time and said, “Holly, what is that?”


I said, “I bought her at Goodwill. I will name her Mookey, and she will be my Mookey.” He just kinda stared at me. I guess he was never much of a Nemo fan.

After her bath, the makeover began. I stuck different things from around the house in her eye sockets; buttons, beads, what have you. I liked the look of these glittered brads the best and so did she. She wanted to be festive and enjoys the holidays so she got a Christmas ribbon around her neck with a bulb on it and a red nose.

She's happy for now but is looking forward to dressing up for New Years Eve!

Holly

xxx-ooo

My Husband has a Secret

I went to check the mail yesterday.  I am terrible about checking our mail.  I get to it about once a week and then find that the mailman has stuffed everything inside to the best of his ability.  Lo and behold, I had nine catalogs.  That's a lot, even for me.  However, one of them had my husband's name on it.  No, it wasn't the 2011 Craftsman Tools catalog or even the Harbor Freight Christmas Special catalog.  Somehow, the catalog fairies must have confused my big ol redneck husband with a uber creative decorating type she man. 

The catalog was from At West End. 

I had never heard of them before but I fell in love with so many of their rustic and recycled home decor items.  I could not believe how great their prices were.  Like:

This adorable set of owls for $35.00

Or how about these cast iron laughing boys for $45?

How cute are these cast iron owl parts that you can put on your fruits and veggies for 15?

Beautiful blown bubble glass vessels for $32?

Colorful bud vases for $19 each.

I love these recycled glass angels for $19.

Mercury glass bird candle holder for $10.

Know someone who enjoys cigars?  This would make a great Christmas gift for $35.

This is probably one of my favorites.  It a flying pig door stop for $42.

How awesome is this big iron bell?

I love cast iron.  I know you're thinking "Holly, the prices are great but shipping cast iron would cost a fortune!"  Hate to tell you this but you are wrong mistaken.  Shipping is only $5, any order, any size!  They also have a lot of Christmas items that are very cute.

Check them out if you get a chance.

Holly

xxx-ooo