:: Reflecting and Anticipation ::

The year is coming to an end and while we’re all posting about our top posts, accomplishments, activity, projects and so forth.
I think we all begin thinking about the new year too.
The plans, the ideas, putting the past behind us and moving forward.

I for one am ready to start gardening again~~

Pretty soon—it will be time to get the plants started and in the ground. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get some veggies out of the garden before the hoards of grasshoppers …swoop down and invade the beds like the marauders that they are.  I’d love to be able to grow some groceries and eat them before the grasshoppers do!


 
It’s pretty funny though…because it could go a couple of ways with the garden and the weather. We can start getting the beds ready right now…in the winter, prepping the soil and mulching, etc. Waiting patiently for warmer days and just the right time and put the seeds into the ground.



Or…we can pray for a really hard freeze and hope that the grasshoppers eggs are frozen, and never see the light of day;
While we are growing little tender shoots of goodness under a heat lamp!

Oh, there is so much to look forward to in the new year.
It seems like I have a list as long as my arm of everything I want to do and  accomplish.
I see areas where I've missed opportunity this year and failed at many things. Though really, I think I've gained experience; justifiably that isn't failing, right?

Once it really begins to warm up …
listen to me talking about warming up, like it will happen any day now. (this week’s weather is promising to be so cold! brrrr!!!)

But, once it does warm—I’ll be outside, chasing children, chickens, dogs; pulling weeds, planting plants, painting trim or rafters or decking.
I won’t be inside doing all that needs to be done in there,no.  I am so torn in the Spring time between my chores outdoors and my chores indoors.

So for that, I am longing to hold onto the cold just a little longer. It goes SO against my nature to say that. I’m a warm weather person. My creaky-arthritic-body tells me so!

The days of the calendar may flip and the YEAR will begin anew---
the counting down will begin all over again!
But, if the weather hangs on just a tad longer—before letting the precious shoots come out of the ground…



Maybe-JUST MAYBE…I can DO some things inside that are so over due! 

I don’t have big plans. Just little things that I’d like to tinker around with that would hopefully, all add up in the end.
Simple things to do that would make life less stressful. Organize a room. Clear out some STUFF!   Things that get put aside when I’m outside in the yard.

I especially want to take time for loved ones this coming  year.  Remember to call or even write them; remember birthdays and anniversaries.
Sharing meals with my kids and gathering for fun times together more often.

I want to spend more time in God’s word—reading it, memorizing it, sharing it with those around me. Growing closer everyday with Him. Giving my days to him; my cares, regrets and hopes and dreams all to Him.

How about you are you excited about the new year?  Do you have something you’re looking forward to doing in the coming days and months?
Big plans, small plans…are you hopeful about things?  Maybe you are just looking forward to more family time, retirement, and relaxing days ahead.
How do you plan for those days?  Because all of that sounds nice too!

Til next time, Be Blessed!



Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. ~Colossians 3:23-24

:: Statistically Speaking {the Blog Language} ::

Really, I don’t pay attention  put much stock into the numbers.
I get followers—and I try and follow YOU back.  I’ll be honest, I tend to visit around more with the ones that comment than the ones that just follow and lurk.

It’s not bad of me to say that, right?  I mean it’s true.

I know I get traffic here @ Corn…because, I admit, I check the stats periodically… especially this time of year.

I find it VERY interesting to see what the most viewed post is for the year.

Why?

Because it fascinates me what people read! I mean, I can’t help but wonder sometimes if it’s the same people that would stand around watching ‘high-rise’ be built … or paint dry… or a ball drop? 

But no.

It is you my faithful readers, for the most part. I thank you for that!  For reading, no matter what I may throw at you!

And well, a few random ‘passers-by’ that discovered my blog while searching some obscure object online …only to discover, I really know nothing at all about Van Gogh and his artwork… 

You may click here to read my most view post WRITTEN in 2013… I’m not sharing my most view posts EVER…because, it is the same from last year and you can read all about those HERE. (including top traffic sources for 2012)

My second most view post from 2013 is all wrapped-up in waiting for a new baby’s arrival and Me, trying to get out of dusting whenever I can.

My one attempt to make life in the kitchen a bit more SIMPLE…(because, YES! Simple was my word for the year! HERE and HERE)

Lastly, I’m including my MOST resurrected post (meaning it is the oldest post that receives regular clicks) largely in part due to Pinterest and all about Recycling and Using what you have on hand.  
From 2010…

 

It blows my mind and it is gaining in numbers everyday…   Why ??????

Thank you to these blogs and you my readers for being my biggest Traffic Sources this year (in alphabetical order):
Cozy Little House
Funky Junk Interiors
Homestead Revival
My Repurposed Life
New LIFE ON HOMESTEAD 

So anyway—regarding ‘random passers-by’ that read my blog  …I have a fun and heart warming story to tell you.  I’ll be sharing that with you soon! 

Til next time, Be Blessed!



Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. ~Colossians 3:23-24

:: Home Goals 2013 – A Review ::

I posted my list of ‘goals’ for 2013 in my Home for this year and I thought I’d take a quick look back and see how I did…

I always pick a word I’d like to let be my focus for the year…
for 2013 it was-


While I tried to let it be the focus… most days it wasn’t.
There is always something the keeps SIMPLE just out of reach for me.  Why is that?!  
I tend to make things harder than they really are, but when complete and utter frustration crept in;  I just kept it simple.
and I’d bake a pie!



Did I worry that it wasn’t perfect pie?  No!  I baked it.  And I ate it.

~4 HOME PROJECTS I’D LIKE TO WORK ON:

1. KITCHEN: floors, papered (?) painted (?) or just sealed (?)  HAD A HAPPY ACCIDENT IN THE KITCHEN AND WE ARE “TESTING” LIVING WITH PAINTED FLOORS!
2. DEN: painted, arranged, & decorated purposefully! Still have NO ‘OFFICIAL’ DEN…
3. DECK: (back porch) New screen door, screens on windows, and porch cover (screened in?) GOT THE SCREEN DOOR ON THE BACK
4. Paint House Exterior – GOT ABOUT HALF THE EXTERIOR PAINTED –3 inches at time!

~4 AREAS I WANT TO ORGANIZE:

1. Sewing –DIDN’T GET ORGANIZED BUT BOUGHT A GREAT VINTAGE SEWING MACHINE!
2. Etsy/ Office
3. Guest Room
4. Den

Still need to work on the ’getting organized’ Phase of my Goals…  :/

Which brings me to the last bit of the GOALS FOR 2013---

~TRADITIONS OR MEMORIES I WANT TO MAKE IN OUR HOME:  STILL NEED IMPROVEMENT IN THIS AREA!!!! SEE GOALS HERE

~THE ONE PROJECT I WILL COMPLETE THIS YEAR: Upholstering and recovering my Antique Settee and Chair—and moving it to the living room to be USED AND ENJOYED!!! BIG OL’ CHECK!!!!!! While I still haven’t done the chair—the couch/ settee is finished and I am using it in my living room.  that makes me smile!

~ A NEW SKILL I'D LIKE TO LEARN:
UPHOLSTERY! (and improved sewing skills for the task!) Last year, I tried TATTING...didn't get very far. This year, I'm hoping for better!!! AND A BIG OL’ CHECK HERE TOO!!!!  I learned lots of new skills to finish the job.  I honed my sewing skills and we even created a hand tool needed for the job instead of spending the cash for it. 



So, while I chose a Simple word for 2013—I don’t think I chose ‘simple’ tasks; but I did learn something. 
Just because something isn’t simple doesn’t mean it can’t be done.  Just because you didn’t check everything off the list, doesn’t mean you failed. 

I’m already considering what my word for next year will be and some of the things I’d like to see accomplished in my home. More importantly I’m looking at things I’d like to see accomplished in Me!  And isn’t that what it’s really all about?  Being the best we can be and putting our best out there? 

I mean anyone can make and set goals.  But unless you are willing to try and possibly fail; then you’re sights just may be set on the wrong goal.

Do you look back and take an assessment?  I don’t mean with regret. I mean with earnest—in order that you may take something from it and grow from it.

Do you look forward with anticipation and set goals for yourself?  Set goals for your personal best? 


Til next time, Be Blessed!



Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. ~Colossians 3:23-24

:: One Thing Leads to Another…::

So I know everyone is busy showing all the ways they are decorating for Christmas. Not me. I’m just plugging along. Doing what I do. Taking some opportunity to work on inside projects while it is too cold to be outside. Once the weather gets warm—we’ll be back outside, and inside things will fall further down the list.

This is a picture of the dining side of my kitchen. I’ve told you before, in our small home, we have an eat in kitchen with no formal dining room. 
I showed you last week.

 

I told you I had gotten the urge to paint the wall a “LATTE” color by Valspar.
The reason for this …I think it was this little sconce style lamp that I purchased on Saturday a week ago. (well, partly)
The other reason, T.H. has been saying more and more in recent years how dark our house is…he especially thinks the kitchen is dark.
I decided we need a lamp in this corner.  I didn’t want another piece of furniture crammed in the corner on which to place a lamp. 
I’m trying to eliminate furniture NOT gather more.



So I found this little ‘franken-lamp’ at the thrift store for $3  and I decided I could use it.
I say ‘fraken-lamp’ because, well, it was obvious someone had taken this LANTERN- drilled a hole in the top and bottom …and impaled it on this SCONCE ARM!
Even the cord had been spliced and pieced together rather haphazardly;  it was already old and cracking.(equals= not safe) 

Yes, I realize $3 is a bit much for a ‘fraken-lamp’
… but wait ‘til you get a load the .75¢
damaged shade, before you judge me. 

  

Viola! I know…

Well I spray painted the sconce black and only disassembled the lantern and parts …washed it and cleaned it up really good; because the lantern had just the right amount of natural patina (a.k.a.: rusty/chippy)  then replaced the plug-wire with a newer model…

By the way, do you cut the cords off your ‘less than viable’ appliances?   I do. If I have an appliance that is questionable and no longer safe or working…WHACK! off comes the cord. 
So … I used a cord that I had in my stash.

Then I put it all back together…but what to do with the shade? 



Well, first I cut the paper shade away from the top and bottom rings… the top ring has the little clip to the bulb piece; the bottom was just a ring.
I used 4 pcs. of baling wire (not pictured) to hold the top ring to the bottom ring (and keep it in place)
then I began cutting that green twine into lengths to go around the shade and tied them at the bottom, giving the shade a shabby little fringe.



I know this picture is somewhat dark…but over-all, between the lamp and the new paint.  My kitchen is much brighter.
Right now I’m keeping it. I’m thinking on painting the frame on the chicken picture and when I do, I’ll probably have a do-over with lace on the shade. For now…it works and it cost me less that $4 bucks.


If you read the story about our Nameless House guest… and are interested in the outcome…
you can click here to read the edits at the bottom of that post.



Til next time, Be Blessed!




“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  ~Isaiah 9:6

:: Pre-Holiday Painting and Simple Christmas Decor ::

I posted on my FB that I don’t know what it is about this time of year—but I get the sudden urge to paint a room, furniture, cabinets, etc.
Last year it was my kitchen cupboards.  This year—still in my kitchen…but the dining side, starting with the wall.



It is still growing on me.  I didn’t originally buy this paint for the dining room.  I bought if for the guest bedroom.
                                                                
Why I didn't get the urge to paint in that room?  I DON’T KNOW!

I didn't 'reset' the dining part of my kitchen, because...when you find an arrangement that works in a small house, you just sort of LIVE WITH IT. 

Anyway—here is a picture of the same wall …this summer.  Very sunny yellow.



Notice the bright MUSTARD Yellow pillows and the yellow pine table.  Just wasn't loving it anymore. Lots and lots of yellow.

Now… it is White-ish.  Sort of "Creamy"…and I think the yellow pine table has toned down a bit.  Still thinking about doing something different with the table. Maybe staining the top a darker finish and painting the bottom legs and such. We’ll see.



Like I said, I originally bought this paint with the guest bedroom in mind, for a couple of reasons. 

1. It’s flat. I wouldn't intentionally pick out flat paint for my dining room.  Satin or eggshell at best.
2. It was Oops! Paint—but I’ll tell you.  It was such a good deal, I couldn't pass it up. A 5 gallon bucket of Valspar paint for $30. (because it was flat, I’m sure)
3. And it was 5 GALLONS!!! They never ever have Oops! Paint in a color I like …in the 5 gallon quantity. When I say a color I like—here is what I did.  I looked at the SMUDGE OF PAINT ON THE LID…put the paint in my buggy (twern’t easy) and moseyed on over to the paint sample display and chose several swatches of paint to try and match up the color as best as I could.  The nearest I can tell… this is “LATTE” by VALSPAR (sold at Lowe's)

It is growing on me. I’m thinking I like it. WELL…OF COURSE I LIKE IT! THAT’S WHY I BOUGHT IT…what I MEAN IS… I think I like it on my KITCHEN WALLS.
   
While I was tinkering around in the kitchen—I put this wooden tray on the table with a doily, OUR HOLIDAY JOURNAL and my snow globe that I received last year from TBL (the boston lady) via a pay it forward GIFT AWAY…  she is one of my Favorite bloggy friends!

 

I just love this little snow globe with the 1955 Chevy Truck… I think everyone knows we don’t get a lot of snow here where I live… so I’m fairly certain when Santa comes to TEXAS…HE DRIVES A TRUCK. Probably an old one like this! :) 

I also, changed the saying on my chalkboard tray—this thing has seen better days!  You want to occupy your Littles on a rainy day… give them some chalk and a chalkboard tray… SUCH FUN! 



I just found that LIVE WRITER has an ‘effects’ tab on their picture editor.  Yeah! who knew?  I made this one black and white—just because. 

That is the extent of my Christmas decorating. 
Really, just some unnecessary painting… a worn out chalk board with a Classic Message…and a Cute as Christmas Snow- Globe!!!

We’ll see how much gets decorated for this Christmas—or what else gets painted unnecessarily.  {wink}

I'm linking this here:  Tweak it Tuesday #67  @CLH

Til next time, Be Blessed!





“…blessed be the name of the LORD.”  Job 1: 21

:: To Done::

::DAY 31::

This is what I did today.

The last day to write, in the personal challenge to write everyday,  for the month of October.



I hung out with my tiniest and newest grandson.  He, lying on my couch; Me, snapping pictures of his well hidden form…



So precious.

On Monday, his mommy returns to work and he will be here everyday. It will be fun! Getting to see my grand children on a daily basis…because their parents are hard working people!  That is a satisfaction that brings me much joy.

Let’s see what else did I do today?

I went to my first Fall Festival… that I’ve gone to in YEARS!  It was fun. Seeing my grandchildren… **heavily edited photo to follow**



the “Just in Case League” (A Lion, Wonder Woman, BATMAN and ROBIN a.k.a.: Boy Wonder!)  go from Trunk to Trunk and collect candy… and then we were treated with a spectacular Black Light Puppet show… called “Rescue” …They loved it!  We were gone all of 1 -1/2 hours… FUN!

I loved it. 

I don’t have any pictures, because well…it is a black light show. But, if The Puppet Team leader posts a video…I’ll be sure and link it.  It was spectacular. Really!

That’s it for me… I loved writing everyday this month.  I don’t usually write every single day. I will TRY…but I don’t know if I’ll keep it up, you know?  With 4 kiddos here everyday starting Monday… I’ll be pretty busy!

But, then again…I’ll have plenty to write about.

Oh… just to let you know.  I did finally get my dining room table cleared off from all the sewing and couch  BY-PRODUCT stuff…TODAY!  That was one thing I was glad to get to-done. 

Tomorrow… I’m not “To-Doing” much…so maybe I’ll post a picture of my table!  I may even put something PRETTY  and FALL-LIKE on it! :)

Thanks everyone for following along really, and for all the sweet encouragement!


**OTHER 31 DAY BLOGGERS—THE NESTER



"Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season will reap if we faint not."
~Galatians 6:9

:: A lot Can Change in 31 Days of Blogging::

:: Day 30::

Let's see what did I learn??

• That, while I do procrastinate on big things…

-Taken Mother’s Day 2010!!! -


I am still working in the back ground on little things.

• That if you take something in little chunks…

Eventually… you will enjoy the fruits of your labor.

“slow and steady does win the race’ Or at least gets to sit down at the finish line sooner 
(OR LATER).



Lastly…

• Nothing gives 70’s swag lamps staying power…

 

        --Like Frat House seating arrangements!!!



Yes… I have a set of couches.

A Trifecta… of couches.
Almost.
More of a TRIPLE THREAT REALLY.

I’ve got a date with Craig…

I love him.

…and his incredibly LONG LIST. 
Not everything changed.  But A LOT did.

How about you?  did you learn something incredible by doing this?  by following along? 
(if you followed along) Maybe you just read here... either way...  

OTHER 31 DAY BLOGGERS—THE NESTER




"Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season will will reap if we faint not."
~Galatians 6:9

:: To Doing Fun Things::

 

 

:: Day 29::

Last night…I was up celebrating my couch! Watching the Red Sox…winning the 3rd game in the series…

Me watching baseball, while Honey is trying to take my picture on my couch… lol…

Today… doing what matters.

Altering Wonder Woman’s  wrist bands, belt, and boots (leggings)

We can’t have a Super Heroine with sloppy boots and wrist bands.  That is no way for a crime fighter to represent!

She is going to be the best dressed   “Wonder Woman”  standing  a mere 38” tall , with brown hair and red highlights --I’ve ever seen!

OTHER 31 DAY BLOGGERS—THE NESTER

 

"Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season will will reap if we faint not."

~Galatians 6:9

:: Are you SITTING DOWN? I’ve got something to tell you! ::

::Day 28::
The month is almost over… I’ve been working from ‘TO DO’ to ‘TO DONE’… and now…
TA-DAH!!!



I told you…  the next time you see the picture below… I’d be finished.



Well… guess what?! 
I finished my couch!  I know!   I am JUST. AS. SHOCKED.AS YOU!!! 
I can’t even begin to tell you… so I’ll just let the pictures speak for me.

There are several.




 

-Soft neutral fabric-



--nice trimmed edges--

 

-nail head trim-



-comfy couch-



-two-toned fabrics-



-cushy cushions-

 

- Wood sheen original only freshened up--



--the perfect little pillow-

Everything I could ask for in a 90 year old couch!

I love it. I must say…after having it in the middle of my spare bedroom and up on saw horses for 2 months… I sure thought it was a bigger couch than it is…

My living room seems much larger.  The Ceiling much taller.  The T.V. much farther away.

It only took me 3 1/2 years to get around to doing… all the while, I researched…and watched video after video… I wanted it to be just right, you know?

Thanks for your encouragement…and thanks for being so patient… IT’S FINALLY FINISHED.

…now onto the chair!

 

OTHER 31 DAY BLOGGERS—THE NESTER

*MRL: Catch as Catch Can
*CLH : Tweak it Tuesday
*MMS: Furniture Feature Friday
*FCC: Feathered Nest Friday

 

"Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season will will reap if we faint not."
~Galatians 6:9