linen closet

We have been blessed with a beautiful home and yard except it has NO storage.  When I saw this white enameled cabinet at an estate sale a few weeks ago ( $5!!!!) I knew I could put it to good use.   I toiled with an art supply cabinet, sewing or office cabinet, but settled on using it as our linen closet.  It sits at the top of the stairs ( in a dark spot can you tell?) so the bright white makes the space seem bigger.  PLUS it was a perfect opportunity to try out these awesome chicken decals my mom got me a while back, just waiting to be used in the rite spot.  Really like how it all came together, a nice tidy spot for all our linens and whimsical little chickens running a mock inside ( and out ).

I was looking at these as options too, and the best part is I can change it up whenever I want.   Oh, I love decals!

lace
birdies
dalias? 
or this flower

views from the day

Today felt like the days when I was a new mom, only a few years ago. All day at home, quiet music on, small tasks, lots of books, nap times a must. I tried to stay off of the computer & out of the kitchen. A vintage puzzle was unearthed from who knows where, a drawer maybe. A coloring station, a tent. I know that with the boys getting bigger I tend to run them more. Going on more errands & adventures, which is fun. But today was a good reminder that to be home all day, again, can be simple & fun.

a new commitment to home

I have taken a hiatus from the computer not because I had to but because my attention needed to be on my house. I find the best reward of a vacation is to come home feeling refreshed and ready to be home again. Making little changes to make things work better & feel better. The kids love their toys again, mama loves her dirty kitchen again and papa yearns for his shop. Everyone gets what they want. So here are some of my favorite views recently. I illuminated some artwork and hung this old straw hat in our hallway. I really like this simple calm moment before we head downstairs for our day.
Our newly furnished guest room ( no more futons!) Since we have people staying quite often this room needed a good bed. Its a great space to read tin tin before nap time too. I hope to re-upholster that chair this summer too.
Felix's tussled bed. I made this new cork board for the beginning of his school year, in hopes of hanging up his artwork & photo's. We're in heavy "big boy" phase these days.
The start of tomato's tomato's tomato's. Roast, De-seed, cook, puree, can & freeze, repeat.
Here are our new girls, 5 hens giving us 5 egg's /day. I love to just watch them. Oscar & I have a good post nap routine where we feed them the kitchen scraps for the day and wake up slowly.
This is the best part about my house & why I want to commit to being here fully. These gardens are so unbelievable, every hour of the day people are coming & going, growing, harvesting, visiting etc. The energy that is alive across the street is immense, it wafts over into our house all day long. So we get up and do something good, everyday.

cleaning up

Spring cleaning came early this year, or unplanned really. Felix went on a sleepover with his grandparents so we had the morning to move the rugs, dust, sweep.... well you know. So, I put my many projects on hold ( like a CHICKEN COOP!!!) and put the baby on my back and got the mop. Now, after a fun filled weekend, kids in, kids out, games, walks and lots & lots of pots of coffee we're finally quiet. Here's our brunch table, cinnamon rolls, fruit salad, chocolate cherry coffee cake and...coffee. Maybe next week will be more productive in the studio, but it's hard when there's so much action going on upstairs. Here's to hoping.

cluck cluck

This was a quick & satisfying late night project. You know the one where your partner goes to bed early, the kids are down & it's just you, the TV, scrap fabric, heat & bond ( thanks beth ) and your iron. I have big projects on my list so these small ones are a perfect warm up to my day off.
I think my affection of chickens & eggs is heightened because I think we'll have to postpone getting a few hens for one more year. At least these cards don't require food.