Missing Craig

I'm in such a dilemma.  Craig, my one and only, newly adopted house plant, is dusty.   Not just lightly cute and fuzzy dander dusty, but, whoaaaa, I can't hold my branches up kinda dusty.  So...what's the dilemma???   As Craig sits in my kitchen sink I'm debating, with myself, scary, I know, on how Craig would like to be cleansed.  Is Craig the "just get r done, rough me up" kinda guy?  Or the gentle, one leaf at a time pat me dry sort?  I know right now as I type this and he stares at me from across the kitchen he's saying, "Just take the high road."  Okay, okay Craig.  Enough is enough.  I've shaved you once and I'm not afraid to do it again.  But today, sorry, all you get is a spritz. Soon, and I promise, soon, you'll get a full transplant.  One where you get to stretch out and fully spread your wings.  I promise.

In memory of a great friend.

Feeling Crafty

Spent another great afternoon with my granddaughter. We decided it was a good time to put together this fun foam North Pole kit I purchased a few weeks ago at a Michael's. A couple hours later (and as many snack breaks) the structure is finished.   Briley has a holiday home for her Littlest Pet Shop critters.

The Making Of A Wedding

Raycee Pasternak & Bobby Davidson were united in marriage on July 23, 2011.  A good time was had by all.

Congratulations to the beautiful couple and their beautiful daughter Briley.

Yummy Pizza

Just had us some yummy pizza from Bullman's Wood Fired Pizza in Billings, MT. Now heading East with very full tummys.

TV/Dining Room Remodel

John and I were so excited to start on this room.  Originally the garage, this area was one big open space.  We new right away dividing the room would be our best option.  Even though we wanted two designated areas, we didn't want to "wall" the rooms either.  Making a built-in area for John's he-man sized TV/stereo system was something we had to consider also.  What we came up with turned out to be a TV island of sorts which separates the two areas.  TV room on one side, dining area on the other.  As the island was being built I noticed it kept getting bigger and bigger.  We had designed it to have one pillar on each end, but the proportions were off so we trucked back to the lumber yard (120 miles one way) and picked up two more.  As the TV area grew I was finding that my dining area was shrinking.  Oh well, I pretty much have the rest of the house, I'll give him his space.

TV Side Before

Dining Side Before

Adding Archways

Divided After

Dining Side After

TV Side After - Vintage Cameras & Transom Windows Above TV  

Front Door Before - This closet was removed also.

Front Door After

Removing closet & framing hallway to back door.

Hall to back door w/built in benches.

I Think I'm Nesting

Recently I've felt that ole' "nesting" feeling.  You know, the feeling pregnant women get when they're about to deliver.  They go around cleaning up the nest preparing for the rascals wee ones.   Sanitizing, straightening, organizing, scrubbing, and general detailing.  Well, good news for all, especially John, I'm not pregnant, maybe just a little menopausal.  I have although been in "that" mood.  Note the pics below.  I do hope it sticks around awhile (I feel like I'm just getting started).

Our dishes are black and red.  The black are a bit hard to spot in the photo.  I have always preferred having the dishes in a drawer vs. a cupboard.  Easier access.

Lids neatly organized.  I actually threw some out.  I don't think I really needed a lid for every bowl since the bowls are all alike.  How often would I actually be using every bowl and lid.

Bowls all nicely stacked.

Pantry

 I have since gotten ahold of the spice cupboard and the utensil drawer and pretty much all the other kitchen cupboards.  Next is the hall closet and bathroom.

There's Monsters In My House

Raycee, Briley and I had a blast making these fun little monsters.  They were so easy to make using craft paints, tissue boxes, an egg carton, and a few wiggly eyes.  As much fun as Briley had painting her monster, my joy was 10 fold just watching her.  And...we all scared Papa when he got home.  Hehe! Thank you Mariah over at Giggles Galore for the great idea.  

Next we gathered up some leaves in the front yard, more fun than the project itself, and glued them together to make the two adorable foxes.