Hallway Display

For those of you asking about the display in the hallway, it’s really hard to get a good picture because our hallway is so narrow and there isn’t much natural light, but this will give you a good idea. They are just clipboards with a random assortment of 8x12 photographs. (I’ve fixed the mismatched clipboard and the crooked picture since then.) Clipboards are fun because you can so quickly change out the display. (And 8x12s are very inexpensive at Costco if you want to change them often.)

This is the view up to and down from Lola’s room (there is always a stack of stuff at the bottom of the stairs):

Welcome

I’m looking forward to seeing friends and readers tomorrow at the Mt. Hope Homeschool Open House! I’m frantically cleaning and organizing and stashing so as to put my best foot forward. Just don’t open any closets…

Forget Candy, Give Books

My new resolution is to change up my mantel at the beginning of each month. I'm hoping that will help me embrace my little word for the year. Onward. January, check. February, check.

The Valentine book page banner inspiration came from Pinterest.

So, now that we are in the mood for February, let’s talk about Valentine’s Day.

Do you have favorite traditions? Any great activities or crafts planned?

I give books. (That must come as a shock to you.)

Not that we don’t eat candy around here (my middle son would like to eat it every day, all day long), but books are always my top choice for special little gifts for my kids, even for Valentine’s Day. Surprise!

We have read Saint Valentine retold and illustrated by Robert Sabuda for the past several years. I think the boys are ready for a new perspective on the story, so we are going with Saint Valentine by Ann Tompert this year. As we will be heading into ancient Roman history soon, the timing is perfect.

If this book didn’t yet grace our bookshelves, it would be my top pick for Lola this year: Isabelle and the Angel.

Georg Hallensleben’s illustrations are dreamy and saturated with color. (His And If the Moon Could Talk is my favorite good night book.)

Instead, I discovered The Ballad of Valentine by Alison Jackson. The words are meant to be sung to the tune of Oh My Darling, Clementine. If I can manage to pull that off, I think this book will be a huge hit…

Plant a Kiss looks darling (and I’m a fan of Amy Krouse Rosenthal’s The Beckoning of Lovely). Should I add it to Lola’s collection? I think so.

Are you ready for Valentine’s Day?

The Princess Tower

Russ has been working like a crazy person on our little attic room, getting it ready for baby girl. (Thanks, Ron and Mom for helping out!) I have a few details to finish up, but it is ready for visitors (and an occupant... grin). Now that it is put together, I just want to stay up here forever...


My dad made the cradle for me when I was born. My mom painted the little yellow flowers on it (back in the day, she taught tole painting). The iron bed was my childhood bed. It now sports a colorful, fresh coat of paint. Russ recently found the white dresser at a garage sale and spiffed it up with a coat of paint and new drawer pulls. The raspberry chair was a thrift store find. The little bedside table was an antique/thrift store purchase of mine years ago. The old wooden desk was given to us by Russ's co-worker.

The color-scheme was inspired by wrapping paper (now origami cranes) and cloth napkins (now pillow covers and window valance) found on a girls' weekend in Portland with my sisters and mom back in April.

Nursery BEFORE Pictures

These aren't the best photos for seeing the room as a whole, but they are all I've got. Keep in mind that they were taken a couple of years ago and right after the playroom had been 'cleaned.' {wry grin}

This is the only room at the top of a small flight of stairs and has attic access in one of the closet alcoves. The ceiling is low and slopes down on both sides. There is a little dormer window alcove to the right as you head into the room. Did I mention that it is a little room?

I'm optimistic that the room will start coming together this weekend, so maybe I'll be able to show you AFTER pictures next week!!

Come On In!

It's been a looooong time since I've invited you all in for a tour.
I figured that I should take advantage of the one time all year that my house will be clean and take photos.
(Ignore the grainy photos (forgot to fix the ISO) and bad lighting. I was lazy.)

Not much has changed since the last time, but come on in and make yourself at home.

Above is the view from the front door.
The French doors head into the school room. (Pictures of that another day...)

Below is the living room view from the front door.
You can see the hallway on the left. We'll head down there a little later.

Below is the living room view from the fireplace/French doors.

Looking back towards the front door:

The messy view from the piano:

Heading into the kitchen:

(Door on the left leads to the mudroom:)

Dining nook (there is a window seat in the bay window):

(Curtain to the right leads to a laundry nook:)

Looking back towards the dining nook and living room:

The hallway (I promised you we'd get there). Our bedroom is straight ahead:

(The attic room used to be a playroom, but right now it is the 'point of no return' so we won't risk our lives going up there.)

(The one and only) bathroom:

The master bedroom (nothing master about it...):

Heading into the boys' bedroom:

(Have you noticed the lack of storage, yet?)

So, there you have it: Our Spacious Home.

And the burning question: Where on earth are we going to put baby #4?

Thankful Each Day

It seems I'm always a day (or week, or month...) late these days, but I finally finished my leaf calendar for my mantel. It all started with a handful of leaves I picked up while walking with Shannon one morning last week. I picked up a few more at church yesterday. Yes, it works best if you dry and press them for a few days.... but patience isn't one of my virtues. I think the leaves are quite charming with a little curl, don't you? (Please say yes.)

I used my large corkboard (which is covered with black paper, but one could easily paint the surface as well), added 30 craft tags (I'm glad November has only 30 days) and leaves with silver push pins, and wrote 1-30 on the leaves with a large black pen. Each day we'll be writing on a tag (with a smaller black pen) something for which we are thankful. This morning we got to think up 9 things...

Summer Treasures

A Spot for Beauty
On the Mantel
Use-What-You-Have Decorating
Summer Treasures

Berry Boxes, An Empty Nest from the Willow, and Shells Gathered on Vacation.

What says summer beauty to you?

A New Look

I've linked this post over at Southern Hospitality's Spring Fluffing Party. Head on over and check out the other terrific decorating ideas!

Our Library/School Room/Office

Come on in!

The following picture is slightly chaotic, but I'm so thankful for this wall of storage! On the left is the computer desk. On the right is a bookshelf for miscellaneous books and resources. In the center, we have an 8-drawer unit that holds games, science stuff, craft supplies, manipulatives, beginning phonics books, and other goodies. Our printer/copier/fax sits on top along with our CD folder, and my lesson plan binder. Above, we have a bulletin board and book display shelves which hold some of our current history and science books.
These book shelves hold school-related books. (Children's fiction and picture books are on a large shelf in the boys' room.) I'm running out of space! The hanging file cabinet is another well-used item.

Thanks for visiting!