These are a few of my favorite things...

Before we sent 2011 off, here are a few of my favorite projects from the past year...

Smurfettes Lemonade Stand...this was by far my favorite!! I learned it is a pain in the a$$ to take apart pallets, but we had such a fun time as a family making this!

Budget Breakfast Nook...It is so incredibly awesome to NOT have the washer and dryer in the kitchen anymore! And we were able to create this on a super slim budget after finding a great piece at our Habitat ReStore!

Kids Outdoor Chalkboard...I learned that making outdoor chalkboard paint is harder than it looks, but the kids LOVE this! Neighbours comment on it when they drive by and after 6 months it is still in perfect condition...yay!

Jules Back Deck...My very first total design project where I got to spend someone else's money and do what I wanted. This was a fun, stressful, learning experience. They love the end result, as do I, and I hope to be able to do this again!

via The Lettered Cottage

Spackle Can Change Your Life...In September I went to Atlanta to help Layla and Kevin and the people from HGTV shoot a TV pilot. Seriously. I learned so much...about Spackle and about myself. Hopefully January will bring great things for this sweet couple...I'll keep you posted.

Of course there are other projects I loved like making homemade vanilla,  our wonderful new laundry closet, and the kids homework area.

The past year I fell in love with old windows, wood pallets, and chalkboards.

We grew as a family and the Smurfs proved that they are old enough to help with projects and make design decisions. :) I grew as a person by taking my first big solo trip to Boston and realizing they would survive without me.

Marlene decided she didn't want to blog anymore because she didn't have anything to say, but I'm still trying to convince her to come back because she is by far the funniest person I know. And she's my best friend. And I love her.

Overall, it was a great eye opening, learning, wonderful year and I am so looking forward to 2012...

Happy, Happy New Year!

Rachel :)

Chirstmas Card Pictures...

How many people stress about the picture that they put on their Holiday/Hanukkah/Christmas/New Years card? A few days ago I pulled out some decent clothes, moved the Chesterfield sofa from the bedroom to the backyard, and set up the tripod. Seriously...why is this such a difficult process...

I even tried to get a family photo, but apparently my neck was broken and the Smurfs were...



100 pictures and 20 minutes later I had a few good pictures of the kids...

another of the family..

but ended up using this...

happy holidays...

rachel :)

Have you thanked a Soldier today?

Living in a "military" town sheds a different light on the way one looks at the military, the war, family, and life. I have become acutely aware of the trials these families face and while some people can turn a blind eye to the situation overseas, military life can be an eye opener for others. Yesterday I had the privilege of running the Soldier Half Marathon in Fort Benning. It was an emotional, inspiring day and a great one to have the day after Veterans Day. I wasn't sure if I was going to run in it, deciding about two weeks ago to participate. Friday afternoon a friend and I made the trip to the army base so she could pick up her race packet and I could register.

Saturday morning was dark and unusually cold but packed with an uplifting, wonderfully energetic crowd. There were two races: a marathon (26.2 miles) and a half marathon (13.1 miles). The gun went off and the runners began to pound the pavement, running the first leg of the race through the army base and the rest along the river. I was able to race with runners who were missing limbs and racing in wheelchairs. There were racers that carried pictures of loved ones lost and messages of hope to inspire others. Soldiers lined the streets with cheers and good wishes. They worked aid stations and handed out drinks to the runners racing by.

New to the race this year was the Fallen Hero Program. Runners wore two race bibs: one on the front with their number on it and another on their back with the name of a fallen soldier. I watched a friend, whose husband is deployed, painstakingly decide who she should run in honor of having lost many friends in the war. It opened my eyes and made me realize how naive and fortunate I am to have lost no one to the fighting overseas. I ran in honor of Army Captain Orlando Bonilla, who was killed in a helicopter accident in Iraq in 2005. He was 27 years old and married to a woman who lost her father in Iraq the year before.

I stressed in the days leading to the race, not sure how I would run with such little training. When crossing the finish line I received congratulations from so many soldiers who told me what a wonderful job I did. Really? It is them we need to thank...always...

Have you thanked a soldier today?

Rachel :)

The Details of the Back Deck

When Jules and I first started talking about this project, the number one thing she wanted from her back deck was for it to become another dining area. As much as I would have loved to used the table and chairs they had, it wasn't working in the area. Big, round, and bulky, the table only sat four people with no room for more. I have a love for farmhouse tables and picnic tables, so out with the old and in with the new...

Before

After

After

The new picnic table fits in the area perfectly. You can sit eight kids or six adults with plenty of room on all sides to move around. I purchased the traditional picnic table from Lowes. After a good sanding, I stained it using Cabot Dark Walnut Wood Stain and used Cabot Spar Varnish in Satin for the nice sheen and to protect it from the elements. A two inch hole was drilled in the center of the table, and was I excited to use the umbrella she already had.

She also wanted a buffet that would act as storage and could double as another eating area. I found this great piece of furniture in her basement. Yes...the basement...

I took it home and cleaned it with the original plan to paint it. After much thought I decided it would be a lot easier to paint it later than to strip it...so I left it as is...

before

After

The vignette is complete with two topiaries in galvanized buckets. I was super happy she wanted me to remove the original light fixture and even happier when she liked the nautical one I found at Lowes. The counter stools from Overstock.com are a metal replica of a tolix stool, and she LOVES them. They fit perfectly and are super functional giving more seating there or at the ends of the picnic table. Above the buffet is an antique (yay) glass window that I turned into an outdoor chalkboard. I definitely have an obsession with chalkboards. An upside down drawer pull was screwed into the bottom corner of the frame so they never have to hunt for chalk. And...how adorable is that message!?!...I love this family!!

Remember the mismatched back doors?...

They now stand out and match after getting a fresh coat of a black satin oil based paint. I love a good black door!





In the corner was another fabulous find...When Jules and I met for the first time, the kids were having a great time pushing this vintage metal cart with caster wheels around the backyard...

Yes, it was a little sad that day, but it loving it's new home with with an old metal red cooler. How awesome is that!?! Another find from my favorite thrift store in town!

And this is the area where the grill used to sit. A few weeks ago it looked liked this...

A few pallets, cushions, and pillows later they now have a comfortable place to curl up with a good book!

Jules also had a few planters that she wasn't using. Isn't great when you can use things that you already have? I put them to good use...

They are now on the railing of the stairs to the deck complete with pansies...

And that's the entire tour! Last post about the deck...I promise!

Rachel :)

Back Deck Reveal!!!

Two weeks ago, I met with Jules about decorating her deck. I was beyond thrilled...it marked the first time someone actually trusted me to spend their money. I was stressed, excited, nervous...everything! In the end, with a mix of traditional and contemporary, it all came together...

This is what it looked like before...

And again...after...







I'll be back Thursday with a break down of how this project happened...including what she had, what I bought...and from where!! (plus a few more before and after pictures)

Rachel :)