freshening the foyer - part 2

Previously, on Freshening the Foyer...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1g3lW8ySpA8uqi9jyaQJmzoXGNuyXt8YMuNsdtJeG0iRWnz28Fws4iZt6wRvUh93Q-mSDeyukuDwG5FluqsjA3sKzSJEM7H65c2Djdc2wAeQ9ATMmPo8oVSaEuXINDURUAYHkgbtnxmL/s640/wallpaperremoved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1g3lW8ySpA8uqi9jyaQJmzoXGNuyXt8YMuNsdtJeG0iRWnz28Fws4iZt6wRvUh93Q-mSDeyukuDwG5FluqsjA3sKzSJEM7H65c2Djdc2wAeQ9ATMmPo8oVSaEuXINDURUAYHkgbtnxmL/s400/wallpaperremoved.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />We were left with a blank space<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmd5xhVOUuYPSjg-p4OhCtlF8ZuCteiNndn9wZFF02oEP5kmbSwNfH_1iK1mYR13Oj4oQVD3okXkVl7Se-KU8qD5h2TC7so7LPRo6Gnc6sT-mJEPQjQRTQAsCYne-TOtRNRNNAlVem47E/s1600/IMG_1493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJmd5xhVOUuYPSjg-p4OhCtlF8ZuCteiNndn9wZFF02oEP5kmbSwNfH_1iK1mYR13Oj4oQVD3okXkVl7Se-KU8qD5h2TC7so7LPRo6Gnc6sT-mJEPQjQRTQAsCYne-TOtRNRNNAlVem47E/s320/IMG_1493.JPG" width="239" /></a></div><br />and a can of this.<br /><br />Specifically, <a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/paint-color/luckyshamrock" target="_blank">Lucky Shamrock</a> by Benjamin Moore. <span style="text-align: center;">I have a lot of blue in my house and I really do love blue. But I didn't want to become one big blue house. So what goes with blue? What's welcoming and cheery? What would I want to see when I walk in the house everyday? </span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNV2y88l1wH_l62kiBWkhfdMNCvVmDP9-Evg2kUzX95VmodndW3WnK-dG4SLHLsF0tSmzGYL8zwZDyEtwu5cvjS3yCVu70BlwoPw-oGgxtIzXOkszhbO5poyIGVb6wHJOOwB3LmJCokb6/s1305/LuckyShamrockCeiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNV2y88l1wH_l62kiBWkhfdMNCvVmDP9-Evg2kUzX95VmodndW3WnK-dG4SLHLsF0tSmzGYL8zwZDyEtwu5cvjS3yCVu70BlwoPw-oGgxtIzXOkszhbO5poyIGVb6wHJOOwB3LmJCokb6/s400/LuckyShamrockCeiling.jpg" width="377" /></a></div><br />Green.<br /><br />And you all know how I like a good lookin' ceiling (like <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/03/one-room-challenge-reveal.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/p/living-room.html" target="_blank">here</a>) so I took that paint up north. Happy green ceiling - complete. Now for the walls.<br /><br />My ultimate dream would be some <a href="http://www.porterspaints.com/wallpapers/designer-for-porters/anna-spiro" target="_blank">Anna Spiro wallpaper</a> but for now that isn't in the budget. So I went with <a href="http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/sari-paisley-allover-stencil.html" target="_blank">this stencil</a> from <a href="http://www.cuttingedgestencils.com/" target="_blank">Cutting Edge Stencils</a> thanks to a Sadie + Stella discount code a while back. (Thanks <a href="http://www.sadieandstella.com/" target="_blank">Lindsay</a>)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0J-dA83L9yoLnXoF4l35Eannm44MXQ5M1UNd4PtXqqCQWE-8iMC-1YAX9vV2l-aDrspOefiUUhtZzqNt-j1vXyeGYeq52zYyyEIyYTu6mTegi-lZ7a_zhgxyQGtyU6x7Oa4fkrFi6rTt/s1600/Stencils.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0J-dA83L9yoLnXoF4l35Eannm44MXQ5M1UNd4PtXqqCQWE-8iMC-1YAX9vV2l-aDrspOefiUUhtZzqNt-j1vXyeGYeq52zYyyEIyYTu6mTegi-lZ7a_zhgxyQGtyU6x7Oa4fkrFi6rTt/s400/Stencils.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />And here is where this little spruce up went off the tracks a bit. I got the stencil, I was excited to use it and the walls were painted and ready. The hubs and I skimmed thru the directions (first mistake) and got to work.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNk-e1i0n_r1lYse9Hfgctda68AofSqmE6suBzFmLNhJEZdolWe4Hcuei_d9LoLDDj75BrEo6pyv8KJ_WsOG-FzlgggltPzcsKb7ROP9Gq6zAyKrkjtk3KPeCRehHJgbMMFgs_bZDx0EK/s1600/StencilFailed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNk-e1i0n_r1lYse9Hfgctda68AofSqmE6suBzFmLNhJEZdolWe4Hcuei_d9LoLDDj75BrEo6pyv8KJ_WsOG-FzlgggltPzcsKb7ROP9Gq6zAyKrkjtk3KPeCRehHJgbMMFgs_bZDx0EK/s400/StencilFailed.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And ended up with this. Ruh roh.<br /><br />How's this for real life DIY? They don't always go so smoothly, am I right? I blame the little dots in the stencil. They threw us off some how. To be honest, I don't know what happened. The whole process went so fast (which I was rather surprised about) we didn't realize it until we stepped back to admire our finished work.<br /><br />Major let down.<br /><br />This all happened right before the <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/06/party-like-its-1963-50th-wedding.html" target="_blank">party</a>, of course, so it was a good lesson in letting things go. There was no time to fix it and I just didn't have the mental fortitude to make it happen.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZkWPi2qkeEmmv_yRov_0KBNyGcuKD9cWTUO3mUpcM8xhZcTsoElrvz6UO8mEGNyb_6AuReiqQBRnChdylK46nx6-7cJwOWVYn2v10l1T9kaRHPr0olnjVmjcDlUUD6mF0bxAYfb7jGcR/s1600/StencilBeforeRoundMirror.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZkWPi2qkeEmmv_yRov_0KBNyGcuKD9cWTUO3mUpcM8xhZcTsoElrvz6UO8mEGNyb_6AuReiqQBRnChdylK46nx6-7cJwOWVYn2v10l1T9kaRHPr0olnjVmjcDlUUD6mF0bxAYfb7jGcR/s640/StencilBeforeRoundMirror.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />So this is how it looked for a few weeks. And it drove me bonkers. The stencil is on crack, the mirror doesn't play well with the bench and its hung too high. And the trim still needs to be painted. Calgon, take me away.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbns2imKigGGY_FDCchgl1rXfMxGBxbigEnVW-EiKZHoH0830z0eTzohzkBqWz5mGD1F6ZsoixpBogHlvrFMMtD0ov9pxJ9ZbKlZiDXoYlEKCAjtpUTuk51kvZ40epE4cUUHWxuL_mU2D/s1600/StencilStartover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbns2imKigGGY_FDCchgl1rXfMxGBxbigEnVW-EiKZHoH0830z0eTzohzkBqWz5mGD1F6ZsoixpBogHlvrFMMtD0ov9pxJ9ZbKlZiDXoYlEKCAjtpUTuk51kvZ40epE4cUUHWxuL_mU2D/s400/StencilStartover.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Finally I psyched myself up to try this again. I repainted the whole space (thank god it is small) and after playing with the stencil BEFORE painting, revolutionary I know, I figured out what I needed to do.<br /><br />So learn from my mistakes.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNeFGkBTehdS5wWKtj69SvGZyZzRPG2tc0vNGrMJvuEMBNAc4WM42JgYIPRuRrPnyh6ECJgEe22lbdFZ8nCRVwNoJcBziUeNEyp4FO3lFIlOSREVXeK-yLjZJZzMTcaKjlEJU1zy3LRG1/s1600/StencilDoOver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNeFGkBTehdS5wWKtj69SvGZyZzRPG2tc0vNGrMJvuEMBNAc4WM42JgYIPRuRrPnyh6ECJgEe22lbdFZ8nCRVwNoJcBziUeNEyp4FO3lFIlOSREVXeK-yLjZJZzMTcaKjlEJU1zy3LRG1/s400/StencilDoOver.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is not something you can rush thru, even if it may seem straightforward. You will need to do one sheet and step back to check your work. Then place the sheet in the next spot and step back and check your work. Then roll the next sheet and, you guessed it, step back and check your work.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWz9MSdhA-S3Sb67MYZO0iZZ7HF5BI8L1mJu275cMJjV34YuLfp_SAfzwqBknaDPex3JLbfq_EulJlByRFJMEQgDbkPrnRtyGC38tljm5KvD8H0g-SRSvdIUq8ADmVRYXmRPDSXEP6PtI9/s1600/StencilProgress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWz9MSdhA-S3Sb67MYZO0iZZ7HF5BI8L1mJu275cMJjV34YuLfp_SAfzwqBknaDPex3JLbfq_EulJlByRFJMEQgDbkPrnRtyGC38tljm5KvD8H0g-SRSvdIUq8ADmVRYXmRPDSXEP6PtI9/s400/StencilProgress.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br />You will want to go over the stencil several times with your roller. Don't. It just makes a mess. And always roll in the one direction. Never back and forth or you will just end up with a big smeared blob.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaR5ojBeLb6ZQt4lGnanzh44Y3_TMpC-Em0ZnjnCmXwBtnTF4UuoJwXLFy6AF4X191wYX7YedUGGvncXKGHRP6bQqT0CHAWjQ4F6oeseecLisNmHmKSz4z0-G7JONRi9DP8H1lB4CSesj/s1600/StencilProgress2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWaR5ojBeLb6ZQt4lGnanzh44Y3_TMpC-Em0ZnjnCmXwBtnTF4UuoJwXLFy6AF4X191wYX7YedUGGvncXKGHRP6bQqT0CHAWjQ4F6oeseecLisNmHmKSz4z0-G7JONRi9DP8H1lB4CSesj/s400/StencilProgress2.jpg" width="323" /></a></div><br />Play with the amount of paint on your roller a bit before starting. The key is to find the perfect combo of the right amount of paint and the right amount of pressure so you can get the stencil on in one roll.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gwWewmEHJBXQXwr1AqmdEOGRLcfsLc-GypdexmIsZM96i0jFh1RmCHA6ckOXzgN4jXZkTiD4z8UFzAaSsam6B_XqpREUQoAfSVqBFlQyR4JG5Y6b3z59Xa8H0_nheXV6CsIDBP9Tc6Vc/s1600/StencilFinished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gwWewmEHJBXQXwr1AqmdEOGRLcfsLc-GypdexmIsZM96i0jFh1RmCHA6ckOXzgN4jXZkTiD4z8UFzAaSsam6B_XqpREUQoAfSVqBFlQyR4JG5Y6b3z59Xa8H0_nheXV6CsIDBP9Tc6Vc/s640/StencilFinished.jpg" width="577" /></a></div><br />Much better.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJDvZVX6lCp3XTyuOwVO8ND3GuTUzgz5cmV1A4UELntxgZ1w3hl1P1D9aeLFeAWcUw0wlXBg9TNgOzLghm1VFFa3tpDhwt25hyDIpa-Is9V8zccYIGWa1EhtTZ7oNr8cKmBeIGe4EKw_6/s1600/Greenceiling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivJDvZVX6lCp3XTyuOwVO8ND3GuTUzgz5cmV1A4UELntxgZ1w3hl1P1D9aeLFeAWcUw0wlXBg9TNgOzLghm1VFFa3tpDhwt25hyDIpa-Is9V8zccYIGWa1EhtTZ7oNr8cKmBeIGe4EKw_6/s640/Greenceiling.jpg" width="593" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ50K_j8WWnjonQDvrNga5Ored12Qu1wiftRcjoLIYHi8radDnL83RCKmmqeXUnWUtbQ0eirgMtYoZFFfgWWP3twsB4CCKb0_CmU2KYvtZfXyujH6s0KsSpE5-PgCVL4rkyhPTX0iyD2vV/s1600/Greenceilingstencil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ50K_j8WWnjonQDvrNga5Ored12Qu1wiftRcjoLIYHi8radDnL83RCKmmqeXUnWUtbQ0eirgMtYoZFFfgWWP3twsB4CCKb0_CmU2KYvtZfXyujH6s0KsSpE5-PgCVL4rkyhPTX0iyD2vV/s640/Greenceilingstencil.jpg" width="611" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJwVSBXrvtqWjFSZyCQaT5UWmKwkFP6Uvkjr4E68t34KWUrG1NMZePJLzCGFqccoQU4njoHm6FPvQBnTokCBiWXOnlZ2HKXqAr1v9uQ7onvfCQkzXpQ_XDZR-5V1Afn-bfA_1LIMQtQ6c/s1600/GreenFoyer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBJwVSBXrvtqWjFSZyCQaT5UWmKwkFP6Uvkjr4E68t34KWUrG1NMZePJLzCGFqccoQU4njoHm6FPvQBnTokCBiWXOnlZ2HKXqAr1v9uQ7onvfCQkzXpQ_XDZR-5V1Afn-bfA_1LIMQtQ6c/s640/GreenFoyer.jpg" width="488" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now all that is left is some styling, finding some sconces and figuring out a solution for the mirror. The round one that was there originally just didn't work.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This mirror is from the family room and I like it's size but I don't like the pine with the bench. But this mirror is from my parents and it is certainly a 'paint it and die' piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z8CQ0AQGQ_i-nyIUq_CT5JpLR0Poj5c3oA9GeNhPgGTwiUz1e5PLP6aCwBVZonyViwd5HBe_bSEctwDZRgQUzSNWceHe7duE8kzOjg_jPaAiVLg0-ai_7vykM8yUl8PERXoH-Hm9HwHr/s1600/FinishedEntry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Z8CQ0AQGQ_i-nyIUq_CT5JpLR0Poj5c3oA9GeNhPgGTwiUz1e5PLP6aCwBVZonyViwd5HBe_bSEctwDZRgQUzSNWceHe7duE8kzOjg_jPaAiVLg0-ai_7vykM8yUl8PERXoH-Hm9HwHr/s640/FinishedEntry.jpg" width="441" /></a></div><br />So my best girl <a href="http://www.callingithome.com/" target="_blank">Linda</a> is helping me to scour Craigslist and I've already got a few options. With her mad skills, I bet I'll find something in no time. What kind of mirror would you add?<br /><br />Look forward to the next installment of Freshening the Foyer to find out how this all ends. Will I get the trim painted? Will I find a mirror? Will I ever clean that floor properly? Too much excitement, I know.<br /><br />And don't forget Google Reader is donezo on July 1. Have no fear though, you can continue to follow my sparkling personality and quick wit on <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/" target="_blank">Bloglovin</a>. Find out how to import your list from Google Reader <a href="http://hisugarplum.blogspot.com/2013/06/hasta-la-vista-google-reader-now-what.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Happy Day!

freshening the foyer - part 2

Previously, on Freshening the Foyer...We were left with a blank spaceand a can of this.Specifically, Lucky Shamrock by Benjamin Moore. I have a lot of blue in my house and I really do love blue. But I didn't want to become one big blue house. So what goes with blue? What's welcoming and cheery? What…

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the deck a year later - restore armor review

We've been spending a lot of time outside this week. One of the benefits to potty training in the summer  is enjoying the privacy of your own backyard in your underwear. We get a lot of fresh air and accidents are a lot easier to take on the grass than on my rug. Too much information first thing? Moving on.<br /><br />So with all of this outside time, we've been using the deck like crazy. In fact, we've used the deck more this spring/summer than we have the whole time we've lived here. And since I still get questions weekly about our <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-wear-my-sunglasses-at-night-deck.html" target="_blank">deck makeover</a> (read about it <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2012/06/i-wear-my-sunglasses-at-night-deck.html" target="_blank">here</a>), I thought I would give a progress report.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZshXAX1EwcVRacpVRPPjLfCoIZpQKc37KR9Er9gT4yhVu350Yf5wJ0L3BZmhhhti1D7okUyBHfzXynPdPtsCNvY7Bls_SH43T6L7rZqFC7VO5MbWV9B8I0HoCciDo0sRgUUWVHrv3OxO/s1600/LBDDeckTable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZshXAX1EwcVRacpVRPPjLfCoIZpQKc37KR9Er9gT4yhVu350Yf5wJ0L3BZmhhhti1D7okUyBHfzXynPdPtsCNvY7Bls_SH43T6L7rZqFC7VO5MbWV9B8I0HoCciDo0sRgUUWVHrv3OxO/s400/LBDDeckTable.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />This is how the deck looked when we finished it exactly one year ago this week.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ98fitdC6cPk3PSAiaqnodNc7tLkFSVRBISyKdHwv-FlbhWJxKuDdoOnnlNEz87TybWW-DjndpZz5fZUVAi4RaPOn5t8kiACdLjxfhc-5DqZuaoakRrt3dGL8H8GtuzeK4E3Oac5auta/s1600/LBDDeckAYearLater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVQ98fitdC6cPk3PSAiaqnodNc7tLkFSVRBISyKdHwv-FlbhWJxKuDdoOnnlNEz87TybWW-DjndpZz5fZUVAi4RaPOn5t8kiACdLjxfhc-5DqZuaoakRrt3dGL8H8GtuzeK4E3Oac5auta/s400/LBDDeckAYearLater.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />And this is how the deck looked yesterday. I took my flower boxes down during the last storm and haven't put them back up, and we have an umbrella now, but otherwise these shots are just like the Olsen twins - identical...and a bit boho.<br /><br />Oh, and one side note - I failed to sweep sufficiently before I took these pictures so enjoy the real life shots. And if you are disgusted by my lack of sweeping, the public flogging is tomorrow at noon.<br /><br />I am happy to report that we are thrilled with our decision to use <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Restore-2-gal-Gray-Deck-and-Concrete-Resurfacer-46028/204005161#.UcpqoD773CA" target="_blank">Restore Deck Liquid Armor Resurfacer</a>.  (I see that this is a <a href="http://www.rustoleum.com/" target="_blank">Rustoleum</a> product which might explain why it is so awesome. Rustoleum, I'm happy to become your spokeswoman and I'm not above wearing a spray paint costume on the streets to sing your praises.)<br /><br />Our deck is pummeled on an hourly basis by several 100+ year old oak trees, a small sanctuary full of birds (thanks to my neighbor and his damn bird feeder) and at least a pound of sidewalk chalk. And it is as if we just painted yesterday.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0VOojz3GsZPdpdapo1VqWBkS4UoKrZi9xtLzMwp1-rRUmZWsolislDrKlnpqo94TyO3BOLTMOEF2BHR_tplvY5oLznZzpvfl4X31p-ODX7iZBJE_6oxoPmJjzcrBXOpSYhdKNVaVaoiv/s1600/restoredeckarmor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="331" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0VOojz3GsZPdpdapo1VqWBkS4UoKrZi9xtLzMwp1-rRUmZWsolislDrKlnpqo94TyO3BOLTMOEF2BHR_tplvY5oLznZzpvfl4X31p-ODX7iZBJE_6oxoPmJjzcrBXOpSYhdKNVaVaoiv/s400/restoredeckarmor.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The color is gray for the many that have asked. And yes, it is just 'gray'. I even double checked the box to make sure. I guess I have gotten used to Benjamin Moore and their snazzy paint names, I'm not used to such a straight forward paint color.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOwt4XvQ8xIQdkZ13Gp9prWqMPXXmnx09ElKUYT4XsIvWhjCgOS3LD6O_6lckZqjRpvJoLN8jNHNVHW9ukOElUkZn-psseWfFv319rctZ-WqNPH9mqUMVZJfFolq-PlcPU_Vd2XNdedIZ/s1600/restorearmorcloseup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMOwt4XvQ8xIQdkZ13Gp9prWqMPXXmnx09ElKUYT4XsIvWhjCgOS3LD6O_6lckZqjRpvJoLN8jNHNVHW9ukOElUkZn-psseWfFv319rctZ-WqNPH9mqUMVZJfFolq-PlcPU_Vd2XNdedIZ/s400/restorearmorcloseup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Many have also asked how the texture feels on bare feet. I will tell you that initially there was a bit of a pebbly feel to the floor but quickly that hard texture softened and over time it has just gotten more and more comfortable. As someone who is barefoot as much as the law allows from March to October, I would never allow something that I walk on several times a day to be scratchy or uncomfortable. And Eve has spent a fair amount of time with her bare bum on that floor this week (again, potty training) and has been nothing but smiles. How's that for a ringing endorsement.<br /><br />That texture is also a help in the rain and ice as it gives you just enough traction to prevent slipping. And it also stays nice and cool to the touch. A very big deal in a place where we have 90+ temps for months on end.<br /><br />That hard candy shell also does a great job of protecting the finish. Over the past year we've had a few hard storms that have sent pretty big branches straight onto our deck and there is not one mark to show for it. We also kept our table on it throughout the winter and when we picked it up to move it for the <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/06/party-like-its-1963-50th-wedding.html" target="_blank">party</a> there was not one mark on the deck. Super durable is an understatement. There has been no chipping, peeling, bubbling or any other 'ing'.<br /><br />The only negative I can come up with is that it does seem to trap dirt a bit in high traffic areas. But it is nothing that a strong hose can't handle. We've power washed it twice and both times the dirt came up with no problems. In fact, when I was at Home Depot the other day I noticed Restore now has a cleaning solution. Fancy. I haven't tried that out yet but I have plans to over the holiday. Do I know how to celebrate America or what?<br /><br />Oh, and for all of those that were crazed over the fact that we didn't put the stair railings back up...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi765-g9HmlYLb5ArwXR86Ix5fhZ6BllqrpOGJewyZ-1WldMmvshkxfFnvGrI7tZSedrwOshqS3Ii8WIGxeZbXH5en9V7SsU-TFSPg-d6xju1GftNomFC3zPtHeM8qw2DV5lrbxwWKWegAI/s1600/deckrailing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi765-g9HmlYLb5ArwXR86Ix5fhZ6BllqrpOGJewyZ-1WldMmvshkxfFnvGrI7tZSedrwOshqS3Ii8WIGxeZbXH5en9V7SsU-TFSPg-d6xju1GftNomFC3zPtHeM8qw2DV5lrbxwWKWegAI/s400/deckrailing.jpg" width="342" /></a></div><br />happy now?<br /><br />We got that up right before the hospital stay/party. The other side of the railing will come, someday.<br /><br />So to recap - <a href="http://www.homedepot.com/p/Restore-2-gal-Gray-Deck-and-Concrete-Resurfacer-46028/204005161#.UcpqoD773CA" target="_blank">Restore Liquid Deck Armor</a> is aces. I give it two thumbs up and I would recommend it to any and all of you.<br /><br />Have you tried any new products lately? Any plans to update your deck? Any ideas on how to hide my neighbors bird feeder?

the deck a year later - restore armor review

We've been spending a lot of time outside this week. One of the benefits to potty training in the summer  is enjoying the privacy of your own backyard in your underwear. We get a lot of fresh air and accidents are a lot easier to take on the grass than on my rug. Too much information first thing? Mo…

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party like its 1963 - 50th wedding anniversary

Happy Monday to all! Anything exciting to report? We had rain, with a side of rain and large helping of humidity. Summer in St. Louis y'all.<br /><br />So I blabbed long enough about this anniversary party I thought I should at least share a few pictures with you. My parents celebrated 50 years of marriage and in my book, 50 years of anything deserves a party. And party we did.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94VAPN7nA2vkKz3nd-QKTWik8BOCwW10cIPg2W-oPf6s9WRSRewCpXW7uRBkdcVAg5LXqAc46ctd3hq_W9WJDV4AujGXid8_gSw6ix3g3TiK4M_-ic3l6_qNNC4UAiBzGIbW7OIA_lyNp/s1600/johnson-1000(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94VAPN7nA2vkKz3nd-QKTWik8BOCwW10cIPg2W-oPf6s9WRSRewCpXW7uRBkdcVAg5LXqAc46ctd3hq_W9WJDV4AujGXid8_gSw6ix3g3TiK4M_-ic3l6_qNNC4UAiBzGIbW7OIA_lyNp/s400/johnson-1000(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Now a (long) side note - I have had lists upon lists over the past few months to keep things organized for this shindig and we were on schedule. The hubs was on board and the weekend before the party he and I sat down and made a list of what we needed to get done each day that week to be ready for the party on Saturday. Teamwork is our middle name.<br /><br />Then Monday night the hubs got sick. Tuesday morning I had to take him to the ER and by Tuesday night he had an emergency appendectomy. Which was kind of weird because I didn't remember 'surgery' anywhere on our to-do list. <br /><br />Que increased stress level.<br /><br />And to add to the fun, surgery was followed by an infection which kept him in the hospital until late Friday. Coupled with a mystery plumbing leak, a surprise tree removal and a daily increased threat of rain, my stress level runneth over. <br /><br />I will save all of the gory details for cocktail hour, but needless to say by the time Saturday arrived I was just happy to have showered and brushed my hair. I didn't get as many pictures taken as I would have liked, and some are with my iPhone so they aren't the best quality but you'll get the idea. And we were lucky enough to have the talented <a href="http://www.ysstudios.com/" target="_blank">Jeremy Keltner</a> there during the party and he got some great shots as well.<br /><br />Lesson learned. As my great-grandfather always said - don't bother worrying because you will always be worrying about the wrong thing.<br /><br />So with all of that said, a great time was had by all and the party was a success. We did end up with a downpour shortly after the cake was cut but the fun just moved inside and we didn't skip a beat.<br /><br />Now enough talk, let's look at some pictures.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELGk43fEW4Gq4yOouvfrWvPuRUdhlKyfTNOiMNgnrsAbNUnZUhtS-oXf9fF4TQJK-Cp07NexVcgc2Blagi9XEA8DtPFS9mYGQNEuqVjaPp60pfwRUPkqO6AVYMwKewU7ARhlRRevp4ysW/s1600/gardenparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELGk43fEW4Gq4yOouvfrWvPuRUdhlKyfTNOiMNgnrsAbNUnZUhtS-oXf9fF4TQJK-Cp07NexVcgc2Blagi9XEA8DtPFS9mYGQNEuqVjaPp60pfwRUPkqO6AVYMwKewU7ARhlRRevp4ysW/s400/gardenparty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Almost ready to go.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtmkYuXeN9ga1woY8VwoKRyx4ouqECGDHvsiFBqHnAefTuTkjUIkvFv8tDvzefNLmTAe-aan4uhQIgCU8BBzCFI84UB6lHukiPdoal1BeHndAuwbIbqTIehKBMDhMVrFma1MXRkKuMXpk/s1600/welcomewreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbtmkYuXeN9ga1woY8VwoKRyx4ouqECGDHvsiFBqHnAefTuTkjUIkvFv8tDvzefNLmTAe-aan4uhQIgCU8BBzCFI84UB6lHukiPdoal1BeHndAuwbIbqTIehKBMDhMVrFma1MXRkKuMXpk/s400/welcomewreath.jpg" width="351" /></a></div><br />The welcome wreath that greeted everyone at the gate as they entered.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVYJFZl7jr_EMDL15TZPFdyK0nHX6nh3Cp6bEBpTNGVLTxdrzVT9noHViNkKZv-hg1GeLtvHCGwdGZeJ4N7X0GmjqXiEKJQyJ1kIgrAWB0moMdl0edP0ysE-rclDiLOSW0dzHIFawhxY5/s1600/drinklabels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVYJFZl7jr_EMDL15TZPFdyK0nHX6nh3Cp6bEBpTNGVLTxdrzVT9noHViNkKZv-hg1GeLtvHCGwdGZeJ4N7X0GmjqXiEKJQyJ1kIgrAWB0moMdl0edP0ysE-rclDiLOSW0dzHIFawhxY5/s400/drinklabels.jpg" width="336" /></a></div><br />Would have been awesome if I had gotten a picture of these things filled out with the drink labels filled in but this will have to do.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0_iE8WXGNfsnhrEq0XMHb0DJEKVrzcoOZePDHDoDQZX00_hQDCKGUma-qWrxpWHqd4MNYF4hwnURSdqN89FYjCHk7q5-yxuIvweSKB9dv7VBEgFCfjlg0b7k7MIm4qxtbf-DwooDFXTB/s1600/anniversarymenuyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0_iE8WXGNfsnhrEq0XMHb0DJEKVrzcoOZePDHDoDQZX00_hQDCKGUma-qWrxpWHqd4MNYF4hwnURSdqN89FYjCHk7q5-yxuIvweSKB9dv7VBEgFCfjlg0b7k7MIm4qxtbf-DwooDFXTB/s400/anniversarymenuyes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I made the menu using the same monogram that appeared on the invitation and the cake.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotPhuoxbuHaUqyfUs7mHb0WMurj6afZkWpKh2fH9IWMIV49TYK-QGQ1KqjiiT-dJ2_eqGG04jOlPoNv3mTFGndRj38ZvBMzPultBl6bsRtQWemvwzh9dC5jQO59zk88RYMtAA_izo3DSg/s1600/tablesetting2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotPhuoxbuHaUqyfUs7mHb0WMurj6afZkWpKh2fH9IWMIV49TYK-QGQ1KqjiiT-dJ2_eqGG04jOlPoNv3mTFGndRj38ZvBMzPultBl6bsRtQWemvwzh9dC5jQO59zk88RYMtAA_izo3DSg/s400/tablesetting2.jpg" width="386" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03PYB5LGWLqgsbCGj3FuARMN2ZqsaqCsG3ZGf4IowfygK_Vt-5Ne-aHU0aDPa_43wovCn6nN9GBsRdYG-5vj20nfD5ka95EURXeWstH73-6gxmQWjXThchKalht4JEO1RPl2XcwBIDtjv/s1600/ribbontables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03PYB5LGWLqgsbCGj3FuARMN2ZqsaqCsG3ZGf4IowfygK_Vt-5Ne-aHU0aDPa_43wovCn6nN9GBsRdYG-5vj20nfD5ka95EURXeWstH73-6gxmQWjXThchKalht4JEO1RPl2XcwBIDtjv/s400/ribbontables.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Each table was decked out in ribbons in my mom's colors, blue, green and yellow, and pictures of the happy couple through the years. The frames were a DIY project I'll share at some point.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1ofndqiLkd6_zlekFTE6j72D03G7FBv3St0lZE512AlsQ-rj3isTYxPquliVwOowUJbQLWQViBZJKmE7WVll5bTu-22SrWiR8axJ37ZB7LTnC8INy5CJa5E0yx2fOTlUiVoFAJztU0qQ/s1600/placesetting3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1ofndqiLkd6_zlekFTE6j72D03G7FBv3St0lZE512AlsQ-rj3isTYxPquliVwOowUJbQLWQViBZJKmE7WVll5bTu-22SrWiR8axJ37ZB7LTnC8INy5CJa5E0yx2fOTlUiVoFAJztU0qQ/s400/placesetting3.jpg" width="301" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7DEuBdFFxIVsm-vWDpOheg6Sx3Cjw3ruw4BYpIxg9fgu_WERctei7W-KWJIO4taL8pb9ZCPSMgNXQtWPL9h_idJDXvbn7tIsWjJL_-LX0fzzcnThW9eeswNOGsIyPoWDlscG71vgxBxU/s1600/outdoorparty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN7DEuBdFFxIVsm-vWDpOheg6Sx3Cjw3ruw4BYpIxg9fgu_WERctei7W-KWJIO4taL8pb9ZCPSMgNXQtWPL9h_idJDXvbn7tIsWjJL_-LX0fzzcnThW9eeswNOGsIyPoWDlscG71vgxBxU/s400/outdoorparty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAdOBazPrbYnxoOSjjC-Ed4LeeZHOzWt6VlkgoMFWHg6yYgNiV1rLTIYyVbahrtFUfdrd66li5Ux_Djtsoe9khX9xkmH7MXMuwuk9GDjPTuCb7ykZbRtEm8RKtz86z_T0g-HDYTS4j0We/s1600/johnson-1071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAdOBazPrbYnxoOSjjC-Ed4LeeZHOzWt6VlkgoMFWHg6yYgNiV1rLTIYyVbahrtFUfdrd66li5Ux_Djtsoe9khX9xkmH7MXMuwuk9GDjPTuCb7ykZbRtEm8RKtz86z_T0g-HDYTS4j0We/s640/johnson-1071.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br />They were a pain to hang, but the lanterns were great. All the <a href="http://www.pier1.com/Ocean-Paper-Lanterns-Set/2671727,default,pd.html?cgid=outdoor-lanterns-candles" target="_blank">lanterns</a> were battery operated and worked off of one universal remote which was heaven. Thanks Pier 1.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQPJfP9tHJjK1e1qRCy9a9EvXu_ALzzkspF4CxXWrldsi0mDrExnMkvC2taOu-gL8iT4i-SI-ETb5XtcYKrMsE00jFvR0_ONF3RDgqkaj-gDIFxVjD4_lQI8u_q8X4eVjgOhZhcrf4EWN/s1600/johnson-1076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQPJfP9tHJjK1e1qRCy9a9EvXu_ALzzkspF4CxXWrldsi0mDrExnMkvC2taOu-gL8iT4i-SI-ETb5XtcYKrMsE00jFvR0_ONF3RDgqkaj-gDIFxVjD4_lQI8u_q8X4eVjgOhZhcrf4EWN/s640/johnson-1076.jpg" width="425" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5_8kH7dbb_LSjHL0HpmixesIBJJPongpl8jjoqL_g1ym6KbA2eQUmqMUTy8XI2DAz80zkDdFtUHAde_-6CJfQJ6P9w_E4i2RMdj2Nbpxac4GHgO0X-dd7-NJECAb_XFtEFuYVMnk_EG8/s1600/anniversarytable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5_8kH7dbb_LSjHL0HpmixesIBJJPongpl8jjoqL_g1ym6KbA2eQUmqMUTy8XI2DAz80zkDdFtUHAde_-6CJfQJ6P9w_E4i2RMdj2Nbpxac4GHgO0X-dd7-NJECAb_XFtEFuYVMnk_EG8/s400/anniversarytable.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Inside was a table full of wedding pictures and albums.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznePzh0ivPkMSdwNHqw6HdmW30cgSGb-ztzVdIBTqAXQiKCgJqL0SgfHRfcYjTr8pLoMrMvXExKvUMhO5h_SDCl4KDRkGHYYplFjJdyWy3vUL-JvYqMsq0GhCwTQ97I3fxUSrNYYyn2-b/s1600/weddingcake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznePzh0ivPkMSdwNHqw6HdmW30cgSGb-ztzVdIBTqAXQiKCgJqL0SgfHRfcYjTr8pLoMrMvXExKvUMhO5h_SDCl4KDRkGHYYplFjJdyWy3vUL-JvYqMsq0GhCwTQ97I3fxUSrNYYyn2-b/s400/weddingcake.jpg" width="357" /></a></div><br />And the yummy cake.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jgDtiqIYn_thFv1XOCqkkKfciKxr826qo6JiJKtqD9xlAYugex38V0jjPY0mnq4Ip5a-hKHBfmKLFvCql0tfmVVlN-M_zZjUzM7h9jGWLHuMlMaq3cqupto4yuLUsL5muJTYru9kMueH/s1600/cutthecake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-jgDtiqIYn_thFv1XOCqkkKfciKxr826qo6JiJKtqD9xlAYugex38V0jjPY0mnq4Ip5a-hKHBfmKLFvCql0tfmVVlN-M_zZjUzM7h9jGWLHuMlMaq3cqupto4yuLUsL5muJTYru9kMueH/s400/cutthecake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Which we cut just in time to move inside before the monsoon hit.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwZjjSMKtBCTACnMkmZ_KNITMLRPxBMnH0CWHzq23Lqh_3_fChWxjVebIkOZf8GSTNhfRcGlv85PRmgNTVRQ7ymBuFucsA7GYU2A2D80ZbjhA4ZO9r4c7b8-zTPwqefnQS5lvNJAHzBMj/s1600/outdoorlighting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirwZjjSMKtBCTACnMkmZ_KNITMLRPxBMnH0CWHzq23Lqh_3_fChWxjVebIkOZf8GSTNhfRcGlv85PRmgNTVRQ7ymBuFucsA7GYU2A2D80ZbjhA4ZO9r4c7b8-zTPwqefnQS5lvNJAHzBMj/s400/outdoorlighting.jpg" width="297" /></a></div><br />It was a late night but a great time.<br /><br />Happy Anniversary mom and dad!<br /><br />Have you thrown any parties lately? Any great outdoor celebrations on your calendar? Wanna come over for a drink? The house is clean.

party like its 1963 - 50th wedding anniversary

Happy Monday to all! Anything exciting to report? We had rain, with a side of rain and large helping of humidity. Summer in St. Louis y'all.So I blabbed long enough about this anniversary party I thought I should at least share a few pictures with you. My parents celebrated 50 years of marriage and …

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freshening the foyer - part 1

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Thanks everyone for your great <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/06/potty-time.html" target="_blank">potty training tips and ideas</a>. Today the fun begins, so I'll keep y'all posted.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few years into our marriage, I gave my husband a valuable little nugget of truth that has helped him to <strike>accept</strike> deal with my never ending project list - "by the time I mention something to you, know that I've already been debating the idea in my head for quite some time." I know, poetry right?</div><br />So when I told him a few weeks back that I had plans to overhall the foyer, his response was music to my ears -"Cool". He's a good egg.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21YzukK5OhHubKR2dWtnUinsVFVyq8e9lPn7_MQigswy9ZEfo3SaiT-iO93floBwyld_7Y2Ivc9KrGAZ4oD9IenirwMVvyYtXAvMy_Z6Ee3iaYQor3e7ufAxw77ZyeSxx6w7FYlMPhIXT/s1600/P2194481.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg21YzukK5OhHubKR2dWtnUinsVFVyq8e9lPn7_MQigswy9ZEfo3SaiT-iO93floBwyld_7Y2Ivc9KrGAZ4oD9IenirwMVvyYtXAvMy_Z6Ee3iaYQor3e7ufAxw77ZyeSxx6w7FYlMPhIXT/s400/P2194481.jpeg" width="266" /></a></div><br />Now I may get some slack for this because this little image is <a href="http://pinterest.com/ladybaum/the-little-black-door-projects/" target="_blank">pinned</a> quite a bit, but I'm tired of it. That wallpaper was one of the first projects we (aka the hubs and my dad) tackled in the house. Seven years ago. It is faded, scratched and is starting to come off on the corners.<br /><br />Also, as much as I like the yellow table on its own, I was never in love with it with the wallpaper. It was all a bit too ketchup and mustard for me.<br /><br />And the third strike, as great as this layout is in theory it isn't real life. We don't come in the door and put our mail and keys down. We come inside and take off our shoes. And 50% of the residents of this little cottage need to sit down and take several minutes to get those little shoes on and off. So its time to pull a Dr. Phil and 'get real' - we need a spot for all of this action.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsq6CRo30aSe8oGj5Mvz9utUgLTJHvDu9e352pgmFD4eLAtz5AzGpoSS40-OXu92Z8mmUklBCHUug52Kt4WNwIMTU0Er-FYdZ2dLZBPSnNfTD5tzu-W7WMjSPVgh5ZALZ-kKIqR-voHPhk/s1600/foyerbefore.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsq6CRo30aSe8oGj5Mvz9utUgLTJHvDu9e352pgmFD4eLAtz5AzGpoSS40-OXu92Z8mmUklBCHUug52Kt4WNwIMTU0Er-FYdZ2dLZBPSnNfTD5tzu-W7WMjSPVgh5ZALZ-kKIqR-voHPhk/s400/foyerbefore.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><br />Enter my new favorite. You may remember I was fortunate to <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/2013/03/change-up-your-welcome.html" target="_blank">snag my beauty of a bench</a> a while back and it fits perfectly in the foyer. But the wallpaper isn't doing it any favors. This bench deserves a snazzy space.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoa4Iw2eBcqEgbTmrIXkIEmr5lGTm9mvIi42C5Uzvp6yLQUOPwMhDeqLZDL4l0kRa_Gf6chNrrgU5EkzE_STVPSs6gZ9SBzoWCkgVgtn-My4AxfCXQUYpeTJeny2SZRqIKGJWwhIH8FCz/s1600/wallpaperremoval.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoa4Iw2eBcqEgbTmrIXkIEmr5lGTm9mvIi42C5Uzvp6yLQUOPwMhDeqLZDL4l0kRa_Gf6chNrrgU5EkzE_STVPSs6gZ9SBzoWCkgVgtn-My4AxfCXQUYpeTJeny2SZRqIKGJWwhIH8FCz/s320/wallpaperremoval.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />So the wallpaper came down.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQhIDeO8Pc1KMKjnJYfE95D_nZCXRhyphenhyphen0Viea1Ul6c_0cEKYX_EoePxOQ5zHXu1C6LhDxCrwZmZQ56Ca25qRl2PdEoQbJfboL8h9NvBuBsqhX85533_SnnTZAVy6vlRXknAzquupvWLeTo/s1600/evehelps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUQhIDeO8Pc1KMKjnJYfE95D_nZCXRhyphenhyphen0Viea1Ul6c_0cEKYX_EoePxOQ5zHXu1C6LhDxCrwZmZQ56Ca25qRl2PdEoQbJfboL8h9NvBuBsqhX85533_SnnTZAVy6vlRXknAzquupvWLeTo/s320/evehelps.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />No one in this house is exempt from a good DIY.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUPe89UaXQONm65pueMixwRezksSzyzLMXBhA4xQZgQ8TwZw08Z6F2eWfKDlig-2V7fO6oBR2lQECV_RCnUykNhTruazdA_4W9hs1UiaXMI5G1_2q_XN8dLT8fqt9v4chIYzeaVfVBWfw/s1600/wallpaperremoved.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvUPe89UaXQONm65pueMixwRezksSzyzLMXBhA4xQZgQ8TwZw08Z6F2eWfKDlig-2V7fO6oBR2lQECV_RCnUykNhTruazdA_4W9hs1UiaXMI5G1_2q_XN8dLT8fqt9v4chIYzeaVfVBWfw/s640/wallpaperremoved.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Thanks to plaster walls, I was able to remove all of that wallpaper, all of it, with just my hands. No tools needed. See, I told you it was ready to come down. An important tip in removing wallpaper though, once the paper is off the wall, don't think you are finished. You still need to give the wall a good scrub with a wet sponge to get off all of the glue that remains on the wall. That sponge also helped to loosen up those pesky little pieces that hung on.<br /><br />After about an hour before bed and then an hour or so the next morning I had a blank palette. I'm already in love with how much brighter and bigger the space feels. And let's face it, anything I can do to make this tiny space feel bigger is a thumbs up. So I painted the entry the same color as the <a href="http://thelittleblackdoor.blogspot.com/p/living-room.html" target="_blank">living room</a> (<a href="http://www.myperfectcolor.com/en/color/20123_Pratt--Lambert-2249-Arrowroot" target="_blank">Arrowroot by Pratt & Lambert</a>) to help with that bigger space feeling trick.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dzYfSEKix-nVQCfyJ0YJ5UiTVpx8Sby6NZ-v5VIvjoFMoIZzF5RhMNfxZGIeOdo8_U7RyLkF9kMKTVIjD6M-DUXJLxNOGvjLFHLymVsFqvtXLnsaIMlJqrtwm_5uUFPEoWApWJ-ys1Og/s1600/IMG_1493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dzYfSEKix-nVQCfyJ0YJ5UiTVpx8Sby6NZ-v5VIvjoFMoIZzF5RhMNfxZGIeOdo8_U7RyLkF9kMKTVIjD6M-DUXJLxNOGvjLFHLymVsFqvtXLnsaIMlJqrtwm_5uUFPEoWApWJ-ys1Og/s400/IMG_1493.JPG" width="298" /></a></div><br />But fear not, I didn't just leave it that way. You know I can't go without a good dose of color. Next week we'll see where that color went and what to do when DIY goes wrong. (how's that for a tease?)<br /><br />What are your plans for the weekend? Any DIY projects planned? Any plans to <i>fix</i> a DIY project?

freshening the foyer - part 1

Thanks everyone for your great potty training tips and ideas. Today the fun begins, so I'll keep y'all posted.A few years into our marriage, I gave my husband a valuable little nugget of truth that has helped him to accept deal with my never ending project list - "by the time I mention something to …

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~~~I Forgot To Show You!!!~~~

I don't think we have stopped since we have moved in here. Right now we, and by that I mean Joe, are BUSY doing landscaping. We choose the bushes etc. together but HE does all the planting.He counted yesterday and so far he has planted 60 bushes and 3 trees!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He NEEDS a vacation and thank God we are leaving Sat But that is not what this post is about. I decorated the morning room for Spring when I did the kitchen but forgot to show you!!!. So here are some shots I took tonight. The theme is birds, birdcages and NATURE! This birdcage is new this year. I placed a large candle ring inside to look like a nest and a large, carved wooden bird sitting on it.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc2wIHWiejpMVybPOTaSYIM9iFYJQL5p6B72YvJhaMw40hsmF4IrU2Ud02LCsxCK8BFrMlimL2oTBtH5t-SGcUV5BsdAflIGmFyFqUZAP69eShB_FISErPTSL5CKwLsktkElWIE0oViKl/s1600/IMG_0402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSc2wIHWiejpMVybPOTaSYIM9iFYJQL5p6B72YvJhaMw40hsmF4IrU2Ud02LCsxCK8BFrMlimL2oTBtH5t-SGcUV5BsdAflIGmFyFqUZAP69eShB_FISErPTSL5CKwLsktkElWIE0oViKl/s640/IMG_0402.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> There is a sweet bird on top. The whole top lifts off so it is easy to fill!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzdMpV1HYpp5IoafFSMsIaIQcrE__25W_g2DGJ5ByRE-Bo0Muit8EvuatIibBpVbUIgwBfaz22cW-cAkaJC7XE07sU8sGQ-SB_i2HkPb9pG8Qfbzh5ybY7XfB_SHL7aOY-VCxDRZjYx60/s1600/IMG_0403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzdMpV1HYpp5IoafFSMsIaIQcrE__25W_g2DGJ5ByRE-Bo0Muit8EvuatIibBpVbUIgwBfaz22cW-cAkaJC7XE07sU8sGQ-SB_i2HkPb9pG8Qfbzh5ybY7XfB_SHL7aOY-VCxDRZjYx60/s640/IMG_0403.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> This little garden cart is an old piece. I painted it green several years ago. It had been blue when I got it. I added the garden hat, and the little signs.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VmWYVk7jMQ7QNyPljaj_eh8Lh_SN1wtx3mdkW8uosxDR-3gGuXqSmJBONRuBX-anjAQWTmP3INbIsqDPgc3iF_PLb86AETr7Bum-4oE4ElFWS7rd-aVoUXYhc1aFFy3J5tZijTCehuVx/s1600/IMG_0404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-VmWYVk7jMQ7QNyPljaj_eh8Lh_SN1wtx3mdkW8uosxDR-3gGuXqSmJBONRuBX-anjAQWTmP3INbIsqDPgc3iF_PLb86AETr7Bum-4oE4ElFWS7rd-aVoUXYhc1aFFy3J5tZijTCehuVx/s640/IMG_0404.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> I love this chippy bird house that reminds me of a church.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshimQBB9yHeXdMUckL5vrLLxtwkSxA3eKS5OvP0H_Ep-mHZGPGS5jqdHRlGezH7xXmrfDsWInORIIZ3RK3Ke0i4TlGsC7pBikr5JvI9YNbTzbcmGFrpgvX_jLMIUX4ZPyMuIvG5FcNhBZ/s1600/IMG_0405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshimQBB9yHeXdMUckL5vrLLxtwkSxA3eKS5OvP0H_Ep-mHZGPGS5jqdHRlGezH7xXmrfDsWInORIIZ3RK3Ke0i4TlGsC7pBikr5JvI9YNbTzbcmGFrpgvX_jLMIUX4ZPyMuIvG5FcNhBZ/s640/IMG_0405.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> I got 2 of these pots with nests several years ago at the place where I worked. And my Hummel lamp is a nice light in the evening. I LOVE being able to have alot of houseplants in this house with all the sun we get.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvVuwn0ri86S_sz4nQL7tBIUA2VVux6rbwxEzte3a8vJOPxj6jTaColvtl0oaxRH8yVvvkYKBKyefhTv6tQ1DKv_RSGjRAyHjcvObEHMDIQFhoFFjZO7Dn80p2mZM1AKBny7AzQHNiGAE/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmvVuwn0ri86S_sz4nQL7tBIUA2VVux6rbwxEzte3a8vJOPxj6jTaColvtl0oaxRH8yVvvkYKBKyefhTv6tQ1DKv_RSGjRAyHjcvObEHMDIQFhoFFjZO7Dn80p2mZM1AKBny7AzQHNiGAE/s640/IMG_0406.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> This is a hawks feather that Joe found in the yard the other day. So pretty!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7VnaPHcx6wR6tzbFXYGD8cxrbMXCjrZG7Pac5IvqdpjeFXAfYsW2mXh4XISGIz-8j1jrDBvnDCvd40XbuscLkLL23UM-bZ_DkpE-VDQyAF8XHT7AsfgHI3T3FH44VnCfm7rZs5ZFoqJD/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ7VnaPHcx6wR6tzbFXYGD8cxrbMXCjrZG7Pac5IvqdpjeFXAfYsW2mXh4XISGIz-8j1jrDBvnDCvd40XbuscLkLL23UM-bZ_DkpE-VDQyAF8XHT7AsfgHI3T3FH44VnCfm7rZs5ZFoqJD/s640/IMG_0407.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> I placed this birdhouse on a pedestal and put some faux grass around it and a twiggy ball in front.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTeEZ7ji42G8q_hi7sYocz0OvNAI2m6Nynn_R9Fdorg4euVtL7ecZqLxTT4JsKJHsYCrImWO2DYctbPKMYgveqranpIHVqxLj5SIdztl0DM1Cko6pRQ8B3eHAtNHXuCWh6QP5wQLSGhGo/s1600/IMG_0408.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipTeEZ7ji42G8q_hi7sYocz0OvNAI2m6Nynn_R9Fdorg4euVtL7ecZqLxTT4JsKJHsYCrImWO2DYctbPKMYgveqranpIHVqxLj5SIdztl0DM1Cko6pRQ8B3eHAtNHXuCWh6QP5wQLSGhGo/s640/IMG_0408.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> I made this napkin holder MANY years ago! Painted it, added the pots and flowers and birds. The candle holder, ring and candle were a housewarming gift from our dear Yvonne!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wR46IS4vYUX7hyr8q5lUZUp5LuYUIDQCSkdOk6CoCwCaLvBjAdRjaNqOh6Ur7YWzgLIXhailkaTb3FcgmEj8oKAzKIZFP9WbI6Qqq1R01cpd3e50tX7YlmmSYSErCFP58d3rmcilooPp/s1600/IMG_0409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0wR46IS4vYUX7hyr8q5lUZUp5LuYUIDQCSkdOk6CoCwCaLvBjAdRjaNqOh6Ur7YWzgLIXhailkaTb3FcgmEj8oKAzKIZFP9WbI6Qqq1R01cpd3e50tX7YlmmSYSErCFP58d3rmcilooPp/s640/IMG_0409.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOz8A_NnE3iNtQo3c7vc_mNNuFZ4mnwTKTrWfrUH4uOV6bQ4Yhsgab83rgf34XPHoXWYLtd3MhrD65SkXM_IVzPC8d92l3PVFeDJoXw2CbjdedEG8UOUkzL5eYC5DJLYbKB295Va21c5iR/s1600/IMG_0410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOz8A_NnE3iNtQo3c7vc_mNNuFZ4mnwTKTrWfrUH4uOV6bQ4Yhsgab83rgf34XPHoXWYLtd3MhrD65SkXM_IVzPC8d92l3PVFeDJoXw2CbjdedEG8UOUkzL5eYC5DJLYbKB295Va21c5iR/s640/IMG_0410.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> and on the other side a mini basket.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd1_Hy-9IdfsAjVPn3Ox4T1879hPK1ZUsr_UcU0PNa3YzrqlW3mPAofE494NWqWnYkAjT5X7y1mxF2uSW7vYkG0kkW4LYKvuksUvYoikkrDhHzGo3fuO-KHSwBHFsSPJc6Zzii6ujM-GU/s1600/IMG_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZd1_Hy-9IdfsAjVPn3Ox4T1879hPK1ZUsr_UcU0PNa3YzrqlW3mPAofE494NWqWnYkAjT5X7y1mxF2uSW7vYkG0kkW4LYKvuksUvYoikkrDhHzGo3fuO-KHSwBHFsSPJc6Zzii6ujM-GU/s640/IMG_0411.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> This cloche had a bunny in it at Easter, do you remember?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9ZpMt0QfQ0hqvaCmmCKJ5hnyU180o04Bvw366GwiXttWibIQRb-gGAqJWskxs25IJZCZva0_iV_Zv-EqTBPd8yvPOyZ61UiCLiFZwpHfVLwfFhQo1tMDfA2-9zYPvki_kMhCgKooOKud/s1600/IMG_0413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW9ZpMt0QfQ0hqvaCmmCKJ5hnyU180o04Bvw366GwiXttWibIQRb-gGAqJWskxs25IJZCZva0_iV_Zv-EqTBPd8yvPOyZ61UiCLiFZwpHfVLwfFhQo1tMDfA2-9zYPvki_kMhCgKooOKud/s640/IMG_0413.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfpqOW4xZQCOAptsxASyOgjk3rHH8YvRljgdYX_gb360aXaOwfOl2kRXKTaiB6bBV0Tk55yXG5b2ZTeJbo4E2ILfo9OlCbRBrT46HFKrK48wMOVSoef8NzH5cFkAY1gnMtbZfENzPwQLJ/s1600/IMG_0414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWfpqOW4xZQCOAptsxASyOgjk3rHH8YvRljgdYX_gb360aXaOwfOl2kRXKTaiB6bBV0Tk55yXG5b2ZTeJbo4E2ILfo9OlCbRBrT46HFKrK48wMOVSoef8NzH5cFkAY1gnMtbZfENzPwQLJ/s640/IMG_0414.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVy-WZqwFwM0UHL9ywRQKV4v18L9IHUzzOxraFHBGptA1CZfaBID5oI45BLF9oFfSE_tIBs8-Mlhpm1wMNJUVjZNVQKy7b2CvK5rHJL-CSrqVh1UfPGlqzlM0sxWjIFHhGvIF8cfnDUQO/s1600/IMG_0415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVy-WZqwFwM0UHL9ywRQKV4v18L9IHUzzOxraFHBGptA1CZfaBID5oI45BLF9oFfSE_tIBs8-Mlhpm1wMNJUVjZNVQKy7b2CvK5rHJL-CSrqVh1UfPGlqzlM0sxWjIFHhGvIF8cfnDUQO/s640/IMG_0415.JPG" width="640" /></a></div> This little vignette is behind the screen in the living room but visable from the morning room table. I stacked 2 plant stands and put a small plant on the top and a green sphere on the bottom.<br />Thanks so much for your visit. Have a GREAT weekend everyone. XO, pinky<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDskL4DXCPjPz0ZCefPyuPrR93n5m5cKIfEj6wfG621NAAM09bj4LyJQe5VTsTXL8RcxaXqZxap7F-kua3sf0BvW_ewGV_K0JvEi8K10e0IiKTNPxreNVq5pAh_yXlJR46BbF0WnYYSraN/s1600/IMG_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDskL4DXCPjPz0ZCefPyuPrR93n5m5cKIfEj6wfG621NAAM09bj4LyJQe5VTsTXL8RcxaXqZxap7F-kua3sf0BvW_ewGV_K0JvEi8K10e0IiKTNPxreNVq5pAh_yXlJR46BbF0WnYYSraN/s640/IMG_0416.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>

~~~I Forgot To Show You!!!~~~

I don't think we have stopped since we have moved in here. Right now we, and by that I mean Joe, are BUSY doing landscaping. We choose the bushes etc. together but HE does all the planting.He counted yesterday and so far he has planted 60 bushes and 3 trees!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He NEEDS a vacation and than…

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