Front Door Wall

The difference between a blog and TV, is...well, time.

We've been in this house for about 1 1/2 years and I can just now create the before/after photo of this wall.

Removing wallpaper is hard, hard, hard work.  Especially when it is up 20 feet on the wall.

Hope you like seeing our progress.  It sure feels amazing to see the dreams/visions we had when looking at this house come true.  If you have a goal, keep working at it!  Time is going to pass anyway and the feeling of accomplishment is even sweeter when it takes a lot of work!

Summer Grilling--Beef Kabobs

This is a recipe adapted from a neighborhood cookbook.

Beef Kabobs

a package of cheap cut up stew meat
mushrooms and squashes cut into kabob size chunks

Marinade:  1/2 C oil, 1/4 C vinegar, 2 t onion powder, 2 t celery salt, 1 1/2 t garlic powder, 1 t salt, 2 t oregano, 1 t black pepper, 2 T mustard, 2 bay leaves

We marinade the meat and veggies and then string them on the kabobs alternating as we can.  We love these grilled over coals and then served with rice or just by themselves if we are up camping.

Busy Quilting

I have been trying to do something creative every day to boost my well-being.  It's turned out to be quilting for the last 3 days...and I have 3 new quilts for sale!  :)

I'll share some pictures with you for a little sewing inspiration:

My etsy shop is located {HERE} if you'd care to see it :).

The Gray Trend

From exteriors to interiors GRAY has been hot, hot, hot (even though it's a cool color ;) for the last couple of years.

Traditional Exterior by Point Pleasant Beach Architect Richard Bubnowski Design LLC

Traditional Exterior by Minneapolis Architect Charlie Simmons - Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd.

Traditional Exterior by Minneapolis General Contractor Minnetonka Custom Homes, Inc

Traditional Bedroom by Stamford Architect Sound Beach Partners LLC

Contemporary Bedroom by Sydney Architect Greg Natale

Contemporary Bathroom by Columbus Design-build J.S. Brown & Co.

Contemporary Bathroom by San Francisco Architect John Lum Architecture, Inc. AIA

So, have you used gray in any of your decorating lately?  We haven't much, but the two neutral colors we've covered our current interior walls with are greiges...warm, beigish grays (Loggia by Sherwin Williams is one of them).  I get nervous to make a room too cold and cave-like but adding that warmth of beige makes the trend feel just right for us.

A Free Beard?

So I rarely win anything...but this was my lucky year.  I won a giveaway from the cute, cute shop KayDee Street on etsy.

She made us this custom hat, at my request!  I had seen some of these kind of as jokes on Pinterest, but I'm kind of a silly person so I wanted one.  And of course I wanted my husband to enjoy it too :).  When it came I was amazed that not only did it have the silliness I craved the yarn was super soft.

Casey wore it to a winter campout (brrr!) and it was not just funny but a great addition for keeping him warm.  If you need something crocheted, check them out!  I was really impressed.

For the love of {Mudrooms}

Maybe it's just a trend...but its a super functional one, so I would guess it will stick around.  As long as people have active kids or pets a mudroom seems like a great addition for organizing stuff and keeping the dirt and "mud" from the outside away from the rest of the house.

I've gathered some of my favorites.  What features do you like the best?

Traditional Laundry Room by Burnsville Design-build Highmark Builders

Traditional Home Office by Concord Photographer Jim Schmid Photography

Traditional Entry by Stillwater Architect Ron Brenner Architects

Traditional Entry by Philadelphia General Contractor Greenable

Traditional Entry by North Salt Lake General Contractor Cameo Homes Inc.

Traditional Kitchen by Medfield General Contractor Mitchell Construction Group

Traditional Entry by Minneapolis General Contractor John Kraemer & Sons

Traditional Entry by Brentwood Kitchen And Bath Precision Cabinets & Trim

Contemporary Entry by Mason Architect LG Tokarsky - Architect, LLC

Traditional Entry by Minneapolis Kitchen And Bath Crystal Kitchen Center

Traditional Closet by Milwaukee General Contractor JDJ Builders Inc.

Eclectic Laundry Room by New Port Richey Architect Bud Dietrich, AIA

Traditional Entry by Minneapolis Design-build Gonyea Homes & Remodeling

Traditional Entry by Other Metro General Contractor On Site Management, Inc.

Brothers Scheming

I still don't know what was being done or discussed under the desk that day, but it was so hilarious to walk by and see them quietly scheming.

Check out the green smoothie goatee 

Older brother has the look that says, "Oh no, we got caught!" but I still don't even know what it was about.

What kids don't know is moms secretly love this stuff.  I love they have little partners and friends to share their ideas with :).

Easter