Fun Fountains ... and more

This past week Eric, Matthew and I spent several days in Elk Grove, CA visiting Michelle, Josh, Ellie and Olivia - and oh what FUN we had. We spent lots of time thrifty - and let me tell you - Michelle has found some awesome thrift stores - I am sosoo jealous! Check back soon to see all the great treasures I found. We also had fun at Costco eating all the samples, (oh yea!) swimming, making homemade oreos, learning how to do oragami, and eating sushi.

Ellie took us to the fountains at the local community park - check out just one of the cute water fountains for the kids to run through. It is a palm tree... the coconuts at the top spin around and drop water on the kids. Matthew and Ellie had a great time cooling off. We can't wait to go back for another visit :-)

Before, During, After...

BEFORE ... If you have been to my home lately you had to walk past this bookcase to get though the front door. Matthew and I drove into the complex several weeks ago and at the dumpster was this treasure. When we went to inspect we realized that the back was almost completely pulled off - other than that it was in perfect shape - even the hardware was still in place !!

DURING ... back panel stapled in place, all sanded down and primed for painting. This is the first project that I used primer on. Didn't know what kind of wood(s) the bookcase was made of ?!?!?

AFTER ... a beautiful black bookcase. This picture, with the plain white walls of my home, just doesn't show how great this project turned out. Only a few special items on the shelves now - but give me some time and they will be overflowing.

I couldn't end this post without including this picture. This stack of "projects"(each in various states of completion) is currently sitting in my living room - and I return to work on Monday, July 27th ... I better get busy!!

Vacation In Yosemite

Eric, Matthew, and I recently returned from what has become our annual "Family Camp" week in Yosemite. I love Yosemite ... it is so beautiful there.

The water flow was very, very low throughout the park, but if you look closely you can see Yosemite Falls behind the boys.

We stayed in Housekeeping Camp again this year (thanks Karen for inviting us) ... it is sosoooo fun. We bring lots of gear from home - but have the luxury of showers, restrooms and a store inside the camp ground. (No midnight hikes to the "little house on the hill.") We have to lock everything edible inside bear boxes. Didn't see any bears this year... just squirrels.

Once again this year we had a awesome view of Half Dome just by stepping out of our camp site.

No hiking for us - instead we rode bikes everywhere. (Yes - I rode all over the park on this lovely Lady Schwinn bike - brought back memories of the Schwinn I used to ride when we lived in Taylorsville :-)

Matthew had his back tire blow-out the first day - Eric rode ahead while Matthew and I walked the bikes back to camp. As we were walking the bikes along the trail I noticed a family of deer in the meadow. Great Photo Op ...don't you think?!

As we were leaving on Saturday this HUGE group (at least 50 or more) of Harley Bikers came riding past us. I had to laugh at Eric - leaning out of the car window to take a picture. :-) We had a great time visting with friends, eating smores around the fire every night, and enjoying each others company in the beauty that is Yosemite. I love spending time with my boys in Yosemite - and look forward to going again next year !!

Ohh ... what a great purse !!

Don't you love this purse? It's my new Brenda Johnson "Closer" Tote Bag. I love the show "The Closer" (TNT Monday's @ 9:00 pm) and have watched every episode since it first aired.

If you watch the show you will see Brenda carrying this bag everywhere she goes ... and now I have Brenda's famous and fabulous black purse for myself!!!

I know it is difficult to tell us apart in the two photos above - so don't be mistaken ... I am the one wearing brown - Brenda is wearing pink ...But don't we both look FABULOUS ?!?!

It Just Makes Me Smile ...

Yesterday while I was out and about I stopped at the Goodwill Store. I love going to Thrift Stores and have found lots of "treasures" there over the years. Here is my haul from yesterday. Two picture frames w/mats (have a fun decorating project in mind for these) a platter (another project) and a coffee/tea pot (no project in mind - just liked the way it looked.) Total Cost: $7.00.

... look how cute the coffee/tea pot looks on the black table in my entry way. Silly I know... but opening the door and being greated by my GW find and the fresh flowers... it makes me smile :-)

After taking the picture of the flowers I couldn't resist snapping a picture of the other items on the table top ... Hannah's Birth announcement and Kendall's Graduation announcement. Now...that's what I call Cute !!!

Congratulations Rusty, Anne and Bridger on the new arrival to your family - and - Kudos to Kendall for a job well done!!

The Little Black Shelf

Look at this great little unfinished wood shelf Michelle gave me. It has been waiting patiently for me to get my creative energy flowing again ...

With just two coats of my new fav paint color "Black Magic" .... and a pass over with my sander ...TAH DAH !! Isn't it just toooo cute ??!!

I hung it up in my bathroom ... added two of my favorite Mary Engelbreit pieces and a picture of me and my little luv bugs. The sassy little black purse is really a case for my glasses.

I removed all the "cluttery" items from the bathroom counter, and added this lamp. I love being in this room ... and the warm glow from the lamp does wonders for diminishing the look of my wrinkles !!

New Found Passion - REPURPOSING -

I have found a new outlet for my creative energy - Repurposing. Taking items I already have and giving them a new purpose in my home/life. Wanting to make some changes in my home - without spending to much money, I decided to repurpose several second-hand items I had acquired over the past couple of years. So...I bought myself a sander and went to work. I have completed a table and shelf and I am diligently working on a chair, bench, and bedside table. I also have my eyes on an old dresser that is in my bedroom...

I am a Blogger Novice so I forgot to take a BEFORE Picture... this is the table after sanding.

Painting....

I changed out the old wood knobs for Cute new Nickel Knobs from Lowe's Hardware

(Lowe's has become my new Friday night hangout! )

From the Dumpster ... Repurposed to my Entryway .... and I just LOVE IT!!