tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609792740145220072024-02-07T23:01:45.968-07:00Buzzings of a Queen BeeBuzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.comBlogger347125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-51150953859757859012017-03-16T13:36:00.003-06:002017-03-16T13:39:34.534-06:00My Orchid Plan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi blogging friends!</div>
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Here's a little story that might be more entertaining to you than to most of my "real life" friends. Sometimes I think they love me dearly but have decided secretly that I'm cuckoo to think about this stuff as much as I do. Can you relate?</div>
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The other day, my friend Kellie and I went shopping at Ikea. She's working on updating her family room, and I am never one to turn down a chance to shop for house stuff with a friend! We spotted some beautiful <i><u>real</u></i> orchids and I commented that I can't keep them alive. We stood there for awhile, but in the end I didn't buy the orchids, and life moved on.</div>
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Anyway, I was thinking about it afterwards and decided if I invested a bit of money on <i><u>real-looking but fake</u></i> orchids, surely I won't kill them and wouldn't that be fun? A trip to Hobby Lobby and some digging around in my basement for a few fillers, and <i>voila!</i> Here's the finished product, in a photo I snapped on my phone with really bad lighting to send to Kellie.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtde7Zvkrp3vVcimezte0s3xVj0e-D09-vhdH444t2JgLcFX28xzDYbOV3hg09mlarEnSkblE0dhENLoz70Putzrv_Fq9U_HYeDLf-0esPPVQmg0n56PNiV5iP1p3lM-1GAfcjYUJnyg/s1600/IMG_4842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtde7Zvkrp3vVcimezte0s3xVj0e-D09-vhdH444t2JgLcFX28xzDYbOV3hg09mlarEnSkblE0dhENLoz70Putzrv_Fq9U_HYeDLf-0esPPVQmg0n56PNiV5iP1p3lM-1GAfcjYUJnyg/s640/IMG_4842.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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A few days after that, I happened to see a wonderful post about how to decorate using things you already have in your collection on Nell Hill's blog. Do you read that? I really like it! Here's the <a href="https://nellhills.com/collective-wisdom-tips-for-styling-your-collections/" target="_blank">link to the article</a> if you've got a few minutes.<br />
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One of the photos she featured had a beautiful grouping of blue and white pottery in the center of the table. Here it is:<br />
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Well, and what do I have, you may ask? Why, I have a graveyard of blue and white pieces that regularly get rotated in and out, depending on what I need. What you see below is really scraping the bottom of the barrel, mostly lids and smaller things, but I can promise you that somehow I have accumulated plenty! (My husband will assure you of this too.)<br />
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So, while Vivi took a nap this afternoon (Yes, my three-year-old still naps and it is glorious and I plan on making it last as long as I can. No judgment!), I puttered and arranged and scrounged and here's what I came up with:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzcp7bkAB_r3AM_yFClUxyI7_sxlzVDzgggo33oXk10EBZKfKEWKsWSNn2rGxU6omHw1Vfr94barfV6MqwIKUglMzpLoXe7Jli0o9W9p4bkKPcoo3LnrJa2efoaPVhagacAd7G8vnsw/s1600/IMG_4852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzcp7bkAB_r3AM_yFClUxyI7_sxlzVDzgggo33oXk10EBZKfKEWKsWSNn2rGxU6omHw1Vfr94barfV6MqwIKUglMzpLoXe7Jli0o9W9p4bkKPcoo3LnrJa2efoaPVhagacAd7G8vnsw/s640/IMG_4852.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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I just took the photos on my phone so they're not the greatest, but you can see how using more than just one blue and white piece in the center of the table totally brought it to the next level! I grabbed the wooden tray from another room, and it helps to keep everything feel contained and collected and <i><u>intentional</u></i>.<br />
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Now I have a fun spring centerpiece that makes me happy when I walk by. I'll also be able to use it when we host Easter dinner, and the best part is that I know it will still be alive by then because it is 100% fake. :)<br />
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Happy Spring my friends!Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-78755410860890198202016-12-19T13:48:00.001-07:002016-12-19T13:48:18.805-07:00Last Minute Teacher Gift Idea<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Merry Christmas everyone!</div>
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I know this is a frenzied week for most of us. My older two kids are in school through Wednesday, so I have a list a mile long of things I need to accomplish before they're home with me. I'm sure you do too!</div>
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But this little idea was too cute not to share. I am Nina's room parent this year, and as such I am in charge of the teacher gift! I always ask the teacher at the beginning of the year for a list of her "favorite things"(similar to one I blogged about <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2010/06/fun-teacher-gift-idea.html" target="_blank">here</a>). I figure (as a former teacher myself!) that what she probably wants most is gift cards, right? </div>
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A friend of mine had a suggestion to help take the gift presentation to the next level. She donated this sweet Christmas tree to my cause, and I ran around collecting gift cards to decorate the tree. Since it looked a little bare with no other decorations, I did some quick cinnamon ornaments and dried orange slices (since I wanted some for my own house anyway...!). Then I found these little brass trumpets at a local antique mall, and they were the perfect final touch to the tree.</div>
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When you put them all together, it's the cutest teacher gift ever! I always judge a gift by how much I want one of my own when it's all put together. Let's just say if someone showed up on my doorstep with one of these for me, I'd do a gleeful little dance!</div>
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So, on the off-chance that you are still in need of a teacher gift, AND have the time and energy to execute it 6 days before Christmas, I wanted to help a sister out! If not...there's always next year! :)<br />
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Merry Christmas friends!Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-52934801237242519082016-12-06T09:59:00.002-07:002016-12-06T09:59:49.261-07:00Christmas at My House. And the Biltmore.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Merry Christmas my friends! I hope you're all staying sane this time of year. There is so much I love about this season, and every year I wonder why we try to cram so much magic into <u>one</u> month. If it were up to me, we'd keep our Christmas tree up until the spring flowers start to bloom, and listen to Christmas music until the weather warms up enough to have a BBQ and country music on the patio. :)</div>
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This year for Thanksgiving we headed south to see my extended family in Atlanta. Since my husband grew up in North Carolina, he wanted to take a small detour along the way to show us around. We spent a few days in Asheville, and of course you know that also means the Biltmore! Nina and Henry and I spent the afternoon at this beautiful house while Vivian took a nap at the hotel with Daddy. You can see below how excited Nina was to have to put her arm around her brother for the occasion.</div>
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The Biltmore was all decorated for Christmas. I mean <i>all decorated</i>. Walking from room to room was like being inside every decorating magazine you've ever loved. Hello blue and white pottery, I adore you.<br />
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We rented the kids' audio tour (it plays on these phone-like devices you hang around your neck) and learned so much! I got some great ideas about how to add Christmas decor to my two-story library, for example.<br />
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My phone's camera just can't do it justice. Every room was more gorgeous than the last. We had a blast!<br />
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Coming home with visions of the Biltmore in my head...this is not recommended! (Nothing like a mansion with a whole team of decorators to make a girl feel inadequate!) But I have loved putting some of the Biltmore ideas into action around my own house. I'll show you just a few. Still decorating around here as I find the time, so this is just a snippet, not the full house tour!<br />
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This year I opted for all fake greenery everywhere <u>except</u> the Christmas tree. (Gotta have fresh for that!) The real stuff, when not accessible to water, just tends to dry out so fast, and then I get frustrated that I've spent all that time arranging. But I have a wonderful local store that sells the most realistic-looking greenery, and last year I stocked up. I'm pretty please with my two pots on either side of the front door!<br />
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I'm gonna apologize for the lighting in some of these. As you know, trying to capture the glow of Christmas lights is just a tricky business! This pine roping on my fence is fake, though, can you believe it? I love the long needles...just like what I would buy at the nursery!<br />
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More fake greenery on the lantern by the front door.<br />
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On the front door, a fake wreath with some berries and pine cones and all kinds of things I just keep throwing on there to keep it interesting!<br />
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Inside the house, I have two little fake green trees in the two front windows. Our real tree is in the family room (in the back of the house) where we can enjoy it with the fireplace and be all cozy. But these trees make us look festive from the street!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEly6GrytcpgdWat6mFzD3qF-6s9FsPJNTfVmsOhQgWuJY1BHpA7MYqT-4NEKNe-sY5WruB7wrD-S254-WLzvAoN2Xe8i0NyT8C_RI6b73D4Mkpv7j-zUn_IauWDx4vF7kOjuUL0ghg/s1600/DSC_0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHEly6GrytcpgdWat6mFzD3qF-6s9FsPJNTfVmsOhQgWuJY1BHpA7MYqT-4NEKNe-sY5WruB7wrD-S254-WLzvAoN2Xe8i0NyT8C_RI6b73D4Mkpv7j-zUn_IauWDx4vF7kOjuUL0ghg/s640/DSC_0085.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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The red ticking stripe ornaments were ones I made from <a href="http://momseatcoldfood.blogspot.com/2013/12/easy-no-sew-plaid-christmas-ornament.html?spref=pi" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> last Christmas. I just used some simple ball ornaments I found at Goodwill and some scrap fabric. The cinnamon gingerbread man ornaments were a project from eight years ago (!) for two-year-old Nina and me. Check out <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2008/12/homemade-cinnamon-christmas-ornaments.html" target="_blank">my long-ago post</a> about that for a real blast from the past! (Nina is ten now, so it's a bit of a heartbreaker to see those sweet little cheeks!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xPxcJ5jhtyC7zCOXxYQHGKE_hkNLv-l5F6hm99jzCu-NrvNmcRxsXSKSFPQyAq0WJtRBgLMNkK8rdiG1EMQ4rXEXyyohDK7XVZYCtzdnNRnv7IiILYPb58tQYz-ZEGRIyurynfOrMg/s1600/DSC_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7xPxcJ5jhtyC7zCOXxYQHGKE_hkNLv-l5F6hm99jzCu-NrvNmcRxsXSKSFPQyAq0WJtRBgLMNkK8rdiG1EMQ4rXEXyyohDK7XVZYCtzdnNRnv7IiILYPb58tQYz-ZEGRIyurynfOrMg/s640/DSC_0087.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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And here is my tribute to the gorgeous red poinsettias in the blue and white urns that I saw <i>everywhere</i> at the Biltmore! It's the little things, right? Looking at this set up in my dining room every day makes me happy.<br />
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I am still fussing and fluffing things around here, and doing the myriad of other things that need to be done, but thank you for taking a little peek into my humble Christmas house!Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-55340652061140885692016-09-06T09:09:00.002-06:002016-09-06T09:09:49.447-06:00Waiting for the Right Piece<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey everyone! A fun little story for you if you are in the no-man's-land of scouring Craig's List and antique fairs for "just the right thing" to finish your project.</div>
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Our kitchen was complete, except for one small part. We hadn't found a countertop for the main island. We knew we wanted butcher block. We had a standard one from Ikea that was just OK. It wasn't quite large enough (we bought it for another project), and as you can see from the photo below, the overhang didn't completely cover the drawers. It looked like our island had put on a pair of pants that were one size too small!</div>
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I kept saying that if we were willing to be patient, we would eventually find exactly what we were looking for! Brent kept telling me my expectations were too high. (He's usually right.) I wanted something with some age and character, not a new piece. I wanted to know it's story, and of course I didn't want to spend a fortune. No big deal, right?</div>
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A few months ago, we were off for a 24 hour getaway for my birthday, in nearby Adams County, Ohio. We happened to drive by this handwritten sign on a quiet country road that said "Antiques" with an arrow pointing to a farm. <i>OK, why not, right?</i> We didn't have any of our kids with us! We pulled in to discover a retired farmer with a barn FULL of cool old stuff. Of course we asked him if he had any butcher block that would be big enough for our project, fully expecting the usual No, Sorry. But he led us over to this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX46BHb1yfzmBwaVDflpK0EOwRwDh5YMT7VYW8aYINUCLWOokOvKk5AOXVqRQ-juL4hWRSlFEEpKP051AKB9HNp-ubbvdtT6utP31UN-f_6wUV45wNymkEwSIqrpobUbLLXqU2O2UPw/s1600/IMG_3670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqX46BHb1yfzmBwaVDflpK0EOwRwDh5YMT7VYW8aYINUCLWOokOvKk5AOXVqRQ-juL4hWRSlFEEpKP051AKB9HNp-ubbvdtT6utP31UN-f_6wUV45wNymkEwSIqrpobUbLLXqU2O2UPw/s640/IMG_3670.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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It was 12 feet long. It was beautiful. It was old. It had all these cool markings on it. It used to be in a nearby butcher shop, so yeah, it definitely had a story. It was $125!<br />
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I had to clamp my mouth shut so I didn't squeal.<br />
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A few months later, and that countertop is now living in our kitchen! We cut it to fit the length and width we needed (um, easier said than done, as usual, very thankful for my handy husband!). Then we just gave it a light sanding to knock the grime off without losing the many markings and etchings. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTnlJ8lBAMujSi9P_9vydXNRmixBODYUZFM0L1bruRdPEkfxKuvtLvrhTaofqn4Hp9oV6DaqbGZpsKJWzlcUwp57cHPfKD3p47_jz8bvYIHingiqT1JKRfg2iIBBvh8nMnwCmEHOQOw/s1600/DSC_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTnlJ8lBAMujSi9P_9vydXNRmixBODYUZFM0L1bruRdPEkfxKuvtLvrhTaofqn4Hp9oV6DaqbGZpsKJWzlcUwp57cHPfKD3p47_jz8bvYIHingiqT1JKRfg2iIBBvh8nMnwCmEHOQOw/s640/DSC_0143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since we don't plan on cutting food directly on the surface, I felt fine about using a standard polyurethane to seal the wood. (If you plan to cut directly on it, you should use a food safe finish of some kind.) I chose a satin finish because that's what was available in my store, but if I could have chosen a matte I would have. I really didn't want it to look shiny. It's a humble workhorse and I think it's beautiful in it's most natural state.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgeozdwacHCgFCFkdjtCapnVuW2iJ5utlLvzijhP1rNAPxaiSc1MvVWgNTDFQHg7njfIGZ5_uS9Uiwaviqg3d6JwNkOtvdZBgT8n2m7da2HxFETBCgJzVCb-sokLW-UznDT7sSNS-8g/s1600/DSC_0144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgeozdwacHCgFCFkdjtCapnVuW2iJ5utlLvzijhP1rNAPxaiSc1MvVWgNTDFQHg7njfIGZ5_uS9Uiwaviqg3d6JwNkOtvdZBgT8n2m7da2HxFETBCgJzVCb-sokLW-UznDT7sSNS-8g/s640/DSC_0144.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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One of the best parts (in addition to fitting my kitchen island's size perfectly!) is how thick it is. Standard kitchen countertops are 1 1/4 inches thick, but this piece is a full 2 inches! It just has so much presence in our kitchen!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4Mrb1CRS5XeTw1oTODZjPK04_QOsprxH7g9_t59cqUYrTfqGXqlIR2yj9NbTwEPP4ddt-Sq93OObvkFu0b8BcRJzOFfuiu-Mm8XPbk827NChmORHaI2f1-BUHN_tK5Vtn1nLShBNfA/s1600/DSC_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_4Mrb1CRS5XeTw1oTODZjPK04_QOsprxH7g9_t59cqUYrTfqGXqlIR2yj9NbTwEPP4ddt-Sq93OObvkFu0b8BcRJzOFfuiu-Mm8XPbk827NChmORHaI2f1-BUHN_tK5Vtn1nLShBNfA/s640/DSC_0145.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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So now, there you go, you thought you were finally done hearing all about my kitchen remodel, and then, nope! I'm like that person at a party you can't get away from. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvcAqX2tSkz8LMzD0vULzYk7ppeokyU48KF80zmB92wXvmcNig8LCJcYuq7hvJdh1iBqNyWlPQ-fu1YRAofvhCwtR7zHLXTpk7vTyMTpy-TQFQRQfj3AugBh1xkagfUFli5U9sDc1Qg/s1600/DSC_0146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNvcAqX2tSkz8LMzD0vULzYk7ppeokyU48KF80zmB92wXvmcNig8LCJcYuq7hvJdh1iBqNyWlPQ-fu1YRAofvhCwtR7zHLXTpk7vTyMTpy-TQFQRQfj3AugBh1xkagfUFli5U9sDc1Qg/s640/DSC_0146.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Thank you for humoring me, friends! I thought you might enjoy this story because I know many of us are "on the hunt" for something specific for a house project, and that can take time. We looked for over a year before finding this piece. SO worth the wait, and I am glad we didn't give up due to my usual impatience with unfinished projects! <br />
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Can anyone else relate?Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-88504395845027601512016-03-28T09:54:00.002-06:002016-04-07T13:07:06.076-06:00The Kitchen is Complete!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello everyone! I am so sorry to disappear on you for five months! But I am finally back with some photos to wrap up our kitchen renovation. Work has been slow with three small kids and the "usual" hectic life, but we are mostly done. Yay!</div>
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Today is a rather overcast day, so the lighting was tricky, but I didn't want to wait another day when I actually had time <i>today</i>! So here you go:</div>
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You might remember that we had a two phase project going on here. The sink side was done first, and then we waited awhile to save up for the pantry side, as well as the kitchen island. Here's a slightly different angle.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLDU847aRJyUvJLdP0JemmI_gOsV0ffNkNLsk6GqahTdg3szRKtpPWoNMYDCLGTwd0g06Yl9Tw3H3cglmYLmbmp0KLDPqv3HwPM1xhVIuLAzhL2aiO7kRJ69OapXa4xa3ogDJ8bOe5A/s1600/DSC_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLDU847aRJyUvJLdP0JemmI_gOsV0ffNkNLsk6GqahTdg3szRKtpPWoNMYDCLGTwd0g06Yl9Tw3H3cglmYLmbmp0KLDPqv3HwPM1xhVIuLAzhL2aiO7kRJ69OapXa4xa3ogDJ8bOe5A/s640/DSC_0212.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The floor to ceiling pantry has been SO great! Having a two year old in the house was not conducive to the metal gorilla racks we had here temporarily. They served a purpose, but I am glad to have them gone! Now all our business is tucked away out of sight. :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2OAW_1aESrSWmnhOQDWShurTR71cCUdV2o-F5C7PMy1RkUZQTODGEZgEjM5AgYhbD9Yv3QVktrSID7eF9OsPVCoHcoc0oCVozIKWXrm_n4csF858v7y3BB61JBshQwkF0jfjNuP0lg/s1600/DSC_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE2OAW_1aESrSWmnhOQDWShurTR71cCUdV2o-F5C7PMy1RkUZQTODGEZgEjM5AgYhbD9Yv3QVktrSID7eF9OsPVCoHcoc0oCVozIKWXrm_n4csF858v7y3BB61JBshQwkF0jfjNuP0lg/s640/DSC_0215.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Again, so sorry about the lighting! But here you can see my little open shelving area. I wanted <u>some</u> shelving, but not <u>too much</u> since I knew how badly we needed pantry space on that wall. I love having my cookbooks within reach again, and the little marble counter, though only 48 inches x 18 inches, is a workhorse! <br />
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We usually have kids' school papers and mail piles on this counter, but when we entertain (or when I take pictures for my blog!), we clear it off and use it as a bar/drinks station. I like how it isn't in the main cooking zone, so people can help themselves without worrying they're in the way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ij_MI9wEyJrB7P-HSoaNQWXTZxe5kA3OVGOKwP5EJvzrVGteEMabg1jXlOw7lcoo5nNtpCFY8Y2OPXmL0DxnD0KSDmJEi80f5tftW_ltCo4H4b4ebPuDsymFs6vxzzsiaeUCqArTBQ/s1600/DSC_0220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ij_MI9wEyJrB7P-HSoaNQWXTZxe5kA3OVGOKwP5EJvzrVGteEMabg1jXlOw7lcoo5nNtpCFY8Y2OPXmL0DxnD0KSDmJEi80f5tftW_ltCo4H4b4ebPuDsymFs6vxzzsiaeUCqArTBQ/s640/DSC_0220.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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We also added this little baking table down at the other end of the kitchen. Because the overall kitchen space was so long (we knocked down the wall between old kitchen and dining room), I didn't want one gigantic island because that would have been so L-O-N-G. Like landing strip long. So instead we have two smaller ones. The main island where I do most of the cooking is topped with butcher block, but this little one is marble because I wanted to have somewhere to roll out cookies with the kids. Cute little bar stools fit under there perfectly!<br />
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Another thing I wanted to add in some way was some natural brick. We hunted all over the kitchen and could only come up with this one little spot where it made sense. I thought it would soften the look of the metal back splash.<br />
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We have had a lot of people ask us if we just exposed the original brick to the home (I WISH!) so I take that as a compliment. The brick is actually reclaimed thin brick veneer from a company in Connecticut (here's <a href="http://www.stonefarmliving.com/" target="_blank">the link</a> if you're interested!). It was really reasonably priced for such a small square footage; in fact, the cost of shipping was more than the cost of the bricks themselves! But I love how it turned out. And the company was great to work with.<br />
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One little part of Phase I that I don't think (?) I showed you is what we refer to as the "Big Boy." I don't know, the name just stuck when my husband was labeling things. It's down at the far end of the kitchen and it is kind of a combination hutch + appliance garage.<br />
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Check out how much storage I get out of this! I just love it. My favorite part is that I have outlets for all my most-used appliances now, so no more lugging and reconfiguring every time I want to toast some bread or use my electric mixer. The permanent coffee station helps too. :)<br />
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So there you have it! We are <i>mostly</i> done. I say mostly because we're still on the hunt for the perfect butcher block for the top of the main kitchen island. The island is just big enough that nothing "standard" will work; you can see in the photo below, it needs to be a few inches wider to overhang the base cabinets. <br />
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Plus, I have my heart set on finding some old, beat up but solid piece of countertop from some country store somewhere. (I know.) So that means it has to be right place + right time + right price = meant to be in Carrie's kitchen. :)<br />
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We also have some trim work and caulking to complete. We finally caved and hired someone to install the crown molding around the cabinets (see photo below) but now it's just all those little un-glamorous things left that <i>we</i> actually have to do. Maybe on a rainy day! <br />
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And another reason for the delay in our productivity has been this little guy. Meet Hamish! (pronounced Hame-ish, Scottish name in honor of my roots!) He's 12 weeks old and is a Newfoundland + Poodle mix. Gonna be a big boy! But we love him and he's been a lot of fun for the kids, and for us too! <br />
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So there you have it! The never-ending kitchen remodel is slowly coming to a close. Thank you so much for going on the ride with me! :)Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-58039961404450352762015-10-30T11:28:00.001-06:002015-10-30T11:31:49.851-06:00Blue and White Chinoiserie Lamp DIYI really think you all might lose your minds over my latest discovery. Or at least, I did. But wait, wait, let me backtrack...<br />
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As I've mentioned before, I (along with everyone else in the design world, it seems!) am in LOVE with the blue and white thing happening. I've been slowly collecting vases and plates and platters of all kinds, mostly from antique shops, Goodwill (if I'm lucky), and some online auction sites like Everything But the House. My hunting has taught me that the name for many of these pieces is <i>Chinoiserie</i>. <br />
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It also seems to me that as soon as you attach the word <i>Chinoiserie</i> (pronounced chi-noi-ser-ie) to anything, it automatically quadruples in price! Which is why my collecting has been very slow and strategic. I can't be giving my husband ulcers over this stuff. :)<br />
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For awhile now I've been searching for a small Chinoiserie lamp to fit a quirky spot in our house. Until I find the perfect one, I've been using a rather ugly little lamp that just irritates me every time I look at it. Does that ever happen to you? It's the perfect size and scale for the space but the more I stare at it, the uglier it gets! Here it is (sorry so blurry but you get the idea):<br />
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Then, suddenly...inspiration! While I'm waiting for the perfect antique yet inexpensive Chinoiserie blue and white lamp to fall into my lap (<i>that happens, right?</i>), why not use a few old and faithful friends to spruce up my existing lamp?<br />
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<i>Mod Podge.</i><br />
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<i>Scrapbook paper.</i><br />
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<i>Rub-n-Buff.</i><br />
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<i><b>Are you with me?</b></i><br />
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So first I needed some scrapbook paper or gift wrap in a classic blue and white pattern. Easy, right? I trekked all over town and all over the internet. <u>Nothing</u>. Seriously, I just needed a few sheets of this stuff and I figured the design trend was so hot right now, it'd be a cinch! Nope. <br />
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Finally, I stumbled upon this adorable Chinoiserie pumpkin done by Susan from <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/" target="_blank">Between Naps on the Porch</a>. <br />
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She made this cutie herself after seeing something similar in Country Living and wrote a fabulous tutorial <a href="http://betweennapsontheporch.net/country-living-inspired-decoupage-a-pumpkin/" target="_blank">here</a>. And you know where she got her scrapbook paper? A photocopier. Seriously!<br />
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So here's the part that is just blowing my mind with the possibilities: a good color copier can print any pattern you want (assuming you're not pirating it of course). Just take yourself to Kinkos or FedEx or wherever, bring an inspiration piece to be copied, like a flat piece of fabric, pages from a book, or (in my case), email them a PDF of a design you like. Then here's the key: have them make a color photocopy using a digital laser printer (not ink jet, which I think is what most of us have in our basements!). A laser printer will make sure that the pretty colors on your paper won't run when you start working with the Mod Podge. Also, I found that a slightly heavier weight paper was more like the weight of scrapbook paper and was great to work with (my FedEx Office guy called it 32 lb. weight).<br />
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I was able to find some beautiful digital scrapbook paper from a shop on Etsy (<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/MinaandMooDesign?ref=l2-shopheader-name" target="_blank">link here</a> if you'd like it for yourself!), and for less than $5 I got an instant download of six .jpg files. Six gorgeous Chinoiserie prints to choose from! I converted them to PDFs (although I think it would have been just as easy to print as .jpgs), emailed them to my local shop, hustled myself over to pick them up and within 20 minutes I had these in my hot little hands:<br />
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So now back to my lamp.<br />
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First I gave it a quick coat of paint so nothing would bleed through. White paint over the parts to be covered with the paper. Gold paint for the parts where I was going to put Rub-n-Buff. <br />
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Next I applied the Rub-n-Buff (in Grecian Gold) and cut my scrapbook paper to fit. I glued it on with a few layers of Mod Podge (under the paper and two layers on top). Then...patience while the whole thing dried. <br />
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Hello lovely!<br />
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Let me zoom in just a bit.<br />
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Even I, the Queen of Mod Podge, am surprised at how well this turned out! I hoped for something that would just look better than it did before (not hard to do). But I really think I'd be drawn to this lamp if I saw it in a shop today, not just because I rescued it from ugly!<br />
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Even getting up very close, the colors are crisp and clean. No bleeding at all. I'm telling you. Laser printer. A revelation.<br />
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Who am I kidding? This discovery doesn't mark the end of my Chinoiserie hunt. The thrill of the chase, right? Ha! But it's a fun and inexpensive way to copy a look that I know many of us love. <br />
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Have a great weekend!<br />
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<br />Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-42612910089808470622015-10-13T14:36:00.002-06:002015-10-13T14:41:24.062-06:00Fall Prettiness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been having fun with fall decorations lately and thought I'd invite you in for a tour! </div>
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Please be advised that my house was <u>not</u> clean during this photo shoot. I just moved the toys out of the way where you can't see them. :)</div>
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Starting with the front porch...</div>
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And my fall garland, which I wrote a <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2014/11/a-fall-garland.html" target="_blank">tutorial</a> about last year.<br />
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Come on in!<br />
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Our dining room table, filled with pretty (and fake!) fall stuff.<br />
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Can someone tell me how to do those fancy chalk letters I'm seeing everywhere?<br />
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A little pumpkin towel (which I had to spot-clean before it was ready for it's photo shoot!).<br />
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This is just to show you that we finished the backsplash in <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2015/09/finally-kitchen-update.html" target="_blank">the kitchen</a>! (and no more fire hazards)<br />
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I love the look of pewter with fall berries.<br />
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Can you see my blue plates hanging in the background? I was scared they'd be too cramped in that space, but so far I love them!<br />
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The mantle, with more blue and white, because I can't bear to put it away, even for just a season!<br />
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Fresh flowers and my sweet kids' Halloween books. Pulling out the seasonal books is their favorite part of decorating the house for holidays!</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">More pewter. This one I found at Goodwill! I think it was so tarnished that no one knew what it was. I took a chance, and once I shined it up, it looked great!</span></div>
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Three little pumpkins. I found this charming print at one of my new favorite online art shops, <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/Alisons-Art-and-Attic?_trksid=p2047675.l2568" target="_blank">here</a>. (On eBay!)<br />
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Another one of my kids' favorites. Our Halloween advent calendar, which morphed from <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2008/10/halloween-advent-calendar-just-little.html" target="_blank">this one</a> that I made years ago.<br />
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And because this is a fall post, I have to share a few adorable photos from our recent small town Homecoming parade. Nina dancing to the marching band...<br />
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...and Henry looking cute after walking in the parade with his flag football team. (I promise little Vivian was being cute too, just moving too fast I couldn't get a good photo of her quick little two-year-old buns.)<br />
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Happy Fall y'all!Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-12170471230285898522015-09-11T11:59:00.005-06:002015-09-11T12:14:51.051-06:00Finally, A Kitchen Update!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thank you all for your patience as I gear myself up to give you a kitchen update! (Or are you all just so scared it's going to be another picture of the <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2015/07/small-victories.html" target="_blank">plumbing in my walls</a>? Ha! Believe me when I say I hope we never have to speak of them again.)</div>
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So, because it helps me when I feel like our remodel is C-R-E-E-P-I-N-G along, I will go back to a photo of the old kitchen before we moved in.</div>
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And here is where we are today! Most of you who have been here with me know that we ripped out that wall between the old kitchen and dining room. And when I say we, most of you also know that I mean my husband. :)<br />
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So the perfectionist in me really wants to wait until all the details are done before I show you an update. Even when people come over and see it in person, my knee-jerk reaction is to start yelping <i>But wait! Someday we'll have a pretty planked farmhouse backsplash! We're covering all those wires up with crown molding, I swear! And I really meant to finish sanding that bit of drywall.</i> <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2015/05/a-post-that-hopefully-wont-scare-you.html" target="_blank">But I told you a few months ago that things were going to be a little more real up in here</a>. So I present to you the other side of my kitchen:<br />
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I don't think I've ever mentioned on here that I am married to Dave Ramsey. Well, not really Dave Ramsey, but someone equally committed to not going into debt and paying out of pocket whenever possible. I say that with some wifely sarcasm, but in all honesty I love that Brent is such a financial planner and he takes great care of our family. However, in matters of a major kitchen remodel, this manifests itself in the following way: <i>Carrie wants kitchen done now. Brent wants to save up for kitchen and complete it in phases as money becomes available. </i><br />
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As you might have guessed, the phased plan wins! So we have finished cabinetry on one side of the kitchen and the other side is patiently waiting for a pantry and some open shelving for cute dish displays. :) In the meantime, you would not believe how much stuff you can fit on those gorilla racks!<br />
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Phase I of the remodel still gives me so much to celebrate! I am obsessed, for example, with these brass knobs.<br />
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And I spend a bizarre amount of time contemplating how cute this vintage brass rod looks on my antique butcher block.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gopwMD6dtLVHRyCZD1VYCBtIIwwQAVi20ZyC4OINDHAPZS2MbCa1zfV6Uuit_gcCc0gjcl8UMtr5f3XzspvY7KiYvobIYRY-OlQfs28r5uAtNudvcpCMECiadx8O9fJaaCLenoghyphenhypheng/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5gopwMD6dtLVHRyCZD1VYCBtIIwwQAVi20ZyC4OINDHAPZS2MbCa1zfV6Uuit_gcCc0gjcl8UMtr5f3XzspvY7KiYvobIYRY-OlQfs28r5uAtNudvcpCMECiadx8O9fJaaCLenoghyphenhypheng/s640/DSC_0002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But to keep it real, I will now show you my open electrical box and tape on the walls.<br />
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I will show you my favorite cow painting, which I hung on the side of the cabinet next to my kitchen sink window.<br />
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And then I will back up a little bit and show you more exposed electrical and unfinished drywall behind the sink.<br />
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Pretty bin pulls on my drawers. My dream stove. (Still quite frightened of it, to be honest, but we are becoming friends!)<br />
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And more exposed wiring that eventually will be hidden by molding.<br />
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But somewhere cute to put <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2011/12/postcard-from-hibernation-6.html" target="_blank">my grocery sign</a>, which I made years ago just hoping it would find a home like this!<br />
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We've definitely asked ourselves if we did the right thing by taking on this huge project! It's been a challenge to live in the mess instead of finishing it all <i><b>right now</b></i>. But it helps to look back and celebrate how far we've come since Mother's Day weekend when Brent turned to me and said "I think I'm going to rip that wall out today." (By the way, that was one of the awesomest things he's ever said to me.) <br />
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Beauty with imperfections...kind of like all of us, right? Thank you for going on the ride with me! Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-7480949095168723052015-08-27T07:12:00.001-06:002015-08-27T07:12:23.623-06:00The Kitchen Renovation Leaked Into the Family Room!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm sure this is nothing new to you. But you know how, when you start a new house project, it suddenly--somehow--brings up a bunch of other new projects that you want to do?</div>
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Yeah. We know a little about that around here. :)</div>
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It's a long story, but basically here it is. There is a support beam that divides our kitchen from our family room. It used be buried in a very 1970s-era soffit. Once we ripped out the soffit, the beam was just hanging there, very much in the way but very much necessary to, you know, <i><u>hold up our house</u></i>. You can see it in the photo below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QTWo2DUVsrW90lwurq-LQZcIs5yD0KDRq-o_CDg2UiM7GXZ_8FdH9iqF85Qh5EnusP5bDjNUf1tEJ1BwVeRX-sWC9_Q0EXYkP0g-03JaxyYgbOsnStiBBrpqqZqg63qUpUtPDluR_A/s1600/soffit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QTWo2DUVsrW90lwurq-LQZcIs5yD0KDRq-o_CDg2UiM7GXZ_8FdH9iqF85Qh5EnusP5bDjNUf1tEJ1BwVeRX-sWC9_Q0EXYkP0g-03JaxyYgbOsnStiBBrpqqZqg63qUpUtPDluR_A/s640/soffit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We weren't sure if we should just hide the beam inside a smaller soffit or try to make it pretty, like one of those beautiful exposed beams in <i>Country Living</i>. Problem is, neither option seemed to fit our house. Then our kitchen designer had the idea to build a mini-wall on either end of it, thus hiding the beam in a cased opening with trim to match the other openings in the house. Brilliant!</div>
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My husband built a 14 inch wall on either side, and then covered the whole thing in drywall and trim. It looks like it's been there all along! I love how it helps to divide the kitchen from the family room, while still leaving it nice and open. We do most of our living in these two rooms, and I didn't want them to feel isolated from each other, just distinct and different.</div>
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As an added bonus, it helped us to figure out what do to with these awkward spaces on either side of our fireplace. (See what I mean about projects spreading around here?) When we bought the house, the fireplace was cozy but needed a little updating. Here it was in 2012.</div>
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We painted it, and added some trim to the bottom half of the room to tie it all together. Below, you can see how it looked after that first round of updating. (This photo is pre-kitchen renovation, so you can also see how there was no division between the family room and the kitchen, except for the huge soffit.) I always wondered what to do with the spaces on either side of the fireplace, especially the one on the right. It looked like it was asking for a built-in bookshelf there, but I couldn't figure out how to balance that with one on the left without it looking like it was just floating. So both sides stayed empty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRBaz1YB0ZA_cDkOj-qHVyCEds250kP1F_ZtCLq4yadQiRG8Vmcxsu8Sp1qa_dLrU1AlqzaTlN_ub1DNKlO2zfpkXue8wpk1cZIMKUVvY_57WQFMBvti1wj3WLLQe7NUScR_fMP3GNA/s1600/white+fireplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrRBaz1YB0ZA_cDkOj-qHVyCEds250kP1F_ZtCLq4yadQiRG8Vmcxsu8Sp1qa_dLrU1AlqzaTlN_ub1DNKlO2zfpkXue8wpk1cZIMKUVvY_57WQFMBvti1wj3WLLQe7NUScR_fMP3GNA/s640/white+fireplace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then, hallelujah! Building that small wall on the left side created a matching little alcove next to the fireplace, perfect for a narrow bookshelf. So, while we waited for the plumbers and electricians to work their magic in the kitchen, we focused on this project. I just love how adding a small amount of wall encloses the room. It feels cozier, and I can't wait for fall to light our first fire in the fireplace! (And yes, those are still my Fourth of July decorations. At this point they'll just stay up until Labor Day, and then I'll switch over to pumpkins and gourds, my favorite!)<br />
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Of course, styling the bookshelves was my favorite part! We always have books around here that need a home, so that part was easy. And most of the other artwork and decorative stuff was just repurposed from another place in my house. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJrhITc6gXCbdN0nveIaHbQwRjs04XgRJDst31SHqcw-ODRZMqdWq7KOTZcvRLMy8vE73rO8EawohSYKKGbA8zR472IN4ZTB5boXgvOolv2MRGrdB02Qksinu2hlwXLqUC1xWQAfLIg/s1600/DSC_0453.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJrhITc6gXCbdN0nveIaHbQwRjs04XgRJDst31SHqcw-ODRZMqdWq7KOTZcvRLMy8vE73rO8EawohSYKKGbA8zR472IN4ZTB5boXgvOolv2MRGrdB02Qksinu2hlwXLqUC1xWQAfLIg/s640/DSC_0453.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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We also got some inexpensive timers for the lights on the shelves. My husband hates going around at night to turn off all the lamps I turn on. At least this way, there are a few he doesn't have to roll his eyes about!<br />
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So, if what you're thinking is "Those built-ins look familiar for some reason," you'd be right! Last year we added built-ins to our former-living-room-turned-dining-room. <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2015/01/hello-everyone-its-january.html" target="_blank">You can see how similar (identical?) they are here.</a> I thought about doing something different this time. I really did! In the end, though, I thought the family room needed a little spot of color surrounding the fireplace. But I wanted to keep the shelving and trim off-white to match the rest of the house. So, I painted the beadboard in the back of the shelves my favorite green, "City Arboretum" by Valspar. I love it! I am nothing if not <strike>predictable</strike> boring!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVdEZ7OmwFZ0UUB3jD7b-6jU7z0JXGkqSOQ0wkq7UDhdBCSmPt0NNxuPhMuKwGKLdjZoo3f3Kn_Hm33MJhm9PaeykLwqG5bdBeeLtNkmNthEPVAfUNiRvn_RWRkmMRseC5i0x0V86xw/s1600/DSC_0458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVdEZ7OmwFZ0UUB3jD7b-6jU7z0JXGkqSOQ0wkq7UDhdBCSmPt0NNxuPhMuKwGKLdjZoo3f3Kn_Hm33MJhm9PaeykLwqG5bdBeeLtNkmNthEPVAfUNiRvn_RWRkmMRseC5i0x0V86xw/s640/DSC_0458.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This final photo gives you another angle into the room...bookshelves are on the left, just out of the shot. And I'm sorry about the bad lighting! It was a bright day I'm not much of a photographer to begin with. :)<br />
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I'll be back with some updated kitchen photos soon. Because YES! There is progress! Yay!Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-26708440511067325292015-07-24T10:43:00.001-06:002015-07-24T10:43:33.097-06:00Milk Can Upgrade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since our family has been spending so much time out on our patio while our interior is torn apart, I thought I'd take a brief detour from <i><b>Kitchen Remodel 2015</b></i> and share with you a great little project for the outside! (Although truthfully this could work great for an indoor piece if you'd rather.)</div>
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One day I picked up this milk can for $5 at a garage sale. I just love it when things start out this hideous! Makes the transformation all the more gratifying. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsLsY0Ex1u7Uguq7Ny-Nq6n8wXUIqeRV2nEZo9uXE416EnIDTsLmoPPM5K8XGeqLULS8OjcRxxDwrRaRlPCHjapotrBLfOYN__8nNnQfwV12a_qGY0YZZoe9fDjOU5wuexmHp-ykSMw/s1600/DSC_0325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsLsY0Ex1u7Uguq7Ny-Nq6n8wXUIqeRV2nEZo9uXE416EnIDTsLmoPPM5K8XGeqLULS8OjcRxxDwrRaRlPCHjapotrBLfOYN__8nNnQfwV12a_qGY0YZZoe9fDjOU5wuexmHp-ykSMw/s640/DSC_0325.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I'd been looking for something to replace this old table outside. It was fine, but starting to show some wear. We inherited it from my husband's grandparents and though I'd already spray painted it to spruce it up, I think it was on it's last legs!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxrjiHTSZlmbQE2fYwEgM_4Wfd_lTDdIdUK9nBqswxic9PEeYwB9JdnPwdvqxPezCNj330HqTd8DVkNAHLR4sM9vWJYlZXZQNiBXzghX1DPynEgF_yJbCec6EBvy2z87_qMsTE1wU5A/s1600/DSC_0326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWxrjiHTSZlmbQE2fYwEgM_4Wfd_lTDdIdUK9nBqswxic9PEeYwB9JdnPwdvqxPezCNj330HqTd8DVkNAHLR4sM9vWJYlZXZQNiBXzghX1DPynEgF_yJbCec6EBvy2z87_qMsTE1wU5A/s640/DSC_0326.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'd read that Annie Sloan Chalk Paint was a good option for outdoors. I totally agree! This color is French Linen, with a dark wax coat on top. I actually did this over a year ago, and it's still holding up great! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzya56rHNSMVs3QPct9qrd0PVsNoUCCarZxfgbjGSfG5fHCVVfcpQ-bOKWCloCOb_9lTka3jqUSTyGldg-hyuc8bXYWGWCEsRYeOmDZNWQ3YSflYb_yBabFWpJDSqLSCKDWHdIfppmg/s1600/DSC_0375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvzya56rHNSMVs3QPct9qrd0PVsNoUCCarZxfgbjGSfG5fHCVVfcpQ-bOKWCloCOb_9lTka3jqUSTyGldg-hyuc8bXYWGWCEsRYeOmDZNWQ3YSflYb_yBabFWpJDSqLSCKDWHdIfppmg/s640/DSC_0375.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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I picked up a wooden disk at Lowe's, stained it and sealed it with Helmsman Indoor/Outdoor Spar Urethane by Minwax. (It's the best for protecting wood for outdoor use, I think. Thanks, Dad, for the recommendation years ago!) If you look off into the distance of the photo below, you can see our kids' tree swing, made by gluing two of these same disks together. I stained and sealed them the same way, and the swing has held up great too!<br />
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My husband attached the disk from the underside with some screws, but if you're not worried about small children tipping it over, you could probably get away with a strong glue (?). We also put some sand in the base of the milk can to give it a little more stability.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWVLE5DHdhBDZXAdBoju1bDVh8Cvd4vRLAp0_8nCqbrZstG1QBwg35aJgZskPC2_SASI9UKsJCGZbWG-eNiryygKb4d9L2VpWV3sWtizyfUXamTZEVYgUzGIS3r0qps-c8gBsd8t-Fw/s1600/DSC_0377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoWVLE5DHdhBDZXAdBoju1bDVh8Cvd4vRLAp0_8nCqbrZstG1QBwg35aJgZskPC2_SASI9UKsJCGZbWG-eNiryygKb4d9L2VpWV3sWtizyfUXamTZEVYgUzGIS3r0qps-c8gBsd8t-Fw/s640/DSC_0377.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not bad for a $20 investment!Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-38125608765309727592015-07-20T13:08:00.000-06:002015-07-20T13:08:04.946-06:00Small Victories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I can't believe I am actually dedicating a whole post to one corner of my kitchen ceiling. This is getting ridiculous!</div>
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But, as I am learning again and again during this mostly-DIY renovation, you gotta take the little victories whenever you can get them! S-L-O-W is the name of this game, and waiting for the reality to catch up with the vision in my head is teaching me much about patience. :)</div>
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So here again are those pipes in the corner of the kitchen, above the eat-in portion:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxgVSHoPWdhaox-gGkdVg-2fG0YpbCcTVn_dKP5jkyzZjZyROqMibVtTU-b2f-yCJ3osUEuPEoNAjctfCKxyj1Zo6d2gBtI4DFROvv3POHMgqGRXcrHAK8XGDmXXlob3YZf6PJcfVEA/s1600/pipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVxgVSHoPWdhaox-gGkdVg-2fG0YpbCcTVn_dKP5jkyzZjZyROqMibVtTU-b2f-yCJ3osUEuPEoNAjctfCKxyj1Zo6d2gBtI4DFROvv3POHMgqGRXcrHAK8XGDmXXlob3YZf6PJcfVEA/s640/pipes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A few weeks ago I celebrated with you all that I had drywall and those pipes were hidden from sight:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4nwLhAZpvzXdpqkoc63B3XZZqwGLwFrDdGwf03QcU83ujaf3A1gZb29zgNHbhPg3DSl47fr6DwPE1zIxMfku_Imo14UUlxFx6fS7-mxublev6hubPXpgs7RPIpIfGNLeCdPxtF_8cg/s1600/IMG_3061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4nwLhAZpvzXdpqkoc63B3XZZqwGLwFrDdGwf03QcU83ujaf3A1gZb29zgNHbhPg3DSl47fr6DwPE1zIxMfku_Imo14UUlxFx6fS7-mxublev6hubPXpgs7RPIpIfGNLeCdPxtF_8cg/s640/IMG_3061.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And now I can say that it's starting to resemble a real room! The drywall is complete, most of the paint is dry, and over the weekend my husband hung our new light fixture and did some major damage in the woodworking department.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffFi_Qk92DU6tBSr2-4nt91tZosstjlgmWTT2d1AAMl-8NqX4Aep3GTDpGZbPO6DCKLnptDt51nu5Yg7aiXUno-wJtma0ZpF52E3Xi9OjW3ta08Ijm-GX5g-8wKUd5rUmy0i5lvkBJA/s1600/IMG_3108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffFi_Qk92DU6tBSr2-4nt91tZosstjlgmWTT2d1AAMl-8NqX4Aep3GTDpGZbPO6DCKLnptDt51nu5Yg7aiXUno-wJtma0ZpF52E3Xi9OjW3ta08Ijm-GX5g-8wKUd5rUmy0i5lvkBJA/s640/IMG_3108.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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As you can probably tell, I'm still catching up on painting the woodwork.</div>
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And I've also been busy with a project in the adjacent family room...you may be able to see a bit of that if you look closely on the right side of the photo. More on that to come very soon!</div>
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In the meantime, wish me patience, my friends. It's pretty bad when even my 8-year-old daughter knows that it's not one of Mama's strengths!</div>
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Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-27077418303368635292015-06-30T09:50:00.001-06:002015-06-30T09:50:29.494-06:00The Kitchen Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hi everyone! I haven't been around much lately because I haven't had that much to show you. It's been a big old waiting game around here. As much as we love to DIY, there are just some things we didn't want to risk doing ourselves in our kitchen remodel. Plumbing was the scariest one!</div>
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If you remember, this corner of our kitchen that had these lovely toilet pipes coming from our bathrooms upstairs. The 1979 soffits hid them in the old configuration, but the soffits were the first things to get ripped out when we started this project. So...pipes had to go somewhere else! Luckily a very imaginative plumber came to my house last week and was able to reroute them into the walls. So, we went from this...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkBYQ-W9MShIjO2E_GgvIsiIJAO8SbxQM1Us3Ov6DuvYX3gPL9Tgqmt_S-gL3ayxHhx0MsArbjB0Jpt-oxTGvDuda72sqtqBlviTBxBDZg8PjDhfanGu6Sc1ijGDX2eJVETYPr0yQHQ/s1600/pipes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWkBYQ-W9MShIjO2E_GgvIsiIJAO8SbxQM1Us3Ov6DuvYX3gPL9Tgqmt_S-gL3ayxHhx0MsArbjB0Jpt-oxTGvDuda72sqtqBlviTBxBDZg8PjDhfanGu6Sc1ijGDX2eJVETYPr0yQHQ/s640/pipes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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...to this! Same corner to the right of the window. I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to hang some curtains around that window in a few weeks! The soffits used to come down to within an inch of the window top, so a curtain rod was out of the question. Now it feels SO much more open!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnuKCe3J37mbM2GUzFG47w9GytqzxGfvYzESlVTuXuUenlI1HeCn9f5NUN5LzJdqQ7K2WshG4LpzfUP2i_uSVoDKuLQ1sTh7EZchkFDF0jzDwBxdwEAKgGJMvAZNZm8KFsYCye72-fA/s1600/IMG_3061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPnuKCe3J37mbM2GUzFG47w9GytqzxGfvYzESlVTuXuUenlI1HeCn9f5NUN5LzJdqQ7K2WshG4LpzfUP2i_uSVoDKuLQ1sTh7EZchkFDF0jzDwBxdwEAKgGJMvAZNZm8KFsYCye72-fA/s640/IMG_3061.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And in the celebration department, you can also see that we've moved on to the drywall phase! Yippee! My husband says we are now on the upswing of this project, where things will actually start to look better instead of looking progressively worse. Music to my ears! :) So here's a refresher for where we started:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwOVmLrc5A3XpknFqMdH846NuEmzkrlDsExblfoXjCt8Vhy5GX4TRo2EZM8yk3h24U8RxGHCXd7jDfxpVNesQUPzj_7K1k7GsVLIZuKZX8b3qriB1OYX4SsyekaTPzEbhGSRZFoVygA/s1600/kitchen+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwOVmLrc5A3XpknFqMdH846NuEmzkrlDsExblfoXjCt8Vhy5GX4TRo2EZM8yk3h24U8RxGHCXd7jDfxpVNesQUPzj_7K1k7GsVLIZuKZX8b3qriB1OYX4SsyekaTPzEbhGSRZFoVygA/s640/kitchen+old.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We've removed nearly all the cabinets, and we're just saving that sink area for last so we can still have running water for as long as possible. The drywall is hung and we're in the mudding phase right now. By next week I plan to be painting my little heart out, and the following week is slated for the hardwood floor repairs. After that...it's New Cabinet Time (might rival Thanksgiving and Christmas in my holiday rankings this year)!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ddpw3eNC381S9I1MElqANu0mQP6VwLNg897l92Ekpg8A4PpU97P_sUc19NVba7cx_v5R6lgB5PIxiTCMK6IrZkBMzbS4AHauKV9zqTAUk6w7grTDgUMJjAVBgK_EF45sQsK2ScEH0A/s1600/IMG_3060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ddpw3eNC381S9I1MElqANu0mQP6VwLNg897l92Ekpg8A4PpU97P_sUc19NVba7cx_v5R6lgB5PIxiTCMK6IrZkBMzbS4AHauKV9zqTAUk6w7grTDgUMJjAVBgK_EF45sQsK2ScEH0A/s640/IMG_3060.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I know it still takes a lot of imagination to see the beauty in this, and mine's definitely working overtime. As you can see, I'm (perhaps foolishly) still putting flowers in the center of our table and trying to make it as pretty as I can! But hopefully...hopefully...the reality might soon catch up with the dream. I'll keep you posted! </div>
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Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-55494339322085727642015-06-11T13:05:00.001-06:002015-06-11T13:05:46.833-06:00Cleaning Antique Rugs without a Professional<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
As I browse my Pinterest boards, I can see a definite theme running through my Kitchen files...antique rugs. (Some may say <i>old and wrecked</i> but I prefer <i>antique</i>.) I just love how they look scattered on a wood floor in the kitchen.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhod-UQLpxzFgRKKlAp3o6gBEAMLhZLwdXoWUbTGpoACO5ik7M11gKeZHk74Hu_x86bbvJCnli9aMglCDkOfVfSpydBz7pcvRktY84CDJ-GTsjbMfwL1KVr5S2Trwn5rxtxQgyMnU9K0g/s1600/rug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhod-UQLpxzFgRKKlAp3o6gBEAMLhZLwdXoWUbTGpoACO5ik7M11gKeZHk74Hu_x86bbvJCnli9aMglCDkOfVfSpydBz7pcvRktY84CDJ-GTsjbMfwL1KVr5S2Trwn5rxtxQgyMnU9K0g/s640/rug.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
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They bring so much warmth to the room! (That fireplace doesn't hurt either.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwK9_1cFV3TxWCsGg44TgFfz7lryURqUm3B95LOHNTB2b2mDNQ6bmsWT8sdW-sct35YtQk0sWCk0dL_dTGEsyYOVQcwY-ttoVZhKawwGzjpF3PgLyU-37Tzd7WGDnBlW7p7F5QDGkxw/s1600/rug3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwK9_1cFV3TxWCsGg44TgFfz7lryURqUm3B95LOHNTB2b2mDNQ6bmsWT8sdW-sct35YtQk0sWCk0dL_dTGEsyYOVQcwY-ttoVZhKawwGzjpF3PgLyU-37Tzd7WGDnBlW7p7F5QDGkxw/s1600/rug3.jpg" /></a></div>
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These rugs in one of my favorite kitchens of all time may have started my obsession...Joan's from <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">For the Love of a House</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2-7d2v4Ihm9MtAEQEZgBfAzqjZpuVlB28jhOCEnOZJ0mZAdcVp8WhtN29i8pyt8GldFrk8N2XJIZYGxLNyFzctoxbigi9bJ0YOB5qUfkMoVoKpYDPu8YE3jWFnMwcYnWBdUmTvYNrw/s1600/rug4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2-7d2v4Ihm9MtAEQEZgBfAzqjZpuVlB28jhOCEnOZJ0mZAdcVp8WhtN29i8pyt8GldFrk8N2XJIZYGxLNyFzctoxbigi9bJ0YOB5qUfkMoVoKpYDPu8YE3jWFnMwcYnWBdUmTvYNrw/s640/rug4.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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It's freeing to see that these rugs are <u>not perfect</u> and <u>not new</u>. However, it seems this design trend has taken off, so these rugs are often <u>not cheap</u> as well!<br />
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I've been hunting for a rug for our kitchen for the three years we've lived in this house. It would be so easy to spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on these (albeit beautiful) little guys. However, occasionally I will run across one at an antique shop or Craig's List, usually priced to sell because of obvious wear and tear (which I consider a benefit, not a drawback!). I keep my eyes open, and have never paid more than $100 for any of the antique rugs I've found. Once I found a tiny one (around 2x3 feet) for $5 at an estate sale! It was tossed in a corner of their scary basement and <i>oh</i> it was cute but <i>oh</i> was it filthy!<br />
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Because, of course, here's the thing. You get these well-loved, beautiful old rugs, and they've inevitably got lots of well-loved <i><b>dirt</b></i> in them as well. And if you go to a professional rug cleaner, you've effectively blown your budget...or at least, my budget. And I just can't stand the thought of spending money on something I can do myself!<br />
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Case in point: this rug below was less than $40 at an antique shop in Lebanon, Ohio, where my mom took me for a girls' outing for my birthday. So, so cute. So, so dirty.<br />
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Now, what I am about to tell you is completely not professional. Seriously. <u>Use my advice at your own risk</u>! <br />
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Start by vacuuming all the dry dirt out, and if you can, hang the rug outside and use a broom or something (a rug beater?) to beat the dirt out, as must as possible. Then grab some Woolite for Extra Delicates.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VHrFryQxCYaX4YSWSNh2a3_c7-HKxKpSx4V4qqfbVxsbjt1-5LuFufHKKs7vZ8xd1KHEU4y665DxYZM6oEndLEfWB6x_yKgI3RvT_s4LZXoyILpT39rJl57QTelwLM3zFMls7g3dAQ/s1600/IMG_2925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VHrFryQxCYaX4YSWSNh2a3_c7-HKxKpSx4V4qqfbVxsbjt1-5LuFufHKKs7vZ8xd1KHEU4y665DxYZM6oEndLEfWB6x_yKgI3RvT_s4LZXoyILpT39rJl57QTelwLM3zFMls7g3dAQ/s640/IMG_2925.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And head up to your bathtub. Fill it with <u>cold water only</u>. (Warm or hot water could make the colors run!) Submerge your pretty little rug in the water, soaking away the dirt. Rinse. Follow it with more <u>cold</u> water and a dose of Woolite. Now wash it! The method that worked best for me is almost like giving your hair a good shampoo. You kind of massage the soap in there and scrub it around with your hands. Work slowly and make sure you get each section. Then drain the water and give it a good rinse with another tubful of clean <u>cold</u> water. Here is a photo of my rug after it's final rinse, but before I drained the water:<br />
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I used a garbage bag to wrap the rug (so that it wouldn't drip) and took it out to my driveway to hang it on a plastic sawhorse. Next I took my hose (preferably with an attachment so you can use the shower spray) and rinsed the rug, allowing the water to run clear and really get all the soap and debris out. This is strangely therapeutic, by the way. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFR-xU5chMczikftpyUHBZKaSEffttJaL-b5ZF5z28tqzSY3HVlM2Km8_3DwHj61SCdN-GRbhKpmXezoq45eU1Wz_iDDZ8wzekmxVOmMYO3MAnnEeDzKnlotEBVxphiZtYnErlS5SYw/s1600/IMG_2924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiFR-xU5chMczikftpyUHBZKaSEffttJaL-b5ZF5z28tqzSY3HVlM2Km8_3DwHj61SCdN-GRbhKpmXezoq45eU1Wz_iDDZ8wzekmxVOmMYO3MAnnEeDzKnlotEBVxphiZtYnErlS5SYw/s640/IMG_2924.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I left the rug to dry in the shade (not the sun, for fear it might fade the colors). Every few minutes I would go over and squeeze the water out of the bottom as it collected. An old towel is helpful to hold in your hands and help absorb the water while you squeeze.<br />
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After a few days, I brought the rug back inside and gave it a good vacuum to help fluff everything up after it's bath. I have not noticed any color changes or bleeding, just a slightly brighter color palette since the layers of dirt have been scraped off. And now the rug is clean and fresh and waiting for the rest of my kitchen remodel to catch up!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LOvweeIo8_7nbQ98QX0qJBxVTaPdxyslMTmvCyezjq96YrY_97ehaijH6YGtcFSvJ6ageM-PIEl-a4VQNmPmDqKILpyM-XMNhkUo1cGVb31BFuwhhvGvHb7iJ8XmDconUKGg191ldA/s1600/IMG_2987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8LOvweeIo8_7nbQ98QX0qJBxVTaPdxyslMTmvCyezjq96YrY_97ehaijH6YGtcFSvJ6ageM-PIEl-a4VQNmPmDqKILpyM-XMNhkUo1cGVb31BFuwhhvGvHb7iJ8XmDconUKGg191ldA/s640/IMG_2987.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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A few weeks later at another antique shop I stumbled across another little lovely, and gave her the same treatment. She held up as well as the other rug during her bath!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoO_NGa08iaARx14laLKmUzTfuHffZVtxW956bB2pL17oIa1jNW_M7m8eZKMI5iZYaAk3KOLPWYtWGo1JOyna1tIEI-NC0ngR9Bnq_boPLo7qX_EtiDtt5Nr9YcgfRx06XZ4vn44MqQ/s1600/IMG_2986.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoO_NGa08iaARx14laLKmUzTfuHffZVtxW956bB2pL17oIa1jNW_M7m8eZKMI5iZYaAk3KOLPWYtWGo1JOyna1tIEI-NC0ngR9Bnq_boPLo7qX_EtiDtt5Nr9YcgfRx06XZ4vn44MqQ/s640/IMG_2986.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And so, here's the thing. This method will probably get me booed by all the antique experts out there. And honestly, if I ever shelled out big bucks for an antique rug, and was worried about keeping it pristine so that it could hold it's value, then I would absolutely take it to a professional to have it cleaned!<br />
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But. I've never paid more than $100 for any of my rugs, and most of them have been in the $40-$60 range. They come to me well-loved and dirty! And for those prices, I am willing to take a bit of a risk to get them clean so that they can come live at my house and we can all walk around in our bare feet and not get grossed out by wondering what might be in those things!<br />
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But please please take my advice at your own risk. And maybe don't tell any professional rug cleaners about my blog. :)Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-68342864192406639992015-06-09T09:00:00.001-06:002015-06-09T09:00:10.504-06:00A Kitchen Riddle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a riddle for you: </div>
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How many people does it take to figure out how to move a plumbing pipe?</div>
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The answer? Four. It takes at least four. :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMm5_7gwWC3B3aoe6naM_0KYgu7ynUTAcuzSvjOmo5ngYthLlb6B_Y1qfhKts_Uj4AOX1ajARDPepr5_lnplr_hQuDpkIDe_p5zgQX-Xk4QJeP95Ujpe_BLaylWvWy1dKhFftgr3C2w/s1600/IMG_2985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMm5_7gwWC3B3aoe6naM_0KYgu7ynUTAcuzSvjOmo5ngYthLlb6B_Y1qfhKts_Uj4AOX1ajARDPepr5_lnplr_hQuDpkIDe_p5zgQX-Xk4QJeP95Ujpe_BLaylWvWy1dKhFftgr3C2w/s640/IMG_2985.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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We're still knee-deep in ugly over here! My husband and I have been saying how ironic it is that we've made so much progress and yet...it looks worse. Ha! Let me show you the view I have every day when I do the dishes:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixag3cBEEkktOnWOIc1sCFHww68ZYIbJia8rKo1sXVJ4Jmm3pACldxpbNymL9IZ_8TdcKu6sCb_6tMm1L3yD20Rbggv3cZGG_Zy7GfotoO_fZKawFWIeI-ls7y108otaYCvdxaNtwxfA/s1600/IMG_2946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixag3cBEEkktOnWOIc1sCFHww68ZYIbJia8rKo1sXVJ4Jmm3pACldxpbNymL9IZ_8TdcKu6sCb_6tMm1L3yD20Rbggv3cZGG_Zy7GfotoO_fZKawFWIeI-ls7y108otaYCvdxaNtwxfA/s640/IMG_2946.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Peaceful, right? ;)</div>
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But hope is on the horizon. The electrician comes tomorrow, hardwood floor repair happens Thursday, and the plumber should rework those pipes and bury them in the wall next week. Then we'll be ready for some fresh and clean drywall and paint, and (hallelujah!) new cabinets. </div>
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I'll be back later this week with a side project I've been working on, a little gift for our new kitchen when it's completed. In the meantime, enjoy my view!</div>
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Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-42792749659853826012015-06-01T09:04:00.000-06:002015-06-01T09:04:53.921-06:00Oh Lord Help Us, We're Re-Doing Our KitchenI promised you all I'd be keeping it real here on my blog. Well, it doesn't get any more real than this! We're heading for a major kitchen renovation. I know this is weird (<i>and maybe I'm just weird!</i>) but I really love it when bloggers let us into the process of a renovation. Because truly, as much fun as it is to watch Fixer Upper and see the whole house transformed in an hour while I sip on a glass of wine, <i>come on! </i> We all know it's a lot more painful than that. So now you all get to join in my pain!<br />
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Here's a photo of our kitchen from when the old owner still lived here. I know it's not my style at all, but can you tell from this photo how warm the house felt? They really loved it well, spent so many happy years here and raised their sweet family. The house has good memories, I know.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbQwFepcoqV3qyLhmsxBhjdm4kmD4U8IoM1_q_FCmqanf0zojainrMiL0IuiGy-CIP8vB9XzeoUVLRVFhQiNCVqdL_6CszARr7NAegZNTiezjgnY2vExKckT3anL5QhX9xpDcu7uziQ/s1600/kitchen+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbQwFepcoqV3qyLhmsxBhjdm4kmD4U8IoM1_q_FCmqanf0zojainrMiL0IuiGy-CIP8vB9XzeoUVLRVFhQiNCVqdL_6CszARr7NAegZNTiezjgnY2vExKckT3anL5QhX9xpDcu7uziQ/s640/kitchen+old.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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My husband had the genius idea to break that wall down (the one with the stove on it) and enlarge the kitchen into the dining room. You may remember we've already <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2015/01/hello-everyone-its-january.html" target="_blank">relocated the dining room</a> to our huge front room/living room/library. (We really don't know what to call it anymore!) The old dining room was pretty small, especially when we tried to have more than six people at the table, so this was a natural solution.<br />
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So here are my own personal DIY Show stars, all ready to break some stuff, whether by hammer or by...sword.<br />
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Starting to look like we're making progress...</div>
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And now it's really serious.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dhD1hCjQj3OD31FJZv2Kv4PSJj4B6Rk-ECDuGr_M8SEGAnpH94ou0am6cMu-bQVzm6BMiaWEheoltUpDmhcyMKGT-XiV71Q4vanEjGoIf8_yFKdUrJCg2fR3nQ0FKUW4H3dWZ715LA/s1600/IMG_2931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_dhD1hCjQj3OD31FJZv2Kv4PSJj4B6Rk-ECDuGr_M8SEGAnpH94ou0am6cMu-bQVzm6BMiaWEheoltUpDmhcyMKGT-XiV71Q4vanEjGoIf8_yFKdUrJCg2fR3nQ0FKUW4H3dWZ715LA/s640/IMG_2931.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And this is about where we are now. We had to rip out some pretty unbelievable soffits above the cabinets. They just weighed the whole room down. Unfortunately they also contained quite a bit of wiring, plumbing, and HVAC. Of course!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrCPwsWqG9jm1mvMfVvahS2zifUg0gjty2662C7WLM6lmgFSTy4Yl47ihOO1JwXjwCt8caJTBGBNCrZezj9DpjcSD94cXhhXT9g06aguDFsHW8cFUtKsA_5ocSn5orc4TzkUSRn_U3Q/s1600/DSC_0379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCrCPwsWqG9jm1mvMfVvahS2zifUg0gjty2662C7WLM6lmgFSTy4Yl47ihOO1JwXjwCt8caJTBGBNCrZezj9DpjcSD94cXhhXT9g06aguDFsHW8cFUtKsA_5ocSn5orc4TzkUSRn_U3Q/s640/DSC_0379.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now we are in the phase where we try to rework or reroute all of the stuff that used to hide in the soffits, so that our walls can be regular height and our new cabinets can reach all the way to our 8-foot ceilings. To be honest, this is the part that is hardest for me mentally. I don't have the skill to do any of the work, and even when it gets done, it really hasn't made the kitchen look any prettier. I just have to keep telling myself the ugly has to happen before the pretty can come!<br />
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One more thing to do...repair the floor where the old wall and cabinets came down.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYe_8nPGlEXIfTFIUJB3Z_zdUQXbfgNPZdZohRASxA8LEmv3fUZawZPCgEH9v_AGzF14J3zAUMLCJwL3CRDMo3EgOPNL2u_tMdg5f-Bccem0cB8LHg3ruoJwFEuftah5MwldlMDljpow/s1600/DSC_0381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYe_8nPGlEXIfTFIUJB3Z_zdUQXbfgNPZdZohRASxA8LEmv3fUZawZPCgEH9v_AGzF14J3zAUMLCJwL3CRDMo3EgOPNL2u_tMdg5f-Bccem0cB8LHg3ruoJwFEuftah5MwldlMDljpow/s640/DSC_0381.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The bane of our kitchen are these plumbing pipes. Trying to figure out some way to get them hidden in the walls. They stick out almost 12 inches and used to be hidden in those soffits. Hmmm... awaiting professional plumber!<br />
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We are working with a kitchen design company to create the new layout. I initially thought I would DIY, but I can't tell you how helpful it has been to have a professional involved. I'm still selecting all the colors and finishes and design elements, but having someone measure things and tell me what kind of clearance we need around the island, where to put the dishwasher, work triangle, etc. has been SO much better. We want to live here for many, many years, and I want to do this kitchen <i>once</i> and do it right!<br />
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And when things feel really slow-moving or frustrating, I just come back to my computer screen and stare at the photo that has inspired my remodel. Photo quality is blurry, I am sorry!, but it's from an old Southern Living article a few years ago. Ahhh...<br />
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You'll be hearing about this kitchen a lot, and I hope to pass along any tips I can about how to make it happen without losing my mind, or breaking the bank!Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-30912307694355593312015-05-27T12:12:00.002-06:002015-05-27T12:12:54.596-06:00Williamsburg Inspiration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well friends, I must admit...my determination to get back into blogging has been unfortunately timed with the end of the school year for my kiddos. I'm so busy running around buying teacher gifts and planning ice cream parties I haven't had much time for blogging! </div>
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So before May is completely over, I thought I'd share a quick inspiration I had last month when my family and I went to Colonial Williamsburg for spring break! And just for the record...<u><i>great</i></u> trip for an 8 and 6 year old...<i><u>not so great</u></i> trip for a 1 year old with fast legs and grabby hands. Hence the baby backpack in the (very unposed) photo below!</div>
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Williamsburg in April was just gorgeous. Greener than my native Ohio, with the yellow and purple flowers just peeking out. Unbelievable!<br />
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I know absolutely nothing about photography, but the scenery was so pretty that it made even my photos look good!<br />
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One day we (over) paid for our older two kids to rent a colonial costume. This was SO much fun for Nina, our daughter. She spent her time curtsying and acting very demure, as she believed a young colonial lady should. It was so sweet!<br />
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Our son Henry was less than thrilled with the costume options for boys, but got really psyched when they showed him the hat. The hat couldn't save him from a few 6-year-old catastrophes, though, as you can see below. (I think this particular one had to do with not wanting to walk because <i>his <u>legs</u> <u>huuurrrt</u></i>!!!) It's so hard to be Henry sometimes.<br />
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Eventually we did get him to smile!<br />
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The beauty of Williamsburg is just so lovely because it's so untouched. I love our suburban home in Ohio and our little community here, but what I wouldn't give to live on a farm (maybe minus the farm chores)!<br />
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So I came home and gave my suburban home a little farmhouse love with colors that reminded me of our trip. It's the little things, right?<br />
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I hope you all have a wonderful last few days of May. Can you believe it's almost summer??<br />
<br />Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-83180112832498854642015-05-20T07:51:00.002-06:002015-05-20T07:51:54.276-06:00Remodeling the Basement, Part IV<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Are you guys sick of my basement yet? I kind of am. I promise you this is the last installment of this series, but I can't stop until you've seen the rest of it! Plus I think this part is the most dramatic change, so that's kind of fun too!</div>
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Here's a before shot of the basement. You can see off in the distance that the left side (as you come down the basement stairs) was open, with a large structural pole in the middle (covered by paneling). They had a pool table over there. </div>
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We really liked the openness of it, but when sweet Vivi was born, we gave up our guest room to make her nursery. (Good problem.) Plus, my husband Brent works from home, so he was desperate to have an office with a <i>real door that closed</i>, so that he could actually get stuff done if the kids were in their playroom during his workday.<br />
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I am so proud to say that handyman Brent did all this! He built walls, installed doors, hung new paneling to match the old stuff, moved the stair railing from one side of the stairs to the other, built shelves...basically everything! We hired someone for the electrical because we thought it would be better if the house didn't burn down. :)<br />
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So that door to the right leads to Brent's (tiny) home office, but he claims he likes that room better because it catches some of the natural light from the other side of the basement. My favorite part is that antique door. We picked it up on Craig's List, sanded it down and re-stained it, found some new hardware, and then hung it on a sliding track. It's such a tiny room that a traditional door would have been really hard. Plus, we love how the warm wood of the antique door is the first thing you see when you come down the stairs!<br />
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Here's a slightly better shot of the office. It's so small and the lighting is so weird that it's hard to get a good photo. And I haven't found time to hide all those computer wires so it's not very pretty either!<br />
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Behind Brent's desk is a closet with some simple wood shelves. I hung those curtains believing that they would actually close and hide some of the clutter...but they've never once been closed, I don't think. Oh well!<br />
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The view from his desk chair. My husband was (he would say <i><u>is</u></i>) an Eagle Scout. See all those patches? Maybe that's why he's so handy. He could probably also tie some really cool knots, but we haven't found an avenue for that particular skill yet. :)<br />
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OK, back out to the hallway. Here's a shot of the old basement, with the stairs on the left to orient you.<br />
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And here's our new guest room! You can kind of see the doorjamb in the foreground there, which is now the first thing you encounter on your left when you get to the bottom of the stairs.</div>
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I really wanted to make the room feel cozy, which I guess is good because there are no windows over on this side of the basement. I didn't want people to feel all creeped out when they stay at our house! This inspiration picture below (from Ballard I think?) was kind of what I was going for...but I was trying to use what we already had in the house, so mine's not nearly as pretty as theirs!<br />
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It's not a huge room but there's enough space for suitcases and hopefully no one has yet hit their head on our drop ceiling tiles. That door you see below leads to the storage room and furnace.<br />
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Antique dresser from Craig's List with some simple new knobs from Hobby Lobby to spice it up a bit!<br />
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My little helper in the corner!<br />
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I tried to add a lot of little lamps around the room, but kept the shades black with gold lining in the inside. The gold lining reflects the light and is key for <u>warm</u> light. If you have a black shade without a lining, I find the light to be cold and almost purple...makes me feel like I'm in a hospital! So if I have a shade that doesn't have a lining at all, I've actually had good luck with using a thin bead of hot glue on the inside edges and some gold fabric and attaching one myself. OR, if your shade has a lining already but it isn't gold, you can get gold acrylic paint and some liquid fabric paint medium (to mix with regular paint to create fabric paint) and re-paint the inside of the shade if it's got a different color liner. Make sense? I can't tell you what a difference it makes to the whole feel of a room!<br />
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Below is a scrap piece of barn wood on the wall. We attached some old doorknobs we'd collected and then I just sealed the barn wood with some clear polyurethane. The queen headboard was another Craig's List find, and originally it was all wood, but I painted the trim and bedposts with some Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in French Linen (dark wax on top).<br />
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This is the closet off the guest room. It was big enough to fit a work table in there, so now I can keep my sewing machine set up and not have to move it from room to room to get it out of the way! (Still I can only sew straight lines.)<br />
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Lots of shelves and storage options, but we made sure to include a spot for guests to hang some clothes if they need to. Just have to move my gift wrap out of the way if they do! :)<br />
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My husband rolls his eyes at the sheer number of little lamps I have all over my house, but they make such a difference for me, especially in this closet. Instead of a teeny tiny prison cell, it actually feels cozy when I'm working down here!<br />
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So there you have it! The basement is complete. Now I'll stop going on and on about it like your Great Uncle Merle with a four-hour slide show of his trip to Arizona. :)Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-30788570593046873552015-05-12T11:39:00.004-06:002015-05-12T16:15:04.033-06:00Remodeling the Basement, Part III<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thank you all so much for your comments and emails to me after my last post. Truly. I wasn't sure if I had done the right thing by getting so real on this blog but your responses have been so gracious and positive. Just another lesson that we don't need more perfection, just reality! So much easier to relate to. :) I am so, so touched, and I thank you sincerely. </div>
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I'm back today to share with you more of the major overhaul that our 1970s-era basement received recently. Below you can see a "before" photo, from the previous owners. It was very vintage and cozy down there, but needed a little facelift to bring it into modern day!</div>
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As I mentioned before, we started by painting the wood panels. It brightened things up right away! Our couch and TV are in basically the same place as the before photo.<br />
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Below is a little closer view. I wanted to bring in some warm colors and lamps to cozy it up in here. We've all been in basements that feel cold and sterile and they always have me racing back for the rooms above ground. I was trying to create a room I'd actually like to hang out in!<br />
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This antique dresser was less than $100 at an antique shop. It's not in great shape, but it doesn't have to hold a lot of weight, and probably my kids' plastic sword fights and who-knows-what-else will finish the wrecking job, but who cares?<br />
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My husband removed one of the drawers, added some hinges and chains to the drawer front and re-attached it. Now we can easily hide the DVD and cable box. Just a little magnet keeps it closed. I would have been nervous to hack up a more expensive dresser, but I love the freedom of my little bargain hunting finds!<br />
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To the right of the couch area is the kids' play zone. Those built-ins were here when we moved in, how great is that? They hide so much junk! I can promise you it never looks this clean. Usually we can't see the floors!<br />
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I added some panels on either side of the glass block windows mostly because I hang curtains on everything that'll stand still. :) <br />
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And here's a view looking back on the room from over near the built-ins. Sorry for the bad lighting! <br />
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And because I'm determined to keep it real around here, I'll leave you with a photo of how this area usually looks, before Mama swoops in and cleans it up for a blog photo!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwlmTDz0-RQwedDwBz-0OZ7OCLU0nTCrr9gNC3FvEP3aCg5iWz7R9e56E56pWGLl6xmD-sM-_UCqrmOzYTjJUSaVAVT2XfK7XJCQkvnlSEwwctJ056sJghsRdLSO_zx6p9qsnfXMRtA/s1600/DSC_0193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwlmTDz0-RQwedDwBz-0OZ7OCLU0nTCrr9gNC3FvEP3aCg5iWz7R9e56E56pWGLl6xmD-sM-_UCqrmOzYTjJUSaVAVT2XfK7XJCQkvnlSEwwctJ056sJghsRdLSO_zx6p9qsnfXMRtA/s640/DSC_0193.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll be back later in the week with the final (I promise!) installment of our basement remodel. Then on to some new stuff! Have a great day!Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-68897371716570592352015-05-08T19:07:00.000-06:002015-05-08T19:17:21.690-06:00A Post that Hopefully Won't Scare You Away<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="text-align: left;">I've been contemplating this post for awhile. I'm really freaked out about publishing it, and butterflies (buzzing bees?) have been in my belly all day. Maybe there's no one left out there who still visits here, and I'm scared for nothing! :) But I'm compelled to post for many reasons, and I thank two bloggers, a longtime favorite, </span><a href="http://www.hollymathisinteriors.com/blog/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Holly Mathis</a><span style="text-align: left;">, and a new discovery, </span><a href="http://braveheartedbeauty.com/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Linsey of Bravehearted Beauty</a>, for their brave and honest writing that set examples for me<span style="text-align: left;">.</span></div>
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I was talking with a friend recently and remarked that if your life looks perfect and "put together" on the outside, people will naturally assume that you have everything together on the inside too. I know that's generally how I operate. It got me thinking about my blog. Can you believe I've been writing here <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2008/08/welcome.html" target="_blank">since 2008</a>? Almost <i>seven</i> years! It used to be that I was more candid with you all about my "real" life. I let you know when I was <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2009/01/baby-time.html" target="_blank">heading to the hospital to have our baby boy</a> in 2009. I told you honestly when I was really struggling with <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2010/09/deck-and-also-im-homesick.html" target="_blank">homesickness and loneliness</a> after our move to San Francisco in 2011. But soon after that I went into hibernation, as I called it, cut way back on my blogging, and basically stopped the personal sharing.</div>
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I know many of you just visit me here for the decorating stuff, and I totally get it! That's mostly why I read blogs too. :) We crafty girls have to stick together! (And I'm still mostly all about decorating here.) But I've started noticing that I really love knowing more about the person behind the cute window treatments or fabulous garage sale find. Somehow it makes me feel like I <i>know</i> her, and then I become even more interested in what she's up to in her decorating schemes. I suspect you all are like me in that way. And, since some of you have been with me for almost seven years...or maybe just for the past seven minutes...I wanted to let you in on what's really been going on.</div>
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The photo below was taken in November, 2011. It was my husband's first half marathon, one he had trained extensively for and, unexpectedly, got injured for, a few weeks before the race. He crossed the finish line, but due to his injury he had to walk a decent bit and was really disappointed with his performance. Because of some of the info on his race "bib," the spectators in this race could easily discern what had happened to this young(ish!) guy hobbling by with obvious disappointment all over him. The bib gave away his age category, his first name, and the "corral" he started in. Anyone who knew the unique lexicon of reading a race bib could tell that this guy was having a rough race. He'll never forget the calls of encouragement - very personal and specific sometimes - that got him through those 13.1 miles.</div>
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That really got me thinking. I mean, how many of us are fighting very real battles in our personal lives, ones that don't allow for cheering spectators? Right before this race, in early October, I had undergone a D&C for a miscarriage late in my first trimester. I was incredibly far from my midwestern home, living in San Francisco with two little ones and very little support system, family and friends multiple time zones away. I was already really bad off, as some of you may remember. I was still raw the morning of my husband's race, and as I watched all these athletes reaching goals and crossing finish lines and slapping high fives, alongside my struggling husband, I said to myself "What would the stats on my race bib say right now?" <i>Reeling from Miscarriage. Crippling Loneliness. Homesickness and Depression. Loss of Hope. </i>If they made such a race bib for everyday life (and maybe they should), I wonder if we'd all benefit from the honesty.<br />
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Ironically, it was that miscarriage that forced me to be honest within the fledgling friendships I was creating in California. I was amazed at the outpouring of love I received from people who barely knew me. I had started telling people about our pregnancy because, let's face it, by baby #3 it kind of announces itself before you're necessarily ready to announce it! So there were quite a few people I had to "untell" when they couldn't find a heartbeat at 12 weeks. I hated every second of that forced transparency. I know that if I had had my own choice, I would have dealt with my grief in private. That's why I dropped off the face of the blogging world, and why no one in this space ever knew what happened.<br />
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A few months later, at my husband's office Christmas party, someone snapped this photo. I guess we look happy. But when I look at it, all I can see is the utter misery inside, and I'm exhausted even now just thinking about how hard it was just to look like I wasn't about to fall apart. But it's a cute photo and looks like we're happy and fun and lighthearted. It's so easy for us to let people think we're OK.<br />
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The next year was rough. We encountered unexplained infertility for over a year after our miscarriage. Living in a beat-up, non-pretty house with a highway in my backyard affected me more than I'd like to admit, compounding the homesickness. My dad was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. (Thank God he is cancer-free today after surgery and six months of chemotherapy.) Then we had two more early miscarriages. I started undergoing tests to figure out why my pregnancy "record" was a heartbreaking 2-4. (I had also had a miscarriage before the birth of our oldest daughter, bringing my total at the time to 2 living children and 4 losses.) We discovered I have a blood clotting disorder called MTHFR, as well as a genetic condition known as Mosaic Turner's Syndrome, which, as best geneticists can tell, damaged the chromosomes in some of my eggs, but not all, so that each month became a roll of the dice: <i>good egg?</i> or <i>bad egg leading to</i> <i>unavoidable miscarriage?</i> It felt like every single thing in my life needed help, grace...fixing. <br />
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Finally, we were able to <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2012/07/coming-out-of-hibernation.html" target="_blank">move back to Ohio</a>, to my hometown, surrounded by family again, in June of 2012. We went from this (a small snapshot of the scary carpet in our run-down rental home in California):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXpkSstTp0WoeGLVI_FAw5jRYRKRHu14RAs-unm3tdTAM6H_jc-g1v0bhbrMBbHH0esVhJ2hi1Q_FWZT_B9XqFcSmwZzSyLCJIX5rJ_Zmn2LxYaSPToXPVu2NraoVksK_pmdxYiWstw/s1600/IMG_1040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXpkSstTp0WoeGLVI_FAw5jRYRKRHu14RAs-unm3tdTAM6H_jc-g1v0bhbrMBbHH0esVhJ2hi1Q_FWZT_B9XqFcSmwZzSyLCJIX5rJ_Zmn2LxYaSPToXPVu2NraoVksK_pmdxYiWstw/s640/IMG_1040.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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To this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ggACuOZ7VkgCM7ORZBHIulfoX312kSslCksAwvTFtr7LgazmYFZDQ6hMSF7z_5lSOm-nKQcly3WE41cf3WAfK0gmwBt97oTssZcikONJvbbB0GyboeU_kfDE62fLZ4tT-5zQOvZvWg/s1600/DSC_0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ggACuOZ7VkgCM7ORZBHIulfoX312kSslCksAwvTFtr7LgazmYFZDQ6hMSF7z_5lSOm-nKQcly3WE41cf3WAfK0gmwBt97oTssZcikONJvbbB0GyboeU_kfDE62fLZ4tT-5zQOvZvWg/s640/DSC_0711.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And in November 2012 we discovered we were pregnant again. The doctors couldn't say for sure if this baby would be healthy or...not. It wasn't until the 20 week ultrasound that they said with any degree of certainty that we were out of the woods. After our losses, though, there was not a single minute of that entire nine months that I believed I was going to get a baby out of this. Not a single "we're pregnant!" Facebook post. In fact, I cried in fear when my mom brought me a baby gift when I was 38 weeks pregnant. I had gestational diabetes, scary blood clots in my legs, and "high risk" fetal monitoring all the time. My doctor tells me that during active labor in the hospital I was still asking if the baby was alive. Fear can be so crippling, can steal so much joy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ysHmgjASne8vh300ydAWrNZzKApJ_M1DiDQB3EWcSL46RVYjxnZK0qGJuOCbvR1C-A-96Oa304U6lms2hAsCo2pW8Ga2g77aExOXNg9kFitKlv_7abQdeKTIukMmKM_8A8Hqc8xAXA/s1600/IMG_1402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ysHmgjASne8vh300ydAWrNZzKApJ_M1DiDQB3EWcSL46RVYjxnZK0qGJuOCbvR1C-A-96Oa304U6lms2hAsCo2pW8Ga2g77aExOXNg9kFitKlv_7abQdeKTIukMmKM_8A8Hqc8xAXA/s640/IMG_1402.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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But Vivian Frances did come into the world on August 9, 2013. My words can't describe my feelings of relief and thankfulness. <br />
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Vivi's birth didn't fix everything. I am beyond thankful for all that God has given me, my precious husband, beautiful children, and forever home in Ohio. But this post is not meant to be a "Hey, I had it real bad but look at me now!" kind of thing. I have anxiety every day and things are not perfect, never will be. We <i><u>all</u></i> walk around with scars and wounds that have changed the core of who we are. I share my story partly because of what I said earlier, that I like to "get to know" other bloggers and after seven years here I'd like to get back to making this blog more of a community. I am full of ideas for future house posts and have some major projects on the horizon. I'll be posting more regularly for sure!<br />
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But if I am going to be posting more regularly, I want to start clean. Let you in on where I've been, so you're getting more than just the shiny, pretty finished product. Lately this blog has made both my personal life and my home decorating look effortless, showing a lot of <i><u>befores and afters</u></i>, and not a lot of <i><u>durings</u></i>, if you know what I mean. If someone presents a pulled-together exterior, we assume the interior is just as pulled-together. And I'm done with that. Honestly, if I had all the money in the world, I still think I'd love the thrill of the project, of bringing something from ugly to beauty, the junky Craig's List castoff being sanded and painted and buffed into something new. (I think God in His grace loves that too.) I like the process. And I thought you might like the process too...both in life and in decorating. So I'll be showing you more of both, I think.<br />
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I'll be back with some fun new house stuff next week! I'm still the Queen Bee, and I am still (my husband might say, <i>unfortunately</i>) always looking for the next new project! :) In the meantime, though, thank you for your kindness, and for reading.<br />
<br />Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-14626814001715486732015-04-05T12:13:00.001-06:002015-04-07T08:34:03.723-06:00Remodeling the Basement, Part II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Happy Easter! He has Risen!! I hope your day has been as wonderful as mine so far, with just a few chocolate eggs or a breakfast mimosa thrown in for good measure. :)</div>
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I'm getting close to being able to share with you the major overhaul our basement has gotten. Today I'll start with just one corner of it. We were SO thrilled when we bought our house almost three years ago that the basement was already finished. It has a little bathroom, <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2015/02/remodeling-basement-part-i.html" target="_blank">which I've already shown you</a>. And the rest of it was carpeted and insulated and...wood-paneled. </div>
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Now hold on! I know just as much as the next design junkie that there are people all over the map on this issue...to paint or not to paint the wood? I myself stand on both sides of the fence, depending on the state of the wood and the feel of the room. This wood paneling in my basement had it's heyday in 1979, the year the house was built. It was in good shape (i.e. we could not justify ripping it out) but it was pretty dated. Also it was that pre-fab, pressed wood that you install in sections, not wide-planked wood boards that were hand-cut by Amish craftsmen. So, no guilt for this girl when that paint went up! Here's the before shot:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDLCrTFzrMBCY-kqKmiYs3W58fHHFK6_T0jo2UV_1uMFg4I2tegVkw3s_-vO7j4DfKP32HIg0O7F4QbgsejulvJeb27i7oNMtApG75QDLJzm5Nnc6tEuuwx_YcRceJ9TxXCX7D2Sb3A/s1600/IMG_0666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTDLCrTFzrMBCY-kqKmiYs3W58fHHFK6_T0jo2UV_1uMFg4I2tegVkw3s_-vO7j4DfKP32HIg0O7F4QbgsejulvJeb27i7oNMtApG75QDLJzm5Nnc6tEuuwx_YcRceJ9TxXCX7D2Sb3A/s1600/IMG_0666.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Please forgive the lighting of these photos. It's hard to capture the cozy feel of the basement (how I like it!) without turning on the overhead florescent lights that I just hate. Plus I have no idea how to work the settings on my camera! :)<br />
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Moving on...My husband was thrilled because he's been collecting "bar" paraphernalia for years, and has even dabbled in brewing his own craft beer at home. Just call this his "man corner" since we can't really give him the whole room to justify calling it a "man cave."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPXVJxKOTPdweDIzGxhscu-87Liqot95J3cX8ZIisGNSp5PfmnTbCer8bjL7d5OMpg66LHTOLuP_EmJgxTZGxgc2FGMtLqOakeop-t8NgX6lKz4ZpIJjO-lYWD49Gm23lLCjHDWOD_A/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPXVJxKOTPdweDIzGxhscu-87Liqot95J3cX8ZIisGNSp5PfmnTbCer8bjL7d5OMpg66LHTOLuP_EmJgxTZGxgc2FGMtLqOakeop-t8NgX6lKz4ZpIJjO-lYWD49Gm23lLCjHDWOD_A/s1600/DSC_0017.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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All. That. Wood. Paneling. Painting it was a L-O-N-G process, but we'd just had baby Vivian a few months prior, and we figured we were house-bound with a sleeping infant so we'd have plenty of time. It took two coats of oil based primer (a MUST for durability and longevity, not to mention that it covered SO much better than a latex primer). Then we did two coats of water-based Sherwin-Williams "Roman Column" on top.<br />
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Brent finally got to display all his goodies and glasses and bottles. We hung an old stained glass window, picked up years ago at a Virginia antique shop, to give it an English pub kind of feel (plus it divides the space between the bar and the rest of the room, which is the kids' playroom). Brent also built that long shelf you see below from a piece of barn wood we picked up on Craig's List, and, after all these years, his wife finally let him mount that glowing, electric sign that is exhibited so prominently. :)<br />
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He also wanted to name his man corner, and so one night we were tossing names around and "Grumpy Goat" was the winner. It's what we call our kids when they wake up on the wrong side of the bed. I'm not sure how it started but over the years we've amassed many photos of our three kiddos in various stages of grumpy goat-ness (as I'm sure all parents have!). So if he ever gets really fancy and starts printing bottle labels for his home brew, let's just say we've got a wealth of images to brand the Grumpy Goat Tap House into a household name! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wo8D_JOCN288jQQezCabpFVKwZDs2CCI9J4aVkbgwFj-dfbQZJbda1HuFlwLRLJCZVbkHXg9ShuUiORziEI0snMbz6us7SjY3OoSzil8nG_QW69-Hvf4sGi6HhzlWmzLDTJzrSTMgg/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wo8D_JOCN288jQQezCabpFVKwZDs2CCI9J4aVkbgwFj-dfbQZJbda1HuFlwLRLJCZVbkHXg9ShuUiORziEI0snMbz6us7SjY3OoSzil8nG_QW69-Hvf4sGi6HhzlWmzLDTJzrSTMgg/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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The color on the lower half of the bar has become my most favorite shade of green! In fact I've used it in our front room for the back of the <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2015/01/hello-everyone-its-january.html" target="_blank">built-in bookshelves</a>, and also on a bathroom cabinet I haven't shown you yet. I'm forever looking for a "warm" green, if there is such a thing, one that goes with the other warm colors in my house and is not minty or "cool" at all. It's called "City Arboretum" by Valspar.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiek7HuEP-IfPIdUURo25MXRQBYf4qtLjd67r8h0NTgG7LlDIdsaVN66e6tDw18VlNqv-d6N4gY25tLTfu0LySjsM8Xx0NWzLyfJ-IWZK9DmCKALVvXc5ov-20_0pmGGhAQY4Szqyp-w/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiek7HuEP-IfPIdUURo25MXRQBYf4qtLjd67r8h0NTgG7LlDIdsaVN66e6tDw18VlNqv-d6N4gY25tLTfu0LySjsM8Xx0NWzLyfJ-IWZK9DmCKALVvXc5ov-20_0pmGGhAQY4Szqyp-w/s1600/DSC_0026.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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I'll show you more of the basement soon! Truth be told, my husband is downstairs right now finishing the last big project down there, and I'm hoping to get it in place before I show you the rest. One step at a time...its taken a year and a half to finish the project...why rush now? :)Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-40141353359560494662015-03-17T15:30:00.000-06:002015-03-17T15:30:18.141-06:00Responding to Comments and a (late) Valentine's Day Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Friends, I have a small request for help. I am rather rusty on the way that Blogger works, but when I get time to come here and read your sweet comments, I wish there were a way to reply directly to you on my blog. (Kind of like Facebook, you know? If someone comments on something I post, I can at least "Like" their comment or tag them in my comment so they will easily see that I have replied.)</div>
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The way I understand it now, I can comment on my own blog posts in response to you, but there's no way to make sure you <u><i>know</i></u> I've commented, unless you just happen to come back here and check (which I don't for one second expect to rank high on your priority list!). </div>
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My point is, it feels wrong to let all your generous comments (or sometimes questions that you want answered) just sit here unacknowledged, when they all brighten my day so much! Just wondering if I'm missing something and there's a way to reply to you on this blog.</div>
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And since I've asked for a favor, I will share a small project to make it up to you! Just ignore the fact that this is over a month late!</div>
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<u><b>Easy Valentine's Day Wreath</b></u></div>
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I'll be the first to admit I don't go all out for Valentine's Day. My little boy Henry's birthday is January 23, and just on the heels of Christmas, it about wears me out every year! By the time February hits, I'm pretty impressed with myself if I can muster some heart-shaped pancakes for breakfast and get a few little goodies to let my family know they are my special valentines.</div>
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But things do get a little drab this time of year, so I did manage to pull together a small wreath to brighten up the place! I took a wire hanger from my husband's dry cleaning stash, bent it into a rough heart shape, and then twisted some (formerly Christmas) berries around it.</div>
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Please note my 18 month old helper in the window.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSrdndRo9J4unw5oI4efYfBI4x9WvKOSYqnpE9z7MJTNTO0oE7JuSp4jzObf4turpH46vQwFHgD0FAnxgKBKYFmCT4c-jwtJhRhXziNoA2sY_IA3vKb3WIujMUCgHdhMAXpCQ__nlMA/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJSrdndRo9J4unw5oI4efYfBI4x9WvKOSYqnpE9z7MJTNTO0oE7JuSp4jzObf4turpH46vQwFHgD0FAnxgKBKYFmCT4c-jwtJhRhXziNoA2sY_IA3vKb3WIujMUCgHdhMAXpCQ__nlMA/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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It wasn't fancy and it took me all of 15 minutes but I love simple projects like that! The wreath is only about 9 inches high and would have gotten lost by itself hanging on the door, but layering it on top of my larger winter wreath works perfectly!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9BSazNVVtMaMJPIcIXG41019EZofxi1hNb02is2ud5UYBkaGT_3r2qbWr3-WKHqaqas6YH7YC_aWyNHoP-m-1676QxBlBq8skcKKcSS4VD-5avSUaGuQNe5tUS22-MtM4h6QS4vyFw/s1600/DSC_0034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9BSazNVVtMaMJPIcIXG41019EZofxi1hNb02is2ud5UYBkaGT_3r2qbWr3-WKHqaqas6YH7YC_aWyNHoP-m-1676QxBlBq8skcKKcSS4VD-5avSUaGuQNe5tUS22-MtM4h6QS4vyFw/s1600/DSC_0034.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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And I love the striped ribbon too. Now just go ahead and forget that today is St. Patrick's Day and <i><u>not</u></i> Valentine's. :)Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-45920162796591537242015-03-05T09:13:00.000-07:002015-03-05T09:13:36.577-07:00Lack of Patience Decorating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Good morning! Just popping into the blog for a quick minute to share a little decorating trick I just used. Its nothing earth-shattering, but maybe some of you out there are in the same boat I was in, and this could be a temporary solution!</div>
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We have this big room in the front of the house <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2015/01/hello-everyone-its-january.html" target="_blank">that I've blogged about a lot recently</a>. Ultimately it will turn into a dining room + library/study. I don't know if its because the room is so big, or the fact that it's the first room you see once you come past our entryway, but I just kept staring at it and hadn't been able to figure out how to make it work! Nothing felt completely right. Eventually our dining room furniture was going to live in here, but in the short-term it was just this big room that I didn't know how to fill. </div>
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One of my biggest pet peeves is spending money on things that won't have a long life in our house. So as much as I wanted to add library couches or a beautiful antique wooden table to fill this room, what would I do with those pieces down the road? Instead I stumbled upon this round folding card table at the Goodwill:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r3qmIfMbXrcYzUSi-eTriEO4tAEt_ZNm-ZSkv2j-cl4nGO0V-EmTCTe1cNoIYKN6NK-JxgiBSZR-F9bRdOKWlEbtsp_yWWO0JLSZXBKOSxxPKbxi1_uX6OddHwOJUDu34q00jNxsNQ/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6r3qmIfMbXrcYzUSi-eTriEO4tAEt_ZNm-ZSkv2j-cl4nGO0V-EmTCTe1cNoIYKN6NK-JxgiBSZR-F9bRdOKWlEbtsp_yWWO0JLSZXBKOSxxPKbxi1_uX6OddHwOJUDu34q00jNxsNQ/s1600/DSC_0169.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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Luckily I live in a city with a Ballard Designs outlet center (it's in West Chester, in case anyone in Ohio <i>doesn't</i> know about this!). I waited until they were having a sale on tablecloths and got this camel-colored one. Its not an exact match in size but close enough! Then I hemmed some scrap fabric I had in the basement to make an overlay for the tablecloth.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrGO8NkqxSJz50-1plAQ_4a7DZSKE2MbymCVgm2oaCn3XCVPMh-FQY2aA3IqkpMtqlcLXk_LSTAOQwUB2rnyUhrF0M3QZUEQEVBAM5NbjDmVdhmjXhnNzC73w4kbb1WsUlODlb3VgIw/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrGO8NkqxSJz50-1plAQ_4a7DZSKE2MbymCVgm2oaCn3XCVPMh-FQY2aA3IqkpMtqlcLXk_LSTAOQwUB2rnyUhrF0M3QZUEQEVBAM5NbjDmVdhmjXhnNzC73w4kbb1WsUlODlb3VgIw/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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There is something so satisfying about making something work with limited resources and budget! Its like shopping the house or finding a killer bargain at a garage sale or Craig's List. I am just such a firm believer that we don't all have to be out there spending crazy money to make something pretty!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNszFmm8wrlpXTFaEjEAi3vff3MfoNuhjhHjtXiPzZcHJPoaXt_-ZlvqEQ0EnGwkdhsnM34YuYKYzWYTkPoMXokZITvwNQ17EYi8C43yISnpHv822dcALaiZQDHgNDll2PtRMBxtEfQ/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNszFmm8wrlpXTFaEjEAi3vff3MfoNuhjhHjtXiPzZcHJPoaXt_-ZlvqEQ0EnGwkdhsnM34YuYKYzWYTkPoMXokZITvwNQ17EYi8C43yISnpHv822dcALaiZQDHgNDll2PtRMBxtEfQ/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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So then last weekend we decided it was time to move the dining room furniture over (in preparation for the kitchen remodel which will take, oh, roughly two years to complete...but we've gotta start somewhere!). So now this front room is looking a bit more like I always envisioned. But I can't tell you how glad I am that I didn't give in to my <i><u>complete lack of patience</u></i> and buy a bunch of stuff that would be obsolete now! The card table went to the basement without any guilt on my part, to be used when we need extra seating down the road. The tablecloth will have other uses as well. My husband, sweet as he is about all my projects, won't be grumbling about finding a place to store some other huge piece of furniture that I don't have a use anymore for but just can't bear to part with because someday I might need it again! (Please tell me I'm not the only one who has this affliction.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqMofasSwbGbfqOeZr66ts0FFMmOhYbsh2vFEizodA8bfuO7tD_neRNI5OJsZ7r3AaEDeQlKx0PHgC8HLwJU1FI1_QrToCPy_ViCRZMi1iwPHGjSnN65klpllvLmnrZWt86qGoraonA/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqMofasSwbGbfqOeZr66ts0FFMmOhYbsh2vFEizodA8bfuO7tD_neRNI5OJsZ7r3AaEDeQlKx0PHgC8HLwJU1FI1_QrToCPy_ViCRZMi1iwPHGjSnN65klpllvLmnrZWt86qGoraonA/s1600/DSC_0025.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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So if you've got a total lack of patience like me, perhaps a Goodwill card table and discount tablecloth can help get you through! :)</div>
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Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-73297767331414102882015-02-10T12:03:00.004-07:002015-02-10T12:03:31.888-07:00Remodeling the Basement, Part I<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello Friends!</div>
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This morning during Sesame Street I took a few photos to show you the progress we've been making in our basement. If you remember, in 2012 we moved into our forever house. It had been lovingly cared for and decorated by the same owner since it was built in 1979. <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2013/10/our-forever-house.html" target="_blank">Powder blue shutters</a>. <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2012/08/henrys-room.html" target="_blank">Pink carpeting</a>. <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-renovations-continue.html" target="_blank">Lots and lots of wallpaper</a>. We've had so much fun slowly updating things to suit our taste!</div>
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The good news is that this house had a finished basement. Great for the kids' playroom and lots of open space to adjust to our needs (more on that soon!). It even had a bathroom, which thrilled us! Here's a photo from 2012 when we first toured the house:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITi9G6YA_NtTB3OpLQSFlMDBDW04UlBWiHAcpR1Gx3mrE7YZh1fiiNUUpwX4Kj7k8w6CXXWbqcsHLLDlFB700d2sanq2PkxWa1dJ7eWU2hKxOhemzbGHcGsSqsuEFRnO_kG4zn6YuAg/s1600/bathroomold.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjITi9G6YA_NtTB3OpLQSFlMDBDW04UlBWiHAcpR1Gx3mrE7YZh1fiiNUUpwX4Kj7k8w6CXXWbqcsHLLDlFB700d2sanq2PkxWa1dJ7eWU2hKxOhemzbGHcGsSqsuEFRnO_kG4zn6YuAg/s1600/bathroomold.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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What do I say? It just wasn't our style. But perhaps more important than style, to me, was the presence of some serious wall-to-wall carpeting. And here's the thing:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeizCjGhyUAjNWmh_qcePdvpG2pgjo4ddl7hpd2ESVarmEctz4FjZdqPqj_YRDZaqjowMSO09UUgLR5JWgw7Xw5I9GAKXbMCREEEF37WJwCxolBsG5C-CbNmbBz2Dcv5NHRDPrXIpTlA/s1600/OhHenry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeizCjGhyUAjNWmh_qcePdvpG2pgjo4ddl7hpd2ESVarmEctz4FjZdqPqj_YRDZaqjowMSO09UUgLR5JWgw7Xw5I9GAKXbMCREEEF37WJwCxolBsG5C-CbNmbBz2Dcv5NHRDPrXIpTlA/s1600/OhHenry.jpg" height="212" width="640" /></a></div>
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You get what I'm saying? :) <br />
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So my husband and I decided to try and remodel this bathroom all on our own. We'd never done that before but we figured...it's a basement bathroom...so if we <i><u>really</u></i> wreck it, we can just avoid it until we can hire someone to bail us out! Here's what we came up with:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiChr2-fy78BnkKDmfk5FNKscKVjQl2XnMsHjYLdLSGi_l10-l9bGhZATs5lxzmkKYxj_qeGQ_w3QWGfQZ15CASKpbXHtULQWrnnNm5x1IMWeU_S_Vej9yINpu17iGgEnSo8iGFqHKOg/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiChr2-fy78BnkKDmfk5FNKscKVjQl2XnMsHjYLdLSGi_l10-l9bGhZATs5lxzmkKYxj_qeGQ_w3QWGfQZ15CASKpbXHtULQWrnnNm5x1IMWeU_S_Vej9yINpu17iGgEnSo8iGFqHKOg/s1600/DSC_0002.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I have to admit, I am thrilled with how it turned out! We tore out the old wallpaper to discover some mold growing on the walls behind it, so we opted (after replacing the drywall) to just cover it back up. That's some beadboard paneling from Lowes on the bottom of the walls, and some gorgeous toile wallpaper I found on deep discount from my local paint store (Miller Brothers if you're a Cincinnati local!) on the top. My mom hung the wallpaper. (Not ashamed to admit that was <i><u>way</u></i> beyond my capabilities!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_dHpltsocvLibnUB3BjuZKsCy8vVfWgbRxAxp3gCGj5u5gCM0EQEAw1MmI47aEPIuYCzlj8WGJvjc1tCEnz0ipsKPk5_MEKXeDp64YYFjyD2aVZbYOMkFdI5hblFjqAs5ONHSO2jZw/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_dHpltsocvLibnUB3BjuZKsCy8vVfWgbRxAxp3gCGj5u5gCM0EQEAw1MmI47aEPIuYCzlj8WGJvjc1tCEnz0ipsKPk5_MEKXeDp64YYFjyD2aVZbYOMkFdI5hblFjqAs5ONHSO2jZw/s1600/DSC_0003.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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We found this beautiful little chest at the <a href="http://www.burlingtonantiqueshow.com/" target="_blank">Burlington Antique Show</a> in Kentucky. Just needed a little shining up to be the perfect storage spot! And those curtains? They can barely be considered curtains. Just some fabric that I found at WalMart of all places! They have a simple hem around the edges and there's <i><u>no way</u></i> they would cover that window if you tried to close them, but they look cute!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARWiX5-U7L_RQwypWNNcKJ52IC0vXpTazppYR4Mm6s3EqjJk92eO0taggzvF158KOZKvt9jlyrv2Ky_CMJAuDjVr54jYk1QiP-gbMFS9RbTdQ-WZjt4tg00FalvLpZeb76t-_Vh7UYQ/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgARWiX5-U7L_RQwypWNNcKJ52IC0vXpTazppYR4Mm6s3EqjJk92eO0taggzvF158KOZKvt9jlyrv2Ky_CMJAuDjVr54jYk1QiP-gbMFS9RbTdQ-WZjt4tg00FalvLpZeb76t-_Vh7UYQ/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2011/02/art-for-poor.html" target="_blank">I traced that little bee on the wall with a charcoal pencil</a> years ago. He (she??) fits in here!<br />
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The mirror above the sink was a $12 Craig's List find. I think it was originally part of some kind of cabinet but it fits in here somehow! There are hinges holding the two pieces together and my husband attached a brass chain to a hook on the wall to hang it. He also wrangled that new/old pedestal sink (another Craig's List find!) into place and installed the Delta faucet.<br />
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While we're on the subject, I have to brag on my husband a bit more because he also laid down the new hexagonal tile floor! All the trim and moldings were him too. Come to think of it, what exactly did I do in this project? Maybe my blog name should be <i>Buzzings of a Queen Bee's Husband</i>?<br />
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This little bathroom has become one of my favorite spaces in the house! It feels clean and bright, and--perhaps better than anything--<i><u>much</u></i> more conducive to the uses of a six year old boy!Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-26781171727202879232015-01-06T15:29:00.003-07:002015-01-07T06:37:05.499-07:00We Have Built-Ins!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello everyone! It's January...that is crazy. I've spent this week de-Christmasing my house. I put it off as long as I could but the dead pine needles on my floor finally spoke louder than my need to have "just one more night with the Christmas tree." Please tell me you can relate!! My house is rather bare today, so it's time for a little photo recap of the last few months. Join me, won't you?</div>
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We hosted Thanksgiving this year, which we loved. Having family gathered around my dining table, the one I inherited from my grandmother, was so special for me!</div>
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We had to move the table into the formal living room to accommodate all the leaves we added. A wonderful problem! There were eight littles and eight adults and so the sippy cups mingled with the wine glasses. All was good. :)<br />
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My living room got a mini-makeover in preparation for the holidays! Bonus points if you can see what has changed from the photos (or my super-stealthy post title), but I'm going to make you wait because I just uploaded all my Christmas photos and I've got to share.<br />
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This December we tried introducing Vivian to Santa Claus. We have a dear family friend who plays Santa every year (at Cincinnati's Union Terminal, for you locals!), and he has paid a house call the past few years for our kids. This year it was at my sister's house. Didn't matter the venue...Vivi was <u><i>not</i></u> a fan. <br />
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However, we did get her to smile for our annual Christmas card photo! I tell you the truth though...the only way we got our kids to smile like this was by telling them to "pretend that Henry tooted." Heaven help us when potty talk no longer brings on absolute hysteria for our kiddos. (And now that you know the context, you can't look at our photo without thinking of toots...and I am sorry!)<br />
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We celebrated Christmas Eve at our house, and for the eighth year in a row Brent couldn't get through <i>'Twas the Night Before Christmas</i> without tearing up. I wouldn't have it any other way. :)<br />
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And on Christmas night we went to my mom's house for dinner...and our baby Vivi got to hang out with her cousin, baby Libby, my sister's newborn daughter. It's been a busy season in our family!<br />
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And now back to the house-y stuff, because I know you girls! :) Here's a photo of the living room from the previous owners of our house (opposite angles in the before/after photos, it's all I could find!):<br />
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And a photo of it shortly after we moved in and re-did the walls, floors and trim:<br />
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Can you spot the difference? Yes, the furniture is slightly different, but the most exciting change is the built-ins (and perhaps the ride-on bumblebee if you're 16 months old!).<br />
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We've been dreaming of adding built-in bookshelves to this space since we moved in over two years ago, and hosting Thanksgiving dinner gave us the kick in the pants that we needed! My incredibly handy husband built them, using base cabinets from a local hardware store, butcher block from an antique dealer (we cut them down to size and refinished them), and pine 1x12 boards for the shelves themselves.<br />
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This room now holds all our books, in addition to being my office and our formal living room and (one day) our dining room (when our small kitchen takes over our even smaller dining room, forcing the dining room into the living room...if that makes any sense at all). Our books out on display and easily accessible make me feel like all my literary friends have come out to play again!<br />
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Lots of fun little touches, like this antique mirror we found for $17 and refinished...<br />
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And the gallery wall above my desk... <br />
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These Bosphorus toile pillows brought the whole room together for me. The colors are just so perfect for in here!<br />
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Here you get a little close-up of the bookshelves. The beadboard backing is a warm green color, which I just love next to my faithful buffalo check curtains!<br />
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Yep, those photos were taken today. I'm not ready to give up Christmas totally, I guess. :)<br />
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Here's the other half of the built-ins. It was such fun to decorate them!<br />
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The oil painting hanging between the shelves was a wedding present ten years ago. (<i>Phew!</i>) It's of the Colorado mountains, given to us before we ever lived there. It has such meaning to me now that our path has taken us there and back again.<br />
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Our monogram and some plaid accessories. And gold. Lots of gold.<br />
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I am so sorry for the photo dump, but I guess that's what I get for waiting two months to update my blog. If you're still hanging on after all that, thank you. As the new year gets underway, we are working on some new house projects, in between diaper changes and basketball games and ballet practice. I'll try to keep you updated! <br />
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Happy New Year everyone! :)Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60979274014522007.post-73912190512363404952014-11-06T09:49:00.000-07:002015-01-06T20:31:02.100-07:00A Fall Garland <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hello lovely friends! I hope you are having a fabulous fall! I don't know about you, but starting about October 1st, I get all geeked out for this season. As far as I'm concerned, October, November and December are the best months of the year. (Let's not talk about the crash and burn that happens around January 2nd. It's not so pretty! You can read about my feelings on that <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2011/01/can-we-still-be-home-for-holidays.html">here</a>.)</div>
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I recently did a quick little project that I thought I'd share with you. I love this because it can be used year after year, and frankly those are the only ones I'm interested in! I hate spending my hard-earned free time on something that will only last for a few weeks, like seasonal wreaths or other decorations that will die and then I have to do them all again next year. Blah.</div>
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But this one is easy, and, better yet, has held up with the rain and still looks good after over a month outside. So I consider that a win! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6jVDbNLrkbWVSoD1PgmVvhURoixlL9xBW6T3ZOUJBkIkiGWRHGWlSswHrDASC8rLjKTUfiIAcg4mtdsDjcttKjW-KRFzFET4LoS3_Y9q6FoXkhv_qElimhpVFQR3PPYKsWsd86ONbA/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6jVDbNLrkbWVSoD1PgmVvhURoixlL9xBW6T3ZOUJBkIkiGWRHGWlSswHrDASC8rLjKTUfiIAcg4mtdsDjcttKjW-KRFzFET4LoS3_Y9q6FoXkhv_qElimhpVFQR3PPYKsWsd86ONbA/s1600/DSC_0023.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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See that garland? Here, let me zoom in a bit.<br />
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Super simple! I started with a tutorial I had saved from years ago from A Soft Place to Land. You can see her easy instructions <a href="http://asoftplace.net/2011/09/martha-stewart-hack/">here</a>. My gourds and pumpkins came from Hobby Lobby. The pine cones came from my yard. (Want to come over?)<br />
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<i>A few notes about how to make this: The gourds on the link above are hollow (read: easier to work with!), but mine ended up having some kind of styrofoam inside. So I used a screwdriver to poke from one side to the other, and then grabbed my daughter's oversized plastic sewing needle to thread the twine through. Once the twine was strung, I was very generous with the hot glue gun at the entry points! Lastly I sprayed them with a clear varnish because I was worried that rain would cause the gourds to streak or fade (they are fake, after all!) and so far they still look new. </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuujkI-HZzRcdXGjUIMf5WcZPKvztvVDF2d0lGX1fpF3qh39SNqoFpcbFMYwvLH_F0G5JE8lA6ln6-x7ZTPDMVNM9gjoWqdgMsVYEM9isyU0d4yTLY-2JL4pE5-nLyGXdJOyyNOWd0nA/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuujkI-HZzRcdXGjUIMf5WcZPKvztvVDF2d0lGX1fpF3qh39SNqoFpcbFMYwvLH_F0G5JE8lA6ln6-x7ZTPDMVNM9gjoWqdgMsVYEM9isyU0d4yTLY-2JL4pE5-nLyGXdJOyyNOWd0nA/s1600/DSC_0013.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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You may remember <a href="http://buzzingsofaqueenbee.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-pumpkins-are-numbered.html">my numbered pumpkins</a> from years ago too! Last fall I only had four of them (because that's how many I could dig up at the Goodwill). A friend came over and said "Oh, are these supposed to represent your family? One for each of you?" Well...No. But then, all of a sudden, Yes! And <i>oh-my-gosh, we don't have a pumpkin for baby Vivi and isn't that the most horrible thing in all the world and it is absolutely unacceptable that my poor little girl isn't included in this super-meaningful brand-new family tradition!</i> So I tore out and bought a sweet little itty-bitty pumpkin so that a number five could be stenciled and all our people are represented. Crazy much? :)<br />
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I love how warm and welcoming our hallway looks this time of year. Too bad most of my visitors come through the back door, which is decidedly less glamorous. (But better somehow that way too, I agree!)<br />
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My local Trader Joe's had all these little gourds and pumpkins (and yes, these are real but it didn't require any hot glue or crafty business so I was willing to splurge!). I love to put these out at the beginning of October and let it ride until the day after Thanksgiving. If they get a little moldy, oh well. They're outside!<br />
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And just in keeping with the porch theme of this post, here's our little family about to go trick-or-treating. The pirate fairy, shadow ninja and baby ladybug wish you a Happy Fall!<br />
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Buzzings of a Queen Bee!http://www.blogger.com/profile/01620329144708471804noreply@blogger.com8