Monday, June 28, 2010

Oh, The Things I am Learning

After living in the desert for two years with no rain, it has rained almost continuously for the past week.  When it's not raining, the mosquitos are fierce!  After trying everything in the medicine cabinet for itching, I discovered that a paste of baking soda and water works the best!  We also discovered last night that we may have fleas!  The dogs are on Frontline but we may have brought them into the house with the bargain carpets.  I read online that if you brush Borax into the carpet and vacuum it out several times it will kill the fleas.  Will give it a try before I call Terminex!  My final tip is that you can get rid of those fingerprints on Stainless Steel appliances with Liquid Gold.  Rub it on and buff it off.  Voila!  No fingerprints.  I was cleaning the cupboards with in and I read the can!  I guess I'm learning how to live in the country. 

Arts and Crafts


I forgot how much I love to do crafting!  I found the small oak stool at the thrift store and painted it with Milk Paint.  Then, it begged for a sunflower.  Then I painted the doggie steps to match and Jim carpeted it for me.  The wool rug, I hooked several years ago and finally have a home for it.  Michele and Ronnie are at the races so I crafted. 



Thursday, June 24, 2010

There is No Such Thing As a Coincidence, Sunshine!

When Jim and I were first married, we went to an event on New Years Eve.  We seperately worked on Treasure Maps of the things we wanted in our lives.  We cut pics from magazines and pasted them on a large piece of cardboard.  Both of us had pics of a house with skylights.  Now we live in Ohio in a house with two skylights.  Coincidence?  I don't think so.  The first gift Jim ever gave me was a music box that played, "You Are My Sunshine".  Yesterday, when they pulled out the stove, they found a slate plaque that said, "You Are My Sunshine"!  I will leave that up to you to figure out.  Oh, by the way, when I was a child, my mother called me "Sunshine"!

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Floors, Poaring Rain and Painting with Pat

This has been a mixed bag of a day.  The workmen came to lay vinyl on the kitchen, master bath, guest bath, and foyer floors.  While they were tearing up my pretty little house, my sister Pat and I painted on the screened porch.  It was hot but we stayed cool under a ceiling fan and painted.  While we were doing this, I had to contain 3 dogs and try to keep them away from the workmen.  This was a bit hectic but it went okay until the storm hit.  We gathered up our supplies and ran into the house, fast!  We tried to sit on the covered porch out front but the rain was so fierce that we were forced inside.  Pat painted a pretty vase of flowers and I worked on a barn painting.  I thought it was a lost but with Pat's direction, I improved it a bit.  I did learn a few things today.  I need to stop trying to paint a painting and start doing exercises again.  I painted a poppy on a scrape piece of paper and it was better than the barn. 

As soon as the floors are done, I can start getting ready for my 4th of July party which is on July 3rd.  I guess I should call it an Independence Day party!  It will be all about family, food and fun!  My life is finally getting back in order and I can focus on those things and people that are the most important to me. 

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

The main floor unpacking is almost done and it's starting to feel like home. I kept some of my country decor items when we moved to Las Vegas and I'm glad I did. After sitting in boxes for two years, I get to open the boxes and it's like Christmas. I would never part with the quilts I have made so now I can use them and hang them. Most of my decor is "recycled chic".


Monday, June 21, 2010

Charlie Had to Go to Doggie Hospital

Charlie is home and doing well.  He had to be sedated because he has separation anxiety.  Charlie had a stomach virus and had to get a fluid IV and an antibiotic but he seems to be doing well now.  He ate his rice and boiled chicken this morning and is back asleep.  We sure do love our furry babies.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Wildlife

My wildlife experience has been limited but Michele saw two deer and Jim saw one deer while 4 wheeling in our back 40 ft. I have seen a BlueJay, a Cardinal, several hummingbirds and lots of Robins in the trees around our porch. We are finally getting the bird feeders out. Oh, lots of mosquitos, spiders and flies. ..and a woodpecker that did not have a red head.  Oh and fish in the pond and lots of frogs.

Our new carpet is down and we ordered vinyl flooring yesterday.  We found a box of flooring squares in the basement and Jim "floored" the area under our kitchen sink. It was pretty bad with spills and now it is cleanable. There is always a project to do on our little homestead. Jim finished putting up lattace on the inside of our screened porch. The three dogs kept breaking through the screen to get at the cat! It looks really cute. He also put in the doggie door. Because we are raise a bit on the outside he has to build a ramp. We got a indoor/outdoor piece of carpet to carpet the ramp. Green to match the out of doors. Pics to follow.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Hidden Treasures


In my wanderings, I found a pristine pond with a deck.  Michele and I went 4 wheeling and I found so many photo opts that I have to go back again and again.  It was the best Mother-Daughter time I have had EVER!  Well, maybe the day she was born beats it.  There is a tree farm right behind our property and the pond sits in the middle of that farm.  So Beautiful. Now I have two ponds to love. 

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Yes, Life is good

My son John came to visit last night and had to go back to Columbus this morning.  Jim and John road the ATV through the woods and had a great time.  They decided to name the ATV "Little Red Riding Hood".  Tee Hee  Then it was hot tub time!  I hope he found a bit of relaxation while he was here. 

Michele arrives this morning and I can't wait to see her.  She can stay until tomorrow.  It poured rain last light so I hope the sun shines a bit today.  My tomatoes look puny!  I planted my geraniums but I need more.  I saw my first Cardinal.  I painted this last year.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

She's Painting Again!!


I went to a meeting of a group of artists last night and had a great time! I met some of the nicest women. I hear that there are two men in the group but they didn't come this time. We had oil painters, mixed media artist and watercolor artist. One lady brought a gorgeous quilt she had made. Now I am really inspired! Monday night I will go to the Watercolor guild meeting at the art center in Wooster. I got lost going and coming back to my little country home. I took my GPS, my Mapquest printout and written instructions but still got lost. Obviously, I made it back home.  Yesterday I painted and this is my first version of my white iris.  I have an updated version with more color added to the background.  Thanks Gina!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Christmas in June

Yes, I know.  It is not Christmas time.  But, I just had to share my thift store find.  Pat and I found this Rubbermaid box that was marked $1.50 and when we opened it up, it contained 8 of these wonderful little nutcrackers.  We asked if the $1.50 was for the container and the contents and we were told "yes".  We split them and Pat got 4 and I got 4 and the box.  What a bargain!  Aren't they fun? 

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Thrift Store Hoppin'

What a day!  Pat and I went Thrift Store hoppin' and found great finds.  I'm not sure if we left anything for the other shoppers but most of it was mine.  We found a wool area carpet for my living room.  It's about a 9'X12' and very plush!  They wanted $50.00 but my sister had a 25% off coupon which she generously shared with me and so we got it for $35.00 and tax.  The next find was a set of Haviland China.  Some pieces are missing but I found them easily on Ebay.  $8.00!!!  My dry erase board was from Pat Catan's Art Supply and I hung it on the end kitchen cabinet.  This morning, look what I found!!  Mexican food for lunch and we were off again.  Sooo much fun and a needed break.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Home Sweet Home


We are home and Lovin' It!  To my artist friends, please feel free , as always, to use my photos.  To my new friend Amanda, Thanks for the frog!  We grow em big in Ohio!