Biscuits are NEVER Boring

The Mistake - in detail

2012-01-27T16:30:00.002-05:00

I alluded to a paint mistake a couple of days ago - here's proof. Although the before is a bit dark, both paint and lighting :), you can see the difference.

The issue was the warm color of the custom headboard and cool color of the wall color. The original thought was that the warm tones would pop off the wall color. That was true although finding curtain fabric has been nearly impossible. I decided to bite the bullet, consult a decorator and find a new paint color.

Here's the after....Benjamin Moore 1045 Lady Finger.

Forgive the folded laundry waiting to find a home and the bench mistake.

Sweet Pea says it's yellow. Geez, how is it they know exactly when you don't want their opinion? My hubby was away a few days and I had it done this week while he was gone. He walked in late at night to all the lights on and wondered why it seemed so bright. He wasn't sure whether it was the lighting or the color. He was pretty funny about it and didn't mind a bit. We actually like it now and know that our curtain search soon will be over.

I love our renovations but have to admit to having a hard time photographing the spaces. I love our house but see every unfinished detail or decorating "mistake" in each photo I take. They just don't do the project justice. I know you all must be curious but I am having a really hard time capturing our new spaces for your perusal. I'm working on it, I promise.

Sometimes We Have to Admit a Mistake

2012-01-23T15:11:00.003-05:00

The painter is back at my house. Already. Sometimes we have to admit we made a mistake. This time it's a decorating mistake and the mistake is in my master bedroom. The new color is on the left (Benjamin Moore Lady Finger #1045) and the old color on the right in the photo above.

I picked paint colors last year on December 26th armed with a paint deck in my kitchen and 2 friends who had recently renovated. They were the best Christmas gift I received that year. We had huge success in every room but the master bedroom. The room is large and can handle a dark color. The thought behind the choice was to pick the dark color so the lighter colors would pop. That worked, a little bit.

The crux of the problem....I mixed a cool color with a warm color. Try finding curtain fabric with that in mind. Just didn't happen. The only fabric that was possible was $180 per yard and, honestly, it's cheaper to paint. I didn't even love the fabric that much either.

You might not know it but I am married to best guy in town. His only response, " Why?". So, I told him why and he said, "Ok". I'm one lucky girl!

I like it already....hoping to select curtain fabric....PRONTO!

Things I'm Loving - January 2012 edition

2012-01-06T22:43:00.014-05:00

As I cleaned and vacuumed the very neglected basement playroom today I created a post on my favorite things in my head. Each seems to relate back to a few of my most important goals for 2012.

1) Treadmill - my hubby got me an amazing treadmill for Christmas and I have used it every day since. I hope to work off a few extra pounds that will lead to a healthier, happier and thinner 2012. It's amazing how much easier it is to get the workout in when I am in the comfort of my own corner of the basement.

2) Moisturizing lip gloss - Mary Kay NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss

I just happened upon this when I was cleaning out (are you catching a theme?) paper and catalogs. I was doing a quick peruse of the Mary Kay catalog before tossing it in the recycling pile. Mid-peruse I saw a sample and tried it on, something I never do. Even better... I loved the product. It is the NouriShine Plus Lip Gloss and I love the Fancy Nancy and Cafe Au Lait colors. Who couldn't love any color called Fancy Nancy. It's moisturizing and shiny. I liked it so much I bought 2 - one for my purse and one for my makeup dresser. Hoping that encourages me to reapply frequently as my lips usually get a single application per day. I am trying to be better about that.

3) Vacuum - My tool of choice when cleaning and organizing is my Dyson. If it's possible to love a vacuum then I love mine. It's powerful, flexible and will clean up nearly anything. When I vacuum I want to do it once and do it well. My Dyson is the vacuum for the job. Second in line for favorite vacuum is my shopvac. I'll let them duke it out but each is reliable and wonderful in it's own way.

4) Work out Gear - what's a treadmill without a few new pieces of workout gear. Granted I am not in the gym any more but always fun to wear cute clothes that feel great. Love my Lululemon and Athleta. Especially this Athleta Renew jacket....would buy it in every color if they still had it in my size. Not super heavy but a great body skimming fit and a wonderful layering piece.

5) And finally, here's to the design world picking back up after the holiday break. I read today,

"the best way to get organized is to stay home".

That's exactly what I needed to get myself in gear. I tend to run errands and stop here and there while the children are in school. Not the best for being on top of home making. So, I made lots of follow up calls today and am so excited that the curtains are nearly done and the living room trim (upper right) is due next week. All that means I will have curtains on my windows in no time...yeah! Now to shop for hardware...online perhaps.

Sample Sale

2011-12-19T11:25:00.021-05:00

Obviously I am back from Colorado and hit the ground running with holiday shopping and festivities. I finally hit the couch for a few hours yesterday as it all caught up with me!

Friday was two holiday parties. It's always so much fun to catch up with friends! Saturday morning my elves and I sent off our Christmas cards. I really couldn't have done it without my elves. Card stuffing and addressing was followed quickly by major house clean up as we hosted dinner for The Dog"s Church Youth Group progressive dinner Saturday night. I was so proud of myself for taking the easy way out on the dinner - Stouffer's prepared the most delicious lasagna for our festivities. Pepperidge Farm was the bread of choice and I slaved over a ceasar salad with Brianna's dressing. All in all very unusual for me, the one who likes to do all my own cooking, but such a relief to just have it done. I knew our teens weren't here for the food!

In between card writing and house clean up, my hubby and I finally put down the carpet we purchased for the living room. As with most things I buy, there's a story. Bear with me a minute as I jump around and back to the 1st weekend in December when I visited the Galbraith & Paul Sample Sale.

Piles of Pillows from website

iphone photo at the sale

Until 6 months ago I didn't know much about Galbraith & Paul. I first heard about them here when Erika mentioned their fabrics on her blog, Urban Grace. I loved the Sweet Pea pattern she showed in that post. Fast forward a year or two and a decorator mentions them again. I knew their name rang a bell but had no idea it was a local company or that they host a fabulous Sample Sale in December that is open to the public - wahoo! I sometimes think I live in the warehouse sale capitol. Not complaining. Just stating an observation.

remnants by the pound

iphone photo of the pile

As you might know by now, I don't like to miss a good sale. And since I am up to my eyeballs in redecorating the timing was perfect. I very much enjoyed their sale - piles of pillows, perfect pendants, mounds of fabric remnants by the pound and just a few rugs. Their fabrics are hand printed and beautifully crafted. They also sell ready made pillows through Room and Board.

A sampling of pendants

Their patterns can be printed on velvet, linen or silk. I picked up two of these rectangular donut pillows to rest in the back of the infamous cane back chairs.

I also bought 4.5 pounds of fabric pieces to use for pillows. It was very fun mixing and matching. After waiting in a very long line to check out I was about to blow right by the rugs that were in a side office as I was leaving. Curiosity got the best of me and I had to stop and see what it was about. They only had about 6 rugs but I thought I should see what they had just to educate myself a bit more.

Guess what....I found something! The rug is above with the sample of the Living Room inspiration fabric. Their rugs are wool and silk and retail for est $11,000. My price for this 9 x 12 beauty was $900. You read it right... $900. I couldn't pass it up. It had been in a showroom and had a couple of tiny spots on it. Truly makes it easier for me to have in my house because I am always a nervous wreck with truly new (read perfect) items as they are sure to be damaged in this zoo. I was told a famous tennis player who was once married to Tatum has this exact rug in his Dining Room!

We love it and can't wait for the furniture and curtains to arrive! I promise to share when it's all done....just takes me a long time to get anything finished.

Do you like the rug? Have you ever heard of Galbraith & Paul? Do you like their fabrics?

Courtney....the monogram store is Threadwell in Chestnut Hill. Happy Shopping! They will monogram on their product or yours.

The Nutcracker

2011-12-11T23:51:00.003-05:00

These pictures are worth a thousand words.

I have had a fantastic weekend with family in Colorado.

I have never enjoyed the Nutcracker more than watching my two nieces dance. The first time for one and last time for the other. They were both spectacular and you could see how much they love to dance in the expression on their faces.

Thankfully, we saw the show on Saturday and Sunday. There was so much to see we needed to see it more than once!

We went to dinner with the lead ballerinas after tonight's show. Boy was that fun. They are really a lovely bunch of teens who love to dance and love each other.

I so wish Sweet Pea was here with me too. However, Sweet Pea and Buddy did beautifully in their Christmas Pageant today. My sweet hubby recorded the pageant on his ipad and sent it to me in installments via email. What a guy! I am missing them terribly but know we have both had super fun and busy weekends and I will be home soon.

Now for tomorrow...to ski or not to ski. That is the question.

Lucky and Unlucky all in one

2011-12-08T16:22:00.012-05:00

Can you believe I am going to miss the Lilly Pulitzer warehouse sale tomorrow? It's a first. I have not missed their twice a year sale EVER, I think. It's a shame too. My dear cousin wants a black Shere sweater in XL and I was going to buy her one if it was $100 or under like previous sales. I adore my collection of Shere sweaters and I knew she would too.

My list would have had her sweater at the top and an Elsa top "in any fabric that isn't silk" for me. I have one and love the comfortable and flattering fit!

My niece the ballerina

So there must be something BIG that is causing me to miss the Lilly sale, right? Tomorrow I am flying to Vail Colorado to see my niece dance in her last Nutcracker. She is a senior in high school and has danced for years in the local company's Nutcracker. My mother insisted that I must see her in her last performance and so I am making a quick trip to Colorado with my sister and another niece. I am missing my children's Church Christmas Pageant but fortunately have been part of rehearsals for months and know they will perform beautifully.

The Colorado Cousins - my brother and his family

I am such a chicken about flying and driving in the mountains of Colorado so I decided that if I was making a trip to Colorado in December I was going to squeeze in one extra day for skiing. On Monday I will be skiing with my sister in law at either Vail or Beaver Creek with valet service. How great is that?

It's going to be a full, fun and COLD weekend. See you next week!

Demolition

2011-12-07T16:19:00.004-05:00

When I think of demolition I think of run down houses that have been neglected and the demolition derby. I don't know much about the demolition derby but it sounded good in the sentence. What I don't think of is this beauty. Can you believe this house is going to be demolished?

I have talked about demolitions before because there is a company in our area that recycles as much as they can of a house before it is demolished. Smart company. I think you need to be a tad handier than what I can do with my pink "for girls only" tool kit. Oh, how I admire handy people. I am handy in my head it's the execution that is difficult for me. I guess that makes me an idea person.

Look at this....how can you rip down these stairs. Aren't they gorgeous? How would one recycle these stairs. Wouldn't an entire house have to be built around these stairs?

Guess what, they don't fit in my house.

I really should give up....

2011-12-06T11:52:00.007-05:00

I really should give up this blog. I am such an irregular poster and clearly not committed enough to the cause. However, I am not a quitter and I just love the blog world too much to leave. So, I will continue to attempt this journal while trying not too feel inadequate compared to other blogs glossed with a dash more perfection and a sprinkle more prettiness I will be who I am....imperfect with a heart that always strives to be better.

Holiday baking has commenced at the Bickie Household. It really should be our time of year given the blog name, right? I do love to bake and my family usually enjoys my creations. I always look forward to my book club cookie exchange for the trays and trays of yummy cookies that I bring home. I get a little bored with baking so many of just one kind of cookie. So this year, once again, I am going to make double batches of two different cookie recipes. My pecan bars (click here for the recipe) are already made and in the freezer. Today I am baking Chocolate Mint Creams. The recipe is below. Instead of the meltaway creams I use Hershey Candy Cane Kisses. The recipe is from Holiday Baking 2008. They are delicious. Enjoy!

What You Need

1 1/4 c flour
1/2 t baking soda
2/3 c packed brown sugar
6 T butter
1 T water
1 c semisweet chocolate chips
1 egg, lightly beaten
Pastel cream mint kisses (about 48)

What You Do

In a small bowl, combine the flour and baking soda; whisk to combine. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan over low heat, combine the brown sugar, butter, and water. Cook, stirring often, until the butter is melted. Add the chocolate chips and continue to cook over low, stirring often, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture in a large bowl and cool for 10 minutes.

Stir the egg into the chocolate mixture. Stir in the flour mixture until well combined.

Cover the dough and chill for 1-2 hours or until the dough is easy to handle (I chilled the dough for maybe 30 minutes because I am impatient).

Heat oven to 350º. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Shape the dough into 1-inch balls (I used a tablespoon measure to portion the dough). Place the balls on the cookie sheet, leaving 2 inches between the balls.

Bake the cookies for 8 minutes. Immediately place a mint on top of each cookie. Bake the cookies for another 2 minutes until the edges are set.

Transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool. If you desire, use a small spatula to flatten/spread the melted mint before it cools and hardens.

Unveling the Living Room - Part 2

2011-11-20T08:02:00.000-05:00

Living Room Stage 2 - inspirations and possibilities.

I fell in love with this large scale linen blend fabric. It was the inspiration for the entire Living Room scheme. I really wanted a calm color palette and this does the trick for me. We aren't going to use a lot of it. Just enough on pillows or on the seat of the french styled arm chairs.

The fabric above has been the jumping off point for the rest of the fabric and furniture in the living room. Below is a sampling of possibilities....

I am truly in love with this plain large scale woven linen for curtain panels. Good thing the linen is only $12 a yard because the trim, shall we say, isn't. Unfortunately, the trim will make the entire scheme come together and I am completely in love with it. Might have to hide that line item from my husband!

Like it?

Unveiling the Living Room - Part 1

2011-11-17T21:30:00.010-05:00

The stage is set for the Living Room Redo. The walls are painted Benjamin Moore's Brandon Beige (#977) and the light sconces have been updated.

Built ins are designed and the order will be placed tomorrow. They will flank each side of a french door to the deck.

Next in line is the furniture order. I am selling our camelback sofa and wingback chairs that have been in the living room. These pieces were never as comfortable as I would have liked. I would love to use the living room as an adult space and not just for entertaining.

We are going to order the below sofa sans the casters. Our family hasn't had much luck with casters. We have 2 chairs from Ethan Allen with casters and one of the casters broke. Ethan Allen has been very difficult to work with when trying to get a replacement caster for the one that broke. Their name is all over the chair and they don't seem to be willing to replace the broken parts. Needless to say, I am not shopping at Ethan Allen for our new furniture.

The sofa is 72" in length and I love the tufted back, smaller arms and single seat cushion. We are ordering this in a cream linen with a soft chenille feel.

Across from the sofa will be 2 of these chairs with similar arm and fixed back. The chairs will have a skirt and swivel. They will also be in a cream fabric with small taupe pattern.

You may remember my posts about these chairs. They haunted me and HBO was the ultimate buyer.

I found the chairs below for $165 each and decided they were close enough to the red beauties. I will reupholster the seats and arms in either the inspiration linen (stay tuned tomorrow) or a large houndstooth. The houndstooth is hard to come by so I am thinking I will end up using the inspiration linen. I plan to paint the wood in a grey tone to match the fabric.

I would love for the paint finish on the chairs to resemble a lacquer finish. Do I dare attempt them myself or should I find a professional sprayer? Anyone know how to get a lacquer finish?

Monogram Beauty

2011-11-13T11:51:00.003-05:00

Look at this beauty I picked up at my new favorite monogram shop on Thursday. Isn't it unusual and wonderful? These are King size Frette shams I found at TJ M*XX for $9.99 for the pair. Add a super fancy and wonderful monogram and they are suddenly priceless to me.

I just love them and think they will be the final touch (if that's possible) to our bed.

Musings a la Sweet Pea - Part Deux

2011-11-11T10:23:00.003-05:00

More musings from our littlest one...

"My favorite animal is a dog. I like dogs because they are soft and because they lick me. My Mom does not want a dog but me and my brother wants to have a dog. She does not want a shedding dog. She wants it potey (potty) trand (trained) and a lot of other things. I love dogs."

Her teacher wrote....

"Hope you get a dog"

Gee....I sound like the meanest Mom in the world. We are still looking for the right dog. I am sure I will give in one of these days!

Musings a la Sweet Pea

2011-11-01T16:42:00.003-04:00

Here's what Sweet Pea had to say in her morning essay this week,

"My Mom has blond hair, blue eyes and a very nice smile.
My Mom is very nice. She loves kids.
She gows (goes) out a lot though but I still love her.
I love my Mom."

I love you too Sweet Pea. Very much. I am, however, trying to figure out where it is I go. I feel like I don't go anywhere.
When I asked her about it she said it was how she was feeling that day but she doesn't feel that way now. Phew!

New Friends

2011-10-30T13:57:00.006-04:00

Meet my new friends....

It's that time of year again. The end of October brings more to mind than gorgeous leaves changing color and Halloween festivities. It's also when my favorite charity sale hits the calendar. This year did not disappoint although I did exercise restraint. Even the ladies hosting the sale commented that I was seeming more discriminating. Given my spending of late, that's a compliment.

My new friends are Chanel and Manolo....do you like?

Worn once Frye boots for $48 were a happy purchase as well and will probably get more use than the "fancy" shoes.

Also loved the new Scout bag for $4 and vintage Gucci-look bamboo purse for $24. Cleaning, organizing, and middle school projects are calling.

A few more things in the next few days. Have been cleaning closets and loading tons on ebay. It must be gone from the dining room table asap!

Haunted

2011-10-25T10:48:00.005-04:00

It's Halloween and the season of haunting. However, I am not haunted by ghosts but by these chairs. I can't get them out of my mind.

I posted about them in August after seeing them on a favorite consignment store's facebook page as a new arrival. We were in NH and the store is in Baltimore. I just couldn't pull the trigger sight unseen. Nor did I have any idea where I would use them.

Obviously, you know where this story is going. Fast forward 2 months...they were sold and I have a place to use them.

Now that I am finally moving forward on decorating my renovated home, after a long hiatus and to the tune of my husband saying, "just get it done", I need those chairs. I have the perfect linen blend fabric for those chairs.

I even know what color to paint them. They should be the centerpiece of my living room decorating scheme. I am haggard and tired from trolling multiple Craig*s L*st within a 3 state area for another pair of chairs so wonderful.

I mentioned the chairs to my mother and explained my dilemma as she sometimes work at said consignment store. Guess who bought the chairs? HBO! For a show! I knew those chairs were great. I told her to spread the word that if those chairs resurface they are to be MINE!

Have you ever been haunted by chairs?

Does your husband ever ask you to get a project done?

G Rated

2011-10-24T10:36:00.004-04:00

Both the post and the movie we saw this weekend are G-rated :)

We enjoyed The Mighty Macs as a family this weekend. It's so nice to see a G-rated movie that the whole family can enjoy. You can be sure that The Dog (who is 13!) was ducking and weaving not to be seen out to the movies with his family. I think he avoided any and all familiar faces in our back row seats of the dark theatre. I recommend this movie for any family with children 8 - 13 like ours.

I started a little Christmas Shopping this morning. What else do you do on a Monday morning when you should be emptying the dishwasher, making beds, and cleaning up the general chaos that is littered about after a weekend? Don't tell Sweet Pea but I got wind of a promo code for free shipping from American Girl. If you are an American Girl shopper you know that doesn't happen very often. It's good until October 31st and is 172172. Happy Shopping!

Buddy has had stitches for the past 10 days and we are crossing our fingers they come out today. Poor guy landed the wrong way on a pile of flagstone while running an obstacle course with his brother in the backyard. He cut his foot above the arch pretty badly. He has fought off infection and hobbled on crutches for over a week and we think today might be the day! Yeah!

Happy Monday!

Christmas Travel

2011-10-18T19:47:00.003-04:00

We never travel at Christmas but think about it every year. We have been real homebodies and have never been able to imagine spending the holiday anywhere but home. Either we are restless, our children are getting older, or a combination of both, but this year we are considering a trip.

The Dog, our oldest child and 13, is all for travel. I wonder if he just wants something to talk about at lunch. Our lack of travel has always been an issue for him when lunch time conversations inevitably segues to holiday travel plans. He says I am completely wrong. Add it to the list!

So, if we do decide to travel we prefer to stay in the United States. We are thinking about Florida. Is Seaside warm enough in December to enjoy? Any other suggestions or favorite places? We enjoyed the Greenbrier and the Homestead on Spring Vacation. That reminds me, I need to post about our trip and my most favorite bloggy meet up very soon.

Christmas Travel Suggestions......

Sums it Up

2011-09-21T16:44:00.004-04:00

Stopped in at church today and in a conversation about folding bulletins the office staff summed up my children perfectly.

The Dog would never work in the office.

Buddy would work in the office but expect to get paid.

Sweet Pea would work in the office for free and do a great job.

I suspect Sweet Pea would expect me to pay her but she wouldn't expect payment from the church.

So, what does this say about my children?

I'm not surprised I got an email from The Dog's 8th grade science teacher about missing homework. How does a parent motivate an 8th grader? We are going to pull him from football and baseball and not allow him to go to the Back to School Dance Friday night? Unfortunately, I don't even think this will be enough. It makes me and my husband absolutely CRAZY!!! It's been a problem every year of middle school. He just doesn't want do it. We have talked to him until we are blue in the face. We tell him it just gets worse. The problem never goes away.

We welcome your ideas....

Red, White and Blue

2011-09-16T09:30:00.001-04:00

Love this long sweater vest and leggings. Sweet Pea wore it to school today and I was very thankful that we have once again avoided the Mack Truck known as J*stice.

For those of you with little girls J*stice is a very glitzy and glam clothing store. Sweet Pea is currently infatuated with all things J*stice. I have never purchased anything from this store and she is begging for something for her birthday next week. Do you think a plain t-shirt will do? Oh no, she wants sparkles and has a 40% off coupon to prove it!

On the way home from school drop off this morning I was chatting with a friend about the disaster known as our school car line. Apparently one mom thought it ok to abandon her car in car line and go in to the school building. Hello....do you see the 30 + people in their cars waiting for you to move so their children can get to school on time?

The conversation went to clothing as our weather changed drastically over night. She mentioned the Red, White and Blue they were supposed to wear today. Insert chest deflating here. I was on cloud nine after our morning of success only to be reminded it's Red, White and Blue Day to celebrate Constitution Day. It's been on my calendar for weeks. I must have looked at it 95 times. Oh well, the pink in her leggings can suffice for red and I know there was white. What about the brown....it's starts with a B like blue. Does that count?

Paintings - A Reminder

2011-09-14T07:35:00.004-04:00

At the end of July a local family's 12 year old son was swept away in a creek he and friends were playing in during a storm. He was taken quite a distance and in/under the water for an estimated 10 minutes. He has serious brain injuries and they are in that arduous time of working to heal his brain and body.

The boy's mother is an artist that I commissioned to do the oil paintings of "fruit" in my kitchen. I always loved the freshness and simpleness of this type of painting.

My boys are funny about what they do and don't have opinions on. Surprisingly, they had an opinion about her initials in the corner. They think they are too prominent.

Who knew we would fast forward 7 years and those initials are a reminder to me to pray for this family every day. We all agree, the initials are now just the right size.

The boy's mother posts every night on a Carepages website through our Children's Hospital and is so incredibly inspirational. Last night she was worn out and posted the following from her mother. I love it and thought you might too.

Always try to help a friend in need
Believe in yourself
Study hard
Give lots of kisses
Laugh often
Don't be overly concerned with your weight, it's just a number
Always try to see the glass half full
Meet new people, even if they look different to you
Remain calm, even when it seems hopeless
Take lots of naps.
Be weird whenever you have the chance
Love your friends, no matter who they are
Don't waste food
RELAX
Try to have a little fun each day.
...it's important.
Share a joke with friends
Fall in love with someone....
...and say 'I love you' often
Express yourself creatively
Always be up for surprises
Love someone with all of your heart
Share with friends
Watch your step
It will get better
There is always someone who loves you more than you know
Exercise to keep fit
Live up to your name
Seize the Moment
Hold on to good friends; they are few and far between (except in my case, where they are ABUNDANT!)
Indulge in the things you truly love
Cherish every Sunday
At the end of the day... PRAY

It's Labor Day

2011-09-05T10:12:00.002-04:00

Let's go shop for Christmas decorations and wrapping paper.

Can you believe that Costco had out Christmas before my children even boarded a school bus for their first day of school? I did buy a roll of wired of ribbon but that's it. Nothing more....yet!

The 10 Year Rule

2011-09-04T13:44:00.003-04:00

My husband subscribes to the 10 year rule. He thinks I should mail in my subscription as well even though I have not yet received my invitation.

What's the 10 year rule you ask. Here it is defined....

"You can't be good friends with someone until you know them for 10 years."

Bottom line, he thinks I make friends too quickly. He wants to clarify....deep friends are made too quickly. The problem comes when the honeymoon is over and they show their true colors. At that point it's hard to extricate yourself from the situation.

Me, I try to be nice to everyone and he likes to remind me how that has worked out for me. Apparently, it has involved a lot of me bending his ear.

Really, what's the right answer? Removed and Reserved? That's just not me. He seems to get away with it and is quite happy with the depth, or lack thereof, of his friendships. Thank goodness he just admitted there is a little male/female perspective difference as well as a cultural difference.

Insert my 10 year who just walked in and said, "You know Mom, it's mostly males who are criminals." Hmmmm....must have something to do with the burglaries in the area. My humorous hubby says their wives drove them to do it! He always has a comment.

Back to my previously scheduled programming....I want to hear more about the cultural difference. He explains that Americans have a basic need to be liked and wanted. Yeah, so what's wrong that? He says we are setting ourselves up for failure.

Australians on the other hand are not needy and don't really care what other people think of them. My question, is that just his family or is it really a general belief? He says it's really just a general belief.

So, how's that play out on the playground? He said if someone doesn't want to play you find someone else to play with.

Before you comment on his vast chauvinistic and exclusionary personality, think about what he is saying. And pause for a moment to think about my life commitment to Mr. Insightful. In case you are wondering, I do slightly agree with him although, as usual, he's taken it to an extreme. And one last thing, if you are wondering, 10 is an arbitrary number. It's even, round and sounds big.

The Silence is Deafening

2011-08-31T15:06:00.007-04:00

These two off to middle school for 8th and 5th grades

My ears are ringing today because it is too quiet in our house.

Our children started back to school.

Our summer has officially ended.

And, I will add, it was the best summer on record.

The summer wasn't great for any big reason.

Nothing fancy but good clean fun and enjoying our time together.

Everyone, including this sometimes restless Mama, was sorry to see it end.

Sweet Pea is off to 2nd grade

I should be clear. I am sad to see it end because I will miss my kids.

Sweet Pea was sad to see it end because she will miss her Mama.

The boys, however, are sad to see the summer end because they will have homework.

They didn't once express their disappointment that they weren't spending the day with me.

I'm ok with that. I would probably be worried about them if they did.

Dad was here to give hugs and send offs before going to work.

When the house was quiet I sat down with a cup of coffee and listened to the silence for a minute.

I promise I didn't cry.

Really I didn't.

Please forgive the makeupless face and ponytail. The morning came early. I was only going to clean the house so didn't put much effort in to my first day of school outfit.

Tomorrow I have a much needed hair appointment and I don't believe that I will be ponytailing (can that be a verb?) much anymore. My hair lived in a ponytail this summer. As much I appreciate the ease I am sick of it! Nothing like a cut and color to add a little spring to my step.

Fresh Produce

2011-08-19T23:39:00.007-04:00

iphone photo

We are down to the last few weeks of summer. We are also home from our vacation and back to reality. Fortunately, I had my brother, niece and mother here to greet us when we returned which gave me the excuse I needed to avoid unpacking and laundry for just one more day!

I felt the need to get up and going this morning. Fresh produce was calling my name so off to the Pick Your Own farm we went. My children grumbled the entire way and no surprise, had a great time! They are impossible but I have learned to persevere because I am right...sometimes.

Thankfully, I saw a fabulous recipe link on the super talented PVE's blog. She linked to the Smitten Kitchen's ratatouille recipe. I love it but have never had a great recipe. We picked the fresh ingredients we needed today and made the ratatouille for dinner. I give it an A+ for taste and another A+ for ease. An excellent side dish or main, depending on your hunger level.

Smitten Kitchen recipe (click here)

Now for the peaches....they need to ripen a bit and we will have peach pie, peach jam, and will shove a few peach pies in the freezer to pull out mid January when we need a boost. I need to find that recipe!

Rainy Day

2011-08-11T08:51:00.004-04:00

A rainy day at the beach had the most beautiful ending.

It doesn't look it in the photo but it was cold and windy at 4 pm. The sun came out and the light was glorious. A photographer's dream. Sweet Pea and her cousin played and played in this boat and the air or ocean temperature didn't seem to bother them a bit.

ps....my brother is the photographer...he has the macdaddy camera and makes mine look like a baby in comparison!

Check IT off the List

2011-08-10T05:24:00.008-04:00

Any idea what I am checking off the list?

Morning

2011-08-09T07:41:00.002-04:00

Taken on my iphone as I woke this morning. I could get used to this!!

NH Antiques

2011-08-07T15:13:00.005-04:00

Our family is enjoying time in NH at the beach. Yes, there are only 18 miles of coast in NH and we are swimming, surfing, sitting on the porch and playing a little tennis at our family reunion for the week. We are here celebrating my Aunt and Uncle's 60th anniversary. They must have been 12 when they married!

I have favorite places to visit when I am here. I don't venture away from the beach much but when I do I like to hit a few favorite spots. Lucky me one of my favorite spots, which is open once a month, happened to be open this weekend. Sweet Pea even commented that their prices were great!

We got to the 3rd floor and found these wonderful chrome and black leather bar stools from the 60's. I have no where for them but loved them. Do you love them?

Maybe you need another view...

Now do you love them?

What about $20 each....do you love them now?

Would you have brought them home to use or resell? I felt like I could see them in the perfect kitchen. Just not my kitchen but many kitchens that I have seen in the blog world!

While we are on the topic of chairs....just found these at a favorite consignment store via facebook. Love these in my living room as a contrast to the gray walls. Need a new color....but what color. Any suggestions?

Waiting on the price. That could make or break my love for these chairs.

Vespers

2011-08-03T05:35:00.000-04:00

I love the idea of Sunday worship under the trees. At camp it's called Vespers. A nondenominational time of reflection. When I was a camper in Maine, many moons ago, we had to wear all white for our vespers. We sang songs and read poetry sitting on benches made from trees looking through the pines to the lake. It was magnificent and I remember it like it was yesterday.

The Dog's camp also has vespers on Sunday morning. They wear their dress greys and sit in rows on benches in the big hall. Counselors sing, campers may read poetry or a quote, and one of the counselors will speak.

Last week I received the above photo and a note that told me that the Dog spoke at vespers. He read a poem he wrote for English last year. A poem that I found under his bed and couldn't believe that my child wrote. I sent him a copy of the poem in one of my recent letters and suggested he share it with the Camp Director. I thought it was going to be one of those times where Mom is the only one that thinks her idea is a good idea. I knew it was a longshot but sent it anyway. Guess who surprised me? The Dog read his poem at a special dedication Vespers last week. Only 3 people spoke....the Dog, the current director and previous director. Wow!

I would love to share the poem with you. However my constant frustration with paper has led me to attempt to be super organized and file it away. I just can't remember where I filed it! The mudroom plans for built in desk and bar areas are in the mail. They can't come soon enough!!!!

Two Miles

2011-07-27T22:01:00.006-04:00

Two miles is a decent walk. Two miles is a long swim. Two miles is a really long swim for a 10 year old.

One of our young swim team members has been diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer. She has had two surgeries in the past two weeks. One of our Moms organized a swim-a-thon to benefit our Children's Hospital Oncology Research Department in her honor. Our swim team children and coaches swam in shifts from 5:30 to 8 tonight.

Buddy swam for 2 hours and completed a total of 132 laps. Two miles.

His original goal was one mile. He was so excited to swim for this great cause that he dug deep. Very deep. I wonder if my mother is second guessing her $1 per lap pledge?

Sweet Pea also participated. She swam for an hour and finished 34 laps. A great show for a 7 year old that has never swum that many laps at one time before.

Between pledges and matching gifts our two children raised $1,398 tonight! We are beyond proud!

A Sign

2011-07-20T07:35:00.001-04:00

I read Classy Chaos regularly. I love that her new posts arrive in my email inbox usually a day after posting. Recently she wrote about dropping her children at camp and how they used their family sign to communicate via photo posts on the camp website. Click here. What a great idea!

I wrote the dog, snail mail as they offer no other option, and lo and behold what was on the Dog's camp website today but a sign. In my letter I asked him to give me a sign if someone from camp came along to snap his picture. I told him to give me a thumbs up if all was well. Sort of silly now that I think about it. Would camp really post a photo of a camper giving a thumbs down. Oh well, I prefer to look at the glass as 1/2 full in this case and we'll focus on the thumbs up. My often grumpy, emotionally unpredictable, super cute thirteen year old actually gave me just what I was looking for. A sign. A thumbs up. Amen.

More than Just Lemonade

2011-07-18T14:40:00.004-04:00

Last night I was awake for several hours in the middle of the night. It was the night before the first day of VBS and I was running through every detail in my head. I organize VBS, with lots of help, but if something goes wrong it comes back to me. With 122 campers, more than we have ever hosted before, I like to be prepared.

As many of you know, one's middle of the night thought process isn't always understandable. I jumped from VBS to Lemonade Stands to Good Housekeeping Magazine and back to VBS. I am sure there were more unrelated fleeting thoughts squeezed in amongst these topics but nothing worth mentioning.

I have had a subscription to Good Housekeeping since my early 20's. It was always a gift from my father. I can't remember why that connection but it was something he knew I enjoyed and it was easy for him to keep up my subscription. At the time of his death I was renewed 2 years out. He was a generous planner like that.

When my subscription first started 20 some years ago it was my one and only. Now Good Housekeeping squeezes in to my mailbox along with House Beautiful, Traditional Home, Southern Living, Elle Decor and People (!).

A recent issue had a one page story about a lemonade stand that really stuck with me. I have inserted it below as well as linked to their website. Something as simple as a lemonade stand is so important in the life of a child. It's a real connection to families in your community and a 25 cent sale makes a child's day. Certainly my own children have hosted their share of lemonade stands and we have appreciated any and all customers. It's really not about the money. It's about working for something, working together, learning to be patient and sticking with it, even when business might be slow.

On my home from church last Sunday I saw a lemonade stand. I pass the lemonade stand house mutliple times a day and have never met the family who lives there. Sweet Pea and I took a sharp turn left just to stop at their stand. Turns out that they are a family of 3 with a 4th on the way. Their oldest will start K at our school in the fall. Before I could help myself I suggested the Mom might be interested in our VBS. Our numbers were already too great but I just knew this young mom knee deep in the trenches of mothering might use a little time to herself. She was thrilled, might have even used the word lifesaver to describe me, and thankfully enrolled her children in our camp. I am so happy to have them and thrilled that their lemonade stand brought us together. Thanks Good Housekeeping and someone greater who might have had a hand in leading us to each other via a lemonade stand.

Do you make a point of stopping at your local lemonade stands?

I looked out my window and saw that the little girls across the street had set up a lemonade stand. Business was not exactly brisk. I watched them for a while, sitting there waiting, and then I went to work. By the time I looked up, hours had gone by and it was time to take the dog for a walk. And after that, I needed to do a million other things. I snapped Homer's leash on him and started off down the block.

"Want to buy some lemonade?" one of the entrepreneurs called out.

"Sorry, not right now," I called back, feeling like the old lady who yells at kids who get balls on her lawn. "Are you going to be there tomorrow?" I asked.

"Yes!" she said, jumping up and down.

"OK!" I said, and thought: OK, tomorrow I will definitely buy some lemonade.

The next day the heat index was something like 113 degrees. But there was the table, all set up with a pink construction-paper heart taped to it. The girls were up on the porch, where they could see customers without subjecting themselves to the heat. I figured the sign said something like, "Approach proprietors and they'll happily serve you. Serious inquiries only."

When it was time to walk Homer, I looked in my wallet. All I had was a 10, and I thought if they couldn't make change I'd tell them to keep it. Then I decided that might make them uncomfortable. So I found four quarters and headed across the street. But when I got to the table, the girls were nowhere in sight. A new sign, this one yellow, said Closed. Below, it said We'll be right back.

But they never came back. And I felt disproportionately sad. Because there had been such hope in that little girl's voice when she'd asked if I'd like some lemonade. Because the coltish girls they were now would soon morph into teenagers who wouldn't be caught dead selling lemonade, who'd understand the gain would never equal the effort.

But for every adult who bought a cupful, the gain was immeasurable. Easily worth 10 bucks, to see a kid with a purple headband pour you a drink from a plastic pitcher so heavy for her it wobbles dangerously when she pours, the same kid who entertains herself by turning cartwheels between customers and uses her imagination to turn her ideas into reality. I've learned my lesson; I'm ready to do my part.

click here to visit the Good Housekeeping article and website.

Goodness

2011-07-13T17:23:00.011-04:00

Oh my goodness, where have the last 2 months gone? It's been a whirl and thankfully all of the Bickies are well. The first month was super busy and this past month has been spent poolside completely entrenched in feeling healthy and being with my children.

I wasn't feeling 100% towards the end of the year. Not sure if it was too much on my plate, getting old, feeling anxious about many things, my inlaws visit or exactly what but I wasn't well. Not feeling well made me feel worse. My mind got carried away and my fingers googled symptoms and before you know it I self diagnosed a major chronic illness. I was convinced I was sick. I have been tested this way and that and have come up emtpy. Thank goodness. My cup feels so full and I am so thankful to sit and enjoy my children and enjoy all that they enjoy. We have spent hours at the pool. I have caught up with so many friends and met lots of new people. I have done very little productive, other than paying bills and preparing for VBS next week, and I am ok with that. Thankfully, my husband understands and our pool has food service!

The teaser photo from the last post in May was passionfruit for our annual Australian BBQ. I needed it for a dessert and was shocked to find it at our local high end grocery store. Each little passionfruit was $2.50 but I did find the real thing. In true Aussie style we had 50 or so people for the BBQ. I don't think Aussies usually go so big but they do BBQ. And drink beer, of course.

An Ode to My Parents by Sweet Pea

My inlaws came for a week and I ended the school year with a bang by hosting the end of year luncheon for the teachers and staff at my children's elementary school. It's a big project as the lunch falls on the last day of school right after 1/2 day dismissal. Just when all of the children are excited to be out of school mine have to stay and help me host a lunch for the 90 teachers and staff. Thankfully, they are good sports and like to spy on their teachers in a more casual setting. I love to host the lunch because it is one of the 2 times a year our teachers get to enjoy a meal all together. It's the least I can do for all they do for our family.

This year's theme was "It's a Small World". We have a very ethnically diverse school community and I thought it would be nice to celebrate our diversity. I asked our international families to help by bringing a favorite dish from their country of origin. I had a great response and the teachers loved it! The centerpieces were hanging plants with flags from the countries represented. A lucky winner from each table took them home. It's a huge undertaking but certainly worth the effort!

The Dog is off to his 3rd year of camp in Maine (he's on the right). We run to the mail daily for his letters and have received 4. Not bad in 2 weeks. He loves to be busy and he is from sunrise to sunset. It's the perfect place for him and I am thrilled that he sees a future as a counselor there after his last summer as a camper when he is 15. I found an amazing poem he wrote this spring for English class under his bed. It talks about the pressures he feels at school during the year and how much he enjoys the escape to camp. Made it worth every penny!

Buddy and Sweet Pea are busy with swim team and love it! It is such a thrill to watch Buddy excel at a sport that is just his. He races with a smile on his face during the meets. His coaches have asked him to stop because it slows him down. He just can't help it. That smile is infectious and he has a wonderful time at the pool. He can play with the minnows (4's and 5's), in the baby pool with the girl with Downs Syndrome, and with the big kids in the deep end. He wants to be the first in and the last to leave. He asked me last week why so many people know his name and he doesn't always know their names. Because he is unforgettable!

Next week is our church Vacation Bible School. I have enjoyed doing nothing much this summer but really must rally myself out of my lounge chair as next week will be busy. For the first time since The Dog was 4 I have not enrolled my children in summer day camp. I decided I would try just doing swim team and I have to say it's fabulous. They get up when they are ready, there is very little rushing in the morning (it's unfortunately my nature....we always have to rush a tad!) and they are both happy to go. Their swimming is improving and I enjoy each and every day poolside with my children. I do feel badly that my hubby is stuck in an office for the day but hopefully the U2 concert with clients tomorrow night will make up for that!

VBS will be full of joy and plain old fun. We have more children than ever and I am trying to figure out ways to keep them safe and give the parents peace of mind. We have a very competent staff who have been doing it for years. God always provides and I have to trust that we will make it through another week of wonder with our neighborhood children singing and praising.

I hadn't planned to fall in to the Director role again but it can't be helped. We are between staff and I seem to be the person that our church family looks to for direction with this program. I am so thankful for loyal volunteers that I can feel sure the program will be of a great quality and great fun. We hate to say no to anyone but will be in that position this year for the first time as our craft leader has reached her maximum on supplies.

I am sure you are wondering about the house. It's done but the all white house is still in need of black shutters! We do love it. Every last detail. I hesitate to photograph it because the decor certainly isn't where it should be considering my recent 2 month hiatus. My husband is begging me to hang pictures. I just love the clean and uncluttered feeling but do need to move forward with decorating. Just not sure it will happen soon.

Thanks for checking on me. Thanks for commenting. And thanks for reading. I hope to be here more regularly so check back!

The Price is Right?

2011-05-07T13:57:00.003-04:00

Would you pay $10 for this?

Any guesses on what it is and why I paid $10 for it?

Music to My Ears

2011-05-06T11:36:00.002-04:00

On the drive to school today Buddy said, "Mom, let's turn off the radio and chat."

That was music to my ears because this Mom likes to chat. Unfortunately, our ride is short and we didn't get enough in but it was sure nice to start the day together, even if just for a few minutes.

Come out from behind Email

2011-05-04T17:15:00.006-04:00

Jmack & Kennedy Interiors

It became blatantly obvious today that coming out from behind my very long to do list, very dirty house and very full email inbox is very good for the soul. (That was four verys in case you lost count.)

I am still gushing over the day I spent last week with friends enjoying one of the many fabulous house tours in our area. We only made it to 3 of the 6 houses in 4 hours because we pored over every detail and enjoyed every minute. My spirit was light. My heart full. It didn't matter a minute that it was poring with rain because we were singing in it. Not literally, I am way too reserved to do that. My heart was singing because I was with good friends walking through rooms in which George Washington dined. I was me for a day and it felt decadent.

Like many I am knee deep in the end of year crunch. Too many commitments and too little time. It's an exciting time of year but frustrating for this Mom who likes to check something off her to do list and have a free day every once in a while for bigger home projects. I think I will have to put "bigger home projects" on the back burner until summer vacation.

I have been inundated with email relating to the pending projects and trudge through them as best I can manage. Don't think for a minute that there aren't 10 left in limbo for every 10 that that get a response. At the end of today I popped in to school to test the popcorn machine, one of my list items relating to my co-chair of Fun Food position at the school fair. As you can see, I have very big stuff pending. I was at school for 30 minutes and saw so many moms in that time. It was way more fun and productive to see them in person than on my computer screen. It's not always possible but a good reminder, in both business and personal settings, to get out from behind the computer screen!

Now, about that end of year luncheon. What do you think of an "It's a Small World" theme with foods from around the world?

New Favorite Thing

2011-04-25T16:54:00.004-04:00

If anyone is still reading, I am sorry to be MIA. I have lost that blogging feeling but am trying to rally. I'll start with baby steps.

I am still wading through the mail that piled up during last week's Spring break. Thankfully, the print pictured above arrived today and wasn't squished in our mailbox with the rest of the week's mail!

Emily at Jones Design Company (here) is someone I have never met but I admire her many talents. She is a great mother to 4 cuties, she decorates to beat the band and has graphic talents I didn't know existed. In fact, I wouldn't have the first clue how to do most of the graphics she does. She shares tutorials for free and offers products for charge. I recently noticed the Family Rules pictured above (here) and ordered it immediately for our mudroom. I love to support enterprising young women and even more thought it would be a great reminder for my children, and their Mother, to read and remember in our comings and goings.

I'm off to find the perfect frame!

Today...and tomorrow

2011-04-01T16:09:00.007-04:00

It's Friday....yippee-kay-ay. This week has been a combination of Murphy Brown and Ground Hog Day. You know you've been under construction for way too long when you are counting how many times your children have had the stomach bug while contractors have been in the house. Most specifically the painter. That's where Murphy Brown comes. Do you remember the painter that became a character on her show because he never left? Thankfully, we have that problem too. Our painters are so nice and their work meticulous. They just never seem to get finish. If only our electricians didn't need to keep cutting holes in our walls!!!!

Here's today in pictures (and words...I can't help myself)...

Sweet Pea on the sofa...poor thing. This bout with the stomach bug has been a bad one. As I was doing the 15th load of laundry (on hot with extra bleach) I realized that I no longer met the medical requirements for the Ronald McDonald House. My book club plans to serve brunch there tomorrow and I can't go. I am so glad I thought of it because I would never want to compromise the health of the family members we serve or their sick little ones.

I had our Daisy troop paint flower pots, make placemats that I laminated and donate lots of breakfast food items for the RMH kitchen pantry. They will all have to go on another trip.

Our house wasn't just a sick bay today. It was a revolving door. The alarm guy accidentally flooded my basement. At least he was nice and very patient with me and my 300 interruptions.

The washer and dryer got delivered for our 2nd floor laundry. Washer pan was too big (who knew!) and they couldn't install the washer. All fine except they were nasty. Call to hubby who fixed them right up. Apparently they will be coming back, free of charge, to install when we have the correct size pan.

The Murphy Brown painter and his sidekick were here all day fixing the dings and dents as well as painting my stair risers and trim. Love them! Note the new dark stain on our hardwood floors. Love the color but it was a feat unto itself.

And if you thought we didn't have enough people in our house at one time don't forget the electrician. He hung lots of light fixtures and I love almost all of them. Need hubby to come home and weigh in tonight. His last project was the powder room. A cheap and minimal fix up that wasn't even factored in the original plan. I learned that the sconces were not symmetrical for a reason other than poor design choices. There was a duct behind that part of the wall. Good thing the duct is no longer needed because Mr. Electrician made a huge hole in the wall, capped the duct and installed new box. Rest assured, my new fixture is not going to be a bulb on the wall. Now, who is going to fix that hole?

Top it off with a dose of "my 12 year old wants to the mall" and we can call it a day. All before 5pm.

If you are still with me, thanks for following along. Keep your fingers crossed for an end to the stomach bug in this house. Sweet Pea will need to eat ice cream every day for a year to gain back the weight she lost. Poor little thing. And while you are at it, have a great weekend!

ps....At what age would you allow your son/daughter to go to the mall with a friend?

Who doesn't love....

2011-03-27T10:24:00.004-04:00

Shoe Shopping! Shopping for shoes is definitely in my top 10 favorite things for which to shop. No need to be embarrassed about your shoe size, they usually fit, and sizing typically doesn't vary. Love these madras Tom's from Neiman Marcus.

What's gotten in to Jack Rogers? Look at this great modern interpretation of a classic from Nordstrom. Love them but not sure I could wear a heel that high.

Do you like shoe shopping?

Orange Part 2

2011-03-26T10:18:00.002-04:00

The towels in the post below were from Walmart....can you believe it? Great rug too and looks so great with the earthy colors in the boy's bathroom. I'll show you soon....pinky swear.

The duvet set above is also from Walmart. I was trying to talk my 12 year old son in to a navy blue and orange theme in his room so I could use this duvet. Didn't work. He prefers this madras duvet from Land of Nod

I can't blame him really.

Detect a Pattern?

2011-03-25T09:43:00.005-04:00

What's the pattern?

The dress I recently purchased from Nordstrom

The towels and rug I bought for my boys' bathroom

Think I have a thing for ORANGE?

Clown Car

2011-03-16T10:43:00.004-04:00

How many Biscuits, and their stuff, can we squeeze in to one Clown Car?

I am talking in code. The Clown Car is really the new family room and the squeezing is the furnishings from our mudroom, kitchen, dining room and living room that have joined the usual family room furnishings.

This week is tougher than the rest of the entire project because it is floor week! I am so nervous about the floor color as our oak colored floors in the entire house are being stained dark to match the new family room floor. I am nervous about going dark although I LOVE the look. A big jump for me. Bigger than transitional light fixtures, bigger than bathroom selections. This floor is making me crazy with nervousness never mind the furniture moving and stuff shoving I have been doing. Apparently, I will need to find a new cleaning apparatus because as my dear friend said, "I love my dark hardwood floors, especially when they are clean."

The guys who are doing the floor assured us we didn't need to move out as the process is "dust less". Which was fine until they started in the kitchen today. I might make a last minute call to hotels in the area for rooms until Friday as I think I might have a meltdown or three on my hands before the end of the week. Heck, probably before the end of the day. What do you think they will say when I ask them to crawl in and out of the family room window? Never mind getting upstairs and down the hall? A ladder is definitely OUT!

So, how much can one fit in our new family room?

37 coats (estimated)

10 chairs

5 lamps

3 mirrors

2 kitchen tables

2 desks

2 sofas

2 buffets

1 secretary/desk

1 ottoman

and an elk painting....it's a long story!

My word for the week is patience...

Not Grandma's Patterned Carpet - WSJ

2011-03-09T14:26:00.007-05:00

Recently the WSJ wrote an article titled, "Not your Grandma's Patterned Carpet". (Click here for a link.) The timing couldn't have been more perfect. I had just finished reading House Beautiful's February 2011 issue and particularly loved the "Fresh Start" article with the above stairs as the opening photo. The yummy pinched zebra carpet made me drool. In fact, I had never "met" pinched zebra carpet before but I sure liked it.

Enter this picture. Love it too. Just not sure that I can pull it off as soon as you walk in my front door up my stairs.

Close up....it's so cooooool. My latest thought, how about in my Benjamin Moore Whitall Brown dining room with my ultra traditional dining table and chairs.

Back to the article. As the above thoughts swirled in my head the article had me at hello. Here is the opening line:

"It's a bold move to lay a patterned carpet, but if you choose the right one, such as a modern leopard print or a strong geometric, you won't regret it."

My husband brought me the article knowing that it was great timing. He was very brave as we have had several discussions lately about area rugs and carpets for the first floor and he knew that I was already thinking bold before even reading the article. He was adding fuel to my designing fire and that was brave.

Enter this black and tan herringbone. I am thinking the herringbone is a better fit for the runner up my dark hardwood stairs with white risers. It will be great against dirt and will make a statement. Not an animal print statement but a statement nonetheless. Who doesn't love herringbone!

Benjamin Moore Whitall Brown

So, back to the dining room. I love our Whitall Brown walls with China White chair rail and wainscoting. What do you think about pinched zebra in the dining room with our very traditional pedestal table and chairs?

Open House

2011-03-05T15:04:00.003-05:00

It's gorgeous and warm today and I just walked Sweet Pea to a birthday party in the neighborhood. It feels so good to be outside and get a little vitamin D. I asked Buddy to join me on the walk knowing we would have the walk home to "chat". He's such an angel one on one. Don't even ask me about the rest of the time!

Along the way we ran in to several neighbors. Along with the usual pleasantries they all asked about an Open House. As in, when is it. I feel my heart flutter and tummy rumble each time I am asked. Don't they know that I am not some decorating show that finishes with the big reveal? After construction, a new paint scheme and fresh ideas for our home there are lots of changes that still need to be made. A few new pieces have been or will be purchased. But Rome was not created in a day, right?

I have to get over the magazine pictures in my head and know that my home doesn't have to be perfect or finished in order to open it to the neighbors. We are very proud of the nearly finished project and those close friends that have toured our home do love it. It's just me. I am so grateful to our neighbors for encouragement, patience with construction trucks, pats on the back and reminders that it will be ok. We are hoping that a Sunday afternoon in May will be the perfect time for an Open House for our neighbors.

Ok, time to clean the boy's bath. It's in, ready to use and they love it! Final step...hardwood floor refinishing next week!

ps...hardwood guy just called. Miscommunication about the dates and it will be 3/14. I wasn't very gracious on the phone and wish I had been as I appreciate that the delay will give us more time to edit and move furniture around.

Can we get an Hallelujah?

2011-03-01T08:02:00.007-05:00

Our children slept in their own rooms last night! Pump your hands and say Amen. It was a quiet night and easy bed time for the first time in 4 months. I asked them at dinner if they would miss each other at all. Their answer was a resounding, "NO!". I do hope that they look back at this time together fondly although they all agree they won't and that I am living in a dream world. One more item was checked off our list yesterday...carpet. Next up is to finish tiling the boy's hall bathroom and then refinish all of the hardwood floors. I really have to get psyched up for that one!

Below are some great house photos from a local property. Browse and then read what I write at the bottom.

Viking, subzero and black granite kitchen

Carrera marble counter tops in Butler's Pantry

Custom closets

Carrera Master Bath

Built Ins

This house is being demolished and there is a sale this weekend to sell all that you see here. They are taking out everything we just put in. It would have been great to have a contractor go with me to the sale and remove everything that I needed for our project.

Fast and Slow

2011-02-26T17:39:00.006-05:00

Things here happen fast and slow. No one shows up for a few days and then they all show up on the same day at the same time.

We bid farewell to the dumpster and driveway potty - yahoo! The boys are back to playing basketball in the driveway and we can actually park close to the house. The driveway took a beating from the dumpster. Just add it to the list. I never knew our front yard would look like a pit when construction was nearly done. I have a call in to a landscaper. I hope I didn't sound desperate!

My light fixtures have been a bone of contention. I had to buy a lot of them. Or at least what felt like a lot of them. I have looked and looked. Online and in store. I might have mentioned it, once or twice, already on this blog. I have purchased light fixtures from here, there and every where. I guess I am not one to walk in to a retail shop and drop 4 figures on light fixtures. What I have ended up with is beautiful (at least I think so), each has a story, and I certainly got a few gray hairs over it all coordinating. If I never shop for another sconce again I will be happy.

Restoration Hardware Nolan Double Sconce

Over the last few months, while watching Nate's show, I have noticed and liked the sconces on his set. I thought about them a couple of times, looked on his website for sources, didn't have any luck and moved on. Fast forward to a Restoration Hardware clearance center that is closing at the end of the month and look what I found for our living room. It wasn't until I was home and catching up on Nate episodes a few days later that I realized they were the same light fixture. Yeah! Love them and love the white linen shade. They are the Nolan Double Sconce and retail for $259. My price...2 for $80.

Hmmm....add window treatments to the list as well as a coordinating light fixture for the foyer. Will the list ever end?

Dates with Dad

2011-02-18T15:56:00.003-05:00

Our kids have each had a chance to have quality time with Daddy in the past week. It's nice when it works out for them each to have a chance to refill their cups and connect. Sweet Pea and her Daddy went to her school's father daughter dance together.

Our ideas of what she was going to wear were very different. I knew she wasn't thinking sweet and smocked. And I wasn't thinking short, skimpy and sassy. I decided to pick my battle and found a dress at a consignment store that wasn't my favorite choice but I knew she would love it. Bottom line it was pink, had long sleeves, and slightly sparkly which makes every 1st grader happy.

We used her curling iron for the first time. I got it for her for Christmas and it was surprisingly easy to use. She wasn't sure about all the curls but I loved them.

Daddy chose a pink Lilly tie to match...so sweet. They had a wonderful evening together. They had dinner with several other Dads and their daughters before the dance. I was sure she would ditch Daddy to dance with her friends as soon as they got there but was surprised to hear that she was by his side all night. They apparently had a quartet of moves...they whipped, they flipped, they slipped and they dipped. It was quite a night!

Happy Valentine's Day

2011-02-14T11:51:00.002-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope yours is filled with fun, family, friendship and lots and lots of love!

Love doesn't have to be fancy and certainly we have done nothing commercial to make this Valentine's special in our home. We spend lots of time making homemade cards, enjoying dinner at home together and opening little token gifts. My husband thinks every day is Valentine's Day and I do agree with him. However, it is fun to add a few touches to make today extra special.

Here's a sneak peek at the new family room built ins. The new custom cabinetry, vanities and built ins were installed last week and we love everything! The fireplace surround is on this week's list of things to choose. Probably marble or stone with a minimal pattern. Suggestions? I used the tv alcove to display our cards and gifts that we will open at dinner tonight.

Sweet Pea and Buddy spent hours making their homemade cards. Each year's formula is about the same. Paper, heart cut outs, stickers and lollipops. I love that they spend hours personalizing each card. It's fun as well to have them talk about the special qualities of their friends while writing.

Family came to visit to celebrate my nephew's 19th birthday. It was a great afternoon. I loved the shot of these two watching the birthday boy cut his cake.

Our Valentine's Baby. Happy 19th Birthday!

I have two school parties to run and attend this afternoon. I've dipped the strawberries in chocolate and have a couple. Next up....individual molten chocolate cakes for our dinner tonight - yum!

The Circus is Leaving Town

2011-02-08T05:31:00.000-05:00

The circus is moving out today. Bathroom #3 is slated to be demolished. Let's hope the plumber has bathroom #1 or #2 hooked up before the end of the day!

This bathroom is our hall bath and the circus themed vintage looking fabric from Warm Biscuit Bedding was able to help pull a few more years out of the original 1960's blue tile walls and floor. The yellow walls were just the right pop of color. I made the valance and shower curtain with a striped cording and trim. Don't look to closely...I'm not a great seamstress.

One of my favorite things are the framed pages from a Vintage circus themed Golden Book. My super talented framer was able to use the fabric as the mat.

Don't you love this red vintage polka dot fabric with Bozo? I think these will be finding their way to a consignment store. Hopefully someone else will have a fun place to enjoy them.

I'm not sure what to do with this super cute miniature oil painting of a carnival on a pier at the beach. Love it too!

Here's to more hammering, gutting, drywalling, painting, tiling. We are almost to the end of the road and so thrilled with how everything else has turned out. I have been searching for light fixtures and I think, as of tonight, I have that figured out as well. Next up....rugs and decor. I might need a break!

Holy Installation

2011-02-04T09:24:00.004-05:00

This is Sweet Pea's room design. It was a great snow day project. She took it very seriously and I was thrilled because I have been completely stuck on her room decor and was trying to get her to narrow down her color choices. I have beautiful fabrics stashed away downstairs that a designer gave to me. Think raspberry velvet, pink and green floral, and pink and cream dot. So cute but won't work if she is looking for a pottery barn catalog look. As well, I have some gorgeous antique white monogrammed spreads that I have been saving. But again, might be more my look than hers. So all of that has left me completely in limbo and more indecisive than usual.

I tried to add text boxes and then copy here but it's not working but I need to work on that a bit. Another time.

It's been quiet around here for a few weeks. Bathrooms being tiled is slow and painful. Sort of like watching the paint dry the week before. I have learned so much about my tile selections from this process. The shame is I will probably never do it again. I'll have to find a friend with whom to share my newfound knowledge! Things like how the frameless shower door fits over the round edge trim tile. Hard to explain here but honestly I never gave my shower doors a thought when selecting my tile.

As of yesterday, the tiling is coming to a close and our project is ramping up again. I love our Amish foreman Mel. He really gets things going. He was here yesterday, along with 11 other men, and had the job hopping. As well he has plans for us to use our new bathrooms next week so he can demolish and put back together the 3rd bath. The 3 vanities, laundry cabinets, family room built ins and kitchen bench were installed yesterday. One word....WOW! It was better than Christmas! Everything is beautiful and I am so excited about my designs and finishes. The countertops were templated (after lots of panic about the sinks not being on site) and will be delivered on MONDAY! Apparently it's the slow season. Lucky me. Pictures will follow, I promise.

The hunt is still on for mirrors and sconces. I'm going to make a few stops this morning. My seamstress is coming over this afternoon to pick up the next installment...cushions for the kitchen bench and window seats. I am going to dig out some remnants in the basement and put them to good use.

Today is back to tiling only as we gear up for next week. I have to do some major cleaning and straightening over the weekend. It will be so great to get everything in this house back to a home. Have a great day and terrific super bowl weekend!

Bonkers for Bamboo

2011-02-01T13:01:00.004-05:00

I am bonkers for Bamboo. Not the real bamboo. We had a terrible time taming the real thing in our backyard in Australia. I love the bamboo look furniture from the 60's and 70's. I am looking for bedside tables for our bedroom and just came across this set on Craigslist. The set is $175. We only need the chairs and they might be just the right thing for our kitchen. Painted and upholstered, of course. Never afraid of a project.

Unfortunately, someone got to the seller first. I am in a holding pattern crossing my fingers that the person interested doesn't follow through this weekend. I think it's a long shot. Keep your fingers and toes crossed.

I have only purchased a bedroom set for Buddy on CL. I have never sold a thing and am a bit creeped out by the thought of having someone come to your home for pick up. I am thinking about selling some of our furniture and would love any tips from seasoned CL sellers. Thanks!

ps...We are getting our closets installed today - YEAH! And, my children are home on ANOTHER snow day. Lots of grossness and ice out there today.

These Two

2011-02-01T11:59:00.005-05:00

These two nut jobs rarely like my dinners, fight constantly, enjoy very different things, speak in "loud" voices, despise bathing, dislike school work, and challenge me every day. The one thing they have in common, surprisingly, are very kind hearts. Most of the kindness is directed towards those outside our family, naturally. But as I remember these times of chaos and lots of frustration I also want to remember the goodness in these two.

Buddy enjoyed a very full and fun MLK long weekend with multiple playdates, sledding and sports. When I asked him about his favorite part of the weekend, it was his visit to Maggie.

Maggie is the sweet daughter of friend who has a neurological impairment. She was recently moved to a group home and Buddy joined his family for a visit. My friend explained in great detail that Buddy was never once overwhelmed by the experience but full engaged with a heart of gold. He spoke straight to Maggie and loved that she responded with a smile. He stroked her arm, asked lots of questions about the facility, thought her bath tub was the coolest and charmed the nurses and staff. He is such a sensitive soul with a tremendously tough exterior. He is fair and kind and shines when in the company with any one who requires a little more help because they are "special". I am so proud of Buddy's heart and believe it is truly a gift from God. We marvel with our church family about what is in store for Buddy. Many believe he is a Pastor in training. We shall see.

When The Dog isn't making me crazy from speaking in grunts and groans and flipping his hair, he too can surprise me. His 7th grade is planning a 3 day trip to Williamsburg. Can you imagine? As an aside, guess who is a chaperone? My husband! Back to the Dog, it's an expensive trip. The check for $300 + was due a couple of weeks ago and The Dog was very concerned that deserving classmates could not afford the trip. He asked us to pay for another child's trip. My husband and I were so caught off guard. He was relentless. He just knew that he had to help. Of course he didn't agree to our "empty the dishwasher for a year" requirement and I would have liked him to have more time to contribute to "earning" the money but the deadline was looming and so we agreed and here is the email he wrote to the coordinator.

Dear Coordinator (I do know her name but left it out on purpose)
I know that the Williamsburg trip money has been collected but I was
wondering if there is a student, that is deserving and not able to
afford the payment. If there is my family would be happy to pay for them

And here is what she wrote back.

This is so generous! THANK YOU! I have been instructed by
administration to have you write an additional check made out to "our school"
and turn it in to "the guidance counselor" to be deposited to
the student activities fund and used towards students having financial
difficulties. It will certainly go to good use because there ARE
students that are having trouble paying for the trip.
Thank you so much!

I know he would have liked to know who benefited from his donation but I believe he has done a great deed and is learning the art of generosity. Now, let's keep our fingers crossed for the trip to Williamsburg. My husband is a saint for going and I will rest easier knowing he is there.

Seamstress

2011-01-28T17:33:00.004-05:00

Excuse the grainy iphone photo and the background of drywall mud/tape and multiple unfinished projects.

Please focus your eye on Sweet Pea and her American Girl Doll's darling hand sewn and smocked dress. Can you believe my sister is this crafty? This lovely is hand made down to the gingham piping, peter pan collar, miniature buttons and snaps. Oh my goodness she is a talented seamstress and Sweet Pea is the fortunate recipient.

She has sort of grown out wearing smocked dresses herself, sob sob, but is very happy to put them on her dolly. We love the peach dress and smocked pattern of bunnies an carrots. Sweet Pea is one lucky girl!

Update

2011-01-27T17:26:00.006-05:00

Update to our master bath floor...it's half way done. The tilers weren't here yesterday because we have had such bad weather and they travel an hour, on a good day, to get here. When he came back today, the first day he has been here since I asked him to rip out the floor and start over, he admitted to liking the floor better with the herringbone going in this direction. Yeah!

Our tilers are the nicest brother duo. They are from a small town and have been doing a lot of work over this way lately because they are a favorite of our Amish contractor who has been super busy in our area. Apparently, bathroom design in our area is high maintenance. One of the brothers asked me yesterday, "What is it with you all in this area? Your bathrooms are so complicated?" It just made me laugh. They went on to explain that in their area bathrooms are 12x12 and nothing more. No fancy 1x1's, herringbone floors, detail, trim, etc. Just 12 x 12. I tried to sell them that our projects were a good challenge to increase their portfolio and keep them challenged. They laughed at me.

Oh well, I tried.

Herringbone

2011-01-25T16:10:00.004-05:00

When I came home from errands today the tile guy was laying the herringbone pattern floor in our master bath. When I stood in the door and looked down he had the pattern as above.

Unfortunately I wanted the point going with you as you walked in to the room as below.

I felt terrible asking him to pull it up. Fortunately, he was only about 6 cuts and 20 tiles in to it. I asked if it would ruin his night. He confirmed no and nicely told me he preferred to rip it up tonight rather than tomorrow. I think he's a glass half full kind of guy, don't you?

Which way do you prefer the herringbone running if you were standing in my bathroom looking down at the floor. The vanity is on the left and the shower on the right. Straight ahead is a window.

Thanks for talking me off the ledge.

A Little Shopping

2011-01-22T17:57:00.003-05:00

You never know what you are going to find when out and about. I dropped my ottoman and headboard fabrics at the upholsters yesterday and decided to take a different way home via two favorite consignment and thrift stores. This mid century transitional beauty was calling my name. It was so loud my husband heard it too and we brought it home with us today.

It's a Baker piece. Not particularly fancy or new. But I loved the grain of the wood, the shields on the key holes and the brass rings for pulls. It is 66" long and will fit perfectly in the new master under the flat screen.

The piece is in a holding pattern in the semi-finished yet completely empty family room. Sweet Pea just walked in with me from the Dog's basketball game and said,

"Mom, this piece would be perfect in a bathroom. You could cut two sinks in here and here. The top drawers could be fake and these drawers below would still work."

You know what, she is absolutely right! This piece would be perfect as a vanity and for $475 a steal compared to a custom vanity. I need to ask her for her ideas more often!

Service and Friends can be FUN!

2011-01-18T16:21:00.005-05:00

Sweet Pea and I spent MLK day making a very special delivery. Sweet Pea's Girl Scout Daisy troop made/knotted fleece blankets for donation. At the time they made them we didn't have a donation point but knew they would eventually be put to good use. One of our leaders arranged for delivery to our local hospital's pediatric ward on MLK day. The hospital president, several other high ranking administrators, and the PR department met 6 of our Daisies to photograph and interview our daisies as they delivered their fleece blankets to some very special patients yesterday. It was lovely!

While we were out we decided to treat our girls to lunch. Service and Friends always leads to FUN!

20 Day Renovation

2011-01-14T19:28:00.003-05:00

Courtesy of Cote De Texas I just noticed the most amazing post. A gorgeous renovation done in just 20 days. You must visit so just click here!

Serena & Lily Sighting

2011-01-13T09:28:00.005-05:00

I ran through our local TJ M*xx the other night and found a corner of Serena & Lily items in the linens section. This darling green Market Sling was $39 even though it's still in their website's sale section for double that. There were cute duvets, dust ruffles and a few other items. Always great finds in the linens section. I might need to find a 12 step program to cure my love of fine linens! I am on the hunt for great linens for our first ever King bed. Suggestions?

This was for my sister

2011-01-11T12:49:00.003-05:00

Now you see it...

Now you don't...

What's missing?

Like it?

Poetic Monday

2011-01-10T14:51:00.003-05:00

The Dog is in to all things sports. He plays sports, watches sports, reads sports and talk sports.

He really stopped us all in our tracks the other night at dinner when he pulled poetry from under his plate. He read to us what he has been working on at school. I had to lift my chin off the floor. For a guy who talks statistics instead of feelings, i found his poem surprisingly, dare I say, sensitive.

The storm is a fire raging through the world

It is raining

bam, bam, bam

The lightening stops for a brief second

The puddles turn to swamps

Then lakes

Then oceans

Plick Plack Plick Plack Plick Plack

The clouds are looking at us with a frowning face

But when out of the darkness there comes a familiar face

THE SUN

Ahhh. Finally.

I hope you see a lot of the sun today!

Big Decisions

2011-01-09T14:04:00.003-05:00

Paint colors are my least favorite to choose. I have never been very good at it. If someone else narrows down the selection I can usually pick one. Multiple projects and multiple paints have sort of thrown me over the edge.

The toughest color choice has been the pink in Sweet Pea's room. The children were so helpful in the powder room I decided to let Sweet Pea paint on her own paint samples. Wearing one of Daddy's undershirts she first sampled the colors for her bedroom. On the left, Benjamin Moore Touch of Pink. On the right, Benjamin Moore Ballet Slippers. They are darker in person. We chose the color on the left.

She moved on to her bath once the bedroom samples were complete. The top color isn't on yet in the photo below but we tried ballet slippers and the bottom color was Bed of Roses. We chose Bed or Roses.

It's PINK but will look cute with white vanity, fixtures, floor and shower. I hope....

Fast Work

2011-01-07T13:23:00.005-05:00

All things renovation are moving forward. Feels like a snails pace compared to the walls going down and back up again at the beginning. I expected the slowdown and an watching the paint dry, literally, so we can get the tiling party started.

As if there aren't enough balls in the air, I decided to add a few more. This is the first floor powder room before...blue wallpaper inherited from the previous owner, free valance from my sister, cheap & ugly sconces, monogram shades and vintage mirror inherited from family.

Sweet Pea helped get us started...she decided to see what would happen if she gave a little rip a tug. Hmm....

Took about 5 minutes flat to get 99.9% of the wallpaper down. These two are a wallpaper destruction dynamo.

Now to the ugly work...the glue. Also, do you think I could slip new toilet, sink and sconces by my hubby? The curtain is going and we are replacing it with a plantation shutter. You can see that our deck is just beyond the powder room and a plantation shutter is going to be the best combination of privacy and light.

Suggestions for wallpaper or paint in this small space? As well, if you would like the curtain let me know and I can share dimensions and would be happy to give it to you if it works. It's a valance on a board.

What projects are you working on?

Traditions Schmaditions

2011-01-06T20:03:00.009-05:00

Our Christmas Traditions went out the window this year. Might have had something to do with replacing the windows, and a few other things. Let's start the holiday season with a haircut. A long layered look with fresh highlights. Ahem, I'm not a natural blonde.

Next on the agenda, a black tie Christmas music concert in the city. It was so festive and a beautiful chilly night out in the city. The performance was an all male choir who performed at the concert hall downtown. We invited my Mother to join us as she is very musical and always loves a formal night out. Mrs. Claus hopped in our photo in front of the plywood background. Might as well let the ambiance speak for itself.

One of my favorite things in the season is the church Christmas Pageant. I worked with two other ladies to lead the children's performance of The Unfriendly Beasts. (Click HERE for the link) I have helped with the children's pageant for a number of years and this was by far my favorite. The children were well rehearsed and shared perfectly the Christmas message and spirit with so many through their production.

Buddy was the donkey who came with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. He opened the show with his first solo. This Mom was bursting with pride and excitement. He was very brave and did a wonderful job. Sweet pea was a lamb with her own line. To Speak. At a microphone. She can be very shy in large crowds but she mastered her line beautifully. The audience gave her a big "Awwww" when she was done.

As you all have heard a few times, we are "under construction". The dust was this year's Christmas present that kept on giving, and giving, and giving. It's endless. Just when you clean it's dusty again. Because of the dust we didn't want to get our usual decorations out of the attic. That and the fact that our attic has been turned upside down during the roof and booster HVAC installations.

So, our usual holiday traditions gave way to a year of doing things differently. We bought our first artificial tree (it was short and sweet) and let all the children pick their own ornaments. We set a decorating record... the tree was up and decorated in no time flat. We had wreaths on the doors and that was it for the outside. We had no visiting family but enjoyed sharing Christmas Day with a family from church who graciously invited us to join them when they heard we were home alone.

I surprised the children on their last day of school with an early pick up so we could enjoy ice cream treats from The Franklin Fountain and the play, The Borrowers, at the Arden Theatre all in downtown Philadelphia. Who could cook dinner after all of that fun so we enjoyed dinner out after the show as well.

The theatre asked our family to usher for the show. In exchange for our services we were treated to a backstage tour and learned about some of the behind the scenes work that it takes to put on such a great show.

At first the children were disappointed and then I was disappointed because what child isn't thrilled about being surprised and picked up from school early. Buddy thought we were going on a snowboard vacation and The Dog was feeling a little too cool for the theatre. Ah, the joys of a 12 year old. Once they got there, and got plied with ice cream, they were able to shift gears and enjoy the afternoon. They left raving about wanting to do it again. Ok, I have to be honest. The Dog didn't do much raving but he did at least comply with my requests for peace, harmony and changed out of his usual N*ke shorts and t-shirt for warmer city duds.

Next day...same outfits. While I was scrambling on Christmas Eve to arrange an I-ph*ne for The Dog's ultimate Christmas present, hubby got the children dressed and ready to meet me at the mall for a visit with Santa. Who waits until Christmas Eve you wonder...The Bickies! We were scrambling but got there. We chose to visit the unfriendly Santa because his line was shorter. They tried to pretend they were excited. I think Sweet Pea and I were the most excited.

Not much chat from this Santa. The kids told him their top 2 items and off we went. Check.

Christmas Eve church is always really special. The children replayed portions of the Christmas Pageant and each had a speaking part. The Dog was a lay reader and it just makes my heart swell to see him participate in such a big piece of our worship service.

We put out the reindeer food....
oops...out of order...we also drove through the neighborhood on the way home from church enjoying the luminaries. This is my artistic take as I can't for the life of me get a photo to actually resemble the beauty of the night. Our neighborhood does such a beautiful job of lighting the way every year. It's also a great opportunity for serving our neighbors as there are many unable to set out their luminaries. We have been doing our neighbor's for years and added a few extras this year. Always worth it and a great way for the children to occupy themselves when they are gripped with the anticipation of Christmas.

Back to the reindeer food...Buddy's laying the food while Sweet Pea poses. I think they bickered about the division of labor right after the flash went off.

Ah...Christmas morning. The day started for The Dog, the one who sleeps like a full fledged teenager most days, at 4:30 am. He didn't want to sit and wait alone so he woke his brother. They did hold off until 6 am to wake their sister. I was dozing on and off and during those brief moments of being awake during the 5 o'clock hour I recall hearing their excitement and how well they got along. It made this Momma very happy but surely didn't get me up. We did finally get up at the predetermined time of 7:00 am and let them change the routine...no breakfast required and a free for all of unwrapping. I didn't love it but tried to be a good sport and decided to embrace the year of changed traditions.

It's always good to start with a toothbrush and some Under Arm*r.

Bikes are nice...especially when you can ride them in the unfinished family room.

And Nerf guns (that my husband just pelted me with) are twice as nice when they are from the ultra cool Australian Uncle Greg. Wow, he sure knows how to pick a gift!

We did lots of lounging for the week...and dodged workmen, of course.

Happy New Year dear readers. I have enjoyed reading about your holidays and wish for all the best for you and yours in 2011.

We love a PJ Party

2010-12-22T23:41:00.003-05:00

Sweet Pea's class party was a first...pj's and breakfast! It was great fun and the parents did such a great job planning all the details. It's not normally easy to get Sweet Pea out the door in the morning. But this morning, it was very easy. Pj's...check. Breakfast at school...check. Party excitement....check.

I'm never one to miss a party. They asked parents to wear their pj's. Most didn't but the least I could do was wear sweats with my matching pajama shirt. Sweet Pea was grinning from ear to ear. Thankfully, I remembered to go home and change before heading out for errands :)

My hubby and I drove to the heart of Amish country today to shop for carpet and make lots of flooring choices - ugh! We did count 81 ups trucks in a 5 mile stretch on the way. That was a record. As well, my hubby ripped his jeans (oops) and we chatted more in our drive there and back than we have for a month!

Merry Merry!

A Portico for Christmas

2010-12-21T16:59:00.002-05:00

Sing along....All I want for Christmas is a Port-i-co.. All I want for Christmas is a Port-i-co. Ok, so anyone who knows me knows that there is more on my list than just a portico. It's just that Christmas week brings a trimmed portico this year.

The columns went in today and additional trim goes on the columns on Thursday. The builder said he had another day and half on them. When I asked Sweet Pea what she thought on her way in from school I asked her if it looked good. She said, "Not just good Mom but GREAT!"

Perfection

2010-12-20T12:59:00.012-05:00

The title of this post isn't meant to indicate that I am perfect. God knows, I am the first to admit, that I am NOT. I however do try a little too hard sometimes and this post is meant to serve as reminder of what happens when I am too concerned with perfection. I often lose sight of the details.

I am happy with our Christmas Card from Tiny Prints. Here it is....

On the inside I could add an option for individual pictures of each child. I decided to include a photo of each with a quick note with age, grade, sports, and details for what they are thankful.

The boys were quick and decisive. Sweet Pea, not so much. I asked about what she wanted to include and she wanted to think about it. She wanted to come up with just the right thing. Hmmm, where does she get that from?

I checked and rechecked the card a million and one times. I went back to her for an answer without any success. I went back to the card later and in a hurry ordered the card completely forgetting that she STILL needed to complete her paragraph. After all, I had a coupon to use and a deadline. I had tried so hard to be deliberate and thorough. Darn.

I was so excited for the box of cards to arrive. If I remember correctly, it might have arrived on the same very exciting day that the contractor discovered hardwood floors in our foyer. That was surely a good sign. I opened the card, read the inside, grabbed my heart and uttered loudly, "UGH!". A house full of contractors gave me an instant, and forgotten, audience. I felt compelled to explain myself to the electrician watching my reaction. Oh, I wish I would stop doing that. He just wanted to be sure I wasn't having a heart attack!

Yes, you see it correctly. I forgot to loop back with Sweet Pea and get her final answer in order to complete her paragraph.

Of course, I got upset and frustrated. I was headed off to a school concert and took one to throw in a friend's face so we could commiserate. I showed it to my hubby later. He's so wise. He showed us AGAIIN how to turn a negative in to a positive by suggesting Sweet Pea tell me what she is thankful for when writing each card. A little time intensive but super sweet when she is telling her friends that she is thankful for them or our family that they are important to her. Things have a way of working out, don't they?

Christmas Card Bloopers 2010

2010-12-19T12:36:00.008-05:00

We had quite the Christmas Card photo taking session this year. I was way too invested which made me a little hyped up wanting so desperately to capture a wonderful picture of my own children. I took a wonderful photography seminar this fall with Lisa and saw what was possible by some very talented photographers. While there I practiced taking photos of children that were not my own and oh so cooperative. It was great! I was determined to create the same thing. They sure didn't make it easy!

Let me first introduce you to my right hand man...funny guy, entertainer, and the parent to insert calm when one (me!) might be a little too crazed about the photos she is taking. He wears many hats, including the children's.

Of course these are in no order because I can't figure out how to load photos in a particular order.

Surprise...

Thriller from Michael Jackson anyone....

We had a hole lot of this....from him....

They started off the day with this...

We had several of these....meltdowns...on the ground....waiting to revived with belly laughs. Here's my right hand man in action. He also brings snacks!

This was their idea of a pose in the front yard. They thought they could get out of the trip to the park for photo taking by posing their own and being ready in the front yard. I liked it so much it's on the back of the final card.

All in all, a day that didn't make me feel like a great Mom but I was happy with the final picture thanks to a little help from my friend. Our final card tomorrow.

Perfection

2010-12-18T08:04:00.004-05:00

I adore this ad from Tiffany & Co. It caught my eye as I was searching for parking at the mall. Let's just say the parking situation was dire and this sweet ad put me back in the holiday spirit. The children are beautiful as are their, I suppose, pretend parents.

When I put on my photographer's hat I wonder how they accomplished all that is beautiful in the photo...the snow, the children's faces, the perfect kiss. Must be PHOTOSHOP!

The clothes remind me of the cuteness I saw at Olive Juice's warehouse sale. I got there at the very end, bought more than intended and had such fun putting together a cute outfit for Sweet Pea. I am fixated on the brown tights that I didn't buy and need to finish the outfit. Anyone have any Olive Juice connections?

I just had a feeling...

2010-12-17T08:29:00.003-05:00

That this was coming up soon! I just looked and it's today. I'm supposed to be grocery shopping but I might just have to stop in for a minute, or two. or three.

Tongue Tied

2010-12-15T13:19:00.003-05:00

Today I am feeling tongue tied. I found a little gift for a friend today and it took me three attempts, and three notecards :(, to get my thoughts down on the paper.

My first attempt said, "Merry Christmas! Enjoy!"

I put the card and the wrapped present in the mailing envelope and sealed it. I wanted to use a simple message because the gift would speak for itself.

I have this knack of remembering really little details. Most days I can't remember what I did the day before but I can remember the exact pair of earrings that I brought to our bookclub gift exchange in 2009. My friend Jennie had them stolen from her in the "fun" of the exchange and has been disappointed ever since. Fast forward to December 15, 2010. I finally found another pair. They were purchased from a gift show in 2009 and I crossed paths with the same ladies at a show today and low and behold they had another pair. Sure beats accosting them at Costco...not that I would have done that last January!

Then I started thinking. And then I started worrying. Any other time of year I could drop a gift in the mail and not worry about the recipient feeling the need to reciprocate. At this crazy time of year I started to worry that she would feel obligated to send something back and that was the last thing I wanted. Can't we send a gift just because?

I cut the bag open, removed the card, and decided to try again.

The second attempt I got all tongue tied, skipped a word, and then got jumbled on another. I threw that card away too.

I finally got it on my third attempt. I thought for a moment. Decided what it was I was really trying to say and explained that the gift was just that, a gift. Her only gift to me was to enjoy them.

Now, off to the post office! I hope in all of the doing for others she enjoys a moment for herself.

The True Meaning of Christmas

2010-12-07T16:57:00.005-05:00

Disclaimer....Many ideas I have are not original. Most times I am totally inspired by some other very creative person and then I extract their idea and add my own touches.

I recently read a post about traditions at Christmas that help our children keep the gifting aspect of Christmas in perspective. My first thought, "What do we do and is it enough?"

There is always room for improvement and this year our focus is particularly challenged because of the construction madness in our home. However, I am putting my best foot forward to remember the real reason for the season.

Tonight I am working with a team of folks to host a True Meaning of Christmas party at our church. We did it for the first time last year and it was a huge success. I was a bit more prepared for last year than I am this year but things always have a way of working out.

I borrowed the idea from a family in our neighborhood that hosts a True Meaning of Christmas party in their home. We have a huge contingent of families in our neighborhood who worship elsewhere but love our VBS in the summer. I suggested this event at Christmas because it gives us another opportunity to connect with our VBS families during the year.

Tonight's schedules includes a spaghetti dinner and a round robin rotation through stations for crafts, bible story and games. Oh how our children love their games! Especially a relay involving Hershey kisses and oversized gloves!

Our bible story will be in the sanctuary this year. The creche is already in place and our leader is staging the bible story as if the children are overhearing the very important conversations between Mary, Joseph and the innkeeper. It should be amazing and I am so excited to watch the children as they are transported back to bible times.

We finish the night with parents rejoining their children for carol singing and cookies. I hope it's a wonderful night and one that helps reinforce to our children the reason for the season.

Blessings to you all!

A First

2010-12-07T10:05:00.000-05:00

Look who lost her first tooth! of course, there is a big tooth come in the back and she needs to lose at the 2 more in order to fit the new tooth. I see orthodontia in her future.

She also went to a birthday party at Sweet and Sassy for the first time this weekend. It sounds like quite a production. She is in love with the hair. Me, not so much. They put her hair in a bun and then attached the faux locks. Do you think she will let me borrow it for our line up of holiday parties?

Children, Fashion and Bribery

2010-12-06T10:49:00.003-05:00

Getting my children dressed for church is a nightmare! We go to church nearly every Sunday, as we have for the past 13 years. My children have essentially gone to church nearly every Sunday of their entire lives. Don't you think they would have a) figured out how we dress and b) given up on trying to get out of going.

Yesterday I scrambled to get them dressed as it's a little harder under renovation to find what we need. Each one hated what I had put together and they, surprisingly, had my husband and I in hysterics about it on the drive to church.

The Dog (who is 12!) called himself an oompa loompa in his Ralph Lauren striped rugby shirt and decided Sweet Pea looked Amish in her gorgeous boutique brand smocked green gingham dress and matching sweater. Buddy chimed in and questions how on earth I could put him in a Christmas vest with Santa in, of all things, an airplane. They were very good spirited about the whole thing and sometimes you just have to laugh.

The little ladies at church gave them lots of cheek pinching and compliments. They thought they were darling. I'm not sure if that helps me or makes my job to dress them for Sundays even harder.

I have to come clean...I bribed them to pose for this photo! This was just one of those moments I had to capture.

While I was taking photos Buddy wanted to be sure to get another one in the MUSTANG. Good thing our contractors take the keys home every night!

This is what most of my photos turn out like. Can you glimpse Sweet Pea's sassy red patent leather boots? They are Kenneth Cole from Nordstrom HERE and the most favorite thing we have purchased this season. Worth every penny of the $29.95. I hope she remembers them when she is grown up like I remember my chunky heeled white patent leather boots.

Decorating ADD

2010-12-02T11:45:00.001-05:00

I have self diagnosed Decorating ADD. My mind jumps from one project to the next and I can't seem to complete a thought for any one room at a time. It's especially difficult when I am working on several rooms at a time.

Perhaps it's not a bad thing. Maybe that's just my version of creativity. Right now it's my version of insomnia. Not really...I haven't had much trouble sleeping lately but I do fall asleep thinking about design schemes and paint colors. Doesn't everybody?

I'm not someone to shop in one store for decorator fabrics and expensive furniture. I enjoy the process and like to piece my rooms together from a variety of sources. For better or for worse!

The above scheme is the start to my new master bedroom. What do you think?

The pair of new Ethan Allen chairs from the Goodwill were the first purchases. From there I loved the green and while duvet. I love the pattern and the color. The green is a tad off but I think I can work with it. The IKAT is a tablecloth purchased from One Kings Lane. My vision...Euro shams behind white Frette shams ($7 score from TJ Maxx) with green monograms. I loved the tablecloth instantly and knew it would give me a large amount of fabric at a reasonable price.

I have been looking at fabric covered headboards and might make a purchase from Ballard Designs. I have ordered a stack of sample fabrics to be sure I can make the right match.

These lights from Pottery Barn (click HERE) also struck my fancy. Love the burlap shades with the mercury glass lamps. Was thinking of buying two different lamps to avoid the matchy matchy. Definitely the trophy lamp on the left but not sure about the 2nd lamp.

What do you think so far?

13 years 2 months 1 week and 3 days

2010-12-01T11:25:00.007-05:00

For 13 years 2 months 1 week and 3 days, give or take a few days, I lived with the ugliest faux brick floor in my foyer. And really, it wasn't a foyer, it was a front door that abutted the stairs to the 2nd floor. I absolutely hated that floor.

Several years ago I pried one of the faux brick squares up and found a plywood subfloor. I sadly replaced the square and resigned myself to life with faux brick indefinitely. At the time of the faux brick escapade our current addition wasn't even contemplated.

I wasn't sure what I was going to do about the faux brick other than buy a cute hooked rug to draw visitors' attention away from the U-G-L-Y floor.

That all changed yesterday. Our builder was working on the portico and we were anxiously awaiting the new front door with side lights that doesn't STICK! I went off to play tennis and when I came home several hours later I screamed.

Under the fugly faux brick floor that I have hated for 13 years 2 months 1 week and 3 days, approximately, was a hard wood floor! My Amish builder thought I had lost my mind. He couldn't understand why I screamed and what I was going on about. I'm not sure whether it was an Amish thing or a guy thing but either way I am sure I made a fool of myself.

I'm okay with being a fool if it means that the days of faux brick are behind me.

We bumped out the front door about 18 inches and you can't believe the difference. The front door no longer blocks the dining room door when it is open and more than 2 people can enter without feeling like they are in a cage.

Aaaah....hard wood floor. Yes, the new part needs to be matched but our builder assures me it won't be a problem. Today we talked about a new banister. The carpet will come off the stairs to reveal the hardwood floors and potentially a new banister that wraps at the bottom will be added along with a rounded and extended tread on the 1st step. Might as well fill up some of the new space!

We are getting down to the detail stuff and the decisions get harder. Decisions have to be made about the trim details, banisters, closet doors and eeeek....paint. I love mixing fabric but hate to pick paint. Thankfully, Emily at Jones Design Company posted HERE about her favorite paint colors. I love her choices of neutrals...tans, taupes and grays. Do you think you can mix taupes and tans with grays?

And while you are visiting Emily you should go HERE for great print your own gift tags. Too cute! Where on earth does she find her selection of wrapping paper? Our local craft stores have nothing this cute.

Thanks for celebrating the demise of the faux brick with me. I promise to smile at my hardwood floors daily for the rest of my time in this house!

Lilly Warehouse Sale - Fall 2010

2010-11-30T09:33:00.002-05:00

I am losing my touch...this is the only thing I bought at the Lilly sale last week. Well, this is all I bought for myself. I spent less than $200 and that was an all time first. My mom was visiting and we were juggling quite a few things. I forgot to get numbers the night before and couldn't get coverage in the morning so we didn't line up until 8:30.

We waited about 30-40 minutes before we got in. There were still plenty of samplea although clearly the good stuff was gone. Check out Little Miss Can't Be Wrong's haul (click HERE for a link to her HAUL)and you will see what I am talking about. I just had zero interest in summer clothes and didn't find anything winter that I loved except for the turtleneck. It goes well with my favorite navy Boden sweater coat.

I did buy Sweet Pea (it's hard to call her this because she isn't being very sweet at the moment) several leggings and size 5 $10 samples that I am going to squeeze her in to. Nothing great but a few cute staples.

I have loads and loads (and LOADS) of Lilly in my attic and I am going to get rid of a great deal of it after the holidays. When do you think is the best time to sell it and what is your favorite means of moving along Lilly you are done with? Thanks!

It's hard to be sick

2010-11-29T10:38:00.002-05:00

This guys says it's hard to be sick. And I agree. It's especially hard for him to be home with the throw ups, and all that goes along with it, while the plumber has turned off the water and the electrician is fooling with the power. I am scrounging for wipes, paper towels, and everything in between!

He can't wait for the day to be over. And I agree.

This and That...and everything in between

2010-11-24T08:15:00.007-05:00

I feel like I do nothing all day but yet it's so busy around here. I think it's the contractors in and out and the decisions and distractions that keep me occupied. Throw in a Lilly sale, showhouses, craft shows and a visit from my Mother and call it a week.

I checked "Christmas Photo" off my list and even ordered the cards. That's a miracle! Don't you love this photo of Buddy and Sweet Pea in some of the equipment parked in our yard? Clearly that was taken on the way home. I was way too uptight on the way out to let them do something like that.

I finalized the tile selections for the master bathroom. I had no trouble with the kids' bathrooms but our bath hung heavily over my head. I went back to the tile store with only that room to focus on and am thrilled with how it turned out. I had an inspiration for the floor (a rectangular shaped wood look porcelain tile) and know that I want it in a herringbone pattern but just didn't know what to do around it. I am really happy with what I picked and will be working with the cabinet maker next to design the vanities in a dark wood with quartz countertop.

We received word that we were granted our variance for the front door portico. Work has started and I am really anxious to see it shape up. I have imagined it for years! Buddy dropped to his knees and prayed as his Daddy left to go to the zoning board meeting last week. I was struck by his sweet concern. I was touched that he knew it was so important to me that he would pray so hard. I also knew there were many prayers much more important than my portico that needed to be heard. I decided to appreciate his concern and leave it at that.

We are bumping out the front door within the portico like the house below.

We will only have one width of glass on the sides and our sidewalk will turn right in to our porch at the column area. The bump out will add about 18 inches to our very small foyer. We will take every inch we can get. Sadly we have to rip up the faux brick linoleum in our foyer. Can you believe I have ignored faux brick for 12 years. I can't! We are going to have to do quite a patch job to match up to the adjacent hardwood floors.

Today we have a house full...hvac, electrician, and plumbing on the inside with portico building and siding on the outside. My children are home from school and hiding in the basement. I can't blame them. Sweet Pea slept late, amongst the banging, and waited in her bed until I came upstairs. She was scared to get out bed in her purple polka dot pj's!

Thank you for the help on the fabric request from my previous post. Thanks to a reader I located the fabric and continue to consider it as a choice for the living room. I shouldn't have let the sofa get away!

Know the name?

2010-11-14T08:29:00.004-05:00

updated....

here is the sofa (via blackberry from my hubbh) and it's sold! (Add crying sound here). Look at tthose nail heads, look at the fabric, look at the unusual style. It was in my dreams last night. Ack...add it to the list of those that got away!

Does anyone know the name of this fabric? There is a gorgeous sofa at a local consignment made from it and I LOVE it. I'm not sure what to do with it but thought I could add it to my file if I at least know the name. I didn't sleep very well last night...I dreamt of all the gorgeous houses I read about on blogs last night and then saw myself walking empty halls!

Where can I use this?

2010-11-13T21:47:00.003-05:00

Exciting Saturday night at the Bickies household. I am trolling Craig's List and just found this "bamboo" beauty. I am looking for a french provincial style dresser for my daughter and happened upon this instead. I love it and have no place for it. Too bad.

Praise

2010-11-11T09:41:00.003-05:00

This guy gives me a run for my money. We call him Buddy to protect his innocence...chuckle, chuckle.

He has the sweetest face and the sweetest heart. He also has little devil horns that are invisible, except to me.

His devilish tendencies can make a mother forget that deep down is a very tender place that desires and deserves praise. Sadly, I forget that sometimes.

Can you believe that it was a mother of 19 that spoke to me this week and reminded me to find reasons to PRAISE this sweet boy instead of constantly criticize. Michelle Dugger was giving a talk at MOPS in her latest episode and I froze the DVR when the camera panned her notes. I wanted to read them and one of her bullets was to PRAISE rather than criticize.

I am sure I will have to criticize a time or two but today I am praising him for defrosting my car (because our garage is FULL of our furniture) this morning, for packing up and getting himself ready for school, and for waking up looking forward to the day. I do see a spring in his step when I acknowledge all that he does well and I love that. Let's all try to find reasons to PRAISE today!