july porch

my goal for mid july is to have our porch finished. this will include:

*retro glider
*lots of throw pillows
*hanging lights
*vintage radio (from brookie)
*tv trays so we can eat breakfast, lunch and dinner
*coffee table/ottoman

some throw pillows I found that I love:



I found a rocker on ebay that I am thinking about. it would need to be sanded and painted cream. I think I just want 1 chair because I don't want the porch to be too crowded:


I love the indiana summers!

check out this kitchen

yesterday I stumbled upon rare and beautiful treasures blog. it is awesome. she has a really great decorating style. she featured a $10 kitchen makeover. check out what some paint can do!

BEFORE:



AFTER:




how amazing is that?!

fun sunday

today was a really good and fun day for me. I started off this morning by visiting target and stocking up the fridge


I washed all the produce and cut it so it is ready to eat. then I made homemade granola


homemade croutons


and lasagna for dinner


bry brought home the lovely flowers. that always makes my day even better. after dinner, we went outside because it is beautiful here and laid in the hammock. I perfected my nap.

happy sunday!

the 1952 toaster

while in ohio, we visited bry's other grandmother too. bry kept saying, wait until you see her toaster. it is spotless, he said. so we arrived to her house and bry asked that she show me her toaster. she got it out and I made her pose for a picture


it is not just any toaster. she has had it since 1952 and received it at her bridal shower. I think it is so neat that she has had it that long and it looks BRAND new! I found this ad from when that very same toaster came out


it sold for $22.50 in 1949

friday babies!

ohio 2009

bry's mom was visiting us this past week. over the past few days, we drove to ohio to visit bry's grandmother. oh my gosh, what fun. I am so lucky to be able to say that!! I had never been there before and was so excited to see his "granny's" house because it is OLD. probably 1895-1905. check out her porch.




I'm on the mission to find a glider. as you can see, it is so comfortable


his granny showed us all around the town. she's lived there her entire life. it was really neat. we had breakfast from a local landmark



her house felt like a bed and breakfast





she even gave me a foot massage before bed. really love her. and she played the piano for us in the afternoon. she is just the sweetest.


and took us on a tour of an historic neighborhood





and to a local ice cream parlor in the evening



I can't wait to go back!

love love

look at this face


and this sweet girl (she is going to be 4 soon!)


and this dessert we had at our family cookout this weekend


it is called "striped delight". super easy to make. here's the recipe:

crust:
1 1/2 graham cracker crumbs
1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
-combine and press firmly to the bottom of a 9x13 pan

middle:
1/3 cup sugar
1 package cream cheese
4 ounces of cool whip
-mix until smooth. top graham cracker crust

next layer:
3 boxes of instant pudding-2 chocolate, 1 vanilla
4 cups of cold milk
-mix until it is thick enough (like pudding)
-layer on top of crust & cream cheese layer and chill for several hours or overnight

topping:
before serving add 4 more ounces of cool whip to the top.

am I a teeny bopper?

this is my new favorite song



I am not really even a fan of hers
but this song makes me happy and want to dance.

office chair

I have been thinking of ways to decorate my office once I have my new desk. I want an "island" type work area so stools will be on one side of the desk. probably like this

in the other area of the office, I want to have a sitting area with some comfy chairs and a side table inbetween. I found this chair on target today and LOVE it. great price too. $169

special video

grab a kleenex (or a box)

craving

I really want this material for some baby bedding


and some vintage stuffed animals for the window
from a local antique store


and this cute shade


dreaming. hoping. praying.

welcome home

bry arrives in about an hour. I spent saturday evening rearranging this house. it didn't feel homey yet and my goal was to make it just that by the time he came home. here is a tour of our home.

our bedroom. I moved a rug here, lamps and lots of pictures.
so nice in here now!




our bathroom. I added a shower curtain for some color and FINALLY hung my simple wall vases. I love this space now.




elsa's room/guest room/baby room. I rearranged this room. and I have more curtains they just aren't here yet! I love the simplicity of this room.



hallway. I added these picture frames I've had since 2004. still need pictures!


landing. I added this bench and picture we already had. I love this picture. my grandma made it


our family room. nothing was done in here. I still need to take the sheer drapes down and add the linen curtain we purchased. soon!



the dining room. LOVE this room now. I added mini chairs I've had for years and frames. I still need to add pictures to them and add a curtain but this room feels so homey now. let's eat!


added this entry rug made of jute. sophie approves.


one side of our kitchen. I framed these pictures. I love the color it adds.


half bath. I moved this rug from our room. I have one more idea for this area to make it feel more like a room....


laundry room. I moved this dresser, chair, picture and accessories so this space felt more like a room. I LOVE this area now.


bry's side in the basement. I added this rug and some pillows for his couch.



we are really lucky to have such a beautiful home to rent. I love this place!