It's Hot

With America's birthday smack dab in the middle of the week, my husband was off for five days straight... say what!?! We have started on the outside remodel of our little home, and I'm certain it's more work than the inside. Not shocking: it is taking longer than expected and, of course, more money. Good thing Ryan and I like the process as much as the end result, well, most of the time.

Emily is a trooper! It's in the upper 80's, but she buzzed around in the strawberry patch looking for treasures.

Emily also helped her daddy dig up the pipes to a petite and manly bathroom in the garage that broke during an ice storm a few years back.

I am fairly certain these two should be in a parade.

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Our "New Couch"

A leather set was on my wish list... not in our budget. So, with my new summer hours I decided to try my hand at a custom fit slip cover for my husband's couch from his bachelor days. The hunter green, 80's style just kept putting a cramp in my decorating of the living room. Here is the before picture (brace yourself):

I used the tutorials from Honeybear Lane via The Inspired Room to guide my new adventure. It took two weeks of sewing while Emily was sleeping and a lot of patience. I started sewing back in September of last year so everything with this project was new: piping, zippers, and no pattern.

I purchased the coral canvas from Fabric Depot in Portland. I had the help of my super creative and talented sister-in-law, Chelsea. I found the canvas for crazy cheap: 16 yards for $104.00. Whoo hoo!

I plan on making the pillows for the back of the couch once I find more of the coral canvas as I ran out after making the actual slip cover. I bought the current pillows at Home Goods, but I don't love them. I would rather have matching pillows for the back with some coordinating throw pillows. I hope to make it back to Fabric Depot this week to check out the canvas situation. The picture is a bit bright... I promise our couch isn't hot pink!

Here is the after:

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Tuesday Goodness

Emily and I had the whole day to do whatever we wanted. So, we went to Camas Antiques. I'm sure glad we made the trip after dropping off our dry cleaning. I not only found a great table, but also a matching chair. The table is a perfect little home for our new record player that we received from my ma for Christmas. I will post the final view in our home later this week. In the meantime, here are our new accessories courtesy of the designer. Be sure to check out Amanda's blog and space at Camas Antiques.

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I bet you didn't know...

Talking with a group of teenagers can break your heart and mend your soul all at the same time. I am truly humbled.

Check it. 

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I May Need to Make the Trip

My favorite author is making her way to the west coast:

Sunday, February 26, 2012
JCC of San Francisco
11:00a.m.: Onstage interview and signing

I may pee my pants.  

For a seriously great reading experience, pick up anything by Nicole Krauss. (The History of Love will rock your world.)

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A Lovely Poem

Found by a wonderful student, Kelsea! 

Children

And a woman who held a babe against her bosom said, 'Speak to us of Children.'

And he said:

Your children are not your children.

They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.

They come through you but not from you,

And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts.

For they have their own thoughts.

You may house their bodies but not their souls,

For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.

For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.

The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.

Let your bending in the archer's hand be for gladness;

For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.

-Khalil Gibran

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Greetings!

Every time I have sat down to write a post, I instantly erase it and carry on with other things... like laundry or washing my hair. I swear everything I type seems insignificant. I assume this is because I'm a little "type shy". Well, I'm done with all that nonsense. Read on if you wish to know about a fantastic Christmas get-a-way. It was out of this world.

Picture this: two brothers, their wives, and their two baby girls in a cabin, on the coast, for Christmas weekend.  It was amazing in every way... minus Emily being a bit of a baby about not having her crib. Apparently she is as much of a home body as her parents. Thankfully, our sweet little niece was able to sleep through most of Emily's crying at bed time and random times in the middle of the night.

We ate, lounged, walked on the beach, took pictures, and even played board games. It was seriously rad. I can't wait until we do it again next year!

Maybe with four babies...

Our view from the living room and kitchen:

My favorite view of all:

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