To Cloche or not to Cloche?

What is a cloche!? I've seen these glass domes all over with cute things inside from birds and plants to books. I didn't know there was a name for them, but guess what? There is! So I googled the word "Cloche" and it found some awesome pictures and Wikipedia  describes it as a few things but basically it's the French word for bell and this website even gives more detail with tons of eye candy to go with it. So I've decided I want one too!

How about one to hold yummy desserts?

 

Or one to show a simple flower arrangement?



Any way they're arranged is adorable and did I mention I want one? So I've been looking around at the few thrift stores I visit. I did find a "cloche" at the DI the other day but it was really small and it had leaves etched into the sides and it was sort of frosted and I want to be able to see what's inside my little cloche ;) So I put it back. Skip forward a few days I begged told sweetly asked my hubby to stop in at a thrift store on the way home. The cool thing about this little store is that it just so happens to be next to another one! Two stores in a row!? Score for me, sorry hubby. So I ran in while he patiently (cough cough) waited in the car with the kids. First store...nothing. Well not nothing, I did find a awesome clock that reminds me of my momma so I had to get it. Second store...AMAZING! It was actually the first time I went there so I was pleasantly surprised to see rows and rows of housewares and kitchen stuff. Woo hoo! I totally scored!

Not only did I find a cloche but another row over I found this little stand so I swooped that up because a cloche on a pedestal is that much better. So before you throw up a little, ignore the 70's brown stain and fabulous design on the tile and the glaring brass. Soon this little sweetie will be my very own little cloche that I can proudly display my goodies in. Best of all, both items were only $7.

Once I get the wood sanded and the tile covered or replaced (it was already off) and the lovely brass painted it will be adorable. Until then here's another wonderful before picture...

Copy Cat!

So I have been wandering aimlessly around blog land for a while now and I'm finding awesome ideas everywhere! Inspiration from others has been the foundation for a lot that's happening in our home right now. My latest adventure in home decor has started with Donna. I first found Donna last year around Christmas and fell in love with not only her fabulous junky decorating but with her and her story, you can check that out here.

And just because she says its okay, I'm totally becoming a copy cat!! Here's a few things I've made and put together all because Donna has inspired me to not only do what you love but to enjoy making your house a home...even if it means using rusty gears & old pallets.

I made this little table for extra storage in our kitchen. I might have to add another shelf for all my cook books but that's for another day :) The entire table and the small box on top is made from old pallet wood we ripped apart. It's a little rough around the edges and not perfect but hey, that describes me just perfectly...

 Here we are grinding off all the ends of the rusty nails. I love the look of the nails so I wanted to make sure the heads were still in there. And no, my hair did not catch on fire ;) And yes we often work in our pajamas...

Once all the ends were off, I drilled my pocket holes with my favorite tool - the Kreg Jig. This little tool makes assembling furniture so much easier and hides unwanted screw or nail holes. I've split so many boards on accident by being too close to the edge but with this it allows you to get right up close to the edge with no splitting! AMAZING!!

This little table is only the beginning for me. I've already made a "barn door" out of old pallet wood and a few more boxes that I will post later once our house is put together. Thanks Donna for all your inspiration!

Tackling the Garage

Paul and I have been out in the garage sorting through boxes and trying to get more organized. The entire garage was filled with boxes from when we moved in...back in March. Yes, boxes were everywhere with one little walk way to get in the door. Well everything has been organized (somewhat) and packed away, put away, thrown away and some has even been given away. I should have taken a before picture! Once all the boxes were out of the way we wanted to make a work area for projects and stuff. We started building. First thing, saw horses. Next, workbench. With lots of room and a place to work, what's the first thing we do? Fill it back up of course!! Here's a picture of our latest project...

New console table and matching side tables! As soon as I found Ana, I have been on overload with all the amazing furniture pieces I can build myself!! I will never buy new again...

The moments...

Sometimes, the small moments hit me and I realize "wow, this is my life." Sometimes its a crazy moment like when all my kids are crying or whining at the same time and juice is being spilt in the back seat of my car. The special ones like cleaning up vomit or being pooped on. The moments when you can only find one shoe or can't find the brush. Wondering why EVERY diaper you try leaks through? The usual moments when you can't find the keys or trying to figure out what to add to the macaroni to make it different because you've feed it to your kids 3 days in a row. Fishing things out of the toilet or explaining to your child, once again, why you don't spit at people or pick up ants and squish bugs.

Sometimes its the small moments like sitting out in the backyard with the sun shining and seeing Kassidy silently picking flowers from the grass. Listening to the birds sing in the morning or the geese fly overhead. Watching Brayden smile while he's sleeping. Rylee occasionally bending over to sneak a kiss from Kassidy. Those moments are great and I wish they can be bottled.

Lately, the best moments seem to be the time I spend in the shower, alone. Alone, with no kids, no crying, no whining, no cooking or cleaning, changing diapers. Sometimes I feel like a milking cow. I guess that's why I take such long showers! The other day, I was able to sneak out of the house with no kids in tow. I was tempted to keep driving but I knew Paul would be calling sooner or later freaking out because he can't get the baby to stop crying. So, here I was driving down the street. I rolled my windows down, turned the radio up and danced like no one was watching. I laughed at myself because 10 years ago I was always doing this but now, I guess you just forget how things used to be when life was so carefree. I loved it and I'll make a habit of sneaking out more often. Because dancing with your kids and dancing alone is totally different.

Am I the only one who has more moments of chaos than moments of bliss? I think not, but then again, I have friends that seem to have the perfect life, the perfect patience and the perfect undivided attention to her family. I know she has her moments too, some just as bad as mine. I love all my moments...

Starting Up...

Ok, here we are. I decided to start a blog to keep my far away friends and family up-to-date with our family. Rachel, you are wonderful....thanks for the push. I just hope we have as many awesome activities and pictures to post as you guys do! Maybe we're just not that interesting or maybe we stay home way too much. Whatever the case, I promise to make more of an effort to get out and about so you can at least be interested when you visit us here...