Fresh From the Workshop (to The Cedar Loft)

If you heard squealing Monday evening, that was probably me! I knew my carpenter was working on a carpentry project that I requested of him (a TV cabinet for the loft), but without my knowledge, Jason finished it and snuck it up to The Cedar Loft. He summoned me up to the loft, and there it sat…..in all its glory! And it looks so perfect there. It was one of those pieces that was just meant to be, so in character for that space. You know how you envision a piece of furniture in a spot? Well this went far beyond my expectations! Can you tell I love it? :)

I had shown Jason a few cabinet ideas that I found online and in Country Sampler magazines, and told him I would like a “sort of mix” of those. I “turned him loose” on it. I so trust his judgement, because he knows me now. I say now when it comes to building furniture for me because it did take awhile to get the distressed idea through to him, but once he got it, he really got it! He even added some of his own creative touches that I didn’t show him!

The panels on the front of the door were his idea! I love that!

Instead of using antique glazing on the green (it's actually called Brown Moss), we had agreed upon sanding and rubbing on stain. We decided on red oak stain.

The ends being "paneled" was his little addition and I love it!

Monday night, after calling us up to the loft, after a while the kids fell asleep on the couch. Jason and I just sat there staring at it. Is that silly or what? Do you do that? I do that with my Christmas lights and décor. I like to turn off the lights and just sit back and enjoy it. And that’s exactly what we did with that cabinet. We didn’t even have the TV on. We just snuggled up on the couch and admired his handiwork. :) And it’s all his handiwork. I didn’t have one hand in the building of it. I just told him what I wanted, and he built it. I’m so grateful that he enjoys building what I dream up!

I just love that little indention of the wood near the left knob!

We just got the 40" flat screen LCD TV a couple of weeks ago. Jason started on the TV cabinet right about then, but has only been able to work here and there after work and a little on the weekends.

 I’m really thrilled because now we can enjoy our Christmas movies in The Cedar Loft if we want! I’m still working on adding some Christmas decorations up there. Hopefully in a week or so, I will have it to the point of sharing more pictures of the loft decorated for Christmas.

He made sure I had a shelf to display rustic/prim decor....even though it's on a very low wall!

This is absolutely one of my very favorite pieces Jason had made for me. I really love my red stepback cupboard in the kitchen and the navy blue sideboard/buffet in the dining, room, but this definitely rates right there with those.

Now for the next projects……….pegboards and a cupboard for the kitchen in The Cedar Loft. That would make a great Christmas gift, don’t you think?  :)

********************************************************************************************

**Dianne (a reader of my blog) left a comment asking if I could recommend more movies, possibly from instant streaming Netflix that were family friendly. I didn't have a way to contact you, Dianne, so I decided to post it here. I would love to do that. I will try to put together some sort of list and post that as soon as I can get it all together. I am not sure if you were speaking of movies in general, or just Christmas ones. I am assuming movies in general. If you would let me know for sure, that would be helpful! Thank you for your comment! I love hearing from you! **

*******************************************************************************************

Thank you for stopping by today! I don't know if I can hold out to 500 followers for a giveaway.....I want to do a Christmas one, so I might just have to do that real soon! :)

How Do YOU Blog?

I’ve been wondering, so I’ve got to ask!

When you blog……when you’re writing posts for your blog, how do you do it? Are you always at your computer, typing it and saving it to your computer? Or do you jot down ideas or even entire posts on paper, (possibly for later use), and then type them?

I’m wondering because Joy and I are totally opposite on this. She types hers and saves them to her computer almost always. I have a notebook that I grab and carry with me, so when an idea or blogging opportunity arises, I can jot down at least the idea.

 But more times than not, I handwrite the entire post (very messily I might add because I'm in a hurry to get my words on paper). Then when I get the chance, I type it on my blog. I rarely ever begin at the computer.

So I was just wondering if I’m strange in the way I post? Am I the only one that does this?

How do you blog?

That's Our Boy!

Lowe's has become a well used word around here and a place we go.  Often. 

I've always loved the place because that's where my vision (or our vision) for a new room, a new piece of furniture, or new floor begins the journey to becoming reality.  :)

It's often even a place we end up at some point during our dates. 

Let's just say that we have LOTS of Lowe's receipts.   

Joy used to dread hearing that word.  The word Lowe's was enough for her to decide she was staying with Grandmama and Pop.  Over time though, she's become resigned to the fact that it's our way of life and she and Luke make the most of riding the blue carts in the most creative of ways.  She takes her notebook and pen for writing; and she even makes a few plans of her own while there from time to time. I would even say she may even like it a little now. 

I think Colt, the older he gets, is beginning to appreciate Lowe's.  I could very well see him going there alot in the next few years.....with plans of marriage in the not-so-far-away-future.

But our youngest has heard that word from his beginning of days in this world called the USA.  Luke loves Lowe's.  Absolutely loves going there.   He asks when we get ready to go somewhere (especially with dad), "we going to Lowe's daddy?"  

Here he is with his "truck" all loaded up headed home from Lowe's.  

When he gets home with his goods, of course he has to unload it all.  Just like daddy.

And of course, all that work calls for a snack. 

I think he's practicing...... so some day, he can build stuff for his mama!  :) 

Solved: The Mystery of the Missing Scotch Tape

This explains why we can either never find our scotch tape, or else when we do.........it's empty. 

Luke always wants "just wuuuunnn more piece, please".

Caught in the act here.... 

Who can resist such a request that nurtures creativity........especially coming from this face?  :) 

This Makes Me Smile

Yesterday morning as I was upstairs in the loft exercising on my gazelle (my morning routine) with headphones in ears and my mind in motion, I glanced over at one of the toyboxes to see the dry erase board with a school lesson on it. When I got off, I went and took a closer look at exactly what was written on it.



Now this does make me smile, because we haven't started school yet, but this is what Joy likes to do in her spare time. She plays with her dolls and they have school. Isn't that so much better than TV? She really can entertain herself for hours upstairs in that loft with her dry erase board, dolls, figurines, and barbies.



Notice what subject is NOT on that board? If you said math, you would be correct! There's no science there either, but science rates much better than math in her book. I have to remind her that math is necessary, although she doesn't always agree. She is all about reading and writing and all that goes along with words! Could it be because her mom is the same way???



When we get in the car, this little pink book goes just about everywhere with her! This is where she writes her stories as they pop in her head. I have to get past the not-so-neat handwriting because I know her mind works faster than her hands can get it down neatly. I'm the same way....sometimes only I can read what I wrote.



She has a couple of ongoing "books" that she is writing....and don't you know I encourage it BIG TIME? :) And something else I've learned.....wide reading = wide vocabulary. It's amazing how that works, but it really does and it shows in the writing. Do you have a budding writer on your hand? Encourage it!



Don't you just love it when your kids use their free time to do something creative and use their imaginations? I know it warms this mother's heart and puts a big smile on my face! :)