Pics, Thrift Store Finds and Projects!

I have been so bad at blogging this year. Maybe it's the fact that it takes an hour just to get all my pics uploaded. I tend to put it off for that reason but I will try to do better at blogging more often.

This past Christmas Wade bought me a miter saw and sander with the intention that we would be doing some projects together. (Well, mostly Wade :)) I had the idea to build an ottoman/storage chest, mainly to have a place to store our throw blankets. The project began and was nearly completed over the Christmas and New Year Holidays. Then it sat and sat for the next four months waiting for the final touches. But at last it was completed and ready to be brought in for use. We set it in front of the couch and found that instead of having an ottoman we had an alter! A little tacky to say the least. Our little masterpiece was somewhat - Massive. (I will admit that I'm the one who came up with the dimensions. Not my area of expertise I guess.) So our ottoman went from being an ottoman to a bench. We found the perfect spot for it in the kitchen, taking the place of the high chairs that we were so happy to get rid of now that the twins sit at the table with the rest of the family. Wade then, so willingly, agreed to make me a simple coffee table. I went to Anna White's website (a place to find plans for building your own furniture) and found a simple bench that I liked. We altered the width and length a bit and came up with the perfect coffee table. The project fortunately was not as extensive as the ottoman and was finished in a couple days. Wade has informed me that he's done with furniture projects for a while and that's just fine by me. It was fun and was a good learning experience.

Below are some pics from the past couple months or so and the furniture Wade and I made.

I thought I'd add two "Liam Says the Darndest Things" quotes.

I was getting Abby and Liam drinks at lunch one day. One cup had a handle the other didn't.

Abby said: "Mom, I want the one with the handle."

Liam said: "Mom, I want the one with the cup."

Recently Liam and Abby were having a conversation in which Liam paused and said very seriously, "Abby, see my cloud, I am thinking about something." (Looking up as if we should be seeing a little thought cloud above his head.) You'd have to have been there. He was so serious about it. It was Hilarious!:)

Matthew doing one of his favorite things to do, coloring pictures.Justin, pretending to ride Dad's bike.
Liam, pretending to drive.
All the first graders put on an end of school year play called "Character Matters". Abby was the queen in the story of "The Princess and the Pea". She had a part to say and also a part to sing. She did a wonderful job! We got it on video which I will try to post later with Wade's help.
Liam just had to be the king for a moment.

A beautiful day at the playground! Wade posing.:) What a stud!

Matthew has recently acquired a fear of heights. Not sure why? Poor guy.

I went to the thrift store recently and found this old trunk for five bucks! (Sitting on top of the entertainment center.) It's definitely beat up and a bit rusty but that's the look I was somewhat going for. I'm into the rustic/country style decorating. I love it's aqua blue color! I think it brings out the color of my mason jars below.

I also found this chair at the thrift store for twelve bucks! It makes a nice sitting chair for in my bedroom.

Another view.

The storage chest Wade built and I painted. I also made these throw pillows to sit on top. (My new favorite thing to make besides book wreaths. :)) I have since made a fourth pillow as well. Just know the fabric looks a bit more yellow than it actually is.

The coffee table Wade made and I stained. I found a recipe for a simple, inexpensive stain. 1 quart vinegar combined with two steel wool pads. I let the steel wool pads soak in the vinegar for 48hrs. I will warn you my table still smells like vinegar. It's definitely going away though.

Another angle.