My craft room

Now, be honest.

Doesn't this little concrete 5'x18' room inspire you to create?

Really? Cause when I first saw it, I thought "Craftroom!"

Okay...maybe with a little work and a few improvements.

This room was labeled on the floorplan as a laundry room. We couldn't figure out

why they didn't use it as such. The prior owners have the washer and dryer in the garage. Then we discovered that the dryer is gas, so now it all makes sense. Since I wasn't able

to claim the cute little cottage out back as a craft retreat, this was my only other option.

The only thing in the room when we moved in was a set of homemade shelves.

I can work with that!

I painted one wall dark blue and the other three pale yellow.

SO glad the painting is done!

It took one coat of primer, two coats of yellow and three of blue.

Emma's a painter. She LOVES to paint.
Both of the kids helped a bit with the walls, and Emma helped with the shelves.
Those we painted a lighter blue.

This became a family affair! Ryan experienced a miter box for the first time as they
cut some moulding for me. They all agree...next time, we borrow the electric one from Max, who in turned borrowed it from Dad!

I knew that I wanted a place for me to sew, another for scrapping/card making and a spot for Emma. When I'm crafting, she loves to join in. I looked at counter tops. The narrowest I could find were four feet, and the room is only five feet wide. Wasn't gonna work! Then the kids and I took a trip to our neighborhood Habitat for Humanity. We found doors that were between 2' and 2.5' feet deep. For the cost of one too-wide counter top, I was able to get three doors, 4"x4"s for the legs, 2"x4"s to run along the wall for the back edge to rest on and all of the fasterners and screws needed. And it worked!

We put it to use before the room was even done! Homework!

Being that it's mostly concrete, it's a bit chilly in here. I got a carpet at Freddies, and I'm on the lookout for another matching carpet. That'll cover the whole floor. A small space heater might be on the list, too.

After I chose the paint colors, my friend AmyB handed down some IKEA fabric that she wasn't going to use. The blues and yellows matched perfectly for curtains. I love the sunshine that comes in, but I can't stand working in the dark with an open window! Too much imagination!

And I should have enough left to cover a bulletin board for me and one for Emma.

My handman putting the shelves back up.

Thanks, Bob!

Shelves are up (and a few things moved in).

My little corner.

Once I finish Emma's corner, I'll post some pics of it.

Off to fill it up!

In between the tax returns

i came home from running errands this afternoon and found...

...this!

i love that he was thinking of me today, even though he's

knee deep in the middle of tax season.

~~~

thanks, honey.

i love you!

So, just as I get ready to start my post tonight, I discover that my dear friend had the same

kind of day I did. We share so much already (including Em's) ... it's nice to share this too!

~~

Today was a wonderful day. First, the kids did not wake up at 6:30, but rather let me sleep in until 8:00. We had two wonderful meetings, with a short 20 minute nap for me squeezed in between while they did this...

(these photos by Ryan)

It snowed today...my favorite kind of snow. The kind that sticks to the grass and melts off of the roads. The kind that the kids can enjoy, yet I can still drive! :)

I TRIED to get a nice photo of the two monkeys before Gospel Meeting this afternoon,

but they were in such a mood! (And then Ryan knocked over my plant for the second time today). So, this is it...all I got!

~~

After meeting this afternoon, Bob, the kids and I ran home. We changed our clothes, picked our crockpot off of the counter, grabbed a bag of rice and went to Max and Amanda's.

They are in the process of putting in a fireplace, so the kids got to help with the light holding and some of the hammering. They had a great time! We enjoyed a fabulous new recipe that we all decided was a keeper. Then, while Max and Emma continued working, me, Bob, Ryan, Amanda played Sequence....a new game for us and one we'll be looking to buy!

We played it while we ate delicious popped-in-a-very old-popper-with-oil-and-everything popcorn!!

What a wonderful way to start the week.

~~~

Here's the recipe from "Crockpot: Weekend Favorites"

I doubled everything but the meat.

Chinese Pork Tenderloins

2 pork tenderloins (about 2 pounds total)

1 each red and green bell peppers, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 medium onion, thinly sliced

2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

1 jar (15 oz) sweet and sour sauce

1 tbsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp red pepper sauce

Hot cooked rice

Chopped fresh cilatro or parsley (optional)

1. Cut pork into 1-inch cubes and place in slow cooker.

2. Add diced peppers, onion, carrots, sweet and sour sauce, soy sauce, and red pepper sauce. Stir just to combine. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high 4 to 5 hours. Serve over hot rice and sprinkle with chopped cilantro, if desired.

~~

Delicious!

Nope...no new photos.

And, yes, I should be unpacking.

Or napping to help get rid of my cold while Emma's

napping to help combat her double ear infection.

But I missed my blog, so I'm taking a minute.

~~

I've been thinking this week about time. It really does seem to fly. I'm sure you've all heard that. And it's true! I think that, finally, this past week, I've come to the conclusion that

we're are done having kids (at least, as far as OUR plans go). Bob's been on this page for awhile, but it took me a while to get there. However, after five pregnancies (one major surgery and one less f. tube) and two kids, I think it's time. There are those reading this, like Mom and Dad, who will breathe a sigh of relief. And I thought it would make me sad, but it doesn't. Because I have TWO kids...two wonderfulo kids. What makes me sad, is that fact that their childhoods are melting away.

~~

These past couple of weeks while moving have been hard on Ryan. He was a great help when we were in the process of packing and moving, which meant a little less sleep and less time to squeeze in homework. Now, he'd rather spend his time out exploring or sitting in his favorite spot (more on that on same later date....after boxes!) than doing his homework or cleaning his room. It seems like I've spend the past two weeks either raising my voice at him (yes, I admit it) or asking him to do something for the thirteenth time. And I hate it.

~~

It's made me think back over the past nine years. NINE years! I can remember so many moments from the time he was just born into the world until now, but it all seems to have gone so quickly. And Emma, our last, is five. And I ask myself, what will they remember from this particular time in their lives? Both kids remember so much from their lives, starting very early on. Will they remember that Mom spent it irritated with them? Or will they remember the story reading, craft creating, quiet moments that we share. And are there enough of those? Those times where their eyes are bright with excitement as he describes the plot in their latest book, or his science experiment in GATE class, or her description of "what if?"

That's what I want them to look back and remember.

~~

And it all starts with a change in attitude...mine.

Snapshots

The view from our front window...it's easy for me to look past

the rooftops and see the beauty. At night, we can see the lights

from Bogus.

Uncle Jon got the kids each a gift card from Amazon. Emma picked out a new

Melissa and Doug Easel. Not only are they of great quality, but the younglest kids can literally help put them together. Photos of what Ryan bought to come soon...

When we went to pick up our new dresser just down the street, my friend had

this beauty (the one on the right) free to a good home. I'm told that it'll just keep

growing until it reaches the ceiling, at which time you cut it off and it starts all over.

This spot needed a large plant, and I think that this one will do just nicely.

On our most recent trip to Goodwill, I came across this magazine holder for a whopping $2.99. I love it as a new home for Emma's library books. Thrifting rocks!

Snapshots - Our New Home

Our new home!

Just kidding!

Adding something familiar right away

Front view

Front view from the other direction.

Notice the little munchkin under the Blue Spruce?

Did I ever mention that I love older homes because of

their established trees? We've got a few of them now...

Without the little munchkin

The garage is 25'x25.' We currently have a ton of boxes, book cases, etc inside...

and both cars!

I was so excited to discover this. Can't wait to see it in the summer.

Welcome!

The last owners put in a patio in the back...

a reminder of the great state we live in!

What I like to call the Craft Cottage.

What Bob likes to call the shop.

What Ryan and Hop like to call the Man Cave.

What Mom likes to call the Mother-in-law's Quarters.

Hmmmmm....

This is the deck that comes off of the kitchen.

The kids were very excited to see that the prior owners left

the dog run!

Emma planted her first

"Muddy Stick Forest."

I used to do this in the sandbox. Growing up

with apple orchards, I planted apple trees.

This is RV parking.

Next year, it will be my garden.

Part of the back yard.

We're hoping that hunders of daffodils and tulips pop

up here in a few months. If they don't...they will eventually once I

get the interior finished.

Emma's rock

You only get to see one room right now, because it's

the only one that's presentable. :)

This is the living room.

I love the light we get from the large windows...

and from the sun (for those of you in Portland and Seattle...that's the large yellow ball in the sky you see a few times a year!)

Bob hard at work (with his helpers) replacing door nobs and lock.

Ryan got to help.

Here, Emma is playing with Bob's Star Wars Monoply game, while

shaking her bum to Taylor Swift.

This is my Goodwill purchase of the day. I wanted a larger

end table to go between the two couches. My Grandma used to have these

in her home, and I love them. It was always fun to open the door to discover what was hidden inside. When we got it home, there was a penny. So, I only paid $14.98!

Taking a break with Emma, coloring crayons and a cup of tea.