The Pass It On Project

Tags

canvas, letters, paint, Pass It On

There are many different types of kindness.

There’s boy scout helping the elderly lady cross the road kindness.

There’s Sir Walter Raleigh throwing a coat over a puddle for Queen Elizabeth kindness.

There’s volunteering your time and donating and collecting items for disaster relief kindness.

In this world there are so many ways that just a little kindness can make such a big difference.

When I asked my husband what he thought kindness was….

…..he said he thought kindness was wives who actually watched the March Madness games instead of sitting on the couch blogging through the entire tournament season,  all while acting like they were watching the games with their husband.

????

I don’t know if I’m ready for that kind of kindness yet.

Imperfect Perfection

Tags

imperfect perfection

I think perfection can be overwhelming.

At least for me it is.  Am I the only one?

Perfection in blogland is everywhere.

Sometimes when I see rooms like this or this or this done with such effortless perfection, it can be overwhelming.

And sitting in my kitchen with a sink full of dishes and dust bunnies on the floor and stacks of laundry on the couch, it is easy for self-doubt to creep in.  Blog after blog after blog featuring incredible creativity and marble countertops and perfectly distressed cabinets and magazine feature-worthy photographs.

You Had Me At Hello

Tags

family, valentine

You had me at hello.

…..wonderful valentine of mine.

You didn’t like to talk much.

I talked enough for the both of us (and a few hundred more).

You were from the country.

I was a city girl.

You were overwhelmed.

I was overwhelming.

United We Stand

Tags

before and after

impossibilities    noun   pl.

1.  the quality or state of being impossible

2.  something impossible 

But then again, everyone has their own definition of “impossibilities.” 

For example, some might consider turning this:

into this….

…..an “Impossibility.”

Others might define….

….turning this….

…into this as an “Impossibility.”

Still others might define it as….

….turning this…..….into this.

But not me.

Nope

No way.

You see my fine blogging friend…..

I define “Impossibility” as….

photo credit:  cooking for seven

….turning this….

photo credit:  cooking for seven

….into this.

Okay….maybe not grinding the wheat (I got a little carried away)….

….but you get the general idea.

Baking homemade bread…..that is my definition of “Impossibility.”

You see….I have never baked bread before. 

Full disclosure:  And I have never made pork chops or lasagna or chicken and dumplings or coleslaw or ….you get the idea.  I’ll stop while I gather up the few shreds of dignity I have left.

I can paint in my sleep, glitter until the cows come home and build and create with my eyes closed…..

….but the thought of baking or cooking or chopping or dicing or frying usually overwhelms me.

But not today.

Not here.

Not now.

Today…..

             ….today I scoff at impossibility.

I am really to go forth into this great big wide world of ours and conquer the fear of the unknown.

Why?

Because of you.  Because we are all in this together.  United we stand and all that good stuff. 

Oh….and I have a 100% guaranteed successful no-fail bread recipe from Revisionary Life.  It’s actually called “No Fail Bread” recipe.

It’s going to be good.  I’m thinking positively.

I’ve made a little progress…..I mean….I got the recipe, didn’t I.

For a little more progress and inspiration here’s what the blogger support group has been up to:

Karah is making great strides (check out her speck)!

Kelly is in the process of conquering her basement (check out her AWESOME before pictures)!

Linda is choosing her paint color (check out the other updates she posted)!

Stacey has some great fabric selections for her purse!

and Andrea is building her shelves!

Now in the spirit of “united we stand,” here are a few incredible bloggers who have taken the challenge:

Oakview Cottage

Three Sweet Peas

Buffalo Roam

Common Ground

Maxwell House Interiors

Take a moment to stop by and encourage them as they work on their own definition of “Impossibility.”

PS  If this is your first visit and you want to know more about this exciting, scintillating, thrilling challenge click here.

PSS  If you are not sure what scintillating means click here.

PSSS  If you are worn out from hearing about the impossibilities challenge and you just need a good laugh click here.

Imagine the Impossibilites

Tags

impossilble linky party

Goals in 2012. 

They are all over the blogworld.

All the goal talk started me thinking.

Should I have a goal in 2012? 

Looking for general goal inspiration, I came across this quote by Doug Larson:

“Some of the world’s greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible.”

Now I don’t know who Doug Larson is, but he is brilliant.  How many time have I said, “I can’t.”  “There’s no way.”  “That’s impossible.”

Why?

I mean….there might be some impossible things….world peace looks a little impossible right now.  And I don’t think anyone is going to create an SUV that gets 75 miles to the gallon…

               ….but the rest.  All of those impossibles just might be possible.

So in 2012 I decided, along with five of my best blogfriends, to take the “Imagine the Impossiblities” challenge.

We are challenging each other to do something we thought we couldn’t do.  Something we thought was impossible.  Something that we needed help and advice and encouragement….lots of encouragement. 

This is the year….. this is the time…..this is it!

                         I am going to accomplish my “Impossible.”

 (insert audible clapping and cheers)

That’s great you say. 

So what is it?

What is your impossible?

I am almost embarrassed to say it.  For many of you it is so easy.  You have done this many, many times. 

Not me.  No way.  No how.

You see, I am a terrible cook.  Not just an ordinary cook, not just an under-average cook…..but a truly terrible, terrible cook.

If we had time and I had a really good cup of coffee….oh the stories I could tell you.  Stories about “hotdog pot pie” and pancakes that I made like chocolate chip cookies with blue dough goo centers.  Stories about the time I tried to make white beans (yikes) and overly chewable potato soup.  Stories about the time I made roast and took it to gardening club to see if it was done and they told me it was gardening club, not cooking club.

These are necessary facts.  Important to the task at hand because….

courtesy of cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice

                                …..my “Impossible” is:  Making Homemade Bread.

Now probably not like these rolls made by the incomparable Reeni of Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice….

….but I commit here and now, in front of those who I hold near and dear, that I will produce one loaf of homemade bread complete with family testimonials by the end of January.

It’s at this point I can tell those of you who know me to pick your jaw up off the floor.

I’m serious. 

Please don’t laugh. 

You heard me. 

Homemade bread.  The kind you make with yeast (I think).

And I state here on this day, January 9, 2012, I take a solemn vow that

I will do it.

Another inspirational bread photo by Erica from Cooking for Seven

Now here’s the part where you come in…..you knew I would eventually get around to you 🙂

We want you to be a part of this.

Join us.

Take the “Imagine the Impossibilities” challenge.

(1)  Post your “Impossible” in the comments section.

For example:

* Take on a new project

* Organize a closet

* Use a new type of finish

* Paint stripes or stencil or crackle or silver leaf or a new paint color

* Cook a new recipe

* Sew a pillow or curtain or table cloth or runner

* Start a new nutirition plan

* Visit a new place

Whatever your “impossible” you can do it! 

(2)  Grab an “Impossible” button from the sidebar.

(3) Follow along each week as we all post about our progress and feature some “impossible projects.” 

(4) Join us on January 31, for a giant linky party at all six blogs so we can all share our “impossibles.” 

I will be posting my “Impossible” along with my blog support group:

Kelly from Eclectically Vintage— purging and organizing 16 years worth of “stuff”

 

Linda from It All Started With Paint— painting a vaulted ceiling

 

Stacey from A Sort of Fairytale— sewing a purse

 

Andrea from The Cottage Market — organizing a craft room

 

Karah – The Space Between— making a gallery wall using only one screw in the wall

Together we can do it.  We can accomplish what we have only dreamed of before.

So start thinking! 

It’s 2012.

What’s your “Impossible”?

5 Things to Consider Before Choosing a Paint Color

Tags

choosing paint colors, paint colors, painting

paint color:  SW Rice Grain

I have gotten several e-mails asking about paint colors in my house. 

Along with the paint colors I thought I would provide unsolicited advice on the ins and outs of choosing a paint color.  I preface this advice with the disclaimer that I am not an expert.  I don’t work for a paint company.  I have not gone to paint color school. 

What I am, though, is so much better.  I am the person who has painted and repainted and repainted rooms because I couldn’t figure out the answer to this simple question,  “Why did the paint color in the store not look like the paint color on my wall?”

If you are a paint color expert….this post is not for you.  Please feel free to come back later.  If you have ever stood in front of a paint chip display and closed your eyes and pointed….please read the following:

(1)  The darkest color on the paint strip is your best friend

When you are looking at colors on two (or three different) strips of paint chips, many times the colors will appear to be the same.  THEY ARE NOT!  Do not be fooled.  Each strip of paint color chips are tinted in a slightly different direction. 

For example, a khaki could have a pink base or a blue base.  A gold can have a green base or a brown base.  A red could have an orange base or a pink base.  (I think you get the point).

To see the true color tint….look at the darkest color on the strip.  This color has the most color saturation and you can see the color more easily. 

paint color:  SW Anonymous

(2)  All surfaces are not created equal

Fact #1:  When painting a ceiling any other color than white go at least one shade lighter.  Color on a ceiling appears darker than on the wall.

Fact #2:  When choosing a color for the floor.  Always go one or two shades lighter.  Color on the floor appears darker than on the wall.

For example, in the master bedroom, we pulled up the carpet and painted the subfloor with squares.  The darkest square (see the floor over by the Christmas tree) is the same color as the walls, yet it looks darker.  Amazing.

Note to self:  Post idea #456 “How to paint subfloors with squares.”

(3)  Saturation is the Key

If you remember nothing else from this post.

If in two months you say, “thistlewood who?”

Please, please remember this unsolicited advice when you are standing in front of that paint display:

Find the color you want…..and then go one shade darker.

I know.  It’s scary.  It’s only natural, we have a tendency to go lighter with our paint choices.  The only problem is, natural light and “stuff” tend to wash out our first color choice. 

Trust me on this one.  You will be much happier with a little more saturation.

paint color:  SW Mindful Grey

(4) You Can Never Have Enough Paint

You have seen them in the paint store mixing paint.  They take the tinted base and then add different colors.  Here’s the secret:  no can of paint is exactly the same.

They are close.  Maybe you won’t see a difference.  Maybe you will. 

Don’t take the chance.

Buy a five gallon bucket and mix your cans together before you paint.

Learn from a person with a two-tone painted room.

paint color:  SW Mindful Grey

(5)  Sample, sample, sample

They sell $4.95 quart paint samples at Sherwin Williams.  I suggest you do not let $4.95 come between you and the perfect wall color.  A painted swatch on the wall beats a paint chip color hands down every time.

I use them to paint samples.  I use them to paint furniture.  I use them to paint anything and everything.  I mix them together to make sure I use every bit of my $4.95 paint purchase.

So for the person who e-mailed me about the paint color of this hutch, I can’t really help you out.  You see, it’s invented.

Let’s call it SW:  Anonymous Mindful Rice Grain Grey….

                                                                           ….and leave it at that.

PS  If you would like to see any of these colors on your wall, Sherwin Williams has a great tool called a color visualizer.  You simply upload your photo and brush in the color.

Just Jump

Tags

dreams, moving

Have you ever had a dream?

Something that you thought was unattainable, out-of-reach, pie-in-the-sky.

A dream that you put away on a shelf and take out only when life is at its most overwhelming.  A dream that you never thought in your wildest imaginings would ever come true.

But sometimes when you least expect it….when you have given up all hope….your dream becomes reality.

Dreams are funny like that.

This is our dream.

You see….we lived in the hustle bustle world of a big city with all the lights and fanfare that a big city has to offer.  There were restaurants and shops and movies and plays and museums and malls and lots and lots and lots of stuff.

And my husband was on the fast-track in a tall skyscraper in the middle of that very very big city with all of its fast-paced allure and over-whelming responsibilities.  And we were happy with our four children in our hustle bustle house and our hustle bustle lifestyle….but we were so busy. 

Maybe too busy.

Too busy for each other.

Too busy for our family.

But amidst all of that busy….was a dream.  A dream of a place where life was simpler.  A place where our children could run and breathe and grow without all of the constraints of an overwhelmingly fast-paced lifestyle. 

A place where the all of the busy and the hustle and bustle and the noise and the clamor could end in a screeching stand-still.

A place where you could see the stars.

But the merry-go-round was spinning faster and faster.  Life was moving speedily along.  We felt like we spent all of our time and energy just trying to keep up. 

And then one day in church, the pastor preached a sermon entitled, “Just Jump.”  He spoke of listening to your heart and the Lord and if you felt like there was an insurmountable dream….you shouldn’t be afraid….you should jump.

We were afraid. 

We were so scared. 

We couldn’t just jump off the merry-go-round.  Or could we?  The doubts were swirling around and around in our head. 

But there it was…..a still small voice saying…..

                                                                                     …..“jump.”

Not “jump” in all caps, but “jump” in tiny, small, timid, little letters.

And so we did……

                           …..jump, that is.

We jumped from the hustle and bustle and busy to a still, quiet, beautiful countryside with acres and acres of land to run and play and….

                                                                       …..breathe.

It has been five years since that first jump and our family continues to grow and thrive.  The move has had its challenges and blessings.  Truthfully, sometimes I miss the hustle and bustle.  I miss the convenience of a drive-thru diet coke.  Sometimes I miss the busy.

And then I walk outside on a crisp, clear, January night….

                                                                            …..and I see the stars.

Let’s Dish

Tags

collection, silver

Some people collect stamps.

Some people collect insects.

Some people collect 1960’s Italian glass decanters.

As for me, I am an avid, undying fan of vintage silverware.

I collect it all….

                       ….forks, spoons, soup ladles, servers, pickle forks, sugar spoons, iced teaspoons, meat forks, ice cream spoons and on and on.

Why?

I think each piece of silverware tells a story. 

Stories of dinner parties and ladies in flapper outfits, tinkling bells for the next course. 

Stories of dignitaries and newlyweds and special occasions.

And just like in days of old, I want my silver to tell its own stories…stories for my children and grandchildren.

And oh…..the stories my forks and spoons could tell….

….but enough about my silverware….  

                     …..tell your spoons and forks to visit me and we’ll dish 🙂

PS  What do you collect? 

PSS  Wishing you a Merry Christmas Happy New Year!

Ask and You Shall Receive

Tags

kitchen

So it has already been established…..

I’m not the best at adding arrows to my pictures.  I can draw an imaginary arrow, but real arrows on pictures…..I leave that to the experts.

Enter Andrea from A Cottage Market …..

She is a creative genius, an incredibly positive fellow blogger, and a talented writer.

She can embellish bags.

She can make fabulous spinach bread.

She can make the cutest glitter bird ornament.

But most importantly she has offered to be the official arrow creator for this blog.  Any time there is an arrow to be produced or created she is on the task.

I cannot emphasize enough, the importance of having an official arrow creator on staff.

Thank you Andrea. 

You are a rockstar.

On behalf of arrowless blogs everywhere, I salute you.

Merry Christmas

Tags

Christmas

As I sit here in the early hours of Christmas morning thinking about the reason for the season, I could not let the sun rise without wishing each and every one of you, “Merry Christmas.”

Soon my “Silent Night” will become “Joy to the World” and the wonder of Christmas will fill the rooms and rooftops here.

Until then….I leave you with this Christmas blessing:

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace.

May the gladness of Christmas bring you hope.

May the warmth of Christmas grant you love.

                                                  ~author unknown