Monday, June 30, 2014

Polka Dot Master Bath Wall


Here's a peek at my new favorite wall in our house! I've long wanted to do something to dress up our bathroom a little bit but because it is small and the ceilings are high it has been a challenge. We received the lovely hydrangea photo for a wedding gift and it has been lonely on a beige wall in a beige room for the last decade.

Meanwhile, I see all these lovely polka dot walls on Pinterest and it finally dawns on me that could be a good solution. Add into all of that, our sweet CC mamas gave me etsy gift credit at the end of the year again and I took the plunge!

I love how quick this project was - really just about an hour maybe for a huge impact and difference. I just did the one wall as too many polka dots would be maybe not such a good idea!

Here are a few more photos - hard to capture in such a narrow room with no natural light! I think the gold polka dots just make that hydrangea frame/photo pop - love it! Wish I had taken a before photo - I'm sure I have one somewhere but you know when I get the bug to start a project I forget these details.


A few things:

* these dots are 1 1/2 inches
* it took the entire order of 105 dots to complete my wall
* I ordered them from here
* I did not measure - it is completely free hand, so don't look at my lines too closely - they are not perfect, but I love it!



Swoony! I've been working on a second project for the wall behind the door - will tell you about it soon!

Friday, June 27, 2014

Slow Summer Evening















Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Slow Day









Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Slow Summer: Enjoying the Porch


Every time we go to Colorado, it feels like we sit outside more and enjoy porches more than we do at home. Part of this of course is weather, part of it is schedule and just being able to slow down more easily when we are away from home and responsibilities.

We have a wonderful front porch and screened in back porch and I decided this summer, we're going to use our porches more. Especially the front porch which we just haven't used much recently. So, one night after dinner - I dished up ice cream and put it on a tray and announced dessert would be served on the porch!

It was lovely and slow! I was so glad we did it!


I love to sit on a porch at dusk with a candle lit on the porch! It instantly transforms me to the first time I remember doing this which stands out as a golden treasured memory. I was in Iowa for my sister's college graduation staying with some friends of hers. They had a jar with a candle inside on the porch and she went out and lit it at night.

One night I found myself out there on a bench wrapped in a quilt alone and it was one of the most peaceful experiences I can remember. I loved it. I wanted to recreate it every night thereafter. And, I've never forgotten that feeling. I watched people walk by, reflected, thought, prayed, just sat. Nothing earth shattering, but oh-so-slow and refreshing.

I told myself this summer, I would sit on the porch at dusk with a lantern lit. And, I have begun - there is something about dusk that is so nice. The light is just right and when it gets too dark it is time to go back inside.


Another afternoon, I found myself with children playing in the driveway and me stretched out lazily on the porch swing reading a book and just enjoying the moment.



And, then as rain begins to drip and peacefully drum - I spontaneously decide to serve dinner al fresco. It was so lovely! All this porch enjoyment and we'd only been home a week. I am absolutely loving it! Slow summer down and enjoy your porch this summer!





Monday, June 23, 2014

Garden Update


When we got home from Colorado, it was fun to take a photo walk through the garden to see what all grew while we were gone! Of course, weeds were in abundance - but they have been tamed now and we are grateful for the things that are growing!

I've cut hydrangeas of course, and a bunch of mint for refreshing iced mint tea!









Friday, June 20, 2014

Cousins Fun, Day Two