{antiquing & thrifting in Boise}

I meant to post about this sooner, but just as soon as I got home from one trip, we left on another, though this time, it was for pleasure- not business! We spent the 4th of July down in St. George with my grandparents. My parents and brothers also went down, and it was great to spend some time with them!

More about that later though- first, here are some pictures of a little place in Boise called The Shabby House. Seriously, if you're ever up in the area you must stop by! I wish I had driven up to Boise, instead of flown so that I could have taken more treasures home with me! I did leave with a few things though (that I carried on the plane, since they wouldn't fit in my luggage), but the best part is that everything was so inexpensive!

inside the shabby house on the covered back porch- i loved the hanging head board!

outside in one of the many tents filled with lovely treasures! this little blue table would have been one of the treasures i would have taken home, had I driven up!

original green paint!

aren't these retro glasses funky!?

i almost rented a van to drive home in when i saw this iron bed frame- i'm seriously thinking of driving back up for it!

and these were the treasures i carried home with me! can you believe i only paid $16 total?! that's right! mamma's a bargain shopper!

Now, let's start planning our thrifting trip!!!

{shut up and kiss me!}

My mom introduced me to Mary Chapin Carpenter many years ago and I can't get enough of this cd and this song right now! I think I must miss my husband! ;)

Mary Chapin Carpenter - Shut Up And Kiss Me (Official Music Video) - The most amazing bloopers are here

{there's no place like home}

I feel like all of my posts lately have started with "sorry for the lack of posts", but I really do have a good excuse....sort of. I'm up in Boise, Idaho for work. Jealous? I know! ;) I haven't posted because I didn't bring my camera and because I am more of a visual person, I like to include pictures in my posts. I did however take pictures with my cell phone camera, but I realized I can't get them off of the phone until I get home and use one of those cords you plug into your phone & the computer. Yes, I know they offer the internet on cell phone now days, and I could email the pictures from my phone, but I'm fighting the urge to get too far into technology these days, so right now, texting & your average phone call is as technologically advanced as my phone gets! We don't even have picture messaging! Don't look at me like I'm driving a horse and buggy people, but I still believe in good, old fashioned letter writing and mailing the letters! *gasp!* Speaking of that, I think I want to start a letter writing club or something so I can get actual mail and not just junk, bills and the occasional value pack of local coupons offering carpet cleaning for only $100 for 3 rooms! Sounds like I need a pen pal!

Anyway, I'm up in Boise and I'm so ready to get home! I have enjoyed working up here this week and I've even found some funky antique & thrift shops on my drives after work (I'll share the treasures I found later when I can upload pictures), but it's the time after dinner that I get so lonely! I hate sitting in my hotel room and I think I've only turned the tv on twice. Once before I went to bed last night and once this morning to watch the news as I was getting ready. I got a pedicure last night which was interesting to say the least (that's a story in itself!), and tonight I went to a movie by myself to pass the time. I saw The Proposal and although I got a few weird looks from the gal selling me a "single ticket", I honestly don't mind going to the movies by myself. There is something empowering about sitting there, enjoying a bag of popcorn while getting totally engaged in a movie! I laughed out loud, and most of the time I was the only one laughing! I'm sure the ladies behind me were thinking, "Who is this gal? Laughing so hard at this movie she's at by herself!" but I didn't care. I fly home tomorrow and I can't wait to see my husband and my cats! I'm looking forward to this weekend to spend time with him, my family, and to enjoy the holiday season!

I'll post more tomorrow about my adventures and my finds!

P.S. I'd love to take a little 2 day thrift store/antique shopping weekend trip with some gals this summer! We need to drive or rent a van that can haul some stuff back home, but wouldn't it be fun to drive up to Idaho or Wyoming and hit up some great, funky stores on the way? Let me know if you're interested!!!

{stadium of fire}

FYI- my brother is selling 4 tickets to the stadium of fire on the 4th of July for $35 a piece! They're regularly $50 a piece! Check out his blog for more info! www.thefooze.blogspot.com

{my new craft room!}

Here is the first, completely finished room in our new house! Well, I shouldn't say completely finished. After all, is any project really ever complete? I spent last week painting it, what I would say is the perfect shade of blue-not too vibrant, kind of grayish, and subtle. I also painted the inside of my red hutch white. It used to be a light, mustardy yellow and it clashed a little with the new paint on the walls. I also antiqued my black desk & hutch a little on the edges. It's now the perfect space for sewing, crafting, & upholstering!

{much to blog about}

Do you ever get in one of those ruts, where you don't feel like blogging? I've been in one of those for the last month, as you've seen from the lack of posts. I had last week off from work and I spent every waking moment getting my house put together, painting, gardening, & organizing! I think I'm finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel!

Here are a few things that have been happening lately....

First, my friend Scott and his partner Chris came into town from Dallas this past weekend. Chris was in town for work this past week and Scott (one of my co-workers) flew in so they could extend their trip and vacation in Utah for a few days. On Saturday morning, my mom and I took them to the Farmers Market (our first trip of the season) and had a blast! After sampling fresh, locally grown cherries and honey, and after buying bread from Vosen's & kettle corn (a tradition), we went to breakfast at the Blue Plate. We had so much fun talking, laughing, reading horoscopes out of City Weekly, while eating delicious EBT (eggs benedict traditional)! Later that night, Andrew and I picked them up to go to dinner at Trio, and again, my stomach muscles were sore from laughing so hard! I decided it's so good for your soul to have such fun, good friends. Scott, if you're reading this, you can bet I'm on the look out for cheap tickets to Dallas!

Last weekend we celebrated my mom's birthday and fathers day. I told my dad not to worry about buying a cake, because I wanted to make one & utilize my cake decorating kit! Well, 4 chocolate layers with cream cheese frosting filling later, this is what I came up with!

Not too bad, right? I shouldn't have gone over the lettering again, but I still think I did okay for my first try! I also thought this card my dad bought my mom was so cute! Inside it read, "Celebrate like someone forgot to lock the gate" :)

{craft cabinet}

Remember this little gem?Well, it doesn't quite fit the way I'd like it to in the new house, so we're selling it!

I used it as a craft cabinet & also as a space to hold our computer & printer, but it would also be great as an entertainment center!

If you're interested, email me!

$125

Black, knotty alder wood, with adjustable shelves in cabinet, & 3 drawers.

Measures 7' tall x 30" wide x 24" deep (middle opening is 29"x38" inside)

Curtain is included.

{please excuse the mess, we're under construction}

Ahhh! In the process of sprucing my my blog, I've deleted my friends & family lists! So, please leave a comment with your blog address!

So much is going on around here! I have the week off from work and I'm at home! Now I have time to really get my house put together (the upstairs is still a mess), garden & plant the backyard, and get organized! I have a lot of projects in the works so stay tuned!

{Happy Birthday Mom!}

Today is my mom's birthday and had to pay tribute to the most beautiful, wonderful, sweetest person I know.

A few reasons why I love my mom...

~ She keeps it real- My mom is the most genuine person I know.

~ Everything in me that is artistic, I inherited from her.

~ She loves gardens & gardening, and she has created a beautiful yard. Proof is here...

~ Mama didn't raise no fool, and she is no fool herself! Anytime I have a question about spelling, math, etc she is the one I turn to!

~ She is smart and witty!

~ My mom has taught me valuable life lessons about relationships, friends, work, and how to be a better person.

~ I love spending time with her. Even when I was little we went on little outings together and have continued that tradition into adulthood.

~ I learned all of my thrifting & scavenging tricks from her!

~ She is the epitome of a good friend, mother, and wife.

~ She's my mom.

Happy Birthday Mom!

I love you!!!

I think the Boyz say it best....

Mama you're the queen heart! Lovin' you is like food to my soul!

{cha cha cha changes!}

Sorry (again) for the lack of posts! The blog is going through a few changes, so stay tuned!