in my dreams: green cupboards

You know that for awhile I have been going on and on about painting my cupboards. I see them as a different color. I guess I am discontent and that is not right! So I am going to work on being content...but maybe going ahead with the painting and remembering how thankful I am for alllllll of these cupboards!

Here is my kitchen now.


And here is a very badly enhanced photo with a day-glo green. But you sort of get the idea, right?!?! The green is what it needs! More of a mossy, lighter green...but green! Green solves all the problems in my house (that or chalkboard paint)

Soooo what do you think? Green cupboards? You know I can't just leave them alone- they will be painted- so you may as well accept that fact and get used to green :)

fall mantle

What says fall better than a pumpkin on a red pedestal, newspaper leaves, an aqua mantle, and chalkboards?!?!

Oooh I love this time of year- I start to layer more on the walls and everywhere for that coooozy feel.



Mmmm the kindergarten chic look just never goes out for me- colored pencils in a cup? Perfect.


Thanks for visiting- here's to hoping you are getting cozy in your house. Sipping some cider and pulling out the sweaters (I am-- Even tho it has been in the 80's.....)

Linking up to the Nester's fall mantle party.

thrifty fall fashion

You know I am always trying to convert you to be a thrift store shopper if you aren't already. There are so many treasures to be found. You are able to dress your children (and yourself) much better than if you took that same amount of money to regular stores. I also *love* consignment stores, yard sales, and best yet: hand-me-downs :)

I found that little red down Lands End vest at Goodwill for $1.49! It is so adorable and perfect for layering- the possibilities are endless and it is good for our mild winter. I also got the striped shirt from a thrift store, the skirt is a hand-me-down, and the tights were from her Granna. Total price for cute little outfit: under $4


My mom sent this little polka dot mini Boden jacket. All my dreams have come true. I saw this jacket on the Boden site a year ago and drooled over it- but, no, I will never pay $58 for a jacket for my daughter when I can get cute stuff like this for a few bucks. Mom got it at Frenchy's- which is the best thrift store ever! I have only seen it in Canada where I grew up.


And look at this little trench coat!!!!!!!! Also from Frenchy's.



Fall is such a fun time for fashion....the boots! The jean jackets!!! This jean jacket has been waiting patiently in her closet for years- passed down by cousin B, the dress was a few bucks at Goodwill, and the boots were a hand-me-down from a little boy friend of hers :)


Boots! Boots! Love the boots. I got mine when we were in SF at a Goodwill for $7.


And the dress was on sale at the Gap for $10. Yay for sales and thrift stores!!! Hopefully this has convinced you to try it out if you haven't. Find a friend who does the thrifting thing and go shop for an afternoon- you never know what goodies you will find!

Check out a fun new blog about a teen girl who gets all her name brand clothes at thrift stores: thrifty threads

inspiring blogs

I added a blog list at the bottom of my sidebar. This is so hard because there are hundreds of incredible, inspiring, beautiful blogs out there! I know I missed a lot of you- and this is a work in progress- I will be adding more blogs as we go along. Just not all in one day.

kitchen and living room decor

We started out with baskets in the kitchen, then the paper lanterns, then the patch garland, then nothing, and now they are back in rainbow order. I am so happy. My kitchen is happy.


The view into the kitchen is back to what it rightfully should be.


Round, Rainbow-Bright balls of happiness...


Even the laundry piled down there in the corner is happier.




The living room looks bigger now that the balls have moved out.


Dave: he matched the decor so perfectly :)


One white ball managed to stay in the living room...quite happy despite......


The party going on in here.


New library books join the good times in the kitchen. Ready to cheer us up on this new school week.

**FYI- the paper lanterns are from Big Lots, Old Navy, and World Market. You can always get them at World Market in every size, color, and design. I do not use the light bulbs in them, and I just hang them from string or fishing line attached to a cup hook in the ceiling.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Blast from the past...how our house looked with the baskets....circa 2007...

and back even further???

When we first moved in- the moving truck is still in the driveway- October 2006

how has school been going, you ask?

**we have not had internet for 3 days!!!!! We just got it fixed. Did you miss me? I missed you. I have so much to tell you! I've been changing things up with our decor- the paper lanterns are back in the kitchen! Pulling out some winter stuff- super cute thrift store winter goodies....

Anyway- here is a little update about school:


Despite a few rocky moments each day- things are going well. I am finding out that having a 4th grader, 2nd grader, and a preschooler is more work than a 3 year old, 1st grader, and a 3rd grader! Ha-ha. I think it is the papers- there is more work to grade. Last year I could sit there and check their work as they completed it, then pass it back for any corrections. This year the paper work is piling up! So things are busy, but good. I think my biggest obstacle is wisdom in time management. The facts are; the kids need a lot of my time- and when this gets out of whack- when mom is scurrying around trying to get too many things done- that = trouble.

I am still struggling with the science projects :( I am so bad about this! The kids would love to do more projects. While I definitely think you do not need to do all of the projects in the textbooks- we need to do more than we have been doing. We homeschool moms need to work on our weak areas. When a kid has a different teacher each year- they get the benefit of learning from that particular teacher's strengths. My kids are artistic and musical and can read well....but the science and history part??? Not as strong. Math has been OK up until now because (thank You, Lord!) God blessed them with their Daddy's way with numbers. We will see when we get to the older grades....I think Dave would be a really good Math, History, and Science teacher, don't you?
I think we have only had one burn-out situation so far (last week)...but nothing that a good bubble bath and movie nite with Dave could not fix.

How is school going for you? Homeschool and non-homeschoolers alike....are you ready for thanksgiving break yet?! :)

Have a great rest of Sunday. We had a good morning at church and now are enjoying the football game (they are enjoying it and I am enjoying the internet access :)

etsy favorites + cute finds

Etsy sarasart

adorable little container!

Joyfullness' etsy shop

sweet idea! Cuff-lette

LOVE this fabric!!!!!!!!

Super cute lacing cards from the whimsy cottage!

Christmas shopping. I haven't bought anything yet...but the window shopping is fun.
************************

Thanks for your feedback on the last post. It was so fun to hear your comments- and to meet some new readers! That is always great. You guys are such a sweet bunch.

your questions, my question

We love our random junkfood cereal nights...Thanks, Dave, for cooking :) :)

Q- did you actually like the Green juice from Trader Joe's?

A- Yes, it is so good- tastes like a combo of kiwi and lime (but not sour). See what an oxymoron I am? One day green juice, the next marshmallow cocoa crunchies..........

Q- Do you use a guide when you draw circles, like the ones you section off on the seat of the chair? Or can you do that just free-hand?

A- I do it free hand, which you can tell if you look closely. My style is a messy/whimsy style- so I guess it works.

Q- Do you spray some kind of sealer over the whole chair when you're done?

A- Yes, I am currently using Krylon's clear spray sealer (found in the spray paint aisle).

My question for you!!!!!!!!....................................................................

What do you like to see here at my art*house? Is it:
-the painting
-home decor
-homeschooling stuff
-cooking
-scripture/spiritual content
-multiple pictures of Dave and I on our dates?!
-photos of my headless kids and their art
-other

I love that I can share our lives on this blog. It is a huge creative outlet for me. Especially for those evenings when I am worn out and have no energy to get out the paints- I can be creative sitting on my couch! And then to be able to get feedback from you, my creative readers! That is priceless.

I would love to know why you are a reader and what you like to read about best when you visit daily (or weekly/monthly/yearly)

trader joe's

I had to run to the art store the other day and as an added treat, popped into Trader Joe's while I was in the area. This is one store that is just fun to visit- the colors, the samples, the packaging, the flowers, the employees- all of it colorful and happy and inspirational. I always vow to turn over a new leaf and eat healthy whenever I visit TJ's or Whole Foods. Unfortunately we don't have either of those stores very close to us. But when we get there it is fun.

I had a Very Green Juice Blend. It was so tasty and I felt healthy all day :)

When I saw these Snapea Crisps, I knew I had to try them in honor of my sister in law........

a big snapea fan :) :)

Even the picnic tables are cute at Trader Joe's

They were giving out samples of nectarine salsa. It was so good I went right home and made some:

Nectarine Salsa
Chopped nectarine
chopped red onion
chopped red pepper
chopped cilantro
fresh squeezed lime juice

(not sure about amounts- I used 2 nectarines, about 1/4 of a red onion, same for a red pepper, and then cilantro and lime juice to taste)

we ate the salsa on crackers, but tortilla chips would be good too.

Who has a Trader Joe's close by? Do you love it?

the chair

Remember the yellow chair? I cannot tell you what comes over me- but the red and green have a special power over my paint brushes....

The checks and the dots, the stripes and the flowers- they take over!! I am powerless to stop them!!!!!!!



I try- I really do- I love a modern look. I would love to just add a few splashes of bold color and leave it there...........


But alas, it is not meant to be......


In style or not, I am destined to paint dots....


And more dots....


Hopefully all who sit in this chair...


Will feel cheerful and happy.

I just have one requirement........


When you sit in this chair, you must wear clothes like these.

Or maybe an outfit like this.

Just remember that dots and stripes do go together.

The more colors the better.

Mom and Dad Mincy, your chair is changed forever....just don't forget to wear your polka dots.