It's been too long!

So here I am again...in all my "better late than never" glory. I wanted to post a few things I've been working on and say hi! 

So lately I had really been pondering "expiring" my 25 year old hand-me-down dining table and chairs. The top was scratched up by *ahem* certain little peeps over the years, and the chairs had become a wee bit wobbly. Yes, I could have sanded and painted them, however this was not the look, nor style I was going for. So along comes Craigslist...I heart Craigslist BTW. And this...

And my heart went *thump, thump*!! Oh yeah...I could totally see this turning into something similar to this:

(Via Miss Mustard Seed)

So I've been slowly working at it with the help of my sweet sis in law! 

Almost there! I left the cane back on the chairs like they were at first but decided it was not for me. I like them much better painted white. I plan to recover the seats with some grain sack fabric I ordered from Decor Steals a few months ago and also possibly sew some chair covers like this...

I will post pics of the finished product as soon as I get done! Oh....along with my new/old antique dough bowl from Belgium my mom has ordered for my bday!! *squeal* !!!

After Christmas Regrouping

Oh my...how come every year it seems that Christmas comes barreling at me full speed like a locomotive and then I feel like I've been run over by one on Dec 26th?! I am determined  to get started way ahead of time for next year and get my cards mailed out in September...NOT! In all honesty though, I feel as if I take on way too much and over obligate myself during the holidays. In spite of it all however, we had a very blessed Christmas and enjoyed making happy memories with both sides of the family. :-) 

My precious grandmother was able to be with us for about 2 weeks! I enjoyed her sweet smile and warm hugs. 

The boys were super excited about their Christmas surprise from NaNaw and PaPaw! Their old go-cart was totally destroyed in the house fire back in   

June. 

Chloe and Elle made out like bandits with their rocking horses from NaNaw and PaPaw! 

It's so much fun with babies around during the holidays...

At Noonie & Pops, we had so much fun showering the twins with hugs & kisses! They gave everyone quite the show dancing to some disco. :-) 

Relaxing end to a festive and fun filled day...Pop, Michael and Mandi. 

Hope you all had a blessed Christmas! 

~ Miranda 

Giving Thanks...

I'm so excited today to dive into a flurry of family hugs, tasty food and memory making! We celebrated early with my parents, brother & sister and their families last Saturday. I so enjoyed getting to see my sweet Elle and was most thankful this year that my brother and Tamara live close by!

 Today will be spent with Michael's family...3 sisters, grandpa, great aunt & uncle, and a whole herd of nieces and nephews! 13 to be exact! 

Before I sign off I wanted to post of few pics of the entry I re-styled. I moved the dresser/buffet into the living area and the sofa table Michael made into the entry. It just fit! Hope to do a little Christmas decorating this weekend but for now I wanted a simple look for fall/Thanksgiving. 

I pray you have a blessed day! 

Gobble til' you wobble.... :) 

Home...

Have you ever been on your way home from work or headed back from vacation when you thought of home and what it means to you? I get anxious at times to get to my home and my precious little family. There's nothing like propping your feet up after dinner with a cup of coffee and listening to your kids chatter about their day or having those quiet moments with your spouse. Our homes are not just a house or structure. They are a dwelling place that reflect who we are in many ways. Often times I've walked into a home where I worried about smudging even the door handle or wondered if I was allowed to sit on certain pieces of furniture! I sure pray that when my family, friends or acquaintances step foot through my front door they feel not only comfortable, but at peace. I want my decor, the smells, and the atmosphere to make my guests feel at ease.

Don't get me wrong, with 3 rowdy boys it can be challenging at times to keep things in order, and in place. I still deal with dirty kiddo rooms, mounds of unfolded laundry and a dozen rounds or so of sibling rivalry each day. We get spots on the carpet, and dirt on the floor. As I've watched my kids grow older, I've realized I need to worry less about keeping things perfect and more about making memories. If we eat on paper plates a few nights each week that's fine,

thank God we have food to put on those plates. If we have to fold laundry 5 times a week and put it away, thank God we have clothes and strong healthy children to wear those clothes. If I've got to pick up after my sweet husband, thank God I still have one to pick up after. 

I am appreciative of this home, this family and this life The Lord has blessed me with. I'm so undeserving but forever grateful. 

My sweet Logan brought me these roses from the yard. I placed them in these simple mason jars on my special console table Michael made. 

My burlap banner sums up the way I've been feeling lately! 

Loving our crisp fall weather and savoring every moment... :)

~ Miranda 

Nightstand Redo

So after sifting through what they wanted to keep and throw away or donate, mom let me take these nightstands since she was going to put a different bed in her master. 

I regret not snapping a before pic, but imagine dark cherry wood with brassy handles and pulls. I've wanted a pair of white nightstands for our master bedroom but hadn't come across a good deal yet. So glad my patience paid off! Free is always good! 

After sanding, priming and a few coats of Behr glossy white, here they be! All I did to the handles and pulls was to give them a quick coat of Rustoleum Gold spray paint. 

(don't be hating on my wrinkled sheets) :)

I still have a few thing I'm working on in here. A few months ago I had made my dream curtains after many hours of toiling  away on my machine, but someone came along and offered me the right price so alas, they sold. 

Sorry for the dark pic, but it was the only one I had. My plans are to eventually finish adding the ruffles to my drop cloth curtains soon, paint the walls a lighter shade of griege, possibly paint my bed (thoughts?) and replace or cover the lampshades with something lighter. 

Here is my inspiration pic! 

www.thistlewoodfarms.com 

Seriously, I love this gal although she doesn't know me from Adam. She makes me laugh and has such an uplifting blog. Not to mention she's got creativity down to an art!! *sigh*

One if these maybe I'll get paid to decorate my home and others Lord willing. :)

Well, again, I shall sign off. Have a blessed evening! 

Miranda

Mom & Dad's home and the house fire..

So I mentioned in my previous post that mom & dad's home caught fire in June. The fire actually started in their travel trailer refrigerator and after burning the trailer, tractor, lawn mowers, etc, the fire spread to their home and destroyed the master bedroom, bathroom and closet.  

 My mom was heartbroken and dad was such a hero to step in and take control of all of the details. Hiring contractors, dealing with the ins company, etc. After a few months of cleaning up and sifting through their belongings construction started. 

That alone was quite a process and we are so happy it is over and moms house is back to normal. I dare say the bedroom, kitchen, living and dinig area are better than before!

After we hung the new curtains I made for her. :)

I plan to take a few more updated pics of her master bedroom and bath as well as more of the living, dining and kitchen now that we've had more time to decorate. (the fun part!) 

 

Until then...

Miranda 

Back on the radar!

So wow! Here I am again a year later...a lot has happened in that time. I gained 2 precious nieces Chloe and Elle, my sweet husband was installed pastor of our little church in May and my parents house was damaged by a fire in June. We were so thankful they were fine, but part of the home was destroyed. I will post some pics later of the remodel and some of the fire damage. On my home front I've made tons of changes in the past year as well! 

My sweet Chloe! 

My precious Ellayna Belle "Elle"! 

Fall porch decor :)

In the living area I was ecstatic to finally get the script rug from Decor Steals to match my little 3x5 one. No more scrubbing up stains, with this one I can simply sweep it away or wipe it up! I also DIY'ed an old coffee table into a huge chalkboard. I hand scripted one of my favorite verses "Hear O Isreal, The Lord Our God is One Lord". 

Well, I will sign off for now, but I hope to post more often now that I've downloaded the Blogger app. :) 

Have a blessed day! 

Miranda