Summer projects with photos

By Noelle | August 4, 2015 |

We’ve been working hard around the new house to balance getting projects done and relaxing and enjoying being out in nature. A few of the highlights:

– The day I got in the car and got one block down the road and noticed something looking back at me from inside the car on the dashboard. It took my brain a few seconds to even register what it was seeing.. then I realized it was a garter snake. It stared back at me for a few seconds then as I somehow tried to maintain my composure and not crash into the ditch, it then turned and slithered into the dashboard vent. I jumped out of my car screaming (how you’d expect) and tried to figure out what to do. And that folks is how I met our first neighbor.. me totally freaking out like the biggest city girl ever. I ended up leaving our car in their driveway for a few hours until I got up the nerve, put on socks, tucked my pants in, tennis shoes and gloves and marched over there determined not to be beaten by a snake. It was one of my bravest moments as I got in my car and drove it back home. Thankfully my husband is a badass and drove the car the next day for me and sure enough, the snake slithers down out of the dashboard onto the passenger foot area and he got it out of the car for me. My real life HERO.

– Another funny story happened just the other day. We were painting the house and Bruce brought the car over and we were thoroughly enjoying some 80’s music. A few hours later he started the car just to make sure that the battery didn’t die. He walked into the house to check on something and I was on the deck getting more paint and suddenly I saw the car jerk into motion and swerve up onto the driveway and then back down again until a hundred plus feet later it crashed into a tree. All I could do is watch it happen in slow motion..

I’m glad that we can laugh about it. Bruce was able to pull most of the dented area back out and order a new headlight. Someday we’ll replace the car but for now, it’s paid for and we have a ton of other projects we want to spend money on so it’ll have to do for now.

I’ve been busy with some projects around that house that I’ll be sharing soon. For now though I’ll share a few fun ones that I’ve managed to take pictures of. I’m a thrifty gal, I love a good deal. Boy did we find one with this set.

I scored this huge hutch, armoire and queen bed set all for only $200. Solid wood. I was so excited. Of course we painted it all. Sky claimed the armoire and painted it white. I claimed the bed and we also painted that white. And the hutch, I admit I had a symbolic life moment of choice. I really wanted to go with a bold color and add some fun into the dining room, but my sensible side was telling me to just do it white. I’m glad I let my fun side win out.

On the back of the mirror above I also experimented with taking part of the back of the mirror off to give it an antiqued feeling. I still have lots to learn but it was a fun project. I then put some neutral wrapping paper behind it so that is what is showing through the clear parts (instead of the chipboard mirror backing).

This summer has been all about surrendering. Things taking longer than I thought they would. Being okay in the midst of boxes still unpacked. Having fun along the way.

As I unpack and set up each room I’m been working hard to only put things in this house that we love and that are part of the life we want to have here. I’ve been reading, “The life changing magic of tidying up” by Marie Kondo. Also some books on Feng Shui and decor. Really trying to hold each item and feel how it makes me feel. Some rooms have been a slow unfolding for this reason others had to be set up and I’ll continue going through them later. I’m loving what is happening though as I continue to make sure we don’t overcrowd this house and instead allow room for future great finds on vacations and future projects.

One of my favorite spots in the house. These pieces are right next to the computer desk area in the living room. The top one is a shadow box from my Europe trip last year. A postcard from Germany, my Eiffel Tower ticket. A rock from the Mediterranean in Nice, France and some coins. When I look at that box it makes me think of what is possible. The connect to others around the world. Friendships formed. dreams. Feeling on top of the world.

The box below it to the left is one Bruce and I made a couple years ago as we worked to put our goals out into action. A nature style cabin/house in the background. In front of it; all our credit cards that we cut up. It was our message to ourselves and the universe that we were doing what it took to make our dreams a reality. That we would be really careful with our spending, save, be wise and it would get us to our home.

The to the right of that, a 2D sculpture that Skylar did a few years back. To me it reminds me to consider the earth, its sacredness but also sometimes let loose and howl.