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They Call him DADDY

......because he works on school projects....

......because he cuddles at the 4th of July park celebration during the firework show....

......because he teaches us how to ride the waves at the beach.....

......because he teaches us how to catch the big fish in Alabama.......................

.........because he is proud when we recieve our awards....

.....because he comforts our Snickers when she is freaked out by the Fireworks.....

.....because he has earned that right to be called... 

                                                DADDY 

      We LOVE you!!  Wishing you a Happy Father's day!

Last Day of School...

Today is officially the ending of 7th and 9th grade for my girls and the beginning of summer!!  I LOVE summer, really I do.  {i however don't like the hot sticky nights, we do not have air conditioning} so during the day we head to the beach if it's super de duper hot!!  We love to meet up with friends and stay until the sun goes down.  It's so much cooler at the beach than inland.  

                                                   image: via pinterest

And I think while we are enjoying the sunset...on the beach I need to make and pack a couple of Capri Suns {adult version}...yep a must do for this summer....Recipe to follow.  

Beautiful California Sunset....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Adult Capri Suns~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup agave nectar (more if you prefer the drink sweeter)
• 8 cups water
• 4-5 fresh lemons, juiced
• 1 cup vodka
• Ice cubes
• Fresh lemon and lime slices for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. In a pitcher, add all of the ingredients, mixing very well. Pour the mixture into 8 to 10 plastic zip-closed bags. Add a few lemon and lime slices. Chill until ready to serve.
2. You can freeze these ahead of time and remove them an hour before serving. This creates a slushy drink and also helps to keep the drink cool.

 Great way to use my lemons on my lemon tree....

Cheers to a happy and cool summer!!  

Random

Today was my Li'l Ones last game of the spring season for Volleyball, she loves playing this sport and I'm so happy she has finally found her niche.  

Her sister on the other hand is gearing up for a busy, busy summer...She'll be playing Club Tournaments for Soccer PLUS HIGH School Summer League.  She made the Varsity team for Volleyball this coming year.  I think I'll have to paint my van yellow and write TAXI on the door.  Sheesh...I have lots of projects to do around the ol' homestead and I've been working a lot..so not much time to tackle them.  The girls go back to school a month early this next year, we will see how much I really get done.  

This is the UGLIEST cake I have ever made for my daughters' birthday...I don't know what the heck happened..

I'm LOVING this "new to me" color from Essie called Sand Tropez, it's the perfect nude.  Great on toes in the summer with a nice tan.

Can't wait to spend more time by the pool with my "Square Pegs", yep that is our group name...we never fit in and so we were nicknamed that at a party once...a long time ago.  

the intoxicating smell of my White Peonies....loving that right now!  

School gets out on Thursday.....I say bring on SUMMER!!  I'm ready...I think.

Chalkboards and Chalkboard Labels

Using chalkboards have been around since the 1800's when the one room schoolhouse came into being.  Remember little house in the prairie and the schoolhouse Laura Ingalls had to walk to in the city? I loved that show as I was a child who grew up in the 70's.  Yes..I'm dating myself here.

Today the use of chalkboards and using chalkboard paint has gotten so popular.  Here are some inspiration photos I pulled from my computer archives.

The use of a chalkboard in a dining room designed by Heather Chadduck, I love the chalkboard earth image and how is is a bit smuged..makes such a great statement as a backdrop for the dining table.

or how she adds it to this  kitchen,  It looks like the same chalkboard in two different houses.  I'm sure this is one of her prized possessions.

This weekly menu idea from Pinterest...if you have a blank wall or on the side of a cabinet would be a great place to recreate this look.  I'm working on an adaptation of this idea for my kitchen area...I'll share soon.

Address markers....I've been wanting to do this forever since seeing it on Pinterest....taking  two different size terrecotta pots and  spray painting them with chalkboard paint..and bam...instant decor that is functional and pretty too.  Don't forget to plant some colorful flowers inside and you have a shot of color by the front door..how is that for curb appeal?

                                                            Pinterest

Staying with the plant theme for a bit...planting some herbs in a varitey of pots and write what is planted in each pot then if you change what is in them just erase it and add the new name. 

 I've been eyeballing this lacy white metal pots from Ikea for awhile, well this pinner up the anty by adding chalboard labels to them.  Have you seen this labels from World Market with the interesting shaped boarders?

They are for labeling Jam Jars but you could use them for labeling just about  anything. I'll show you some ideas...a few pictures down.

Also from World Market are some spice jars , they have cute colorful ceramic lids what have rubber seals.  If you don't want to put spices in them, you could use them for craft stuff, like buttons or brads.  Quite the multitude of uses and handy when you want to change things out you just erase and rewrite.  

The World Market spice jars are very similar to the spice jars from Anthropologie but are a steal at $4.99, as compared to $10.00 from Anthro.  But guess who has jumped on board with this look from their Threshold Line?

Yep, Target...Ceramic Cannisters in a range of sizes and prices.

I especially liked this little creamer jar...I don't need another creamer so I passed on it.  I did get a few things.....

While buying poster stuff  for Kenzie to make for school, as she is running for  Band Librarian next year I spotted these labels at Staples from the Martha Stewart Line from Avery.  I picked up some turqouise file labels too, {I'm redoing all my files and reorganzing them , all my old stickers have fallen off the file folders.}I've been on the lookout for good chalk pens that that they use at Starbucks on their Meun signs and you see all of the web, people using them to jazz up their Chalkboards I know Amazon sell these...finally Michaels started carrying them and I used my 40% coupon to buy them.

So I've been slapping those labels on everything....

I picked up this crock at the Goodwill for a couple of bucks and slapped one on it with a "kiss the cook" label....

I got this galvanized pail from Homegoods thinking it would be a good size for my kitchen utensils, but it was too deep but I liked it so much I did not want to take it back.  I repurposed it here by my front dooras a flower bucket,  I added some fresh Peonies wrote Welcome with my new chalkmarkers and Shazam..a bit of beauty as you walk up to the door.  Next post I'll show you my chalkboard menu oganizer and what I've done with my Ikea buckets....

15 years ago today....

Madison Rose was born....when she was little she would always ask, 'Tell me the story of when I was born" Do your kids do this, do they still ask now? Well at 15 she doesn't ask anymore to tell me the story, but she has heard it so many times she still remembers "her" story.  It was a hard back-aching labor,   they ended up taking her by C-section.  Her father said when she came out of my belly, "She was the most beautiful baby he had ever seen!".  He was so proud of her and loved her immediately. She loved hearing that when she was little.  I was delirious as 24 hour plus labor does to a woman.  It was a hard road for me after the delivery, as I got the "baby blues" real bad, I wanted her with all my heart so I was surprised I would ever have those feelings.  I don't like to tell sad stories on here, but  I'm being comepletely honest but lets move on to the "happy" stuff, the proud and happy moments of parents.

Today she officially has become a young lady, a young lady that I and her father are so proud of.  The sensitive character of her nature.  Her hardworking as she stives toward a goal, be it making the Varsity Team for Soccer and now making the Varsity Volleyball team her Sophomore year.  She continues to  keep her grades high with great G.P.A.  As I look back in time, she has grown so much from the shy, 6 year old she was to a girl who speaks up when the need arrises {defending her friend or fellow teammates}.  Madison Rose....we celebrate you today as you turn 15!!  

Peony

I'm in LOVE!!   with Peonies.   Yep..every year  when Trader Joes get them in since this time  I always buy a few bunches to enjoy in my home before tthey are long gone.  I especially am fond of the soft creamy white of the one this year.

there were so many beautiful ones to choose from...many shades of pink from soft pink to hot pink, coral, lavender, and purple.  

but in the end ....

I choose the white ones....I love their little yellow centers...

Here they are with one of my instagram photo effects....

I've heard a rumour that in California, we will be able to start growing them now...I  also understand my local Armstrong Nursery had them in a couple of weeks ago and sold out.  Rumour has it that Roger's Gardens is carrying them too! I think a scouting trip is in order. For those of you that live where they grow all the time..how easy are they to grow?  

Ying and Yang

Hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day!  I had plans to go to the Rose Bowl Flea Market and had a terrible sore throat and since caught a cold so needless to say I stayed home. My Mr. Incredible with the help of the girls cooked me a nice Ahi {my favorite }Fish Dinner on the BBQ, even though  my throat was filling icky it did not stop me from having  a glass of wine with dinner!

Last week on the days I don't do my "other" job {subbing} I take my Critters on walks throughout the neighborhood and I always have my iphone to take pictures of all the beautiful homes with all the springtime flowers blooming in the "hood".  I'm always attracted to the Cape Cod style homes, you know this if you've been reading my blog for a while.  I have a ton of house stalking pictures over there or click here, go check them out.  On the last few walks with the Critt, Crits, I took some pictures of some Mediterranean or Spanish Style Homes which seem to be where Mr. Incredible's Heart lies when it comes to home design.

He would love to have a circular driveway.  In the garden he would plant a lot of palms; Sagos, Rubilini's, King and Queen Palms...

White stucco and red tile roofs....are right up his alley...

Wrought-iron work on doors and on lanterns...

Dang..wish I had Photoshop so I could photoshop that dumb trashcan out..sorry for that eye-sore.  Wrought-iron fences with stone facade columns.

I think the Mediterrenean home is very popular in California right now but my heart....

sings to the classic Cape...with it's dormers, and with wood shingles a nod to the East Coast.  Brick walkways, paned windows with shutters.  I think all dormers need window boxes on them..yep, should be a requirement when you sign the mortgage papers. Well not on the type of dormers on the next house..

The morning we took this walk, this yard was so peaceful...with the shade trees and the birds chirping....I wanted to bring a picnic basket and plop down under the tree and open a bottle of lemonade.

I just had to get a little closer look at the little planters on the wall...

Yep...I see some colorful and happy pansies, I bet the housekeeper {i'm sure they can afford one} was wondering what the lady out front with the spotted dogs was doing taking pictures of the yard! I was hoping she'd invite me in to take more pictures on the backside of the house.  No LUCK!

Here is a Ranch Style which we both like, I do believe they became popular in the 60's and 70's. This beautiful ranch which is next door to my friend Cyndi's House with her fabulous kitchen..I love those birch trees..I likey, me want to planty. 

I think they planted that ivy to keep me off their lawn so I couldn't get too close to the house and get pictures of the inside.  Mental note:  need to buy telefoto lens..sheesh..let's start with a DLR camera.  Don't you love those diamond windows....so pretty.

I don't know what you would call this type of house.  Very traditional, I love the brick and how it meets the two dormers.

Here is a closer image of the front door..I loved those little beveled glass windows in it and I like the black matte paint on the door.

Well this is NOT a full size house..it is a playhouse or once was the kids who live her are much older now but an extra room for misbehaved husbands.  yes..this is the "doghouse"

How adorable?  I love the flower boxes up top.  This is my friend's house and she told me the previous ownders built it and they put a loft up top inside. I'll have to get over there again and take inside pictures.

this little playhouse/doghouse has a heart theme going on.  Remember when hearts where real popular on the decorating radar.  I admit...I was all over that.   I love this little heart shaped swing.  I great place to make up or make out after you've been sent ot the doghouse. 

My friends' neighbors house, one of my favorites in the "hood"with the birch trees, the terracotta potted plants, the climbing roses, the brick walkway and porch, the paned windows and of couse those dormers!!  I would sit every evening out on the wicker couches a drink my wine. 

Picket fences...and arches....

I think this is an interesting color on a house..black...but it somehow works, I think going with a gray roof would be better.  The last two pictures are of home in another neighborhood where I first fell in love with the Cape Cods...

  So which stye of house to you prefer?  Do you go along with Mr. Incredible a like the Med style or do you sway my way and prefer the Cape Cods?  Because Mr. Incredible is "incredible" he would sway my way if we had to choose because as they say a Happy Wife = a happy LIFE!

They say Patience is a Virtue....

When I saw this french wire hamper at French General years ago, with it's rusty wire frame holding a variety of grain sac pillows {one did come home with me and now resides on my dining room chair} I knew I'd needed to keep my eye out for one to have in my laundry room, I liked that it had wheels so I could roll it out to my fancy laundry room in the garage, LOL. They looked sturdy and with a pretty liner would look great.  Then a few years later I came across one at the Rose Bowl Flea market and I was about 15 seconds to late and another couple snagged it for $40.00 bucks.  They were going to turn it into a coffe table by adding a glass top.  What a great idea!  Sort of like this....

 That reminded me of my Ratten one I had in college that I got for my 21st birthday, my mother asked me, "If I'd rather go to Vegas for my 21st birthday but I said I wanted this white ratten dining table from Pier 1  for my li'l  apartment in Ocean Beach  {Even then I was into house decor especially beachy cottage}, don't get me wrong..I was a student at San Diego STATE, I partied like the best of them. Lots of quarters bounced off this table.  I still have the same table linens, plates and that you see.  Those plates are imprinted with a sand dollar.  

Anywho...after seeing it at the Bowl, Pottery Barn started carrying them in their cataglog....remember this post?  Well dang that is a hefty price of $159.00...you do get the choice of a cute tiking or white liner.  I don't know how difficult it would be to make one. Well.....the other day I was visiting my Dear Old Neighbor and I saw she had one on her back Lanai and I asked where she got it, it ended up being her caregiver and she bought it at a yard sale for $3.00.  She had no idea what it was and was going to get rid of it.  I said I'd buy it off of her.  So for big, price of $10.00 dollars, I finally got my little wire french hamper.  Now..I need to drag the sewing machine out and get to work.  Yes..who said I didn't have any patience!!

sorry..

I've been trying to upload some new posts with new pictures...but I'm having problems on Typepad...and I always like to have my posts accompanied with images, as soon as I figure it out, I'll be back because I have lots to share with you my dear bloggy friends... I've gotten some neat things for the Cottage on Cullen, an item I've been on the lookout for quite awhile, I first saw it at the Rosebowl and then PB has it for a very shiny penny....and I got mine for the deal of the century.

The Ones that Got Away

Remember "Old Yellow"? Here she is today looking beautiful with lots of flowers planted in all her beds and in pots as you walk up the front steps.

When she was up for sale, I was hesitant about entertaining the thought of becoming her owner for two reasons.  One because Mr. Incredible is a light sleeper....and Old Yellow is on a some-what busy street. Well more busy than the one we live on now and second because of our Jack Russel Terrorist who if gets out is a runner.  That was more true when she was a pup and I was afraid she would get hit by a car being on a busier street, so we were late putting a bid on her and didn't get her {I still have visions of her glass knobs, chunky mouldings, recessed panelled doors, the built-ins, the double fireplaces, the deck, the dormer windows in both of the upstair bedrooms, the ...ahhhhh}. If any of the houses I regret not getting it would be "Old Yellow".  An invester came in and fixed her up and flipped her.  Lots of that going on in our neck of the woods.  I don't know how I feel about that, part of me likes it because they improve the neighborhood and the other part, is that maybe nice families get priced out of owning a home so I don't like that part.

I'm so glad that the person who ended up in the home is adding so much curb appeal.  I love all the flowers she has planted all around her yard,  last year when she was in the garden and I was taking the Critters out on a walk I stopped and told her how we fell in love with her house and if I could see inside.  She obliged but I did not have my camera that day so I did not get to take any pictures for you.  I did wish the "flippers" would of stuck with a more of a cottage style kitchen than going with the tan cabinets and granite counters, I think that would of been a better fit for the style of this house. 

I'm wishing I could see a window box up there in the dormer window......

Here is another one that we looked at but it was a LOT of work...and Mr. Incredible was not up for that. Let me take you back in time...

Yes, there was a lot involved....it had a big hole in one of the ceilings...

Here is a picture of the inclosed, shuttered patio, off where the french doors are now....

Here is the front door during the fall sporting a new wreath and address plaque. I think they have done a great job adding curb appeal with the flowers, plants, new shutters and paint.  Here are some photos of her insides when she was on the market.

This was one of my favorite elements of the house..those big beautiful beams and that fireplace with the bookshelves on each side.  They put in hardwood looking laminate floors.

The kitchen needed a lot of work and now it opens up into the living room area.I'm not a big fan of granite, I'd rather have carrera marble or buthcher block but that is just me.  I like an all white kitchen but this one fits the house.  It is very neutral, it will fit with most peoples tastes.

 Looking from the kitchen you see the gorgeous mantel, to the right is the big windows that overlook the front porch and the french doors that now lead to an enclosed backyard.

Here is the walkway leading to the garage.  They added on a second bedroom, a laundry room and another bathroom, it was a 3 bedroom, 1 bath when we looked at it.

This was the original bathroom with two sinks.  They did a great job fixing it up.  New tile floors, new vanity, new faucets. 

Here is one more image of the home, sporting a new white fence around it for some privacy. 

Now to come full circle with my post...I'm completely in LOVE with my house..Old Yellow is the one that still tugs at my heart strings when I walk by...but I'm so happy the new owner is loving her as much as I would of, so that makes me very happy but I think I need to suggest the addition of a window box up on that dormer. 

My Friend Cyndi's House

My friend Cyndi is an interior designer and I LOVE her home.  I think it would be considered California Casual so a few weeks ago I took some pictures her home.  The pictures I shot of her living room came out quite dark and not really good so I'll post pictures of the kitchen  and bathroom which came out decent.

This is the wide-angle shot I got of her kitchen, it was late afternoon and the sun was streaming in.  She was cooking something so scrumtious on her stove, I was begging her to let me stay for dinner, no I would not do that!? You can see a sneak peek at Cyndi over there to the left on the phone. hi Cyndi...we love your style.

Her kitchen isn't completely done, as you can see she is awaiting the front panel of the dishwasher and frig {which you can't see in this picture} and the floors will eventually be hardwood but for now her ingenious husband used a dark stained plywood on the floor.  I found it to be industrial chic looking.  But I love her kitchen and couldn't wait to get shots of it.

You know I'm a big fan of apron front sinks and hope to have one in my own kitchen one of these days. Her sink area overlooks her deck and beyond that is her pool I wouldn't mine that view as I wash dishes.

I like the look of the bare windows without any window coverings on it. The paint is a pewter gray color which I do belive is called Distant Thunder by Dunn Edwards.  Very pretty, very neutral, great with her the black and white color palette.

Her island is painted in a matte black by Dunn Edwards {we LOVE Dunn Edwards Paint} called Cavernous with a black glaze over it.  The counter top is polished carrera marble. I like the two tone look of her kitchen with the bright white painted cabinets called Cloud Nine by Benjamin Moore. The countertops that surround her kitchen are also marble but looks a lot like quartz. 

 A nice pop of color of the citrus in the wooden bowl on the island with her whitewashed iron candlesticks and a bit of greenery with a potted plant.

To the left of the stovetop is the double ovens, most of the appliances are stainless steel.

Here is the stovetop area, I love the mosaic tile design with the smaller square tiles and the surrounding larger subway carrera tiles.  She put her area code numbers above the stove for a unique look. 

Here is a close up of the glass fronted cabinets flanking the farmhouse sink, she uses a lot of clear glass and some blues and greens, which adds some pops of color. 

To the left of the double ovens is her shelves full of cookbooks, both her and her husband love to cook. To the left is her dutch door, which she says reminds her of Mr. Ed.  I fell in love with it when a I saw it and can't wait until I get mine in, horses always welcome.

To the left and past the laundry room area is a small guest bath.  Let's go take a look. Her color palette flows into this area also with a shot of lavendar in the stripe of the shower curtain.

Beautiful subway tile in the bathtub area with a small ribbon around for some pizazz.

As you can see the subway tile is used as wainscoting and the smaller black tile ribbon runs the perimeter of the room.  I love those lights!!  Those are made of a brushed nickel metal.  The cabinet is painted a glossy black with carrera marble top.  I think she like marble?  Huh?  Hope you enjoyed the tour of my Interior Designer Cyndi's house....I'll have to show you her living room in a future post.