Hyde Tools and Colorado To The Rescue

The dog days of summer are coming and at the ranch we are still picking away at projects that we hoped to have accomplished two months ago.

After last summers weather blew through with three storms of destruction, it has taken us this long to clean up and get a vision for putting things back together.

One of those visions is going to take more time than we have right now but a new and improved playground is in the design stage with input from the short people that use it.

And with the help of some complimentary tools from Hyde Tools we are making things presentable for this summer.

But let me tell you those short people have some definite ideas about how it should look!

PoppedCorn Minnetonka Minnesota

The thing about kids is that they grow up.

So because another one of mine has done just that, I get the opportunity to meet fun people.

Like Sue from PoppedCorn Gourmet Treats in Minnetonka Minnesota.

Let me warn you now that this post will probably be filled with corny puns because I just can't resist!

There is a party in a bag fixing to happen around here.

September is rapidly approaching along with the wedding of #2 Daughter, but more things than just the question have been getting popped.

Thrifty Decorating July

Thrifty Style Team July.  

July !?!?!  

Yup, July.

Oh how fast summer is going and I don't seem to be getting much done.

I've been saying that a lot lately, the part about not getting much done.  I think when my list is long I feel that way, but the truth is I am probably accomplishing lots of things.

Things other than what is on the list anyhow, like playing with a certain 9 and 6 year old and snuggling with a certain 11 month old.

And those things really should be at the top of the list anyhow.

What's Shaking At The Ranch?

So you wanna know what's been shaking at the ranch and where the heck I've been?

I know you do because you email me. Thanks for missing my projects.  I miss my projects too!

I've got the best readers who enjoy DIY, so I've gotta tell you that today I'm departing from the normal paint and build, so feel free to depart yourself if you're not wanting to hear boring life stuff that's void of DIY photos.

Karen from the blog Somewhat Quirky posts a "20 Things" list when she has been MIA, so I'm gonna steal that idea from her, but no promises mine comes in right at 20 or that it goes in the actual order of things.....

1.  We hosted a high school graduation party where I fed a hundred people and the weather was beautiful.  My BFF flew in from Half Moon Bay for the occasion.  I love her.

Now before you think things like HOLY CRAP 100 people at a grad party????, let me tell you that my husband comes from a family of 12 siblings.  Just them and their kids is close to 50.

Thrifty Style Team June Stool Makeover

Thrifty Style.  What exactly is that?

It might be something different to you than it is to me.

Is it simply shopping at thrift stores and garage sales, or is it taking something you find at those places and remaking the item into something better or something that works more for your own taste and style?

Or is it updating an item you already own to keep you out of thrift stores and away from garage sales?

Is it all of those things and then some?

Probably.

Pfister Laundry Room Faucet

I suppose no one reading this has ever started a household project that should take a mere couple of hours tops, only for it to drag on for something like 2+ weeks, right...it's just me?

Oh that's happened to you too?

Such is the tale of installing an awesome faucet in a not so awesome laundry room sink.

Most people who come to my home wouldn't describe it as old.

Around these parts old houses are those that have been here since the middle ages.  But even a 20 year old well used home can find a way to complicate a simple project just like a place built before indoor plumbing.

Updated Lamps April Thrifty Style Team

Welcome to the April edition of the Thrifty Style Team, where I try to prove that I have an eye for rescuing some cast off or worn out piece of junk from a garage sale or thrift store.

New Fireplace Mantel With Fusion Mineral Paint

Our family room has gone through many changes over the years.  Half round log siding, an addition, changing couches and changing colors.

But one thing stays the same.... it's a well used room.

I mentioned that I would like to update the mantel to something bigger and brighter, and the man with the power tools and Fusion Mineral Paint accomplished both.

When we built this house it had a rustic-living-in-the-woods-by-the-lake feel.  Most of that style has been gone for quite a while, but the old worn rustic wood mantel stayed on.

Dining Chairs With Old Sign Stencils

Somewhere between the stomach flu and my current head cold, I decided to get rid of a couple 20 something year old chairs.

And then I decided to keep them.

Thrifty March Madness Baby Scale

Welcome to March Madness of the thrifty kind with the Thrifty Style Team.

For March I transformed an antique baby scale made by Continental Scale Works.

What's March Madness anyhow, isn't it mens basketball?