On my nightstand...

This year my girls really enjoyed school. They loved their teachers and their friends.

Lily learned to read and how to do addition and subtraction.

Rebecca learned about geography and division.

She also spent weeks learning how to take the MCAS test. When I was a kid in New Jersey we took the California Tests. We were reminded to bring in our number 2 pencils and to have a good breakfast. That was it. We took the tests. The results eventually came in the mail. The end.

The MCAS tests are different. Rebecca spent weeks bringing home worksheets practicing for this test. She learned to write responses in the way which they must be answered for this test. The teachers and principal emphasized the importance of this test, on which the performance of the school is based.

It was completely depressing. Rebecca agonized about this test. No matter how often we told her that the test didn't matter, that she should do her best and not worry about this test, we would still find her awake in bed, late at night worried. She had headaches and stomaches. She lost at least two months of her school year to practicing for and being made sick by this one stupid test.

The entire experience made me notice my homeschooling friends more. The workshops they attended, the trips they took, the active learning they were engaged in.

They were not spending weeks learning to take a test.

I've been developing a plan.

One more year of public school. Rebecca wants to finish elementary school with her friends. She can have the yearbook, the dance and the graduation. Lily will have second grade. MCAS don't start until third grade. Second grade is full of projects and field trips. She'll love it.

Then, after this year, those children will be mine. We will learn and travel. We will explore and discover. We'll meet kids in the large homeschooling community in my town. Rebecca will be able to take all of the dance classes that she wants. She'll learn to sew.

One year to plan, to research, to consider and then the adventure begins!

Shiny Red Painting Project and a Giveaway!

On Saturday I wandered into Michaels with an idea for a project.

Remember when I told you about Amy's living room at Inspire Co.? Here's a link to one version of her room that I love. Here's a link to a slightly different version.

Well, walking into Michaels I knew that I wanted to recreate some version of those sweet houses on her wall, but I wasn't sure how to go about doing it.

I needn't have worried, because there, in the clearance aisle no less, were these picture frames.



I bought four in all, two in each style.



First, I painted the roof, the bottom and the edges.

Then I used scrapbook paper for the decorative elements.





I'm really pleased with how they came out and am especially pleased with the price. All four houses cost less than $25 dollars to make!

To share my dear love of Michaels with you my sweet readers, I will be giving away a $25 GiftCard to Michaels to one lucky reader. Please leave a comment telling me about your latest project! I'll randomly chose one reader- contest ends on Friday at 5pm EST. Good luck!

Women who inspire me...

My family is home and thank god because I needed to sniff those children badly.

Lily came running into my arms and held on for a long time. After 45 minutes of hardcore snuggling she was ready to get back to the important business of being 7.

Rebecca's reaction impressed me most of all. She was so cool, so "I'm happy to see you, but I can handle being apart."

I couldn't handle it anymore though. I needed my people back.

Being in my house alone for three days gave me a chance to really think about what makes my home mine and why I love being in it so much.

My home is not fussy. There are too many cats, dogs and kids around to bother with that. My floors get scratched, my sofas have slipcovers- red ones which hide an amazing amount of dirt! We live here and enjoy every inch of the house. Nothing is too precious to be used and enjoyed. The only things that can't be replaced are people and they are what gives a home a heart.

I love bright colors. First I started with yellow and then brought in green accents. Then came red. I'm kind of a red addict now.

There are a few women whose beautiful style gave me the courage to really let my house bloom.

If you haven't met Kim at Dear Daisy Cottage go look at her blog right now. I'll wait.

Amazing, huh?

I have spent hours looking at her pictures and reading her blog. I love what she does with color. I could probably move into her house today and not want to change a thing. It is that splendid.

Know what else? She is so nice! When I started blogging about 6 weeks ago I sent her an email telling her how much I love her blog and how much her style had inspired me. She sent back a long email that warmed me down to my toes.

Have you ever been to Inspire Co.? Amy writes a blog and also sells her Sugarville pieces in her Etsy shop. I love the pictures of her home. She loves color and has such a flair for whimsy! I lurve whimsy. Her living room makes me smile every time she posts a picture of it. That living room has been such a jumping off point for me.

Walking around my house I can see the influence of these talented women everywhere I go. Wanna see?































All of this leads me to the painting project I worked on yesterday. I'm going to post it tomorrow, because it will also feature my Monday giveaway. Want a hint? A paradise of craft supplies. Begins with an "M". See you tomorrow!

A quiet July 4th...

While David and the girls are enjoying an exciting weekend visiting with grandparents and cousins, I have been luxuriating in solitude. Yesterday I spent the morning junking and grocery shopping and the afternoon rearranging the porch.

First, I removed all of the stuff that had accumulated since the last time it got a serious tidying. Then I started playing!

Here's what I ended up with.











I'm not completely happy with how my interior pictures are coming out. I'm still learning the basics of the Canon G10. I think that I'll be learning the basics for a looooong time!

Tomorrow I will be posting a Shiny Red Painting Project so be sure to check back in for a fun and inexpensive painting project!

Happy Independence Day everyone!

Winner of Barnes and Nobles giftcard is...

Lisa!

Lisa left this comment:

"Hum, Mysteries. My mom Loves the ones by John J Lamb. They are set in the world of artist made teddy bears, well their shows collectors etc. You might like them! I've met him at some of the artist sows he is an ex police officer. Really nice, good reads probably lighter than what you read. But good!
Let me know if you try them!
Hugs, Lisa
pupylov(at)gmail(dot)com"

Congratulations Lisa!

Day 1 of my staycation!

There are so many reasons for me to love my husband. The reason at the top of that list is that he took the girls out to the Berkshires to visit my in-laws and left me home.

Oh. My. God.

I love my children, you know I do, but the prospect of 48 hours of solitude is sheer bliss.

I kicked off my staycation with a trip to Consignment Corner in Chelmsford, MA. Oh the treasures I found! Oh you want to see? If you insist!

I took this picture at the store before everything was wrapped up.


Here's a picture of all this great stuff on the red table I bought.


Are you guys sensing a theme here with the red? Just checking.

Tomorrow will bring more junking and I'll announce the winner of my Barnes and Noble giveaway!

"Mootkie, we are living in a rat hole!"

One of the things that I love about going on vacation is seeing my house through fresh eyes when I get home. Today I walked into my house and declared, "Mootkie, we are living in a rat hole!" (From "To Be Or Not To Be", my favorite Mel Brooks movie). Then I got to work.

There were clothes to be sorted and laundry to be done, toiletries to be organized and dog food to be put away. Then the dishwasher was emptied and the kitchen floor mopped. I opened all of the windows to freshen the air and lit vanilla candles to sweeten it. The dog and cat hair was swept from the steps and the suitcases were put away. I started washing the slipcovers and changed the sheets on my bed. I love coming home.

After the house was put back in order I got out a notebook and started a list of things that I want to work on in the house. I have a few spray painting projects and need to find a small rug for the porch. There's also the dreaded basement. ~shudder~

This week I stumbled upon this rug from Ballard Designs. I love it in red.



It's adorable and has all of my colors. My downstairs walls are yellow and my accent colors are apple red and vintage green with splashes of black.

I immediately began trying to rationalize purchasing it. I have a little problem with rugs. I don't want to discuss it.

Anyway, I needed to figure out the right size for the room so I brought a quilt down to lay on the floor to match the measurements of the rug. That's when a really weird thing happened. I found that I really loved the way the white quilt with black accents looked on the floor. It just brought the whole room into sharp focus.

I spent the next hour searching for a rug with a similar look to it. Here's a picture of the room with the quilt.



Here's the rug I am going to order.

Couristan 1583/7344 - Recife Veranda White and Black Indoor/Outdoor Rug

The best part is that it's an indoor/outdoor rug so cleaning up the spills that go along with my lifestyle will be a breeze. It's only $119 and shipping is free!

Tomorrow David is taking the girls out to the Berkshires to visit with his folks. I am staying home for a mini-vacation. Lots of junking, painting, dreaming and sleeping! I can't wait!