Monday, February 17, 2014

weekend visits with family and monday business

 Hello, friends ~ how was your weekend? It sure was good to see Tim this past
Friday. We helped him with his taxes, took him grocery shopping and for a haircut,
then went out to dinner at a 50's-style burger place. I also brought him a bunch
of frozen meals. When I cook dinner at home, I package up the leftovers in freezer
bags or containers and then take the whole lot to Tim's place when we visit. He's
not a cook, so he appreciates some good home cooking. I enjoyed seeing some of
the projects Tim's been working on in school, including pinhole photography and 
print-making. He's a really talented artist and photographer ~ can't wait to see where
it all takes him someday.


 On Saturday, I spent the day with my mom. I helped her with some decorating
ideas, then we went to a thrift shop (didn't find anything) and went out to lunch.
Mom has a lovely house and it's decorated so pretty, but she likes when I help
her with organizing and rearranging - my strong suits. Here's one of her
bookcases in the family room. Books and decor scattered willy-nilly and piles
 of paperwork that don't belong in a bookcase.


Here's the after when I was done cleaning out and rearranging...


And I have to show you the dressers that Mom just re-did. They're amazing.
My parents had these dressers forever. I don't remember them ever having any
other furniture in their bedroom. I only have one "before" photo - of the tall dresser.
You can see how beat up it was.


And here's the "after". Isn't it beautiful? Mom has photos of my dad, some of
his favorite books, and his valet box (oops, her dainty teapcup is photobombing)
as a memory grouping on top of this dresser.


Here's the longer dresser. I just can't believe the transformation. They look
like totally different pieces of furniture. 
 

Showing you some things in Mom's house wouldn't be complete without a
photo of her darling dog, LuLu. Doesn't she look like a stuffed animal?
I swear that pup is smiling.


I know we're all sick of seeing it, hearing about it, and shoveling it, but that
nasty white stuff just started again. We're in for 4-8" and it's going to be
heavy and wet. I always worry about Brian driving home from work in this
weather, especially since he has a long commute. I'm staying home and
getting things done around the house, including making a quinoa salad and
a pot of soup. Happy Monday, everyone.


23 comments:

  1. The two sets of drawers look great, and as you say, like different things altogether! The shelves look very pretty too after your ministrations! Glad that you had a nice family weekend. xx

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind compliments, Amy.

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  2. I need you to come organize my house, hah. The dressers are really nice. What paint did she use. I love the picture of you and your son. Keep warm and cozy. We are getting another snowfall as well.

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    1. I'll come over and help you! Though I still have a long way to go with my own house. I'm not sure what paint my mom used - I'll have to ask her.

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  3. I'm so glad you had nice visits with family. Your mom's furniture is beautiful! I can't believe the difference. It looks like it was done professionally. She's really talented. The book shelves look really nice the way you've arranged them, it makes a big difference to the whole look and she must enjoy having everything neatened and organized. Your family is lucky to have someone with such a great eye for decor. :)

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    1. My mom is really enjoying painting furniture, especially now that she's learning more of the distressed look way of re-doing furniture. She's learned a lot from The Vintage Sisters. You are so sweet to say what you did about me. Thank you.

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  4. 1. love the photo of you and Tim.
    2. the bookcase looks wonderful after you organized it
    3. you mom did a fantastic job on bringing the dressers back to life
    4. your mother's little Lulu is precious and if you had told me it was a stuffed animal, I would have believed you.

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    1. You can tell the look on Tim's face is like, "Do I really have to put up with her hanging on me - AND having a photo taken of it?!" That was also before his haircut, lol. Thanks for the compliments on the bookcase and my mom's dressers. My mom's LuLu is her "baby".

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  5. Oh my goodness LuLu DOES sort of look like a stuffed animal...LOL She is so darn cute! :) Can't believe how fresh and new the bedroom furniture looks...what a transformation! :)

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    1. I told my mom her entire bedroom looked different and lighter just from the painted furniture!

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  6. Your mother's furniture turned out beautifully! And LuLu is a doll.

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  7. Your mother is so talented. I love white furniture. And Lulu is so funny! like a stuff animal to hold while sleeping! I think her face would made smile any time!

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  8. Melanie, what a sweet picture of you and Tim! He is such a handsome young man. Your mother's home is lovely and you did a wonderful job on arranging and organizing the book shelves. I agree that your mother did a fabulous job on the dresser and chest. They look great! Little LuLu is positively adorable. Is she as sweet as she looks?

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    1. My mom is really enjoying reading everyone's compliments on her furniture - thank you. Oh yes, LuLu is definitely as sweet as she looks. One of the sweetest dogs I have ever known.

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  9. Oh what a cute picture of you and Tim! Hate to say it but lulu is just precious, and she does look like she is smiling! You Mom is one very talented lady, have you talked to her about starting her own blog? You did a great job organizing/rearranging, looks really nice!

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    1. I've suggested to my mom several times that she should start a blog, but she has so much going that she really doesn't have much time to maintain one! I am trying to talk her into getting started - I will help her with that.

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  10. Great photo of you and Tim...I bet he DOES enjoy getting some of your good food! Your mom's dressers turned out beautifully...and Lulu is a heart stealer!
    We have had 2 snowstorms this week...and are buried in snow...but it will be 40 degrees tomorrow!

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    1. Thanks so much, Linda...and thanks also for sending the 40 degree weather my way. It's here!

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  11. You are lucky to have your mom so close by! I'd love to help her, or anyone, with organizing! When I'm at other people's homes, I often mentally redecorate or organize the place. I bet you do the same...

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  12. Your Mom's furniture looks amazing. I love how the hardware was given a fresh coat of paint and reused. It's so pretty!

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    1. Thank you, Terri - she'll be happy to hear you think so!

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