Monday, November 30, 2009

We're in!

We're sooooo happy to be in our new home. Thanks to all the help we got from family and friends! You were all super great and we appreciate each of you very much!

All the important stuff that we use day to day is out of boxes and put away. Not saying its where it will remain...but at least I was able to empty 21 totes so far! And I've sold just that many also! Made some friends a deal and got rid of some of them. The rest I think I plan on keeping, cause who doesn't need totes? Right?

I'm anxious for the furniture to get here so I can start to decorate! Its driving me bonkers! Most of my pretties have been put away since putting the house on the market. I'm dying to get some of it back out! Basement family room furniture is ESTIMATED to be here the week of Christmast...I'm not expecting it then though. Not getting my hopes up. I just ordered my blue couch today, and its estimated arrival will be after January 1st. Thats ok, we have stuff to live on until then. I'm just antsy!

We walked away with more $ than expected after both closings, so we're spending it! On the furniture of course. But since we needed to replace the dishwasher that was here, we decided to splurge a bit and get ALL new stainless steel appliances. Dishwasher is coming tomorrow and the rest should be here next week! Not often you can go out and buy all new appliances and a couch and pay cash! That will never happen again! But it feels good to know its not another "debt" that we'll be paying on! Love it!

Pictures to come soon! This week, I'm going to focus on making Becca's room HERS. Her's is about the only one that I can decorate right now!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Preview of new house/*super long post*

So there is this couch I found yesterday! Want it! Going to order it right after closing...like, watch me race to the store to order it to have it in time for Christmas! lol. Not sure how the color shows on your monitor. But its a robin's egg blue that makes me fabulously happy!

Ok, its not really the one I fell in love with, but it will work the same, still sleek lines, and a little more contemporary than we are used to. But this will go in my CHOCOLATE brown living room, with my 3 CREAM tin ceiling tiles that I got for an amazing $30 total! They look most like the top left picture if you click on the link. Very simple, not over done, vintage/flea market-y style with just a touch of rust. Pulling my contemp sofa with my very traditional entertainment armoir and end tables together.

I have been stocking up a little bit at a time, super finds on the clearance shelves some items that will receive a mini make over via a little friend named Rustoleum Spray Paint, to accessorize the new living room! I sooo can't wait. I can't wait even more so...to share the finished pictures with you once we're in and the space is presentable. So here now...is the befores of our most public spaces! (items in the picture are of the seller...although her taste isn't horrible!)

My Livingroom looking right from the front door.


My entryway looking left from the front door. Can't wait to Pottery-Barn it!


The Kitchen ! I have an island! I'm going to dance around it...no promises that I won't dance on it either! These two walls are brick faced. I will be painting those a white/off white. The 2nd picture is my inspiration. not sure If i want to go distressed, or completely covered. What seems more cottage-y to you?



And the Basement family room! Right now it is gray & silver sponge painted. Soooo not us, although I will say, of all the sponge painting I've seen...they did exceptionally well. This will be changed to a tan. New furniture is ordered..shown in the 2nd picture.

Monday, November 9, 2009

11 days!

We are living in a see of totes and boxes. Pretty bland...gray and brown everywhere you look. All the pretties are down off the walls, pretties off the tabletops, shelves and hutch are down. Becca packed / of her toys and most of her books, so there is less mess from those. We're all a little out of our element. But the excitement far surpasses the odd feeling of walking into a room with stacks and stacks of totes...like this..



They great you as you pull into the garage.

They welcome you at the back door.

They look over your shoulder as you work on the computer in the dinning room.

And tell you goodnight as you drift off to sleep!

Friday, October 23, 2009

423 Drynan

I've determined that this blog needs a new purpose. As much as I would like to spend time finding just the right capture in my lens...I'm far to busy packing and getting ready to move!



Thats right! We're moving! This blog will now become a journal of all things "New to us" as we make our new house our forever home!
Come along and join us as we enjoy the ride!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Monochrome Monday


This is a shot from my parents old house again. Actually, at the curb where I used to watch the river of melting snow flow down the hill, bringing with it all the leaves, sticks and debris it would pick up along the way, just as it did this day.
See more Monochrome shots here! Join the fun!

Monday, April 6, 2009

Ruby Tuesday


Valley Junction is a destination shopping spot in Des Moines, Ia...with unique little gift, antique, bead, craft and scrapbooking stores in a historic little strip. At the end of the strip is the old Train depot,a long with its Ruby TuesdayCaboose!

Sunday, April 5, 2009

Monochrome Monday



I've been absent for the last two weeks, busy moving the stepson out. Time to get back to my passions.
Come see more Monochrome shots here!

Monday, March 23, 2009

Ruby Tuesday


So this is not so much my creative eye, as much as it is my daughters.
This was her first attempt at decorating cookies. And for a 2 year old (at the time) i think she did fabulous!


However, I can't show you the finished product without showing you how they got that way...just for fun!
To see more Ruby Shots click here!

Monochromatic Monday

This was the tree I climbed as a child that aged in our backyard. The very old garage with it's shabby shingles was the neighbor's. The somber color color fit my mood as my parents moved out of the only childhood home I knew, just last year.

Click here to see Monochrom Maniac views!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Watery Wednesday


Unfortunately, I don't have anything this beautiful in my yard just yet this year. This shot was from last year of our pond...errrrr...puddle in the back yard. Can't wait for the rest of the ice to melt in it this year! lol.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Ruby Tuesday


This guy starts singing at 6:05 EVERY morning for the last 3 weeks. Who needs the alarm clock? He then starts singing around 5ish again in the evening. Ok, so maybe its not the same bird. But they are definitely persistent, so I decided to be as well, looking for him daily. I found him this weekend!
Find more RubyTuesday shots here

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Monochrome Maniac & Macro Monday



Ok, this is my first time for Macro Monday, but decided to combine it with my Monochrome as well. I'll also provide the color, to show the difference. I can't decide which I like better.



To view more Monochrome Maniacs, click here, and for Macro shots...here! Thanks for visiting.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Skywatch Friday


Its that time already. This was a last minute shot on the way in the house after work today. Its my magnolia tree, getting ready to bloom. In the next couple of weeks, the little pussywillow-like buds will open up to a beautiful pink flower. I will post those again once that happens.

To see more breathtaking skys, go to SkyWatch

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Watery Wednesday


I've had plenty of opportunities to catch some "watery" shots this last week. However, the planning and getting ready for my 3 year old's Birthday party took up that time. However, I noticed this very transparent (from all the rain this week) leaf stuck in the winter spout. Nothing extraordinary for sure, but its my world!
For more amazing watery shots, visit here!

Monday, March 9, 2009

Ruby Tuesday


My first post to Ruby Tuesday. Playing with the macro setting on flowers from my husband on our 10th Anniversary.

To see more Ruby shots, click here

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Monochrome Monday


My antique False Indigo Baptisia, with a garage sale find bench in the background.
Click here to view other Monochrome shots from around the world.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

SkyWatch Friday

This shot was taken at dawn last September while in the middle of a reed bed on Little Boy Lake, Mn.

My second post to Skywatch! Check out other sky's here!

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Watery Wednesday #1

My first Watery Wednesday post, taken of a loon on Lake Alexander, Minnesota. The loon's call is such a lonely, eerie call anyway, and I think this shot captures that as well thruough the rolling fog on the water that morning.

To see other Watery Wednesday images from around the world, click here.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Getting around to it.

Wow. I soo didn't get into this as quick as I thought I would. Or for that matter, keep busy doing the things that once preoccupied my mind.
However, just as my meanderings go, I have once again found something that I want to try. I have stumbled across several photo blogs, in my search for inspiration. I love photography. Love landscapes, texture, nature, contrasts and capturing a moment in a life that will be gone in a split second, if I don't get in on my camera.

So I've been challenged. Challenged to capture those things that I love. Every day, something different. It may be a different object, idea, portrayal, or word.