What Would I Do Without Dreams?

There is something very comforting about Martha for me. I don't watch much tube but have a few shows I plug into. Martha and Giada are favs when I fold laundry (which I do A LOT of). Are you jealous of my exciting life?

Yesterday I was swooning over Martha's Summer home, Skylands, in Maine. The house is spectacular and the grounds are gorgeous. Dare to dream.

Mrs. Meyer's Lemon Verbena Cleaner

Boring and domestic as posts go, but this cleaner (aromatherapeutic) is changing my life as I write. Inhale...Exhale...Inhale...Exhale....All is well.

Moss Initial

Ordered one of these.

I needed some life in a spot that had very little light. Sustainable plant life was questionable. These are made with real moss but don't require life support. They preserve their color and texture even after their prime. Perfect for my shelf beckoning for 'life'.

Worth noting: The swift delivery really appealed to my impatient 'designing'.

Reading Chair and Room Revamp

Pardon the poor iPhone photo but at least you have a sneak peek at our reading chair. Dad came to town this week but before that, I decided to make myself crazy and begin an overhaul on our playroom to grow it up a bit. As if I could pull that off before guests spend August with us. Ha. Damn those bees in my bonnet!

So, I've been working away transforming our small room to a more den-like status. I am hardly ready to post any 'after photos' since it's still a work in progress but I can tease you with a few of these progress notes:

: First and foremost, I have embarked on this challenge without two of my most trusted advisors, Michelle and Brandy. There simply wasn't time and I knew enough of the direction I was heading to get started. Now that I have some basic things underway, I will be calling on them (fair warning served, ladies) to help me make it pretty.

: Husband is the best! He cranked out some shelves for me (in a day). I so appreciate him hanging with my crazy, whimsical Lucy thoughts.

: The space is completely in transition and I haven't even set it up for the fam and yet my vision is being realized. Kids are playing checkers on the floor. Our reading chair is rarely empty. The toys are sparse but finally getting some action.

: Projects and creativity are brewing (much to my delight) even though I am getting rid of our craft table. I loved the table and reworked the room several times trying to make it fit and grow with the space but alas it doesn't work. I feared removing the table would leave a creative void in the room but actually it's quite the opposite. I am tripping over Anna at this very moment as she works on an embroidery scene.

I am encouraged and feeling the reward of a good purge.

Dishwasher Care: Who Knew?

Wine glasses, originally uploaded by Yooper shooter.

We have a lot going on around the homestead these days but I'd rather focus on mundane tasks, like dishwashing. Somehow they keeps me 'sane'.

Until, that is, I load up the dishwasher after feeding 10 mouths for a few meals and the dishes just don't come out clean. As much as I like an escape I need my dishwasher to do it's job. It's not even a year old and we had our second service call to review why in the hay-who it leaves a horrible cloudy film on my dishes accompanied by some lovely debris. No bueno.

So, the repair man left after a very thorough lesson in the mechanics of the dishwasher and I want to know if it's all just a bunch of huey or does this fall into the category of 'stuff no one tells you but everyone knows' category. Because I didn't know.

1. Dishwashers require maintenance. Say what?!
Evidently you are supposed to give your dishwasher a oil and vinegar cleanse every month (sound like your hair care?).

2. We have hard water.
That means we are supposed to use a lot more detergent. I was a fan of the cascade pockets. WRONG. I am supposed to use the good old fashioned powder with jet dry --and lots of it.

3. Add salt to your detergent.
Because of our hard water I am supposed to add detergent to both chambers (wash and prewash) and 2 T of salt with that. I certainly did not know that before Mr. Repairman paid us a visit.

4. Use only hot water. (Minimum of 160 degrees)
That means you must run your sink water until it is hot and then start your washer immediately. So, the no-need-to-rinse-your-dishes feature is really not a feature (not that we ever fell for it). It seems a little non efficient for an 'efficient' dishwasher to require me to manually heat things up for it to work properly. A bit of waste, no?

5. The delay wash feature is a hoax.
If you like to use your delay wash button and have the dishwasher wash at night don't expect your dishes to get clean. The water isn't hot enough to do the job.

6. All dishwashers on the market today require this routine.
I thanked Mr. Informative Repair Man for his help but this was not efficient or what I wanted to hear. It seems like I'd be better off washing by hand or getting a new dishwasher altogether. To this he politely informed me that we're screwed. With hard water all dishwashers will behave the same.

Now, I am left testing his theories. Any wise words?

Kitchen Makeover

We have some home projects building up. We have to save our pennies and determine which gets our attention first, but our kitchen countertops are probably topping our list. This great collection of white kitchens from House Beautiful is EXACTLY what I needed to visualize our favorite ideas.

It's as if they put this together just for us. Our kitchen is already white and pretty much looks like this one-but with bad tile countertops. I like our white cabinets and stainless appliances and have been leaning towards a black countertop but also toy with a chopping block/black combination. Then there is a the classic granite options. Can you sense my indecisiveness?

In the midst of our little drama over here and the fast pace of life in general this eye candy is a nice escape for a moment.

{Via Stephmodo}

Chalkboard Canisters

I am bound and determined to clean out my pantry this weekend. I think these DIY chalkboard canisters Rachel repurposed would be perfect for so many things.

All I needed was a little inspiration. Cleaning alone isn't enough for me.

Preparing for Guests

We live in a cozy four bedroom home in a coastal community. We have sacrificed a yard for proximity to the beach. Our home is not grand but it suits us well. We use every inch of space normally so when we have guests we employ our creativity.

Everyone has their own room but when guests comes the big kids get to bunk up. Christopher has a great bunk bed and TV (gasp! He gets the TV because he can manage it. He prefers to read before bed whereas Anna would probably never turn a TV off if it was in her room). Anna has a trundle in her room. So, when my sister came for a visit over Easter with her family (including a precious 5 1/2 month old sweetie) Anna graciously made her room their home for the week. Anyone sleeping here is sure to rest like a princess.

As a perfect hostess, she greeted her little cousin with a gift, wrapped in a blanket and a sweet tag. Surely baby William felt right at home with all her efforts.

Spring Cleaning

It may not officially be spring yet but I am starting on our spring cleaning. For a great checklist from Martha, go here. For starters, my grout lines are in serious need of attention.

{Found via My Favorite Things}

Bunk Space

I first spotted this bunk design from Melissa (originally via Blissfully Domestic). I am always fascinated by design features that work with small spaces. I think it requires more creativity that an open palette of a space. This particular piece focuses on how to turn a small nook into a guest space.

So now I am feeling inspired to do something a little different with Christopher's bunk space. The tips offered are certainly applicable for his room and he likes his privacy--it makes for much better reading time. (Incidentally, I have two shelves I have been tempted to place exactly as they have here and just didn't do it. Perhaps I will pull that trigger. Dream big!)

Decluttering Inspiration

When I was younger I used to crank up the tunes and suds up. A little good music went a long way with me. It still does if I am cleaning. Organizing, on the other hand, takes a little more to get me going.

I know full well the reason is my whole feng shui is off and I am cluttered out of house and home. It's not me!! I promise. I am actually a very organized person. I have just had three kids, my own business and helping my husband here and there with his. The needed organizing has taken a back seat to other seemingly pressing matters--or just plain fatigue. (Note: If I was a messy, cluttery person at heart these things wouldn't bother me. You dig?) Up until this point, I have been hanging on with the daily maintenance of life for a family of five.

Well, no longer. Since my business is on hold indefinitely while the financial markets continue to tank, I suddenly have an opportunity to address the closets and toys and ....

So, for inspiration for clearing out, I head to my friend (and neighbor)'s house. She has the same layout as me, three kids like me but a much cleaner and more clear house than me. To top it off, whenever I do pop in, she can often be found reading a book or thumbing through a magazine. I don't see her scurrying around making her house spotless. It just is. Sigh.

Stopping in at Brandy's for a cup of coffee and a chat is just the motivation I need to come home and tackle a project. Just being in a clutter-free zone releases me and makes me feel better. I want the same for my space. The surfaces may be ok in my house but be advised when opening that closet or pantry. Only I can tell you where the cupcake liners are.

You can sneak a peak at Brandy's house from her daughter's party, posted here.

Also, I like this book for a more methodical approach to decluttering.

What is your decluttering method? Any tips for me?

Photo from Martha Stewart

Need a Release

I love the holidays. I love the reason for the season. I love the togetherness. I love the giving. I love the pretty lights. I am not one who you will find complaining about "all the stuff I HAVE to do" around the holidays. I like it.

That said, I need a break!

It's not the holidays that are weighing me down as much as my clutter. My feng shui is all out of wack and my external is reflecting my crowded and cluttered internal. I have too many balls in the air and just need a moment to let everything settle and prioritize. You dig?

This may not be the very best time to dive into some home projects but then again I think it is. I can always find a reason to to feel overwhelmed and postpone the deeper de-cluttering. I have a hard time just maintaining the daily flow of backpacks and socks and toys and mail and....

But, I just have to tackle it one little drawer, one closet at a time. In the midst of a WHOLE lot of other stuff yesterday I took on my kitchen linen drawer. It is in much better shape now and I am encouraged. A small victory, I know.

I love Melissa's post on Freedom from Stuff:
5 TIPS TO RESTORE ORDER TO YOUR HOME
* If you feel overwhelmed, set aside a block of time to get life back into order and balance.
* Focus on your most dreaded task first. Once you dive in, it won’t seem so bad.
* Look at things in your home objectively. Are they adding something of important value or are they just one more thing to dust, store or organize?
* Not sure where to begin de-cluttering? Try removing half of the items from a cupboard, shelf or closet and step back to look. Be prepared to be amazed at how energized you’ll feel!
* Remember there are many people so less fortunate that would be blessed by what we give away.

The kids have been motivated to help with their things. I may have missed the mark with the incentive that if we can give some of our things away we make room for new toys, but it seems to work. And I can use the help releasing our things.

Clear the Clutter Confessional: Magazines

I have a problem....magazines. I can't bring myself to recycle them until I have read every page. I know it's a problem. I have had moments of progress but I am not currently enjoying the height of one of those cycles. My feng shui is all out of wack from the piles of mostly home magazines mounting. It's a clear reflection of the clutter going on in my head. Time to clear it out!

I have times where I am easily inspired contrasted by other rather dry spells. I developed a system but have regretfully fallen away. It's time to revist that process and reduce the amount of periodicals that can be found stashed in a basket here there and everywhere. It looks something like this:

First pass: Dogear pages of inspiration or need for further review.

Second pass: After a short time in purgatory, I take a second pass and sort the pages worth tearing out. (recipes, gifts, inspiration, things to reserach, etc.)

Sorting: The visual inspiration (room ideas, furniture, etc.) go into 'the book'. Others have their own files. Some are even sorted by holiday.

I am further spurred into action and have some room for refinement with some tips from one of my favorite bloggers, Benita at Chez Larsson. She keeps many more magazines on hand than I plan to (on purpose) but her system is good.

If you are suffering from magazine and catalog drowning I wish you happy sorting. It's all about editing, isn't it?

Necessary footnote: One thing I am compelled to reveal...Unless I am traveling and want to feel indulgent I have cut myself off from the trashy mags. I used to justify a subscription to Us Weekly (yikes!) by saying it was my eye candy during my wine and bath time. I have cleansed myself from the filth and do not buy those mags anymore. And it feels good to move up the food chain.

Photo by Benita, Chez Larsson.

The Art of Display

As I change out some of our seasonal decor and bring in the pumpkins I could benefit from the tutorial at Chez Larsson. Benita is a visual merchandiser in Sweden who shares a few tricks of the trade:

1. Triangles

2. Grouping

3. Empty Space

4. Repetition

5. Simplicity

Head on over a learn a trick or two for your next shelf.

Photo from Chez Larsson.

Skirting the Issue

I love so many of the images and inspiration from Celebrating Home. But the bees in my bonnet (see side bar) are pleased by this chair skirt. I am committed to this project. With my little compadres, I assure you I will not be pulling off this crisp, clean, pure rendition--as much I love the simplicity.

Making Our Nest

The big kids have been back to school for almost a week now and I am still getting settled into our new schedule. I love this time of year, always have. I was one of those kids who always liked school and I hope my kids will continue to as well. I love the freshness of embarking on something new. The anticipation of what is to come. As a parent you get to relive all that excitement with your little ones and the family adapts with the changes.

I must make sure you know, loud and clear, I am not one of those moms who can't wait to get rid of their kids. (No judgement, just setting the record straight.) In fact, the husband and I plan to have a motorhome that we use to follow our kids around (that is, if they ever leave). I know it's not 'cool' to smother or hover, so I will be sure to mask it as something else. But the facts are, I don't look for reasons to farm the kids out or long for the school days so the kids are out of my hair. I know these days go quickly and I am trying to suck the marrow.

{Major disclaimer: I do not want this to be a blog that is all about self promotion and how good I am at this or that. I hope to be honest. With that guideline, I feel compelled to be sure my lovely readers know I am no saint of a mom. I have bad days and times where I long for a solo shower or private potty break. I can't speak on the phone during 'on duty' hours and can feel isolated at times. So, I'm certainly not claiming perfection, just sharing where my heart is.}

So, now that the record is straight....I am loving this chance to be home almost alone and able to make our nest! I have ALL DAY with little Pj. We can walk the harbor or clean a closet! I have not afforded such luxuries in our family's short little time together. We have been in triage for six and a half years.

With the big kids being 11 months (generous timeline) apart and having twins the hard way, our family has been busy. Then a few set backs with little PJ have left us whirling a bit. We are starting to feel like we are coming out of a fog. A glorious and blessed fog, but a bit of a frantic fog as well. So, I have all sorts of ideas about how I can relish in my one-child-fun-time and still get some great things done around the house.

Wish me luck in actually accomplishing my crazy lucy thoughts. I will post on my progress regularly. (It makes me feel accountable. Even if not another soul reads this blog or gives a hoot.)

Image from US Forest Service.

Appliance Obsession

Love struck: Mark Schatzker with his beloved Dyson.

I can't say I've reached this level of....infatuation, but maybe that's because I settled on boring American appliances. It's a great read...and something to aspire to. (Incidentally, the author is a good friend of a friend. It makes the read even a little better just knowing the company he keeps.)

A Woman's Work...

Woe is me. Our dishwasher is done with us. Hand washing for five does not equal bliss.

Image courtesy of Green As A Thistle and Icklebird on Flickr.

Music Room at the Pittock Mansion

We are heading to Portland. We may need to take a tour through the Pittock Mansion . How is this for a music room?

A Little Help With Style

I clicked my way to this great tool . Discovered at just the right time. As you know, the husband and I have been working to define our taste a little since we are at a fork in the road with some home improvements. This is a fun survey to help sift through all the choices out there.

A few words of caution...You can't sit on the fence with this. You have to make a decisive stance in order to go on to the next gallery of choices (this proved to be a challenge for me since a few times my selection wasn't there). Also, I'm not convinved that the initial results are a good reflection of what I like, or maybe they are and I am just not in touch with my own 'style'. (Really, my problem is that I like A LOT of different things. I'm adaptable like that.)

Regardless, I will be taking this several times over and strong-arming the husband to try it.

Incidently, my first time through determined my style is 'family favorites'. Timeless and classic. The definition is spot on but the visuals didn't light me up. What is your style? I am so curious!