laundry gone cheerful

I'm not even sure how this latest laundry room re-do came to pass...

I think it all started when I got the itch to paint those cabinets white. It is a pretty beensie room, and it was feeling sort of dark and dreary. I mean, who wants a dark and dreary laundry room? Laundry is daunting enough as it is, may as well do it in a cheery room, eh? So I disassembled those cabinets{a little nervously, i must admit} and got to town refinishing them in a shiny coat of white~

Next, I decided to brighten up those walls! After a first coat of pale yellow I was not sold, and went with this pale blue instead...

cabinets before~

cabinets after~ ah, happy:)

This chalkboard/coat hook wall we actually put up a couple years ago, so the kiddos would have a place to doodle, and hang their school garb. It has been a fun addition~

a preview of what this room uuuusually looks like, unfortunately. Although, I have to say it has been much more intising to keep it clean now;)

and after~

While we're speaking laundry, I have to send a shout out to the homemade detergent recipe I found on pinterest. I have been using it for several months now, and am quite enjoying it!

Recipe found here. I've altered it a bit, to 1 1/2 c. of the washing soda, and borax, to one bar of Fels Naptha. Super easy, huge money saver, and just makes me feel better knowing what's in it!

And a little bit, goes a long way! You only need between one and two tablespoons per batch, depending on what it is you are washing.

Another favorite is this lavender water~ instruction here.

So many different ways to use this, it has changed my world.

So there you have it folks, a bit of laundry goodness.

Happy Monday.

~xo

this and that~

Hey there, remember me?

Funny how a few days can turn into a few weeks before I even know what hit me. Doesn't help that I've had my nose in this book~So, so sad to see it end. Absolutely adored this book. Definitely tops my list of favorites, it is a must read:) We celebrated Gramy's birthday over pizza and birthday cake~

It was sorta sweet to see these three headed out the door to their "Daddy's and Donuts" morning at school~

Our latest and greatest after school snack~

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies

2 c. chocolate soymilk

1 ripe banana

1/2 c. peanut butter {Adam's is our fav}

2 heaping T. flax seed

1 1/2 c. ice

Blend and enjoy!

I always appreciate a little help in the kitchen:) If you look closely at Parke's pants, you will notice one leg has been completely riped wide open... ugg, that's my crazy boy!

Kade started up with basketball again~

We were so proud of the way he got out there and played hard!

Rylie and her sweet gal~pal Kendal...

More action on the court~

And the cheering section~

Made a new wreath for the front door~

Inspired by these~

A few months back I recycled Kade's old pants into these little pretties for a fundraiser. They were a big hit, and I was happy to see them sell:) Moral of the story~ use those old pants for good! They can be very useful.

Spiced up the front porch a bit~

And now I am up to my elbows in other projects. The laundry room is getting some love, hope to share that with you soon. Hope January is treating you well.

~xo

Feelin' Squirrely~

With all of the wonderful produce popping up everywhere, I have been in the kitchen. Canning, dehydrating, baking, freezing, and storing everything in sight! So much work!~ but oh, so worth it. It all started with a trip to the farm, the kiddos and I spent an afternoon picking tomatoes. It was good times~ I wish I had pictures of how beautiful it was out there. We found some awesome peppers at the farmer's market, and I got to work on tomatoes and salsa.

As you can see, the house pretty much explodes when the canning begins:) I have a tendency to put my irons in way too many fires. Notice my bags of clothes from cleaning out kiddos closet's~ part of my fall cleaning. Doesn't it look clean?? Ha ha! It's the mess before the organization, always happens that way~ doesn't it?

Then came time for peaches~ can I tell you how much I heart fresh peaches. Words can not describe. I look forward to my bushel and a half every year:)

Look at this picture. Notice anything... unuuusual??

I had my jars sitting in warm water while they waited to be processed, and I looked back to see Parke just chillin' out. The boy is just plain awesome.

Aren't they pretty? And my favorite~ fresh peach pie.

And if you are going to make one, why not make a dozen? Poor Nic didn't even get a lick! His bad, he was out hunting wild beasts. Teasing. More like innocent deer, luckily he came home empty handed:) We might need just one more round of the peach pie...

Oh! This is so exciting~ my friend Meg and I are making our own extracts. Vanilla and peppermint. Aren't they pretty in their jars?

When Nic was off hunting, I tore into our storage room. What is it about fall that makes me feel the need to start hoarding food like a little squirrel? I cleaned, and organized that puppy! Then I headed to Home Depot, lugged that big daddy shelf home, and assembled it~ all.by.myself. I was feelin' pretty proud:) And I'm pretty sure my muscles are a little bit bigger, ha! Teasing:) Still have a ways to go on the storage, but it's a good start.

And just because it's friday~

Never a dull moment around our house with this guy around. Thank goodness his real Buzz Lightyear costume came, so he doesn't have to squeeze his cute cheeks into this teddy bear version anymore:) Can't believe Halloween is right around the corner.

Headed to Thriller tonight with the girls~ can't wait!

Happy Friday!

~xo

the boys' room~

We've had a few fun projects in the works over the past few months, but in the midst of summer fun i haven't had a chance to post them. The boys' room has been kind of a thorn in my side, but has finally come together. So nice to check another project off the list!

So I actually painted this room last fall~ i know, crazy. We had just bought the boys some new furniture in order to squeeze the two of them into this smallish room. I found this pale chartreuse color, and went to town painting the entire room...

The second I finished, i was not diggin' it. I kept asking Nic if it looked like a baby yellow? Anyways, it wasn't long after that I caught my new vision...

which required some painting of the ceiling~

Oh, and the boys had some how busted their light fixture~ boys;)

Me in my fabulous paint clothes... i know, hot.

Okay, so you are getting the idea. Lots of {baby} yellow all over the walls, that completely clashed with the beige ceilings... bleh! So I went to work~ again.

Horizontal stripes~ can't get enough of the stripes!

aah, looking better already...

i love this part:)

My inspiration for their room all started with this orbit mobile from CB2.

It was love at first sight, and perfect for the boys.

Then came the fun part.

Putting it all back together~

We replaced their broken light fixture with this kulla ceiling lamp from Ikea~

I found this great 'numbers' fabric {ikea} and made a couple of throw pillows~

Kaden read the whole collection of Diary of a Wimpy Kid books over the summer. The boy loves to read. His beloved globe, and wooden snake from scout camp. And Parker's 3 from his birthday party:)

It feels simple and bright.

Much better.

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend,

I am kinda enjoying this cooler weather!

~xo