Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas!


This will have to suffice for our Christmas card this year because I wasn't on-the-ball enough to get cards sent out. This Christmas will be spent here in Minnesota, and although we will miss seeing friends and family, we're grateful to not have to travel and spend a quiet holiday at home.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Christmas Wreath

With instructions from the talented Maeve, I made this wreath last year while I was homebound with a newborn. It's been so fun to acquire handmade decorations to use year after year. I also made a much larger red one but it got a little damaged on the move here and has not yet been fixed. Maybe it will make it up next year.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Garage Sale Brag Time

Some of you may know that I was an avid garage sale junkie this summer. I thought I would share some of my treasures with you.


I got this working food dehydrator for $1. It even has all the appropriate heat temperatures etched into the side.


This is probably one of my favorite purchases of the summer. This adorable lamp was $1 and I couldn't bear to live without it! Brent has no idea why I love it so much and even asked why I would buy that. It is just exactly what I imagined for a baby's room. Next summer I am going to try and find an equally cute stand for it so it can sit by the rocking chair for late nights with little ones.


After paying $4 dollars for this dresser, I knew I was in garage sale heaven. Nonetheless, still I drove off quickly just in case there was some mistake and the people were coming to let me know the price tag was incorrect. Now that we have a home large enough to have a spare bedroom we were in need of a dresser to go in it. This one, which has dovetailed drawers, was just what I was looking for. (And yes, that is The Cup that Brent won at City Cup 08'.)


These two decorative balls were purchased not at a garage sale but at a consignment store. They were $4 dollars each which is more than you would find me spending for them at a garage sale, but I really liked them so I willing to splurge. They were originally a faded gold but I decided to spray paint them white and make them book ends for Darwin's room.


My heart skipped a beat when I saw this pair of his and hers bicycles. The $25 price tag for each bike seemed well worth it, so when the lady having the sale saw me looking at them and immediately said she would take less, I was a little in shock. So I offered her $40 for both and we both left happy. I was sceptical that the tires would hold firm but have stayed inflated which makes me think the tubes are fairly new and in good condition.


I got two of these chairs for $20 each. They are in amazing condition and a similar style sells at Room and Board for $600-$800. I did have to take a screw driver and take off the dust flaps on the bottoms for a more contemporary look.


This kitchen table and four chairs set me back $50 dollars and was my most expensive item I bought all summer. The nice thing about this table is it comes with two more sleeves so that it gets as long as eight feet.

So there are some of my favorite finds from this summer here in Rochester. Maybe it will help those who are skeptical that there isn't anything worth finding at garage sales, and maybe, just maybe, it will convince one of you to visit me next summer now that you have seen the nice dresser for your things. And if you are lucky, we may head out and hit some estate sales where the real jewels are waiting!!!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Favorite Song of the Week

and perhaps my favorite music video ever. It is beautiful.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Pumpkin




I failed to document my pumpkin at Halloween time. I got the idea from here, but mine didn't turn out as cool as the one I was copying. Yes, it is still on my front porch because it took me a long time to finish. So since it hasn't rotted yet, it might just make it to be a New Years pumpkin.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Change

Today I woke up to snow on the ground. After a very mild and lovely November, winter has finally made its move. I already miss all the leaves on the tree in front of our house.


I cut Darwin's hair a couple weeks ago and I also miss that it no longer spontaneously does this anymore. Now he looks like a little boy running around everywhere. He started walking a few weeks ago and won't stop moving to take a picture. This is the best that I could get.