Hurry! While supplies last...

I was at Walmart last week, picking up a few random items and just looking around the craft section when I spotted this...

I thought to myself, "What's this doing in Walmart?" And then I looked at the price...


It was $10. Yes. I'm sure. And I actually debated on whether to purchase this or not. Don't know what I'm going to do with it yet...but it's sitting on my coffee table for now, just waiting to be filled with something like artificial-but-real-looking artichokes.

So you better go grab one of these while they are still around! Walmart carried a gorgeous soap pump a couple years ago, and I think I purchased five! I went back for more, but they were gone. Since then, I haven't ever been able to find another soap pump that can compare. Have a great Tuesday everyone!

I'm linking up to Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays.

Our summer in Ohio.

This summer, we got to spend almost two weeks in Ohio, visiting family. We had a great time and stayed very busy. We attended the wedding of a cousin in West Virginia, and a graduation party for another cousin who lives in Pennsylvania. And of course, Caroline got to celebrate her second birthday of the year while we were there. Grandma always comes up with some kind of fabulously creative cake just for her!
Here are some pictures from our trip:

Three generations of "Peterson" women. ...or does it count as four?


Happy Birthday Caroline! Again. She's not spoiled at all.

Grandma and Pap's grandchildren.



Caroline, all dressed up for the wedding with Grandma's pearls.

Caroline with her cousin Jacob. I've always said that they could pass for brother and sister.

Caroline with Grandma and Pap.

We love and miss you all! See you soon!

French Door "Mistreatments"

A few months ago, I attended a baby shower hosted by a very talented lady who lives in a MILLION DOLLAR HOME. I love the way this woman decorates. And, she makes her own curtains. Of course, only she can afford fabric that costs over $100/yard.
I noticed that she had hung some curtains on both sides of an entryway into her dining room. I loved this idea. So, in typical spontaneous fashion, I went to the local Walmart (yes, I know it's a far cry from designer fabric) and purchased these green faux silk panels.


This was okay. I was happy with it, for a little while... Then I saw this fabric and bought it, hot-glued it, and hung it up. I also added the white plates. It just really brightened things up.

It's not exactly the fabric I wanted, but it will do. For now.

And when the fairies come to clean my kitchen, I'll take more pictures for you. :) Have a great weekend everyone!

What summer?

Does anyone else feel like summer has just come and gone?
Tonight I decided to do a little scrap booking of our trip to the beach, just to reminisce and remind myself of the fun and relaxation that I did have at the beginning of our summer break. It was therapeutic... but I still can't help trying to plan another beach trip before my students come back. We'll see what happens.
On another note, I've re-arranged my living room no less than 20 times this summer. I've had "rug drama," made new mistreatments, and bought a new outdoor seating area for my porch. Here are some pictures...just so that you know even though I was neglecting my blog, it HAS been for good reason.
...OH!...And take a look at my new china cabinet re-do.

Okay, so this is the living room. ...well, this is how it looks for now. New rug, new curtains. I'm happy with it. Looks better in person. Maybe I'll take a better picture of it later.


And I hung this old white window above our entertainment center. It came out of my sister's old house that she and her husband remodeled. I've been trying to add more white/cream-colored accents to the living area.


This is what my entrance looks like. I took the rug out of my living room and put it in the foyer. I moved that antique black piece out of the kitchen and added it too.


And this is the new china cabinet. Wish I had a picture of what it looked like before. Just imagine it looking like really dark mahogany, and a very thick coat of shiny varnish on it. Oh, and doors on the cabinets at the top that resembled something out of an old pirate ship. ...well, at least that's what they always reminded me of.
My mom got tired of this piece, and was ready to remove it from her dining room. She asked me if I wanted it, and I warned her, "I'm going to paint it if you give it to me." I think she loves it more than I do now!

And I did not paint this myself. I had it painted to match my kitchen cabinets. Dixie Cabinets in Springville, AL gets the credit for this. They did a great job!



Well, that's all for now. Next time, I will show you my new out-door furniture and pictures from our trip to Ohio.

The curtains

The before:

After:


...yes...I hot-glued these curtains. Don't hate me.


And I even made my FIRST tassel with some left-over trim and ribbon!!!



More pictures coming soon. There has been some unexpected RUG DRAMA in my life these past few days.

My "lighter" living room-Part 1

I think it was being on vacation, and all of the light that came through our windows...the sunshine, the ocean, and the white sand, that made me feel like the house that I was about to go home to was so DARK.
Anyway, at this wonderful gift shop on the beach, that my mother-in-law would flip over, called "Tallulahs," I found this sign:


Isn't it wonderful? I HAD to have it. And I found the perfect place for it.
When I first saw it, I had no clue as to where I was going to hang it...but I didn't care. I love it. It was perfect for my house. I've learned over time, that if you love something...I mean ABSOLUTELY LOVE SOMETHING...to just go ahead and buy it, because you WILL find a place for it. ...well...that logic works for me.

This was just what I needed to start "lightening up" my home. It has an ivory background, so with just a few more ivory accents, that would be just what I needed for a "lighter-feeling" living room.

Has anyone else felt weighted down by all of the trendy black furniture and dark iron accents that EVERYONE decorates with? Don't get me wrong...I really like a lot of that decor...and I have a lot of it in my home. But, like I said earlier, after being at the beach, and now that summer has arrived, I've just felt like adding "lighter-looking" pieces.

Just wait until you see my new curtains and new living room! Coming soon! Oh-and you are correct...lots of hot-glue was used in the course of this project!!!

My name is Rachel, and I am a "mini-van mom."

DOEHLER DAYS posted this video. You must visit and click on it. TOTALLY HILARIOUS!