Stormy Weather

What a beautiful day to blog.  Fall is here, or at least it feels like it today.  About a month ago a crazy storm blew threw Lucca Forest.  It was kind of a Desperate Housewives moment.  You know when a tragedy happens and everyone floats out in their backyard seeing the destruction.  Although on my block it is mainly senior citizens.  But damn nice ones that have good hearts.  Everyone was nice enough to check on our bubby chubbies.  Luckily Todd and I were home and the dogs were in our basement with us safe and sound.

We had gotten home early that particular day.  We never get home early.  Luckily Melody was home, one of my childhood friends and all of us girls were getting together at a local wine bar.  As we pulled into the drive it started thundering and raining pretty good.  As I always remembered growing up mom and dad would never let us shower in storms, you know the lightning could strike you dead in the shower!  Really could that ever even happen?  Well I'm running late and I neeeeeed to cleanse my dirty little pores.  Off to the shower I go.  I had conditioner through my hair and look out the bathroom window...I was terrified.  You could not see anything besides leaves, debree and large amounts of hail.  I heard the hail pounding the side windows of our small brick ranch home.   I grab a towel and run out screaming!  Oh yes I am quite dramatic.  Todd, O'Malley, Zara, Lucy and I went barreling down the basement steps.  It lasted for maybe a minute,  maybe less.  Then it was just still.  So quiet.  This is what we came up to.

A very day for the forest.  A very lucky day for Lucca residents and our furry friends.

The BOX

You know those old homes that have the box where the phone book and phone goes, very handy!  Well guess what?!  I have that...now do not be jealous I will share photos with you.  Most people would cover it up and forget about it, not us.  I purchased some beautiful wallpaper from an antique shop, Todd made the box smooth and put it all together!  It turned out just the way we wanted it.  So cute is our little box.

P.S.  Our dogs are awesome

Cozy Mantel

Our living room has alway been out of whack...yes whack.  It was not what I visualized.  When we first bought the house I looked on apartment therapy a lot where it showcases small homes and apartments.  They had a mantel stuffed full of old books.  I fell in love...Finally we acted on it this week.  I found an antique mantel for $170, distressed it and Todd did some trimming on it and installed it in the corner.  We rearranged our furniture and it is now a cozy living room.  This is one of our biggest changes in the home.  I got the books from local thrift stores and from a lady that was getting rid of all of her books because she bought a kindle fire...SCORE.  Got the books for .30 cents a piece.  Here are some pictures.  Projects = LOVE.

So Far....So Good

It is hard to believe the work Todd and I have achieved in just a year and a half.

 Before

After

 This was our sexy dining room and kitchen

 After

 Living room

After

I still have so many visions in our home that will be done but for now the changes have been amazing.  Who would of thought beautiful hardwood was underneath that smell orange carpet.  Everything is coming together and we are enjoying our small quaint home!  All 870 square foot of it!

Scraping To Scaping

Our front yard is in progress.  We trimmed some evergreens, took out some dirt and started giving our yard a lift.  It is not done but looking much better.  Last year we got some stone for a steal.  We used it on our pillars and still had plenty left.  I wanted to break it into pieces and make a edging out of it.  We sunk it in concrete.  We bought all of our plants 50 to 75% off.  We also are so proud of our work when we are done because we have done it ourselves.

 Before

This is what is done for now.

Spray Me...Save Me

I used to buy everything new.  New pillows, new furniture, new dishes, new everything...too much of everything was new.  Nothing had that old flare to it.  About a year ago I started blogging and reading/following others in their blogging world.  It inspired me.  You can get a lamp for free or for a next to nothing give it a good primer and spray paint and it is super cute!  So when I purchased my home I decided to not get new cabinets, new furniture and so on, Todd and I decided lets reuse.  So we did.

 This was Todd's Gma's lamp

 Primer

Two coats of ol yeller

 Frame bought for only $4

Spray painted and framing in progress.  This is a picture I took in our back yard.

Oh Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore Art Thou Romeo

Oh how I love surprises...but how I love to find out what they are before they are given...  Last weekend Todd took me to the winery.

I was thinking we were just enjoying a Saturday early evening at the winery then later some din din.  I was wrong.  Todd was kind of nudging us to go, he said we had reservations...what reservations how have I not heard of this???  So where was he taking me...I must figure this out!  Oh Station 220 we can have wine pairings with their four course tastings...no no, CJ's because I have been wanting to try there cheesolicious pizza pie...no no Destihl because there beer tastings and stuffed poblano is to die for.  Am I close :0)

All I can say is poor Todd.  I try to ruin surprises.  They are so fun but tell me, tell me, tell me.  So we rush home and a cab picks us up.  I was thinking good restaurant, lots of bubbly... Then  we get into the cab and sneaky Julia reads what is one the cabos screen EWING MANOR.  Oh my, Ewing Manor, the castle thing...!!!  My first reaction was OMG Todd is going to propose tonight, he reserved the Ewing Manor, has Station 220 cooking for us and he is going to get down on one knee and pledge his love.  Then I knocked myself back into smart mode and was like...come on, we have not looked "looked" at rings and my imagination runs wild.  So we get there and there is no white horse to take us on a carriage ride around the beautiful city of Bloomington :) No one cooking a lavish dinner and family is awaiting in the back on the castle all geddy.  You know what was going on though!?  The Shakespeare Festival!!!!  I have been waiting to go there forever, it always looks so cool and there is the play!  Oh Romeo, Romeo, Wherefore Art Thou Romeo.  It was awesome.  We were late but there was jazz before, Todd ordered Kelly's Bakery and he got us the best seats in the house for the play.  This was an early birthday gift and one of the most thoughtful gifts ever.  So Todd...you are truly the best and I love you with my whole heart.