If you want to view paradise...

Written by Shannon Leigh

Simply look around and view it.

News flash, Spring has sprung!

Granted, spring keeps coming and going and until it comes and stays for good I hate to celebrate.

"Spring" is pretty fickle here in Illinois. Our poor house doesn't know whether it wants the air conditioner or heat running.

And since most of you come here to see pictures of Ruby, I will oblige.

Right Now...

Written by Shannon Leigh

I just got in from planting flowers, Matty is mowing the lawn, and Izzy is drinking out of the toilet (someone always forgets to leave the toilet seat down).  

It's getting ready to rain so my flowers will get a nice big drink.  I think I'll get Matty a fountain soda, I think he'd really enjoy that.

Tonight was Dessert Thursday

And we went to Marble Slab Creamery.

No, it's not local, but Matty had a hankerin for their Double Dark Chocolate with Almonds. 

I had a banana split with strawberry, mocha, and birthday cake ice cream covered in fresh strawberries, marshmallows, and hot fudge. Best banana split I've had in years.  Come to think of it, it's the only banana split I've had in years.  Thanks for the suggestion Matty, my satisfied belly is indebted to you.  

I finished my Easter banner tonight too... Sorry for the poor lighting.  Maybe I'll take a few shots in the morning.  

Tomorrow's Friday and Matt and I have lots of family coming in to town.  We are having a big pasta party for all of the marathon runners.  Hope my brothers-in-law do well!!

Created: A Bag with Pleats

Last Friday night my grandparents came to visit!  I love those two so much, they are are two of the coolest people I know.  They took Matt and I out to The Ribeye in Champaign (sorry Dad, you weren't invited).  I have been beyond blessed by the relationship I have with them.  They have taught me more than they will ever know.  Thanks Grandma & Grandad!

I spent some time sewing this weekend.  I made some fabric Easter eggs that, according to Matt, looked like wonky hacky sacks.  (Thanks hunny I love you too).  That's one of the most frustrating things about sewing.  There have been many projects that were utter failures.  I have learned to be o.k. with that.

I did start & finish this pleated bag on Sunday.  I got the pattern from Bend the Rules.  Despite the snow that blanketed our yard that morning, I appliqued the little birdie. hoping it would look a little like spring.  I was going to post a tutorial but it ended up being a lot more complicated than I expected.

 Anyway, you can see more examples of Bend the Rules projects HERE.  Hope your Tuesday is great and happy browsing!

Oh and this is just because Izzy is cute (and hilarious). 

 

"In Between"

The weather is finally catching up with my spring-cleaned house.  

To celebrate I bought some fresh flowers at the grocery store and scattered them around our house.  I didn't wear a coat to work today and I drove with my windows down.  I even wore shoes without socks.  I also bought some new candles so if my bargain blooms don't represent then I can count on some coconut lime.

Over the weekend Matty worked really hard on hanging some shelves above the buffet in our kitchen.  They look beautiful.  It gave me some great display space as well as freeing up the top of the buffet.

  

Today was the "in between" shopping trip.  You know the one where you are out of shampoo, mouth wash, dish detergent and an air filter for the furnace?  It is the trip that I particularly dread but is totally unavoidable and usually expensive.  I had to venture to wal-mart and go to the far corners of the universe to find what I needed.  Not finding what I needed on my own, I searched for an elusive employee who shrugged her shoulders and said "I think they are in that aisle over there."  Why thank you for that, pretty sure I couldn't have done that on my own. 

 Did you know that wal-mart doesn't carry cake flour?  I didn't, until today.  How am I supposed to make Elvis Presley's Favorite Pound Cake without it?  I guess I'll have to go to a real grocery store tomorrow.  

Since I was on my last drop of shampoo it was one of the "in between" necessaries.  I stumbled upon Tea Tree Mint shampoo and conditioner by Organix.  I am usually a Sunsilk user but I felt like I needed a change.  The TTM had a tag on it that read "try me for free."  I am always up for a bargain so I put them in the cart.  All I have to do is send in the tag with my receipt and I get a full rebate!  So what if I did 2 different transactions in the 20 items or less lane.  I am sure the other "in between" shoppers appreciated my tardiness.  I am betting it will be months before I actually get the money back and I will have wasted 64 cents in stamps but I am hoping it will be worth it. Can't wait to try it out in the morning.  

If you MUST do your "in between" shopping this week, take a peak in the shampoo aisle.  You might just find a bargain! 

{Spring} Cleaning/Crafting

Scrub the floors (on my hands and knees). Check

Wash the baseboards. Check

Clean behind the toilet (apparently I've missed that spot for the last 6 months). Check

Vacuum UNDER the furniture. Check

Get our comforter dry cleaned. Check

O.k. Spring, my house is clean! Can you {please} make it a longer stay next time?

I have a bunch of fun projects underway (I guess the few days of spring-like weather inspired me).

Some of them required paint and are still drying out in the garage (stupid cold weather). I can show you one...

I saw this somewhere awhile ago and I loved

it! All I did was cover cork board with fabric and tuck them in as the backing of some cubbies. I think I'll get 3 more at some point. They look a little smaller than I expected (I guess that means I'd have to pick out more of my fave fabric out of my stash... DARN).