November Faves

Hi everyone!

It seems like yesterday that I listed off my October faves and yikes! It's time for the November edition. I'm not gonna lie, this month really snuck up on me. So, with no further ado, I present to you my November heart stoppers!

These cutie patootie acorns have been around for a few years, but I am as smitten as ever. So quick and easy to make, not to mention yummy and fun to serve or give.  I make them every year!

Hersheys.com

Of course, with next month being Christmas, I am definitely giving thought to decorating, wrapping and gifting.  I love this tool box arrangement from one of my favorite brick and mortar shops a town or two over from me. My friend and shop owner, Tracy,  is a master of display and her shop is amazing!

Finders Keepers

I love breaking out the sweaters and flannel this time of year. November sees a return of cold weather in my neck of the woods, and nothing says cozy, sit by the fire (or walk in the woods) better than a red and black buffalo plaid shirt.

Woolrich.com

November 11th is Veteran's Day and it is always an honor to commemorate our country's courageous veterans. I think these boots are so cute! I have to say that they really aren't my style, but I kind of wish they were. With a pair of skinny jeans and classic white button down shirt - fun! I also like the fact they are made in Wisconsin by the makers of Muk Luks. I do own a pair of their slippers that are cute, but these are so much more fun and patriotic!

QVC.com

Thinking again towards Christmas, I am lucky enough to live near a pop up Lang Outlet and I always buy my Christmas cards in November a year in advance at incredible prices.  This is the card I will be sending out for 2015. This is also a Wisconsin based company.

Lang.com

My Baby Bluebird will be home from Virginia Tech for a few days over Thanksgiving and we are both excited to Black Friday shop. We go for the Starbucks and possibly a deal - we just love the atmosphere and bustle of the day. We finish up with a yummy lunch somewhere and then head home for a nap! 

Source

And lastly, what I treasure the most and what I thank God for every day, being with my family on Thanksgiving! 

How about you? What is making your heart go pitty pat this month?

Thanks for stopping by,

Jane

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Happy Halloween

Hi everyone!

Wishing you all a happy, but not tooooo spooky, Halloween! It's trick or treat night in my neighborhood, but our weather forecast is kind of pitiful: drizzly, rainy and mid 40s with wind. Poor kids! (And poor parents who walk with them!)

As for me, I am off to pick up next year's Christmas cards (yep, I am a year ahead on that task!), at the Lang Outlet that opens for the season today. Always great deals. Then, I am starting my last major decorating project of 2015: My daughter's bedroom. Paint starts today!

This coming week I will be finally sharing our finished work out room and it is time for a November faves post as well. Hope you will join me!

Thanks for stopping by,

Jane

Fall Treasures

Hi everyone!

Well, Halloween is mere breaths away and I really haven't posted much in the line of fall decor.  I have put out a few things to "fallify" and I think it is high time I share them with you all!  Before you know it, the weather is going to turn, the calendar will turn the page and bam! Christmas will be here. I think I need to slow down a bit and savor the splendor of the beautiful fall season.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy some of my fall fancies....

I hope you have had a chance to enjoy the treasure of these fall days!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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Sharp & Crisp (Awesome Painting Tip)

Hi everyone!

I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful fall weekend.  It's been a fun and busy one for me here at the Bluebird hacienda, but I just had to make time to finally show you the long ago promised "sharp line" painting trick that I have grown to love!

Any of you DIY room painters know the problem well:  Sloppy, uneven paint lines where one color meets another.  This is especially troublesome when you are using a dark color and a light color.  Few things make your paint job look  amateurish more than the paint bleed and uneven lines you can get.  Some of you may have that steady hand to get a sharp line, but I never mastered that!

My latest painting project was our workout room and I used Gibraltar Gray on the ceiling and Milk Paint on the walls.  As you can see, there is a huge contrast between the two!

How do I get a sharp, crisp line EVERY TIME?  Here it comes, short and sweet and super easy:

First, paint your ceiling.  Don't worry about cutting in, you will take care of that in another step.  Next, paint your walls.  You will cut in the wall color and you will extend just a bit (about 1/4 to 1/2 inch) onto the ceiling.  Allow to dry thoroughly.

Almost done!

Now, take your painters tape and run it all around the ceiling line.  Taking your wall color, paint over the edge of the tape where the wall and ceiling meet.  Why, you ask?  This will act as a seal to prevent any of the ceiling paint bleeding through any of the gaps in your tape. (This is where the magic happens!)  Allow to dry.

Finally, using your ceiling paint, paint around the ceiling and finish any cutting in you need to do.  I usually do at least two coats.  (With my dark ceiling, I think I ended with four (maybe five)!  I've found with dark colors, the more coats the richer the color becomes .  Don't skimp on the coats!)

And now, drum roll please,,,,,,

Start peeling off the painters tape and voila! A sharp, crisp paint line every. stinkin'. time.

A sight to behold, isn't it?

Isn't it beautiful? And so easy to do!

I can't take credit for this idea, but I am surprised at how many people don't know about it.  I first found it about four years ago and it has really taken my interior painting to a whole new level.  I still have one more room with raggedy ceiling lines and it is on my 2016 "to do" radar.

So, all of you painters out there - give this a try. It is worth the extra step!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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Pawsin' With Palmer: It's My Six Month Birthday!

Hey y'all - Palmer here!  I can't believe how long it's been since my last (and only!) post.  All I can say about that is I've been busy getting used to my new home and family.

Today is my six month birthday.  My mom is kinda weepy because she says I am growing up too fast.  But, a dog has to do what a dog has to do.

I've had some big adventures and milestones since moving here.  I've mastered my invisible fence - didn't take long:  this boy doesn't go for being shocked, nor do I care for the warning beep.  Besides, I like my yard and don't want to leave it.  It was great getting off the tie out and being able to run around on my own.  Freedom!

I also spent six nights on my own at Animal Campus, while my mom & dad went to Branson for a vacation.  I was a little unsure about this whole sleepover business, but now I sit by the back door at home waiting to go back!  It was awesome and I got all "A's" on my report card.    My mom tricked me the other day when she said to me, "bye, bye in the car."  I thought she meant I was going back to Animal Campus.  Oh no, she took me to the vet instead!  Say what?????  Oh, it's nice and all, but not my favorite.  The Dr. always announces my weight so every one can hear - 60 pounds this last time.  "He's a big one," she said.  Now really.   On the bright side, I am finally over the mange and am off medication.  Woot!  Woof!

Do you think I look fat in this picture??????

I am feeling a bit braggadocio about my mad "shake/other paw" skills.  I do it. all. the. time.  I'm a bit of a show off, lol.  I also have learned "don't touch" and "wait" - those aren't as much fun, but I comply.

I like to keep busy with fall yard clean up.  Today I grabbed a plastic pot.

I am also helping out with digging up the annuals.

Coming up, I am looking forward to seeing my human sister, "Baby Bluebird" in about four weeks.  I hope she still likes me.  We only met once! (But, I think I am a pretty lovable guy.)  Sometimes we "FaceTime" on the phone and I like to kiss the phone when I hear her voice.  Virginia Tech is a long way from Wisconsin.

That's it for me today - time to go outside and enjoy some six month birthday fun!

"Happiness is a warm puppy.”
—Charles M. Schulz 

Keepin' it pawsitive,
Palmer

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More Workout Room News & A Milestone

Hi everyone!

For such a tiny room, our workout area sure has taken a long time.  I am here again with some small snippets of progress.  The beginnings of the art and lighting install took place yesterday and I am over the top happy with how it is shaping up.

Here's a glimpse of part of the wall.  As you may have guessed, I am doing a faux brick treatment using a piece of brick-look paneling.  A little doctoring with joint compound and five different colors of paint - and voila! The aged brick look I was dreaming of.  

I chose clip on work lights for accent lighting.  I love the industrial look of these guys annndddd they were less than $7.00 each!

Just for grins, I scribed in the year into one of the bricks while the compound was still wet.  It is very subtle and you really have to look for it, but I love it!

 Mr. Bluebird is cut loose from his DIY duties today to get in a game of golf, but in the meantime, I am staining and finishing the cedar trimming pieces that will go around the brick. There are two more steps to the finish that I still have to complete.

And now for the milestone promised in my post title:

A while back I shared with you my weight loss journey that I began almost a year ago.  When I first 'fessed up about my weight woes here, I was wearing a size 16 - down from the 24, sometimes 26 I was wearing in October 2014..  (Again, I can't believe I am sharing this with you all!).  Since then, I have lost another 25 pounds or so and the other day I dared to try on a size 12 pair of jeans.  First, before I get all peacock puffed up about my achievements, let me tell you that they are labeled "super stretchy."  But, a twelve is a twelve in my book and I will take it!  The label also claims to make the wearer look long and lean!  I doubt I am looking particularly lean and at 5' 3" I am certain I don't look long in them either, lol! But, nonetheless, they are a size 12 and I haven't had a pair of jeans that size (that acutally fit!) in my closet since Ronald Reagan was president.  Yikes!  I have more to share with you regarding my lymphedema issues that I told you about back in May was well.  I will save that for another post, but I think some progress is being made in that department, too!

Anyway, that's it for today.  I am off to work a little more on the never ending workout room and then I will be settling in by the fire with the Mr. to watch the Packer game and sip on some Pumpkin Spice coffee.  Enjoy your Sunday!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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Fall Into Fall

October Faves

Hi everyone!

Here we are about to turn the page on another month and then presto change-o, we will have crossed the threshold into the busiest time of the year! 

The month of October brings shorter days and chilly nights in my neck of the woods. In Wisconsin, October also gives a beautiful show of autumnal color. It never disappoints!

As for some of my October faves, let's start with the classic Pendelton wool blanket. Love the charm of this vintage camp cover.  They are pricey, but last forever. I just love them folded at the end of the bed or to wrap up in at a bonfire.

Ah, the good old' Affy Tapple. Yum! Yum! YUM!  Need I say more?

 With the cooler temps comes dry and cracky hands. I recently picked up this little Burt' s Bees Almond Milk Hand Creme at Target. I am smitten and madly in love with this product!

 Can't do an October faves without a shout out to Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte.

II

I love a toasty fire this time of year and, if I could, I would have a fireplace in every room! But, for many reasons, that is not to be. We do have a real fireplace in our living room. We also have three electric fireplaces in other rooms. My favorite is this little red number that is in our front entry. It's awesome! The best part is you can use it without the heater, and just have the flame effect. 

I am also a fan of this cute corduroy jacket from Christopher and Banks. It had me at yellow - my favorite color!

That's it for this month! I'd love to hear about some of your fall favorites.
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Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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