Imperfectly Perfect

I was coming down the hallway to stir my pot of "Continental Beef" and the sight of my kitchen just made me smile!  I was especially enjoying the yellow and orange dish towels on the oven handle below my vintage Metlox Poppy Trail plate.  Yes, there's mess there too, but it didn't diminish my cozy happy feelings upon seeing my Storybrook inspired space.  The delicious smell of the beef simmering in my mother's old Magnalite skillet might have helped too!

Went to a new church today.  Like my kitchen, it was imperfectly perfect as well.  Over 50 years old and served by an interim pastor, but just as welcoming and loving as one would wish.  I love this photo on their website of their origins!

It's a UCC church, so I feel I'm in good company:

I have a feeling that I've finally found my church home!  In the process of discovering the church, I also discovered an entire neighborhood that I'd like to eventually call home.  South Land Park grew up around William Land Park where our Sacramento Zoo is located.  I love the mix of 1930's to 1950's architecture.  I hope that when I'm ready to move, I'll be able to afford a little place here - just too cute!

This has been a great weekend- no barbecues or outdoor excursions, but plenty of rest and relaxation just the same!  Cleaned out my fabric stash and made a list of projects to work on- can anything be more fun than that?!

Hugs to all!

Grateful today

for my two sons.  

In spite of my failings as a parent, they love me and always give me the benefit of the doubt.

How did they grow up so fast?

Grateful today

for my dear friend Sandra who sent me a sweet little Easter gift:

I've been wanting this book for a while, but she didn't know that!  Sandra's birthday was in March and my gift for her is still mired in good intentions.  She is a lovely, selfless woman.  

Sandra is grace in action.

Sing a Song

There is a sweet family waiting to adopt an even sweeter baby girl who lives far away in China.  This mommy thought perhaps God could put this terrible time of waiting to some good purpose.  If I've intrigued you, please click over to Under the Sycamore to read more about what Ashley Anne is up to with the help of some very talented artists.

Giveaway at Notes From a Cottage Industry

If you are wondering how I am doing on my 21 days to organized bliss, I can tell you that I have made zero progress!  Just been a little crazy around here the last couple of weeks!  Ahem.  I do plan to take on the challenge, but it will probably be more like 21 weeks than 21 days.

Anywho... I'm telling you about a giveaway at Notes From A Cottage Industry because it gives me another entry to win!  Also, if you have never been to Tracey's blog, you're missing out.  She is a sweetie pie and I've been following her since way back- maybe 2006 or 2007!  Here's the link to her adorable giveaway- good luck!

21 Days to Getting Organized

Okay, so I'm a year late for the party!  Nothing wrong with that, right?  Isn't that what's known as "fashionably late"?  This looks like such a great challenge, I've decided to use it to challenge myself!  The list of areas are those things that tend to get completely out of control.  Some of mine are awful, some are are pretty good and some are recently organized, but all of them will benefit from a bit of attention.  Here's the list:

21 DAY ORGANIZING CHALLENGE

• Day 1 - Junk Drawer
• Day 2 - Computer Desk
• Day 3 - Tupperware Cabinet
• Day 4 - Linen Closet
• Day 5 - Under kitchen sink
• Day 6 - Dresser Drawers
• Day 7 - The Pantry
• Day 8 - Coat Closet
• Day 9 - Toy organization
• Day 10 - Laundry Room
• Day 11 - The Freezer
• Day 12 - Spice Cabinet
• Day 13 - Medicine Cabinet
• Day 14 - Under bathroom sink
• Day 15 - Medicine/Vitamin Storage
• Day 16 - The Fridge
• Day 17 - The Mail
• Day 18 - Keepsakes
• Day 19 - Master Closet
• Day 20 - Photos
• Day 21 - You pick!

Some of these don't apply to my home at all and some are combination spaces.  I would like to make some of the areas that are already organized just a little prettier, but we'll see how truly motivated I am!  I will just tackle it a day at a time and subject my readers to iPhone photos of my progress!

Feel free to join in!

The Ten Month Slipcover

Whew!  I got to check off a big project today!  It only took me 10 months to complete, but I finally did it!  Let me explain.  When we moved into this apartment last April, I went to Salvation Army and bought a "new" sofa.  I had a number of requirements- well made, narrow profile (not too deep), tight rolled arms and removable cushions.  The color wasn't important, because the plan from the beginning has been to slipcover it.  I found all of that in this sofa:

 By the way, how do you like my brown accent wall?  In a dark apartment, it really sucked the light out of the room.  So, I painted the wall and made plans to try my hand at a dropcloth slipcover.  

The picture below shows how far I got.

And it stayed this way for a long time!  (Cute boy and kitty, right?)

I had slipcovered a couch before (2004)- and it was a lot of work!   Which probably explains why it took me so long to get back to it.  Today, I decided to bite the bullet and GET IT DONE!

I am so happy with it!  It looks beautiful.

When I made my last slipcover I did not have nearly as many web references to go to for help.  This time I relied on Miss Mustard Seed's tutorials and the sofa tutorial at Honeybear Lane.  I just can't understand now why I waited so long!  ; )

Made two of those cute chevron pillows today too.  I'm not kidding- I will bring color into the house!  The yo-yo pillow I made back in 2008- still love it.

So, between the kitchen and the couch, I am on a roll!  I still have a lot of projects I'm working on as I'm trying to get to the point where I can do a whole house tour.  Something I have yet to do on the blog.

Stay Tuned!


I'm linking up over at Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch: