Another week has come and gone so quickly!  I can’t believe it’s Friday again so soon!  My children are done with school in two short weeks and I haven’t made any more progress on my kitchen cabinets.  Fingers crossed that next week I knock those puppies out, bam they will be done and you will all be able to get started on your own because I know a few of you are waiting for me to go first.

Before we paint any cabinets, it’s time to welcome my friend Anna from Directions Not Included.   We met this past year (through our blogs of course, seeing as she lives about 25 states away from me, how else we would have met I’m not sure) and I’m so glad we did!  Anna has a great sense of humor but let me tell you, this lady is a crafter extraordinaire!  She has made the cutest aprons from kitchen towels and the metallic chevron tile coasters are another favorite of mine.   But enough of what I love about Anna, read on and see for yourself why you need to become friends with Anna.

Instagram! I love browsing the photos and quickly sharing things.  Find me under directionsnotincluded

Happy Friday Morning friends!  It’s been a busy week around here (I’m starting to think that’s every week) but the weekend is coming and I’m excited to get some stuff done in the backyard and also hopefully in the kitchen.  Sunday is also Mother’s Day and I always love getting home made cards from my children and usually a cute gift or poem that they made in school.  Those always make me really happy!

Speaking of  happy, today the Blooming Blogger is my new friend Maury from the blog Life on Mars.  Maury & I met while both doing the Color My World Challenge and I’m so glad we did.   She has a wonderful blog and I recently came across her kitchen painting post.  If you are thinking of doing cabinet transformations you might want to read her version, Don’t Ever Paint your cabinets.    I love reading Maury’s blog because she keeps it real, is funny and also super sweet.   Not only does she share DIY, home decor type of stuff but also some great recipes and  bonus, she lives in South Carolina.   So I’m hoping we can crash her house in June after we’ve met at Haven and she isn’t freaked out that I typed this and realizes I’m not a Craigslist type stalker.

Don’t they just look like the perfect couple?  Love this picture!

Good Morning my lovely friends!  It’s Friday and while you are busy reading this, I am off with  my hubby for a morning date.  He asked for the morning off so we could have breakfast together, hit up some garage sales and who knows what else will strike our fancy!  Hubby wanted to take advantage of the girls being in school before school is out and this is it.  Ruby is off getting spayed this morning so pray that she does well and everything is fine, oh also that we don’t need the cone head collar thing.  ;)

Today’s Blooming Blogger is Erin from How to Nest for Less.  I love reading Erin’s blog, she is sweet and thoughtful, knows how to host a great link party and is really the owner of a wonderful blog that I like reading.    Not only does she DIY on a dime but she also has great photoshop and photography posts, fun crafts and kid stuff too!   Check out her daughter’s bedroom!

Bonus for me anyways, I will get to meet this awesome girl in person at Haven!   Anyways, enough about me, time to read about Erin!

Name one thing you can’t do that you wish you could.

SEW! My grandmother was a wonderful seamstress but I was too young and naive to take notice of her talents before she passed away. I have her sewing table now and I’m hoping that 2012 is the year that I invest some time in learning how to sew!

Share one thing people don’t know about you.

I used to build furniture back in college. Small end tables, a large coffee table for my living room, a porch swing. Little things here and there but I LOVED it. Nothing like the feeling of crafting something from scratch and using big power tools! Funny thing is I haven’t built a piece of furniture since. Finding the time is hard, plus finding a workshop aint’ the easiest either! I really would love to start again, especially when I’m inspired by phenomenal projects from Ana White.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I actually wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I have always loved to paint and draw and build. In college when I majored in Fine Arts, I got to dabble in printmaking, ceramics and even photography. I knew it would be hard to make a decent income as an artist, so I focused on my computer skills and became a graphic designer.

Best blogging advice for new bloggers?

Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s so easy to get lost in the numbers game of how many pageviews, Facebook fans, Twitter followers or comments you have. Blog because YOU love it. I didn’t even think about monetizing my site until I was about 8 months along and had solid readership. Stay focused on perfecting your craft and the followers will come. Oh, and great photography helps too

Show us your favorite room or project you’ve completed.

My favorite room right now has to be my master bedroom that I just revealed about 2 weeks ago. I didn’t have to purchase any new furniture, just switched out some textiles and added some paneling. What a difference! It really goes to show that you can work with what you have. You don’t need to spend a fortune on a room makeover; you can nest for less!

Three favorite blogs to read right now.

Oh, there are so many inspiring blogs out there that it’s so hard to choose just three! I have to admit that I like to read more of the home improvement and DIY blogs than the craft ones. Young House Love always has amazing tutorials and makes me feel like I can accomplish anything if I just give it a try! Centsational Girl gives great tips and tricks on furniture revamps, plus her style is fabulous!! I also seem to gravitate towards Just a Girl. I really like her writing style. I feel like I’m talking to a friend when I’m reading her posts. Plus she doesn’t post everyday so I know when she does… it’s gonna be something good!

Best book you have read lately?

One of my favorite books that I’ve recently read is Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. In the book McDougall sets out to find a tribe of ultra marathoners in Mexico to answer a simple question “Why does my foot hurt?”. This tribe of distance runners can go hundreds of miles without rest or food and are 100% superhuman athletes. I absolutely loved this book (even though I’m not a runner!). Very inspiring!

Thanks so much Ange!

Thanks Erin for joining us today!  Ok everyone, head over to Erin’s blog and say Hi!  You won’t be disappointed, I promise!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

It’s Friday, the weekend is here!  Woot Woot!  (Does anyone say that anymore?)  We are heading out of town this weekend to hang with our besties.  The guys are hitting up a twins game and the girls are shopping and getting some pedicures!  Let’s hope we don’t end up with foot fungus like our last pedicure experience 5 years ago!  What will the 7 kids be doing you ask?  Good question.  Hopefully playing together nicely.

You may have noticed that the Blooming Blogger series is now being posted on Fridays.  Mondays are now reserved for a new series called Marriage Mondays where the hubby and I will be posting on all things marital.     But today is all about The Blooming Blogger and I’d love for you to meet Suzy from Saved by Suzy!  We met just a few short months ago when our friend Cassie from Primitive and Proper introduced us to each other.  Cassie thought we had a lot in common and we sure do!  Sometimes I think Suzy and I could be on the show Seperated at Birth.  (Is that a real show?  I don’t watch tv but for some reason I think that’s a real show).  We both have goldendoodles, have painted our houses with Gray Owl, used embroidery hoops and fabric in our daughter’s rooms and have many more things in common.  Read on to learn more about my twin and one of my favorite bloggers.

What is your favorite food?

Hmmmm, this is a tough one!  I don’t think I’ve met a food I don’t like!  I have a huge sweet tooth and love baked goods and candy, but my favorite would have to be ice cream.

If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go and why?I used to loved to travel, but as I’ve gotten older and now have three children and two dogs,  I’ve become much more of a homebody.  Being so busy in my daily life right now, I don’t have a huge desire to visit a new city and sightsee.  I would much rather sit on a beach and relax.  We went to Kauai for our honeymoon and I would love to go back.

 

Best book you have read lately?

Reading is one of my all-time favorite activities.  When I’m not busy catching up on all of my favorite blogs, I’m reading a book.  Historical fiction is my favorite.  The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is great!

I know the Blooming Blogger posts happen on Mondays but this week is a special Friday edition because Kelly was busy delivering the newest member of their family on Tuesday night and also finishing up her nursery.   (Who looks this cute when they are pregnant?  For real!  I always looked like I escaped a circus and had clowns selling cotton candy from under my tent dress.)  For real, isn’t she gorgeous?

Check out the sweetest nursery that little Mila Jane will get to sleep in.  So gorgeous!

Read on to learn more about Kelly and why you must read her blog!  She is so funny and cute, plus add in her wonderful talent in decorating and DIY and she is a MUST read!

How did you come up with your blog name?

My blog name – View Along the Way – is a beautiful example of how not to name a blog. I started it as a way to document our lives for family and friends, and after we bought our house, it evolved into a DIY blog, but it forgot to evolve its name. Maybe at that time if I’d known what I’d actually be blogging about, I could have snagged an amazing name, like Apartment Therapy or Blooming Hydrangea.

Favorite thing about blogging?

The fame and fortune? Oh wait, you said blogging, not being a famous rock star. I get those two confused. My favorite thing is the friendships I’ve made with sweet ladies like Ange, and having a creative outlet to spew my thoughts and ideas – unchecked – all over the interwebs. And no one can stop me! MUAHAHAHA!

How did you meet your husband?

We first met under the romantic fluorescent lights of the dining hall during my freshman year in college: a surefire environment for life-long love. We met through a mutual friend, who I thought he was interested in. I spent our initial time together trying to decide if he was good enough for her. He would tell you that he was obviously interested in me the whole time. (All lies!)

I have about four thousand amazing blogs that I read regularly, so how to choose?! A few relatively new-to-me blogs that I can’t get enough of are Thistlewood Farms, Buffalo Roam and Making Lemonade.

Favorite item in your home?

My family? (Total cop-out answer.) And the Chinese Chippendale chairs I found on craigslist. Which rank slightly below my family, because I’m a loving mom and wife.

I’m kinda loving scallops as the next chevron.

Ange, this was so fun! Thank you for letting me hang out on your blog today!

Kelly, thank you for taking time out of snuggling your sweet baby to hang out here today!  You are a rockstar!  Head over and check out Kelly’s blog, View Along the Way!

Ok, I was so busy working on the bub’s room this week that I didn’t send out my Blooming Blogger questions in time. What to do, What to do? I know, let my husband have a turn in the hot seat. He is insistent that he can’t be the Blooming Blogger because he doesn’t have a blog, but he does have a blog post. I think that qualifies, don’t you?

Today the Blooming Blogger is my hubby. He is a wonderful husband who gives great shoulder rubs and puts lotion on my feet without me asking. He is also the dishman at our house, the DIY guy, musician madman, math homework answering expert and dog poop scooper extraordinaire! Without further ado, here is The Blooming Hubs! 

Hello again, Blogopolis!!  Blooming Hubs here, glad to finally get an opportunity to use the “family” laptop.  You’d think that I would have enough computer time after working with my mad computer skills all day, but in the evening I like to do a little recreational computing if you know what I mean.  But generally, the evening conversation with Ange goes something like this:

Me: Hey hon, can I use the computer for a little bit to play Scrabble on Facebook?

Ange (looking up from the computer in a daze): Huh?

Me: The computer…can I use it for a bit?

Ange: I am in the middle of a Pinterest search and I’m finding amazing things.  Plus I have a blog post I have to get out and I have 1.5 million comments I need to do on my post and on several thousand others.  But yeah, hey, why don’t you just veg on the computer for a bit, go ahead!

Me: Hey, look what’s on TV!

OK, OK, so it’s not really like that, but I am glad to put my fingertips on the keyboard of our laptop from time to time.  Anyway, thanks to my darling for letting me put yet another post on your amazing blog, you are awesome!!

What is your favorite room or project that you have worked on?

Hmmm…ok, putting the toughest question first, I see how this works!  There is a lot to choose from, including our first major project where we finished the basement of our first house, the “summer of vinyl (siding)” in 2010, the many times we’ve installed laminate flooring, and many, many more (we have been busy the past 10 years, what can we say!).  But if I had to pick one that really stands out that Ange and I both put a lot of effort into that turned out great was the original cloffice at our last house.  I think that project taught us that we could be creative and yet design something that was very functional for our home.  Ange will be the first to tell you that in our relationship I am the “functional” guy (“what are we going to DO with this project”) and Ange is the “form” lady (“how is this project going to LOOK?”).  And that project worked well for both of those aspects and it turned out great!

If you could choose a different career, what would you choose and why?

Another tough one.  For those that don’t know, I’m currently a software developer, programmer, computer geek, whatever you want to call me.  I do get great joy out of telling my computer (and many others like it) what to do even if it doesn’t always listen to me.  But I also have always been involved with music in my life and currently spend some of my time volunteering on our church’s worship team.

 So I think that some sort of music career (even being a worship pastor) would be something I would love to do because I love the beauty of music, and in particular worship music and how it soothes the soul if you know what I mean.

What is your favorite food? (It better be something I make or you are in big trouble.)

Ummm…do you make Red Vines???  J/K my love!  My absolute favorite is Stromboli, Ange makes an amazing batch for us quite regularly.  But a close second is pasties, a dish that reflects my heritage from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and another one that Ange makes an incredibly delicious version of.

If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go and why?

Somewhere warm, for sure.  Ange will tell you that I love the warmth and tolerate the cold where we live.  But not sure if somewhere like Hawaii is something that I would like or not.  But there is a certain majesty about the ocean, sandy beaches, beautiful sunsets, and the thought of sharing all of those with my beautiful bride that entices me.  So maybe somewhere like Florida, the Carolinas, California (not the metro areas, though) would be nice.  I’ll stick to somewhere that Ange and I can drive to.  And another place of intrigue to me would be Australia, not sure why but it just seems like it would be cool to go “down under”.

Favorite Date Night?

Dinner and a movie and a nice walk and conversation.  Somewhere to eat that we can have a nice quiet booth (where we would likely be found sitting on the same side of the table so we can be close!).  Then a nice little stroll hand-in-hand, talking about our life together, dreaming, etc.  Then a late movie (not a chick flick!) that we both laugh and enjoy with a side of popcorn.  Then ending by coming home to a quiet house and…..well, I’ll let you imagine the rest!  Since by now you all know how shy I am about that stuff! 

What are you reading right now?

Ange’s blog!!  Just kidding, although I am an avid reader of this wonderful blog, you know!  The book I’m reading right now is Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell.  I am big into apologetics and theology (boring, I know – told you I was a geek!) but even this book is quite a bit on the “heady” side for me.  On the casual side, just enjoyed the Hunger Games recently as well, looking forward to reading the other two in that series soon.

Favorite tool?

Many to choose from, we have a lot, but my favorite would have to be the air compressor brad nailer we bought for like $50 and have used it like a million times and it’s still holding up very well!

If you could re-name my blog for the both of us, what would you name it? (We are not doing this, I am just curious what he would say.  Although I am moving to WP very soon and my blog name is up for renewal, hmmmm…………………….)

…hmmm…ok, maybe this is the hardest question after all!  Naming things is a difficult process for Ange and me to do, just ask her sometime about naming all of our kids!  But off the top of my head maybe something like “A Wink and a Smile” (since that’s how we go together if you know the song I’m referring to) or perhaps “Form and Function” maybe?  Or how about “Just Doing Our Thing Together”, I don’t know.  I’m already way past my allotted time on the laptop, Ange is hovering over me and making me stop so she can get back on Pinterest or something.

Anyway, it’s been fun, time to go trim my ear or nose hair or something productive like that (why does hair have to grow THERE when you get older).  Thanks for listening blogland, and Peace Out!

The Blooming Hubs

Ok, thanks honey, I think.  Wow, if you know my husband in real life you are probably amazed at how much “talking” he just did on here.  Give the guy a keyboard and he can’t shut up.  Well at least it was mostly good things…..just for the record I do not hoard the laptop.  He just takes a really long time when he’s playing scrabble because he’s trying to get a “Yahtzee” or something.  Anyways, I think he “talked” enough for both of us today so I’ll end this now and will be back tomorrow to share our new bub’s room.  It’s coming together and I’m really excited about it even if my IKEA tripped was snowed out.  Until tomorrow……………and tell what you think, would you still read this blog if the hubby was more involved?

For those of you who are regular readers, you may have noticed that the Blooming Blogger post did not happen today. I totally spaced on sending out the email and questions so by the time I realized it, it was already too late. Then I thought maybe my hubby could be the Blooming Blogger for today. The questions were typed and then he never answered them because we were just busy and didn’t really have access to internet this weekend. The bub’s ended up getting sick on Friday with a fever Friday night and a yucky cough. We left Saturday to go back to where we moved from this summer, we had some doctor appointments, hubby went into work, we were able to see lots of our friends and even family and worshipped at our old church. A great weekend but the bub’s is still sick, I have a sore throat and I think the eldest might be going down for the count next.
The bub’s room is all painted, even the trim, hallelujah, so we just need to wrap up a few things and hopefully be done and posted for Friday morning. Wish me luck and maybe you’ll see a Blooming Blogger post from my man too! I have lots of blog reading to catch up on and answer some emails too. It was a nice weekend away but it’s back to life, back to reality. So tell me, what did you do this weekend?

Monday, Monday, you are here too soon!  Was it just me or did this past weekend just fly right on by?  Yesterday I did manage a trip to IKEA and although there were many lovely things there, I didn’t buy much and was kind of disappointed.  
Well we won’t be disappointed this morning because Jenn from Peas and Crayons is our Blooming Blogger today!   Jenn is not only beautiful and sweet but she is quite funny to boot!  She also has some mad photography and culinary skills that you need to check out, after you read a little bit about her first. 

How did you come up with your blog name?

My husband and I talk like normal human beings very rarely… usually we speak in movie quotes =) I always swoon a little when he says “Me and Jenny goes together like peas and carrots” and when it came down to title my bloggy project — I knew I wanted to play off that quote. Since I’m always combining food and art, the crayons reference jumped into the mix and the rest is history!

Favorite thing about blogging?

Connecting with such a fabulous and diverse group of people! The best feeling in the world is to know I changed someone’s day/week/life by helping them love veggies or at least look at them differently! Every time I get a comment saying “My kids devoured this dish – veggies and all!” or “I LOVE broccoli now!” it confirms that this is exactly why I blog — I love it!

What is your favorite food?

I know you’re about to see this one coming: Vegetables! Pretty much all of them


What is your favorite recipe?

Quinoa Fried Rice

Name one thing you can’t do that you wish you could.

I enjoy singing badly (more fun that way) so I would have to go with flying. Living with a pilot makes me insanely jealous =)

If you could vacation anywhere, where would you go and why?

Right now? California! I’ve never left the east coast.

How did you meet your husband?

We were next door neighbors in college. He lived in 304 and I was in 303. I met him the week I moved out. #Irony

Favorite kitchen item?

If I could marry my garlic press I would. I HATE touching garlic =)

Favorite item in your home?

does my bathtub count?

Best book you have read lately?

Hunger Games!!!! I’m 1/2way through Catching Fire at the moment


Three favorite blogs to read right now.


I Heart Organizing, Kiss My Broccoli, and Running to the Kitchen

One thing people don’t know about you but they will now.

I cry at every movie. Ever. Either b/c i’m laughing or because its ridiculously sad

Show us your favorite room or project you’ve completed.


My pantry!Everytime I look at those upcycled glass kombucha bottles I smile — they’re lean, “green”, and beautiful!

<3and my kitchen is my favorite room! it’s my happy place!  Though I could use some advice on how to decorate it!

Thank you Jenn for sharing with us today and I am going to admit that I have never tried Quoinoa but it looks yummy.  I think I might try some this week.  But first I want to learn to pronounce it properly and maybe Jenn can cook me up some of her Quoinoa instead.  For reals, I am trying some this week although there are no gurantees the rest of my family will, does anyone want to take the Quoinoa challenge with me?  

Head over to see Jenn‘s blog Peas and Crayons and while you are there, maybe offer her some decorating advice for the kitchen! 

Good Morning Lovely People!  Is everyone still in a carb/sugar coma from yesterday?  Or perhaps it was just me.  I love hosting parties and feeding people, I get so excited!  We had some neighbors and friends over for the game yesterday and it was so much fun!  Towards the end of the month we are doing a progressive dinner in our neighborhood and I’m really looking forward to that as well. 

 In case you didn’t get enough sweets yesterday, you will fill your quota here with Jenny from Simcoe Street today.  Not only does she have fabulous style, she is very sweet, beautiful and has the cutest little boy.  You really need to check out her blog, after you finish reading here first. 

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What are your three favorite blogs to read right now?  

Share with us your favorite room or project you have done in your home.

My favourite room in our home is my son Benjamin’s nursery. It is a teeny tiny space (less than 8′x10′) and we had a small budget, but we’ve been able to make it a comfortable, storage-packed, calm little space for him. Nurseries are often my favourite rooms in people’s homes, and probably my current favourite type of space to design. 

I think the key if you are on a budget and can’t totally re-do a child’s room every few years is to pick furniture and accessories that are not designated as “baby” furniture (like using a dresser as a change table rather than a traditional change table) and to mix in sweet, baby accessories. The furniture can grow up as your little one does, and then the fun is changing out the inexpensive accessories and wall colour and whatnot. I even tried to make sure the accessories could, for the most part, have a decently long life. For instance, the frames on Benjamin’s walls are simple white gallery frames – when he grows bigger, I can swap out the art for something more mature. 

(You can see all the photos of it here and here).

What is one thing you would like to learn more about or how to do?

There is so much I’d love to learn about (cooking, wine-tasting, carpentry) but this one is easy for me to choose – SEWING! And upholstery. Okay, maybe not so easy. But sewing and upholstery kind of go together. I absolutely love fabrics but have limited skills in terms of what I can DIY with them. Oh, how I wish I could sew up throw pillows and curtains and refinish old upholstered pieces with ease. Maybe one day…

What book are you reading right now?

I am always reading lots of blogs and a stack of magazines — Real Simple & House Beautiful are current favourites – but after several months of not reading books for fun (I guess a new baby who doesn’t like to sleep will do that) I am loving A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan. I typically like fiction books, and my husband and brother-in-law always recommend the best ones. I also wind up doing tons and tons of reading that is at times far less enjoyable because, in addition to being a stay-at-home parent, on the side I’m a student working toward my PhD right now. That involves lots and lots of reading… But overall, magazines are my favourite reading materials. 

Favorite thing about blogging?
 
My favourite thing about blogging is all of the incredibly creative, passionate, friendly people I’ve come into contact with. It is an amazing community and is so neat to get to know people, their homes, and their lives through reading their blogs and commenting on each other’s posts and whatnot. I like sharing my ideas with people who have similar interests, and LOVE to learn from and be inspired by other bloggers. Blogging is also just fun, a nice little bit of “me” time. I’m loving it. 

Thank you Jenny for joining us today!   Head over and check out her wonderful blog, she has tons of great stuff you don’t want to miss! 

Just wanted to let you know I only have three more Blooming Bloggers scheduled and then the series will be ending.  If you enjoy this series and would like to see it continue, please let me know.  Hope everyone had a great weekend and I’ll be back this week to show you the nightstands and hopefully the rest of the room as well!  Did you get anything finished up this weekend?