Boyett Homestead: Est:07-08-06

2012-01-21T12:00:00.000-06:00

Love Adele and love this song. Soulful and sad, but great! Happy Saturday

Jeanne Oliver Giveway

2011-12-03T00:09:00.000-06:00

Head over to JEANNE OLIVER DESIGNS to sign up for a great giveaway. She has wonderful dresses, bags, and home stuff.

Hallelujah

2011-09-10T08:32:00.001-05:00

Another good song!

TGIF!

2011-09-09T08:27:00.000-05:00

This is a great version of Somewhere over the Rainbow! Happy weekend

Music for your day

2011-09-08T08:25:00.000-05:00

A little Carrie Underwood for your day.

Broken Camera

2011-09-07T07:57:00.000-05:00

My camera has been broke for awhile, so I haven't been able to update with my new stuff. So here is a video montage and some music for you until I get a new one.

2011-09-06T08:05:00.000-05:00

The 100+ days have finally ended. Here's too cooler days!

Riley at the Lake

2011-09-05T20:18:00.000-05:00

Two words you can not utter around Riley are "lake" and "ride" and NEVER together. She will wear you out until you take her for a ride to the lake or for a ride anywhere!

Happy Friday

2011-07-08T06:30:00.000-05:00

Have a great weekend!

Diaper Pail to Paper Pail

2011-06-12T20:20:00.003-05:00

During my spring trip to Canton I snagged an old diaper pail for $2. I forgot to take a before shot :( I took some polka dot fabric and used spray adhesive to cover it and some ribbon as the trim and now...

I have something tall enough and cheap to store my wrapping paper.

Easter Crafts

2011-04-17T21:59:00.003-05:00

It's almost Easter and one of my fave holidays. This is a little something I put together for some people at school. I had some scrap paper that had a grass motif and I used a polka dot paper overlapped with "Eat your Veggies". Then I added the Lindt chocolate carrots with hazelnut that only come out at Easter time. They are really yummy.

The other treat I did was the original chocolate bunny poem about nibbling it's ear off and so on. I printed the poem and attached it to some blue plaid scrap paper and added a Hershey's chocolate bunny to it

Another Giveaway

2010-09-15T22:02:00.003-05:00

Emily over at Jones Design Company is hosting another giveaway for September. Click her button on the right to check out her site. I've done some decorating so, Fall/Halloween decor to come.

Over the Rainbow!

2010-08-17T06:00:00.000-05:00

One early morning after CC practice I spoted this rainbow even though it hadn't rained, there was still enough "humidity" up there.

Christmas in AUGUST!

2010-08-15T18:52:00.008-05:00

Well, I tend to do some Christmas stuff during the summer, when I have more time. I'm in Michael's the other day and I found this really cute scrapbook paper with the 25 days of Christmas on little doors that open and it hit me. This is my ADVENT Calendar. I love them! I did one for Mariah last year where she opened a little gift each day. Well, here's what I did with this one.
Here's the paper, really vintage-looking. I'm using pictures of family members for my nephew to open a different door each day revealing a family member. I will also be making one for Mariah.

I went to Hobby Lobby and bought a 3 pack of 11x 14 canvas boards. The cheapest ones I could find because I wasn't going to "paint" on them. I edged out all the sides with a mixture of silver and gold paint, you can notice this at the top. The I covered the bottom half with a green paper that complimented the house paper.

The next part took some time, I went on my sis' blog and copy all the pics of family members and reduced the size to fit the cut-outs on the house. Now, my sis doesn't know she's getting this, but SURPRISE! now ya do. I didn't try to make the sizes perfect, just about right and trimmed were I needed to.

Next, I made a template of the house and laid out all the pictures. I numbered the back of the pictures with the window they corresponded to. Then I turned the house paper over and taped the pictures to the back of the paper. I flipped it over double check when you opened the door you could see the pic and it was centered correctly.

Then, I found my favorite quote, printed it out, "dirted" it up and embellished it with some tinsel like ribbon and some velvet ribbon I had.

Finished product, when you open the doors on the corresponding day there is a different picture of a family member. The #25 door has a pic Samuel, Tara and Mike as a family.

Jones Design Company

2010-08-13T16:26:00.004-05:00

Emily over at Jones Design Company she is having a little summer giveaway. She has a great blog with really great projects and decorating and I'm jealous cause her camera is way better than mine. I think I'll put that on Ron's Birthday Wish list! Here's her button to go and see all the really great things she's giving away.

OH yeah! Happy Friday the 13th!!! Crazy huh ok if today was my birthday I would have a Jason Friday the 13th themed party. why wait till Halloween to scare people.

HMMMM that's some there CORN!

2010-07-30T06:00:00.005-05:00

This Sammy Franny my nephew and he lOvEs Corn! his mama finally decided to give this boy some, actually it might have happened the last time he was at my place.

Gitcha Sum! Look at that concentration, two handed grip and whole mouth bite! Thata Boy! Can't wait for your mama to change that diaper!

OK, Riley is a licker and she especially likes to lick little babies who are still learning how to get away. Love the action shot. Sammy has such a good sense of humor, got that from his Daddy. HAHAHA Love ya Sis

PS i'm teaching him ALL my tricks

"YOU'RE KILLIN ME SMALLS"

2010-07-29T06:00:00.001-05:00

Have you seen the movie "The Sandlot"? one of the best kid movies, so funny. Well, one of the lines in the movie is "You're killin me smalls" and I say it and I laugh at my own jokes, which is a violation of house rule #3. Don't laugh at your own jokes, I do this allllll the time, because crap if you can't laugh at your stuff who else will... Am I right??? Rule #1 is Put the seat down...yeah you guessed who violates this rule BIG TIME. I can't remember rule #2, must not have been that important. Ha that's funny seriously, can't for the life of me remember it and Ron has no clue. he can't even remember the first rule and it specifically applies to HIM. go figure. Anyway I have a point. When you junk small items, that could fit in your trunk are called "Smalls". Hence the quote from the movie. Here are some of my "smalls" I Have picked up recently.

Ok, this is part of the front entry Patriotic decor that I leave around till Labor Day. The tall flag is a recent purchase.

Now, I have wanted a barber pole for some time. But dang they aren't cheap. I found this one last trip to Canton. The pic is blurry not your eyes!

I found this really clever tobacco can in Mineola over Spring Break, in a little shop I hit maybe twice a year. When Ron heads to Austin for the State Basketball Tournament, I trot on over to Mineola and do some lookin. I liked this one, b/c it goes nicely with the America/Texas stuff I have in the family room.

New Pieces

2010-07-28T06:00:00.002-05:00

I found this man. His name is Stan, no lie I'm not rhyming here. And I am a big Fan. Ha ok. I had these two old windows for years and I mean years and toted them all over the place. They used to just rest against the wall and at one point Ron actually asked me if I wanted him to put them in the "garage" because he thought they were junk. Well, actually they were but he didn't see my vision of architectural design, you have to say that with a snotty British accent to get the full effect of our conversation. Anyway, back to Stan the Man and my new best friend. I found him at Canton, one of my fav places, and he does all his furniture from salvage wood. I have seen his booth several times, so initially I asked Stan to do a custom farm table for me (see below) with a dark stain top and I got two benches to match. When I picked up the table in June, I asked him to make a cabinet out of the old windows. Stan said I had a "good eye" I think he was flirting with him ;) Anyhoo!
My cabinet, Best form of recycling.

My kitchen "Farm table" Now, I just need that hen house built...Kidding...can you see Ron and I raising chickens...seriously that is funny.

Just Some Pics

2010-07-27T06:00:00.002-05:00

So, I have had Photoshop for sometime, but I have just now started to play with it, and I have figured out how to use the scanner. Yep, I'm a little behind here, Anyhoo, these are some shots I took years ago while travlin in the Hill Country. I love Gruene (pronounced like the color green for all you non-Texans). It's a really cute little town and has a great restaurant called the Grist Mill that is really good.

This is Gruene Hall. Oldest Dance Hall in Texas that has seen the likes of all the greats.

Water tower in town with a little Photoshop touch ups

Ok this is from a painted wall in Longview. Anyone who knows the Boyett family, knows we, RON and HALEY, are serious Dr. Pepper drinkers. Haley will actually drink water with her meals occasionally, but I'm proud to say I've got Ron down to milk for breakfast instead of DP, but I think he sneaks them in still. I like the old painted walls you see in towns, very cool.

Long Time No Blog and Caught in the Act!

2010-07-26T21:45:00.004-05:00

It has been a long time since I have posted. I have been busy but also just taking a break from posting. In May I caught Ron in the act of grading papers on a Saturday night. Hmmm this is only reserved for me and I really felt like he was stealing my thunder, but we got a good laugh out of it.

Not on My Watch!

2010-02-18T06:00:00.000-06:00

Riley does this thing were she sits by the back door and just looks out at the yard. Keeping an eye on the place, she's very intent. This was the other day looking at the snow.

More Texas Snow

2010-02-17T06:00:00.001-06:00

Well we got more snow this weekend but this time it went east enough for our neck of the woods to get some of the stuff. I'm not sure how much we ended up with but it was around 6-8 inches. Riley LOVES the snow. She would roll around in it and hide her chew and then dig it out. She loved following me into the woods to take pictures. She was also a good girl and posed for me

So Serious!

I was holding her chew, so she was pretty focused.

Valentine's Day!

2010-02-16T00:28:00.005-06:00

HaPpY Be-Lated Valentine's day! A few decorations to see.

Kisses in the corner

Glitter and velvet hearts and my His and Hers frogs.

Some Love on the door

I found these wooden hearts at Hobby Lobby and picked up a large one and a small one. I really love them. The "love" ornament was just added on.

Texas Snow!

2010-01-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

It is hard to believe but it did actually snow here and stick. It reminded me of the first snow during my college years. Here are some shots from Christmas Eve and the snow that actually stuck!

Riley playing ball in the snow, she loved it!

Mariah was excited about the snow as well and enjoyed the snowball fight! Even the ones to the face.

Samuel is such a good sport, this is the Hey guys don't forget about me down here. I'm sure this is where he was wishing he could walk.

Another shot of Mariah!

Happy New Year Guys!

2010-01-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

rILeY wishes all of you a HapPy NeW Year!

Many Biscuits and kisses to all my fans in 2010!

Yes, I am this happy all the time!

A funny little story

2009-12-27T06:00:00.001-06:00

This is like the old Sesame Street versions of "Which one is not like the other". Can you guess what is wrong with this pic?
Did you get it? My sweet 2y, had some ice cream for a little snack and proceeded to put it in the refrigerator instead of the freezer, this is what I found the next morning when I opened the door. Had to laugh.

Old Saint Nick Sign

2009-12-26T06:00:00.001-06:00

This is the sign outside our front door. I added hooks underneath to hang St. Nick's belongings.

The union suit I got at the Army Navy store, the hat at a craft store and I made the beard from an old pillowcases.

Close up of the sign.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

2009-12-25T07:00:00.002-06:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS! I HOPE EVERYONE DAY IS RELAXING AND FULL OF THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON!
We got a real tree this year, but it's smaller and standing on a table. Your head is no crooked, the tree is! The whole trunk was curved and leaning, so we went with it the best we could.

Small tree with ornaments from Ron's childhood.

Santa hat ornament.

Close up of the top of the tree with the ribbons and rustic star!

Kitchen Decor Part 2

2009-12-24T08:00:00.000-06:00

Bench in the hall. The Dear Santa sign was a Dollar Store find! The red ornaments were from Tom and they are vintage.

Cake stands in the bar and a Christmas pic of Ron when he was little

Dome with old dessert cups with jingle bells and an ornament.

Hot Coco area of the kitchen, with sprinkles, marshmallows, and mini milk chocolate pieces.

A Christmas Craft

2009-12-24T06:00:00.000-06:00

This was a little something I put together. I had this Mason jar holder I got for a $1 and then found the jars for $2 the last time I was in Canton.

I filled each one with a different treat or item and then labeled them with vintage looking tags. This jar had Hershey's kisses and I labeled the tag Mistletoe kisses. In the background you can see the jar with different size gumballs.

These jars had Crunch, Ron's fav candy bar, bells and it was labeled "jingle bells". The other jar had that fake snow you get a craft stores and I labeled it "Texas Snow".

Aerial shot of the jars with lights in the middle.

Master Bedroom decorations

2009-12-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

Here is the last of the decorations in the house.
Riley doggie dog was tuckered out, caught her catching a cat nap.

Bench in our room with a glitter reindeer and silver bowl of brown, silver, gold ornaments.

The tree in our room is a white feather tree I found at TJMax. There was a black on I should have snagged also but I didn't. It has white word ornaments on it and some blue and silver ball ornaments that looked like cracked glass. The Nativity scene is an old one I've had for awhile.

Kitchen Decor Part 1

2009-12-23T06:00:00.002-06:00

Some decorations in the Kitchen. Found this crystal and silver bowl at Betty's Barn in Longview the other day and the ornaments are old at Hope's closet for .59

Silver tree with jingle bell garland and the glittery Merry Christmas.

Metal tub with the silver tree.

I got these Glittery snowmen at Hobby Lobby last season and they are two of my favs. They are sitting on a old silver tray with some glittery candles from Target.

Another shot of the happy snowmen.

Christmas Decoration Overload

2009-12-22T19:54:00.004-06:00

Here is one side of the front entrance, These are some of my fav pieces.

The Santa was picked up at Tuesday Mornings, a good place for a mix of stuff but the one in Longview is hit or miss. I got the bottle brush tress at Kohl's after Christmas last year and they were cheap cheap.

Close up of the tile and Santa.

The Santa is made of a paper mache type material, with German glitter glass, and "fur" type beard. He has a vintage look

Another shot of Saint Nick!

The Polar Express is one of my fav books, and it comes out every Christmas, the jar has a bunch of bells in it.

Long Time no Post

2009-12-22T19:43:00.004-06:00

OK, long time no post. Since my last post it's been a busy time of year. Here are some holiday decorations around the house.

I got this Santa at Hobby Lobby back in August for 50% off, He's in the kitchen now, but I've got to find a better place for him next season.

Texas red, white, and blue ornaments in a wired baskets

Carol, gave me the Texas snowman, and the trees are made with barbed wire as well.

Barbed wire star/lasso wreath on the mantel with a glittery Merry Christmas.

Mantel, my $5 chicken feeder with jelly jars and lights, the garland has Texas stars and lights mixed in.

Happy Halloween

2009-10-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

HapPy TriCk or tReAtiNg! A few decorations for the day.
Candy station which has been raided by Tom and Ron. I had to hid the candy corn from Riley so she wouldn't eat it.

"Vignette" at the front door.

My pumpkin from the patch and I really like the color and Halloween plates.

My $5 chicken feeder with skulls, bloody gauze, and skeleton hands and bodies.

KORN MAIZE

2009-10-15T06:00:00.002-05:00

While we were at the pumpkin patch, we went through a corn maze they had set up. It was really good and we found ourselves a little bit "lost".
Mariah leading the way.

Oops wrong way, let's go this way.

She is praying in this picture for guidance on how to get out.

I think at this point we were still letting her lead and she was telling us to keep up.

A PUMPKIN PATCH

2009-10-13T20:55:00.004-05:00

Last weekend I took a quick trip to Dallas to see my Great Niece for the first time. While we were there we took a trip to a local pumpkin patch that was really well run and laid out. Here are some shots of our adventure and I did bring home some pumpkins.
Mariah posing with the "albino" pumpkins.

Baby Averie, what a sweet baby. You'll notice Brandie made good use of her stuffed monkey's legs to prop up her bottle for "hands-free" feeding!

Sammy Franny, What a cutie and HAPpY baby! enjoying his wagon ride and slobbering on the pumpkins.

MOnica and MariAH with the pumpkin she picked out.

Mariah and me after the corn maze and with her cotton candy. I thought I was going to draw back a numb when I went for some of her cotton candy, very possessive of the "cotton" but my cat like reflexes got me some before she had a chance.

BIRTHDAY GIRL!

2009-10-05T06:00:00.000-05:00

rILEY cLEbRATed HeR 12th BirthDaY last MOndaY and we celebRaTeD with a tRip to WhataBurGer and a piC!

Lola Bs Giveaway

2009-09-26T13:41:00.003-05:00

Kasey over at Lola Bs is having an awesome giveaway for her 300th post. Head over there and check her blog and store out, she is a great story teller and has a great store. Lola Bs

Ms. Abbey

2009-09-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

This is Ms. Abbey, Tommie's little dog. She is a little more than a year old and a little ball of spunk. I was working on a little project and went over to the house to get photos of her. This was one of her best in show poses. I was nose to nose with her and she was just watching me.

Bump Set Spike

2009-09-13T20:15:00.002-05:00

Haley had her first volleyball games this weekend. The won a few close games but lost both of their games. She had fun though. Here are some shots from the weekend.

Notice the black under the eyes. I think there was a "glare" off the floors. They all had it on their faces. TOO funny.

Getting ready to start.

Checking with her coach to make sure she's in the right spot. She wasn't sure about the tight britches.

Wait for it...there's a ball up there somewhere. She did well on her serving and return passing.

A GREAT SCRAPING ROOM

2009-08-22T07:00:00.006-05:00

I original found this post on My Sweet Savanah. This is an awesome room, so stylish yet functional. I'm jealous but I'm competitive so I'll be takin a few pics of my scrap/laundry room to show my stylish yet functional junking redos. Check out the original post at My Life. She does a full view of the room with lots of details.

The view into the room.

Love the old tray and bins.

This is one of my favorite pieces. A scrapbook paper drawer on wheels with dividers.

JUNKING FINDS

2009-08-21T05:00:00.002-05:00

This summer I did some junking and found some new and old stuff.
This was a new lamp, but had the distressed look. I'm changing the corner of our room into a reading corner, I'm still looking for a good chair for the corner. So, updates later.

This is an old loaf pan, I used to hold craft stamps.

Hmmmm I found this baby in Tyler at the Salvation Army for $3.49!!! I was going to put it in my classroom but it's about 1 inch too wide for the space I had in mind, so I lightly white washed it and it will go in the house. When it's in place, I so an update.

I found this in Canton when Tom and I went for her birthday. We hit a few antique stores and ate at the really great bakery. It's going on my desk in my classroom to hold stuff.

This is one of my favorite pieces, I have found this summer. It's an old lard can and I love the colors. It didn't have a lid, but it new sits on the counter. I think it will look great with some fresh flowers.

Funny Story

2009-08-20T05:00:00.001-05:00

OK this cute little lamp was a gift for Christmas from Tommie, Ron's Mom. I use it as a little night light in the kitchen it been sitting in this spot on a timer since December. When it's on it looks like a candle. OK, so the other night I'm in bed reading and Ron comes in and is getting ready for bed and he asks me if he "should blow out the candle" in the kitchen before he gets in bed. I just looked at him and told him the candle has been "burning" since December. I have completely enjoyed telling this story about him.

Sunflower Garden

2009-08-19T19:28:00.004-05:00

I didn't get all my sunflower seeds to grow, but these are pics of a few that "made" it.

Pumpkin Patch

2009-07-21T04:00:00.000-05:00

In May I planted my first pumpkin patch. A little soil. Some cow manure. Some water and I've got some green vines going. I'm hoping they don't get attacked by any fungus or bugs, so I can harvest my pumpkins in October.

You Scratch My Back...

2009-07-20T04:00:00.000-05:00

Sometimes it's hard to scratch your back. I have been trying to catch her doing this and I finally caught her in the act. She had no clue I was there.

Oh a little more to the left...

Ahhhh that's better.

Nope a little more to the right... Yep that's the spot.

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

2009-07-19T22:09:00.003-05:00

If you ever wondered what the DOG DAYS OF SUMMER meant, well I 've got an explanation for you. Riley enjoys it when we are home a lot during the summer and holidays. She will follow us around the house and plop it down and take a cat nap anytime. This is the day in the life of Riley.

While we watch the O'Riley report she take the O'Riley ready for bedtime.

This is the are you finished with that book yet look. This was late at night and she was waiting for me to go to bed. Those eyes are saying PLEASE MAMA, can we go to bed!

I'm out the door to CC practice and she's hitting the bed for a little nap. She's already been up for about 2 hours with Ron.

I'm getting ready for church and she's resting in the closet aka "The Cave". We also call her Cave dog. She will lay with her face under Ron's clothes.

I was cleaning the bathroom and she plopped it down so she could keep an eye on Ron and me at the same time.

Homemade Flags

2009-07-06T06:00:00.002-05:00

I found this bottle when I found the metal container also. It had the blue and reds I use and it was a really neat find. Now the flags I found this idea in this month's BHG magazine.

I used scrap blue jeans, pillowcases and antique handkerchiefs to make the flags, cut the squares and used red, white, and blue rubber bands to secure the cloth to skewers I bought at Target

Close up of the flags.

Close up of the bottle.

A Little Metal Box

2009-07-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

Junking in Gladewater a couple of weekends ago, I found this metal box. I think it was originally held records.

It started out an olive green color.

I spray painted it a nice green color.

Added a tag and now it houses some of my files all my projects and things to do.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

2009-07-04T14:10:00.002-05:00

HaPpY 4th of JulY! My reluctant subject would not smile for the camera but she did sit very still for me. What a good girl.

This was one of the last pictures and she was done.

OK you are showing everyone how gray I have gotten. Please hurry up.

Sniff Sniff what's that on your watch, moist and meaty?

Hmmm ok are we finished yet.

Are you sure this doesn't look ridiculous on me. And don't forget the biscuit you promised.

A Frame Spiffed Up Part 2...

2009-06-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

OK, so I went through all my old pins, and craft stuff and added her name and sayings along with a lot of BLING to the sides of the frame. I lined the backs of the glass with scrapbook paper using Modge Podge so it would dry clear. I will add some family pictures to the front with the glue dots I use in my scrapbooking.

One side of the frame with Dream down the side.

Bottom portion of the frame.

Another corner with Peace and Love on there. I got those patches at Hobby Lobby. The peace sign in the middle is a magnet.

This is full view but its a vertical frame. The pic would not rotate and it was late, so I went with it.

A little project for Haley

2009-06-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

I had the old window and was wondering what to do with it. I decided to clean it up and create a frame for Haley to put in her room. This is the window with a fresh coat of turquoise on it.

After it dried, I dry brushed black paint on it.

This is the close up of one side of the window. More to come tomorrow.

Gift Supply Dresser

2009-06-19T06:00:00.001-05:00

Here is the top of the dresser with some of my July 4th decorations. The Uncle Sam was a recent purchase from Canton and the bell jar has an old flag in it.

I turned the dresser into a "gift supply center". The top shelf holds all the tape, scissors, tags and cards for different occasions. I lined it with some wrapping paper I had left over from a party.

Bottom drawer has the tissue and shredded paper for stuffing the baskets and bags.

The middle drawer has tulle, ribbons, and some random party supplies. The closet across of the dresser has gift bags, buckets and other gift supplies.

Dresser Revamp

2009-06-18T06:00:00.001-05:00

I recently revamped the dresser by our front door.

Here it is painted a creamy white and the original look of the dresser. Then I stained it with a black stained that I brushed off with a dry rag and "distressed" it with the sander.

Shot of the drawers. It poured that night while my project dried on the porch. No water damage though.

Finished project. I'll show you what I did with it tomorrow.

Close up of the stain, it's lighter than the picture, just bad lighting from the camera.

Apparently we can grow plants ANYWHERE!

2009-06-17T23:35:00.003-05:00

OK, so maybe we've been slacking a little on the yard work or at least the gutter work. We have probably cleaned the gutter once since we have moved in and that will be 2 years ago September. Anyhoo the last time we tried to clean the gutters I was in the kitchen and looked out the window and saw the leaf blower come flying down and was waiting to see Ron's body come flying off the roof. Needless to say I banned him from our steep roof and well we've been busy. So, if you look really close you can see those tiny little green PLANTS growing in our gutters, Hilarious, I took a picture and pointed this out to Ron the other night.

Another shot of the gutter but the plants dotted the gutters all the way around the house. Ron cleaned them out today, but not after nearly getting attacked by a nasty home of wasps. I missed the excitement of him jumping off the ladder as the wasps flew out of their residence in our gutters.

A few decor items

2009-06-17T23:29:00.002-05:00

Here are a few decor items I have set out for the holidays, July 4th is my fav holiday, and some recent finds from junking.

Old coke box with some patriotic decorations.

This is a small chicken feeder I found at Canton for $5! I have been hunting for one for a long time. I filled it with my $1 glass milk cartons and old jelly jars picked up junking. It's sitting on a bench I picked up for $20 at Canton. The bench is a light blue that doubles as extra seating around the table.

This is a shot of the feeder pre-jars. I also picked up a large one for $20 that I have used as a planter in the front flower bed. I'll show that picture later.

Giveaway

2009-05-12T19:56:00.007-05:00

A Pillow Giveaway!!!

I visit Today's Creative Blog to check out her ideas and she featured The Lettered Cottage and Layla is having a Hudson Goods (check out Karl's site awesome stuff) pillow giveaway. Her style is really great and it is similar to mine so I loved checking out her stuff. If I could pick I would choose the blue star pillow b/c it reminds me of TeXaS and it would go great with all my countrified, texified house.

2009-05-02T08:00:00.002-05:00

Rhonda at Southern Hospitality is hosting a garden party spotlighting some work we have done to prepare our yards for Spring and Summer. These are shots of our backyard from last summer after I finished planting and doing most of the landscaping. We have sloped backyard so the man who built the terrace for us did it in the different levels. I really liked the work he did.
I used containers for here and there for some of the plants. All the galvanized buckets were picked up at Canton for about $5 each. All the flowers are perennial wildflowers native to Texas, Boxwood's and native grasses.

Lantana that I later transplanted to the front side yard b/c it took over.

Another shot of the buckets, this is one of my favorites picked up in Mineola junking. We used river rocks instead of mulch.

Cone flowers and the birdhouses are handmade out of reclaimed wood. I picked those up at Canton for $4 and this one uses a TX license plate for the roof.

Long shot of the terrace and my trusty assistant.

This is another bucket and birdhouse. I think I need some close up pictures of the flowers.

LOVE

2009-04-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

In honor of Earth Day, I found this image and story here. Polar Bears are one of the most endangered animals and important to the Earth's ecosystem. This is a sweet LOVE story of Bill and Lara and hopefully future baby polar bear. I thinking I'll be pulling for this couple to make it.

If my dog was a Teenager...

2009-04-21T08:19:00.000-05:00

If my dog was a teenager this is the guilty look of a "teenage" dog who has been sleeping in my bed on my side until 1:00PM in the afternoon. I came home to check on her and this is what I find.

If Riley could speak she would say "UH-OH I've been BUSTED"!

Riley, "I'm just going to lay here and let her take pictures and then she will have to bribe me to keep me off the bed to go out inside. I'm still trying to figure out why she interrupted my beauty sleep."

This would be DAY 2 of her royalness. Same spot, different layout, SAME time 1:00PM.

Easter Swap

2009-04-20T08:04:00.001-05:00

I participated in one of Heidi's swaps last month. You can check out her blog at Floxgloves, Fabric, and Folly. My partner Beth sent me some really great goodies.

A Faith frame she made

Easter tags

Two pom pom animals, some soap, and a German style egg filled with my favorite Easter candy and some jelly beans.

She also sent this great taupe colored towel with a blue bunny stitched on it.

America Sign

2009-04-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

I bought these license plate letters awhile ago and just got around to using them. I bought an old sign at the dollar store and painted it a dark chocolate brown. I nailed the letters and stars on the sign.

Next, I added a ragamuffin garland I made from scrap fabric used to make the pillowcases for the house. One of the fabrics is the words to the Pledge of Allegiance.

I hung the sign above the license plate USA I purchased at Target. I really like the USA picture and the artist that does the work which the real thing is very expense, but I like this version just as well.

Easter Buckets!

2009-04-11T08:00:00.001-05:00

I put together some of the crafts I have recently made into Easter buckets for some of the teachers at school.
This is a closeup of the candy and some of the treats inside the bucket.

The "spring" tag included on the buckets. The ribbon matches the fabric used to make the pens.

The buckets were filled with that all time favorite Easter grass you get 3 for a buck and I added M&Ms and some pastel foiled chocolate eggs. Some fancy paperclips, the fabric pen, and salt dough chick rounded out the treats.

Spring Fling

2009-04-10T22:40:00.005-05:00

The Decorating Voice is having a decorating spring fling. They are spotlighting spring decorations and giving away an Ipod. You can click on the button below to see the other sites participating.

This is a close up of the junk bucket I found at Canton for $2 last November filled with daisies.

This is one of my favorite Easter decorations.

Close up of the Easter sign and distressed wooden carrots I also picked up at Canton for $1 each. The sign was a closeout purchase at Stein Mart when they were closing the store 2 years ago.

The table in our entrance with all the decorations. You can scroll down to see the rest of my Easter decorations.

Hatching Chicks

2009-03-26T08:00:00.005-05:00

These are the salt dough ornaments I made for Easter. I got the recipe and idea from Cobblestone Farms. She does some amazing ornaments around the holidays and she is very good at painting. I really liked her hatching chick so I used hers as inspiration for mine.

These are the chicks with their first coat of paint. The recipe is simple: 2 cups flour, 1/2 cups salt and 1 cup warm water. mix and knead it together and roll out and then either use a cookie cutter or free hand your shapes, *Make sure to insert the wire or a hanging hook if you want to hang them. Bake at 325 for about an hour. you have to keep an eye on it to make sure you don't cook them too long. Lastly, from trial and error, I would roll the dough a little thicker and you may need to add a little water to make sure the dough isn't too dry.

Chicks painted. I antiqued them with a stain I found at Michael's in the craft paint aisle. I painted it on then rub it off for a "distressed" look.

Some pretty ribbon or even add a tag and you are finished!

Carrot Favor Box

2009-03-25T08:00:00.004-05:00

Here is a carrot favor box I also made. I believe I found the template on Tip Junkie, but I'm not sure. I will have to go back and check. I traced the shape onto orange card stock and then cut it out. If I were to do this again, I would just copy the favor onto the card stock and then cut it out.
The template and the paper. You will also need glue, scissors, and some patience.

The templates cut out and then one folded and glued box. It was a little frustrating getting the favor to stay shut or glued so I had to use a paperclip to secure it until the glue was almost dry.

I will add the grass at the top after I fill and seal them for delivery.

I will show you what I am planning on doing with all these little "crafts" later but I'm cooking up some Easter goodies for some friends.

Pen Craft

2009-03-24T08:00:00.008-05:00

I found these fun pens over at Tip Junkie. You start with some fav fabric or scraps you have leftover. You will need: fabric or leftover strips, pens, hot glue and ribbon (optional)

Cut the fabric into strips. Mine were about 16-18 inches long and I cut the end and then rip the strip. If you want you can cut the strip all the way up, but I liked the frayed look. Don't make the strips too wide. Also this is the most time consuming part of the project especially if you use more than one fabric.

These are my strips. Wrap your pens in either ribbon or you can use the fabric.

Pens that are wrapped with ribbon. I used a wide and medium width ribbon (green). The narrow ribbon worked a lot better than the wide. The green is the ribbon you can get at Michael's for a buck and some change and it comes in many colors. I wrapped the ribbon from the point of the pen to the top and secured it with hot glue.

Lastly, Wrap fabric strips around your fingers (between index and pinkie). Tie the middle with a piece of fabric so you have a "bow tie" then cut the end so they fray, creating a pom pom. The more fabric you use the more poof you will have. Use lots of hot glue to secure the "pom pom" to the top of the pen.

Spring Fluffing!

2009-03-20T10:08:00.012-05:00

There is a Spring Fluffing going on at Southern Hospitality. So here is my contribution. There's more if you will keep looking.

This Chick looks good enough to eat but you can't. I added some sparkle with the glitter eggs I made last weekend.

Here is my bell jar with two fuzzy chicks guarding my favorite Easter candy. The bell is new but the tray and glasses are junking finds.

Another shot of the faux chocolate chick.

I added some glitter eggs to the glass ones I had already but in here and two more fuzzy chicks (found at Micheal's).

Easter Decorations

2009-03-06T18:15:00.005-06:00

Here are a few decoration that are up around the house! Easter is my fav holiday.

This rabbit I found at TJMax and there a close up down below

I love this little chick. It's metal and bobs up and down. I found this cake stand for $9.99 and I have gotten a lot of use out of it. There are two clear glass eggs in there but they are hard to see.

I found the carrots at Tuesday Mornings. They are made of orange paper and the leaves are a feathery green.

Another shot of the shopping in the kitchen loaded with eggs, carrots and vintage milk bottles.

More Easter Decorations!

2009-03-06T18:07:00.005-06:00

Easter is coming and last weekend I broke out all the decorations. It is later this year so this will be up for most of March.

This is the decoration on the "game shelf" I found the eggs at Tuesday Mornings, very vintage design

This is one of my favorite finds this year. I found it at TJMax. It is too cute. This is on the side table in the entry.

The other side of the entry table with a bucket I found at Canton for a couple dollars and my iron crosses.

This is also a favorite find from TJMax. I also have a chicken one but I will post that later. Haley thought they were real chocolate!

I love this white bucket and use it all the time. I also love these little glass eggs and the green and blue color.

Rocking Chair!

2009-03-06T18:03:00.004-06:00

My girls painted this rocking chair for me as a gift! I love it. I couldn't believe it and screamed and jumped around for several minutes. It is in my office and I just couldn't believe how well they knew me.

This is for Molly J

2009-02-22T21:48:00.005-06:00

I'm also in the Winter Basic and Baubles over at Fox gloves, Fabric, and Folly. Molly from UTAH is my swap partner. We are sending linens and gadgets for their kitchen and some bling with it. These are a few photos of my kitchen so Molly can get a looksy. Hope this helps you out and I can't wait for my package.

My antique Texas pie safe I keep all my extra dishes and serving pieces in.

One side of the kitchen with open shleving on the top all the way around and regular shelving on the bottom.

The other side of the kitchen. The bottom shelf houses all of our daily dishes. My appliances are stainless steel and I have a screen door into the pantry which is a small room with the same open shelving on one side.

Valentine Salt Dough Ornaments

2009-02-22T21:44:00.004-06:00

Slat Dough Valentine Ornaments courtesy of Cobblestone Farms

I got this recipe over at Cobblestone Farms. She makes some great salt dough ornaments and she's handy with the paintbrush. I created these for Valentine gifts for some teacher buddies and to decorate one of my trees.

Some Fun Swaps

2009-02-22T21:33:00.006-06:00

I participated in two swaps after the holidays and just in time for Valentine's day. I received some great goodies from some talented ladies.

This was from Elizabeth, she made the heart basket and key chains.

The Pink and Green hosted by KappaPrep. My swap partner was Cathy. We had to include all pink and some green items. I great things for the kitchen: County Living apron, spring napkins, recipe cards, Lily key chain and some chocolate!

Meet Sammie Frannie

2009-01-12T22:07:00.002-06:00

The newest addition of the Hutchins/Welsh clan made his birthday debut a little earlier on November 7th and Tara and Mike got to take him home on January 3rd. Even though his due date wasn't until the end of this month he is doing great and Mike and Tara are getting to be the parents they have always wanted to be. Samuel Francis is a cutie pie.

He is long and has big feet like is Daddy, Good luck with buying those custom athletic shoes in the future.

Too cute! He was tiny just over 3 lbs, but is over 6 now and eating well.

Dad and Son

1 month old in this picture

Haley and I

2009-01-12T22:03:00.003-06:00

Haley and I posing for a picture

CHRISTMAS 2008

2009-01-12T21:21:00.001-06:00

Here are some pictures from our Christmas 2008. We ended up celebrating it a little late this year the Sunday after Christmas. I got nasty sick the Tuesday before and we had to postpone our Christmas with Haley so she wouldn't catch the bug that was buzzing around. Ron was a great nurse and proceeded to LYSOL the whole house while I recovered. Apparently, I was so bad the doctor didn't even let us pay the bill just shooed us out of the office. I never want to see another white trash bucket.

Tom's shopping cart liner for our cart we take to Canton.

Haley opening the PINK digital camera we got her.

Haley searching for the pickle ornament on the tree. I love this tradition and she looks forward to it. The gift was her camera.

Another shot of opening the camera

Ron opening one of his gifts.

Last of the Christmas Pictures

2008-12-26T21:34:00.002-06:00

Here is the last of the decorations. The mantle, our basketball tree in the study, and one tuckered out Ri-doggy dog. She has taken over the extra bedroom. I've let her stay on the bed in there, it's cold on the floor! And she gets in bed in the morning by my feet to snuggle.

Sleeping Beauty

I found these two glittery snowmen at Hobby Lobby. They are some of my favorite pieces. I have another of the smaller "men" in our bedroom by our tree

Hoop Tree

Mantle

More Christmas Decorations

2008-12-26T21:26:00.002-06:00

This tree is by the table and it has mitten ornaments and little holiday books that were also Ron's. It is sitting in a cock pot found in downtown Longview.

Decorations on top of the bookcase that houses all of our games. The little Elves were Ron's when he was little

Candy Section of the shelf and frequented by Ron and Haley

Blurry but a full view of the shelf

The trees are made with barbed wire and scrap wood, That's one of two of my favorite cowboys

Christmas Time!

2008-12-26T21:09:00.002-06:00

Merry Late Christmas. We had an interesting time at the Boyett Homestead. I came down with a stomach bug on Tuesday and spent all of the day with a little white bucket by my side. The doctor wasn't even happy to see me and ushered me out of his office without having to pay the bill. Instead of hearing sleigh bells, I heard the shhhh of Ron spraying the Lysol. I laid on the couch Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We will have our Christmas with Haley on Sunday and I'll post pictures then. These are a few of the "homestead" decorations for this year.

Bell Jar I picked up at Canton. It has spurs in it and I usually light it up.

The Lasso Wreath on the front table with the barbed wire star in the center

Table by the front door

The red ornaments are old ones Tom gave me from her Christmas collection. Love the vintage bulbs.

The Patritotic Tree on the other side near the front door.

I've been crafting

2008-12-19T22:50:00.001-06:00

I made both of these ornaments to include with the treats I made for our coaches and teachers at school. The red ornament is supposed to look like Santa's coat and belt. I got the idea from an ornament I saw at Walmart.The first one is the "Texas Snowman" I got the idea from Tip Junkie and modified it to fit Texas

Close up of the snowman. It's a little blurry

Another closeup of the snowman

The tag I include on the ornament and I used twine instead of a hook

The almost finished Santa ornament. I actually used silver glitter to put a buckle on the black belt

The materials I used to make the Santa ornament. Red bulbs, Martha's glitter, and some craft glue

Cross Country Regionals

2008-12-19T22:45:00.001-06:00

We traveled to Humble this year for Cross Country Regionals. It was a wild trip. This boy in the hairy outfit is my junior choking one of my seniors. They were too funny. Dylan, the choker, ended up placing 10th and qualifying for the State Meet the next weekend along with Spenser.

Another SWAP Success

2008-12-19T22:32:00.002-06:00

I participated in the Vintage Pink Christmas swap over at Rosey Little Things. I was paired up with Heidi Jo at swirlsofcreativity.blogspot.com. She was awesome. I have already used the candy cane tags and homemade ornaments in Haley's room and I'm planning on using the pink glitter for V-Day gifts. I LOVE the vintage jingle bells still on the package and I hung the package and all on the tree as an ornament. I hope you like admiring my goodies.

Here's the loot!

Great stuff in there

I love the personal address book, so vintage and so cool. I'll be transferring my addresses into that.

I also love the jingle bells too cute

A Fun Swap

2008-11-30T22:32:00.001-06:00

I participated in a stocking swap and got some great goodies from Christy over at beezekneesfashions.blogspot.com. Riley enjoyed her stocking and I eapecially loved the vintage jewrly

Riley Playing with her new Toys!

Vintage BLING!

VINTAGE PINK SWAP

2008-10-20T22:04:00.001-05:00

I'm participating in one of three "swaps" this holiday season and I'm super excited to see how it works out. So, for the Vintage Pink Swap here are the answers to the questions:
1. What is your favorite Christmas decoration?I have several, many actually Christmas trees that I have collected and decorate with different themes. For instance I have a basketball tree and a pink girly tree for Haley's room. I have to make sure I don't buy every tree I like and I have found I carry over several trees into the other season, like Halloween and Easter. I also love Christmas lights.

2. What colors/themes do you decorate for Christmas?
My trees, I use Red, Blue and White or silver on the main big tree with a country/Texas theme.

3. What Christmas item would you love to have?Hmmmm this is tough, I really like the jingle bell garland that is out at Crate and Barrel, I found some on sale last year after Xmas but decided not to stand in line for hours to get it. I would also love to have a ornament ball wreath. I attempted to make one a couple of season ago similar to the one Martha Stewart always shows in her magazines, but it didn't hold up very well. I was red, silver, and blue. I also love the vintage ones with all the mixed colors you see.
4. Favorite goodie & hot drink? Brownies, hot coco

5. Are you a crafter? If so what crafts do you do? Yes, I particular do the scrap booking thing, and other paper goods. I also MP buckets and clipboards. I like to take "junk" and re purpose it into useful things or deco in the house.

6. What is your favorite pink item in your home?
I have a pink flower brooch I love and a pink beaded bracelet I love

7. What do you collect?Vintage pins and jewelry, Pyrex and I use it in my everyday cooking, blue bowls and serving pieces. I'm always on the lookout for architectural pieces and old windows and I have had a hankering for silver pieces lately, trays and silverware/serving pieces etc.

8. Do you have special family traditions for the holidays?We started the pickle ornament tradition with Haley last year. I also like to read Polar Express and watch How the Grinch stole Christmas. I also do an advent tree/calendar with Haley with a different theme each year. For instance, last year was a Stocking Tree with 25 different red stockings.

Caught in the Corner

2008-10-10T22:07:00.001-05:00

Here is a corner of the house where I keep some of my America stuff.

I love the flag holder which was a birthday gift

A close up of the top bench.

Close up of the bottom bench. The berry basket was a purchase from Canton

Party Favors

2008-10-10T17:00:00.002-05:00

These are some party favors I made awhile ago for one of our Women's Group parties. It is made from a child's party hat. I MP the inside with pink tissue, wrapped it in zebra wrapping paper and embellished it with boa pieces and pom poms

Finished product. They were filled with treats and goodies

This was the first one I did. I used black and white pom poms for the edge and woven pink ribon out of the bottom to hang down.

Picture of hat right before I put the boa on

Side by side views of hats before I finished.

Halloween Spirit

2008-09-28T22:16:00.001-05:00

It's time for pumpkins, costumes, treats and tricks. Tip junkie has a Talk to Me Tuesday to feature your Halloween Decorations, so here goes.

Table by front door

Close up of my black tree and glittery pumpkins

Halloween wreath for front door

I made this glass ornaments the other day with paint,on the inside and ribbons. I love orange and blue together. Those are old jean I use for fabric scraps

Spooky Tree

Witch's Trunk: Broom, hat, boa and stockings

Haley has already hit this area several times

Closeup of my three witches

MP + Glitter + Plastic Gourd = Sparkling Pumpkins

2008-09-28T22:06:00.001-05:00

I got some of Martha Stewart's glitter and it was worth it. It's pricy stuff but super fine and really great to work with.

The Bling!

This is awesome. You're regular Modge Podge with glitter already in it.

Plastic Gourd

Sparkling Pumpkins for my Halloween Display

Been Crafting!

2008-09-28T21:47:00.001-05:00

I found this idea at Over the Tipsy Top Design. I changed it up a little to suit what I needed, but these were cheap, easy, and fast. The one for Mariah is a series of three notebooks for her to put her favorite school papers in as she grows up.

Signature

2008-09-24T20:11:00.002-05:00

Mylivesignature.com offers the ability to add a signature to your emails and blogs

THE SECRET IS IN THE SAUCE GIVEWAY

2008-09-06T19:58:00.001-05:00

The blog the secret is in the sauce is giving away a Circuit Expressions. It's a pretty thifty little device. Check it out by clicking on the button to the right.

What a Wonderful World

2008-09-06T18:36:00.001-05:00

This song was sung at our wedding and my good friend Judy sent it to me last year. This is a really neat video to this song.

CROSS COUTNRY PICTURE HUNT

2008-08-27T22:10:00.002-05:00

My Cross Country Critters have been working hard so we had a fun day today. I sent them on a picture hunt through town with clues for them. They did a good job and are anxiously awaiting the results to be counted and their pictures to be posted. Here are some of their challenges.
Challenge: 5 people with a port-a-potty. Creativity counts extra!
Challenge: Spell out WOCC in a creative way. Shadows very good idea
Challenge: soak one teammate while 4 watch it happen. I hope those people don't mind we used their water...
Challenge: 5 people by, but not in a pond or body of water. Nice smile Shandee!
Challenge: 3 people with a movie with Sylvester Stallone in it. That's them with Rocky in the town's video store. The clerk was a little weirded out.

CRAFT TIME!!!!

2008-08-27T22:00:00.001-05:00

OK, I'VE BEEN CRAFTING AND THIS IS THE FIRST OF A FEW THINGS I'LL SHOW YOU. THESE ARE PHOTOCLIPS MADE FROM THE JUMBO PAPERCLIPS, PURCHASED AT OFFICE DEPOT, SOME WRAPPING PAPER, RIBBON AND SPRAY ADHESIVE. KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED YOU GET SOME FOR XMAS OR AS A SURPRISE.

IT'S CC TIME

2008-08-07T21:12:00.001-05:00

We started "official" Cross Country practice on Tuesday even though I've seen most of them all summer. They are a great group that knows when to run hard and when to play hard. They took an ice bath after their morning run and core workout. They brought the floaters just in case someone got a cramp:)

Their only smiling because they can't feel their legs. If this had sound you would hear their teeth chattering.
They boys. I told them if they had more body fat they wouldn't be so cold. The soccer ball is Seph's security blanket.

MAMMA MIA.....SO GOOD

2008-08-01T16:34:00.000-05:00

Last weekend Tara, Monica, Ronna, and I went to see Mamma Mia. If you are an ABBA fan this is a must see. If you are not and you are a girl, you are missing out. The movie is funny and upbeat and good. If you have the ABBA Gold CD it has all the songs in the movie. I'll be getting this on DVD when it comes out. Nik, Chrissy and I so needed this movie back during our Pierce Years!

The Many Faces of Mariah

2008-08-01T15:38:00.002-05:00

Mariah will start school in just a few weeks and she is so ready and so is Monica. These are some pictures of her she is a little tornado of energy and what surprises me about her, she likes to hear stories of when we were little or any story for that matter. This post is in purple one of her favorite colors.
Our attempt at a self portrait. My forehead is not that big.

The DIVA shot!
Christmas 2007, OK not sure what "look" this is but it made me laugh.

I was trying to teach her how to "Aggie Fight". Her left arm should be between her right but she could not quite get it. I might be known in certain circles for teaching her things like the chicken dance, chubby, the booty dance and zerberts (not sure on the spelling of that).

What's been happening...

2008-08-01T15:20:00.002-05:00

This is an old iron crib I found in Mineola, a great antiquing town, and turned it into a bench in our bedroom. The old window frames were hung above it. The white one Judy gave me years ago and I've been holding on to it and the blue one I found for 12 bucks with Tara on our recent trip to Canton in May. It's got an interesting screen on it, not your typical screen for a window.

I went with Mariah to her doctor's appointment the other day and we went to Chick-fila for lunch afterwards we rode the carousel. It was fun and we rode it 4 times!

You might be wondering what this is??? Well, Ron has a nickname for me B.I.C. aka for Bull In China Closet. I dropped a whole roll of toilet paper in the pot the other day. It was worth the money though it sucked up all the water in the bowl. HAHAHA. Sometimes I'm a little clumsy, like the other day I was making a necklace at one of my favorite places and the stand of crystals I was looking at broke in half and 40 something beads went all over the floor. I did however find them all!