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right back at it…

February 3, 2014

Craft Weekend started back up for 2014.
i missed it!
it was so much fun to get going again…. to make things again!

cw21A cw21B cw21C
stanley was my “helper” the day before CW and the day of.
i about lost my mind… he is such a puppy.
sadly many foam paint brushes lost their lives when i would be doing anything other than watching his every move. i was so happy when Mr. Duerksen came to pick him after work on friday.crafting with a big group is such a cool thing.
we all have the same example & directions and EVERY project turns out different and unique.
i notice at each weekend most everybody works within their own favorite color palette and that is unique too!
cw21G i tried to dream up where i could fit that GIGANTIC cupboard that was at Bearly Makin’ It. 🙂
on saturday of CW we take our guests on an antiqueing adventure to my favorite places in Marion, KS.
i hadn’t been there in several months and it was so good to be back!
cw21H rusty lockers? yes please. greyhound statues? ummmm… no thanks. i’m good. HA! cw21J cw21O the perfect amount of rust and chippy paint. cw21I i meant to ask about the rainbow chair and i got distracted! i forgot!
i love that chair.
cw21K usually when we get back from our shopping trip we do a little show-and-tell in the dining room.
it’s fun because people find things half of us never even saw!
and everyone is ohhhing and awwwing over everyone’s finds.
it’s so fun.
i came home with vintage sheets again….swoony aren’t they? cw21P we made a FUN embroidery hoop project this time!
the idea came straight from Jenn Baker! She is the genius behind these adorable hoops.
she sells them in her etsy shop!
you can follow her on instagram too @jenntage.
THANK YOU for sharing your inspiration with us Jenn!
cw21E the aprons are always the favorite.
they are a tough and long project but so satisfying for EVERYONE when they are complete! cw21D we made these a year ago with Lindsey and i LOVED making one again.
my girls want to make one at home too!
i think it is a relaxing project… sitting still and filling in the spaces… with your favorite colors.
ahhhhhhh
don’t you want to go paint now? cw21F roomie photos!kimberlee and i had super helpers… our friends Sara Jane and Jenny.
our helpers work hard all weekend helping our guests feel pampered.
they kept catching our ladies trying to clear their plates or clean up after themselves and they made sure they went back to relaxing immediately! 🙂preparing for our group photo… how do you like that “mural” wallpapered up on our porch?
the previous owners put that up there.
it is funny to me. people either love it or hate it.
i meant to take it down but we so rarely use the front door that i never think about it until we come out for our group photo every month.
definitely not on the top of my list (for the last 8 years). cw21N we had three pregnant ladies… and they were ALL NAMED JESSICA?!!
how random is that?!
that is the highest prego number we’ve had yet.
i can’t imagine beating that record. cw21L cw21M we have a pretty great thing going here.
so many blessings in our job.
thanks Kimberlee for making awesome meals, organizing the 5000 details that go into each weekend and not thinking i am a crazy person.

Craft Weekend 21 was fabulous.
but we knew it would be…

If you would like information on how to come to Craft Weekend click on the Craft Weekend button at the top of the blog.
read the INFORMATION post first… then get yourself on the wait list! 🙂

And if this looks perfect for your friends… you can host your own by renting out the Craft House all to yourself!
you can find out all that information in the Craft House button up at the top of the blog.
so far every group has LOVED it and wants to come back again!
you should be one of those groups too!

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Bethany - I’m dying over your vintage sheets because it looks like our linen closet when I was little. I see a few that were sheets on my parents’ bed and one that was a set for my bed.

Danielle - Hey Meg,

How long is the waitlist? I feel like I’ve been on it for forever. I keep waiting to get my email! My sister in law and I are both on there in hopes we’ll get chosen. It is still the lottery?

Diane Baucke - Someday I want to make it to your craft weekend!! Love seeing the fun time you all have. I do have a question for you…what camera do you use for all of your wonderful pics????

Valerie - I LOVE that mural! On our first ever overseas holiday to Europe we visited the Sistine Chapel and the tour was amazing! You Must do the tour if you go, anyway, that is the part in the mural where God gives man a soul! The tour made me cry it was just so awesome! Don’t get rid of it, please!

Laura H - Lovely pictures, and oh the fun you must have! You look fabulous!

Jenn - You are most welcome!! I LOVE the pictures!!!

lara sheriff - i want your sweater!!!!!!!!! where did you get that so cute!!!!

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - Looks like so much fun. I might be a wee bit jealous cuz I wanna come someday 😉 Your mural on the front porch makes me giggle cuz it reminds me of Modern Family. Do you ever watch it? It looks like the mural in Lilly’s room.

Julie - Another fabulous colour filled weekend. I don’t know how you don’t come home with a truck filled with antiques and collectibles from visiting that shop. WOW!

Michelle Whitlow - So much fun!! Can’t wait to come in April 🙂

sarajane - Pretty sure the loss of foam brushes into Stanley’s mouth was…ahem…my fault. HA!

beth larson - Meg, do you and your hubbie own the craft house? Did you used to live there and now are renting a farm instead? Always wondered, finally am asking! : )

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pinning…

January 28, 2014

so… i will just say right away… i have a fake identity on pinterest so that you can’t find me.
it is the only place on the internet that i don’t share openly.
i just like having a little place that isn’t WIDE OPEN.
i like planning & dreaming without someone saying “i saw you pinning bathrooms… are you remodeling?”
does that make sense?
keeping it anonymous allows me to dream more freely.
but i do love to share some of my favorite pins i find with you too.

click on the picture to go to the original source so you can pin them too.
and if there is no link it is because the link led to nothing.

hello. this is brilliant. B R I L L I A N T!!!

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word.

i would LOVE to have this cool walk way in my yard!

stairway to happiness? i think yes.

so simple and so lovely at the same time.

Via-L-Extravagance1
i would like to eat at that table… yes please.

i like pretty much anything Kal Barteski creates.
she is rad.

i am considering getting on the striped curtain bandwagon.
possibly.
so striking…. a bold move in any room.

i am not one who loves hearts… but this is super cute. even if it was just circles it would cute!
and then add in some colors.
yeah… i like this!

that wall is so cool!

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white floors make everything better. true story.

i believe this is a christmas craft but it doesn’t have to be. this looks like lots of fun!
adding in the straws makes it extra neat.

pink floors?!!! this room is precious.

photo-mikkel-vang
i could handle a cup of coffee out here with some lady friends… don’t ya think?

i want to paint ALL the THINGS when i see this. and then when i went through so many of her paintings i was just bursting with ideas! she’s awesome!

again… hearts.
but they are RAINBOW hearts.
and i like that.

loving loving loving this print.
love the verse and fonts but also love the painted background.

the gray grout.
and the baskets.
and old wood floors.
this picture gets better as you explore the layers! 🙂

it looks like a movie set.
maybe it is?

i would like this to be my birthday cake.
but no purple flowers please.
ewwww.
more pink and orange would be fine.
and maybe… sparklers.

details like this blow my mind.
this is probably 3 inches wide… seriously.
some people are so uberly creative.
this is gorgeous… and it’s a heart. HA!

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someday… i will put on a sparkly sparkled gown and dance around in the sunset on the beach.
it will happen.

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these colors together are lovely.
don’t you love these little scenes people make pulling out all the colors from a picture?
i think it’s awesome.

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i don’t want to ever forget.

birthday cake batter cinnamon rolls? whoa.

i think i am ALL COLOR ALL THE TIME and then i see this door and think “ohhhhhh……”

i have some pretty good friends.
(sadly the link to this is broken so if you know the artist who made this please let me know in the comments)

so cute.

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i LOVE this! it would be a blast to make.

white words on a white wall…. genius.

scrap pieces of wood to form a garden path.
it is super… it is easy… use what you have… loads of color.
i like it.
isn’t it interesting how just looking at cheerful, light and happy photos can brighten our mood?
if i am feeling a little down and then i jump over to Pinterest or a blog that is positive it really does lift my spirits.
i feel inspired just by looking.
i don’t feel pressure to change my house or MAKE something right then but i can appreciate a project or photo and say “i like that” or “this makes me feel happy” or “this is peaceful” and move on with my day.
i like shopping with people that get that too. I don’t have to buy it to enjoy it. i mean… i want to buy things i love but i can live without them. sometimes i will take a picture of something at a store if i am alone and text it to a friend saying “isn’t this beautiful?! i am not buying it… just sharing my love of it and moving on”

and then a really good friend talks you into buying it over text.
ha ha ha

i hope you have a super day today.

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All That Glitters... | Wedding Croissant - […] top left: Sequin Runner / We Heart It, Sparkly Kate Spade Shoes / Couture Events CA, Sequin Dress / Megduerkenson, Sequin Table Number / Dasha Caffrey Wedding Photography, Glass Baubles / Save on Crafts, Glitter […]

Nanette - I always feel that way after reading your blog! Today, in fact, you inspired me to watercolor with my kids! And I am really going to try to do that wood block path with them this summer. Thanks for always inspiring…in lots of ways!

Imogen Eve - Hi Meg, what a lovely blog you have. I love pinterest and I’m loving the straw garland and the cinnamon scroll and the rob ryan papercut.

I wanted to say that I’m touched you like my little heart embroidery up there and I think it is wonderful that you’ve linked straight to my blog, links seem to get lost somehow in pinterest land.

megB - Meg – I’m an avid follower of your blog, but a seldom commenter. I’m coming to your Craft Weekend at the end of February, and I’m so excited about meeting you! I just wanted to tell you – your blog is this for me. I always leave here feeling happy and encouraged – just wanted you to know! See you in a month!

Mindy - I will be pinning some of your great finds – thanks for sharing with us : ) I love that you are secret and kind of wish I had done the same…then I wouldn’t feel so ridiculous pinning things that seems so not me but could be one day, who knows? ALso grinning at your door comment because that is more my color (or lack thereof) palate but when I visit your vibrant colors I am in love with them.

Jessica Johnson - I’m feeling like you secretly heart hearts. And now I want everything striped. And cake batter cinnamon rollllllls. Darn you.

the whyte house - There are so few things left in this world that are private. I wish pinterest would let you decline followers. 🙂 I don’t know how you even come to the big city without running into a reader. I was talking to someone last week about the lack of contentment on instagram and how you(and other well known grammers) can’t even post a photo of a sick day without having someone say, “oh, where did you get…I have to have it!!” I just want to scream “leave the poor girl alone!” Lol. I wonder if anyone else feels that way or if it’s just me? 😉

Trisha - LOVE IT ALL! you have great taste.

Tiffany - isn’t it interesting how just looking at cheerful, light and happy photos can brighten our mood?
if i am feeling a little down and then i jump over to Pinterest or a blog that is positive it really does lift my spirits. – Absolutely!! And your blog is one of those fun places for inspiration.

Linda - I come to your blog to feel happy. Just a moment of sunshine when I need it. You have such a happy vibrant style that I am trying to incorporate more into my own life. “How would Meg do it?” which is a crazy thing to think of a perfect stranger. But you have inspired me so many times in so many ways. Thank you for having this little blog! and I had to go pin that hello shirt!!

Barbara (WA) - Thank you, these pins did brighten up my morning! I sorta want to re-pin most of them 🙂

lauren - that ‘friends’ papercut is by rob ryan – i’m almost sure of it!

Jen - Love the pom pom garland and sparkly dress. I have tried to find you on Pinterest. Now I know why I was unsuccessful. Good call, though. Don’t blame you one bit. Have a wonderful day!

Bethany - It’s fun to see some of what you’re pinning since we can’t follow you on Pinterest. I’m not one who gets depressed by Pinterest either. It’s fun to see other’s ideas and things that just look dreamy and pretty. I consider it like looking at a magazine-I know it’s not all real/realistic and that I don’t need my life/house/wardrobe to look exactly the same.

Hannah King - Hi Meg, thanks for sharing so many inspiring pins! I especially love the Scripture print / photo with the verse from Jeremiah. In answer to your question about the artist who made the papercut art quote about friends overlooking your broken fences, I am almost certain it’s by the British artist Rob Ryan, who makes beautiful papercut artwork:
http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/misterrob

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - My name is Valerie and i am a Pinterest addict…just kidding, well sort of 😉 loved your fun stuff and those cinnamon cake things look yummy even if it’s 11:00 pm here 😉

Julie - I love seeing some of the things you pin – I have discovered so many new blogs, artists, ideas from these. Good on you for having some anonymity – you share so much of your life (in the nicest way)with us through your blog. Thanks for brightening up my day:)

Laura O - Striped curtains are like MY FAVE! Striped anything really…..
Love those pink floors!! So sweet. Speaking of purple, I saw Jules (joyshope) instagram recently and I had no idea so many people hated purple! I only hate it when it is associated with a wildcat (go jayhawks!).

Kristin S - You’ve shared it before and I absolutely LOVE that you have a secret identity on Pinterest. I mean, you are a famous blogger (you are) so what a gift to have a spot online where you can be anonymous.

These are all so beautiful.

Mitzi - I can’t believe you don’t like hearts!! I love hearts!! Clearly by all your pins, your conscious likes hearts too!!!! lol….

Christi {Jealous Hands} - That last pin is from of my fave blogs – Farmhouse38. So fun!

amy h - fixing broken links in pinterest is maybe a sliiiiiight obsession for me. I feel sad when people don’t get their credit for all their creativity! anyway, it looks like Suzy Taylor is the creative genius behind the paper cutting art. (-:

http://suzy-taylor.blogspot.com/2011/01/friendship-papercut.html

Kirsten J - Such fun stuff!!! Yep. I slowly let people know I was blogging….and then I got cold feet, worrying about what I was saying….and I fizzled out on blogging. And so I’m on Pinterest, but I don’t know how to use it…#firstworldproblems….

Sarah @ House Made of Marital Glue - Wow – it is so smart to have a private Pinterest account! I am wishing I had done that now, but I do have a few secret boards! I love the left brain/right brain one especially. I am definitely very creative but also very organized, so I appreciate both sides, but I love the right side of that picture! Have a wonderful day!

Gina - I’m not a popular blogger like you and I totally get what you are talking about. I really don’t even want my friends to see what I’m “pinning” sometimes. 😛 I do have three secret boards too. 🙂

Angie Pendley - That whole right brain left brain business…here’s a random fact about me – I have a near complete absence of the septo pellucidum – no division to my brain. I’m whole brained. 😉

Sara - Thanks for sharing these cheerful finds Meg! I love that you are “secret” on Pinterest. I have one secret board I pin to and it is my happiest place to look :). It is fun to have people send me pins though when something reminds them of me! Out of all your ideas I’m loving that scrap wood walk the best. I think I’ll add it to my spring dream list.

Tessa - This is exactly why I love your blog! I love the colorful and inspirational pictures you share … it always lifts my spirits. You see the beauty in so much and then share it with us. How cool is that?

Jena - “if i am feeling a little down and then i jump over to Pinterest or a blog that is positive it really does lift my spirits.
i feel inspired just by looking.”

Your post totally did this for me today! Each of your Bible quotes were exactly what I needed. I am gearing up for a conversation I don’t want to have – but with His words, it will be easier. Thanks Meg!

Sabrina - My cousin has a fake name on Pinterest too. Although, I of course know it because she tells me everything anyway. 🙂 She just likes to have a little bit of anonymity out there in cyber space… I get that!
Great pins BTW! They are lovely!

Kimberlee Jost - That front door is speaking to me.
But you knew it would.

Sharon - That’s why I can’t find you on Pinterest!! I have been looking and looking for you. Your blog makes me happy! I love the colors, the crafts and most of all, I love the chickens! Keep up the good work.

Meg - That hello shirt needs a home in my closet. Definitely.

Jenn - I love Pinterest. I feel exactly the same way. Its just fun and happy. I was totally drawn to the hello shirt. I would so eat at that cafe, the right brain is so me. I’m guessing its so all of us! And I loved the pom pom straw garland. That would be a great craft anytime.

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the ladies.

January 23, 2014

chickens are super weird.
and also very tame… and enjoyable to watch or interact with.
right now i am trying to introduce them to stanley without him chasing them through the yard.
chick5
on this particular day i moved their water to a new spot.
you would think they never had water in their entire lives before this.
so silly.
chick1
our black and white chicken is the prettiest but she likes people the least of all of them.
chick2
then spanky decided it WAS the best water in the whole world and she had to have some too!
see how tame they are… they share! 🙂
then i was working on tricks… getting them to jump for a piece of food.
so funny to watch!
i posted a video on IG in september of annie doing this trick with them.
for these pictures it was only me outside so while sitting on the step i held my camera with my knees and got the focus where i wanted it and then with my left hand i held the treat in the air and with my right hand i pushed the button to take the pictures when they jumped.
i think the jumping pictures are hilarious! chick4 chick7 chick6 chick3

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Josy - So funny! #jumpingchickens should be a new hashtag!

Susan W - Jumping chickens — hilarious! Love those photos! Looks like Spanky wants to be in the Ladies club. So we really can all just get along- why can’t it always be that easy?
Thanks for the smile you gave me and for sharing all that you do!
Your a blessing!

phyllis - hahahaaaa!!!! so very cute!!! I have 11 chickens, mostly bantams and they are my precious babies. We do lots of things but I had not thought of jumping photos! Maybe you can capture a chest bump!

maryp - Here’s something stupid: I don’t like the black and white chickens because I think that they look so pretty and soft and cuddly, which makes me want to hug them for 45 minutes…but I know that they wouldn’t like that and that makes me sad.

I’m full of logic like that.

Karen Gerstenberger - You’re right – the jumping pictures ARE hilarious! Thanks for sharing.

Mindy - Oh how I love your “ladies” and the jumping pictures just made my day – fantastic!

Dianne - I laughed way too hard at the jumping chicken pictures. You should put them on a canvas!!!

Julie - Oh, I want some chickens so bad! Our next house is going to be an acreage with plenty of space for roaming chickens! Their poop is perhaps the best part — great fertilizer! My only little hangup is that they always look so mad, what with their down-turned beaks. It makes me a little frightened, they look so feisty all the time. 😉

Michele - I can’t stop laughing at the jumping pictures!!

Jackie - I don’t think I have ever given much thought to a jumping chicken, too funny!

Jan - Chickens are funny. We had them years ago and my son loved to feed them and gather the eggs. Your pictures make me miss them!

Mj - Hilarious! Who would have thought jumping chickens!

Michelle Whitlow - Wow, they have gotten BIG!!! How old are they now??

Ruth - Those pictures are hilarious. But how do you deal with the chicken poop? Does it track in on your shoes? Are your chickens potty-trained? 🙂

Tiffany - I am fascinated. I am a self proclaimed CITY girl (Philly), I now live in the ‘burbs. I an floored that you have chickens for pets. Floored that you own SIX chickens. I am looking at these pictures searching for the buffalo wing parts (sad but true). Wondering what you do with all the eggs? Wondering if they need to be entertained? What temperatures do they like? Do they get cold? What do they eat? Why are they so tame? So many questions. Fascinated I tell you. Thank you world wide web for opening up my little bitty world.

Susan - We had a hen an a rooster raised from eggs (school project) for about 6 months and they were so much fun! Our rooster would sit in my husband’s lap and loved to have under his chin scratched! I miss those days but we live in the city and the neighbors were getting tired of the 5:00 wake up call!

dana - They look like they’re having a tea party at the table. 🙂 What kind is your black girl? Our prettiest chicken is the least friendly, too…until this week when she FINALLY at 9 months old started laying. She saved her feathers by days.

Necole@seriouslysassymama - I love chickens. I am about to go eat some right now. (Sorry, not really funny, but funny just the same.) My husband wants some so bad, but you have to have more than 3 acres where we live to have them, which I think is dumb because people have dogs.

julie - Thanks for my first laugh of the morning! Great shots.!

KirstenP - The jumping pictures ARE hilarious!!!! Thanks for adding a chuckle to my snowy, very cold day!

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stanley at sunset.

January 15, 2014

this puppy has been so much fun already.
he also is exhausting.
but all puppies are that way… chew up stuff… pee every where… bark bark bark.

he’s worth it for sure.

the kids have all stepped up and take such good care of him and i LOVE that!

last night he slept all night.
i wish i could have enjoyed it… but i woke up every 30 minutes wondering “is the dog awake?”
like when you have a newborn and you can’t believe they are still sleeping and you check their breathing constantly.
i never checked on him but i did keep waking up.

i hope he does it again tonight.
because i like sleeping.
i have missed it since christmas.

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Sara - Your photography is great! I love the one of Stanley tilted sideways carrying that branch. I salute you for being willing to raise a puppy after going through sleep deprivation five times with your children!

Bobbie - Oh the pictures of him trying to carry it are just too adorable!

BeckyKindel - I love that it looks like he’s grinning in the last pic.

Routhie - Is he as velvety soft as he looks in your photos? He looks like fun!

Bethany - I love it when puppies try to haul around the biggest stick they can find. So cute!

April R - Wishing you all sweet dreams and peaceful sleep
thanks for being honest about the tough parts
it’s a beautiful balance to all the “puppy bathed in golden cuteness and stick fun”

Elizabeth - He is sooooooooo CUTE!!!

Kathie - Way too cute!! Love the photos, at that amazing time of day!! <3

Melissa G - He’s so sweet! Puppies are sure good at making you rethink your decision more than once or twice 🙂 How’s Waffle adjusting? I love him!!

Lisa - Dear Stanley – You are a beautiful boy. I can see that you like your sticks. Please play a lot today so that you sleep well tonight. Your mommy likes it when you sleep all night. She told the Internet as much. 😉

Heather S. - Those puppy eyes are heart-melting!

katey - Puppies and sticks. They just go together. I love that last picture. Precious!! Enjoy!!!!

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popsicle stick star garland

January 11, 2014

over christmas break we made a fun craft project.
while my sister and my nieces were visiting we worked all together.
i bought a bag of 100 popsicle sticks one day (in the office supply row at the grocery store of all places).
then we used hot glue to make them into stars.

next we painted all the stars…. stars everybody was painting… even grandma!
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and then we glittered all the painted stars.
glitter is the perfect addition to any and all crafts in case you didn’t know. 🙂
after everything had dried we hot glued them to a long string of baker’s twine & made them into a garland!

you could use them on their own for ornaments or gift toppers too.
or without the glitter they could be gift tags!

i asked annie and her friends to try and help me with a picture of it hanging but they are quite squirrely and this was the best picture we got.
wherever i am…. Stanley is right there at my feet.
all the time.

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then we strung the garland across the dining room.
it is so cute!

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Kim - Oh how I love those two pictures of Stanley under the stars!! He is so adorable!

KWolff - These are fantastic! I have a stash of popsicle sticks just calling out for a fun and easy craft! Thanks for sharing!

Katie - Love this simple garland idea! I may try a similar one in white, wood and mint for our little one’s nursery. Thanks for the inspiration!

Kelly - What a fun idea! And that Stanley! Too cute!

Lisa - I <3 Stanley.

Julie - They look good over the blackboard, and even better with Stanley beside them.

Dawn Gross - LOVE this craft!! Nice that you can gather a gang at the craft house to play! And Stanley – what a sweet pup!

Dawn

Pamela - I just searched your blog and found your story on how you got Stanley. What a great Christmas gift! Loved the video. He is SO cute!! I’m glad Waffle likes him too.

Pamela Gordon - Love this simple project. It’s so colourful. Where did Stanley come from? He’s adorable. I missed a few posts and will go back and see. lol

julie - Wonderful project! Great pictures! Fun post! :+)

Amanda - No freakin’ way!!!! This is the coolest thing!!! LOVE all of it…especially Stanley!! 😉

Grandma R - They turned out so cute! Glad I got to help.

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i like old stuff.

January 8, 2014

i had to get out of the house today. so between loads of Craft House laundry i stopped in at some of my favorite antique shops in town. i did a little shopping but mostly just took pictures of things i liked. first i need to get these letters if i ever sneak over and load up that giant chippy painted marquee sign in the middle of the night.this mirror was tempting… i mean i do love flamingos… but i did not bring it home. 😉this record player may have come home with me if it didn’t have a redonkulous price on it. when you are shopping do you ever announce prices out loud when you are shocked? even if you are alone? or is that just me? i caught myself doing it several times today…. oops. i am a dork.darn.the sweater picture was the first one i took today. it wasn’t big enough for me or i might have snagged it. it is quirky. you know that would be like $125 at Urban Outfitters right now. but it is HANDMADE at the thrift shop. think how warm & cozy it would be?! the door worked! if i lived alone i would buy these glasses. but if i brought them to my home… they would get broken. the end. eighth don’t you wish that our cleaning products still came in cool tins with neat fonts like this Floor Mop wax? and also… when was the last time you thought about the store Mongomery Ward? fifth “Learn One Thing Every Day” fourth remember my huge red & white brand foods sign? i had never seen anything with that label until today! pretty cool!Dad…. i came so close to buying this for you. it is an ashtray but i thought you could use it for change or something. it just seemed like something you would appreciate. and then i remembered how much stuff you have from both the grandmas… so i left it there. 🙂 ninth second this big craftsman toolbox was “mint condish” except for 1974 DENNY scratched in under the handle which i think made it 1000 times cooler than before. seventh check out the turquoise, orange and purple table cloth? looks like it should be at Anthropologie! sixth honestly can’t believe i left the spoon rest?! i will most likely go back for it. it is just so perfectly kansas. third i love vintage illustrations… and chippy turquoise paint.so after all those pretty things… i came home with these. a dot chenille bedspread, some vintage sheets, a few pretty tea towels, a crossed stitched tablecloth, a metal cooler and another globe. (it could be possible that i have enough globes by now but when it is $4??? how can i not add to the collection?!) what did you do today? and what are you making for dinner? we are having soft tacos. and i just make a big salad with the toppings and no tortilla.

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Leslie - $4 globe?! What a steal! I’ve been looking for one and all the thrift stores around here are selling them for $25 or more. I could get a new one (although not as cool as an old one) for that price. Way to go!

Deb Meyers - ooooo….i need Nevada!

Amber - I have that same flamingo mirror! It was a gift from my husbands grandma. It had been hanging in her house for many years! I haven’t found the perfect place for it, right now it is stored on top of my kitchen cabinets!

Christie - I was one of the lucky girls that stayed at The Craft House last weekend and we ventured out to some of the shops in town…I literally picked up nearly every item you have pictured! And…yes…I also blurt out the exasperated…”$xxx” when I’m shocked at the price.
We had such an awesome time at the house! I was so inspired to hang bunting with abandon!
I hope we get to do it again soon!
Christie Cady

Carrie - Hi Meg. I love looking at these pictures. We have no place around here that has cool old stuff like that. I love your style and colors! But no matter how much I love it and want it, I aways seem to pick beige. Help me! I’m trapped in a beige box! Maybe I’ll start by painting something.

Mindy - Love the bedspread! Thanks for sharing all the fun pictures. I almost feel like I went on the trip – except I didn’t come home with anything. My husband thanks you that I didn’t spend any money : )

Ashley Pera - Every time I read the title to this post I read it in tune with the “Big Butts” song.
“IIIII like Old Stuff and I can not lie, them other brothers can’t deny…”

tonya - you should have bought the red and white can- so cool!
i need a day like that = with no kids and just shopping or looking- super tonight- taco soup and grilled cheese with bacon-

Barbara (WA) - I must tell you about an acquaintance who’s family owned a Red and White grocery. I had never heard of the brand until she told me about it and apparently has a large collection of items carrying that label, like kitchen items, spice containers, advertising signs, etc. Hmmm, I might have to google this history of those stores. . .

Meg - Go back and get that sweater and I’ll buy it from you! 🙂

Sara - Hi Meg! I loved looking at all of your fun finds. We were blessed to be invited over to dinner at my twin sister’s house tonight. The cousins played and it was nice to get out of the house! (We’ve been snowed/iced in for days)

You would be fun to go antiquing with 🙂

Andrea @ This Pug Life - I love those embroidered tea towels so dang hard I can’t even appropriately express it.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - HOW did you not get that tablecloth? Was it $80 dollars???

Ps – Another benefit of driving to SL…

amy jupin - i miss kansas.
i miss the good deals and the cute old junk.
i miss the railroad tracks in the middle of newton.
i miss you.
and i kinda miss sonic’s chili dogs but that’s not related to this comment one bit.

Michelle Whitlow - oh my gosh, that made me laugh when you mentioned announcing prices out loud when you’re shocked!!! haha Yep, done that!!!

ellen patton - antique heaven! i thought i lived in a cool place for antiquing (new england) but i want to visit you!

Amber Campbell Hibbs - HA! It was REDONKULOUS! I saw it while we were shopping during our craft house stay. And no, you are not the only one who may have said the price out loud in shock. 🙂

Gabby - I absolutley love your posts and beautiful photos, Meg! I just had to comment on the box of Shiny Brite ornaments; I had never heard of them, but I recently finished reading a novel in which the main character collected those specific ornaments. Happy Thursday to you!

Gabby - I absolutley love your posts and beautiful photos, Meg! I just had to comment on the box of Shiny Brite ornaments; I recently finished reading a novel in which the main character collected those specific ornaments. Happy Thursday to you!

Erin Erdman - Can you tell me the city/ names of these FANTABULOUS stores??!! I’ve recently relocated from Portland, OR back to Kansas City and I’d love to do a Winter trip out to these stores for some colorful trinket cheer!!!

Linda - such beautiful things! Loved this post! Made me want to go shopping!

Kathi - I LOVE old stuff too. I would love to shop in Kansas, the prices seem so much more resonable than here in Illinois. I’ve been holding myself back from going to my favorite haunts until we move. I keep telling myself that I will be able to get things that will “fit” the new house.

Ashley - Oh what my little (Lexington Livin’) heart would give for that Kentucky plate. Proud to have it end up in Kansas! I wouldn’t be upset if you wanted me to pay you for it 😉

Emily Ruth - So fun! When you take pictures do you ask first or just click away? I’m about half & half & when I’m feeling really chicken I hold my phone inconspicuously (so I think) & sneak a few shots….

Katherine @ Grass Stains - You’re not seriously saying that you didn’t take those chickens home. MEGAN.

Terrie G - I seriously want that mirror…
What did I do today?
The same thing that I’ve been doing and will be doing for a few weeks….
sorting through every nook & cranny of the house…
preparing it to sell.
Sounds like fun right?!
I’d much rather have been out taking pics of cute stuff!
Stuff…that I refuse to bring into my house right now…
I have enough of my own ‘stuff’ to pack up! LOL!!
Thanks for the diversion from my task at hand…
Back to sorting and packing!
🙂

Kyra - I’ve been looking for a reasonably priced globe in decent shape since Craft Weekend last May. Still on the hunt. I have two but I use them for school with the kids. Whenever I see a globe, it reminds me of Stephany and her lights she makes out of them.

Crock pot roast beef, potatos and baby carrots for supper last night. Comfort food for those cold Minnesota days.

Stephanie B - You’ve inspired me to take a day off to go antiquing! I couldn’t be more excited. Tonight’s dinner is meatloaf, mashed potatoes and veggies.

Bethany - Thanks for taking us along. I haven’t found very many antique shops near me, especially not with such cool stuff or reasonable prices. I love the Schmidt’s tin-that’s my maiden name. I am feeling the need to do some antiques “window shopping”. May hit up a local antique market this weekend.

For supper here we had turkey meatball gyros. They’re relatively healthy and the whole family likes them-score!

Jenny - I think of Montgomery Ward often. Their family’s old Summer home on Lac LaBelle in Oconomowoc, WI is on the way to my grandparent’s house. It’s absolutely amazing and was just on the market!

Kat - Looks like a great day.
Sometimes you just have to get out of the house I find.
This year I will have all four at fulltime school for the first time and I am actually not looking forward to coming home to an empty house. I will probably hit the gym most mornings and then come home.
Today I did a boxing class at the gym.So much fun and such good exercise. Then went for a hot chocolate, got my greys covered up and home to do packing for our summer beach holiday. (It’s summer school holidays here in Australia)
We had lamb chops, salad and jacket potatoes for dinner.
Mm, I love taco’s, but must have gucamole’ with them 🙂

Jenny B. - A $4 globe??? They’re often like $40 around here (well, that’s at flea markets. I’ve never ever seen one at a thrift store). Good thing you snagged it! 🙂

Jenny - Kansas has some amazing prices! Every last bit of what you found is awesome! Kansas is officially on my bucket list. 😉

mandy - can I just say how jealous I am of your Kansas thrifting?! you can NOT find a globe in Oregon for less than about $30- seriously. whenever I’v found one for less in the last 6 yrs I’ve bought it. I have 3…I think the least I’ve spent on them was $25!

Julie - You will have to go back and get the ANIE letters – just make a big funkily decorated N to go in the middle of them.
Dinner sounds good – I have chicken out – just have to decide what to do with it, and there will be a salad from my garden too.

Sara @ it's good to be queen - 1974 Denny. Love. It. Kansas thrifting is the best!!

elma - Oh my word you got some awesome finds!! Love the globe to!! I want the red tool box please send it to me!!!
My kids were home again today so we cleaned the storage room and have some stuff for goodwill. I love to organize the storage rooms and it feels so good when it is all done. It was subway tonight:) LOVE subway!!

Beth - Oh, how I want to come thrift in your neck of the woods!! The dot chenelle bedspread is the BEST! We had the exact same dinner tonight and I did the exact same thing w/my portion. I love tacos do much better as a salad! Yum!

Kelly - Awesome finds… I would love to find a doll house like that one… Had that same one growing up….. Glad you had a good day thrifting…

Molly Byrd - I just love you to pieces, Meg! Love all the vintage stuff

Crystal beutler - I did what you did today! Drove out to Ramona to sniff the orange groves, and hunt for treasures. I scored 3 globes, a gum machine, a cool old metal vanity bench, a typewriter, an old window frame, and some old salt shakers. I’m certain that I paid waaaaay more than I would have shopping in Kansas. I need to get back there!

Tanya - I worked from home all day today and accomplished TONS and it was so very satisfying. It was the first day my kids went back to school since the beginning of Christmas break. The silence was golden. I had chicken noodle soup for supper. Yum.
Learn One Thing Everyday book from 1917 ~ my grandma was born in 1917 🙂

marcie - Such a fun photo tour… and you can never have too many globes and I would die if I found one for $4.00 I grab them when I can find them but globes are rare and expensive in Atlanta. i need to come to Kansas!!!

Stacy P. - I moved into my new calendar…complete with all my kids’ activities in different colors. (yeah, that will last till about, ummm, February.)
Then I watched Modern Family. Then my kids and I ate dinner with my mom and dad….she made lasagna. Then I read your blog and started to be jealous that you have such an awesome antique store near you. And I covet the metal cooler. 🙂

Beth in the City - I think of Montgomery Ward pretty often because I live close to this building: http://www.montgomerypark.com/vision.html Today I took my remaining Christmas money to the thrift store – a favorite hobby of mine. I found a great wooden desk chair on wheels that I love, for my daughter’s desk. My son said it is the ugliest chair, looks like it’s from the 60’s. This made me laugh. But she loves it. And it has to sit in MY dining room……

Kris - I would have bought the red letters…mix others in!
Love the peek into Kansas thrifting!

robin allen - You have an amazing ‘eye’ for the really ‘goodmakethatGREAT’ stuff…you should tell us what town these amazing shops are in so the rest of us can go window shopping and declare prices out loud and travel down memory lane and just be inspired….I too LOVE GLORIOUS JUNKE!!!

Jenna - My mom has that flamingo mirror and I used to hate it, but now, I have dibs on it for whenever she decided to part with it! And yes! I always say the ridiculous prices out loud!

P.S. I want all of the pretty little things you listed above! That globe – $4 – woah amazing! 🙂

Kristi REDISKE - That is all so cool, I see several things I would love to have- wish I was there to go get them, may have to make a trip, it is my old hometown and I miss it!

Anne Galindo - That dollhouse is exactly, EXACTLY like the one I had as a kid. I’ve been wanting to find one for when my niece is older.

Rychelle - please, please, PLEASE go back and get those chickens, and then send them to me. PLEASE!

Necole@seriouslysassymama - Today I spent an hour on the treadmill. 30 minutes doing intervals, and 30 minutes walking. It felt glorious. I am doing a 7 day cleanse so keeping it aerobic this week. For dinner is sweet and sour chicken!

Lisa - All the antique/thrift store finds you share makes me want to plan a trip to Kansas just for that! So many fun things! Got to have a brunch date with my man. Always love that! I’m extra tired today. Already looking forward to bedtime and it’s only 3:30pm. 😉

stephany - Looks like a good day.
I did yoga this morning…then came home to do laundry.
I am also designing a website for my dad for his 65th birthday…he just retired and wants to start a guiding (hunting) business, so I am setting up a website/blog for him.
His birthday is on Monday, and I will be in Colorado next weekend to work on getting the content into it with him.
I’m taking the kids out to dinner tonight at our health club and then they are coming to the Art Literacy meeting at school with me because Ryan is out of town.
Fun, fun!

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q u i e t.

January 6, 2014

all your comments on the One Word post were fun to read!
i feel like we are all in this together don’t you?
everyone working on becoming better versions of us through God’s grace.
i love it.

i am very much enjoying the quiet house with the kids back at school.
i say that not because i don’t like to be with my kids but because i have not had any silence since the school break began!
having kids home all day everyday, a new puppy that barks ALL NIGHT LONG in his kennel, not traveling anywhere for christmas to break up the time, freezing cold temperatures…. you get the idea.
i loved the sleeping late and no place to go or be for days and days but after awhile i miss routine of school and a quiet house.
the older i get the more i enjoy quiet.
complete silence.
i have been sitting here for 5 hours now with nothing but the sound of the heater and the dogs breathing deeply.
they needed down time as much as i did.
i made my meal plan for the week.
if i ever get it down in a photo friendly kind of way i will post it.
but right now it’s all messy on notebook paper and scribbles…with my grocery list.

i found lots of new recipes to try…. and of course i want to share with you too!
i am going to try to do this as often as possible.
i hope you like it.
7food

1. Skillet Mexican Zucchini

2. No Bake Banana Oat Energy Bars

3. Chicken with Roasted Butternut Squash & Green Beans

4. Thai Peanut Chicken Salad

5. Tuscan Chicken Soup

6. Southwest Chicken Chili Mac

7. Broccoli Crack

i found these through Pinterest of course!
apparently i like chicken.
next time i will try for some other meats… but i DO like chicken so this is good for me.

i will be putting them to use over the next two weeks in our evening meal plans.
some of them are more for the kids and some are more for me.
tonight we are having #3… i picked an easy one because it’s a ball game night.
(four of the next five nights are ball game nights! crazytown.)

i have already made the broccoli many times and i eat SO MUCH because it is sooooo good!
who knew broccoli could ever taste so delicious?

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Renee - yum yum! glad you’re sharing. i have worked hard the past 3 years to transition into regularly cooking fresh and healthy meals. sometimes i’ve been teaching, sometimes i’ve been having babies. so it’s not like gourmet is my goal here. easy. fresh. yummy.
one trick that works for me is to repeat meals once or twice over the course of 2-3 week. the first time you make anything, it always takes longer and seems more labor intensive. and if it feels hard, you’re less likely to do it again. but if you can make it a couple times in a couple weeks, it’ll feel easier and the people you’re cooking for might like it more subsequent times. their palletes just have to adjust 🙂 ANYWAY, the easier it feels, the more likely you are to start making your ‘go-to’ meals in your repertoire these healthy & fresh ones. (instead of casseroles, and things that involve pillsbury crescents or something.) That was a lot. sorry! good luck!

Aubrey - Thanks so much for sharing the recipes! I’m always looking for healthy recipes that aren’t to complicated.

Maria - First off I am a huge fan of your blog! I live in SW Missouri so I can relate to your posts about weather and the countryside!

I made the Broccoli Crack and the No Bake Banana Oat Energy Bars today. Both turned out awesome! The Broccoli Crack was a bit salty for my taste but I ate almost half of it at lunch! My kids LOVE the energy bars (I might have snuck in a little extra stevia :))

Sarah{Handbags*and*Pigtails} - “Broccoli crack” huh? I dunno…seems sooo far away from Julie’s version of crack,haha. 😉

tara - this post reminds me how nice it would be if i would make time to do a month long meal plan….sometimes, those work great, if you can make them with your calendar in mind.

Stacey - Love these meal ideas! love your blog:-)

Amber H. - I’ve found using an app on my phone works great for meal planning. I use the Paprika one. I can download recipes directly off the Internet or I’ve added my own to it over time. This way when I decide on a recipe when planning my meals I can add the ingredients needed with the push of a button. If you get the app for both your iPhone and ipad (if you have them) then they will interface with each other. No I am not payed to promote this app but yes, it’s my fave app out of any I have on my phone! LOL

Mindy - Mmm your recipes look delicious AND nutritious – great way to start the New Year!

Tracey Garcia - This broccoli recipe is great. Both my kids love it and my youngest will eat 2 or 3 servings every time I make it. Of course, I found it on Pinterest. http://www.amateurgourmet.com/2008/11/the_best_brocco.html
I’ve been meal planning off and on for a couple of years now and my week really goes much better when I’ve planned the meals. I know what I need to buy at the grocery store, I have everything I need each day for the evening meal, and there is no last minute scramble to figure out something for supper. Plus, my kids HAVE to know what they are eating for supper BEFORE they leave for school. LOL I don’t know why—I guess they are afraid I might forget to feed them.

KirstenP - Check out this show on CBS on Sat morning 11am Eastern – Lucky Dog. Brandon McMillian helps shelter dogs to kick bad habits, including barking, before they go live with their new families. I know Stanley(is that still his name?) isn’t a shelter dog but his techniques might work with your puppy. Good luck.

Susan - Meg –

I have the BEST recipe for you, and your vegetable-hating kids will love it! My kids can’t get enough of it, and it sounds like they are a lot like yours. Anyway, all you have to do is take a bag of shredded carrots (or shred your own if you aren’t as lazy as I am), toss them with 1-2 tbsps olive oil, and spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake at 400 until crispy (about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of your carrots). Sprinkle with salt. These taste like shoestring potato chips! The only trick is that you have to watch them at the end, they go from almost cooked to burned pretty quickly. But the burned bits aren’t too bad, either! My kids, 15, 13 and 6, actually ask me to make these.

Ruth - Meg, I am excited that you are sharing your recipe finds! Thank you for the inspiration,in so MANY ways. You are a delight, I am grateful God put you in my cyber “path” a couple of years ago.

Tracy - I love you recipe sharing!!! Please continue to do it!!

Christy - Try cauliflower roasted too! It’s delicious!

Sheryl - Thank you for posting the recipes. I love getting new ideas for meals especially healthy ones!

karen - i feel ify about meal plans. it seems like something that could get to be seen as more work. i would just ALWAYS have your fridge loaded with fresh food and go with it. roasted anything works for me. and never shop in the center isles of the grocery store!! only the perimeter.

Kris - Ok chiming in…again…sorry! Try pioneer woman’s italian meatball soup….I bake the meatballs though! Have a big pot on the stove right now! Also try roasted cauliflower….it’s is amazing…and roasted Brussels sprouts with balsamic glaze( I LOVE Pinterest for recipes!)
Love seeing those recipe ideas!
I’ll have to try these!

Michele - Good for you! I love the quiet, too! 🙂
I have been meal planning for about 10 years. Yes, it’s a pain, but it really helps in the long run. For healthy recipes, check out skinnytaste.com. Her recipes are delicious, but you won’t feel deprived. We love her salisbury steak and cajun chicken pasta! I don’t stock very many pre-packaged foods in our house and I buy organic whenever I can (those pre-washed organic salads blends and spinach at Walmart are a lifesaver)! I also don’t stock the house with things like ice cream, Oreos or soda…not because I never eat those things, but because if they are in the house, I will! And if you haven’t jumped on the green smoothie bandwagon, I highly recommend it! I have one every morning and I can’t tell you how good and energized it makes me feel. And think about adding flax meal to things you already eat–smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, etc. Good luck, Meg!

Tanya - They all look awesome…like really yummy.
Hope it’s all received well 🙂
I am very happy kids are back at school as well.
Moms need some quiet. No apologies.

Lennie Jackson - My bestie and I were just discussing how badly we need easy clean family friendly meals. Thanks so much for posting!!! Can’t wait to be on this journey with you!

Julie - My house is just starting to become noisy again – my husband and daughter have been away for 10 days at Scout Jamboree in New Zealand. She came back last night and he comes back tonight with our son who has been at his grandparents. Only 4 weeks till they go back to school. Thanks for the zucchini recipe link – I have a glut of these and cucumbers in my garden at present.

Sarah D. - In case you are interested in the CI link… http://www.cooksillustrated.com/recipes/4032-roasted-broccoli-with-optional-garlic#

Sarah D. - Roasting broccoli like that is my absolute fav. I found that exact same method in a Cook’s Illustrated magazine almost 6 years ago and it has been my all-time go-to for broccoli ever since. Is is delicious!!!

Natalie - I was so looking forward to some quiet tomorrow morning and then… they canceled school. It’s cold but we don’t have any snow here in Atlanta but oh well… maybe Wednesday! I love a good meal plan too! Thanks for sharing! Enjoy your quiet time and back to routine!

Necole@seriouslysassymama - I love meal planning. I have been doing it religiously for about 2 years now. I can fee my family of 5 for two weeks on $250. I only go back to the store for milk,bread, and apples. We eat a ton of apples. My husband laughed at me the other day because the majority of our groceries are produce. I cut up fresh fruit and veggies for our sides. It helps that we all eat like birds, especially our three daughters.

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