recovering

 13 hours in the car 

endless hours of fun

spending way too much money on gas

home to dirty dishes, dirty clothes and no food in the house

 and cranky kids who lost an hour of sleep this weekend

not so much fun

need some time to recover

Happy Monday!

A Craft Success

I'm calling this one a success! A craft I attempt and it actually turns out decent. 

Let me just start by saying I would never have been able to think this up on my own, my brain doesn't operate like that. However,  I was lucky enough to discover Kristen F. Davis Designs and her super easy explanation on how to create these faux metallic letters.

After looking at her post again I just may go back and add some extra "metallic" to the letters. 

Now what can I faux metallic next........watch out I'm on a roll people.

90 minutes from the cul-de-sac

I can be in a different state (maybe even 3 different states). Yesterday we needed a "family day", just us- no sporting events, no practices, no homework....just a day for some fun and adventure! We left the cul-de-sac bright and early Saturday morning and traveled a very scenic route to the lovely state of Delaware. The area that we visited is known as the Brandywine Valley and it is full of my kind of eye candy! Quaint little towns full of 17th, 18th and 19th- century flavor. The sun was shining and other than the 60mph wind gusts it was a lovely day!

I can't tell you how excited I was to drive through this covered bridge. There are so few left in our country and this was a complete and unexpected surprise. The GPS took us off a major road and directed us to a very narrow country road and then this popped up. Very cool surprise!

The first museum of the day was this great little place. We love Natural History museums! Bought the "family membership" at this place and now we have a whole bunch of reciprocating museums all over the country that we can visit FREE! Love that!

Some great old stonework on our way to the next museum.

Highlight of our day was touring the inside of this 1802 mansion! What a treat! And the fact that it was $1.00 admission day- jackpot! It was built by E. I. du Pont after he fled France and came to America. The du Pont family first produced gunpowder and eventually became the famed DuPont Company. Various family members have built incredible mansions and famous gardens in this area. 

We are already planning a return trip in spring to visit other famous du Pont homes like those of  Francis

and Alfred and of course the incredible Longwood Gardens. 

DuPont has their hands in everything from the spacesuit to racing. Two 40 somethings really learned a lot yesterday and hopefully the kids did too!

We definitely need more days like this to balance out our crazy, over-scheduled lives!

out and about

There is always something that catches my eye when I'm out running around. Luckily, my camera stays in my purse and I can whip it out fast. But lots of times I'll just drive by twice. Big waste of gas, I know right!

This picture below does not do this home justice. It used to be red brick. They recently did a renovation and painted the brick a pale gray. It's one of my favorites. I'll work on getting some better shots. 

 Little brick homes, just a few of my favorite things!

 Recently developed a fascination with taking pictures of old barns. I have no idea why!

 Maybe it's the details.

Found this property in a different season on a different adventure. This would probably be my dream home! Brick or stone, it doesn't matter.  I love them both!

What's your dream home?

driving car - taking pictures - use caution

I would like to get a big, flashing sign for the roof of my car

BLOGGER TAKING PICTURES-PLEASE BE COURTESY & DON'T BLOCK MY SHOT!

And please don't give me the "hairy eyeball" look, I really don't like confrontation. I just really, really like houses. Big ones, little ones, new ones, old ones - I love them ALL!

Thank you and have a nice day!

confession from a craft klutz

 I love crafts, I really do. BUT I'm not very good at them. I will get an idea in my head, run out and buy all the supplies and that's it....I'm done. I'll start a project, get frustrated with my lack of skill and give up way too easy. Character flaw, I know! (something I definitely need to work on)

However........ as of today, I'm happy to announce a finished project!!!

Purchased this little wooden thing at the thrift shop back in September for about $2 and now five months later it's hanging on the side of my kitchen cabinet. I'm not sure what I want to use it for, should have thought about that before I hung it in the kitchen. I just may use it to store my frequently used recipes cards. 

It's not perfect but it's a finished project! And right now that's good enough for me!

BEFORE

AFTER

  

We've made some progress.....

Yep, the last house in America finally has a board & batten wall! I absolutely love it! Makes the room seem much more "finished". We still have a little work to do........ filling nail holes and touch-up painting. For now I am perfectly happy to just sit in my favorite chair and stare at the wall!!