Room with a purpose

Those that know me best know I love change. It generally drives Craig, well, silly. I love our house. I think its absolutely perfect. It 100% our family. We wanted family friendly. Easy living. Comfortable. Home.

We've been in the (completed) house 5 1/2 years now. And to this day, there are two rooms that absolutely drive me Nutty. One being the dining room,which I just can't make work. Second is the funky room off the kitchen, aka the breakfast nook.

I had this beautiful plan of putting a small table and a couple interesting chairs out there. It would be a place to sit, drink coffee (which neither of us drink), have breakfast, gather ourselves for the day ahead. Wow. That couldn't be farther from the reality of us or the use of that funky space. Now. My darling husband tells a nasty story of having a conversation regarding that room, during construction, and turning it into our utility/laundry area. I recall no such conversation. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

So over the past couple years, this funky room, has become a kingdom of chaos. A little this, a lot of that, and no real organization. So, about a year ago, I started plotting the death of this funk! How can I get it/us organized in a way that truly WORKS! And one major dilema is the size of this funky space. It's a meer 9'0'' x 7'0". Tiny!

So TA-DA!! Same old room, but now a room with a purpose.

One wall of shelving. Floor to ceiling. It holds all of my bake ware, mixing bowls, canisters, etc. Neat cubbies to create an organized and purposeful location for all things cooking related.

This is the North wall, it overlooks our lawn. The left side shelving is storage for all of my baking needs. Spices, sanding sugars, food colorings, imported vanilla, and the basics of flour and sugar. The lower units create storage for large kitchen items, like my stand mixer, food saver, food processor, etc.

The right side of the North window and entire East wall is dedicated to the home office area. Cook book, gardening magazines, Martha Stewart and Better Homes and Gardens take up most of upper shelving. The lower areas in this sections are for day to day snacks, chips, lunch goodies, etc. I also created one cubby in this section for my make-shift tool box, and things I'm always in search of. The lab top computer and printer make it easy to get some work done in this sunny morning spot.

This room went from chaos to chic. Organized. Warm. And finally inviting. I actually enjoy spending time out in this area now.

Craig built all of these units himself.

Isn't he WONDERFUL!!!

I thank God everyday that I married such a wonderful man, and that he is so talented. He took some pretty raw drawings/doodles that I had come up with. And turned them into this wonderful space.

Thanks Honey! Your the best husband anyone could ask for!

Hugs,

-M

Happy Birthday Wyatt!!!

Look! Presents!

Happy 3rd Birthday Peanut!

Cake!!

Hey Spencer, can you help me blow out these candles??
Thanks, buddy.

Ok, Mom. I just want cake now please.

No more pictures.

Just CAKE!

A wonderful time was had by all. We were blessed to have all of the people that are important in Wyatt's life, at his party.

Grandpa's and Grandma's times 3!

Auntie's and Uncle's with cousins times 2!

Friends close enough to be family times 2!

And just some other close family friends.

Hugs,

-M

Some of my favorite things

This is going to sound "corny", but for years I've been fascinated by Oprah's Favorite Things. So I thought to myself one day: "what are some of MY favorite things?' But I gave it some serious thought. "What do I use regularly that I think is great, if given the opportunity, wouldn't choose to live without?" (Most are not "brand" specific. I guess I'm not a "brandy" person.)

Here are some of the things I came up with:

BARE ESCENTUALS, makeup that has changed the way my day starts. So healthy. All natural. Mineral based. Silky on the skin. Oh and did I tell you, its easy. I love the fact that this makeup looks natural. Not pastey, cakey, or creasy. It literally takes me 3 minutes to get ready in the morning. Lord knows, I DO NOT have the time to be fussing. Two big "shout outs" for Bare Escentuals.

LIP BALM, I'm not much of "brand" snob. But I have to have it. I usually have 2 of them in my purse or pockets at all times. Especially in the middle of winter or height of summer.


FLIPFLOPS, man, I can't live with out them. Hi, my name is Michelle, and I confess I'm a flipflop junkie. At any given point, it usually starts in the spring when the snow is gone, I start airing out the "pigs". Bring on the flipflops. I'll have about a dozen pairs before the summer is over. In every shade. Multiple styles. Love 'em, can't live without 'em.

STICKY-NOTES, love 'em. I think everybody does. 'Nuff said.

BATH and BODY WORKS LOTION, I have to admit, I am kinda a smell snob. There are so many I like but just can't wear. They make me sick, literally. I like smelling ..... like a woman. Soft, flowery, fruity, silky. Probably the one "girly girly" indulgence I have.

RUBBER BOOTS, garden boots, knee high. I find myself in them every time I turn around. Whether it's working in the garden after a rain or coming to Little Dude's rescue because he is stuck in a mud puddle. I have a boring pair of navy barn boots, 'cuz the pink polka dot ones are too "girly" for the horse barn. LOL I think every garden-y person should have a pair! I'd have 10 if Craig wouldn't freak out. hahaha

HIGH HEEL SHOES, I think these are what define us as women. Men CAN'T wear 'em. Oh, go on, admit it, when you put on a great pair of high heels, you instantly feel sexier, more like women. No more "mommy-business", you get that boost deep from inside. And WHA-HOOOO ...... Look out world here I come. I don't wear them all the time, but again, I'd have 10 if Craig wouldn't freak out! (kisses honey, I know you really don't care how many pairs of shoes I have. Because your the best honey on the planet. H&K)

PAJAMA PANTS, every person is different on this one. College students wear them as regular articles of clothing. I own about 10 pairs. Different colors, lengths, styles, etc. I could grub around in them all day. I confess, I am a house-cleaning fool in pajama pants. Don't stand in my way I might mop you up! Love 'em!

DISHES. For example, I have beautiful set of white with gold trim for "holidays," which I have yet to use. I have a set of plain white, with every little piece imaginable. A red snowman set for winter. A cowboy set for when we are feeling a little "western." Last night on TV there was a great ad on RFDTV, which Craig was watching, for some western dishware company. And all I hear after I do a brief pause in front of the TV, "Keep moving. You do not have any more room to store more dishes." Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Well I will leave the list at that for now. I hope this makes you stop and think about some of your favorite things. I certainly enjoy mine!
Hugs-M

New Year

Yeah, yeah, yeah.......
I know it's been QUITE a while since I've blogged. But life's been busy.

December
Wyatt turned 3 in mid-December. Big party and fun was had by all. Cake, ice cream, and let's not forget the PRESENTS!!
Christmas came and went with great joy. It seems to get busier and more hectic each year. We were blessed to be able to spend time with family and friends this season. Craig's brother Steve and his fiancee Jodi came home from Colorado to spend Christmas with us. What great fun it was to have them HOME! All of the nephews (including Wyatt) had so much fun with them both. Also, some family from near the Detroit area came up for Wyatt's birthday and to celebrate the Christmas holiday. It was great to spend some time with them as well. Other than that, we managed to keep it simple this holiday season.

There were plenty of goodies under the tree for the Emily family this year. I think all of us were "good" and it showed. hehehe

Did I mention our house is currently BUSTING, and I do mean BUSTING at the seams with TOYS!!!!! I haven't quite figured out how one little boy can have SO MUCH STUFF!! Oh, and the report is that 4th quarter spending was down. I don't believe it. I won't believe it.

January. Hmmmm.........
Can be summed up by COLD. It seemed to get cold and stay cold. YUCK. I can't count the number of times in the last month Craig said to me.... "Pack your bags, put a sign in the yard, we're moving to South Texas, where it's WARM." Well after 5 days of consecutively below zero, I was almost in agreement.

February. It's here and it's warming up. Over the past week or so, it's been warming. This past weekend, it was actually in the 40's. Today it's 59!!!!! Wha-hoo!!!!!
February also brings Valentine's Day. Oooooooo....how romantic. And Craig's birthday. Oooooooo.....another year older. hehehe.

I hope all of you had a wonderful Holiday Season. I wish you a SPLENDID 2009.
Hugs, M