Kitchen Island Part One

When we bought our house I knew I wanted a kitchen island. In order to have one we had to enlarge the doorway between the living room and kitchen here. The people we bought the house from thought we were nuts! I have some kitchen before pictures coming soon.

When we found our island it was being used as a counter for a cute little shop. It was perfect and just the focal point the house needed. We eat there everyday but things have changed. 

The butcher-block top does not hang over so it's not really intended to have chairs pulled up to it. That worked just fine for us, but if your only three feet tall it does not work at all. Without that overhang our little one can't tuck her legs under and is too big to be using her highchair.

So the search is on for a new kitchen island. This has not been an easy task! Especially because the one we have now was found for such a great deal.

Of course I have pictures of  islands I think would work with a little tweaking, all very different....

I love the open feel of this one but would hate to lose the storage.

I think this one from Annie Brahler is so unique and pretty. I love the legs and color but the shape wouldn't work for us. Stay tuned to see what we come up with without breaking the bank. Wish us luck!

Thrifting

When I started reading blogs, I found so many people finding great treasures at thrift stores. Garage sales and Flea Markets are only going on when the weather starts warming up here. That makes for an extra long winter.

I finally made it into one of the thrift stores close by and found a couple of treasures that I wanted to share with you.

How cute is this litte guy and only $1.99. The primroses were a dollar at the grocery store.

This is where the story gets a little sad. This adorable basket, which I thought would be perfect holding eggs for Easter, broke right after I cleaned it all up. This too was $1.99.

Of course it left a big dent in the floor! Nevertheless, I have a new love, thrifting.

Love And Happiness

Surprises are so fun!  The Brick Cottage  awarded me the Happy 101 Award. I am so flattered!
The DIY Channel has a new show called Run my Renovation and The Brick Cottage was chosen to have their attic converted into a bedroom, how exciting!

I have to list 10 things that make me happy

1. Hugs and kisses from my little love bug. Sometimes she can be stingy with them.

2. My handsome husband and the way he loves us.


3. The beach.

4. Dining al fresco. Especially fun with wine or a margarita!

Better Homes And Gardens

5. Blogs.

6. Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Macadamia ice cream. Don't try it you will become addicted like me.

7. National parks. The mountains make me happy but I'm afraid of bears.

8. Music. I love all kinds of music but classic rock is my favorite.

9. Sleeping in.

10. Gardening.

And now to pass this award down to 10 blogs that brighten my day.

1. Beauty In The Attempt
2.Morning T
3.Vintage Home And Garden
4.Living It At Home
5.Flower Patch Farmgirl
6.Tinsel & Company
7.Posh Pieces
8.The Cottage Nest
9.Cutest Little Things

10.Cottage On Rosewood
11.The White Farmhouse I know Maggie just got this award but I wanted to mention her.

French Goodies

Anita @ http://iowajunkgypsies.blogspot.com/  was having a giveaway of some French goodies from her boutique she used to own, and I was the winner! I got my special package and wanted to share with you.

Look at her pretty wrapping, its all about the package!

How cute is this little bird she made?

Thanks Anita, I love everything!
I started reading A Women's Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl and it's really fun so far.

Anita and her friend Judy sell fun things at a few different flea markets. I'm looking forward to meeting her at the Kane County flea market in May.

Super Cute Kids Valentine

I came across Alissa's blog http://24-7-365.blogspot.com/2009/02/lavish-me-with-praise.html and fell over myself for her girls Valentines she made. She is such a talented photographer and so creative, I just had to borrow her idea!

This was so easy! The hardest part for me was getting the little one to hold her arm out with her hand closed and not be too crazy! Alissa had her pictures printed as a 4x6 with some "Happy Valentine's Day" text done in Photoshop. I just added some stickers to mine.

Next I used an exacto knife to cut a slit at the top and bottom of her hand and slid the sucker in. I secured the lollypop in place with some tape on the back. Done!

Here they are all boxed up and ready to hand out to her preschool class. Thank you Alissa for being so darn smart! Happy Valentine's Day!

Crazy Life

Last week we found out my brother in law had a brain tumor. They did surgery today and removed everything they could. We will find out if its cancer in about a week.

My house is a total disaster, my husband hurt his back and the little one went from this....

To this in five minutes flat.

I know she is feeding off my negative energy so I need to get myself together. I thought some retail therapy at TJ Maxx would make me feel better today but not so much. I did find a few fun things though. Stay tuned.

* Update 4/20/10 Thanks for your well wishes, my brother in law is doing fine.