Famous Stuff

Living in Iowa, we aren’t exactly surrounded by famous people.  When someone/something becomes famous, we hop all over that business. Since Flavor Flav’s restaurant closed, we are left with only a few chances for a celebrity sighting.  (Please note: I never made it to Flavor Flav’s restaurant.  It is on my list of life regrets.)

When my parents were in town a couple of week-ends ago, we headed to the area’s closest thing to a “famous place”.

What is this little garage you may ask?  It’s the home store of History Channel’s American Pickers. It’s located in Le Claire, Iowa…about 15 minutes from our house.

I’m not a giant fan of the show. It’s okay. I watch it on occasion. I like seeing the items that they find hidden away in barns and storage sheds.  I feel a little sad, however, when they rip old people off.  I get it.  It’s a business.  But I like old people.

The “pickers” weren’t here on this day but we did stop in to check out the shop.  What’s it like?It’s small.  There generally aren’t many items that I can’t live without.  Except for some of their oversized letters.

Most of the items are expensive….or maybe just out of my Salvation Army price range.  And a little creepy for my taste…

Overall it’s a fun place to take visitors.  Would I make a special trip to Le Claire just for the shop?  No.  But the rest of Le Claire is charming.  The main street is full of shopping, antiques, and yummy restaurants.

The location does allow for a cheesy photo with your husband next to a ratty old car with the mighty Mississippi in the background.  Who could pass that up?

Not this girl.

Any American Pickers fans out there?  Where’s your nearest famous place/chance for a celebrity sighting?  Met anyone famous lately?

Happiest Dog Around!

Dogbook is hosting a contest for the happiest dog around.

I know a mighty handsome dog that would love to win a year’s worth of toys!

Look at that smile.  Can you get much happier than that?

Ike would appreciate your vote here! It’s an annoying facebook contest but his cute face is totally worth it.  His tail is wagging in appreciation!

Hey Girl…

Remember my chalkboard fail?  How could you forget something so important?

Turns out the answer to my chalkboard woes was staring me down every time I reached for the Robins Eggs.  (Those malted milk candies are going to take me down.)

What if I painted the insides of the pantry doors with chalkboard paint?

Nate is never home and I can no longer trust Ryan Gosling. I decided to go to my next best source.

If Ike approves then we are good to go.

I taped off the edges of the panels and started painting.  Quickest project ever.  And meltdown free.  Even better.

I’m still waiting for the chalkboard paint to fully dry.  The manufacturer recommends waiting 3 days before conditioning.  I’m trying to follow directions.  Key word: trying.  I have some additional plans with these doors that I will share soon.  Once the paint fully dries.  Hurry up already.

I like this project because the paint is like a hidden surprise when you open the pantry but having it behind closed doors keeps the kitchen neat and tidy.

Any solutions smacking you in the face every time you reach for an Easter treat?  Who’s happy to know Ike is a more reliable source than Ryan Gosling?

Linking up to: Remodelaholic, Serenity Now

Baby It’s Hot Outside

Nate told me I needed to change the chalkboard in the mudroom.

He was right.  I hate when he’s right.  But I changed it anyways.

I do not think I have ever said “It is hot.”….in Iowa…in March.  We were in the 80’s all week-end.  Insanity. I’m sure this wonderfulness will end soon but we enjoyed every second of it this week-end. We even enjoyed sweating to death in the house.  There was no way we were turning on the air conditioner in March.  It just seemed wrong.

Our niece was baptized this week-end so all of Nate’s family was in town….which means we got to see our favorite little people…

We ate some delicious checkered cake made by Nate’s sister.

We went to the neighborhood pond and fed the fish. 

I tried to get a nice/normal picture of Nate and I.

It went well.  I guess this is as good as it gets.

Nate hates my short hair.  So I cut it short again this week-end.  Oopsie daisy.  Girl power.

Ike is totally a fan of summer in March.  He enjoyed staring out the open windows and walks in the park.  He hopes the warm weather keeps up.

Me too, Ike.  Me too.

Did you all have lovely week-ends? Anyone else experience some unseasonably warm weather?  My blog has resorted to weather talk.  This being 30 thing is taking a toll left and right.

Find the Time

I’m beginning to think that I might live. 10 days of being awfully sick is draining on the soul.

The other night I was tired of reading. Tired of staring at the tv. Tired of being sick so I decided to work on a piece of word art.  I do good work when I'm sick.

This piece was inspired by this pin.  A nice little reminder about what’s important in life.

I also picked up this cute little print for $3 at the antique mall this week-end. 

My mom pointed it out while I was hacking up a lung.  She thought it would be cute in our mudroom.  The ivory looked funny in there so I decided to try it out in the powder room.  Winner!

We are still on the hunt for the perfect mirror for this space but I like my little art additions.  I like the nice little reminder to take time to enjoy the simple things that make us happy….every time we wash our hands.

I love the comments we get from our friends and family on this room. They range from “awesome” to “groovy” to “seizure inducing” to “whoa”.  Sometimes it’s good to decorate out of your comfort zone.

My nurse totally approves.  Look how happy the prints make him.

Or was he happy because Nate was home early and he got to enjoy a walk in the 80 degree weather? Jury is still out. Let’s go with the prints.

What things do you need to remind yourself to take the time for?  Who else is enjoying some crazy/amazing warm weather?  Big week-end plans?

Pinterest Challenge- Kindle Case

It’s that time again.  Time for the Pinterest challenge. The challenge to use Pinterest as a good source of inspiration and not as an evil time suck.

(If you’re new here, we usually do more exciting projects than this.  Check out our Projects tab and House Tour tab!) 

I decided to make a case for my Kindle. What else are you going to do with swollen lymph nodes?  Might as well cut some fabric. Some lovely old lady floral fabric at that. I can’t tell you the name of it.  I’ll call it “Elderly Lady Stash From My Sewing Room.”  I think it was originally from Joann’s. 

I have a lovely green cover for my Kindle but it’s only a cover.  I want to use my Kindle more at the beach on our upcoming trip to Costa Rica.  On previous beach trips I have found that the cover traps sand.  It gets sunscreen on it while in the beach bag.  Water bottles sweat all over it.  General grossness. Hence my need for a case.

A case would involve a zipper.  Yikes! Can I actually do this? 

Oh, I did it.

I followed the directions found from this pin…

Source: littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com via Michelle on Pinterest

The instructions were easy to follow.  As in, I sewed a zipper (for the first time) in a bag after 8 hours of working with a viral infection.  That easy.  The only modification I made was adding the strip of fabric on the front.  Fancy pants.

It wasn’t meltdown free though. I broke my sewing machine needle.  (I’m still unsure how I managed this.)  I couldn’t get the screw loosened to replace the needle.  I called Nate bawling.  He didn’t care.  Tax season. Blah. Blah.  My sinus infection worsened.  My lymph node swelling increased.  I finally got the needle replaced.  The dog was barking his silly little head off at his archnemesis (the poodle across the street). Barking is a new thing for Ike.  I am not impressed. Sewing drama.

Even with all of that, I still completed the cover in around 1-1 1/2 hours.  I’m killing this sewing stuff lately.  I think I’ll make myself a dress. *knee slap*

Pretty old lady Kindle cover was totally worth it.

Anyone else tackling the Pinterest challenge?  Do you follow me on Pinterest?  Do I follow you? (Leave your link.)  Any good beach read recommendations for me?  Are you on Goodreads?  (Find me here!)

Pyrex Addict

I’m back. I’ve been sick for a week.  Viral infection turned sinus infection.  I’m such a baby when I’m sick. Seriously.  I’m a sad, disgusting mess.  Luckily for Nate, I don’t get sick often.  And Ike has been taking excellent care of me.

My family came down this week-end.  I told them on Thursday that I was getting better.  I really thought I was.  The other bad thing about me getting sick?  I lose my wittiness and that makes me sad.  Ask my brother.  I had no comebacks this week-end.  Lame. Slam after slam and I just shook my head and agreed to avoid a coughing fit.  This also explains my lack of blog posts.  Who wants to read boring Michelle?  Not me.

I told myself that I was totally fine and headed on antiquing with the fam on Saturday morning.  We hit up a great antique mall in Coal Valley, Il.  Antiquing with the family makes me happy.

One of my favorite parts of the mall is this shop that has a room filled with pretty Pyrex.  (My mom doesn’t like the term “vintage pyrex” because that makes her vintage.  So I refrain.)

My cell phone pictures don’t do this room justice.  Heavenly. I want to live in this room.  Or have my kitchen cupboards look like this room.

This is what death looks like in heaven…right before she hacks her one of her lungs into one of those pretty pink bowls…

Unfortunately this shop is very pricey on their Pyrex. (Or maybe fortunately for Nate and our savings account.) I held out for the next store where I previously scored some Pyrex bargains.

Good thing! These lovelies were marked ~$7 compared to the ~$20 in the pretty Pyrex shop.

Now I’m going to have to start cooking.  What the what?

Nate informed that I really have to stop buying Pyrex because we are running out of room.  I should do a poll on this topic.  But my lymph nodes are too swollen to put that together…

Anyone else addicted to Pyrex?  Is there a kitchen item that you just can’t pass up?  Anyone else revert to childlike behavior when they are ill?

Q&A

I was tagged by Carol at The Design Pages in a Q&A blog thingy. I’m really quite horrible at following through on these tags.  I don’t want to be the girl that everyone keeps inviting to the party but then she never shows…because that’d be me in real life and blog Michelle is much cooler.  (I’ve also been tagged by Erin at His and Hers and Cassie at Primitive and Proper but Carol was the most recent and I’m too lazy to find the other tags.  Visit their blogs though…after you read my nonsense.) 

Here are the rules...

You must post the rules
Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you; then create 11 questions to ask the people you've tagged
Tag 11 people and link them in your post
Let them know you have tagged them

1.  What's the one thing you can't resist ordering when you eat at a restaurant

Depends on the type of restaurant.  My friends joke that they have to choose a restaurant that has chicken nuggets/strips or I won’t go.  It’s about 98% true.  I have learned to eat things like steak or fettucine alfredo at fancy restaurants.  I really do prefer chicken nuggets.

2.  What's your biggest blogging accomplishment?

Is it weird that this is the hardest question for me to answer?  The first thing that comes to mind is our headboard being featured on Apartment Therapy…

I’m proud of that project but not necessarily of that post. Part of me wants to rewrite it.  The other part of me thinks I should leave it for history’s sake.

I think my biggest accomplishments are more the relationships I have developed with fellow bloggers and the fun opportunities that have arisen from the blog. Examples: free lights from Barn Light Electric, working with the DIY Network, working with Glidden on My Colortopia, etc.

3.  Skinny jeans, boot cut or wide leg jeans?

I’m a boot cut girl.  I have a pair of skinny jeans.  I kind of like them.  I feel like people look at me funny in them.  It’s probably not realistic.  It’s just how I feel.

4.  What's the one thing you'd like to improve on your blog?
I think I need to work on my photography.  My photos are pretty decent when Nate takes them.  They are all crooked and weird when I take them.  Baby steps.

5.  What kind of car do you drive?

A 2006 silver Jeep Liberty. I will drive this car to the ground.  I like nice things but I really don’t care about cars.  It’s nice but has no fancy features.  I think if I had to find a car that described me.  It would be this car.

via Ross Premier Motors(I can’t find a picture of my actual car but it looks just like this)

6.  How many hours do you sleep at night?

I usually sleep from 10PM-6:45AM.  I’m one of those people that needs a lot of sleep.  I do not function with anything less than 8.  Seriously.  My heart stops.  I also check your mother’s/father’s/grandfather’s medications all day.  You do not want me to be sleep deprived.

7.  What one word would your best friend use to describe you?

My dog best friend would use the word “awesome” to describe me.

As for the human best friend, I waver between “responsible” and “funny”.  Beings I can only choose one I’ll go with “responsible”.  My friends are all crazy (good crazy).  Someone needs to be the voice of reason, right?

8.  What is the architectural style of your home?

Iowan?  I’m really horrible with design/architecture terms.  I really know nothing about design.  I just like to pretend I do.  You all can educate me.  What is the architectural style of my home?  It’d probably be good for me to know.

9.  Is there a blogger that you try to emulate?

Nope. I’m me.  I write what I feel like writing.  There are times that I worry that people will stop reading this nonsense.  And then more people read it.  So I’m sticking with me.  I guess if I have to actually answer the question I’d like to be a mix of Ree Drummond, Katie Bower, and Erika Powell.  The first two are witty and the last has this classy design/personal style.  Good combo.

10. What is the one thing you regret not having learned?

I really wish I knew how to play the piano.  I don’t know why.  It’s just one of those things I’ve always wanted to do.  Maybe if I have children I will force them to learn so I can live vicariously through them.  That’s what good mothers do.  Add that to my “pros” list for having children.

11. Do you work out regularly and if so, what is your routine?

Yes, I do.  Working out is my Zoloft.  It keeps me sane.  In the summer I walk for about an hour every night with Nate and the Ike man.  During the winter I use the elliptical for about 20 minutes and then 15-20 minutes of pilates.  As a medical professional, I strongly encourage physical exercise.  *Steps off soap box.*

Now it’s my turn….11 Questions (I’m cheating.  Answer the questions above because they are good and because I am lazy). 11 Bloggers.  (Pick yourselves.  The first 11 to answer the questions are the winners.  Woo hoo!  Let me know if you answer them!)

Dreaming About the ‘Splash

Yesterday I mentioned that zombies aren’t very good at buying birthday presents.  They aren’t very good at completing home improvement projects either.  I can’t be trusted with power tools so all the major stuff has to wait until Nate is de-zombified (real word)…or tax season is over.

That doesn’t stop me from dreaming up crazy projects instead of finishing the ones I can tackle on my own.

My latest obsession is our kitchen backsplash.  Watch yourself bare kitchen walls.

As a refresher (we have some new victims readers around here), here’s what our kitchen looks like now…




I love my kitchen.  Seriously. Love it.  But I think a good backsplash would really finish the room off.  There is always a “but” with me.  It’s a flaw.  I’m working on it.  Not really.

My newest obsession is white subway tile with dark grout…

via Kitchen Backsplashes

It took me about 3 years to come up with that one.  I’m on a roll.  I love the look a lot.  A lot, a lot.

I have a dilemma though.  Where do I end the backsplash around the hood?  I just can’t figure it out.  Nate won’t even humor me right now so I’m going to get opinions from strangers instead.  (I love blogging.  Seriously.  Love it.) 



I also love surveys so here you go….

(I should preface the following survey with: We aren't changing anything else in the kitchen so don't go giving me crazy ideas like taller cabinets, etc.  I come up with enough crazy things on my own.  But I do value all backsplash related opinions.)




Carry to share why you chose your answer?  Who’s digging the dark grout with white subway tile?  Or are you a fan of the classic white grout?

P.S. I have been horrible at commenting this week. I haven't forgotten about you all.  A virus has taken over my body.  I'll be back to my internet stalking ways soon!

Locally Grown

I think I’ve mentioned before that Nate is currently an accounting zombie. 

It’s really awesome having a birthday during a month when you’re husband is a zombie.  Zombies aren’t very good at buying birthday gifts.  And I’m one of those people who thinks their birthday celebration should last the entire month.  Can you tell?

I took matters into my own hands this year.  Along with increased cardio, I purchased my own birthday present. 

Do you like?

Because I love.  So much.

I fell in love with the sign when I saw it in Jen's living room during her holiday home tour…seen here! (I also want to move into Jen’s house.  Is that weird? Of course not.)  I needed to have that sign.  Happy Birthday to me!

I have Nate has such good taste.

Would you like a sign of your very own?  Head on over to Onion Grove Mercantile and check out Jen’s other lovely paintings.  Jen is a local Iowa girl so that automatically won her points in my book but her paintings definitely speak for themselves. Very unique..and awesome. She does custom orders (Think your very own state….shipped to you if you aren’t lucky enough to live in Iowa.). I wanted my sign in greens and that was no problem!

Anyone else buy their own birthday gifts?  What’s the favorite thing you purchased yourself for your birthday?

***I was in no way compensated for this post.  I bet Jen is laughing hysterically now.  I just love my precious sign so much that I had to share!***