Give me your vote...

After painting the bed a few weeks ago, the bedroom has jumped to the top of the "to do" list. I am not ready to show you the entire room, there is still a lot to finish. What I need help with tonight is whether to re-hang the mirror above the dresser or to hang pictures above the dresser. It is a point of disagreement here. Not going to tell you who likes the mirror and who would like to see it go!

What are your thoughts.....

No mirror

(dresser still needs new hardware)

Here is the mirror painted.

And in case you missed the before picture....

Oh dear, what an awful before picture.

What would you do....

re-hang the mirror above the dresser?

or

hang pictures above the dresser?

or

maybe you have an idea we didn't think of?

Eat, sleep, play....

Please forgive us,  we are behind on recipe posts and I don't have any great project to share. I only have one excuse and his name is Blue. Yes, my dear friends raising a puppy has stopped us in our tracks. There are days we feel like we have gone back to the days of having a toddler. Let me explain....

1. Puppy Proofing the House: We needed to get down on all fours and crawl around the house looking for those interesting objects which Blue will want to chew. Keep all doors closed to prevent the puppy from entering. If you hear silence, there is a good chance Blue has found something to chew....

2. Teach the Do's Nobody likes to hear the word "no" all day and neither does Blue. Cheerios's have been our choice of treats. Distraction and positive reinforcement goes a long way.

3. Stock up on paper towels: No explanation needed....

4. Have fun buying new puppy toys: Lots of puppy toys, to have them destroyed and then go shopping again.

What is your guess....ball or slipper?

5. Teach older sibling how to share: It is tough to be the only dog and have all the attention, and then need to learn how to share. Over time Lily has learned it is good to have a built in playmate....and sharing the couch really isn't that bad.

6. A puppy can out smart you: Just when I think all my bases are covered, Blue does it again and sneaks in and surprises me. For as slow as he looks, he is one quick puppy.

7. Sleepless nights: Week one Blue woke every 2 hours to go outside...in the cold...in the snow. Week two we only needed to get up 3 times a night. Week two my co-workers asked my way I looked so tired. One word....puppy!  I am happy to report Blue is sleeping through the night!

8. How to deal with crying and a fussy puppy at night: Co-sleeping, I know it was a bad habit to start, but I do need to get to work and have full night of sleep.  I also realized my husband still knows how to pretend he is asleep when the baby puppy wakes.

9. Wear them out: Walk him, run him, play with him!

10. Shh.....baby is sleeping:Whisper, tip toe, don't look at him, don't walk by him....and if you wake him....he is now your responsibility!

11. Are you on? This was one of our favorite lines when the kids were little, "Are you on?"  because I'm not! He is on your watch......because you know as soon as you turn your head he is eating your furniture.

12. Give up on cleaning: Blue thinks the broom is a toy, isn't the paper towel for me to chew and I love to bark at the vacuum. Muddy paws on clean floors, dog hair, spilled water bowls...what did I miss?

13. Wear them out: Again and again and again.

And we'll do it all again tomorrow!

Linking to DebbieDoo's Pet Party

A day in the park....

This morning the kids were asking....let me rephrase that...This morning the kids were begging to go sledding. When I was growing up I loved to go sledding and would stay out until my toes and fingers were numb. As an adult I don't love the cold as much any more. I do love my kids, so off into the cold we go. On our way to the hill the outside temperature in the car read 17 degrees. I knew I  should have added more layers! My toes are cold just thinking about it!

Headed to the top...

There is a thin layer of ice under the powdery snow, which makes for perfect sledding conditions.

Tony's sled flew down the hill...

Maddie's saucer kept up pretty good...

if you look closely at the photo...

you come down the big hill to then go up a small hill and hopefully land at the top....

if not, you go backwards down the small hill!

Watch out Tony the girls are driving...

Maybe it would help if they didn't cover their eyes...

just thinking!

Sarah spinning down the hill....

Feeling a little dizzy...

Mom and dad these are especially for you....


Tony the rocket....



They want to do it all over again tomorrow! Thinking maybe an extra pair of long john's, three pair of socks, and hot chocolate for the car ride home!

How do you stay warm on your sledding trips?

We hit a milestone...

Blue is growing up so fast. It is amazing how fast a puppy goes from baby to toddler to teenage to adult. If you haven't owned a dog, trust me they go through each phase! We are ready to move out of this toddler phase.  Although he hasn't lost any puppy teeth yet, so I think we'll be here for awhile.

Today we are celebrating his success in being able to climb (fly) down the stairs.....

Hello....Doesn't anyone see me up here?

Maybe I need to speak up....

Hello....aren't you coming up to carry me down?

You got to be kidding me....

You want me to actually go down these things?

Man if only these ears could be used for flying....

instead of blocking my view.

Now that he has hit this milestone he feels he needs to practice it every chance he gets.

Anyone have a baby gate I can borrow?

What to collect....

Tony and I had the pleasure to tour a local historic home this weekend. While touring this home, the owner asked us what we collected? We found ourselves in silence and couldn't seem to think of a collection. We don't think kids toys, Wii games or dog toys count...do they? How about the collection of snow shoes and winter coats laying in a pile at the back door? Nope, don't think that counts either! Although, after touring his home we were both inspired to start collecting something...but what?

Maybe antique curling irons? (ouch...my hair hurts just looking at them!)

Antique keys....

Tins....

Cast iron toy stoves....

Tin cookie cutters....

Flour sifters....

Antique fans....

Spoons, jugs, glass jars....

Wooden boxes....

Antique leather shoes....

Glass jars...

Wooden signs....

After the tour we went to a local antique mall and tried to see what might fit our home and style.  We didn't find anything yet, but still thinking and looking.  I do love a good treasure hunt! How about you?

What is it?

We are still going through the photo's from yesterday, but thought you might like a guess at what this gadget might be used for....

My mom knew right away....

and I am thankful that technology has progressed

and I don't need to use one of these every morning!

What do you think??