Front Porch Progress : Finished!

Our porch has undergone a lot of changes this spring. The run in with the car in March (read about it HERE) set us back time wise, but because we had to patch the floor, we were able to sand and paint it.

So now, I'm kind of glad it happened. I think...

I love the floor painted, it looks so clean and bright. The dark stain that we put on it before was pretty, but impossible to keep clean, it showed every footprint. And it didn't hold up well at all.

Here it is, freshly sanded and just before I started painting.

I used an oil based porch paint in a dark gray premixed color. I wanted it to contrast with the lighter gray of the siding.

I didn't prime first, but thinned the first coat with paint thinner so that it would really soak in. 

More pictures at different angles...

My hydrangeas are blooming, but they are pretty messy, I'm hoping they'll be happier next year. And the one on the end is down to a single branch, the leaves just keep turning yellow and then brown and drying up. Does anyone know what this could be?

The pillows I made from a remnant of an outdoor fabric that I bought at U-fab. (A local discount fabric shop)

I have more to make pillows for the back porch. Outdoor fabric has come a long way, this is 100% acrylic but so soft and not shiny at all.

So, I hope you enjoyed seeing some real progress - I know I am so glad to be done and hopefully will soon have something to show of the back porch!

Hello, Lovely Peach Cake!

My peaches are ripening a few at a time... and this is the happy result!

This cake is not quite shortcake, a little sweeter and more moist.

It is my Mother's old family recipe, and is also great with strawberries if you want something other than a traditional biscuit-like shortcake.


'Mom's Not-Shortcake'


2 cups flour

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

3tsp. baking powder

1 cup milk

1/4 tsp. salt


And like a lot of old recipes, you have to figure out in what order to add ingredients - no directions.

I baked it in a 9" round pan and then sliced it to make two layers, then layered whipped cream with sliced peaches.

This was so good, we even had some for breakfast this morning!

Have a happy weekend!

Summer Fun!

We've had such fun the last few days!  My two nieces are visiting and we've been going full blast!

This crayon art was an idea from Pinterest - it was a great way to use up extra crayons.

First we peeled the crayons,

then we hot-glued them to card stock, (I think using a canvas or something more firm would work better, the paper got kind of wavy.)

Next, we melted them with a hair dryer.

We found that bright colors look best. And that too much heat can re-melt the hot glue and make the crayons fall off.

The children really thought it was neat!

This morning we went to the peach orchard.

It's such a scenic place, and the breeze blowing kept it cool.

To bad the peaches weren't very ripe. But we had fun picking anyhow.

Then this afternoon, water balloon time!

The cousins have to leave soon and we hate to see them go. It's been such a great time!

My children will feel a little lost without them!

Ferns

Love the ferns - hope they last a long time. 

Because I like simple decorating, or maybe am just lazy, I could leave the mantel like this till fall...

We are very thankful to be done with school and enjoying low key lazy summer days...

Oh, I used lazy twice already, must be really getting in to it!

Looking forward to a few hours of Auntie time with the twins this afternoon, and then we get to have my two nieces from the other side of the family here for several days.

I'm hoping we can pick strawberries at a patch if there's any left and I've heard peaches are ripe....

Little Brother Turns Five!

Yesterday, we had a birthday party for our little guy.

Warning: lots of pictures to follow!

 I printed these Angry Bird faces off the internet and glued them to gift bags.

Pig can game. This was fun!

Pin the "beak" on the bird.

My sister and family were able to come-was so fun to see and hold the twins!

Cake time!

 Wallet from Dad!

New Elephant and Piggy book - we love these!

More gifts....

Here's a series of pictures showing him discovering silly string...

First belt, I know, isn't he kind of old for not having a belt?  But we are casual around here.

Lollipops are good no matter where you sit...

At the end of the day, a very tired little boy working on Legos with Dad's help.