Grandpa Rocks!

My girls have the best grandpa in the entire world. He is one of those guys that make you feel like you are the most special person on the planet. He is caring, kind, compassionate, and has the biggest heart in the world. We are so lucky to have this incredible man in our lives and we believe he walks on water. The girls were talking today about their pops and these are some of the things they said they love about him...
*Because you think we are angels...you even call our hair feathers
*You play with us for hours and never get tired
*Because you listen to all of our stories
*Every time you get a drink you always get us one too
*Because you have never gotten mad
*Bike rides with you are always fun
*You take us anywhere we want to go and have fun with us
*Because you always smell so good
*You are always there for us when we need you
*You believe in us and always encourage us
*You always tell us about your dreams
*You line dry your pants because you like the crispy feeling from the sun
*Because you raise our chickens
*You take us places nobody else does
*You trust us and teach us
*Anytime we want to play a game your are always up for it
*When we were little you always let us walk in your boots
*You always buy us donuts
*Because you have cute eyes
*And most of all because you love us!

GRANDPA YOU ROCK, WE LOVE YOU POPS!

The Summer Sale

A Natural Pick Me Up

I have been needing a pick me up lately with everything going on in our family, so tonight I decided to put my camera around my neck, grab a glass of wine, and head outside. I am ashamed to say I don't spend near enough time in my yard as I use to, it kinda maintains itself at this point. A few years back I planted these gorgeous pink wild rose bushes and the climbing honeysuckle around my gazebo in the backyard. It was so refreshing and invigorating walking up to the gazebo tonight and seeing these in full bloom.

I've been kinda feeling like my lovely goddess statue lately...Minus the lovely and loosing my head a bit!

I sat outside and really reflected on my life and all things important to me. I am so grateful to have a beautiful place among mother nature to go and meditate when times are hard. Cheers to you and all of your beautiful invigorating outdoor spaces. xo, Alys

Central Laundry Block 2127

So the past weekend has been a real downer. The hunk became extremely ill Friday evening and by midnight Saturday we found ourselves in the Emergency Room. After 6 hours and several diagnostic tests the Dr's told us that he has a blood clot in his lung. We both freaked out initially not knowing exactly what this means or if he is going to be OK! The Dr's have been very kind and helped to explain this diagnoses to us. They admitted him Stat to the hospital with no guarantee of when he will be coming home. We have been sitting in the hospital room now for 2 days and it has become to feel like a jail cell block. Not a whole lot to do besides play cards, read and watch TV. We have been kidding around calling it Central Laundry Block #2127 because this is stamped on every piece of hospital scrubs they bring for him to wear. The kids came and drew this fabulous picture of the hunk for him to look at on the wall while he is recovering. I didn't bring a camera with me to the hospital so these cell phone pics will have to do for now.

What else do you do when you have 24 hours to sit and wait, worried sick hoping everything will be OK....You take pictures of your feet!

Surprise Birthday Bedroom Makeover

This past weekend The Hunk and I spent remodelling and redecorating my daughter Aspens bedroom for her birthday. She is going into Junior High School and her bedroom was a bit outdated for her age. She is also having her tonsils taken out this month and we thought this would be a nice surprise for her to relax and veg out in while she is recovering from her surgery. She had no idea I was planning this! She left for the weekend to grandmas house and we got right to work. "If any of you are thinking about doing this I HIGHLY RECOMMEND doing it while the kids are away...We took out 6 bags of treasures/ I mean trash that over her dead body would she have let us remove!"

I love the way this room makeover turned out. I had hinted around asking her if she could have her room any color what color would she want and she said Plum & Green...I was thinking how in the world and I going to pull off Plum & Green, If you have been to my home you know I love neutrals and warm earth tones. I am shocked at how gorgeous this all came together!

This chandelier was a 15.00 flea market find. I painted it black with high gloss paint and added the antique french beaded shades and crystals to give it a very chic look.

You should have seen her face when she walked into her new bedroom! She said, "Mom I can't believe it, I didn't even know my room could look this awesome! Wow, I don't know what I love the most, the chandelier, futon, or the flat screen TV!" I guess all the hard work paid off, she loves it!

The wall decals were something new for me to try out and I love how they really make the walls pop. I purchased them at Ikea, however you can buy them online as well.

Grove and Garden; Signum Pro Vita

A good friend of mine and local artist Gary Killpack will be exhibiting his art work at the Grove and Garden: Signum Pro Vita art gallery located at The Covey Center Art Gallery. It will be open Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and is free. The opening reception is June 5 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.; the public is welcome, black tie affair. This will be one of the highlights of my summer and I look forward to seeing you all there! xo Alys

Summer Sale