Door Knob Makeover

 Little inexpensive finishes can make a big difference.  Take,  for instance, our doors. Some of them badly chipped and worn, all adorned with gold handles, some with silver on one side. We made a trip to the hardware store to compare prices and explore our options. The least expensive handles in the style we liked were about eleven dollars each. We needed nine, so for about one hundred dollars, we could have all new handles. Or, we could lightly sand our existing handles with a fine grit sandpaper, spray with this:

  ...and have the style we liked for less than ten dollars total. Not bad. So my husband is patiently taking down all the doors in need of sanding and a fresh coat of paint, removing the handles, and turning this:

Into this!

And they are holding up great. All for 1/10 the cost. Love it.

Restoration Hardware

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 Our kitchen is in the process of getting a much needed makeover. We have been experimenting and budgeting to see what we can and should do. One of the items on the priority list is changing the hardware. Our existing hinges were covered in thick coats of paint, which we needed to remove. Here's how to do it. First, cover the bottom of an old pan with baking soda (preferably a pan you don't plan on using again.)

 Put your hardware in the pot and cover with water. Boil for thirty minutes. 

 When the timer goes off, remove the metal object with a pair of tongs and place on wax paper or foil. 

 Most of the paint should peel off with your hands. You might need a metal tool to get into the crevices. If the paint is stubborn or in multiple layers, you might need to repeat the process until all the paint is gone. 

If you have cool, interesting or original hardware, this is a natural way to restore metal pieces without resorting to harsh paint stripping chemicals. Once you've removed the paint, you can polish with a 2-in-1 oil or other metal oil to revive the metal. 

Pumpkin Patch

 A gorgeous sunny day. A list of chores on the one hand, a warm October afternoon on the other.

Option 1: Stay and clean. Option 2: Clean later and go enjoy the outdoors. We went with option #2. That sun was just calling me outdoors. Leave the chores for a rainy day. Today we are going to meet friends at the pumpkin patch. We need us some pumpkins. Bumpy, round, adorable pumpkins. And now we are warming up to the idea of fall.

Driving across these bridges on our way to Sauvie Island Pumpkin Patch, I was reminded of the many reasons I love the Pacific Northwest. My jaw dropped crossing this first bridge; I had a view of Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens, and, I think, Mt. Adams (or Rainier)? Wow, incredible. 

Happy Fall, 

Jess

Baby Boy Gifts

 We just got home from a trip to the East Coast. I hope to post some pictures of all our exploring soon, but first I wanted to follow up with gifts I made for a friend. Her boy is due next month, and she is busy decorating the nursery in a woodland theme.

Tummy time quilt

Hedgehog and flannel burp cloths

I also knit him a pair of orange ribbed legwarmers, but forgot to take a picture before I gave them. They are in Ohio, so, sadly. no pictures until I make more. To make a pair yourself, check out this post. For a ribbed 'boyish' set, cast on 12 stitches on three double pointed needles. Continue knitting each row with knit 2 purl 2, until you reach your desired length. Cast off. I recently posted a basic knitting tutorial if you aren't sure how to cast on, knit, purl, or cast off.

We are taking in the last moments of warmth before the cold, gray fall weather officially sets in. I am not  ready to say goodbye to the sun. Not yet. I plan to take advantage of the few days of sun promised in this week's forecast.

Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp

Freshly picked

Lil' sweety

"Keep Calm and Carry On"... And Fold the Laundry

 "There, that's beautiful," beamed my four-year-old daughter as she carefully put the last clip in my hair.

 "Thanks," I told her, before hanging the next load of laundry on the line. Hearing giggles behind me, I turned to see the neighbor kids spying on me from over the fence. I'm sure they appreciated the dozen or so brightly colored mismatched clips adorning my hair. "Oh well," I thought. "I'll just smile and say hello."

 I was thinking about this today during nap time. It can get crazy around here. This morning, for instance, was a juggling act. I lost my patience after my husband's red carbonated beverage, mistakenly put in the freezer, literally exploded all over the kitchen walls, surfaces, ceiling and floor. At this point, I was praying aloud for patience, when two things simultaneously occurred to me. First, I can offer up this mess for people who need prayers. So we made a game of listing prayer intentions until the space was restored to a somewhat clean order.

 The second thing I thought of was I want my kids to see me as a firm but fun, peaceful, loving mom who bravely goes to the clothesline with a rainbow in my hair and a smile on my face. With every response, I'm teaching them how to deal with life. It's a huge responsibility balancing the demands of the day and maintaining peace in the home. At the end of the day, I may not have come close to accomplishing all I set out to do. But like my four year old admiring my hairdo, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If God is pleased, that's what counts. It's not about all the homeschooling lessons I perfectly planned, or the bathroom floor being meticulously cleaned  (although I would be the first to say a clean house is important.) How I do what I do is what's important.

  Not an easy task for an impatient, type double A person such as myself. I know not everyone is as crazy as I am. But if I'm not alone, and you have days when you struggle making it to the gloriously awaited hour of bedtime, I share with you my top 10 "de-stressing" tips I'm trying to live by (with emphasis on the word 'trying'):

 1. Start each day with a prayer. I've been slacking on this lately, and it shows. My day goes so much better if I take a few minutes in the morning to quiet my mind and ask Jesus to help me be His hands and feet.

 2. Repeat step 1 throughout the day when I feel overwhelmed. And even when things are going smoothly or we're having a great time, GIVE THANKS.

 3. Take deep breaths. I'm not kidding.

 4. Find a creative outlet to clear the mind. Knit, sew, draw, bake, read, or send a handwritten note to a friend. Ignore the scribbling on the envelope drawn by your budding artist. Send it anyway; it might help your friend have a good day.

 5. Walk outside for fresh air and a look at the garden. Don't think about the weeds for the moment, just focus on beautiful flowers and growing pumpkins. Maybe even enjoy a cup of tea, sit in a chair, and listen to the birds.

No, this is not me. I still have clips in my hair.

 6. Set realistic expectations. My sister tells me, "Do the best you can, while you can, all for the glory of God." Sometimes it's helpful to write down daily goals so when my head swarms, I can stay on target.

 7. Try to set aside the work and spend some time just enjoying the kids. Read with them, play hide-and-go seek, or color.

 8. Sing and dance to your favorite music. Even if you can't sing or dance.

 9. Take care of your health. Don't let your blood sugar drop, drink plenty of water, try to get sleep, and make time for exercise. You'll feel better.

 10. Try and get out once a week for some alone time and/or a date with your hubby. I never used to do either on a regular basis. But for the past several months since the baby was born I've found I'm a better momma if we squeeze this in. A short mental break helps restore my energy and creativity at home. It's worth making the time.

It really is such a privilege being a mom. And in moments of desperation, when I feel like these selfish bones can't give anymore, I remember the wise advise from all the experienced moms I meet who tell me to enjoy every minute because too soon I'll miss the messes in the kitchen.

Another Row Knit

 In the car or nursing, at our lemonade stand, or sitting at the picnic table listening to the Avett Brothers station on Pandora with the garden lights on and the kids tucked in bed, I'm working on baby gifts. On the knitting needles I currently have orange legwarmers. Working the yarn relaxes the mind and I can feel any tension from the day melt away. 

 It's usually just a few minutes here or there, but I that's what's great about knitting. Conveniently portable. So I can weed a patch in the garden, and sit for a minute and knit two, purl two. 

Home Again Home Again

  We've had lots of family and friends visiting the last couple months, and this is the first quiet night I have had in a long time. After all the busyness, I feel like I can't settle my brain to focus on what I need to catch up on around the house. Maybe I am a type Double A, as my friends tell me. I am almost positive I am. Sometimes its hard to let go of my mental list and relax. So tonight, before I folded another load of laundry, I grabbed my camera to capture the sunset. It warmed everything with a orangeish-yellow hue that made everything look sort of unreal. I love summer. Soaking up the sun on a sandy beach, hanging clothes on the line, watering the garden before the sweltering afternoon sun dries my flowers and tomatoes, picking fresh berries, sitting around a bonfire, wearing skirts and sandals, watching the kids chase butterflies. I am trying to enjoy every bit of it before fall begins and another school year starts. It always seems to fly by so quickly. 

I know I have been M.I.A. lately, but since I have several gifts to make, frequent posts will motivate me to stay on track. 

I hope your summer has been going well! 

Now I am trying to decide, fold that laundry or knit?