Our Humble Abode: Kitchen

The kitchen is the most popular room in our house…probably because we spend a lot of time there.  Between three meals and two snacks, plus prep and clean-up, some days I feel like I rarely leave it!

Aside from the flooring, this room didn’t need much attention; it mainly just looked dated…a little paint goes a long way…

Before:

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We painted all of the cabinets a soft white, added a dishwasher, painted the walls and put in new flooring.

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A little brighter, yes?!

I left some of the cabinets exposed to show off some of my fun dishes and glassware.

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I LOVE fun dishes!
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Color!
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Wrexy found this set with a pitcher for me – love them!

We got this refrigerator from my brother.  It had been in storage and was pretty scratched up so I painted it with chalkboard paint.  It’s a fantastic place to write scripture or reminders and it gives the kids something to do when I’m cooking.

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Think on these things…

Wrex made this mason jar chandelier for me when we lived in Denver and there was no question that I was hanging it here, as well.

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Isn’t this awesome?!?
It's one of my favorite things in the house...
It’s one of my favorite things in the house…

Wrex also made these wire baskets that I placed above my cabinets, along with a few other fun, vintage finds…

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He’s pretty handy…
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I also have a thing for flour sifters…
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Rusty goodness…

My other favorite thing in the kitchen are these giant letters.

Indeed...
Indeed…

They were from the old Ogallala Livestock sale barn sign and they let Wrex have them when they updated their signage.

We used an old pallet for a dish display…

Yes, more dishes...
Yes, more dishes…

an old tool box as a silver ware holder…

DSCF2080and a peg board as a electrical box hider/utensil hanger.

It's handy!
It’s handy!

Our kitchen table is butcher block style and is banged up and scarred and for this point in our lives – it’s perfect…

DSCF2084I love that everyone likes to gather here, I just really wish we had a dining room.  We have a big family and we love to have everyone over and our small space makes that difficult.  One day…one day…

kitchen

Everywhere a Chick Chick

You might’ve seen this picture on Facebook this morning…

IMG_4772I ordered this shirt for little miss and it came in yesterday – perfect timing!  She giggled about it all afternoon because the chicken “looked silly with it’s hat and purse.”  🙂  She got to wear it to town today to pick up a very special delivery!

IMG_4774IMG_4776IMG_4775Baby chicks!

We ordered 100 red leg hens and they all arrived safe and sound.  We have about 70 layers right now but they’re all about egged out, so it was time to renew the herd?  Clutch?  What is a group of chickens called?  A brood or a peep, thank you, Google.

Sawyer handled every chick as she helped daddy count them all and help them get their first drinks of water.

DSCF2037DSCF2026DSCF2022They were absolutely smitten with her!  Every time she ventured into her space, they’d crowd around her and just stay.

DSCF2049DSCF2053DSCF2052Wryder thought they were AWESOME!  He’s gonna be a little chicken man, too, I’m thinking.

IMG_4787IMG_4779IMG_4777We had to have a few lessons on gentleness after he held one by the leg and waved it around, but he caught on quickly.  (Don’t tell PETA).

IMG_4786IMG_4784IMG_4783They’ll be laying eggs in seven to eight months.  Until then, I’m thinking I know some kids that will have some fun with them…a couple of adults, too; I could sit and watch them all day…DSCF2043DSCF2042DSCF2027See why Wryder just wanted to squeeze ’em?!

On The Go

This little guy…

IMG_4753is on the go!

He went swimming yesterday and I tried a few hundred times to get his picture without much luck; he was just too busy being a boy!

IMG_4746Most of my photo ops turned out like this:

IMG_4752or this:

IMG_4740or this:

IMG_4734or this:

IMG_4733or this:

IMG_4742See, I told you I tried.

I finally got a few decent shots…

IMG_4750IMG_4751I mean, at least you can see his face?  Right?!

And I got this cute one of sweet sister – she was ready for the camera!

IMG_4735This morning, we went out to jump on the trampoline and do a little yard work.  As we were picking up sticks, Wryder became incredibly enthusiastic so I let him have one to keep him busy.

IMG_4758IMG_4761IMG_4762He really enjoyed waving it around and banging it on, well, anything and especially…

IMG_4764IMG_4765IMG_4766IMG_4763I remember my little brother was a stick fanatic as well.  My poor mom was always searching for the broom handle, as he’d borrow it to bust out his latest ninja moves.  Some friends from Denver came down last fall and their boys had amassed a whole pile of sticks to take back home to the city – how cute is that?!

We love how boyish he is and how much energy he has and how he’s just always on the go…  Wonder WHERE in the world he gets that from?!  😉

Pinterest Picks

Oh man - how cool is this!?
Oh man – how cool is this!?
I'm seeing this in the kids' bathroom one day...
I’m seeing this in the kids’ bathroom one day…
I LOVE these fireworks lights!
I LOVE these fireworks lights!
Hehehe
Hehehe
Who's having a girl??  Let's get that shower started!
Who’s having a girl?? Let’s get that shower started!
Make.  Me.  Cry.
Make. Me. Cry.
What a cool art/memory piece!
What a cool art/memory piece!
Love the tractor table but I REALLY love that wallpaper!
Love the tractor table but I REALLY love that wallpaper!
Gorgeous sink...
Gorgeous sink…
I am now on the lookout for an old bike wheel...
I am now on the lookout for an old bike wheel…
And a cuckoo clock I can spray paint - this is awesome!
And a cuckoo clock I can spray paint – this is awesome!

 

 

Our Humble Abode: Mudroom

Oh, mudroom – how I love thee!  I desperately needed one at our old home and this place is no different.  It’s amazing what gets swept up out there…thankfully, it doesn’t end up in the house.

This room wasn’t in horrible shape but did need a little TLC. The ceiling wasn’t finished and it definitely needed a coat of paint, but besides that we didn’t change too much. We had some boards to replace and some trim to put in, but we kept the floor in this room.  Brown hides dirt, yes?!

Before:

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Fresh paint and our appliances...
Fresh paint and our appliances…

Wrexy built me a table to fold and sort laundry on (which I love)…as well as the missing sock clothesline.  We ended up putting galvanized metal on the ceiling to tie it in with other pieces of the house.

Functional - just what I need!
Functional – just what I need!
I love my apple basket laundry hampers!
I love my apple basket laundry hampers, even if they’re always full…

We made a clothespin chandelier and I absolutely love how it pops in this room!

Seriously adorbs, yes?!
Seriously adorbs, yes?!

I made this chalkboard/note holder at our previous home out of an old window from the farm.  I love it so much it had to live here…as well as the cool caricature of Wrex and I.

The fun wall!
The fun wall!

Wrex built a bench/cubby/coat rack – a necessity for us!

We have a few coats...
We have a few coats…

This room could’ve been in worse shape and us never have fixed it and I’d still love it just because it’s a place to kick off dirty shoes and undress and redress and house baby chicks and kittens and hairless dogs and keep all of those things out of the rest of the house!  Our front door rarely gets used…and I’m totally ok with that.

mudroom

Happy Birthday, Sexy Wrexy!

You are the most handsome of all.

wwGracious words stream from your lips.   God himself has blessed you forever.
IMG_4700Put on your sword, O mighty warrior!

9523_305261375334_374581_nYou are so glorious, so majestic!

481422_10152367365195335_2039080868_nIn your majesty, ride out to victory,
defending truth, humility, and justice.
Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!

228497_7419745334_5339_nYour arrows are sharp, piercing your enemies’ hearts.
The nations fall beneath your feet.

PhippsDec2013 (20)BESTEDITPsalm 45…a word the Lord gave me regarding you many years ago.  I pray it over you still, especially on your birthday.

You are a tremendous man of God and the fact that I get to spend my life with you humbles me daily.  I don’t know of anyone more loyal, gentle, loving, kind, forgiving, selfless, gracious, merciful, hard-working, even tempered, servant-hearted, encouraging or capable than you.  You are the glue that holds our family together.  You keep us grounded and rooted in the Lord and lead us in the ways of righteousness.

I’ve known you for 13 of your 32 years and am so proud of the man that you were, are and are becoming.  On this birthday, I bless you with health and vigor – 32’s not that old!  I bless you with boldness to shine the light of Jesus in dark places; boldness to be ok with being so different than the rest of the world (it’s a great thing).  I bless you with obedience, that you would continue fulfilling the Lord’s call for you and I pray that you will see the fulfillment of His promises regarding you.  I bless you with a sound mind and strong hands to do the work of the Lord.  I bless our marriage, that it would fulfill you and honor you and bless you right back.  I bless your coming in and going out…with the presence of Jesus in all that you do.

I love you, sweet husband of mine.  Happiest of birthdays to you!