I Heart Photo Challenge ~ Silly

Head on over to my business blog

And check out the silly person in our life.

Cassi

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My new Craft Table

My craft room is getting closer and closer to completion. It has been exciting to see my drawings from 6 years ago come to fruition. Steve has been working on my long table for weeks now and it is finally done! He did a great job designing and building it. We started with three metal file cabinets. We painted them a brushed nickel so they would match. Then Steve was great at reusing some wood from an old box spring we had.

For the top we used white laminate wood. The base was tricky, we had to add an inch to each side since the middle cabinet was taller than the other. Look- there he is working hard.  

 For the final piece he added trim to the sides. This really made the table solid and finished looking. The table spans 10.5 feet by just over 2 feet. One side will be for sewing and the other side will be for scrapbooking and other paper crafts.

Check out our links page to see the blogs we've linked our project to.

~ Cassi

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Five Minute Friday ~ Tender

Friday is here so I am linking up with Lisa-Jo at The Gypsy Mama and her Five Minute Fridays. Which means below is five minutes of unedited writing on a topic of her choosing.

Topic: Tender

I have stated before here and here, that I am going to be an Aunt soon. In preparing for this new experience I have been around baby stuff more and more. This stirs up all those old memories. Of tiny baby shoes, soft blankets and lavender smells.

Then Mouse brought home a school project to work on a book about her. We brought out the old scrapbooks and poured over the day of her birth and the months to follow. All those memories flooded back. Her preemie body curled up on top of ours while she slept. Her hand reaching for her Womb Pooh ( a stuff animal that made white 'womb' noises). Tracing her delicate features as she slept.

As I trace her still delicate features as she sleeps this baby going on tween. I long for some of those years back. Those Tender moments that come so rarely now.

~ Cassi



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House of Pizza Review

Last weekend we were coming home from a short weekend getaway.  In passing through the town of St. Cloud, MN, we decided it was lunch time.  Pizza became the choice.  Cassi started searching for local pizza places and found one called House of Pizza
Reviews were good and it was easy to drive to.  We parked, went in, climbed the steps (it is on the second floor of a building) and found a table.  We were not greeted by anyone when entering the restaurant which worried me, will service be bad?  The restaurant is very clean which, for some reason, I took note of.  After a few minutes a waitress came out to take our order.  We started with cheesy garlic bread which was perfect.

We ordered a large Classic Pizza.  This pizza has sausage, mushrooms and onions on it.  Pizza arrived and we all grabbed pieces but noticed it looked a little different.  The mushrooms were yellowish in color.  I started eating and stated that the mushrooms seemed like cheap canned mushrooms.  Reviews stated the sauce is great, in our mind it was below average.  Not much flavor or spice, no craving for the really saucy piece.  The sausage was good and the onion was a little heavy.  Cassi couldn't eat many pieces and Mouse only had one or two, she filled up on the Cheesy Bread. 
We were excited to try House of Pizza, still trying to find a better place then Mr. Pizza in Rochester MN.  House of Pizza does not make it in the top 5 of recommended pizza restaurants.  Pricey and not much flavor.

~Steve

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What I Wore Wednesday~ Black & Gray

Black and gray are definately my stand by colors. I tend to grab them if I am not sure what else to wear. It is slowly rubbing off on Steve. OK, maybe it's because I pick out some of his clothes :)

Here is what we wore the other week including date night.

Sweater / Tank: Thrift     

Pants: New York & Co      

Boots: Bass Outlet  

Necklace: Avon  

                                                            

Sweater, Tights Socks: Target

Tank: Old Navy  

Skirt: Thrifted  

Boots: Bass Outlet  

Necklace: Maurices

Jacket: Thrifted

Shirt: Van Huessen

Shoes: Bass Outlet

Jeans: GAP

What are you wearing? Find out what the rest of blogland is wearing by linking up with the Pleated Poppy and Marissa at Rae Gun.

~ Cassi

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I Heart Faces Photo Challenge

Head on over to my business blog today. And check out my "By the Books" photo post.

~ Cassi

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Five Minute Friday ~ Vivid

It's Friday that means it's time to do 5 minute Friday with Lisa-Jo and the rest of the girls who link up at The Gypsy Mama blog. It means Lisa-Jo picks a topic and we write for 5 minutes, no editing.

Topic: Vivid

Wow that is a tough topic. I guess I am not feeling the vividness here. Winter has finally arrived in Minnesota. This week has been cold and gray. And then cold some more (-16 degrees cold). Between the cold and the pain in my chest I am not seeing vivid.

Chest pain is from Costochondritis. I was diagnosed with it just after Christmas. When I went to the emergency room with extreme chest pain. I then spent an hour convincing them I wasn't having a heart attack. They did the expensive test anyways. Costochondritis is the inflammation of the cartilage attaching the ribs to the sternum. It sucks and it hurts.

This has made it so it hurts to do most everything. So between that and the cold spell. I am not really feeling the Vivid.

It is something I need to work on. To see the vivid in the midst of gray.

~ Cassi



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Restaurant Review: BLVD Kitchen

A few weeks ago Mouse had vision therapy in part of the Twin Cities we never get to.  Because of this we got on our smart phones and looked for a nice new restaurant to try.  After searching many restaurants and trying to decide what we really were hungry for we found a place called BLVD Kitchen. 

BLVD Kitchen was located around a lot of shopping and was busy for lunch.  We were able to get seated right away.  The wait staff was friendly and even answered questions that Mouse had.  Decor was eclectic with a mixture of subway tiles and wood on the walls and a cool fireplace.

What we ate:
Cassi:  Royale Burger
Good burger, messy burger.  Not on par with other burgers (the Brick burger is what all burgers are compared to)

Steve:  Pulled Pork Sandwich on pretzel bun.  Coleslaw
This was really good, Enjoyed the mixture of coleslaw with the pork and pretzel bun.  A little messy but, well worth the extra napkins.

Mouse:  Chicken Goldrush (with fried egg) and Thai Chicken soup
She ate everything on her plate.  A rarity, plus eating the egg was a surprise to me, she really is not an egg eater, must be because Cassi did not do well with eggs while pregnant with Mouse.

We would recommend the restaurant to anyone.  Good food and enough choices to go back and try again.
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What I Wore Wednesday ~ More Shorts and Tights

This week on what I wore I am featuring shorts and tights again. And my favorite pair of brown boots. Ok really they are my only pair of knee high brown boots.

First picture: T-shirt from Old Navy (you can't see it but it has beads on the dear head) Long Sleeve Tee and tights: Target, Shorts: Thrifted, Knee high socks: I am not sure, Boots: Bass Outlet.
Second Outfit same boots and socks, Brown skirt: Thrifted, Top: Van Huessen, Sweater: Target, Necklace: Express.

What are you wearing? Find out what the rest of blogland is wearing by linking up with the Pleated Poppy and Marissa at Rae Gun.

~ Cassi





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I Heart Faces Challenge ~ Family Fun

I Heart Faces challenge this week is Family Fun. This picture isn't technically to great but I have always loved the emotion in it. We often talk about how quiet our house is. We have us three and two cats. And for the most part unless the TV is on or it's morning feeding for the fur balls it's pretty quiet. Neither Steve or I were the class clowns. Goof ball antics are not the norm. So when I was snapping pictures of us on the couch one day Mouse got pretty carried away. I don't even remember why she was covering her Dad's mouth but we were laughing pretty hard. If it wasn't for this picture it would have become a forgotten moment.

Want more technical shots visit my business site Bright Photography. But most importantly grab a camera and snap some shots to remember the moments that make you laugh.

~ Cassi

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Hutch Make Over

I told you we have been up to many projects. We finally have a project completely done. I have been dreaming of this hutch since we first started talking about a craft room in the basement. I even started a pinterest board on ideas for the craft room. The whole room isn't quite finished yet but the conversation piece is done.
I searched for months looking for the perfect hutch. Steve and I picked up this large hutch off of craigslist. And what a small world it is, after months of searching this one ended up in the town next to ours and as we were picking it up we saw Steve's co-worker, who lives across the street from the person we bought it from. We took it home and it sat for a while while we finished the rest of the basement.

Once we were ready I gave it a top to bottom cleaning. I decided I wanted to try the Chalk Paint that everyone is talking about. Mostly I wanted to do this so I didn't have to sand again. I wasn't looking forward to it after the vanity. So I decided to do the homemade chalk paint. I did a 1 part plaster paris to 2 parts paint mix. And you know what, I am not sold on it. It took three coats of the paint mix and then two coats of regular paint to finally get it covered. Also the paint chips off pretty easily but it works.

Once the outside was painted I decided to paint the inside a light gray color. Steve then did the final coats of paint and cleaned the windows. It was then that we took a look at the hinges. Oh they were a mess! Steve removed the hinges and cleaned the up and sprayed them a nice brushed nickel. They look so much better now.

Then it was done! My fabric never looked so good.

Check out our linked page to see the places we've linked up to.

~Cassi


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Five Minute Friday ~ Awake

It's Friday time to write, unedited for five minutes. Join the rest of writing this Friday at The Gypsy Mama

Topic: Awake

I am slowly awakening to a side of me that has been lost for a long time. Last weekend I painted.
Now you might say that I have painted a lot in the last year, basements, vanities, various other projects but that is not the painting I am talking about.

Last weekend I got together with my Father (the Artist) and had him show me the basics again. How to paint a picture. A picture on pulled tight canvas. The oils mixed and the hour flew past.

That weekend has brought to mind the years in art classes, the hours watching my Father paint. Then I read this post and it hit me. With the photography and the decorating and the sewing there was still a piece of me missing. The piece I got from both an Earthly Father and a gift from a Heavenly Father. I need to create.

So this year I plan to awaken that artistic side again.

Cassi
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Growing out of decore

As we finish the basement the decor came out of boxes.  For years I have collected beer signs, mugs, lights, all with the thought of hanging them in the new basement.  One day we took all the beer decor out and set it around the basement.  We looked, discussed, moved items around and then looked at each other and said "not all of this is going up on the walls"  I was surprised that I felt this way.  Years of looking at antique stores and flee markets for just the right addition to my collection came down to a few minute decision not to show it.  I spoke with my Dad about not putting all this decor up.  I inherited a lot of the signs from him.  He collected the signs throughout the years.  He just stated, "yeah, sometimes you grow out of this stuff"  I never thought I would.  Cassi and I decided to hang and showcase some of the more classic signs.  It will blend with the rest of the art on the walls.  The rest is in a box, ready to give to a neighbor who will proudly display them in his garage.

Steve


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What I Wore Wednesday ~ My Winter Coat

This has been the warmest winter I can remember in years. But, that is by Minnesota standards so it is still cold enough to wear a winter jacket. Here is my winter jacket.

I love the patent leather accents and toggles.

What are you wearing? Find out what the rest of blogland is wearing by linking up with the Pleated Poppy and Marissa at Rae Gun.

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I Heart Faces Challenge ~ Best Faces of 2011

Posting over at Bright Photography today.

Check it out.

Cassi

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Soon, I promise

It might seem like we haven't been doing many projects lately, but I promise we have some in the works. We have been finishing the last details in the basement. So we still have those pictures to post. We have also been working on a craft/sewing room. Not quite finished there but soon.

What do we have planned for 2012?
Well to keep us accountable here is a small list of projects:

• Paint main bathroom
• Redecorate main bath
• Decorate finished basement
• Paint painting for main living room
• Hang gallery wall in main living room
• Repaint kitchen and hallway. (Amazing how dirty walls look when the ones around it have new paint)

We also have some outdoor projects planned:

• Add privacy hedge
• Add privacy fence in backyard
• Build backyard couch and chair and table
• Plant more flowers and veggies and a tree (or 2)

OK, I think that covers it. Here is a sneak peak of what we have been working.

~ Cassi

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Five Minute Friday ~ Roar

It may be a new year but Friday's mean Five Minute Fridays. Just five minutes of pure writing, no editing and no do overs. The we link up with the topic provider Lisa-Jo at The Gypsy Mama.

Today's topic: Roar

OK the first think that came to mind (as I am sure it did with a few of you woman) was "I am woman hear me Roar." No!?? Really??

I remember the first time I heard that song, it was from my cousin we were around 11 and 9 at the time. We were at  Christmas sitting in her basement, she was belting the song that line of the song out at the top of her lungs. I had never hear it before but at that age I liked it. The idea that we were woman not mere children.

It was later as I worked through a minor in Women Studies, that the song had meaning. Sometimes, many times we as women needed to Roar.

I know look at my daughter and hope she roars. That she is gaining the strength and courage to roar for the injustices she will see. The passions that will drive her. I hear her soft roars now in her righteous pleas of fairness. I pray they grow stronger that she will not be defined by culture but by the Father. That she will roar for him in ways I can't even begin to imagine.

~ Cassi

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The gnome from knit

For Christmas I received a wonderful gift from Cassi.  The type of gift I would never guess.  It was a Gnome doorstop.  Handmade by a wonderful, anonymous knitter.

The gnome has found a home in our basement.  He is guarding a corner right now, but I am sure he will move around to different parts of the basement.

~Steve

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What I Wore Wednesday ~ Owl Love

The New Year has started as somethings will change here is one thing that will remain. The What I Wore posts with the other linkers at The Pleated Poppy. Steve and I are continuing our date night Tuesdays it has been a good addition to our routine. Not every date night is a swirl of romance and good food. But it is fun. This past month we have done great restaurants and Sherlock Holmes 2. We have also done grocery shopping and hardware store errands. We end most nights with a group friends for late night appetizers at a local establishment. 

Here is what we wore:

Me:

Scarf: Thrifted

Sweater & Long sleeve tee: Target

Skirt: New York & Co (I think)

Boots: Macy's

Steve:

Jacket: Thrifted

Shirt: Bass Outlet

Shirt: Van Huessen

Jeans: GAP

The Owl in the center is my birthday present from Steve and Mouse. It is a tiny owl on a thin band. The bracelet is perfect small enough to wear with everything. And it's an owl!

What are you wearing? Find out what the rest of blogland is wearing by linking up with the Pleated Poppy and Marissa at Rae Gun.

~ Cassi

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Chalk Board Wall

We took inspiration from this picture for our wall. Of how we wanted to do a half wall of the chalkboard paint. We chose the wall in my craft room. First we painted it with just the normal wall paint. Then we painted over it with black chalkboard paint we picked up at Menard's. We followed the required three days of curring before seasoning. Which really just consists of dragging chalk all over the wall and the wiping it off.

Before we did that I loved the wall, it was perfect black contrast in the room. Once we seasoned it. Well, lets just say it is a messy look of gray now. And no amount of cleaning makes it go back to the nice black. (yes, I used a wet wash cloth even) One a good note Mouse loves it, the neighbor kids loved it so much they put one in their house too. Here is the wall: With Mouse's note to Santa on it.

Here is how I decorated part of the wall for a photo shoot with Mouse.

But it does let me take pictures like this with just a bit of editing in Photoshop.

 ~ Cassi
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