Dirty hands, Beautiful life: 01/01/2014

Confession

It takes some time to wind down from the festive holiday season! (I may or may not still have a tree still to take down...) It also takes time to go through photos and to reflect on the joy and love we have shared. As I did that for a bit tonight...I came across a confession I should share...

After our houseful of family for our blessed Thanksgiving, I couldn't resist a manic moment of changing the wall color while leftovers were still being packed away! It was kind of fun to have my sister trying to figure out what was different while she was out to lunch. It was a bold move I had been longing to try and I think all the cooking made me just delirious enough to give it a go.

So even with the centerpiece still on the table I gave it a shot. I'm eager to rid myself of all white in this house, but starting with such a dark slate is really a scary thing.

Before it was even dry, I knew I L-O-v-ed it!

It was also a great time to hang my architectural salvaged shelf!

Cowboy says every generation has their own version of silverware on the wall.

These canvas prints sure are better to me than the old wooden spoon and fork!

I'm really trying to cut down and clear clutter, but this will be a great place for my crockery...

And occasional Fire King indulgence.

I think once I'm ready to part with my touches of winter, I'm going to love this wall even more!

Linking to...
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Make it Pretty Monday
The Scoop
Stroll Through Life
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Grace at Home
Simple and Sweet Friday
Fridays Unfolded
Overflowing with Creativity

Simple Winter Touches

Here in the winter tundra keeping the festive feeling up helps to get through the long, cold and sometimes dreary months of January and February. While I'm always ready for a healthy New Year's purge and pare down, I also enjoy keeping some seasonal warmth.

I like to go through and eliminate the bright and bold of Christmas and keep the warmth of textures and greens.

Of course it helps when you find some after Christmas clearance goodies!

Remember the "In Between" tree from Thanksgiving.

I'm going to leave it up a bit to celebrate winter!

I promise I will not put hearts on for Valentine's day --

The birch branches and bark are so over-the-top wonderful with the grapevine!

A simple scarf can add a little warmth...

And nothing says sit down and stay a while like some peanuts for cracking

while watching the big game!! This tin from Junk Asylum has looked good in so many ways!

Stay warm. Stay cozy.

Linking to...
Nifty Thrifty Sunday
Make it Pretty Monday
Make the Scene Monday
The Scoop
Stroll Through Life
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Down Home Blog Hop
Grace at Home
Simple and Sweet Friday
Overflowing with Creativity

Playing

Well it's been a week or more since I checked in, and I was certainly excited to see this surprise --

Check out the featured post here!
A Stroll Thru Life

We have been busy playing in the winter wonderland and enjoying our break from school. Now that our Texas sweeties have returned to the warmth, we are inside trying to survive windchills of -50!!

Here's a quick look at our winter adventures. If you have not experienced a Midwest winter then these are some things you must put it on your bucket list...