Sunday, November 22, 2009

A wreath tutorial, and how about 19 years of marriage people.. WOWZA!

Its no secret I am crazy, yes CRAZY about this man..Undoubtedly, he drives me crazy sometimes, but for the most part, our years together have been absolutely funfilled and very satisfying. Its a lively relationship we have and are mostly happy to crack eachother up at least 3 or 4 times a day. I really am not sure what I would do without him, my Mac Daddy.
Long story short...I love ya, to the moon and back baby...
*******
Now, do you want to know how to amaze your friends and make your neighbors green with envy?
Get your boots on, lets go. To make things perfectly clear, these are my hubbys boots, not mine. But I knew you would really like to see me in them, so here they are..I know, not very attractive..oh well. Are you ready yet???


Go get one of these el- cheapo grapevine wreath bases and a little green paddle of wire..
I think the wreaths were about $5 at JoAnns, I bought 3 and some other miscellaneous stuff and wasnt paying attention to the $$.
Now you need some pretty leaves, or Holly, or cedar. Whatever you have in your shrubery outside..I find that this gorgeous huge leafy rhodedendron works just pefectly..clip away girl.. Please please do NOT pay any attentnion to my ugly MAN HAND in this photo..oy.. Actually these are not my hands..These are hands of a random over aged hand model. yes thats it..
Now that we have our ingredients we are on to the real meat and potatoes of the wreath making business..a little thing I like to call.....wait for it.....
wrapping the wreath. Fantastical, eh? Secure the wire to the backside of your wreath by simply making a sturdy knot. Make sure you can pull it tight.Wreath making is all about "tight" or "taut" if you want to use the fancy lingo..Now all you do is lay those pieces of cut greens on to your form and pull the wire around it. Lay another piece, pull the wire around it..remembering to keep it...TIGHT.
Once you get all the way around your form you should have a wonderful wreath to hang on your fence, over your mantle, give to your neighbor..whatevs....There isnt any magic to it, just remember to **put one down (stem of greens) and pull it around (green wire)**


  Steve and I were fortunate enough to have my Mom and Dad watch the kids overnight, so we escaped to the beach for a little alone time. We were thrilled to have a lovely candle lit dinner together and a whole evening to ourselves.
-and we didnt even burn the little Coastal Nest down! We had a great time together laughing and talking and dancing. Pacific Beach has a local radio station out there that plays the best Saturday night music. It was just what we needed. It was wild and windy and rainy outside, but inside, whoa baby.
Finished wreath, and OUR reason for living.
Happy Wife-Happy Life

I love you SJMc!!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Get a load of this dump!

I am really not sure why my photos are loading up BACKWARDS...This is after..obviously.
take a look of the lovely entry..prior..

Our bedroom..after..


And prior, this window is where the french doors to the deck are now.



The 3 square windows replaced this lovely one...




here. oy.







I remember the ilk and the stench.
Wet cigarettes mold mildew and pee.
are you getting the visual?--and the scent-ual?




this little knee wall beside the stove here replaced this....







lovely moldy rotten wet wall...here.
we opened her up and let the sunshine in, vaulted the ceiling and worked our little tails off!









and now..ta DA!!










Wow!
did my man and I have a vision, or what?









Saturday, November 14, 2009

The boy and his "commitment"

Here is the ever charming and oh, so handsome eldest son. He will tell you about his dislike for sports. He COULD be one of those jock types. But, he will tell you he "doesn't wanna"..can you see me with the eye roll?? He could RULE the POOL if he wanted. Just look at him.
LOOK AT HIM~
Suave strut with the mightily handy pool towel in extra extra large..
One of his biggest fans, his poppy (hi Dad) congratulating him on a good race..

The young buck, you know..wanting to get some good advice on how to "break-in" to the sport..Although, young buck says he could kick his brothers butt..with one hand tied behind his back..
Then there's DAD, with the highlighter and the permanent marker..and the
WHAT WHAT on the smooth turns and the perfect dive..you know, to get that first place!
We love swim team!!
the greatest sport for my (non) athlete.
Gooooooooo Ryaaaan~

Thursday, November 12, 2009

The morning at blind #3...

I got a great little email from my Father last week.
Seems as though he is soooo happy to be duck hunting he wanted to give me a play by play...



The life of a duck hunter, do you suppose?
..oh, and dont send any anonymous hate mail, this is how we roll in the great
Pacific Northwest.
You can see the awesome duck club he is a proud member of
Have fun on your trip, DADDDY~~

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Veterans Day 2009

For hundreds of years they have served. Young, brave American men.
Proud to protect.


Proud to Serve their BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY. No matter the cost.

You are what makes America great.
THANK YOU!
The McElliotts