Graduation

Hello everyone!

I feel like I've been missing in action most of this week.  One reason is.........

GRADUATION!!

My oldest son just graduated from high school.  We are so proud of him.  Now he can start planning for his future.

Here are a few pics of the big day.

His graduation ceremony took place in a large arena that is usually used for concerts and such.  Here you can see the seats set up for the graduates. 

Finally, the graduates have come in and been seated. As you can see he had a large graduating class!

We had some other pics, but they were a bit blurry. 

Now, time to meet up with my boy and smile big for the camera!

He did it!

Now....the whole family.

Me, husband, and both sons

It was HOT and very sunny!  Whew!  Glad this is over and now onto the restaurant.    We ate out at The Longhorn.  After that, came home for some swimming time with my youngest.  He insists on going to the pool EVERY DAY!  He is going to wear me out by the end of this summer.  We have not missed a day, since he got out of school.

Hope to be back to my regular blogging schedule soon.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~

Memorial Day Weekend

Hello everyone!

Today we remember those that sacrificed their life for our freedom.

With that freedom........

comes some enjoyment this weekend too.

- Swimming at the pool.

- Went to see this movie at the movie theater.

- Went out to eat Mexican food at our favorite restaurant.

- Catching up on some reading.

- Cooking out on the grill.

- Sleeping late.

- Looking at this dreamy house on a blog.

How are you celebrating this Memorial Day weekend?

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~



Summer Lovin

Hello everyone!

The weather around here has been just like summer lately.  Hot and humid with rain storms in the afternoon.  With the kids out of school at the end of the week and summer just around the corner, I've been in a summer frame of mind.  Ha!

So, I wanted to share some summer lovin around my house.

First up, I got this new french script bolster pillow from Decor Steals this week. 

Isn't it a perfect match to my other pillows?

I'm loving all the light my family room gets during the day since I removed the drapes.  It feels very summery.

I added some lilacs to my mantel too.  Love grey and white with a touch of purple!

Speaking of flowers, I thought I'd share the progress my flowers have made on my front porch.  They're overflowing now!

Also, our garden is taking off too.  Still no vegetables yet though.

Last weekend while I was painting in the family room, a cute movie came on HBO.  I immediately loved it and then decided to add it to my library.  There are so few movies that I want to watch again and again.  This one has been around for many years, but apparently, when it was new (in 1996) I was working full-time with a 3 yr old toddler and missed this one completely!  So, now I've been enjoying it as a great summer movie.

Have you seen it?!  So funny and full of energy.  My kind of movie. Also the beach house she lives in is fantastic!  If you haven't seen it yet, you should rent it. 

Click here to watch the movie trailer.

Hope you all have been having a good week so far.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~

Linking to:  Inspiration Friday

Happenings this Week

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share a few things that I've done so far this week.  I mentioned in my last post that I needed  to repaint the transom window opening between my family room and sitting room area. Well, I can mark that off my list now! 

Here it is.........

It was a royal PAIN to paint this thing because of all of the wooden panes in it that then required scraping the paint off the glass on both sides!  It started off as white when we moved in, then was black for a short time, then dark brown and now gray.  Guess it's been about every shade of neutral you can get!  Ha!

Also, has anyone seen the new Privet House line at Target?  I got this cute little black and white cheese board there.

I put it on display in my kitchen with my other white dishes.

They have a lot of cute things in that line. I've got my eye on some cute place mats, next.

Also, I just had to share.  This is me and my youngest son, Will, at school for his Honors Day.  That is when they get awards for various achievements for the year.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~

Linking to:  Wow-Us-Wednesday

White Wednesday

Another Makeover

Hello everyone!

Well, you probably already figured out that I've been leaning towards a much lighter look in my home.  I've really started falling for the Swedish, grey and white color scheme and less cluttered look.  So.............I made some more changes to my family room to go along with that look.

First, I decided to paint over the dark brown walls in the bay window area.

Immediately, I loved the new grey color (Fawn Brindle from Sherwin Williams) in that area. 

I loved it so much that I didn't want to put the drapes back up.  I liked the white trim from the windows against the new grey color. Besides, I still have my white sheers hanging up for privacy so I didn't feel like the windows were completely naked!  Ha!

Then, I couldn't just leave the fireplace mantel in it's dark brown color either.  I decided to paint it white to match the trim and help it coordinate with the rest of the room better.

It's funny, because now it's back to its original color!  Ha!

I'm really loving my changes so far.  Now, I'm going to have to paint my transom window opening in here too.  It's such a domino effect, isn't it?

The room feels bigger and much brighter now.  I'm really loving it for summer!

Speaking of summer, lots of things happening around here.  School is out this Friday.  My oldest son is graduating from high school on May 30th.  His last day was last Friday.  He plans on going to a local college and pursuing a bachelors degree in business.  I was surprised to hear that he wanted to continue his education for so many more years because while he was in high school, he complained and couldn't wait for school to be over.  I guess he has finally matured and realized how important his education really is! 

 

The subdivision pool just opened this weekend, so I'm sure I'll be there alot this summer with my 11 yr old.  Let's just say I'll be there more than I want to be.  Ha!

 

My hydrangeas are blooming outside and are the prettiest shade of purple.

 

Just wish my bushes were as big as my sister's.  Hers are truly stunning!

                               Guess, I shouldn't complain.  I'll take what I can get!

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~

Linking to:  Met Monday

What I Learned from my Book

Hello everyone!

I've been enjoying reading my new book that I mentioned in my last post.

  I was happy to hear that I inspired some of you to go out and buy it for yourself too!  Thought I would I would share some things I've learned about Swedish style since reading it.  I included some pics (not from the book) that might be inspirational too.

Ten Things I Learned

Light colors are used to counter act their long dreary winters.

Painted furniture came about as a result of some people not being able to afford fine mahogany.  So, they bought pine and painted it to look better.

The most popular paint colors used are white, pale grey and light blue.

Floors are usually painted white or stained in a light color.

Most kitchen tables are flanked by a window seat or bench on one side.

Unlined minimal window coverings are used so that more light can come inside.  There isn't alot of concern for privacy from the outside, in public areas of the house.

Mirrors and other reflective objects are commonly used to bounce light around the room.

Symmetry is very important when arranging furniture and accent pieces to a room.  It gives the feeling of order and calm.

Most of their houses are made of wood.

Most of their houses have a white painted fence around them.

I hope you found some of these facts interesting regarding Swedish style.  I know I sure did! 

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~

All images via Google

Linking to:  Inspiration Friday

Lilacs & Swedish Style

Hello everyone!

Remember when I said I wanted some lilacs?  Since I live in an area that can't grow the real thing, I decided to go and buy some fake ones!  Beggars can't be choosers ya know.  So here they are in all there purple glory.

I secretly like that they're fake, because now I don't have to worry about them dying.  Ha!  Because we all know that live flowers don't last forever.  I just wish they would smell like the real thing though.

See, they add a touch of color to my otherwise neutral kitchen.  I think they look pretty real.  What do you think?

And because I'm nice......I share!  You can have these, too, if you go to Hobby Lobby.  They're even on sale this week.  Now, all you southern girls can have lilacs too.

I recently received a book on Swedish style that I'm enjoying reading.  Thought I'd share that with you too.

It's called, Living with Light, by Gail Abbott.

 

It has been around for a couple of years, but it's new to me.  It's a great resource on how to bring the lighter look into your home.  I've been doing that alot lately. 

I found this book on Amazon for just a few dollars plus shipping!  Score!  I'm hoping to add more books like this to my library.

Hope you all are having a great week so far.  We are enjoying some pretty weather  with lots of sunshine.  Everything is nice and green after some much needed rain last weekend too.

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~

Linking to:  Wow-Us-Wednesday

Open House Party Thursdays

White Wednesday

Orchids & Lilies

Hello everyone!

I hope that everyone enjoyed their Mother's Day weekend.  I was blessed with lots of love from my kids and husband and wanted to share some pics of some fresh flowers I received.

Look at these beautiful pink lilies!  I love how great they smell.  They remind me of a wedding that I was in that had these in the bridesmaid bouquets.

I would love to have some like this to plant outside one day!

I placed them on the coffee table where I could enjoy them all the time. There are several more buds yet to open.

As I was shopping for my own mother and MIL, I spotted this orchid.  I've never had a live orchid before.  I decided to grab it and see if they were as easy to grow as the tag said they were.  Any suggestions about keeping orchids alive? 

I placed it on my painted secretary.  Look at how magnificent the color is!  You can't get that with a faux orchid.

I did not edit this picture at all.  Now you see why I just HAD to have it!  It came with growing directions that said to make sure the bark is dried out completely between watering's.  It also said to keep out of direct sunlight.  I'll keep you posted as to how it's doing. 

I've really enjoyed having fresh flowers in the house!  Mine are usually not real.  I really wish I could buy lilacs to plant outside, but sadly they do not do well in GA.  It is too hot.  So, looks like I'll have to buy some fake ones.  I see them throughout blog land and am jealous of all of you that can grow them in your own yard!  I'll just keep drooling over your pics that you post.  Ha!

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Kelly ~