indoor outdoor rug

I'm loving this indoor outdoor rug on our deck. It is softer than I thought it would be and I feel like it helped hide some of those 'bad' spots on our deck. This is just not the year for patio redo.

I have two umbrellas out there and the trees have really grown up in the last 10 years, so it's really pleasant spot to sit.

I think I've had this patio furniture for 100 years. I looked for new stuff last year, but couldn't find anything as comfortable as what I've got. If it works, why fix it?

I DID buy these new red plastic adirondak chairs, though, at Lowe's. I love them.

I'm also into succulents this year. This is a little pot I made up for my mother in law for Mother's Day. She was super pleased with it. :)

Next on my list is to buy a Thermacell Mosquito Repellant lantern. The reviews are awesome on it. I happen to have something in my blood that is extremely repellant to mosquitoes. I can look down and see about 50 of those buggers on my legs and NOT ONE of them wants a bite. The rest of the family is not so lucky.

Hope you all are having a great start to summer. I got my first official sunburn for 2014 today, sitting out in my chair reading a book.

Nana Monday, April 28, 2014

When Mom passed away last summer, I did some thinking and talking to myself. Sue Anne, life is so short and is getting shorter! Time to rearrange some things so I can spend MORE time with precious family. I KNOW that many grandmothers would love to do this, but just can't. So, I post these with love for each of you.  I'm very fortunate to be able to have this liberty.

I'm thrilled with what I think my daughter started calling, "Nana Mondays". My post today is about her 2 youngest yesterday, but I'm also getting to spend time with my daughter in law and her youngest on several Wednesdays in May, so more to come!

Yesterday we spent time playing cars, cooking up pretend cupcakes, coloring all kinds of colorful horses with very interesting names, painting with sidewalk paints, and my personal favorite .... finding a little park trail just a few minutes from the house. 

If you "click" on the picture, I think it will bring up the full photo for you. 

DONE!

My husband asked me if there would have been anything I would have done differently. 

Not a thing. I love it. And all the hours spent pouring over Pinterest pictures really, really did help.

So, this post is for those interested in some of the details and also a place for me to list our changes and resources.

Paint/Benjamin Moore
Walls: Latex flat, "Rodeo"
Cabinets and trim: Oil based satin, "Dove White"
Painter for cabinets and trim: Michael Castillo with Contemporary Painting, Round Rock, TX
Cabinetry new doors and drawer fronts: Mark Clark Cabinetry, Austin, TX

Granite
Color: Kashmir White from AG&M, Spicewood, TX
Installer: Top Surface Granite, Austin, TX
Backsplash
3x6 white subway tile from Home Depot
Installer: Top Surface, Austin, TX

Hardware for cabinets:
Home Depot

Broan chimney hood, Gas cooktop, Faucet, Water Filtration  all from Lowe's
Single bowl stainless sink 16 gauge from Top Surface

Shelving, Spice Jars, Wine glass rack, rod and hooks for utensils all from IKEA

Decorative items are from Home Goods, Ikea, William Sonoma, JoAnn Fabrics, Target

I actually prefer black appliances (except for refrigerator) so we kept the oven and microwave and dishwasher as is and chose a black gas cooktop.

The little rolling island was purchased from World Market about 10 years ago...also the wood topped revolving stools and dining set are purchases from World Market a couple of years ago.

I had concerns expressed by others about limited storage space. I make use of the dining table and the metal shelving unit (from Container Store years ago) for a lot of things. Also, my youngest daughter rearranged my little pantry last summer so I have plenty of storage for the two of us. Since we switched to a more "Paleo" based diet in January (and have seen great health improvements) we really could use another refrigerator rather than extra dry storage space. But, with just two of us at home, we have more than enough space for our needs.

The glass/wine rack from Ikea has been great...especially for those guests I anticipate will say, "Where do I get a drinking glass?"

I'm so grateful for my new space and most of all, that we are finished!!!