Summertime, Summertime...Sum, Sum, Summertime

The other day, out of the blue, Small Fry came into the room and told me he found a special rock for me.  He was so excited about his find and this is what he put into my hand:

A special heart shaped rock.  I now proudly carry it in my purse everywhere I go. He told me it's going to help me remember that he loves me every second of the day.  Guess its a good thing that he has time to play outside in the summer. He comes up with the cutest finds.

That kid....he can say the sweetest things and just make me melt!

Another thing that makes me melt is a pretty picture of my puppy dog.  My sweet friend Nancy gave Mr. H an adorable picture frame when he graduated with his Master's Degree.  She knew that something showcasing his "baby" Allie would be the best gift ever! 

When I spend quiet evenings looking at blogs, I love to save ideas about easy crafts to make for the house.  I saw a website about Modge Podge and found inspiration to make this cute frame for the living room.  It was super easy with some black-and-white toile scrapbook paper and Modge Podge.  I just bought an inexpensive wooden frame and Modge Podged (is that a verb?) the paper to the frame.  It turned out so cute!

I also found scrapbook paper to frame in this Pier One frame we received as a gift at our wedding.  I love the look of framed scrapbook paper. So easy and so simple.

This summer is a time for celebration.  I recently did something that I've never done in my entire life.  I actually bought a car brand-new and kept it long enough to pay it off.  I'm now officially debt-free.  No car payment.  It's an amazing feeling!  I have to say that my Jeep Cherokee has been one of the best vehicles I've ever driven.  The only problem I've had is a dead battery and that's to be expected after a couple of years.  I really have no desire for a new car and think I'll keep my Jeep for quite a while.  I had to take a celebratory pic on the way home today!

I also found my Barry Manilow Greatest Hits CD-oh heaven!

The boys and I were bored the other night and decoupaged the lazy susan server in our kitchen.  We used striped scrapbook paper in the same colors as the kitchen. Plus, it matches the frame hanging in the kitchen. The boys liked brushing the Modge Podge and getting their hands messy placing the pieces of paper on the server.  I just let them put the pieces where they wanted to and didn't worry about it being perfect.  I think it turned out terrific!

I stopped into Dollar General to get some Diet Coke for the office yesterday and look at this cute purse I found. It was $5 and I don't mind that it's pleather....it's a fun purse! 

Spring has Sprung

Yesterday was the official start of Spring for our family.  When you are a soccer family like us, the first practice, whether cold or warm, signals the start of Springtime.  We are sooooo excited!!!  This last winter has officially been the worst evah!  We aren't used to snow and ice during the winter months.  We have a few weeks of cold temps but usually it's a do-able winter.  Not this one-we've had a total of close to two feet of snow.  Yuck.....no...double yuck! 

Needless to say, Momma was super happy about soccer starting.

  I took the boys to their practices, which entailed Momma driving like crazy all over town dropping two boys off at practices that start at the same time but are at different places.  Luckily, I love, love, love Tater Tot's coach so I felt comfortable just dropping him off at practice while I rushed down the street to Small Fry's.   Small Fry was excited when we got to his practice because one of the little neighbor kids was on his team.  They had no clue they would be playing together this season so it was a wonderful surprise! 

Our temps hit a high of 51 degrees today so guess what I wanted to do???

Plan the decorations for our back porch!

I found beautiful urns at Big Lots that were on sale for $20 a piece. 

(Courtesy diynewlyweds.com)

They were brown and I was looking for black urns.  No problem.  That's why they make black spray paint!!!  You gotta love good ol' black spray paint.  It saves the day every time!

I have black wrought iron furniture on the back porch and a small black table for plants.  I recently picked up some wrought iron decor at Hobby Lobby.  I found a black iron scroll for the fireplace wall that's right behind the table and chairs. 

I also bought an iron basket that will sit in the middle of the table with a plant inside.  I've been trying to figure out a way to secure the basket on the table in case an Oklahoma storm blows in.  The best thing I can think of is to use a black twist-tie and tie it through the table and basket.  Hopefully that will help keep the basket in place.  Our winds can get pretty vicious here though during our nasty Spring storms.

I've attached some pics from one of my favorite blogs  - Melissas Heart and Home.  I love the way she decorates her home. 

I adore Boston ferns!  I have almost the exact same chair with pillow and plant stand on my front porch.

Don't you just love this fountain and the furniture? Adorable!

Love the planter in the middle of the table

I'm so addicted to the green color in the pillows below. And the tall iron scroll thingies!!!!

(Courtesy of Outonthepatio.com)

(Outonthepatio.com)