Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger

Nancy from Nancy's Notes

 Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger is a feature done each Saturday that introduces you to a blogger you may already know or a new blogger for you to get to know. This feature gives you a peak into the personal life of the blogger.  Getting to know the special person behind the beautiful blog.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland so enjoy getting to know these talented bloggers each Saturday.

Happy Saturday and welcome to another Spotlight.  This wonderful holiday week end I would love to introduce you to Nancy from Nancy's Notes Blog.  I just recently found Nancy's blog and love her wonderful posts.  So please take a few minutes to read and get to know Nancy.  Then hop over and say Hi to her and check out the wonderful blog she writes.  You will not be disappointed.

What a huge and a sweet surprise to open up an email from Kris asking if I would be interested in her Saturday Spotlight Feature. Oh my goodness, I was immediately flattered and yes, of course I would be so honored to be featured. 

In my self imposed hysteria, I realized I would have to write about myself!

Well, as I sat, pondered, fretted and yes, for days about what I would write, surely a list would work. So I started a list. A truly daunting task until I was entranced the with all the things I love! Not very many dislikes. List grew by the second, You'll be happy to know that I even left some off. 

Speed Read below. 

Wife, Mom to three and Nana to six.
An only daughter. Three awesome brothers.
Twirler in HS.
Played saxophone. 

Was in 4-H. 

Sang Alto in sextet in HS choir. 
Love singing. 

Avid Texas Aggie fan. 

Sold Real Estate. 
Past member of various organizations and have held many offices. 

My favorite color is - as of late, pink a close second.
Tap-ballet dancer as youngster. I can still tap. I do remember the five ballet positions. 
Love Music. One might find me dancing, when no one is looking.

Love the ranch.
Love to sports, live and on TV. 
Love football, basketball, golf.  Known to be a loud spectator.  
Love traveling. Road trips now. Excellent back seat driver. 

Love gardening. Not one green thumb.
Love entertaining. 
Love playing games. We are a competitive family.

Loved golfing.

Love sunsets.

Love the beach.
Love The Sound of Music.

Love Disneyworld.

Love photography.
Love Mackenzie Childs.

Love shopping for antique - vintage treasures.

Love shoes and purses.

Love time in book stores. 
Love lakes, the ocean, any beach, all waterfalls, creeks and streams.

Like to cook.

Like to knit. Limited to scarves - small blankets. 
Like Pilates.

Like walking. 
Like swimming.

Like sewing. 
Dislike putting away laundry. 
Dislike emptying the dishwasher.
Dislike driving in rain.

Oh my, didn't realize that the list would be so long! I came to my senses and realized a list is not what Kris was talking about. So, I'll leave the list for a quick read. Please stay for a bit or run along! 

I have always loved writing, it's therapeutic. I was frankly looking for an emotional and creative outlet when I started blogging in 2009. First things first. I needed to find out what a blog was really all about. I went out and bought the book, Blogging for Idiots. It helped. It was by trial and error that I created my blog space and header.  I enjoyed the creative part, who knew you could pay someone to do it!  Live and learn. Anyhow, my initial intent was to start the blog, a journal, if you will, for my three grown kids, six adorable grandchildren. I would write a note here and there! Who knew blogging would be so addicting!

Back to why I really began to blog.Long story short. I was encouraged to start blogging when my husband at 57 had two strokes and I became his caretaker in 2006. In a heartbeat life changed for two people that loved life and lived it to it's fullest.  We were avid golfers. Our life was grand. After our youngest was off to college, I traveled with him on business trips and pleasure trips. Like dating! We had always had kids since the day we married! What a gem! Not having any children of his own, then he married us and we became a family of 5! 

Oh, I can get carried away. 

Well, after his stoke, I was a mess, heavens, I was a caretaker. He survived only by the grace of God. If there was a career that I never could have been good at, was anything in the medical field! I was throwing up right along with the kids! 

Here's our precious family. He inherited two teens and a 7 year old! 
30 years ago. August 3, 1985

So BLOGGING became my therapy! Humor is good, isn't it? So to fill the huge void in my life, I began to write about the joys in my life. Then I started linking up to parties! Oh my goodness, never fathomed that there would be parties! Anyhow, I took my trusty camera and yes, I even set up props for my blog and have a photo shoot. I was in heaven! I've taken enough photographs of our kids, grandchildren and treasures that I could wallpaper our entire home! Oh, not to mention the photographs of every flower and tree I've ever seen! 

Sweet Mr. Notes is doing well. God love this man! He is home 24/7 and has been since 2006! Oh and I haven't killed him yet! Okay, I should say, or vice- versa! Remember I could have never made it as a real nurse. Ask him, oh maybe not! 

We will be married 30 years this August! 

Here we are! 

Here's our family, kids and grandchildren at the ranch~ 
Our family heads out to the ranch for fun many times a year. 
Their are 28 of us, including our Mom and my three brothers and families.   

Our grandchildren at the ranch~

This photograph taken soon after we moved into our new home.  

We moved this past October to live near our three grown children and grandchildren. There are basketball, lacrosse and soccer games, dance recitals, name it to attend! We have a fun filled life. we are blessed. 

Nancy's Notes is full of love about my immediate life, of memories of the past and dreams of the future. You never know what my "Note" will be about, but it'll be a happy note!

Again, thank you Kris, my heart was warmed by your sweet invitation. I look forward to meeting new friends in this enchanting place we call Blog Land!

Thank you Nancy for sharing about yourself and your beautiful family.

Have a wonderful and safe 4th of July.

Kris

:)

New Chippy Transom Window

Happy Sunday.  Last week I went to a Out Door Market with a couple of girlfriends.  I found this awesome window from Jeanine Chippy Shabby that was a vendor at the show.  I own a lot of pieces from Jeanine's collection.  Love her chippy pieces.

This window has a transom that opens and latches open at the top.  I loved adding this in the center of my chippy shutters in the living room Re do.

Love the unique and different style to this chippy window.

So chippy and full of charm.  I loved adding it the the re do of my living room.

As soon as I get my slipcover to finish up the living room space I will have the whole room the reveal.
Come back on Saturday to meet another great blogger in the Spotlight.
Have a great and Safe 4th of July.
Kris :)

60 Inch TV Cover Up!

This is the 60 inch TV that Terry has in our living room.  I know men like these "big ole" TV's but they really are hard to hide in the decor scheme!  I cannot deny him his big screen with all the white and chic he lives with in our home.  So I came up with a way to hide this monster screen in my new living room re do.

Remember this old church alter I got awhile back for the TV to sit on.

Yep even with the pretty altar that screen just grabbed hold of your eye every time.  Even Libby had a hard time looking at it anymore lol!

So to start the transition in the new living room.  We painted the altar white and distressed it.  Then we took this old chippy cabinet door and mounted it to the front for more chippy uniqueness and character.

Terry and I went out to a couple of Antique places on Friday and we found these awesome old shutters.  There were three of them for $18 dollars.  I forgot to take a picture before he cut them down to size.  

So Terry and his trustee tools made these shutters into doors to hide the 60 inch TV.  I am hunting for some cool knobs for these shutter doors.  

Yeah win win!!!! He gets his big screen TV and I get to hide it when we are not watching it.  $18 dollars and some left over wood made for this great cabinet box to cover the TV.

This is how we covered up the 60 inch TV in our house.  You got a few sneak peaks at the living room Re Do.  Just waiting on my white slipcover for the couch.  Lisa actually emailed me today and said the slipcover for the couch is ready and she will ship it this week. I have a few more decor change ups for this room and then I will have the reveal soon.  My chippy white and cream and gray living room is coming together nicely.  So far the only money spent was $18 for the shutters.  Love when I can make a major change to the decor and use what I have.
Hoping these rainy days will end and we will get some sunshine so I can get some better pictures of this room.

Have a great rest of the week.  Thank you always for your visits and sweet comments.
Kris
:)

Parties:
Wow
Amaze Me Monday
Tweak it Tuesday
Inspire Me Tuesday
The Scoop
Mod Mix Monday
Vintage Inspiration Party
What's It Wednesday
Share your Cup Thursday
Thursday's Favorite Things Blog Hop
Share Your Style
Shabbilicious Friday 
Something to Talk About
Get Your DIY On
Sweet and Simple Fridays
Bouquet of Talent

Simple Bathroom Cover Up

I have a double shower in my master bathroom that I love but I hate seeing the double glass sliding doors.  I wanted to soften the doors and seeing into the shower.  Terry and I are the only two that really see the shower but I still wanted to look less at the glass doors and soften the double shower somehow.

Here is my solution

Double slider glass doors.

 So my solution was to use these grommet top sheer panels that I had from the bedroom.  They slide easily on the shower rod and they can be opened from either side of the doors.

They just add some softness and hide the glass doors.  Love this new softer look to the our master bath and I did not have to spend any money just rehung some drapes I already had.  

This is another pretty old vintage church window I hung up in my master bathroom.  Love the unique shape and chippiness to this old window.
Have a great start to the new week ahead.  Thanks for stopping by.
Kris
:)

Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger

Julie from Little Farmstead

 Saturday Spotlight: Life Behind the Blogger is a feature done each Saturday that introduces you to a blogger you may already know or a new blogger for you to get to know. This feature gives you a peak into the personal life of the blogger.  Getting to know the special person behind the beautiful blog.

There is so much talent and inspiration in blogland so enjoy getting to know these talented bloggers each Saturday.

Good Saturday to all of you.  This week in Spotlight I have a super fabulous blogger that shares my love of neutrals, slipcovers and fun architectural pieces with history mixed into her decor.  Sit back and enjoy getting to know Julie from Little Farmstead.





I was so honored when Kris asked me to participate in this series. I adore her style and know that she has an amazing group of readers.

I started blogging a little over a year ago. It has been a meaningful creative outlet for me. What fun to share ideas and perspectives with newfound friends, who enjoy many  similar interests! I have been encouraged and inspired within this blogging community and for that, I am very grateful.

On my blog, Little Farmstead, I write about farmhouse living, decorating, DIY projects, gardening, celebrations and bits and pieces of our family life.

I grew up in Walnut Creek, California (about 30 minutes from San Francisco). My Dad was a pastor and my Mom was a teacher. They are pretty much my heroes. I have a sister who is very creative and has been my decorating partner-in-crime over the years. 

We are blessed to live close by my parents and my sister and her family. The cousins are very close, which makes for a lot of fun times together.

As a child, I loved swimming (I even did synchronized swimming!) and riding my horse. In junior high and high school, I played a lot of sports - volleyball was my favorite. In summers, I worked as a life guard. It was rough, but somehow I managed. ;)

I attended college in Southern California, where I met the love of my life. After graduating, I worked in marketing at a  technology company in Newport Beach. 

Then, two years later, my husband and I got married in the Bay Area and moved up to beautiful (and rainy!) Seattle.

In Seattle, I took a position in an aerospace company. My first week on the job was spent in Paris at the Paris Air Show. I remember people asking me that week how I was liking my new job. "So far, so good!" was my response. ;) As part of my job, I also traveled to Germany, Chile, Brazil, Mexico and Australia, as well as many cities in the U.S. This was a real dream come true for me - - I had always wanted to see more of the world! I also enjoyed getting to know people from different countries. Learning more about different cultures has always been very interesting to me.

Then in 2003, my life was forever changed when our first son was born... and then, a couple years later, our second baby boy... and three years later our third son! 

Our home is full of boys and full of life - - lots of activity and noise. We've had our share of trips to the ER and someone is always hungry. Oh the dirt! (I bleach our white slip covers regularly.) But man, oh man... our boys are the best. They are my buddies, my world.

A year-and-a-half ago, our dream of moving just past the city limits, to our own little piece of the country came true!  It is amazing to live here at our little farmstead, enjoying nature and having room for our boys to play and explore. 

One of the main reasons we wanted to move to a country setting was so that we would have more reasons - a dog to walk, eggs to gather, a garden to tend, bonfires to enjoy - to be home together. 

We have a small menagerie of animals, including: a chocolate lab, two cats, a rabbit and chickens. We've enjoyed having a vegetable garden and hope to learn a little bit more about gardening each year. 

I love "nesting" and usually do it on a budget. I recently painted our dark green formica kitchen countertops. Paint can truly work wonders! 

We count our blessings each day. We've experienced difficult times, like everyone. But through it all, we've experienced God's grace, faithfulness, forgiveness and love. 

If you enjoy farmhouse, vintage, prairie, cottage or flea market decor (shall I name more styles just to cover my bases? :), I may have some ideas for you... I'd love it if you'd stop by Little Farmstead! 

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Xo,

~julie

Thank you Julie for sharing your beautiful home and life with us today.  Please take a few minutes and visit Julie's blog Little Farmstead.

Have a great week end.
Kris
:)

Living Room Re Do's Coming Along

Remember me putting the chippy barn door around the bottom of  the sectional to try and cottage it up.  Still not happy.  Even with leather being very easy to maintain with a dog it just was not my style.  

So my daughter took my leather sectional for her new house and a dear friend is redoing her living room and gave me this couch.  It is a high end couch and very comfy and well built.  So in exchange for my leather sectional my daughter offered to pay for Lisa to make me a slipcover for this wonderful gifted couch from my friend.  So it is all good I am going to get the look I want and it won't cost me anything.  So stay tuned to see what a new custom slipcover can do to this couch.

All the walls are now painted in the Cottage White by Behr.  Just a hint of gray in the color.  Soft and serene.

It is hard to see with the way the light comes in the entry way but the top of the walls in the entry are the Cottage White with a hint of gray and the board and batten are done in white along with the trim all in a flat white.  So even though it is hard to see there is a slight difference in the trim and board and batten from the wall color.

I think the light white with hint of gray makes all the black and natural colors of the baskets and hats pop.  Stay tuned the living room is coming along nicely.  Just waiting on my slipcover to arrive hopefully next week and Terry and I are working on a few more change ups and re loves in this room.

Have a great week.  Come back on Saturday for another wonderful blogger to meet in Spotlight.
Kris
:)

Parties:
Vintage Inspiration Party
Shabbilicious Friday
Make it Pretty Monday

New Change Ups Coming

Happy Sunday and Happy Father's Day. 

Happy Father's Day to my  sweet husband, my best friend and the wonderful father to our two daughters and grandfather to our sweet granddaughter Abby.  I have been with this man for 35 years and loving him is like breathing,  easy and beautiful.

We carved out a beautiful life together and continuing to live out our journey together just makes my heart sing.  Terry I am so blessed to call you hubby, friend and soul mate.  Enjoy this day in honor of the good man, dad and grandfather you are not to mention the handyman you are in my decor crazy world.
Love you to the moon and back.
xxoo
Kris

New Changes 


  I wanted to show a new window header Terry made me for the living room window.

You know how I love to repurpose salvage into new things. 

Ok here is a before picture of my walls and living room colors.  Remember the pottery barn thing I was trying to do to incorporate the leather sectional into the cottage decor.  Well.......

I am on a new course and getting back to the shabby cottage white that I love.  We painted the walls with Behr Cottage White which is one of the million colors of white they have!!!! It is a white with just a hint of gray tone to it.  I love the soft serene feel it gives the room.

Then I had this regular ole basic drapery rod.  Too boring and no character so.....

I had Terry make me a header for this window out of some old chippy porch spindles. Terry attached them together and then added some old chippy wood pieces we had  to make it long enough to fit the window. He went around the pole and attached the wood pieces to the bracket holding the curtain rod.   Kept the rod underneath to hang the white sheers on.

So this is the beginning of the transformation of my living room.  The beauty is I am using paint I had from the hall way so now the hall that leads to the living room will all be the same color.

You can see I get a lot of soft light in this room.  

I am going for a soft and serene shabby cottage chic room.  Stay tuned for more things I am changing up for this room reveal.

Have a great start to the new week.
Kris
:)

parties:
Show and Share 
Tweak it Tuesday
Vintage Inspiration Party
Make it Pretty Monday