Life on the Ranch

Thanks to my dear friend Courtney, I have finally started the process of making this new old house a home.  She called on the 4th of July and offered to help paint Matthew's room.  Within the hour, we were painting away. She cut in while I rolled.  By 5pm his room was painted!  Amazing what a fresh coat of paint will do for you! I had leftover paint from his old room so all I am doing is recreating the nursery on Beirne.  I haven't painted the tree yet, but that will come soon.  His new bedroom is a bit larger so I am hoping it becomes a great playroom for him!  Once the tree is finished, I'll post pictures.  

So, with renewed energy I started organizing the guest (pink) bathroom.  Then this past weekend I finally decorated the mantle.  You see, we basically just dumped things more or less close to where they belong, but with no thought to how they were organized or placed. I should have taken a before picture of the mantle and everything that was just dumped on it.

Before (the previous owners)

After.  From Mateo's point of view.

Clearly I haven't tackled the pink walls or the pink valances above the windows but I did finally organize the mantle.  Natalie Cook painted the tea pot and now that it is finally in its place, I feel a little more like I am at home.  I am super excited about the fireplace and we look forward to cozy fires this coming winter.

The house came with a few fun things...one of them being a riding lawnmower.  Paul's first ride was absolutely hysterical.  I was sitting in the den when I see Paul streaking across the back lawn (yes, out the windows above) in a green riding lawnmower.  He was a bit out of control as he got the hang of it!  By the time he moved to the front yard he had things a little more under control.

Upcoming projects:
- painting the tree in Matthew's room and organizing his closets
- decorating the front entry
- repotting the house plants and creating some nice container gardens.  Many of my plants have not done well with the move while others are thriving.  All by accident.  So I need to take what is working and tidy things up a bit and get rid of what has failed (ie, dead plants)
- removing the gas insert from the fireplace and getting it ready for the winter
- shelves in the laundry room
- new shower head and shower curtain in the master bath (the guest bath has a better shower than the master so we have been using that one)