On Rewards

So far this year I've been focused on getting healthier. Of course when I say focused on I really mean obsessed with (hence the neglect of this poor blog). It's paying off though, I've been doing really well and making progress. Which brings up a problem, how do you reward yourself for a job well done (which I think is important) when food rewards are verboten and new clothes are out? Inspiration struck last weekend at the grocery store: flowers. A small treat for both me and the house, how perfect.

Buying blowers weekly is also a big part of the Apartment Therapy Cure, which I've participated in twice. They see it as an offering to your home, which is a little hokey to me, but it's amazing how some fresh flowers really liven a place up and add a splash of color.

My favorite flowers are daffodils and tulips, which is why these beauties were a no brainer choice. I even like them when they get droopy as pictured below. And with all the snow and ice outside lately, they remind me that spring will come again one day, hopefully tomorrow.

Mini-Spruce Up

Sometimes the littlest changes make all the difference. I picked up these curtains at IKEA for the office, but once I got them home I had to try them in the bedroom first. The bedroom looks so different and new to me now. They're definitely staying!

I'm debating getting some black thermal roman blinds to put behind them. I like to block out the light to allow for my favorite bedroom activity: sleeping in. Plus if they block the drafts, even better.

Will 2009 be the Year of the Kitchen?

From the first time I looked at my house, I loved the kitchen. It's bright with natural light from three windows, it is larger than the kitchens in the other houses I was looking at, and it had a decent amount of counter space. After looking more closely however you'll notice that the countertops are hideous (the wood edge - yuk!), the backsplash is fake plastic tile, and the mouldings are cut horribly. Also, due to the obviously added-on extension on the right, there's not enough room for more than three people to eat in my home. It needs some serious help.

Right now I'm still in the dreaming stage. I'm debating doing a smaller DIY remodel and fixing the current cabinets versus replacing everything. With the crappy economy I'm uncomfortable spending too much right now, but dreaming and planning is affordable and there is a ton of inspiration on the net.

Clockwise starting with top left: (1)Dave & Melanie's Craftsman kitchen via
Apartment Therapy (2) Leah's kitchen via More Ways to Waste Time
(3) image by Gerri Williams via Desire to Inspire (4) BenDen's 1920s Kitchen

There are some things I've already decided on: white vintage-looking cabinets and brushed nickel hardware, grey or black solid surface countertops (marble would be my dream, but I can't take the idea of it getting stained), and white subway tile backsplash. The stainless appliances will stay. I love the idea of keeping my cabinets and sprucing them up with moulding and paint, but when we went to IKEA on Friday I fell in love with the drawers and cabinets that softly close automatically, the organizers, and the pull out drawers. Decisions, decisions.

See more of my favorite kitchen inspiration at my Rate My Space favorites and My Deco File.

Looking Back: Projects Completed in 2008

As any owner of an older home knows, the projects never, ever end. That's why it's even more critical to remember how far you've come, especially when there's still a long way to go. And what better time to track the past year's progress then during the new year? So without further ado, here's what happened this year at min hus.

Inside:

• Madeover manland (aka the basement) with drywall, paint and new decor
• Replaced the nasty shower doors with a curtain
• Finally decided on, purchased and hung new window treatments for living room. Then added some new pillows to match.
  
  
  improved living room April
  
  
  
• Re-caulked bathroom tub and shower
• Replaced the hideous ceiling fan in the bedroom
• Replaced the mismatched appliances in the kitchen with stainless
  
• Painted the fireplace white

Outside

winter sown Irish Eyes Rudbeckia

• Tried winter sowing for the first time (now I'm hooked)
• Cleaned and organized the garage and hung new cabinets
• Patched and painted foundation where needed
• Planted all those wintersown flowers around the garden
  
• Created new (tiny) side bed for flowers
  
  

So I didn't get done everything on my ambitious 2008 to-do list; there's always next year. It's still an impressive amount of progress when you look at it all together. I'd forgotten just how much we did get done around here over the last 12 months. Here's to an even more productive year in 2009!

related posts:

• Making Min Hus Even Better in 2008!
• Looking Back: Projects Completed in 2007

Wreath Update

Christmas may be over, but another of my favorite seasons has just begun -- the after Christmas sale season. Since I got some ornaments for 50% off, I decided it was time to update the old Christmas wreath.

This old standby was fine back in the days when any cheap Christmas decor worked for me, but since I updated the interior Christmas decor this year, I wanted the front door wreath to match as well.

The boy found a plain white lighted wreath for just $5.99 weeks ago, but it sat in its box, waiting for a little lovin'. Today, with the cats' help, I jazzed up the white wreath a bit with ornaments and a little fake silvery greenery.

This little helper contributes to my not wanting to do craft projects.
He's a little too helpful.

Ta da, instant front door improvement. Plus, since I am keeping the ornaments in place with wire, instead of glue, it will be easy to update the wreath next time.

Now if I can just figure out how people manage to plug these things in and shut the storm doors...

God Jul ~ Merry Christmas

The Christmas decorating is officially done now that the presents have been wrapped and placed under the tree. I'm still quite pleased with our new holiday decor. We even opened a few presents tonight, that Moomin book in the shadow box is one of my presents from the boyfriend. He received a new drill which will come in handy for hanging all the pictures that need to go up

Unfortunately it doesn't look we'll be having a white Christmas this year. After several days of arctic-like temperatures, we're back to rain. Still, 40F feels down right balmy after experiencing a few 0F nights and mornings.

As it's officially Christmas Day, I'd like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, God Jul and Hyvää Joulua from everyone here a min hus. And to all a good night!

The Decorating is Done!

For once I'm not sick of Christmas before it even begins. Instead of skipping the posts and articles about holiday decor I've been seeking them out. Since the fireplace is white and doesn't make me cringe to look at it now, I wanted Christmas decor that would further enhance the room. I'm so please with how it all turned out. The blue, white and silver colors I ended up with fit the style of the room so much better than the traditional pine green and red I've used in the past.

The tree is definitely kitty approved, Alex loves looking at it and rubbing his face on it. Yes, cats are weird. Luckily all three kitties have been leaving the ornaments alone for the most part.

Bonus question for Hanna: How many gifts from Finland do you spot in this pic? ;)