Inexpensive Easter Baskets

I really like putting our kids' Easter baskets together myself. true, I could spend a few more bucks and get them premade, but I like including items I know my kids want/need/will enjoy. Both of our kids are small toddlers, so we get away pretty cheap these days, too ;)

Unless otherwise specified, I picked up the items you see from our local Walmart...it's pretty much the only game in town. I apologize in advance for the absolutely terrible picture quality- the guesthouse we're currently living in was designed to be a cool, dark respite from Texas summers- hence, natural light was deliberately minimized and getting high quality photos is an impossibility.

Here's what I used:

Plastic buckets 2@ $0.97 ea
2 bags easter grass @ $0.33 ea
1 bag Brach's jelly beans $1
12 bright, medium plastic eggs $0.88
2 Ninja Turtle kites @ $1.37 ea
10 asst. animal finger puppets, about $4 from Amazon.com
2 pairs sunglasses from The Children's Place 2 for $6
2 toothbrushes free from dentist office
assorted stickers, free, found in junk mail
1 chocolate bunny, $1 (for our niece)

If you want a really impressive basket, I'd obviously recommend using a much shallower container and a heck of a lot more Easter grass. The goal here was cheap and effective, and I think we accomplished that...each complete basket cost about $8.50, which is completely do-able, even in this economy ;)

Craving something a little more chic? No worries, I've pulled together my personal faves from Pinterest....enjoy!

                                                                                         Source: thepartydress.net via Kristi on Pinterest

                                                                                       Source: yourcozyhome.blogspot.jp via Karen on Pinterest

                                                                                                Source: worldmarket.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

                                                                                   Source: celebritybabies.people.com via Sharyl on Pinterest

                                                                    Source: ilovetocreateblog.blogspot.ca via Anaika on Pinterest

Source: gordongossip.blogspot.com via Anaika on Pinterest

Shared Kids Room Ideas

Our oldest kids fuss and fight like any other siblings. But, they're also only 14 months apart (you gotta have 'em when the hubby isn't deployed!) and in a lot of ways they are more like twins. They have their own language, they snuggle, and left to their own devices, they pile into each others beds. For the next few years at least, they'll be sharing a room, and I can't imagine they'd want it any other way. However, it's important to us that they have shared space and also their own space, even if it is contained in one room. I don't know when we'll own our own home again, or even when we'll be able to get our stuff out of storage. But, it never hurts to think ahead ;)

This is so bright and pretty, and would be easy enough to pull off in a rental.

                                                                                                      Source: parents.com via Cocoa on Pinterest

This particular room is pottery barn, but Ikea makes a very similar day bed. The L- shape would help make the most of a small room. Love the built in storage!

                                                                                      Source: designdazzle.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Well, it wouldn't work forever, especially if our little man gets as tall as predicted, but I love the semi-partitioned space. Allows for privacy and makes the most of an awkward roof line. If our family were more sea-faring, I'd paint each triangle up like a sail.

                                                                         Source: blogs.babble.com via Maribel on Pinterest

Obviously, this is room for two little girls and wouldn't work for our kids. But, the limited color palette, and similar materials make the room look cohesive while still allowing for individuality.

                                                                                             Source: kidsomania.com via Sofie on Pinterest

Yes, I know this is a crib :) It would be so easy to build a toddler size bed into an extra closet. So cozy for a kid!

                                                                                 Source: designdazzle.blogspot.com via Lynn on Pinterest

This probably comes from being a semi-only child ( my half sisters were grown when I came along) but I love the thought of our kids sharing a room. Am I nuts? Do your kids share a room? Love it or hate it? I'd appreciate any feedback!

Texas...For Now

Where to begin? We lift misty Washington in October of last year for sunny Texas. Specifically, the small town where my husband grew up. Though my in-laws live in town, they have a small cattle operation a few minutes away. They were kind enough to offer us the use of their camp house while we figure out what comes next for us.

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The property is where my husband's grandfather was raised, along with many brothers and sisters. Though the house burned many years ago, the original barn remains and is still used for hay storage.

Adjacent the barn is a silo. It is currently empty, but I am lobbying to turn it into another guest house. I think spending the night in a cool old silo would be so neat....what do you think? I love the top. It reminds me of the crimped bottle caps you'd find on the old glass coke bottles.

A couple of years back, Texas experienced a truly awful drought. Quite a few trees died, including some pretty good sized cedars. As time permits, my husband cuts them down, maybe 2 or 3 at a time, then hauls them to the front of the property using the tractor. He uses a chainsaw to cut a shallow lengthwise trench into each log. Then, we take turns using splitting spikes and a sledge hammer to separate the trunk into smaller pieces that will be used for either posts or rails depending upon their size...it is work This process is repeated until the entire trunk is used.

Slowly but surely, an entirely handmade and sustainably harvested fence is emerging.

Throughout the years, the property has seen many different uses; if my husbands grandfather could turn a profit on it, he farmed it. The land has grown peanuts and coastal hay; hogs, chickens, and finally cattle have all been raised on this land. The simple tin building you see below was once one of many hen houses.

.Long since inoperable, the old windmill still stands.

It is a beautiful piece of land with a fair bit of family history on it. It has been an adjustment of sorts- the first of several coming for our family in the next few months. But, for now at least, it is home.

Smithsonian- Free Tickets!!!

Yup, you read that right! Go here to claim a ticket for yourself and a guest to any Smithsonian (or affiliated) museum on September 29 2012. We are headed to the Seattle Art Museum. Tons of museums to choose from- where are you going to go?

On a side note- sorry for the lack of posting. We are nuts with transitioning to civilian life and moving cross country!

Design Your Own Crib Bedding

Just found the coolest thing ever:

Yep, you can actually design your own custom baby bedding, right down to the last detail. The tool has 40 bazillion fabric choices. Once you've picked your first swatch, you have the option of asking it narrow down the remaining swatches to those that coordinate perfectly, just in case you're worried about white backgrounds matching ;)

It's pricey as heck, though. I probably wouldn't ever pay that much for something my kids are ultimately going to get some yucky substances on. My puppy dog ensemble (see below) would have set us back about 500 bucks. I'm sure the quality is amazing- our kids are just too rough on their bedding to justify it.

I do think it's a great way to try out different patterns and colors if you're planning on making your own crib bedding. Most of the patterns shown can be approximated at JoAnne's.

But, just for fun, here's what I came up with:

Source: babybedding.com via Anaika on Pinterest

Source: babybedding.com via Anaika on Pinterest

And one of their prefabs:

 

Source: babybedding.com via Anaika on Pinterest

Disclosure: none needed...pretty sure my assessment of their pricing will preclude my ever being asked to shill for them. But, wow do they have some pretty stuff!

Craftsman 1204 MLS Pictures

They're here!!! Our Northwest MLS# is 401198, but here's a preview. Once again, a huge thank you to our amazing realtor, Ms. Danya Wolf and our equally fantastic photographer, Larry. Without further ado:

Covered teak porch, view from rose garden

Mature fir, cherry, and pear trees encircle the property

Hand inset rock leads to floating rose garden

The open floor plan of the great room encompasses living, dining, and original fireplace

Original fireplace has been professionally retrofitted to accommodate wood stove

French doors lead to the spacious master suite

Master bedroom features dramatic crown molding and custom site-built his&hers closet

Custom antique double sink console

Slate Roman spa- the perfect spot for a luxurious bath or shower

Spacious gourmet kitchen

Fenced yard, river rock chimney, and enormous side porch

Entry from access alley

Montage with view of 2nd bedroom-currently, nursery

The Cover of Real Estate Weekly

Gah!!!! We made the cover of Real Estate Weekly!!!! Can you tell we're completely over the moon?! Yeah, ok, it's a free publication, BUT it reaches 4 counties and typically only features super high-end homes, so we're ultra thrilled that the editors thought our reno was front page worthy. THANK YOU!!!!!

Our realtor just sent over the proof page and we wanted to give you a sneak peek- btw- can our realtor write a description, or what?!

Fingers crossed for an mls number within the next couple of days!!!!