tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71005284232891517132024-03-13T09:29:17.895-07:00gillar girlgillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.comBlogger649125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-30074327155067943822021-05-28T14:04:00.002-07:002024-01-22T20:33:27.129-08:00Strawberry Days<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Century Gothic";
panose-1:2 11 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style>
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Verdana;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Century Gothic";
panose-1:2 11 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
</style>
<br />
-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "century gothic";">SUMMERTIME FUN: FRESH STRAWBERRY JAM</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fB3gKR-4H6Q/VbegxwaqoVI/AAAAAAAAJeI/ADSrYNAoTs4/s1600/DSC_0195.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fB3gKR-4H6Q/VbegxwaqoVI/AAAAAAAAJeI/ADSrYNAoTs4/s640/DSC_0195.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Nothing feels
more like summertime, than fresh, ripe strawberries, blueberries and
raspberries. And one of the best things about summers in New England is that
the countryside is just full of nature’s bounty! We drive by several PYO (pick
your own) fruit & vegetable farms everyday. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<span id="goog_1794439500"></span><span id="goog_1794439501"></span><br />
<br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>So during our
first summer in this part of the country, we declared one day “Strawberry Day.”
S</span><span>trawberry Day is a day we circle on
the calendar, when we take our baskets to the farm and fill them up with
strawberries in the morning, and come home to make freezer jam in the
afternoon... And in the later afternoon, we make strawberry shakes with some of
our new strawberry jam!</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(Incidentally,
this idea was inspired by the book <u>Farmer Boy,</u> by Laura Ingalls Wilder,
and it is such an awesome read with kids!) For the month of August, we have
also added a Blueberry Day and a Raspberry Day to our calendar! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you live in a
city, like we used to, these kinds of farms may not be as accessible and PYO
might just mean going to your nearest Costco and finding the carton of
strawberries that looks the most ripe! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">But in many
places, if you take a little drive you can get to one of these PYO farms. And
let me tell you, there is something so fulfilling about plucking berries off
the vine they have ripened on! It has become one of our favorite summertime
traditions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here is the
freezer jam recipe we use:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">STRAWBERRY FREEZER JAM</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">2 cups crushed strawberries (buy 1 qt. fully ripe strawberries)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">4 cups sugar, measured into separate bowl</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">3/4 cup water</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">1 pkg. SURE-JELL Fruit Pectin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Wash strawberries & remove the stems. Crush strawberries
thoroughly. Measure exactly 2 cups prepared fruit into large bowl. Stir in
sugar until it is dissolved. Let stand 10 min., stirring occasionally.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Mix water and pectin in small saucepan. Bring to boil on high
heat, stirring constantly. Continue boiling and stirring 1 min. Add to fruit
mixture; stir 3 min. or until the sugar is dissolved. (A few sugar crystals may
remain.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: inherit; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.0pt;">Fill containers immediately to within 1/2 inch of tops. Wipe off
top edges of containers; immediately cover with lids. Let stand at room
temperature 24 hours. Jam is now ready to use. Store in refrigerator up to 3
weeks or in freezer up to 1 year. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now don’t cry
when you see the amount of sugar! Just make peace with the fact that freezer
jam isn’t healthy and go make yourself a strawberry milkshake! It’s the perfect
summertime treat!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-88935964605831442302016-01-15T09:01:00.001-08:002016-01-15T09:10:09.550-08:00to be continued at gillargirl.com<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvB80JQmYEY/VpkgGqI_doI/AAAAAAAAJvU/RI8Fp_Uo2II/s1600/gillargilr.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BvB80JQmYEY/VpkgGqI_doI/AAAAAAAAJvU/RI8Fp_Uo2II/s640/gillargilr.gif" width="494" /></a><a href="http://gillargirl.com/" target="_blank"></a> </div>
<br />
Happy news! <br />
<br />
Our new site is now up and running at: <a href="http://gillargirl.com/">gillargirl.com</a><br />
<br />
All of the content here on gillargirl.blogspot has been transferred over to <a href="http://gillargirl.com/">gillargirl.com</a>, and is being organized into categories (<a href="http://gillargirl.com/category/home-design/" target="_blank">home design</a>, <a href="http://gillargirl.com/category/kids/" target="_blank">kids</a>, <a href="http://gillargirl.com/category/east-coast/" target="_blank">east coast</a> and <a href="http://gillargirl.com/category/entertaining/" target="_blank">parties</a>), so hopefully if you're looking for something specific, it will be incredibly easy to find!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjf4O9o82C4/Vpkh_evkGPI/AAAAAAAAJvk/lSY-R0mypcc/s1600/home%2Bpage.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pjf4O9o82C4/Vpkh_evkGPI/AAAAAAAAJvk/lSY-R0mypcc/s640/home%2Bpage.tiff" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I'm trying to post a few times a week on new design projects we're working on, crafting fun and little parties, as well as our life here on the East Coast, and well, mostly that's it.<br />
<br />
A few other exciting things in the works:<br />
<br />
-- The new <a href="http://gillargirl.com/shop/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">Gillar Girl Boutique Party Line</span></a> will be released soon. Hip hip hooray!<br />
<br />
-- Over the next couple months, I will be adding a few <a href="http://gillargirl.com/classes/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">online classes</span></a> on subjects like:<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Winter Wonder: Mommy + Me Classes</i><br />
<i>Summer Workshop: How to Set Up Your Own Children's Workshop</i><br />
<i>Pint Sized Galas: Party Ideas for your Little One's Celebrations</i><br />
<br />
-- And one last thing: Something I love about living in this historic area that was settled over 400 years ago(!), is that there are so many amazing antique/salvage/found shops. And since our home can only really beautifully hold so much (or so I've been told), I'll be selling some of my <a href="http://gillargirl.com/shop/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #ea9999;">found objects</span></a> on the new site. <br />
<br />
I have been wanting to do all of this for so long, and have had to put it on the back burner with the craziness of life (namely moving 6 times in 5 years!) but am so excited to have it all coming together now, and hope you'll be a part of this new phase of <a href="http://gillargirl.com/" target="_blank">Gillar Girl</a>! <br />
<br />
much love,<br />
Tiffany Nicole <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-33368563400017295722015-09-14T10:03:00.003-07:002015-09-14T11:22:44.752-07:00mommy + me school // a is for apple<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BU2h7mOTs50/Vfb7fAN3OhI/AAAAAAAAJp8/XUVgbtrZhpw/s1600/apple%2Bcraft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BU2h7mOTs50/Vfb7fAN3OhI/AAAAAAAAJp8/XUVgbtrZhpw/s640/apple%2Bcraft.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Remember how much I loved doing the little mommy + me classes before all my kiddos were in school?!<br />
<br />
Man, I miss those days! <br />
<br />
(And still wonder . . . did I miss my calling in life by not becoming a kindergarten teacher...?!!)<br />
<br />
So if you are still in that stage of life--with little preschoolers scampering about, making mischief and making you laugh all the day long--you may want to try doing a weekly mommy + me class with them.<br />
<br />
We have so many happy memories about these times we had together. The kids still talk about how much they loved "mommy school."<br />
<br />
I put together a little "a is for apple" class for the <a href="http://www.oilostudio.com/blogs/news/45531588-mommy-me-school-a-is-for-apple" target="_blank">oilo blog</a>, so if you'd like to see the outline & the details, head over there. And let me know if you have any questions!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-69196764780175039692015-09-01T08:10:00.000-07:002015-09-01T08:45:17.435-07:00hello september!<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeJgzuA75CM/VeW-ZC-Na6I/AAAAAAAAJnk/CYdE21mk14M/s1600/window%2Bbox.tiff" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZeJgzuA75CM/VeW-ZC-Na6I/AAAAAAAAJnk/CYdE21mk14M/s640/window%2Bbox.tiff" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">this<span style="color: #f1c232;"> <span style="font-size: large;">september</span></span> i am looking forward to:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">a morning of peach picking, followed by an afternoon of fresh peach cobbler</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">walking by those quaint white picket fences as i am picking ava carmel up from
school</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">a few more beautiful beach days with perfect water temps</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">watching death cab for cutie play "i took the 405"</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">planting some autumn window boxes</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">and</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">a few hours of writing + planning in the public garden </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - --</span></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-3363096444465604502015-08-31T07:20:00.000-07:002015-08-31T07:20:02.902-07:00writing about what i love.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BC3UdW1Gq4k/VeRaIMwG5eI/AAAAAAAAJnQ/3VOoLmlxsJ8/s1600/bright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BC3UdW1Gq4k/VeRaIMwG5eI/AAAAAAAAJnQ/3VOoLmlxsJ8/s640/bright.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Behold! Ashlyn's pretty little attic bedroom here in New England. After I finish posting the pictures of our Harvard house, I'll start
posting the before and afters of our home here on the East Coast.<br />
<br />
This room was a pretty good makeover. We started with maroon floors and mauve
and blue walls. And look at it now! I've said it before and I'll say it
again: white paint is like magic in a can! <br />
<br />
Over the last couple months, I have started writing a few posts for Oilo, one of my favorite textile companies. A few weeks ago I shared some<span style="color: #76a5af;"> </span><a href="http://www.oilostudio.com/blogs/news/40292804-three-fresh-looks-for-girls-rooms" target="_blank"><span style="color: #76a5af;">fresh looks for girls' bedrooms</span></a> and this was one of them; all white + a piece of brightly painted furniture.<br />
<br />
Writing for Oilo has reminded me how much I love writing about design, about projects, and about fun things to do with my kids--basically I love writing about the things that make life feel beautiful and happy to me. It is so fulfilling to me to be creative in this way.<br />
<br />
I have been slowly working on creating a new site where I will write, and hopefully one day, I will offer on-line classes for summer workshops & adventures, and mommy and me classes, birthday party ideas, and maybe even sell some of the party supplies I love to design. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - -- - - - - - -- - - - -- </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-87734272412954660782015-08-10T15:51:00.001-07:002015-08-11T21:48:07.797-07:00closing the chapter on harvard avenue: lower level family room tour<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ruu6eHPqCps/VYMAwO1dXKI/AAAAAAAAJRo/Min4-VN_-pA/s1600/K97A4412.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ruu6eHPqCps/VYMAwO1dXKI/AAAAAAAAJRo/Min4-VN_-pA/s640/K97A4412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
photo by <span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://carindavisphotography.com/" target="_blank">carin davis</a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
It's been a little over a year that we've been here in New England. And oh
what a year. One day we will write a book entitled 'Our Year In New
Hampshire' and next time we see each other, ask us to tell you a story and you better believe, we will have a good one for you! There are just so many to choose from!<br />
<br />
We have had so many adventures, both good and bad. But we are adjusting to a new place, new people and beginning to find our place here on the East Coast.<br />
<br />
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Before I really get started here on this current chapter, I want to finish <i>that</i> chapter.<br />
<br />
Yes that one.<br />
<br />
On our dearly loved Harvard Avenue.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-75LTVyj5rzg/VYL99mR8yRI/AAAAAAAAJRc/eozpCk1scMU/s1600/DSC_0043.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-75LTVyj5rzg/VYL99mR8yRI/AAAAAAAAJRc/eozpCk1scMU/s640/DSC_0043.jpg" width="504" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N1H52ps1268/VcrKr7QkrvI/AAAAAAAAJh0/mlxKBaSTrYM/s1600/DSC_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
The last few months of living there were rough, with James commuting back east and the kids and I at home trying to finish up the remodel...the remodel that was a couple days from full completion when Piper (the dog) used the water supply line in the upstairs bathroom as a chew toy and flooded the main level and the freshly completed basement while we were away for the day.<br />
<br />
It is never a good thing when you open the front door, and it sounds like it is raining in your house.<br />
<br />
Yes Harvard house remodel, you nearly did me in. And then to have to leave
you three months after completion, nearly broke my wee designer heart.
I've started this post, several times over the last year, but the tears would start flowing every time I looked through these pictures. Not because of the remodel process(!) but because I've never lived in a place that so truly felt like home.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N1H52ps1268/VcrKr7QkrvI/AAAAAAAAJh0/mlxKBaSTrYM/s1600/DSC_0672.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N1H52ps1268/VcrKr7QkrvI/AAAAAAAAJh0/mlxKBaSTrYM/s640/DSC_0672.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<br />
I loved living here, with our home being
filled with friends and family. I loved the park
up the street, Immigration Market, the Clayton Musical, breakfast at
Eggs in the City, every child's school within a short walk, tree-lined
streets in the fall, neighborhood carnivals. It was our little slice of
heaven. <br />
<br />
So I thought I would document this home with a little home tour before I get started documenting our new home. We'll start with the level that had the most drastic change. The lower level. There was not one inch that was not touched on this level. And it got really bad before it got better!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9i3VMrCNpFk/VcrI_AOSxzI/AAAAAAAAJhk/AZD7QySI6LM/s1600/IMG_0854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9i3VMrCNpFk/VcrI_AOSxzI/AAAAAAAAJhk/AZD7QySI6LM/s640/IMG_0854.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWiOgfl73qU/VckeGuR5KbI/AAAAAAAAJgE/TIy8hoIj3uY/s1600/IMG_0855.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jWiOgfl73qU/VckeGuR5KbI/AAAAAAAAJgE/TIy8hoIj3uY/s640/IMG_0855.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
what we began with...warped slanted hardwood & yellow linoleum stairs and hallway<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bIZejWNRZc/VcrJCV8uLyI/AAAAAAAAJhs/FkT5RVzn-eA/s1600/IMG_1025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--bIZejWNRZc/VcrJCV8uLyI/AAAAAAAAJhs/FkT5RVzn-eA/s640/IMG_1025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGCf_szah2s/Vckd6N_0-GI/AAAAAAAAJfs/L8uSMDtKOac/s1600/IMG_1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mGCf_szah2s/Vckd6N_0-GI/AAAAAAAAJfs/L8uSMDtKOac/s640/IMG_1246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tcexvl4N7Is/VcrLuC6n18I/AAAAAAAAJiA/iVm7GGJ4Dh8/s1600/IMG_1248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tcexvl4N7Is/VcrLuC6n18I/AAAAAAAAJiA/iVm7GGJ4Dh8/s640/IMG_1248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
knocking out walls, adding new plumbing lines, and pouring level concrete floors<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyUv8cva-PQ/VcrMCjBAFHI/AAAAAAAAJiI/bd4V3LAMC9s/s1600/IMG_1690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eyUv8cva-PQ/VcrMCjBAFHI/AAAAAAAAJiI/bd4V3LAMC9s/s640/IMG_1690.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-q97itLjSM/Vckeeb4IrXI/AAAAAAAAJgM/vfPrk_3qQS0/s1600/IMG_1960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H-q97itLjSM/Vckeeb4IrXI/AAAAAAAAJgM/vfPrk_3qQS0/s640/IMG_1960.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
new open layout, new drywall, new duct work, new lighting & new concrete floors<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_OIuxIorEs/VcrNXAyYiMI/AAAAAAAAJiU/2cIo8NGKd0k/s1600/IMG_1967.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-H_OIuxIorEs/VcrNXAyYiMI/AAAAAAAAJiU/2cIo8NGKd0k/s640/IMG_1967.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-47GVRPWT4jo/VcklXwX5ufI/AAAAAAAAJgk/LIDKF5jpQZk/s1600/IMG_2366.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-47GVRPWT4jo/VcklXwX5ufI/AAAAAAAAJgk/LIDKF5jpQZk/s640/IMG_2366.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kWddo2THYCc/VcrNhGj0xeI/AAAAAAAAJiY/bnJnprHJEV4/s1600/IMG_2472.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kWddo2THYCc/VcrNhGj0xeI/AAAAAAAAJiY/bnJnprHJEV4/s640/IMG_2472.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
we didn't mind the weird wall/duct work since we knew we could hide it by building a media center cabinet here<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-EznU-Glpk/VYMDuf9sipI/AAAAAAAAJSU/rO7vakxx3Yc/s1600/DSC_0690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c-EznU-Glpk/VYMDuf9sipI/AAAAAAAAJSU/rO7vakxx3Yc/s640/DSC_0690.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETJzES5yeU4/VcrI5w4oBjI/AAAAAAAAJhc/b9dSTr153cE/s1600/DSC_0654.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ETJzES5yeU4/VcrI5w4oBjI/AAAAAAAAJhc/b9dSTr153cE/s640/DSC_0654.jpg" width="424" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuYt6GXzviA/VYMDOQ9KUoI/AAAAAAAAJSM/ScDAkzJfF5g/s1600/DSC_0728.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuYt6GXzviA/VYMDOQ9KUoI/AAAAAAAAJSM/ScDAkzJfF5g/s640/DSC_0728.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_cp3OlnlYQ/VYMCeuKOS7I/AAAAAAAAJSA/Wwq4xamDkzE/s1600/DSC_0662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X_cp3OlnlYQ/VYMCeuKOS7I/AAAAAAAAJSA/Wwq4xamDkzE/s640/DSC_0662.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the original hearth was so cracked and damaged when we bought the home that we knew we would need to end up redoing it. We did the floors in a durable, high end laminate (<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://www.mannington.com/" target="_blank">Mannington</a></span>) & painted the walls in Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore (yes, along with the rest of the blogging world!)<br />
<br />
BEFORE </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dzxEWIRuot4/Vckd_gDVEqI/AAAAAAAAJf0/VzxE_vYkJgE/s640/IMG_1142.JPG" width="640" /> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
and </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
AFTER</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow1xkMCmAv0/VcknmnMFjqI/AAAAAAAAJgw/9z5izYCfxlQ/s1600/K97A4412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ow1xkMCmAv0/VcknmnMFjqI/AAAAAAAAJgw/9z5izYCfxlQ/s640/K97A4412.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
photo by <span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://carindavisphotography.com/" target="_blank">carin davis</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Can you believe the difference?! I hardly can. It was a beast to live through, but this became our perfect little hangout/playroom for all of us. Just down the hall we added two bedrooms, one for Andrew & one for Cam, and a beautiful, albeit pint-sized, bathroom too. Those rooms are coming up next!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - - - -- - - - - -</span></div>
<br />gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-4189023974370164722015-08-05T11:54:00.005-07:002015-08-05T12:07:18.381-07:00happy august!<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NcG_iF2aEz8/VcJbSYBGMVI/AAAAAAAAJe8/Oiq2rYvX7eU/s1600/august.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NcG_iF2aEz8/VcJbSYBGMVI/AAAAAAAAJe8/Oiq2rYvX7eU/s640/august.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:Cambria;
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;
mso-font-charset:0;
mso-generic-font-family:auto;
mso-font-pitch:variable;
mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{mso-style-parent:"";
margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:major-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria;
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:major-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;
mso-header-margin:.5in;
mso-footer-margin:.5in;
mso-paper-source:0;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
--</style><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">this <span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="font-size: large;">august</span></span> i am looking forward to:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">backyard movies played on the back of our barn</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">lots of boogie boarding (the water is now over 65
degrees!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">finally launching our brand
new gillar girl website!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">getting started on my training schedule for the Cape Cod
half marathon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">and </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace; font-size: small;">whale watching off the coast of Maine (i hope we see one!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;">- - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - --</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"> </span> </div>
<br />
<br />gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-61921472122384688202015-07-01T19:13:00.001-07:002015-07-01T19:14:48.337-07:00happy july!<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KHAkzPT2oO8/VZSaFAZsw_I/AAAAAAAAJS8/g1OMTVWh_t0/s1600/july.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KHAkzPT2oO8/VZSaFAZsw_I/AAAAAAAAJS8/g1OMTVWh_t0/s640/july.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
this <span style="font-size: large;"><span data-mce-style="color: #ff0000;" style="color: red;">july</span></span> i am looking forward to:</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
<br data-mce-bogus="1" /></div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
a morning of strawberry picking followed right up with an afternoon of strawberry jam making</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
flying over those amazingly massive mountains into salt lake city</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
taking a bath in my brand spankin new bathroom</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
backyard
campouts </div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
(just kidding. nope this one isn't going to be happening this
year. there are BATS here people. lots of em. it is supah freaky)</div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
and of course, </div>
<div data-mce-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center;">
celebrating this beautiful country with a</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
firework show in the charming little town of portsmouth</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
i'm pretty sure there's no better place to celebrate independence day than here in new england! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - - - - - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-18081256999990491982015-01-06T11:19:00.000-08:002015-01-06T11:19:15.494-08:00hello 2015.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sFeosircXU/VKwzvoQoR-I/AAAAAAAAJGI/vqJrNSSLiNA/s1600/2015.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_sFeosircXU/VKwzvoQoR-I/AAAAAAAAJGI/vqJrNSSLiNA/s1600/2015.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A new year is here. . . and we couldn't be happier about it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #d0e0e3;">- - - - - - -- -- - - - - -- - - - -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-83692177324918636612014-06-24T06:13:00.000-07:002014-06-24T06:27:59.780-07:00new england adventures || york maine<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HujohDHx2V0/U6QojINiOYI/AAAAAAAAIw4/mhQ08QGoceM/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HujohDHx2V0/U6QojINiOYI/AAAAAAAAIw4/mhQ08QGoceM/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HujohDHx2V0/U6QojINiOYI/AAAAAAAAIw4/mhQ08QGoceM/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ivjzGOolTNc/U6QnvC0Vv0I/AAAAAAAAIww/-j0lqhLJBpw/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ivjzGOolTNc/U6QnvC0Vv0I/AAAAAAAAIww/-j0lqhLJBpw/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" height="600" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
I am so thankful for this Jimmy. How is it that we have been parents for 15 years all ready?! I'll never forget how excited he was the moment we found out we were going to be parents. He was pure excitement, so thrilled! And I was a little terrified about the permanent new phase of life we were going to be entering. And then eight months later Ashlyn arrived and I fell head over heels in love with her and with being a mama.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
As soon as we knew I was pregnant, Jimmy got to work getting a little nursery all ready over the next many weekends, painting, adding wainscot, helping his dad build a changing table. One day I came home from work and there was a new rocking chair all wrapped up in a big bow sitting in the room. And lots of nights when I would walk down the hallway heading to our bedroom, I would find him standing in the little nursery quietly looking around, and he would say "I can't wait until the baby is here!" He is such a wonderful dad and is adored by all in this household!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To celebrate him on father's day, we made a delicious blueberry lemon crumb cake for breakfast (using <span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/blueberry-crumb-cake-recipe.html" target="_blank">this recipe</a></span>. it's a good one.) And then after church, we drove up the seacoast a little ways to York, Maine for a picnic and relaxing on our favorite spot overlooking the ocean.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjGwamdJ3ks/U6lls_H0gFI/AAAAAAAAIyU/hsh8-8tBdAg/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mjGwamdJ3ks/U6lls_H0gFI/AAAAAAAAIyU/hsh8-8tBdAg/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qb278UXwZg/U6Qou-7yNoI/AAAAAAAAIxQ/wOfBC8xRQ5E/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Qb278UXwZg/U6Qou-7yNoI/AAAAAAAAIxQ/wOfBC8xRQ5E/s1600/DSC_0145.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECDgIXF4oGs/U6Qoq_-tt8I/AAAAAAAAIxA/ID8mgHJBmOs/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ECDgIXF4oGs/U6Qoq_-tt8I/AAAAAAAAIxA/ID8mgHJBmOs/s1600/DSC_0047.JPG" height="482" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
One of things I love most about living
near the seacoast is that there are so many picturesque beaches along
the New England coastline. We feel like we are on vacation every
weekend! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Quintessential
New England here. And just up around this bend is the Nubble
Lighthouse on a tiny rock island. We went there a few weeks ago and I
didn't have my camera, so you'll just have to take my word for it that
it is the prettiest lighthouse I've ever seen! And the clam chowder at the little cafe is delicious.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iE1K7n8k_os/U6QtwymmKXI/AAAAAAAAIx0/K_lx4L89nvE/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iE1K7n8k_os/U6QtwymmKXI/AAAAAAAAIx0/K_lx4L89nvE/s1600/DSC_0129.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6W1ghmyFXA/U6Qos0DWWzI/AAAAAAAAIxI/Q-FEsCsPim8/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G6W1ghmyFXA/U6Qos0DWWzI/AAAAAAAAIxI/Q-FEsCsPim8/s1600/DSC_0109.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wi3CO47xrxQ/U6QsC8Zw3iI/AAAAAAAAIxc/JazqDzM7YKg/s1600/DSC_0152.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wi3CO47xrxQ/U6QsC8Zw3iI/AAAAAAAAIxc/JazqDzM7YKg/s1600/DSC_0152.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ae_nrMBVTRg/U6QsJF6ZC8I/AAAAAAAAIxk/_tf4OqpghgE/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ae_nrMBVTRg/U6QsJF6ZC8I/AAAAAAAAIxk/_tf4OqpghgE/s1600/DSC_0130.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CDqoYrdoDDs/U6QvIF_xFII/AAAAAAAAIyE/H9yek6RLNj0/s1600/york.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CDqoYrdoDDs/U6QvIF_xFII/AAAAAAAAIyE/H9yek6RLNj0/s1600/york.png" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jimmy admiring all his handmade cards (Ava Carmel looking on with her 3D glasses. haha! She wishes she had glasses so bad!), and Ashlyn practicing her TED talk for the 1000th time for part of her English final. (She spoke on the freedom every single person possesses; inner freedom, or the ability to choose your attitude independent of physical restrictions or circumstances.) She got an A+ so I'm sure she did a great job! (They actually give A+'s here and also they grade on a 5.0 GPA, not a 4.0.) New to me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But her final exams were intense. It was a stressful place around here for a few weeks. She's so glad they're over. But I think the whole family breathed a collective sigh of relief after her last exam. When Ashlyn ain't happy, ain't nobody happy! I was oh so tempted to remind her every ten minutes to practice what she preached in her TED talk. Teenagers love it when you do stuff like that :/</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
However I am <i>so</i> impressed with the education she is getting in her high
school. She has become a critical thinker, and her ability to express herself
verbally and through writing, and (what I love most) her passion for learning has just
taken off since being here. I love that she has become such a thinker
and is exposed to ideas that push her mind and cause her to really examine what she thinks, what her life philosophies, opinions and beliefs
are. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Isn't being a parent the most rewarding job in the world?! It really is like watching a little seed grow and gradually unfold itself leaf by leaf. Only it's a thousand times more fun :)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-54595678895212207732014-06-16T05:17:00.000-07:002014-06-16T05:27:21.845-07:00new england adventures || the crane estate<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TIn87r4Az5Y/U5rplyeotxI/AAAAAAAAIuo/v3D8EAzOCvs/s1600/DSC_0434.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-GYZaifuOA/U5rrLzNVEKI/AAAAAAAAIu0/5HNTr2axaAM/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-GYZaifuOA/U5rrLzNVEKI/AAAAAAAAIu0/5HNTr2axaAM/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The sun has begun to shine more frequently here in New England, and (as expected) my happiness level with being here has increased right along with it. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Also we have found a house! We are under contract now on a victorian (with a cupola!) built in 1900--this makes my design heart so happy! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And so that temporary make-shift feeling is starting to go away. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is such a beautiful part of the country, full of stories and history, and despite our frequent homesickness, we LOVE discovering it all! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One of the places we have discovered is the gorgeous <span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/northeast-ma/castle-hill-on-the-crane.html" target="_blank">Crane Estate</a></span> in Ipswich. Oh beautiful manors that have rolling lawns to the
ocean, you are our very favorite. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I think maybe it is
kind of an undiscovered gem here?--although I'm sure it must get busier once
school gets out. (Ugh, this is a never-ending school year. . . only two more days!) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyway, everyone I've mentioned The Crane Estate to, has
never been. We however have been three times in the few months we've
lived here! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHEY7VWKqiE/U5r_FbUqywI/AAAAAAAAIv4/_Uj4FUacGYo/s1600/DSC_0465.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHEY7VWKqiE/U5r_FbUqywI/AAAAAAAAIv4/_Uj4FUacGYo/s1600/DSC_0465.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TIn87r4Az5Y/U5rplyeotxI/AAAAAAAAIuo/v3D8EAzOCvs/s1600/DSC_0434.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TIn87r4Az5Y/U5rplyeotxI/AAAAAAAAIuo/v3D8EAzOCvs/s1600/DSC_0434.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-71_vUjU4g/U5rnffH-PiI/AAAAAAAAIt0/KbM8eQ20vWI/s1600/DSC_0443.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y-71_vUjU4g/U5rnffH-PiI/AAAAAAAAIt0/KbM8eQ20vWI/s1600/DSC_0443.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7dlWoEmW9DA/U5rngbPEDPI/AAAAAAAAIuE/bCFmm1o2j6Y/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7dlWoEmW9DA/U5rngbPEDPI/AAAAAAAAIuE/bCFmm1o2j6Y/s1600/DSC_0457.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We have picnics on the lawns and wander down onto the beach and pretty much have the place to ourselves. We just kind of pretend it's our house. . . or that we are servants at the house. You can see the kids practicing greeting our guests--Downton Abbey style, in that picture above :) </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Besides the incredible manor & bowling green & Great Gatsby-esque outdoor pool & gardens & outbuildings, the property ends on the best beach we've found so far--lots of sand dunes and trails to explore too.<br />
<br />
We've yet to have a <i>really warm</i>, goosebump-free beach day, but I am promised they do actually come! The kids crazily get into the frigid water sometimes. . . and insist <i>it's not cold</i>. . . and try to get me to come in too. Nice try. . . no polar bear plunges for this girl. I prefer my water Caribbean style.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0JNQf1NJp28/U5r8Zfz4l5I/AAAAAAAAIvk/87r7yKdCMXg/s1600/DSC_0391.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0JNQf1NJp28/U5r8Zfz4l5I/AAAAAAAAIvk/87r7yKdCMXg/s1600/DSC_0391.JPG" height="400" width="640" /></a> </div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YJF8JuFXlQ/U5r_mX68wiI/AAAAAAAAIwA/YXrtJq5aAFA/s1600/DSC_0354.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3YJF8JuFXlQ/U5r_mX68wiI/AAAAAAAAIwA/YXrtJq5aAFA/s1600/DSC_0354.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We hadn't planned on getting in the water this day, so didn't wear our suits. But Andy can never resist getting further and further into the water until his pants or shorts or soaking wet. It happens every time. Here he is wrapped up in a blanket while his pants hang on the fence drying off. . . :)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cb8ij_7y-rU/U5r9E0_EVtI/AAAAAAAAIvs/iNlfK5Xdw-g/s1600/DSC_0430.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cb8ij_7y-rU/U5r9E0_EVtI/AAAAAAAAIvs/iNlfK5Xdw-g/s1600/DSC_0430.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWTQtD07zyc/U5r59pG2XTI/AAAAAAAAIvQ/zAtR9rt5llc/s1600/crane.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-GYZaifuOA/U5rrLzNVEKI/AAAAAAAAIu0/5HNTr2axaAM/s1600/DSC_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyRUHV4mmXM/U5r27K2aK9I/AAAAAAAAIvE/Dtp85PKs6ro/s1600/DSC_0376.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyRUHV4mmXM/U5r27K2aK9I/AAAAAAAAIvE/Dtp85PKs6ro/s1600/DSC_0376.JPG" height="442" width="640" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWTQtD07zyc/U5r59pG2XTI/AAAAAAAAIvQ/zAtR9rt5llc/s1600/crane.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aWTQtD07zyc/U5r59pG2XTI/AAAAAAAAIvQ/zAtR9rt5llc/s1600/crane.png" height="440" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mF0kdeFQDA/U5rncg_ysmI/AAAAAAAAItI/lA7cNq8Nt54/s1600/DSC_0379.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--mF0kdeFQDA/U5rncg_ysmI/AAAAAAAAItI/lA7cNq8Nt54/s1600/DSC_0379.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOfK_CmlHyU/U5sAVLEPndI/AAAAAAAAIwM/TzM-cApZKTI/s1600/DSC_0419.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cOfK_CmlHyU/U5sAVLEPndI/AAAAAAAAIwM/TzM-cApZKTI/s1600/DSC_0419.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
Looking forward to a summer full of adventures with this little crew of mine. xo</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - - - - - </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-31551099055361948612014-06-05T20:16:00.000-07:002014-06-05T21:41:25.358-07:00harvard avenue home tour // the entryway<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YmHzB0nPN8g/U0A-5LCV0aI/AAAAAAAAIlo/d9-r1L_Al0A/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YmHzB0nPN8g/U0A-5LCV0aI/AAAAAAAAIlo/d9-r1L_Al0A/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
Although we only lived in
our home on Harvard Avenue for a couple years, we really fell in love
with this little corner of the world. So many happy memories &
friendships were made in this home and in the charming streets and
parks and shops that surrounded it.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
And although I never got around to posting pictures here, we actually DID finish our remodel!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzRb7FEn2FQ/U0A-3E2HYPI/AAAAAAAAIlI/StSG7qf4Jo4/s1600/DSC_0070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzRb7FEn2FQ/U0A-3E2HYPI/AAAAAAAAIlI/StSG7qf4Jo4/s1600/DSC_0070.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lacYpfEkORw/U0A-32M7YVI/AAAAAAAAIlQ/0cKwko5ja9Y/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lacYpfEkORw/U0A-32M7YVI/AAAAAAAAIlQ/0cKwko5ja9Y/s1600/DSC_0078.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZzRb7FEn2FQ/U0A-3E2HYPI/AAAAAAAAIlI/StSG7qf4Jo4/s1600/DSC_0070.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Kx4R_KPwHQ/U0A-2zP_qhI/AAAAAAAAIk8/YRJUgqy3E_Y/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Kx4R_KPwHQ/U0A-2zP_qhI/AAAAAAAAIk8/YRJUgqy3E_Y/s1600/DSC_0061.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DC5UdIzpWHk/U0A_G4uyeAI/AAAAAAAAIns/GtsvhlEIulg/s1600/DSC_0707.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DC5UdIzpWHk/U0A_G4uyeAI/AAAAAAAAIns/GtsvhlEIulg/s1600/DSC_0707.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I loved this home and felt like my soul & the soul of this old house bonded through our renovation journey! <br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
It was such a fulfilling creative project, but it was also really exhausting to live in a state of constant contractors and project messes. And I don't think I'm going to feel like tackling a big project like this for a few more years, so I wish we had been able to stay awhile and enjoy it a little longer. . . like 50 years longer. . . but on to the next adventure eh?!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - -</span></div>
<br />
<br />
So when we purchased the home, the entryway was super crammed & kind of dark -- the front door couldn't swing all the way open -- just to
about a 90 degree angle, since the entry wall was. right. there. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
This was taken after demo began, but if you look at the picture below, the <i>original</i> entry wall was right next to the casing around the door. It was soooo crammed when guests were coming and going, so we decided to remedy that by pushing that wall back by four feet to give the entry a more spacious feel.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldnrmI0hQD0/U3fYRw2bdrI/AAAAAAAAIqE/QjBD6vpDFsY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1RDHyJW-xg/U3fYRHTxXXI/AAAAAAAAIp8/N92hvnfql10/s1600/photo+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e1RDHyJW-xg/U3fYRHTxXXI/AAAAAAAAIp8/N92hvnfql10/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pi7UgnWvw34/U3fYRfSKuqI/AAAAAAAAIqA/xQeidY9OcME/s1600/photo+3.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pi7UgnWvw34/U3fYRfSKuqI/AAAAAAAAIqA/xQeidY9OcME/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After moving the wall, it felt so much better -- there was even room for a little armchair! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiQAVoviBAw/U5EcuwNUlWI/AAAAAAAAIrA/YNn7WW24-Gg/s1600/DSC_0537.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiQAVoviBAw/U5EcuwNUlWI/AAAAAAAAIrA/YNn7WW24-Gg/s1600/DSC_0537.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKd3pkz7G50/U5EZUubOmwI/AAAAAAAAIqo/DPV6DjCCQn0/s1600/DSC_0129.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IKd3pkz7G50/U5EZUubOmwI/AAAAAAAAIqo/DPV6DjCCQn0/s1600/DSC_0129.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
One of the details I loved about this house was the three beautiful archways. When we tore this wall down we asked <span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://www.redleafutah.com/index.html" target="_blank">our contractor</a></span> to replicate the original archway leading into the family room. He did a beautiful job.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWaZaiv9zro/U5EbW8h64RI/AAAAAAAAIq0/_-_8NiZ3Mek/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mWaZaiv9zro/U5EbW8h64RI/AAAAAAAAIq0/_-_8NiZ3Mek/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Hn4zvMUaNI/U5EgC3pg8hI/AAAAAAAAIrM/mruelWL2w0k/s1600/K97A4533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Hn4zvMUaNI/U5EgC3pg8hI/AAAAAAAAIrM/mruelWL2w0k/s1600/K97A4533.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
with grandpa the day before the movers arrived<br />
photo by <a href="http://carindavisphotography.com/" target="_blank">carin davis photography</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
The floors were covered in thick yellow shag so we pulled those up within the first few days, which
exposed old wood treads with very beat up yellow & lavender
risers. Giving those risers a fresh coat of white paint, instantly
brightened that space up considerably. White paint, I tell you. It's
like magic in a can. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldnrmI0hQD0/U3fYRw2bdrI/AAAAAAAAIqE/QjBD6vpDFsY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7BiFeQyuayE/U0A_EToESJI/AAAAAAAAInc/3aiVOF9hOog/s1600/DSC_0696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7BiFeQyuayE/U0A_EToESJI/AAAAAAAAInc/3aiVOF9hOog/s1600/DSC_0696.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_lfEeXvw7Jk/U0A-71KP3GI/AAAAAAAAImM/zNAK9bniVDY/s1600/DSC_0406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_lfEeXvw7Jk/U0A-71KP3GI/AAAAAAAAImM/zNAK9bniVDY/s1600/DSC_0406.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldnrmI0hQD0/U3fYRw2bdrI/AAAAAAAAIqE/QjBD6vpDFsY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ldnrmI0hQD0/U3fYRw2bdrI/AAAAAAAAIqE/QjBD6vpDFsY/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_lfEeXvw7Jk/U0A-71KP3GI/AAAAAAAAImM/zNAK9bniVDY/s1600/DSC_0406.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c3EMkurdX1o/U0A_9Pd3y8I/AAAAAAAAIoE/UyjnnuX1EGc/s1600/DSC_0404.jpg" height="640" width="424" /><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jM9A9ZIvYE/U0BD5MjUTZI/AAAAAAAAIos/8MILYQVof8o/s1600/DSC_0219.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3jM9A9ZIvYE/U0BD5MjUTZI/AAAAAAAAIos/8MILYQVof8o/s1600/DSC_0219.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7BiFeQyuayE/U0A_EToESJI/AAAAAAAAInc/3aiVOF9hOog/s1600/DSC_0696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I lived with the dark brown banisters for the first year, trying to decide whether or not to paint them--since I was 99% sure the wood & paint treatment (notice the little gold and dark green details) was original. Ultimately they never did grow on me and so we painted them. I like keeping original details as much as possible--to me, they tell stories and add an abundance of charm--but at the end of the day, it is my house, so I'm going to change what I really don't like.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seZ5iU21CNM/U0A_B5MgOsI/AAAAAAAAInE/jWGSTUS0HCg/s1600/DSC_0670.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-seZ5iU21CNM/U0A_B5MgOsI/AAAAAAAAInE/jWGSTUS0HCg/s1600/DSC_0670.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
(my only before pic has our oh-so-spooky halloween decorations in it. . .)<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aU6rAaCdzak/U0A-6rAxBbI/AAAAAAAAImA/KpqUVGo5ruw/s1600/DSC_0379.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aU6rAaCdzak/U0A-6rAxBbI/AAAAAAAAImA/KpqUVGo5ruw/s1600/DSC_0379.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7BiFeQyuayE/U0A_EToESJI/AAAAAAAAInc/3aiVOF9hOog/s1600/DSC_0696.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2iYFLwIV30Q/U0A_A8MsU9I/AAAAAAAAIm8/jQI7gGaykxQ/s1600/DSC_0666.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2iYFLwIV30Q/U0A_A8MsU9I/AAAAAAAAIm8/jQI7gGaykxQ/s1600/DSC_0666.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YmHzB0nPN8g/U0A-5LCV0aI/AAAAAAAAIlo/d9-r1L_Al0A/s1600/DSC_0225.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H38aKqe13DE/U0A_DsjUK5I/AAAAAAAAInU/mljSYuaJKVw/s1600/DSC_0694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H38aKqe13DE/U0A_DsjUK5I/AAAAAAAAInU/mljSYuaJKVw/s1600/DSC_0694.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVVr9fFuJrI/U0A-9vemJeI/AAAAAAAAImc/-INa-rQ6nwU/s1600/DSC_0521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WVVr9fFuJrI/U0A-9vemJeI/AAAAAAAAImc/-INa-rQ6nwU/s1600/DSC_0521.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When we bought the home, there was a door on this little coat room off the staircase hiding my favorite window in the whole house! We pulled the door off so we could see the leaded glass window and let in all the natural light onto the staircase. I loved this pretty view walking down the stairs every morning!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - - - - - -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-32561682877871915952014-03-28T05:48:00.001-07:002014-03-28T05:55:22.854-07:00my heavy heart.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2gc1ci6XlU/UzVnZFMZcLI/AAAAAAAAIkU/3nbixmwgTA8/s1600/DSC_0790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2gc1ci6XlU/UzVnZFMZcLI/AAAAAAAAIkU/3nbixmwgTA8/s1600/DSC_0790.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
|| <i>saying good-bye to our home on Harvard Avenue in Salt Lake City</i> ||</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It's been a little over a month here in New England. And the reality is settling in to my heart that we are not going "home." Home is here now.<br />
<br />
Except it doesn't feel anything like home.<br />
<br />
It reminds me of my darling dear friend who moved to our neighborhood in Salt Lake City right before we did. She missed her home & life in San Fransisco so much and wished so badly to go back. And while I totally sympathized (hello. it was San Fransisco she left. . .), I also wondered "how could anyone not want to live <i>here </i>in<i> this</i> charming little neighborhood?!<br />
<br />
Isn't it interesting how everyone's ideal is so different? To me, our tudor home on Harvard Avenue on our tree-lined street, all nestled up inside the big city . . . that was perfection! <br />
<br />
And yet it is so beautiful here in New England. It is quaint. It is earthy and simple. I see the beauty with my eyes. But it has yet to sink into my soul. I think it will eventually. And I have a sneaking suspicion it will occur when the thermometer is consistently above 50. <br />
<br />
I hope to fall in love with this place, like I did our last home & neighborhood. But there is this persistent quiet pinging in the back of my head that keeps faintly saying why? . . . why? . . . . why? . . .<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
- - - - - - - - - - </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-83772091077992794302013-10-26T21:28:00.003-07:002013-10-26T21:48:02.595-07:00the great pumpkin patch.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XrrYAH1sxiw/UmyQHBnNmZI/AAAAAAAAIbE/JAf7MgV7n0s/s1600/DSC_0112_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XrrYAH1sxiw/UmyQHBnNmZI/AAAAAAAAIbE/JAf7MgV7n0s/s640/DSC_0112_2.JPG" width="640" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JjSuCg9QLhI/UmyQ10q2J-I/AAAAAAAAIbM/fD6R4JOuIfo/s1600/DSC_0106_2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JjSuCg9QLhI/UmyQ10q2J-I/AAAAAAAAIbM/fD6R4JOuIfo/s640/DSC_0106_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
one of our favorite things to do each fall is go to a "pick your own" pumpkin patch.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
when we lived in farmington, we had a couple that were quite close, but now we have to drive a little ways to get to one. last year, not really feeling like making the drive, jimmy and i suggested that we go to a pumpkin stand in front of a grocery store instead, and the kids just. about. <i>died</i>. <i> </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i>not pick the pumpkin from the ground?!</i> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
heaven forbid. what were we thinking?! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
i didn't realize that we had created such a tradition, but indeed we have. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4H2p2bLKRjY/UmyRJ2nm7fI/AAAAAAAAIbU/136auNHphMU/s1600/DSC_0091_2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4H2p2bLKRjY/UmyRJ2nm7fI/AAAAAAAAIbU/136auNHphMU/s640/DSC_0091_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASjGQMv5Jvw/UmyRhO6gs1I/AAAAAAAAIbs/l5B3wZVide0/s1600/DSC_0093_2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASjGQMv5Jvw/UmyRhO6gs1I/AAAAAAAAIbs/l5B3wZVide0/s640/DSC_0093_2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9PXllFoo2o/UmyRemVInNI/AAAAAAAAIbk/mg2AcV-VMcU/s1600/DSC_0124_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D9PXllFoo2o/UmyRemVInNI/AAAAAAAAIbk/mg2AcV-VMcU/s640/DSC_0124_2.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxNs5W-_EkA/UmyRbARiTWI/AAAAAAAAIbc/Mg-6Nh7N4k0/s1600/DSC_0130_2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nxNs5W-_EkA/UmyRbARiTWI/AAAAAAAAIbc/Mg-6Nh7N4k0/s640/DSC_0130_2.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ASjGQMv5Jvw/UmyRhO6gs1I/AAAAAAAAIbs/l5B3wZVide0/s1600/DSC_0093_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
today on the way home from the pumpkin patch, andy said <i>"</i>this is my very favorite thing about halloween. i like it even more than carving pumpkins . . . and even more than trick or treating!"</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
kids love special traditions don't they?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
there
is something about walking through the dirt and vines, breathing in the
crisp fall air and finding your very own pumpkin that is pretty
magical. i love this time of year!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - - - - - -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4H2p2bLKRjY/UmyRJ2nm7fI/AAAAAAAAIbU/136auNHphMU/s1600/DSC_0091_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-20279338680025186172013-10-22T22:02:00.001-07:002013-10-22T22:18:11.661-07:00surprise! a brand new bedroom for ashlyn<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVAf32oB0tQ/UleBeyZ79CI/AAAAAAAAIW8/sSArUfjiHsM/s1600/DSC_0270.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uVAf32oB0tQ/UleBeyZ79CI/AAAAAAAAIW8/sSArUfjiHsM/s640/DSC_0270.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so the minute ashlyn headed out the door to camp, we all jumped into action putting together her new room. i had been drawing up plans and ordering her bed and finding fabric, during the previous month or two and i was <i>pretty sure</i> she was completely in the dark about it. she's been such a good sport about going from her <a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2010/02/garden-room.html" target="_blank">own room</a>, to sharing a room with her little sis, to <a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2012/01/home-tour-kids-room.html" target="_blank">sharing a room with her little sis AND two brothers</a>(!) and back again to sharing a room with her little sis and now finally a (pretty, functional) room of her own!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SG5YxV9qBo/UleBiEfrvpI/AAAAAAAAIXQ/4iqkrWt3J2A/s1600/DSC_0288.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SG5YxV9qBo/UleBiEfrvpI/AAAAAAAAIXQ/4iqkrWt3J2A/s640/DSC_0288.jpg" width="424" /></a><br />
this light fixture was a hanging flower basket that was in my parents garage. it's really pretty easy to retrofit a light fixture like this. i followed <a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2009/09/21/diy-anthropolgie-inspired-pendant-light/" target="_blank">ashley anns instructions</a> and they worked great.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GHcUtqJ41Y/UleF8hwuqaI/AAAAAAAAIZU/J9GEEJN8hDQ/s1600/DSC_0449.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1GHcUtqJ41Y/UleF8hwuqaI/AAAAAAAAIZU/J9GEEJN8hDQ/s640/DSC_0449.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5E9N87jpx_A/UleDDtom1YI/AAAAAAAAIX8/SixVMDapF2w/s1600/DSC_0294.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5E9N87jpx_A/UleDDtom1YI/AAAAAAAAIX8/SixVMDapF2w/s640/DSC_0294.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
i turned this ikea frame into a small bulletin board by tracing the frame backing onto a piece of foam board, cutting the foam board out and then wrapping it with linen (painters tape works just fine for adhering the linen to the foam board and is easy to adjust as you're going along)<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHIw2aqCI4M/UleC97V0TRI/AAAAAAAAIXk/reOIulY14Gw/s1600/DSC_0304.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHIw2aqCI4M/UleC97V0TRI/AAAAAAAAIXk/reOIulY14Gw/s640/DSC_0304.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fToWAaNYSis/UleDDpCRcoI/AAAAAAAAIYA/Ak70h6nRpqA/s1600/DSC_0291.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fToWAaNYSis/UleDDpCRcoI/AAAAAAAAIYA/Ak70h6nRpqA/s640/DSC_0291.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3LSF0i_HVA/UleC_8R5pLI/AAAAAAAAIXs/XKJxTYKsL6A/s1600/DSC_0323.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n3LSF0i_HVA/UleC_8R5pLI/AAAAAAAAIXs/XKJxTYKsL6A/s640/DSC_0323.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHvjWC7kWgY/UleBeKGqshI/AAAAAAAAIW4/aDdsxZuQrCw/s1600/DSC_0248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zHvjWC7kWgY/UleBeKGqshI/AAAAAAAAIW4/aDdsxZuQrCw/s640/DSC_0248.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
we tried to make the room really functional with a small table light for late night reading, a new dresser, a desk area, bookshelf and little chair for friends to sit in or to lounge in and take in the pretty backyard view.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SG5YxV9qBo/UleBiEfrvpI/AAAAAAAAIXQ/4iqkrWt3J2A/s1600/DSC_0288.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oaB_dkM-E-Y/UleKLrn39cI/AAAAAAAAIak/VdwI7djSXnE/s1600/DSC_0347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oaB_dkM-E-Y/UleKLrn39cI/AAAAAAAAIak/VdwI7djSXnE/s640/DSC_0347.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfYYFAlBkdU/UleEdjrSixI/AAAAAAAAIYQ/MNl13oVyqYQ/s1600/DSC_0383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VfYYFAlBkdU/UleEdjrSixI/AAAAAAAAIYQ/MNl13oVyqYQ/s640/DSC_0383.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIM7VQBOT8M/UleEjfkUABI/AAAAAAAAIYs/H4OkSCdwSQM/s1600/DSC_0401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xIM7VQBOT8M/UleEjfkUABI/AAAAAAAAIYs/H4OkSCdwSQM/s640/DSC_0401.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_LiHcf3cQEI/UleEj8IR1eI/AAAAAAAAIYw/xEajoo0r8Ps/s1600/DSC_0432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_LiHcf3cQEI/UleEj8IR1eI/AAAAAAAAIYw/xEajoo0r8Ps/s640/DSC_0432.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DRzqmx5_Kx4/UleF7w6G6tI/AAAAAAAAIZI/EfDAUHD1pTE/s1600/DSC_0480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DRzqmx5_Kx4/UleF7w6G6tI/AAAAAAAAIZI/EfDAUHD1pTE/s640/DSC_0480.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDKk7gWuoNw/UleF_4q7L_I/AAAAAAAAIZk/ZYOcQ99t5W8/s1600/DSC_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDKk7gWuoNw/UleF_4q7L_I/AAAAAAAAIZk/ZYOcQ99t5W8/s640/DSC_0487.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
when i'm on a tight budget, these are my go to window treatments. they are really popular in sweden and since i love gustavian style, i am always seeing them in my design books. so inexpensive and easy to make!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-irE_vLrqFLg/UleICoyVV6I/AAAAAAAAIaA/9YSIBp2MRUo/s1600/DSC_0515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-irE_vLrqFLg/UleICoyVV6I/AAAAAAAAIaA/9YSIBp2MRUo/s640/DSC_0515.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmrqP_SsdOw/UleF7Vu-T3I/AAAAAAAAIZE/ubx3N9qcbCs/s1600/DSC_0461.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XmrqP_SsdOw/UleF7Vu-T3I/AAAAAAAAIZE/ubx3N9qcbCs/s640/DSC_0461.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SI2cySn3_CA/UleIBcH0DiI/AAAAAAAAIZ4/NEuujYcPz3k/s1600/DSC_0502.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SI2cySn3_CA/UleIBcH0DiI/AAAAAAAAIZ4/NEuujYcPz3k/s640/DSC_0502.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LZGCIy9FsWc/UleIGuZTfvI/AAAAAAAAIaY/T6D8uh8mR04/s1600/DSC_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LZGCIy9FsWc/UleIGuZTfvI/AAAAAAAAIaY/T6D8uh8mR04/s640/DSC_0530.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
she and her friends have made good use of the chalkboard doors; always writing the lyrics from their favorite songs and other cute doodly things.<br />
<br />
we
had about three days to get the room all finished. at the end of the week,
on the day she was returning from camp, jimmy made me promise i'd call
the second she got home so he could be there to see her reaction. after
all that work, we all wanted to see the big pay off of her beautiful
stunned face! that morning she got dropped off earlier than we
expected--i think jimmy probably had just walked into his office when he
had to immediately head back home!<br />
<br />
as she sat
downstairs on the sofa telling us all the adventures of camp, and
showing us all the crafts they made and notes they wrote, we were
trying really hard to keep our cool, but we <i>could. not. wait.</i> for
her to walk into her room! the other kids kept saying "ashlyn do you
want to go up to your room???" and she would say, "no that's okay..."
completely oblivious.<br />
<br />
finally jimmy pulled up and i
said something like, "so why don't we go put your things up in your
room?" so while she gathered her things up, i ran upstairs to capture
the moment (which i failed at). when she opened her door, she was so,
so surprised! her reaction was priceless. unfortunately i am truly horrible at capturing big moments. (i almost always forget to watch
through the lens and get caught up in the moment and forget to take the
picture). by the time i remembered i was supposed to be documenting,
she was all teary-eyed, which made me all teary eyed (oh yeah, it was
just like those emotional design shows!) and anyway all my "big reveal"
pictures are extremely fuzzy. <br />
<br />
but these are some that i
snapped later on after the excitement of the moment had died down. it
was hard for me to capture the entire room since i don't have a wide
angle lens, but hopefully you got the idea... oh how i love
transforming a space! especially for my girl.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #d0e0e3;">- - - - - - - - - - </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-26060754181795553382013-09-16T21:24:00.003-07:002013-09-16T21:42:36.656-07:00yalecrest house: ashlyns room before<div style="text-align: left;">
so i think i'll start with sharing ashlyn's room. it's the first room that we have completely <i>completely</i> finished. the bathroom still has one tiny run of baseboard left to paint and the laundry room needs a couple things hung, but ashlyn's room. . . ashlyn's has a big checkmark next to it. and you know how i love that! <br />
<br />
so here are a few shots of her room from the day we moved in...</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lpd3t9XwHqM/UjHpPCIZcDI/AAAAAAAAIR0/rTkghh9hZW0/s1600/IMG_0446.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Lpd3t9XwHqM/UjHpPCIZcDI/AAAAAAAAIR0/rTkghh9hZW0/s640/IMG_0446.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
this stained yellow shag carpet covered her room, as well as <i>all</i> the floors
throughout the house. it was the first thing to go. we left all of our furniture in our two storage pods on the driveway until every last bit was hauled away. <br />
<br />
under
the shag and the disintegrated pad, there were hardwood floors
everywhere(!) which actually we suspected since the home was built in
1928--in the days before wall to wall carpeting. but still, it was a happy sight for
sore eyes and fingers. . .</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXbVseLqt0s/UjHpuK6rwBI/AAAAAAAAIR8/PaDIO6ruoh4/s1600/IMG_0466.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rXbVseLqt0s/UjHpuK6rwBI/AAAAAAAAIR8/PaDIO6ruoh4/s640/IMG_0466.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EveB2UR-PYQ/UjHqJ9XDGwI/AAAAAAAAISE/0Up7ZbCIqfg/s1600/IMG_0434.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EveB2UR-PYQ/UjHqJ9XDGwI/AAAAAAAAISE/0Up7ZbCIqfg/s640/IMG_0434.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKeytaKVA2I/UjHql0JvOXI/AAAAAAAAISQ/7X4sD94d3RA/s1600/IMG_0444.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKeytaKVA2I/UjHql0JvOXI/AAAAAAAAISQ/7X4sD94d3RA/s640/IMG_0444.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOnvCr0Ap8Y/UjHqqV_sytI/AAAAAAAAISY/3CtbSnwXa4w/s1600/IMG_0462.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pOnvCr0Ap8Y/UjHqqV_sytI/AAAAAAAAISY/3CtbSnwXa4w/s640/IMG_0462.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
we
spent a couple days removing carpet, padding and staples from all the
floors & the staircase. the kids were so very helpful and really
good at getting all those staples out. after our nomadic year and a
half, we were just sooo happy to finally be in <i>our own</i> house again!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4ln-PwJq34/UjHrawfc4tI/AAAAAAAAISg/ceqQcCyl8yA/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H4ln-PwJq34/UjHrawfc4tI/AAAAAAAAISg/ceqQcCyl8yA/s640/IMG_0468.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
buh bye stinky carpet. . .we filled our little trailer many times over</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqKajH87nh4/UjHr3W6RSZI/AAAAAAAAISw/zQfviTSSf2w/s1600/DSC_0545.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gqKajH87nh4/UjHr3W6RSZI/AAAAAAAAISw/zQfviTSSf2w/s640/DSC_0545.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
for
the first several months, the girls shared this room and the boys
shared the other bedroom until the basement was in a liveable
condition. in these bedrooms, we just basically had room for a bunk bed--
almost all their toys and other furniture were stored up in the attic.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7tDvpgekSg/UjHujo9JYII/AAAAAAAAITU/YeSkzMpPvSM/s1600/DSC_0698.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l7tDvpgekSg/UjHujo9JYII/AAAAAAAAITU/YeSkzMpPvSM/s640/DSC_0698.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
lots of space up here in the attic--it just was not useable at all until a bigger access was cut, and floors and shelving were installed. (pictured in <span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2012/05/work-has-begun.html" target="_blank">update 2</a></span>.)</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - - - - - - </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
now fast
forward to this summer. . . everyone now has their own bedroom, but those bedrooms are just <i>bare bones</i>, not really decorated or very functional even. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
so this summer while ashlyn was away at camp for a week, we decided to surprise her with a finished bedroom! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
on DAY ONE we completely emptied out her bedroom. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xSpLNV5yOCo/UjHwXNsfnFI/AAAAAAAAITo/062S6K0Lw0Y/s1600/IMG_4533.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xSpLNV5yOCo/UjHwXNsfnFI/AAAAAAAAITo/062S6K0Lw0Y/s640/IMG_4533.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5mJTnBO0FrE/UjHzWill2wI/AAAAAAAAIT8/yNbsHiwJCQ4/s1600/IMG_4536.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5mJTnBO0FrE/UjHzWill2wI/AAAAAAAAIT8/yNbsHiwJCQ4/s640/IMG_4536.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
on DAY TWO we painted. we painted one wall a pale, pale blue. since this room has so many ceiling angles, i decided to leave the other three walls white. those angled ceilings almost disappear and feel much more spacious with both the ceiling and walls being white. since she loves to doodle and sketch, we also painted her closet doors with chalkboard paint.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LSAOnuTuND4/UjHzX_98jgI/AAAAAAAAIUE/nHawUtKl8Rs/s1600/IMG_4562.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LSAOnuTuND4/UjHzX_98jgI/AAAAAAAAIUE/nHawUtKl8Rs/s640/IMG_4562.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CUmMQtrr6ao/UjH0_K1WNyI/AAAAAAAAIUY/yNkUA16v9Wg/s1600/IMG_4566.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CUmMQtrr6ao/UjH0_K1WNyI/AAAAAAAAIUY/yNkUA16v9Wg/s640/IMG_4566.jpg" width="480" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZzocu_3dFY/UjH2wTPsuOI/AAAAAAAAIVE/8aBc1KQRZzQ/s1600/IMG_4561.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZzocu_3dFY/UjH2wTPsuOI/AAAAAAAAIVE/8aBc1KQRZzQ/s640/IMG_4561.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28650BkutBM/UjfU1IZIIjI/AAAAAAAAIWE/lJrIg3EUBEg/s1600/IMG_4605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
on DAY THREE we arranged the furniture, retrofitted an vintage metal hanging flower
basket into a light fixture, hung some sturdy hooks and sewed the window treatments. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28650BkutBM/UjfU1IZIIjI/AAAAAAAAIWE/lJrIg3EUBEg/s1600/IMG_4605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28650BkutBM/UjfU1IZIIjI/AAAAAAAAIWE/lJrIg3EUBEg/s1600/IMG_4605.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28650BkutBM/UjfU1IZIIjI/AAAAAAAAIWE/lJrIg3EUBEg/s640/IMG_4605.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpAigO2HKiM/UjH03bgqxeI/AAAAAAAAIUQ/9U-0ORUz6z4/s1600/IMG_4606.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpAigO2HKiM/UjH03bgqxeI/AAAAAAAAIUQ/9U-0ORUz6z4/s640/IMG_4606.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
on DAY FOUR we hung everything else on the walls and added all the finishing touches.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qwHF3DHN_1o/UjH45OcgVtI/AAAAAAAAIVQ/WlV4i7_HNDo/s1600/IMG_4609.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qwHF3DHN_1o/UjH45OcgVtI/AAAAAAAAIVQ/WlV4i7_HNDo/s640/IMG_4609.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
here
i am trying to decide on a collage or a large piece of art. guess which one i ended up with?!<br />
<br />
also a
couple months ago, we did put carpet down in the upstairs bedrooms to
make it a little quieter on the main floor (it was so noisy when anyone was
upstairs playing or walking around!) also the upstairs floors have a
ton of paint and all kinds of stains that have accumulated for the past several decades, and we weren't ready
to commit to redoing all the hardwood yet. <br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
next up. . . surprising ashlyn with her beautiful new room! <br />
<br />
other updates here:<br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2012/02/little-peek-with-phone-pics.html" target="_blank">update 1</a></span> <br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2012/05/work-has-begun.html" target="_blank">update 2 </a></span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2012/06/renovation-week-one.html" target="_blank">update 3 </a></span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2012/06/renovation-week-two.html" target="_blank">update 4</a></span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2013/09/yalecrest-house-update.html" target="_blank">update 5 </a></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - - - - - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-16204845917031017642013-09-12T10:57:00.005-07:002013-09-12T10:57:57.256-07:00yalecrest house: an update<div style="text-align: left;">
i've been working on compiling all the pictures of our yalecrest home remodel up until now, so i can start sharing our progress. as you may know, we waited a couple months after we moved in to begin any work, and then went full steam ahead for several months getting lots of the "behind the walls" work done--new plumbing and electrical, hvac, <span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2012/05/work-has-begun.html" target="_blank">attic storage</a></span> and central vac installed. it was oh so messy and chaotic and exciting all at the same time. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_xhd1UCXD8/UjH7SvalUuI/AAAAAAAAIVc/tlghxQ_Ah8E/s1600/IMG_1249.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u_xhd1UCXD8/UjH7SvalUuI/AAAAAAAAIVc/tlghxQ_Ah8E/s640/IMG_1249.JPG" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5uVh4lMtx94/UjH7nKwJlJI/AAAAAAAAIVk/QvACYCukvUM/s1600/IMG_1246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5uVh4lMtx94/UjH7nKwJlJI/AAAAAAAAIVk/QvACYCukvUM/s640/IMG_1246.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCrENPC1Gz8/UjHusywieCI/AAAAAAAAITg/lG9ctIB3sXI/s1600/IMG_1248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qCrENPC1Gz8/UjHusywieCI/AAAAAAAAITg/lG9ctIB3sXI/s640/IMG_1248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
new plumbing lines going in last summer/fall</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
while digging out these lines, we found an old whiskey bottle in the dirt labeled "for medicinal use only." prohibition days were here when this house was built! i love uncovering little bits of history as we go along and imagining all the people that have lived here in this home and neighborhood before we did.<br />
<br />
last fall right after we finished pouring the new concrete floors in the basement--when we could have started the pretty stuff--i ended up taking on a lot of client work, so our house sat on the back burner for several months. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
this fall I decided to hold off on taking on any new outside projects, so that I could focus on finishing up our home. it's been sooo fun to dream about <i>my house</i> again! so far, we've completed ashlyn's room (surprised her while she was away at camp for a week. oh boy this was so fun!!) and the laundry room/office addition, and our new downstairs bathroom. things are starting to happen again! </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
other updates here:<br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2012/02/little-peek-with-phone-pics.html" target="_blank">update 1</a> </span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2012/05/work-has-begun.html" target="_blank">update 2 </a></span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2012/06/renovation-week-one.html" target="_blank">update 3 </a></span><br />
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://gillargirl.blogspot.com/2012/06/renovation-week-two.html" target="_blank">update 4</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">- - - - - - - - - - - - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-53913296272136165892013-09-05T22:42:00.002-07:002013-09-05T22:42:15.510-07:00a little tea party for ava carmel.<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9KUrzXFA_Q/UhzFgxVi0dI/AAAAAAAAIOc/-VhIKBebJV0/s1600/party6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9KUrzXFA_Q/UhzFgxVi0dI/AAAAAAAAIOc/-VhIKBebJV0/s640/party6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
oh ava carmel stop growing! i am starting to dread my children's
birthdays these days. . . not because i don't want to plan birthday
parties, <i>oh heavens no</i>, but because these happy days are just zooming by at lightning speed. i want to hang on to these moments forever.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
but despite
my wishes, ava's birthday did come, and so we celebrated with a proper tea
party (it's been the plan for oh, about nine months. . .) <br />
<br />
she spent hours with me the saturday before the party, shopping for all the food
& supplies. on our way home from the last stop i said, "wow ava! i'm
sorry that took so long!" to which she replied, "oh i don't care! i love
shopping!" <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l5TskklQeM/Uhy_AB3QkyI/AAAAAAAAINw/B3N5XJyyRN8/s1600/party3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l5TskklQeM/Uhy_AB3QkyI/AAAAAAAAINw/B3N5XJyyRN8/s640/party3.jpg" width="640" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uimW938b7DI/UilkXAqVjbI/AAAAAAAAIRQ/61JN9PNhKMc/s1600/DSC_0260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
< < ava carmel picked out several little tea cups & plates from a thrift store. i literally spent about $2 more than i would have, buying (cute) paper plates & cups. and now i have tea sets on hand for 10 guests! you should totally stop by for tea! the place mats were papers we found at a scrapbooking store > > </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjjAbZaxtMI/UilkzO25xRI/AAAAAAAAIRY/6vygEzsemIs/s1600/DSC_0237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LjjAbZaxtMI/UilkzO25xRI/AAAAAAAAIRY/6vygEzsemIs/s640/DSC_0237.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9KUrzXFA_Q/UhzFgxVi0dI/AAAAAAAAIOc/-VhIKBebJV0/s1600/party6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XDdOKJdX7Ug/UhzCACa_ThI/AAAAAAAAIOI/CS7J2DqyEhE/s640/party4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
< < beginning the party with a paper doll craft. they are at the age where they probably would have been perfectly content doing this for the entire party! > ></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9KUrzXFA_Q/UhzFgxVi0dI/AAAAAAAAIOc/-VhIKBebJV0/s1600/party6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9KUrzXFA_Q/UhzFgxVi0dI/AAAAAAAAIOc/-VhIKBebJV0/s1600/party6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ca7gs-f0nZM/UhzLA5xMhAI/AAAAAAAAIO4/Wbeq3iULMJw/s1600/party8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ca7gs-f0nZM/UhzLA5xMhAI/AAAAAAAAIO4/Wbeq3iULMJw/s640/party8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3QV004pWBA/UilfIwcmr6I/AAAAAAAAIQs/nsORsfUsQJ0/s1600/DSC_0319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T3QV004pWBA/UilfIwcmr6I/AAAAAAAAIQs/nsORsfUsQJ0/s640/DSC_0319.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
< < the place mats from the tea party turned into markers for our cake(bite) walk > ><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l5TskklQeM/Uhy_AB3QkyI/AAAAAAAAINw/B3N5XJyyRN8/s1600/party3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l5TskklQeM/Uhy_AB3QkyI/AAAAAAAAINw/B3N5XJyyRN8/s1600/party3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2gJbJoEUmg/Uhy9cz6aFkI/AAAAAAAAINc/7dpCh2v55_o/s1600/party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-a2gJbJoEUmg/Uhy9cz6aFkI/AAAAAAAAINc/7dpCh2v55_o/s640/party.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uimW938b7DI/UilkXAqVjbI/AAAAAAAAIRQ/61JN9PNhKMc/s1600/DSC_0260.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uimW938b7DI/UilkXAqVjbI/AAAAAAAAIRQ/61JN9PNhKMc/s640/DSC_0260.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qayux4uXLYA/UilgSuEacKI/AAAAAAAAIQ8/ZmL6ePZbUxQ/s1600/party1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qayux4uXLYA/UilgSuEacKI/AAAAAAAAIQ8/ZmL6ePZbUxQ/s640/party1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTb_-9FMoOM/UhzM6XMtQvI/AAAAAAAAIPI/wUO5odzoRaM/s1600/party9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xTb_-9FMoOM/UhzM6XMtQvI/AAAAAAAAIPI/wUO5odzoRaM/s640/party9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgFlHhfkJFc/UiljyrNzwKI/AAAAAAAAIRI/q3d1hjBxJUE/s1600/party2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-CgFlHhfkJFc/UiljyrNzwKI/AAAAAAAAIRI/q3d1hjBxJUE/s640/party2.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
< < a mysterious letter appeared at the door leading the girls on a wild goose chase to find a basket full of marshmallow treats. always a hit, these wild goose chases. > ></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l5TskklQeM/Uhy_AB3QkyI/AAAAAAAAINw/B3N5XJyyRN8/s1600/party3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="606" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6PLmHbbWMxE/UhzIGqoBH6I/AAAAAAAAIOo/U35zGVw4Ji4/s640/party7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
< < happy birthday to my littlest girl. how i love you! > ></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">- - - - - - - - - - - -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-35929368208272770002013-09-04T21:34:00.003-07:002013-09-04T21:54:12.330-07:00hello september.<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dh7J-RPmY1U/UigNnzdUpSI/AAAAAAAAIQU/RFph8LFxXJI/s1600/fall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dh7J-RPmY1U/UigNnzdUpSI/AAAAAAAAIQU/RFph8LFxXJI/s640/fall.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this <span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">september</span></span></span> i am looking forward to:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
watching for the first few red & yellow leaves to appear on our beautiful tree-lined street </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ashlyn's first cross country meet</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a little trip to sun valley</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
starting work on cam's bedroom</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
training with the kids for their first 5K (they're soooo excited!)<br />
curling up with les miserables next to the fireplace<br />
(well maybe the fireplace is a little premature. . . it is after all still 90 degrees here) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
bike rides to our favorite restaurants in the cooler night air</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
my favorite season is here!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #d0e0e3;">- - - - - - - - - - - </span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-1291890263259433582013-08-16T21:51:00.003-07:002013-08-16T21:54:27.202-07:00summer mornings.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9OVlTMMHRPU/Ug72uRroyaI/AAAAAAAAINM/NySk0GwWzak/s1600/goodmorning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9OVlTMMHRPU/Ug72uRroyaI/AAAAAAAAINM/NySk0GwWzak/s640/goodmorning.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
school starts next week.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so beginning next wednesday, i will be mourning the loss of our summer mornings.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
and all of our blissful laid-back-edness we've been basking in for the last ten weeks.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
ten weeks seems way too short don't you think?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #f4cccc;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">- - - - - - - - - - - - -</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-35274204891742343952013-08-15T22:04:00.003-07:002013-08-15T22:34:38.767-07:00a little jaunt to michigan.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BJNAkQ0g1U/Ug2tpz4DvtI/AAAAAAAAIMQ/Xn-8e-QdQQ0/s1600/michigan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BJNAkQ0g1U/Ug2tpz4DvtI/AAAAAAAAIMQ/Xn-8e-QdQQ0/s640/michigan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;"><a href="http://ashley-thedeespot.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">ashley & eric</a></span> just moved to michigan about a month ago, where eric is starting his residency and working all sorts of crazy hours. having moved twice in the middle of pregnancies, all i could think about was ashley trying to unpack and organize a house while being 8 months pregnant while taking care of her other two littles--no bueno. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
so i thought it would be good timing to take a little trip to visit. i was really wishing a little wishful wish that the little babe would arrive while i was there, but alas, she is still snug in her mamas belly. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but even though the baby didn't arrive while i was there, it was so fun to spend five days straight with my sister! we went to the most beautiful sandy beach lakes, to the cutest petting zoo i've ever seen, for lots of walks, watched and cried through a movie that shall remain unnamed, doughnut picnics in the park, trips to ikea and fixed up her new house. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hQ5QePWki0/Ug25T5aLObI/AAAAAAAAIM4/0A71IfWqOBA/s1600/michigan3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hQ5QePWki0/Ug25T5aLObI/AAAAAAAAIM4/0A71IfWqOBA/s640/michigan3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i love that girl and her cute little family so much. michigan is so green and beautiful and the weather felt so good, especially after all the insanely hot temperatures we've been having here this summer. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i've been feeling a little melancholy the last couple days without her funny antics (walking out to her priming the living room in her swimsuit. . . just one small example that will forever bring a smile to my face!!) and all her awesome wisdom, and i can't wait until i can visit her again! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #a2c4c9;">- - - - - - - - - - - - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-19722088832477455692013-08-05T23:01:00.005-07:002013-08-05T23:16:53.725-07:00a backyard summer party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sfb1No9kTMQ/UgB_AVHFO-I/AAAAAAAAIKs/WsW3cGrnQqk/s1600/summer+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sfb1No9kTMQ/UgB_AVHFO-I/AAAAAAAAIKs/WsW3cGrnQqk/s640/summer+party.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--aEbk1fqUy8/UgCK-ix-UOI/AAAAAAAAIK8/8K2L5h8NEFo/s1600/summerparty2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--aEbk1fqUy8/UgCK-ix-UOI/AAAAAAAAIK8/8K2L5h8NEFo/s640/summerparty2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGrwKxL96JU/UgCODiAkIwI/AAAAAAAAILY/M6a0ELMlfsw/s1600/summer+party+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGrwKxL96JU/UgCODiAkIwI/AAAAAAAAILY/M6a0ELMlfsw/s640/summer+party+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a highly anticipated annual favorite: grandma's summer party!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this years fun included:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
lots of fresh mint lemonade</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
little hands planting a little flower patch</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
games on the front lawn</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a paper bag picnic lunch </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
homemade ice cream sandwiches </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
acting out <i>the little gingerbread man</i> from one of my favorite childhood books</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
i have a very vivid memory of coloring in that book ashlyn is holding when i was 4 years old, which is not <i>actually</i> a coloring book... i remember sitting on the floor of my bedroom in san diego next to my book shelves, looking for a coloring book. when i couldn't find one, i decided that this storybook would work just as well.<br />
<br />
i also remember looking through this book, page by page, thinking "oh i can't wait until i can read all these words!" although it is very worn and tattered now, i'm so glad my mom has kept it all these years. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
thank you mama, for a lovely, lovely day!<br />
<br />
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #b6d7a8;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-65711253654081140232013-08-01T08:54:00.005-07:002013-08-01T09:17:47.478-07:00happy august<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGYgSvEKNpA/UfqD6lYj3CI/AAAAAAAAIKY/w7QR5QHtBMY/s1600/blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGYgSvEKNpA/UfqD6lYj3CI/AAAAAAAAIKY/w7QR5QHtBMY/s640/blog.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
this <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="color: #e06666;">august</span></span></span> i am looking forward to:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
sharpening my pencils to fill in our back to school calendars</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a plane ride to michigan to help ashley organize/decorate a nursery before baby arrives</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(oh please little baby come while i'm there!!) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
celebrating the last of our summer birthdays </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
taking cam to <span style="color: #76a5af;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfmKRBV6aCY#at=96" target="_blank">the temple</a></span> for the first time</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
learning the ins and outs of wordpress and gimp </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
a last minute trip somewhere fun (still in the works)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #d0e0e3;">- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-76171660937836851322013-05-27T17:28:00.003-07:002013-05-27T17:28:53.643-07:00little ballerinas.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPdew3QxLf0/UZ6XCoqF-FI/AAAAAAAAIJU/_twM5VzxVuo/s1600/photo-143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPdew3QxLf0/UZ6XCoqF-FI/AAAAAAAAIJU/_twM5VzxVuo/s640/photo-143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
so friends, how has your may been?<br />
<br />
ours has been full of programs and field trips and recitals and things like that. this picture is from ava carmel's ballet studio demonstration. it was so sweet to see all of those little toes pointed perfectly in first position!<br />
<br />
usually in may, i feel like we're just running madly from one activity
to the next, but this year, it has been the perfect amount of busyness for our family. <br />
<br />
(i attribute this almost exclusively to the fact that none of our kids play soccer anymore. no soccer = lots more free time!!) <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #f4cccc;">- - - - - - - - - - - </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7100528423289151713.post-66005524713846122602013-05-21T19:22:00.001-07:002013-05-21T19:33:01.802-07:00a morning at the zoo with a peacock and a tiger and an ava carmel.<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odLeNdol3Ck/UZwe7JpEx0I/AAAAAAAAIHk/ybrq2QP3H9M/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-odLeNdol3Ck/UZwe7JpEx0I/AAAAAAAAIHk/ybrq2QP3H9M/s640/DSC_0040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLyarvKG500/UZwfOy4X7ZI/AAAAAAAAIH8/nenZJKdXrwc/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLyarvKG500/UZwfOy4X7ZI/AAAAAAAAIH8/nenZJKdXrwc/s640/DSC_0057.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ah May days at the zoo. It really is the only time I like going to the zoo. Something about summer heat and zoo smells-not appealing. Those fumes in the reptile house are downright dangerous in mid July. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But Spring. Springtime at the zoo is another story. Isn't that peacock a stunningly beautiful creature?!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yoj8x38AnqU/UZwfBNEjuOI/AAAAAAAAIHs/5ZNa9corXdQ/s1600/DSC_0062.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yoj8x38AnqU/UZwfBNEjuOI/AAAAAAAAIHs/5ZNa9corXdQ/s640/DSC_0062.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcLz0u_i4S4/UZwfa4y6SaI/AAAAAAAAIIM/vdvI-pPsD1Y/s1600/DSC_0042.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcLz0u_i4S4/UZwfa4y6SaI/AAAAAAAAIIM/vdvI-pPsD1Y/s640/DSC_0042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We are on the official schools-out-countdown around here. I cannot wait for the leisurely days of summer to arrive! Truly, just as excited as the kids. Every morning when my alarm goes off, I count off how many more days until we are alarm-free! (Eight.) </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today I was looking for some pictures for a project for Cam and came across these pictures from Ava's last kindergarten field trip. And here we are one year later. Oh. my. golly. Time just keeps cruising right along.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wLyarvKG500/UZwfOy4X7ZI/AAAAAAAAIH8/nenZJKdXrwc/s1600/DSC_0057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QlgmDF1gvL8/UZwfg_19q_I/AAAAAAAAIIU/dcQkiznZucM/s1600/DSC_0051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QlgmDF1gvL8/UZwfg_19q_I/AAAAAAAAIIU/dcQkiznZucM/s640/DSC_0051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What's all the ruckus out here? </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh just five bazillion kindergarteners who can't yet read the sign that says no tapping on the glass and keep your voices low. :) </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Also, I wish I could find myself a beautiful piece of driftwood like that. . . </div>
gillar girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00319749087651019916noreply@blogger.com0