hiatus

I don't know if you even noticed, but I haven't posted for a while.

I decided to take a spur of the moment hiatus of sorts from blog land.  I turned my time spent while Callan naps into productive moments around the house.  Now that I look back, I don't even know what I actually accomplished, but the break was nice, nonetheless.  As much as I enjoy my daily blog fix, I think I'm going to cut it down to once or twice a week (if that), unless something truly remarkable happens that I JUST HAVE TO SHARE.

Anyways, here's what's been going on around here while my little guy does this:

I finally got around to making a pillow that's been on my (forever and a day long) to-do list.  It's made out of two napkins from Target (from a pack of four), that I picked up a while back.  I bought the napkins thinking they'd be adorable for a summer dinner party.  But really, who am I kidding...?  I'll never throw a summer dinner party that calls for cloth napkins.  Let's get real.  So now I have a cute pillow. 

I added a layer of batting behind the front side and stitched a grid-like pattern.  You can't really see it though.  Oh well.

I even put in a zipper.  MY VERY FIRST ZIPPER.  It wasn't nearly as bad as I was expecting, but I need more practice.  I have feared zippers for years, despite my friend's reassurance that they really aren't that difficult.  She was right.  I just need more practice.

I've been trying to get our room primed so we can get some paint up on the walls.  Slooooow going.  It seems that every time I get a paintbrush in-hand, Callan wakes up.  Maybe I'll be done before the end of August.  Ha.  In the meantime, graffiti is fun. 

We also just got rid of the wooden lattice that was nailed up over the windows of the sunroom.  There is, surprisingly, so much more light in there, now.  Who knew lattice could block so much sun.  I can't wait to clean, both the inside and outside, paint it, revamp the flower bed, and do something about those "support" trellises.  Still lots to do, but it's a start.  That pile of stone, brick, and planters pulled out from the fenceline doesn't help the appearance, as of the moment.  Maybe by next summer we'll have some noticeable improvements out there.  Here's hoping.

Here's all the lattice we took down.

And I think I may have finally settled on something for the mantle.  For now.  What's up there, has been up for a week, or two (?), and I like it.  I whipped up the paper doily bunting the other day just to add a little something else.  It's kinda fun. 

I'm still undecided as to if I should paint the mirror, or not, or whether to keep it vertical, or put it on it's side.  And that empty teal frame is just waiting for a new family picture.  We need to take one.  It'll stay empty until I actually feel like doing my hair.  It's just too hot to get the blow dryer out these days. 

So that's what has been going on around here in the past few weeks, along with the typical cleaning, laundry, and baby chasing.  Callan is a crazy crawling, cruising machine.  He keeps me busy, that's for sure!

Here's something I'm looking forward to:

In just over two weeks, my mom and grandma will be coming out to visit for a few days, then Callan and I will be flying back to NJ, with them, for about a week to meet our niece (finally!).  We desperately wish Travis could come with us, but with both a trip to CA and NJ planned for later this year, he needs to save his paid time off.  Understandable.  But we'll miss him terribly.

That's it for now.  Off to chase Callan.  And hopefully get to the sink full of dishes...