Sanity Projects

In the middle of the crazy busy summer, I had to squeeze in some sanity projects. Warning: Lot's of pictures coming and only one has the boys in it.

Way back in January (think shut in for the winter) I decided that my boring pantry needed a face lift. It was dark and boring and it made me not want to be in there. The shelves were a dark wood stain and the walls only had primer. But, I do a lot of laundry and it is a really big pantry that makes other people jealous, so it should be a fun place.

Before

When our pipes froze during our first winter here (4 years ago) the property manager cut a whole in our wall and just left it there so the pipes would get the warmth of the house. Very unattractive. Ryan insulated and patched it for me!!

My boys were very helpful.

My kitchen looked like this during the day and then I put it all back together before Ryan came home from work.

 I chose white shelves and a bright orange wall. I love it!

But, stuff came up and I had to pause with a few shelves not yet painted, picture below.

It stayed that way until earlier this month! So not like me. I finally got it done and I am thrilled with it.

Ta-da.

 

 I made a little chandelier of sorts.

 And ordered vinyl lettering from this cool shop.

I needed a new way to do my menus so my mom bought this stick-on calendar for me when she was in town. It lasted about a three weeks and then kept falling off the wall.

So, thanks to some Pinterest inspiration, I made this.

I spray painted a cookie sheet, drilled holes in the top to attach a hanger, and used printable magnetic sheets to print all my dinner options. I love it. And yes, I forgot some things after I printed so I have added a few handwritten ones. 

I have been thinking Ben needed a chore chart of sorts. Again, on Pinterest a saw this printable. It hasn't really worked for us because I don't remember it, Ben already does some of those things without needing a reminder and he thinks it is more fun to erase the checks than write check marks.

 

Eight years ago we were given a table from Ryan's stepsister. I recovered the chairs then but recently decided it was time for another upgrade.
White stripped original pattern on the chair.

My first recovering.

 Curtains before to match. 

 Curtains after to match.

Chairs and curtain before.

 

Chairs and curtain after. Similar, but fresh and brighter.

Diaper box and mailing tape became...

An organizer for all our junk that clutters my counter.

I LOVE to bake. This summer I made Cherry Limeade Cookies. Amazing!

And a Banana Pudding Cheesecake with homemade caramel sauce. Amazing! 

 After all that, maybe I stayed sane. Or maybe I just need some new projects now!