Saturday, February 16, 2013

Makin' A List...Checkin' It Twice

I never saw the entire movie, Field of Dreams, but I like the philosophy - If you build it, they will come.

My philosophy on lists is sort of like that - If I put it in writing, I will do it.

 I am a "LIST MAKER".

Lists of books I want to read
Lists of places I want to go
List of daily "to dos"
Lists of projects I want to complete

We had plans to go skiing in Utah for the Presidents' Weekend, but with Steve's surgery a ski trip was out the window.

I have a four day weekend, but we are lying low - no plans to go anywhere.

So, I made a list.

A do-able list.



Buy flowers
Weed the garden
Plant flowers
Change the mantel
Make white placemats
Make a book for Mary Alice of Chateau Chic
Paint a pillow for Nicole of My Garden Diaries
Paint the watering can
Paint #3 weight
Put away the Valentine decorations
Find fabric in the attic for placemats
Start the laundry area redo
Organize linens
Find a place for unused vases, pitchers, plates, etc.
Redo the dining room shelf
Make a new cushion for the garden bench

On Friday, I took care of organizing the linens, finding a place for the vases and pitchers, and planting a few of the flowers in  the front yard.


First up today was to change the mantel from its Valentine theme.

Center stage on the mantel is always one of Steve's paintings.

This painting is particularly special - JP, KC and me walking on the beach at Hanalei Bay at Christmas.

Steve has had several inquiries about purchasing the painting, but he has said no each time.


The objects on the  mantel were inspired by all the lovely "white" rooms I see.

I gathered up all the white pitchers I could find and set them across the mantel.


A friend dropped off some flowers for Steve so I added the greenery to the end pitchers.


I was going to just use pitchers, but I love my cast iron hand with the heart.


I like that the mantel is simple and fresh.

I might add flowers to the pitchers, but the greenery seems easiest to maintain.

With the mantel finished, I moved onto painting.


I bought the large #7 weight last summer in Laguna Beach and paid too much money for it, but I loved it.

I was surprised to find the small #3 and the large #9 weights the other day at TJ Maxx - cheap, really cheap.

 I already had a green weight, but I figured I could paint one of them a different color.


First I painted the #3 weight red, but it turned out a yucky brown.

I like it in yellow.

And, I went with yellow again painting my old watering can.


I have had the watering can for 37 years - it was my grandmother's - and always wanted to paint it.

I saw one on Pinterest that was painted yellow.


I sanded it a bit, but I look forward to the weather giving it a lovely chippy patina.

The majority of my day was spent weeding.

Cold winter weather, the sun setting before I get home from work, rain...all of those contributed to the condition of my garden.

It was so bad, that I just couldn't bring myself to take a picture.

5 large tubs of weeds were dumped in the barrel before I actually got to plant any flowers in the back yard.


Even after planting a few flowers yesterday and three hours in the garden today, I am not finished planting.

And, I am definitely not finished weeding, but our garden is much improved.

When I started weeding, I couldn't even see the white wall below the window because the weeds were covering it.


After two days of weather in the 80s, tomorrow is not supposed to be as warm.

But,  I have to finish the planting.

I know I won't complete the weeding because I need to finish up the custom book for Mary Alice that she won in my Grow Your Blog Giveaway.

I have painted the pillow for Nicole that she won in my GYB Giveaway, but I have to sew it.

16 items on the list:

6 totally complete
4 in progress
2 more to be completed before I go to bed

First I put it in writing and then I check things off.

Now it is up to the attic to put away the Valentine decorations and hunt for white fabric for the placemats.

.......................................

You can find me partying at

Funky Junk Interiors


Life on Lakeshore Drive


Redoux


My Romantic Home


The Shabby Nest


The Gingerbread Blog


Common Ground


13 comments:

  1. OMG can't believe all you have gotten done and it all looks fab. We still have snow, so I am enjoying seeing all your sunshine and flowers:)

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  2. You are doing great checking off your to-do list.I need one of those so I can stay on track LOL!Your watering can looks so pretty painted.And your garden is beautiful!Enjoy your warm weather the temp her today is drum roll........10
    xx
    Anne

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  3. Hey rock star! You are amazing! The watering can is beautiful and your flowers are gorgeous! The mantel is perfect and fresh...Everything is fantastic!

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  4. Good Afternoon to you, I cannot believe how many things you have listed to do and how many things you have achieved. There is a satisfaction in crossing things off the "to do list" and like you I make lists of everything I have to do.....more because I can be a bit absent minded!
    Have a lovely sunny day.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  5. I love your outdoor linen storage cabinet. If we did that, the linens would be a soppy, mildewy mess!

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  6. Wow, you make me tired just reading about all you got done! I understand the weeding. I have too many flower beds plus a large vegetable garden. I feel like I spend all summer weeding, but I love the results!

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  7. Wow you have been busy. I love the number 3 in yelllow, yellow is my favorite color. Love all the touches, the flowers and everything. Hope your husband gets better soon and have a wonderful Valentines whenever you choose to celebrate it.

    Hugs
    Caroline

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  8. I make lists too. I feel like I've gotten so much accomplished if I can scratch something off of it. Looks like you're doing the same thing.

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  9. I'm definitely a list maker! :D I got exhausted just reading your list, but I know that you'll get everything ticked-off the list! My list is stressing me out right now, especially since our sink is linking....so "call the plumber" is at the top of my list tomorrow!

    xo,
    RJ

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  10. Oh my your sunshine and fresh flowers look so wonderful! I am really itching for some of that around here......so much snow and cold for way too long now!! Those weights are really cool, love the yellow!!

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  11. You're a far better woman than I. I make the lists then I..... get side tracked, lose the list.. or just simply ignore it. I'm a bad girl. LOL
    I just love your little cottage and the view

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  12. Wow, I am so impressed with your list and all of your gorgeous photos! The fresh flowers are beautiful!! I have a long list for my week off, but haven't accomplished half of it, yet! You go, girl!! :) Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent this week. Hope you are having a great week. :)
    Hugs
    Kathy

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  13. Wow, Carol I enjoyed reading your list and watching you check things off. I was vicariously living through your progress. haha. My problem with lists? I make them all over the place and forget where I put them. Is that a sign of something? :)
    Leslie (Gwen Moss)

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