Easy Changes

I am trying to avoid crafts that involve heavy use of my hands so this week's projects were just easy changes around the house.

The red cart in the entry got a new look in blues and yellows

to match the dishes in the cabinet.

The cabinet doors have been closed since November when I put the cabinet in the entry, but I wanted to see a little more color in the entry.

I posted the pic above on Instagram and had more than 50 comments suggesting that I keep the cabinet doors open,

But, this is what the cabinet looks like today.

You might notice from Steve's comment above that he had a definite opinion.

Steve pretty much lets me do what I want when it comes to decorating

 so when my "sweet love" makes a request, the least I can do is honor it!

After removing all traces of Valentine's Day from the entry, it was time to work on the guest room.

The room is a work in progress as I figure out just what supplies I have space for in the house and what needs to stay in the garage.

As you can see, the "desk" is just a narrow table, but it can hold a lot of supplies.

I hung an old window above the desk

with lyrics from the song, What A Wonderful World.

The window was part of the decorations for my son's wedding last summer and the lyrics are from the song we danced to during the mother/son dance.

My grandmother's school slate

and an old metal heart hang on the window for now, but I imagine things will change frequently.

I'm still working on filling this little cabinet

and this box (one of my father's tool boxes) with supplies.

The dresser will hold supplies and that bare space on the dresser is where I made all my Valentine projects - before I hurt my hand.

This box (another item from my son's wedding), made by Betsy of My Salvaged Treasures, holds ribbons.

And my grandmother's sewing box holds a variety of tools.

I am slowly filling this cabinet with things I will need for crafting

By the time my hand is fully healed,

this room should be ready for me to be creative.

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Join me at Thoughts of Home Thursday hosted by Stacey of Poofing the Pillows

Taking It Slow

My hand is healing nicely - probably because I am taking it slow.

But, I am finally doing little tasks around the house and garden.

Steve's kitchen got a little bit of a refresh with new canisters - I looked at glass canisters online, but ended up finding these at Big Lots for $3 each.

I had red checked canisters there previously, but Steve likes this cleaner look in his space - and believe me, I like to keep the Head Chef happy!

Thanks to Jann of Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

there is a cute little apron in the kitchen - Steve won't wear it for some reason.

Connie of Crafty Home Cottage helped to add a cute beachy look to Steve's stove.

Slowly letting my hand heal means lots of walks on the beach and of course practicing with my new camera.

After a long, very hot walk, we came home, sat outside and decided that dinner in the garden would be a nice way to end the day.

The only hassle was actually ironing the tablecloth, but Steve was making me scallops so I ironing was the least I could do.

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The garden isn't looking its best, but I am doing a little bit of weeding each day.

It is amazing that we are actually eating meals outside in February.

I had time to start one more little project

before it was time to head out to watch the sunset.

I'm adjusting quite nicely to this snail paced recovery.

What to do ... what to do?

With my dominant hand not working properly, I have had to find other things to do.

Via

Monday we took a drive along Pacific Coast Highway

to visit our son and his wife in their new home in Santa Monica - this is their view.

Via

While we were there, JP gave me his Canon Eos Rebel T3i camera.

So, I have been taking photos 

while I try to learn the ins and outs of the camera.

After cortisone shots in my thumb and wrist on Tuesday, I actually feel pretty good so we went out kayaking yesterday

and I captured some pics of the seals playing around our boats - not shot with my new camera!

I have been taking pictures of the house and objects that I can zoom in on.

One of the reasons I wanted my son's camera was because I have been wanting to get photos with an object in focus, but the background hazy.

This shot of my Valentine centerpiece and an old dried rose came out exactly as I hoped

as did this shot.

But, I haven't captured a hazy background since.

That's okay

because I have plenty of time to figure out the camera

and come up with new "handless hobbies".

So Sorry!

I am so sorry that I am not visiting any blogs,

checking any links at this week's Share Your Cup (what a poor hostess I make)

or responding to your sweet comments.

Several days ago I bumped my right hand (x-rays show that it isn't broken) and the pain is excruciating, my index finger knuckle is distorted, the drugs make loopy and I have absolutely no use of my dominant hand.

I hope I can see my hand doctor tomorrow (I'm going nuts not being able to be creative!) and that I'll be back blogging soon!

The pictures (Instagram pics this past week) obviously have nothing to do with the post, but this visual girl has to have pictures.