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Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Where Has November Gone?!?


If you like lists, here are a few things that are making November fly by for me:

  • Family Room/Kitchen refresh/remodel (still not finished!).
  • Secret Miniature Project With A Deadline That I'm Not Allowed To Share Just Yet.
  • Football (watched more games than I can justify or want to admit).
  • Normal work/life obligations.

And yet it feels as if I don't have a lot to show! Let's start with minis...

I can't reveal much about my secret mini project, but I can show a couple partially revealing photos. I promise, soon I can spill the beans!



Oh - And I made a little Snake Plant Tutorial as I made up these plants.


Family Room/Kitchen refresh/remodel (still not finished!). In spite of the kitchen painting being done, it's still chaos in there! You can see though that we did go with the sage paint and it looks nice. Thank You all so much for your help in deciding!


The family room is getting used regularly, even though it still isn't quite finished, either. I need to paint and recover that chair and it's twin. I bought them in an auction in 2004. They've seen three homes and a lot of butts!


Eating At the the counter while watching football has been great!


I started refinishing the hutch that my grandma left me when she passed. By refinishing I mean spraying with chalk paint. I have 1-1/2 cans left to go, then the aging and finish. I can't decide on decoupaging the sides or not, so I am allowing myself time to ponder while we work on higher priorities. It's hard to see the true color in our Northwest gloom, but it's Rustoleum Serenity Blue. Can photo below. I hope to eventually fill the upper glass portion with mini scenes or an apartment like layout inside.





Russ started on the wood floor installation over the weekend. Unfortunately, the air nailer freaked the dogs out so badly we had to stop. Georgia has a seizure disorder already and startling noises are a trigger. Woodson is a rescue from a pretty terrible puppy mill and still has PTSD. Rusty is just the sweetest and most timid soul on the planet. Ande, our grown up son (bless his heart), is going to come take them all to the dog park this weekend so we can finish without traumatizing them! But the good news is that the new super discounted floors are a pretty close match to the original floors!


My sweet little boy, Woodson. Petting him is like feeling crushed velvet! 💗


So, still lots to do as November ticks by! Luckily, my amazing daughter Natasha, who is a fantastic cook, is hosting Thanksgiving dinner at her place this year! There will be 16 of us, but she has that kind of excitement about hosting the holidays that we all did when we were young! Bless her heart, too!

Back soon,
xo xo,
Jodi

46 comments:

  1. Time passes really quickly...
    You have a beautiful real house and Woodson is adorable.
    The new plants are fantastic! Thanks for the tutorial. I'm very curious about your new project and I can't wait to see it.

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    1. Thanks Faby! I can't wait to share the secret project, too! And then get life back under control so I can start a new project of my own! :O)

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  2. Has estado muy ocupada! Tu casa va tomando un aspecto precioso,me gusta el color salvia en la habitación familiar!
    Las plantas te han quedado geniales,muchas gracias por el tutorial!
    Tengo ganas de descubrir tu proyecto secreto,pero sé que tendré que esperar...
    Que guapo es Woodson! Estoy segura que tu hija disfrutará preparando la comida del día de Acción de Gracias,la juventud toma el relevo!!!
    Besos.

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    1. Gracias pilar! ¡Sí, estoy tan listo para pasarle la antorcha a mi hija! ¡Como todo lo demás, ella hará un trabajo mucho mejor organizando y cocinando que yo!

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  3. This year has flown by for me as well! Are you having Thanksgiving at your house this year? I hope you and the family enjoy the holiday and watch lots of football. Your MIL tongue plants are beautiful.

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    1. Thanks Carrie - It's scary how quickly time flies! And luckily, we are having Thanksgiving at my daughters this year! She is so excited to host, too! Football is always a tradition, though at her house they are much more into the other kind of football!

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  4. I agree with you, Jodi, time flies by at full top speed ;). Thank you for sharing the tutorial of the Sansevieria.
    Wow, the hutch of your dear grandma looks wonderful already, great color!
    Good to read that your childrens are at great help for you and your husband, Jodi, and not just only for the cooking and walking the dogs (Woodson looks adorable). Good luck with all the chores you have to do still, you'll see you can manage.....and November will still be there ;).
    Kind regards, Ilona

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    1. Thanks Ilona! It feels as if we are just waiting for a few pieces to fall into place and then the rest will go quickly! It will be so nice to have order again!
      It is wonderful to have grown up kids that are kind and helpful to us! We still miss them being home so will make any excuse to spend time with them!

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  5. It's a little scary how fast the year goes! Love the progress you're making at home. Can't wait to see that gorgeous hutch filled with minis.

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    1. It is, Sheila! But luckily, that means warmer temps and sunshine are right around the corner again, right? :O)
      I can't wait to see the hutch filled with minis, too! My grandma would love that as it is where she displayed her Jewel T and Avon figures for years!

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  6. Time flies when you are having 'fun' doesn't it? Your kitchen and living room is looking fabulous, fresh and inviting with the new colours.
    I have no doubt the heirloom hutch project is going to be a lot of fun for you but also for me to follow along.
    Anna x

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    1. Thanks Anna! I hope once I get all the doors back on the hutch that I will know exactly what I should do next! Pinterest, here I come, lol!

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  7. Looks like lots of progress on all fronts. The family room / kitchen project is coming along nicely. The colors are all wonderful together. Your teaser for the secret project is pretty intriguing. It brings back memories of my early married years. And thanks a bunch for the plant tutorial; I’ve been wanting to make a pot and plant like that. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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    1. Thanks Sherrill! I hope you do try the snake plant and will share improvements with us all!
      The secret project has been a joy filled challenge, as I used my Cricut in new ways! The hardest part was having so many other responsibilities pulling me away!

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  8. I'm tapping my fingers waiting for the reveal of the secret project.
    Your RL renovations look beautiful. It's going to be so lovely to live in a fresh, organized space.
    Having a family who step in to help with dog walking and entertaining while you reorganize your life is a blessing!

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    1. Thanks Megan! Gratefully, all the good and exciting things have a way of tempering all the not so fun things! Getting together with family at my daughter's will be wonderful!
      It is lovely to see your face again and have you back with us! Can't wait to read your "catch up" posts and hear how 2019 and all it's adventures has been for you!

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  9. Hi Jodi! How nice to see the progress of your home, I really like the color, it makes everything new and relaxing! There is still so much disorder, but with a little patience you will soon have everything in place!
    I'm sorry for your dogs, the noise is really terrible for them! :(
    A few weeks ago we had a construction site in the house next to ours, and the machinery made an infernal noise all day. Our dog was really freaking out, always barking at the masons ...
    I'm curious to share your secret project and I'm very happy to have read your tutorial for the plant, I think I could try to do some for my flower shop project!

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    1. Thank you, Elenè! It really will be nice to enjoy the refreshed spaces once the last nail is set!
      Yes the doggies are pitiful displaced with the new set up and disrupted routine. They will be so happy too when we are all finished!
      We have a housing boom going on around us. Since I work from home, all day I hear machine noise and the back up beeps from that equipment. I keep telling myself that it is an opportunity to work out my tolerance muscles, but some days I just turn up my podcasts louder, lol!
      I hope you do try the tutorial and leave tips and improvements in the comments! Have fun!

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  10. After the renovations are over you'll forget the hard time they gave you and enjoy your new looking, more comfortable home.
    Thank you so much for making the plant tutorial in the midst of everything. Poor dogs, I hope they too, will relax and be happy when the renovations are over.
    The hutch already looks beautiful and quite modern too.
    I wish you and your family a lovely relaxed Thanksgiving Day.
    Hugs, Drora

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    1. You are so right, Drora! It's kind of like childbirth in that way! Once you're enjoying the wonder of that little person, all it took to get them there is forgotten!
      You're so welcome! I had to make the plants, so why not take a few photos along the way? I hope it makes someone excited to give it a try and that they are happy with their efforts!
      Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishers, too! Life gets so filled up that it's nice that there is a day which obligates you to stop and just be together! I am truly thankful for that! I often wish my kids were still little and living at home. Life was awesome every day then! Hugs!

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  11. !que intriga¡
    Estoy deseando ver ese proyecto que seguro será fantástico.
    Un saludo

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    1. Gracias marian! ¡Espero que a los destinatarios les guste y no puedo esperar para compartir también! ¡Soy terrible guardando secretos!

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  12. Great plant tutorial, many thanks. Love your pair of utterly timeless chairs - that's true style - something which absolutely never dates, be nice to see their next iteration. I wouldn't decoupage the dresser - distracting? How about simple divisions into six spaces - two per shelf - not necessarily straight down the centre and all the same size then do six kitchens. They could just be straight forward history of kitchens or really nice six 'memorable' kitchens from your life - your grandma's, moms, your own first kitchen etc etc Bigger challenge doing real replication but would be a great enduring project that visitors can watch develop over time. Whatever you do will be full of Jodi magic for sure.

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! I just hope I do a decent job recovering them! I have lots of YouTube videos to watch first, lol!
      I'm taking note of your vote for no decoupage and will weigh it considerably. But oh my goodness! What a fantastic idea to fill the hutch with kitchens from childhood!!! I have had a "someday" plan to do my grandma's kitchen, a place of incredible meaning to me, for about six years now! I believe I was subconsciously waiting for your nudge about the hutch! I had eve purchase some vintage rolls of the contact paper she had on her walls to scan and shrink down for it. It's a perfect place and I thank you so much for the inspiration!!!

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  13. Isn't it Always the way, that when doing one thing, it inevitably leads to doing Many Others! ;)
    The kitchen looks GREAT even in progress, and the benefits of adding your new eating counter has already been giving you and Russ, satisfying returns for your efforts.
    Love your new Snake plants Jodi and I also really like your idea of converting the upper section of your grandmother's hutch into a mini display for your kitchen!
    Keep on keeping on and enjoy your family Thanksgiving coming up. It is VERY GRATIFYING when the younger generation, picks up the torch of tradition and carries it on.... BRAVO Natasha! :D

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    1. Thank Elizabeth! Ha ha! Yes! So true! But when Russ is in the mood to get things done around the house, you've got to seize the moment! I think the list is down to four major tasks and hopefully, three of them will get completed this weekend!
      I am so excited about finally doing something with grandma's hutch! And because she meant so much to me, Marilyn's idea of having a mini replica of her kitchen inside hit me right in the heart! I shall commence with the planning right away!
      It is wonderful to see Natasha so naturally posses the nurturing and family fostering nature that drove the four generations of women before her! Just because she's a brilliant scholar doesn't mean she can't cook, either! She's amazing! And it's going to be so good to enjoy the day with the family together!

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  14. Un gran trabajo ,te ha quedado muy acogedor y la barra ha sido un gran acierto. Me encanta la cajonera de tu abuela y será un recuerdo fantástico. Tus plantas divinas .Me quedo con la intriga de tu nuevo proyecto.Besos:-)

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    1. Gracias Rosa Maria! Creo que la parte más difícil ha sido tener que hacer varias paradas en el camino, esperando suministros o tiempo cuando Russ y yo estamos aquí y podemos trabajar juntos. ¡Con suerte, después del fin de semana, finalmente podremos completar los trabajos más grandes!

      ¡No puedo esperar para compartir el proyecto secreto también! ¡Espero que te gusten y que encuentres algo que valga la pena para inspirarte!

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  15. Hi Jodi! It looks like you still have "a lot on your plate"! It's a good thing your daughter is excited to host Thanksgiving! I always loved to host at my house as long as my Mom was coming... she always wants to cook and I don't! LOl! The new wall colors do look refreshing and the cabinet you are painting has me saying "ooohhh" as you mention mini scenes in the shelves! What fun that will be! I can only guess your secret project has something to do with "Mid-Century Modern" decor...? I guess I will have to wait like everybody else for the reveal! From my point of view you are accomplishing Amazing amounts of work... even though most of it is not mini! Keep up the Great Work!!! :)

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    1. Ha ha! Yes, just about four more major tasks and then I can handle all the little things myself from there! If Thanksgiving had been planned at my place this year, I'd have made Russ wait until after the holidays to start the renovations! I have lived long enough to know everything takes at least 25% more time and money than the best planners can hope for, lol!

      I am so excited that Natasha is so excited about hosting! I am going extra early to help, but like you, I am only a passable cook! It's good just to have mom there to encourage and support! It's going to be wonderful! And I know someday Ande will take his turn hosting, as he enjoys cooking too!

      Oh if only I could hire you to fly out and paint your amazing and whimsical flowers and animals on the hutch!!! That would make it perfect! I may just do some aging and leave it bare for the possibility that someday I'll win the lottery and can have you out to play!

      You are getting warmer about the secret project! Hopefully, only a couple more weeks and I can share what I've been hiding! I am a terrible secret keeper because I get too excited about the recipient's excitement and want to spill the beans!

      Thanks so much for your encouragement! 💗💗💗

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  16. Fantastic tutorial, thank you Jodi! I know it is a lot of work but the remodel in your real house is looking good, love all your ideas. I am sure your daughter will be a fantastic host and you will get to enjoy and relax (lol, I don´t really think so, I bet mommy will help a lot!). I used to be the host in most of our family celebrations when I lived in Colombia, and now my mum complains that nobody wants to do it, she misses me!! But yeah, that was a lot of work. I hope you have a fantastic time with your family. Happy Thanksgiving!!

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    1. Thanks Alex! Yes it's true that I will be there extra early to help. Natasha has always been one of those kids that figured out life early and wants to do everything herself. But she definitely wants me there "in case" and for moral support! It's great to pass the torch! It used to be that those of us that could fit more bodies into our homes hosted by default. But that was when we regularly had 26 at gatherings. Now, with kids growing up and folks moving for work, we're down to generally 12. This year it's 16, and next year we are planning to invite Ande's girlfriend's family as it will be three years of them dating. Time to merge, lol!

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  17. You really made me laugh with this sign at the post's beginning - so very true, I swear I have no idea where this year went and looking at the calendar really makes me shiver. But your to-do-list is in fact impressive and even more time consuming. The results of your renovation look fantastic so far and the makeover of this special cabinet was worth the effort. Putting miniature scenes in there makes me love it even more…

    How lovely that you're work-free at Thanksgiving, so kind of your daughter (and not to forget your son is also nice taking care of the poor stressed doggies - btw Woodson is a cutie) to be the family's host this year.

    I'm looking forward to see the mystery of your secret project be revealed. In the meantime I'm admiring your decoration panels, what a great idea to use such wooden (?) ornaments to create such an effect.

    Enjoy the rest of November... although there's not much left of it... oh my… the clock is ticking... aaaaahhhhhhrrrrgggghhhhh!!! ;O)

    Hugs
    Birgit

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    1. Thanks Birgit! Time has had it's fun with both of us and it is good that you can laugh instead of cry! I think since time will not slow down in spite of my complaining, I am going to have to do a better job of adjusting my expectations and acceptance. And, start everything earlier, lol! Yesterday Ande did take the puppies for a few hours, and we didn't waste a second getting things done! Floors are in, last wall painted, furniture relocated, entry hall scrubbed a good amount of small tasks crossed off the list! Hooray!

      Today Russ has requested that we make his mom's peanut butter fudge to take with us for everyone on turkey day. 5 Batches! My arms ache just thinking about it, lol! And Wednesday Natasha and I are getting together to finalize plans, see a movie and just spend a minute with each other before the chaos ensues! It's something so lovely to look forward to! She's a sweetheart and an extraordinary person - one of my favorite people!

      I mailed my secret packages yesterday - one close recipient will have it by Tuesday and the farther away one next Saturday. Hopefully, It won't be long after that when I can spill the beans!

      I'm sending up prayers that time is kind to you and all you need to accomplish over the next few weeks until Santa makes his final tally! I know you'll be top of the Good List!

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  18. Gracias por el tutotial y mucho ánimo por tu casa. Va avanzando y eso es lo importante.

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    1. Gracias isabel ¡Espero que puedas probar el tutorial y divertirte con excelentes resultados! ¡El trabajo a domicilio está progresando y esperamos volver pronto a la vieja rutina!

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  19. Hello, Jodi. I am very late in getting around. Your remodel is going well; such projects always take time and make such a mess, but the end results are so worth it. The living room looks beautiful and restful. You will enjoy the space so much. I took a look at the plant tutorial and it looks work intensive with such great results. Looking forward to your secret project. It promises to be very cool.

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    1. Thanks Ann! Yes we are really enjoying the living room space whenever we get a chance to rest a little. We have almost finished with all of the things left on our To Do lists and that feels really great!
      The plant tutorial isn't too bad, you get lots of time between steps to wait for things to dry! I hope you get a chance to try it - I think you'll enjoy yourself!
      I hope I can share the project soon! It's so hard to keep a secret, especially a mini one!

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  20. PS Looks like I have figured out why I've not been able to post on so many Blogger sights. I must sign on to Google from Google before open a Blogger blog. Who knew? Apparently not me. Wishing you and awesome Thanksgiving.

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    1. Oh I am glad you are finally solving that frustration! I am happy to see your name here on the comments again!
      Happy Thanksgiving to you, as well, and don't work too hard!

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  21. No kidding! I can't believe it's almost the end of November, and Thanksgiving is only a couple of days away! AAGGGGHHH!!!! I really like the way your real-life remodel is going, and Woodson is such a cutie! I would be kissing him all the time. 😊 And I love the sneak peeks of your secret mini project. You are so lucky to have a daughter who is enthusiastic about hosting. (I remember that feeling, vaguely.) Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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    1. December on Sunday?!? It's Nuts!!!
      Hope your murder mystery Thanksgiving turns out awesome and all goes smoothly!
      I'm hoping all the folks in the swap want to rip packages open and share the minute they get them but you know how hard it is coming to a decision with a big group! Soon, hopefully!
      Natasha is amazing, and I am so happy that she is so excited to have and host all of us! It's going to be a wonderful time!

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  22. Hello Jodi, Great to see the progress in the 1:1 kitchen. My comment to your last post never showed up so I probably forgot to hit the publish button. silly me. However that is of no importance now. The idea of giving the hutch a new lease of life in this way sounds great. I look forward to your plans on that one. I wish you good luck and a lot of inspiration!

    Huibrecht

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    1. Oh Huibrecht I'm so sorry! I know how frustrating vanishing comments can be!
      I have only to organize the hutch and junk drawers in the kitchen and then can call it finished! It feels great, and I am looking forward to many lazy mini days in my future, lol!
      Thanks for your encouragement on the hutch - I've been making a project board as I get a spare moment and my excitement is growing! I love this stage of a new project!!!

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  23. Hi, Jodi - You are one busy woman, and you amaze me with the number of things you're working on - and finishing! The big and small projects look interesting and fun. Like everyone else, I'm very curious about the Secret Project and look forward to the REVEAL. I love your grandmother's hutch; the new paint is fabulous. It's going to be a wonderful look, and will be perfect for a mini display. I know you're going to enjoy a fun Thanksgiving gathering - your daughter is so sweet to help by hosting dinner. Have a lovely time together!
    Marjorie

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    1. Hi Marjorie! This is definitely not my preferred speed or pace of life, but needs must and all that. I'll be glad to get back to "normal" when all my free time can be sitting at the craft table, lol!
      I can't wait to share the secret project, and I am so excited about Tasha's house tomorrow! But I am most excited because I get her all to myself for a few hours today! She's one of my favorite people, and how lovely it is that Russ and I made her, Lol!
      Happy Thanksgiving!

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