Piles of Projects...

As my weary husband will attest, 

nothing makes my weekend more 

than getting things accomplished...  

 

Okay, a weekend in Hawaii would trump that, 

but you know what I mean...  

The lists are endless 

and sometimes it feels like so little 

is under my control these days...  

So it does my heart (and sanity) good 

to get a few things done around the house...  

First on the list was cleaning and raking the yard...

 One of the joys of spring 

is uncovering the green shoots 

of tulips, dafodils, allium, hostas 

and grape hyacinths.... 

 The promise of fragrant blooms 

and warmer days makes me so happy, 

as I rake away the last year's leaves

 and dried up mulch...
  

Next on the list was to plant sprouted spring flowers 

in the front pots... 

Home Depot sells all the basic spring blooms 

for cheap, so I picked up some pansies, 

tulips, hyacinths, mini daffodils 

and crocus to gussy up the planters....  

Second job on the list; check...  

The third project on the list was sidelined 

by things the kids needed to accomplish, 

but I was happy to help Jack with his homework assignment 

about the battle of Concord 

during the Revolutionary War...

Nothing warms a mom's heart more 

than witnessing her child actually learning 

something while having fun...

The model of the battle was all him;  

I just supplied a few rocks 

and adorned his shack with pretzel "timbers"...

Kate needed to finish her thank you notes 

after her birthday celebrations...
  

It's funny how thank you etiquette changes 

over the generations...  

My parents' generation has strict rules 

about sending thank you's, with time limits, etc...  

Proper thanks needs to be handed out, 

gratitude shown, and when it is not, 

well, things are uncomfortable...  

At times, it becomes burdensome 

and I feel nervous if I don't 

send out the thanks in a timely fashion...  

My generation is more casual about the thank you, 

and while I do believe that one 

should thank the giver for the generosity, 

whatever the gesture, 

sometimes an email is sufficient...

I have friends who slack altogether with thank you's 

and while it doesn't bother me, 

I know it ruffles some feathers...  

My kids are just learning about being formally gracious 

and while they will find their own way 

to thank others, I am pushing Miss Manner's line 

and make them write thank you notes...  

Sitting next to a seven year old while she carefully scrawls 

fifteen notes can be tedious, 

but as long as she is willing 

I will stand by for spell checks and motivation...  

Last on this weekend's to do list 

was the transformation of our chandelier...

A garage sale find many years ago, 

this lovely lamp cried out for re-plating of its silver...  

However, the budget could not accommodate

 the three hundred bucks or so 

it would have cost to refurbish...  

I love the shape of this chandelier, though, 

and decided to spray paint it a glossy chocolate

 and to adorn the bulbs with natural mini shades...

I LOVE how it turned out, 

but it needed a bit more dressing up, 

so I made a cord cover for it 

and also for my beaded chandelier in the dining room...  

Such a quick, easy project 

and it can be no sew, too...

Here is a great Pinterest tutorial, 

if you would like to try it, too...

I used a soft linen fabric, 

 and purchased one yard for $5.99/yd 

which was enough for two lamps...  

Kate also asked me to make her a stuffed mustache...  

(don't ask!)   

Tonight, I feel the satisfaction of spending time with the kids, 

doing worthwhile projects 

and of getting a few things done for myself, too...  

Monday might kick me in the fanny tomorrow, 

but this moment feels good...

I hope you are in a happy place, too!