President's Day Projects

I am always happy to honor our Presidents.  Especially when honoring them entails a day off of work and an opportunity to shop, run, make pillows and decorate for spring.  It has been in the mid-70's lately, which is encouraging the Spring feeling, fresh colors,  new growth and a trip to Jo-Ann fabrics (after a trip to Pottery Barn, for inspiration).

Inspiration Photo

Pottery Barn

 

 

 

 

The simple palette, fresh vibe and a different use for the glass votives is what I wanted to incorporate in my home.  So Sunday after church, a nap, and armed with this photo,  I picked up a slew of items at Jo-Ann's to make 4 pillow slip covers, a new table center piece, and a few random items that slipped into my basket. 

4 yards burlap

3 yards fabric

no sew hemming tape

white tulips

moss

butterfly stencil (random)

white paint (random)

brushes (random)

Sunday night while watching Secretariat ( yes I am still working on movies listed here),  I wrestled the burlap into a table runner and two slip covers for pillows.  Going into this project it was my intention to use the no sew hem for the entire project.  I really  haven't been on the project scene long enough to own a sewing machine so the no sew hemming tape is perfect, or so I thought.  It is perfect for hemming, hence the name, but it is not perfect for holding the front and back panels of a pillow together.  For that I turned to the glue gun. All in all, I am happy with the final products.  Monday, I completed the two larger pillow slip covers also using the no sew hemming tape for all the hems of the pillow but did have to use the glue gun again when putting the panels together.  Each pillow has 1/2"seam on all sides and 1/4"sem on the back opening.  The project took two movies to complete.

 Final Products

Fresh look for old pillows.

New additions for my Grandmother's needle point pillows.

 

 

Spring table decor-not sure what is going on with lighting in this photo.

Giddy Up, Gals..

To a salon near you for a quick mani pedi with new hues from the OPI TEXAS collection!

Images from of Caplan Miller

This gives chic cowgirl a new name!

Happy Valentine's Day

My Valentine is out of town, so I will be celebrating with a wonderful group of ladies and eating

 and giving

Happy Valentines Day!

2411 RHOB

When cleaning out your inbox you never know what you will find that brings back fond memories.  This exact scene could have happened any day of the week while I was working on Capitol Hill.  Sniff, Sniff, Tear.  I was not the typical policy guru or CNN addict that you usually find upon entering in the halls of Congress. 

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 5:  Staff Elizabeth Leasure comforts "Nigel" a male jack russell owned by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY) (NP) who brings his dogs to the office everyday.  Nigel has to sniff anyone new entering the office and has made an excellent greeter to visitors.  Whitfield, like several other lawmakers and staffers on the hill bring their dogs to the office every day which lightens up what can be an intense environment on the Hill.  (no id on man coming through door).  (Photo by Linda Davidson / The Washington Post)

 It never made The Post but makes me smile!

First Floor: House Tour

Just a glimpse in to the first floor of the condo, townhouse, apartment, whatever you want to call it. It fits all descriptions.  I spared you the half bath and entry hall. These were taken on New Year's Eve right before the guests arrived, so party mode is in full swing.

Gally Kitchen

 

Dining room table and china cabinet that I inherited from my paternal grandmother, Mama B or "B".  I drove to Kentucky for Christmas for the sole purpose of hauling these pieces back with me.  Her table cloths and napkins are still in the drawers.

China cabinet / bar area

Family room featuring a new area rug, curtains and slipcover for the couch. 

 

Austin:Go Gorilla Run 5K

 I got up early on a Saturday to cheer on primates.  It was totally worth it, creativity, fitness and humor all before 10am, plus a workout on my own.

Go Gorilla Run 5k

 

 I missed the start so I had to run to catch up with the pack band of gorilla's.

 Luckily they were not moving very fast.  

Feeding the animals was allowed.

 BA-NAN-NA

 Out of the 750 gorillas, this trio was my favorite.  Gorilla parents with a banana baby.

  "Keep Austin Weird"

D-A-Y-T-R-I-P

This should have been posted last week BUT due to life, it is a bit late.  Enjoy! 

Saturday we channeled our inner Chet Garner for a little day trip of our own.  It could not of gotten any better except for the lack of trail mix on our hike.  The game plan was always to go hike at  Enchanted Rock and then swing by Fredricksburg for dinner.  I particularly was in need of FRESH AIR and EXERCISE.  Even if this FRESH AIR and EXERCISE were accompanied by misty rain at times.  I had been feeling claustrophobic from being inside working and entertaining at home. So it was time for a mini adventure.  

Mini adventures should always start with this.  

Starbucks gift cards were popular with our families this Christmas season and we greatly appreciate the treat!  It is only an hour and half to our destination but somehow it took us double that to reach.  Cooper's BBQ in Llano, TX was calling Dude's name so shortly after Starbucks we found ourselves eating half a pound of brisket and half a link of jalapeno sausage.

It was delicious.  Like moved to the number one spot on my great BBQ list delicious.
Quick fact about Llano, TX is it known as the Deer Capital of Texas.  There were a slew of hunters partaking in Cooper's BBQ with us.  I felt a little out of place in my bright pink shirt, running tights, and equally as bright blue vest.  Two quick facts about TX BBQ venues 1. beans are free 2. you will be eating at picnic tables.

So after brisket, sausage, beans, coleslaw and sweet tea we waddled out of Cooper's to the car and finally made it to our destination Enchanted Rock.

Enchanted Rock State Nature Area is a pink granite dome that rises 425 feet above the surrounding countryside. It is one of the largest batholiths, or exposed underground rock formations, in the US. Tonkawa Indians named it, believing ghost fires flickered at the top and that a Spanish conquistador had cast a spell on it.  When Dude was in scouts his troop would come here to camp.  This is also where he got his first concussion.

The Eagle Scout getting the game plan together.  We hiked to the summit of the dome, then around on various trails.

 Hydrate.

pink wet granite.

couldn't resist.

We ended the day with dinner and a sweet treat in Fredricksburg, TX and spent time meandering in and out of all the shops on Main Street.  

Added bonus to the day, we made it back to Austin in time to watch Miss America be crowned, and then Pure Country!  Congrats Miss Nebraska, I still can't believe you are seventeen and hello George Strait in wranglers.