Chalk board paint + picnic basket = summer fun!

BEFORE: AFTER:

I love how this basket turned out.

I borrowed the idea from

Stacey at The Blessed Nest

here is a link:

http://theblessednest.blogspot.com/2009/05/fun-chalkboard-paint-project.html

Thanks for the idea Stacey!

The rest of the pictures are from a table

I set at church for fellowship betweeen the 2 services.

I had fun doing it!

Blessings~

Leigh Ann

chalkin' it up....

This summer at church we are having a

time of fellowship and food between services,

tomorrow is my turn to set up for the event.

I bought a chalk board at an auction a couple

of weeks ago and wanted to do a couple of

projects with it. Today my hubby helped

me by cutting the board into 3 sections.

With the smaller section I made this

sandwich board. The chalk board was

school chalk board green so I bought myself

some chalkboard spray paint and now it looks

brand spankin' new.

I used Chalk ink markers that I bought at Michael's.

They worked great and I like how they look

like chalk but don't smear smudge or come

off until you wash them off.

Here is their website

www.chalkink.com

I would love to have all the colors.

My new board will be so much fun,

I plan on using it for parties and holidays.

I love how it turned out.

Check back soon and I'll post pictures from church.

I'll also have another chalk board project to share.

:)

Blessings~

Leigh Ann

Table love.....

I am loving decorating with one

thrifty find after another.
I love my new table, well new to me anyway.

Check back tomorrow to see what I do

with my vintage picnic basket.

It's going to church with me!

:)
Leigh Ann

Friday night tease...

Remember my vintage picnic basket that my friend LeAnn gave me?

Well, It's about to get an update.
I found this curvy little table at a garage sale on the way to my Dentist appt. yesterday :).
It's about to get a little face lift too.

But.....

I am about out of daylight here so...

you'll have to check back later for the

finished projects!

Happy weekend!

Leigh Ann

outdoor spaces...

These are my outdoor spaces.... I love each little nook for a different reason. Grab a glass of fresh brewed ice tea or ice cold lemonade and come along for a little tour.

This is a tiny porch of off our family room. My son and DIL made this arbor for their wedding last summer. I hauled it home and had hubby put it up out here. It is a sweet remembrance of the wedding day for me.

This is my porch that most people use to enter my home....

I like to keep it cheery and welcoming.

This is the area right outside my beauty salon.

My hubby graciously gave up his portion of the garage

to build me a salon at home when the older 3

were little so I could be with them.

Emma was born after the salon was built and was raised

out there with all the love and attention

from me and all my amazing clients.

Hubby also built me this wonderful Arbor

that same year.

It is the first one he built and it is still my favorite.

He has built many more for

friends and family.

To me it looks like an entrance to a secret garden...

Just what I wanted. :)

This is the sign on our front main porch.

My favorite spot to sit any time of the day for 3 seasons.

The large windows were given to me by a friend of my Mom's.

Thanks Marty! I love them.

Our Calicoes love my porches too!

Soon my hydrangeas will be in full bloom!:)

Remember to slow down, sit awhile,

be thankful,

and enjoy the beauty of the day!

Blessings~

Leigh Ann

Happy Father's Day!

After an awesome Father's Day church service the kids treated Dad and I to a wonderful Brunch along the River in the small Canal Town of Grand Rapids. The restaurant is called LaRoe's and has been a favorite for many years. A couple of year's ago the owner created a dining terrace and we love it. I had never been out on the terrace until last week when I met my blogging friend LeAnn. Today, Tom had the breakfast buffet which is always so good, the rest of us ordered lunch. Of course in our family everyone shares a bite of their meal with everyone else. Alot of "I'll give you 2 bites of mine for 2 bites of yours." They have done this since they were little. It used to bug me alot...but then they all get so much joy in sharing and commenting about each other's taste that I guess I've gotten used to it. Though it may not be the top of the list of dining out to do's! I always try and stay out of the food swapping game cause I always order things I know I'll love and I'm stingy like that! LOL! Today I didn't get away with it though as everyone wanted some of my soup and they all really liked it! It did help me with counting the calories though! Thank you kids for the wonderful meal and time spent together,

both Dad and I love you all very much.

We did miss the 2 from NC!

Happy Father's Day to my Daddy who lives in Michigan,

miss you Dad and I love you.

Blessings~

Leigh Ann

Imperfectly perfect....

While I like this ... I really wasn't crazy about my mirror and then....

I found this mirror.....

It has some imperfections....

but I think it's perfect. :)

Kinda like my relationship with the Lord,
even though I have imperfections,
I have God's grace, mercy and love.....

Imperfectly perfect!
Blessings~
Leigh Ann

Blogging + Meeting = Friends...

Today I had the pleasure of meeting a fellow blogger and her name is LeAnn also! How fun is that!? Other than our names, we have quite a lot in common and our meeting today felt like catching up with a long lost friend.

We met in a little town along the river between both

our hometowns and had a great time going

in all the shops and enjoying our lunch outside

overlooking the canal and river.

LeAnn's blog has been such an inspiration for me,

you can check it out here:

http://www.simplydandy.blogspot.com/

She has such a great eye for decor

and changing things up!

While we were shopping she found

a wonderful picnic basket

that was so adorable. At the end of our

day she did the most wonderful thing

and gave it to me ~how sweet.

Thanks LeAnn!

I placed it on my farm table on

my breezeway porch and put

one of my geraniums in it!

I love it!

What a summery welcome!

LeAnn found this wonderful table and pair of chairs!
Can't wait to see where she puts them in her home!


I am so thankful to have found a

wonderful friend through blogging!

Blessings~
Leigh Ann