French Doors

The Blessing Farmhouse is getting primped for an upcoming event but it does not look the part right now!  If you were to peek beyond any set of french doors in our home today you would be greeted with piles of stuff.  The kitchen stuff is in the dinning room, the mudroom stuff is in the living room.  How can reorganizing create so much chaos?  I felt bad when the dishwasher repairman had to climb through the living room this morning (ok, not really "climb" - more like "step over and around").

But I made the bed yesterday.  That has to count for something, right?!

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Ruffled Leggings are Available!

So many of you have been asking that it seemed the best way to tell everyone was just to make a big deal of it and announce it here on the blog...  The ruffled leggings are available again!

Go directly to the shoppe

 Did you see the darling ruffle stockings that Val posted on the French Cupboard blog from her trip to Paris?

I think I've found a new way to wear my ruffle anklets!

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Jeanne Oliver Class at Na-Da!

It's almost here!

Less than a month now until the Spring Na-Da Farm Sale and I'm just overflowing with anticipation!

 We're running in circles getting ready!

 

 (an outside view from the Fall, 2010 sale)

And we just got word that Jeanne Oliver (formerly A Bushel & a Peck) is going to be at the Spring sale teaching a mixed media class!  If you're thinking of coming in for the sale, you should definitely plan to be here for the class.  All the supplies are provided and you'll leave with a complete painting!!  You can check out the details here.

And, of course, Fifi will be there signing her new book too!  And speaking of the lovely Miss Fifi.... Well, that's another story altogether.  I'll  have to tell you in a separate post...

(aren't I wicked?!)

As the Kitchen Turns...

 Our kitchen is reflective of the rest of my life these days.  It's kind of a jumble!  My son has still be struggling.  Our whole family, really.  It's been a super hard week but while I have been busy being a mom, Mr. Blessing has been busy working on the kitchen for me.  It's our French Farmhouse Kitchen-On-A-Budget.

The inspiration for my cupboards came from this beat-up, old farm table.

Neighbor Bob stopped in yesterday and when I proudly showed him our new/old cabinet fronts, he said, "You like things sorta different don't you?" (hahaha)

I can't wait for everything to be done so I can show you.

(My version of Easter grass - Spanish moss)

This weekend I am definitely celebrating a resurrection of sorts in my son and a resurrection in our farmhouse kitchen.   But most important, let's all pause and celebrate the resurrection of God's Son!

Thank you God!!

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Nettoyage de printemps

That's French for Spring Cleaning.

 I wish there was something romantic about this project but the ugly truth is that my kitchen has been sorely neglected. It needs more than just Spring cleaning.  It needs a total renovation.  I'm going for a French farmhouse look when my dream kitchen emerges from the depths of this abyss.  But there are more than a few steps between neglected farmhouse and French farmhouse  I can't afford the counter top I want or the appliances that I want.  The old pine floors are looking well.... old.  The cupboards are icky and the walls need a fresh coat of pain.  And I can't afford to let things go any longer.  

I CAN however afford elbow grease.

 

 So this week we worked on counters and appliances.  I've heard of people painting their counter tops with great success so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  I mean, the thing couldn't get any worse, right?!  The key to making the paint stick is the primer. I used an oil based primer and let it dry over night.  Then I applied two coats of satin finish latex paint.  Again, let it dry very well between coats.

 I was hoping to get the color of cement (yeah, I know, I could just pour a cement counter but we've been a little busy round these parts lately and this was the finish that I could do without Mr. Blessings help.  Maybe later this summer we can tackle the real deal).   I did dry brush some brown and cream and silver to give it some depth.  Somehow that cement gray was more bland than I thought it would be.

 Ok, here's an important thing to know about painting counter tops...  Use lots of layers of clear coat and let them dry completely between coats.  I used a semi-gloss polyacryllic.  If you are someone who chops food directly on the counter, you're supposed to use a food-safe sealer.  However, I can't think of ANY painted surface that's going to hold up to chopping!  Just use a cutting board.

(As you can see the cabinets got primed once upon a time but I had to put the doors back on after weeks of not getting the project done.  So that's what we hope to tackle next week) 

 Have you ever painted appliances?  It was surpisingly easy. 

When.... Ok, IF we ever get the kitchen done, I'll share the finished photos with you.

Hope your weekend projects are less work and more romantic!

Update

postcard: ebay seller fireangel

Thank you for all your prayers, emails and comments!  I can't tell you how much they comforted me. 

For those of you who don't know, my oldest son (age 20) was diagnosed with serotonin syndrome on April 1st after begin taken to the ER, non-responsive with seizure type spasms.  Serotonin syndrome is caused by too much serotonin in the brain. We had a very scary couple of days in the ICU, followed by a week of unusual behavior.   He is doing much better now, though he has physical therapy for muscle loss due to the seizures and he tires very easily.  But his brain and kidney functions are good!

postcard - ebay seller onedandelionwish

And his mom?  It's an experience that I'm sure will remain one my worst memories.  Even up to last Sunday, I was feeling a bit "frail" but things are settling down and we are getting back into our normal pattern.

I think I may have gone from red to gray in one week.  

Parenting definitely requires something more potent than 28 day hair color! 

Thank you for having been there with kind words and prayers.   ((HUGS)) 

Intense

 It's like looking through some bizarre lens.

A week ago today our oldest son (the one that moved out recently), was admitted to Intensive Care.  It's been a hard week and I'm not up to sharing all the when, where and why stuff but I will say that he was not responsive and near death when I was called to the ER Friday night.  Once stable, we were told that he may not have full brain function.

  After a scary couple of days, he is awake and doing very well and expected to fully recover.  His mom however has been a bit of a wreck.  I can't explain the run of my emotions this week.  I often feel like the world is swirling about around me and I'm still, watching it all... Only one thought in my mind... Only one topic of discussion... My boy. 

Although we feel a bit hung out to dry, God is faithful even when we are too exhausted to recognize it.  We are so grateful for our son's life and for the close friends who have been here to help with the kids and late nights.  This weekend we will rest and bask in the faithfulness of God! 

  

He will cover you with his feathers.  He will shelter you with his wings.  His faithful promises are your armor and protection. (Psalm 91:4)