Half Moon Bay

Tags

adventures, beach, family, half moon bay

One of the things I like about being in a new area is discovering some of the things that there are to do. And one of the first things I wanted to do was to spend some time in Half Moon Bay. The name is so fabulous, I couldn’t help but need to go.

We’re really only about 12 miles from the ocean, but it takes 30-45 minutes to get to the beach, which isn’t bad. So on Saturday we packed up the girls for a half-day adventure.

We drove up the coast for a little while to see where we wanted to stop. We passed state beaches and found a spot where you can just walk down to the beach. We got our stuff and headed down.

We got to the sand, and Saige hated it. She wanted Chad to carry her. We got a sheet put down, and then slowly she got used to it. Brynley was pretty much okay with it from the start, but that didn’t surprise us since she likes the dirt so much.

It was so beautiful. A bright blue sky, the sound of the ocean, and a nice breeze.

The water was cold though and the girls didn’t like it much.

There were a few tiny shells and the girls had a fun time picking some shells to take home.

After an hour or two, the winds picked up and the fog rolled in. So we packed up and went to find some lunch. We’d heard rave reviews about Barbara’s Fish Trap so we got some fish ‘n chips and sat outside to enjoy them. 

By the time we finished eating, the fog was thick and the fog horns were regularly sounding. It was beautiful in its own way. It was such a fun way to spend the morning, and without being too overwhelming or a big deal. We’ll definitely be back soon!

First Home Project

Tags

home decor, home decoration, home improvement, inspiration, living room, mantel, paint, projects, salmon pink

When we came and looked at renting this house, I did a rush job of looking around. The current tenants were at home, and I felt awkward looking in closets and bathrooms with them there. So when we left, I had a general impression of the house, but really couldn’t remember any specifics–except that the front room was salmon pink. Including the ceiling. And the mantle was painted orange.

Before signing the lease, we made sure we got permission to paint the room. And when we got here, I remembered how much it needed to be painted.

If you follow me on Instagram (mabeylisa) or we’re Facebook friends, you’ve probably already seen some of these photos. But they warrant another showing.

So here we have the salmon pink. It’s a bit much. Add in the late afternoon light, and I felt like I was drowning in pink. And the orange really wasn’t the same undertone as the pink, so it looked worse than the photo captures.

For a self-proclaimed color snob, it was painful. We really didn’t even put anything in the room and I refused to unpack decor until we did something with it. After putting the girls to bed, to took us three evenings to get two coats on the walls and ceilings, but man, what a difference it made!

I started with a color palette that I thought would represent this area well as well as remaining something that the owner wouldn’t object to. I landed on this aqua color (Sherwin-Williams Watery) as a nod to the ocean. What I didn’t realize was how complex the color is. It’s sometimes more blue and sometimes more aqua which I was worried about at first, but that I love now. It reminds me of the ocean in that facet.

I wanted to accent it in citrus colors since California has so much citrus. Lemons, limes, and pink grapefruit were just about perfect shades to go with the aqua. It’s fresh, light, and airy. I love it.

And while so far I’ve only decorated the mantel (ha!), I’m moving on to other areas. It’s slow progress, but I find that I’m still defining and refining my style. And I like the creative exercise of trial and error.

Remember When I Was a Papercrafter?

Tags

card making, creativity, handmade card, paper crafting, projects, stampin up, stamping

I really learned to love paper crafting during my time there. And when I went to Colorado I didn’t take any paper with me since I couldn’t take much. And I really missed it.

So one of the first things I wanted to do when I got my things unpacked was to make a card. Chad gave me the perfect reason to make a card when a co-worker was headed to surgery. So I grabbed a piece of patterned paper that grabbed my attention and started creating. It felt really good to bring together bits and pieces of paper, stamps, ribbon, and ink. There’s nothing like making a card for a quick satisfying project to get your creative juices going again after way too long.

I loved the outcome so much I needed to make another (similar) version just for fun. Subtle differences, but I think they really feel different.

Make It or Buy It

Have you ever noticed one of your own tendencies and wondered why you behave that way? I love to create things. It’s ingrained in me. I’m always trying to figure out how to make something that I see and like.

And something happens to me when I can’t create. I buy supplies. Can’t sew something? Buy fabric instead! You know, for when things return to normal. Can’t get all your papercrafting stuff out and just make cards? New patterned paper or ink or stamps will help!

So for months my sewing and crafting supplies largely sat in boxes, waiting for the move to happen. My desk/sewing area served as our kitchen table (while Chad builds/built one for us out of reclaimed mahogany with a metal base). I felt like part of me was missing–the nice part that likes to play with her kids because she finds fulfillment in creativity. Instead I purchased fabric, crafting supplies, and received a huge box of paper, stamps, and ink from a friend. It just made the anticipation stronger.

Now that I finally have a dedicated space for creating, I’m feeling so much more like myself. The ideas aren’t trapped inside anymore; I can just run upstairs and find the ribbon, fabric, paint, paper, or glue that I need for my spur-of-the-moment project. It’s the messiest space in the whole house, but it works, and making it beautiful will come soon enough.

Frumpy to Fitted

Tags

creativity, kids clothes, projects, refashion, sewing, thrifting

I found this basic white buttondown at Goodwill for $.99, and I don’t think it had ever been worn before. I was thrilled. But once I put it on Saige, it was way too baggy and she wouldn’t leave it tucked in so she just looked unkempt.

So with a little elastic and minimal effort, I turned it into a flattering little top that’s also a bit unique. It was so easy!

1. Measure your cutie’s where you want the elastic to hit and subtract 2 inches. Cut that much elastic. (Her “waist” was 21″ so I cut 19″ of elastic.)
2. Mark on the inside of your shirt where you want the elastic using a fabric marker or tailor’s chalk.
3. Sew the elastic on, starting about 1/2″ from either side of the placket and stretching the elastic as you go. I used 1″ elastic for a wider cinch, but you could use any size elastic. I also did three rows of stitching.

Done! And now it’s one of my favorite shirts she owns.

Voila! Instantly cuter. Now if only I hadn’t taken phone photos…

Back to Blogging

It’s been quiet around this blog. But I’m excited to get going again and share some of the things I’ve been up to.

I finally uploaded photos from my cameras (the point-and-shoot, the DSLR, and the phone after WAY too long). There were photos from nearly a year ago on the point-and-shoot. Sheesh. But getting them uploaded reminds me how much I have to be grateful for. It’s also reminded me of projects started, completed, or abandoned. :)

I’d say it’s time to start documenting my creative pursuits again. Prepare for a barrage of posts. :)

A Few Thoughts

Tags

gratitude, home, moving

It’s been a little over two weeks since the move happened. We made it. But things have taken (and are still taking) longer than expected to settle down. Have you ever noticed how many things have to happen when you move? Aside from packing up EVERYTHING you own, hauling it to a new location, and then finding a new home for it, you have all the bills (first and last month chaos for two locations), things that need to be set up or disconnected, and so much cleaning.

Let me up front say that this is a great house. It’s got a great layout, in a fabulous neighborhood, and it just feels right for our family. But it’s been an interesting experience cleaning it. My hands hurt from the cleaning, and I’m not done yet. But with every wall that I finish and every black scuff mark that comes off the doors and baseboards, I know that I’m making this house my own.

It was left pretty dirty. And as I continue to clean away the spills and marks from past renters I find myself frustrated and pleased at the same time. Frustrated that the owners didn’t care enough to make sure it was clean and things were in good working order, yet satisfied that our hard work is making such a difference. I might be the only one who notices it, but the disappearance of the dark liquid stains on the ceiling (?) signifies that I care and that it’s becoming my home. And for right now, it’s as important to me as decorating or creating.

Moving twice exactly two months apart was harder on me than I expected. I’m glad to know we’ll be here for a couple of years so I can feel that sense of permanence again.

Mostly though, I feel grateful. Grateful to my Heavenly Father for His guidance and help through all of this. I’m amazed and humbled by the loving service provided time and again to our family. Between help with childcare, cleaning, people on both ends loading and unloading our belongings, last-minute desserts with dear friends, and an invitation to Easter dinner the day after we arrived, I have felt loved and watched over. We are where we are supposed to be. We are loved, and we are so grateful to all of you who have supported us over the past few months.

The House That Love Built

Tags

home improvement, house that love built

Over the years, we’ve put a lot of time, energy, money, and love into this house. I think there’s something sentimental about your first house. Something liberating.

I spent the first 10 years after leaving home moving from apartment to apartment in a rather nomadic fashion. I had few belongings, because I didn’t want to move them. I didn’t believe in decorating because I was limited in what I was allowed to do and I didn’t want to invest the time or money into something I’d leave (and have to move) later on.

I married a man with vision though. He can see the potential and dream up crazy cool things. And he makes them happen.  When we bought this house I loved it already, but I didn’t realize how much we’d update, improve, and imagine. We’ve literally ripped up, replaced, or refinished something in every facet imaginable from one corner to the next both inside and out.

For instance, here’s Chad chipping away the weeping mortar from the exterior of the house. Yes, the whole house with a hammer and chisel.

This wall? It was a weekend-turned-several-month-project. One day I was sitting on the front porch when a neighbor I’d never met before stopped and commented on our “wall of love.” He’d watched us out there day after day working on that wall and wanted to tell us how cool he thought it was that we’d done it together. Honestly, Chad did most of it (with the help of many friends), but this neighbor was right that it was a project that not only brought us closer, but cemented our commitment to making the house our home.

Everywhere I turn I see something we’ve changed or improved. There’s a little love in every corner.

And now we’re leaving it for two years with the distinct possibility that we’ll never come back permanently. But I’m okay with that. Love may have built this house, but we’ve learned how to make a home, and that goes with us.

Hope

Lately I’ve been feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, and stressed. Moving does that to me. But I’m hoping that in another week I’ll be able to find my rhythm again and return to some sort of normalcy.

That includes blogging, creating again, and being a better mom. Hope.

Where Has the Time Gone?

It’s been two weeks since I last posted. That’s terrible. But it’s been needed. With my life in limbo, sometimes I need to let go of something temporarily in order to make more sense of what’s happening.

Perhaps this makes sense only to me, but that’s okay. Really I just want to say that I’m here but life isn’t normal right now. Hopefully once we relocate I’ll be able to get back into a rhythm. Thanks for reading!