Masthead header

please pray

July 29, 2014 Filed in africa

hi.
so i am back from Liberia.
i didn’t mention i was going until the hour i left.
partly because i don’t like to cause people to worry and partly because i didn’t want to listen to people worry.
i understand people sharing their concern but also it is not usually helpful.
so… i kept it to myself and a few close friends & family.
and they were worried enough that i didn’t want to add more onto that.

i will share lots of photos and stories but today i just want to ask you pray.

the American doctor who has tested positive is my friends Pam & Eric’s best friend.
he is a medical missionary who has been working so hard to HELP.
he is adored by his friends and family.

then.. to stop & think HARD about how every person (over 1200!) that has contracted the virus is also as special as Dr. Brantly.
every person has a story.
no life more important than the next.
yet now it feels so much more real.
and it is so much worse than i can convey here.

please pray…

-for dr. brantly & nancy his co-worker and their families
-for my friends wrapped up SMACK in the middle of this crisis
-for those in the hospital… working and sick
-for liberia

1432LR-P-005-Dr.-Brantly
isolation_wide-0436ff571b8cd8d101f0be8d3a870ed64ff89571-s40-c85
click here for more information on samaritan’s purse & ebola in liberia.

add a comment

Sarah, from Samaritan's Purse - Meg, thank you so much for your prayers and support during this time. We are praising God for the good news so far and praying fervently for Kent and Nancy’s healing, as well as help for West Africans battling the disease.

Laura Whistler - It’s an honor to pray for these people. My brother-in-law went to Liberia last winter and was forever changed by his visit there. After his trip he’s decided to take his son (age 9) next winter.

Debbie - Hi there

Just wanted to let you know I have had Dr Brantly in my thoughts since your post.

I just read on cnn that he is the person they are flying out of there and came back to check the names you had written

Sending prayers from Canada.

Debbie

Dawn - I have been watching this story. May God get all the glory no matter what!!! HE is so much bigger than any of this. Trusting.

Lauren - Meg,
Prayers are being answered! I just read that either Dr Brantly or Nancy is coming to Emory hospital in Atlanta, only yards from the CDC. This is a world class facility where he/she will be in the best of hands. God is good all the time.

Carol S. - I’m so sorry about all of this, it is terrible news and knowing you were in the thick of it brings it closer to home. Such a brave and heroic family, sacrificing everything to serve others. That I should be so Christ like. Thank you for update, and as I always say to those that may question…do not judge, lest thou be judge. God bless them.

Ronnie - Meg, I’m glad that you are back and I’ll keep those suffering in my prayers. I saw this on the news again tonight and while I was missing family and I’ll admit a little feeling sorry for myself. The story reminded me to give thanks for the many blessings I have and that there are those that are fighting for their lives while giving so much to others.
The story tonight spoke of a few volunteer physicians returning from Liberia and getting g treatment in a special facility in Atlanta. I hope that whoever returns is strong enough to make the trip and to recover.

Katie - Praying.

Allison - Praying for Everyone!..So heart breaking.

Jenn - I have been praying and will continue. Please keep us posted on any news you may hear.

Emmelie - Meg, thank you so much for using your blog to ask for prayers for this situation. The Brantlys are friends of mine, too. I’m glad you made it back safely from Liberia.

staci torgerson - Meg,
I understand 1st hand how you are feeling. We have 2 little boys that we’ve been trying to adopt from Monrovia, Liberia since 2008. They’ve been in the orphanage for 5 yrs now and are not the healthiest children there. They are much smaller for their size, even from Liberia standards and constantly battling colds. My heart breaks for all the people that are suffering from this horrible epidemic, those that are in the trenches fighting to contain it, those who’ve lost loved ones, and those who are terrified of contacting it. My prayers are with them all. I’m so proud that you chose to go. If you ever go back, please let me know, I’d love to accompany you and hopefully hug my babies.

Katherine @ Grass Stains - I’ve been following this story, Meg, and will stop and pray now.

wendy - Praying. xxx

Stephanie - I read this morning that he is doing better, gosh I hope this is true! Praying for eveyone…so very scary!

Kerri - Nancy Writebol’s son lives in Wichita and was the Today Show this morning. He said he has been able to speak with her while she is in isolation in her home. His father was exposed to the virus before his wife was diagnosed, and so far has not become ill. Prayers for all.

Mary - Meg, my church is praying. A member works for Samaritans Purse and had asked all of us to pray…

How are you?

Barb Brumfield - I am praying and last night my prayer group prayed for Liberia and the outbreak there. I believe that everyone there is being lifted before the Lord and He hears our every prayer. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:12 I believe that there is hope for our God is the God of hope and I believe that He will help us in our time of need. I will continue to pray and know that our God is an awesome God and He is the healer and protector.

paige - praying. praying. & praying.

janetg - Small world. I have been watching this story unfold and have been so worried about this man and his family at home. What courage it took to go to Liberia to help all these people with the Ebola virus. I do pray for his recovery and for the many others.

Jessica - Praying.

Angela - On my knees this morning for him.

Kirsten J - Prayers – that is too close for comfort – how frightening for you and your friends. I’ll tell you this: I’m a huge Stephen King fan, and The Hot Zone is the scariest book I’ve ever read. And Mr. King agrees. Ebola is nothing to be taken lightly. Hugs.

Heather - Praying!

Jessica Johnson - Praying like crazy. Thank you for going. I loved seeing your pictures. Miss you.

Amie - Praying.

Angela Atkins - It looks like you almost got stuck in Liberia, with the borders closed now. Were you out of the area–or are you now in a 21 day quarantine? Praying for your friends, the doctor, and his family. So grateful that you were finally able to spend some time together with Pam and encourage them in their work there!

Eugenia from Southern California - Gracious Heavenly Father,
You alone know your will for us.
We ask for your tender mercy on Dr. Brantly.
As a physician, Lord, Dr. Brantly has put himself in harms
way to help the less fortunate. Lord, we ask for you to
surround Dr. Brantly and all the health workers with your healing
and protecting light. Bring them to and keep them in good health.
Heal them, Lord, and wash them in your mercy so they may continue their important work. We pray also for Dr. Brantly’s family and associates. Lord, show your love for the people of Liberia through an out pouring of love. In Jesus’ holy name.

Amen.

jen - Thank you for going and for coming home and sharing with those of us that aren’t blessed to be able to go. My heart goes out to Liberia and to the Brantly family, Pam and her family and to you.

Jessica - Sending prayers for the Brantly family. As I was reading your post tonight, I was also watching Anderson Cooper and his interview with a Pastor (I believe) of the Brantly family Church. What an amazing man, doing amazing work…a true hero.

Tiffany Clark - I’m so sorry Meg, for any sorrow and worry you are holding right now, for your friends, and the people of Liberia. I live a sheltered life when it comes to the news (partly by choice, and partly because I don’t want my young children to be exposed to it), yet I get so mad at myself that I didn’t know about this problem. I could have been praying earlier! Thank you for bringing it to our attention. Hugs to you! Take care!

Caitlin - Thank you so much for posting this. We are friends of Nancy’s family and have been praying hard for God’s healing and glory in the midst of this.

Corinne - I will pray for all the people of Liberia. I am grateful that you are home with your family. All the best to you.

Dara - Praying.

Sara - I will ask God to be merciful in protecting your friends in Liberia and in healing Dr. Kent and Nancy and bringing them safely through such a life-threatening illness. They have given everything in order to serve others in their time of dire need. May God minister to them in body and spirit on their sick beds in Liberia.

Jen - Have been following this story at this blog of one of Dr Brantly’s family members.

http://www.carrollcrossroads.com

Breaks my heart. Praying. Glad you are home safely, Meg!

Kristin S - I was completely shocked this made the national news last night and they mentioned they are medical missionaries.

And you know them.

Tina Jacobsen - Oh Meg!! We are praying!! My heart aches for Liberia! Thank you for sharing and bringing a little corner of the world to our doorstep!

Deborah Jeffrey - Thank you for your willingness to go…and to share…
I am praying. Thanking God that Dr. Brantly had a heart for service…so much so that he was willing to serve and lay down his life to help others. My prayers are for his family and friends, for the people in the village that face this horrible virus everyday.

Mickie Lara - Dear Goodness, I just can’t even fathom the bravery and commitment these people have to be willing to put themselves into such a scary situation to try and help so many. Honestly, you just going over there is more than I think I could ever bring myself to do so thank goodness for Dr. Brantly, your friends and all of his coworkers. And, just lots and lots of prayers going up for them.

Angela - May I add this prayer request to the prayers requests at my church? We have many dedicated prayer warriors. So glad you are home, I follow you on instagram so I knew you were leaving and I’ve prayed for you since.

JoAnn - oh no! I was just thinking about that Doctor last night and praying, I think God woke me up. I am so sad about this, the whole thing.

elma - Oh this is so sad. So glad you are home and safe and will pray for this doctor and everyone else. It was just on the news here that he took a turn for the worse…

Alissa Getson - Will be praying!!! Will also find more prayer warriors!!!!

Rebecca - Praying.

Jer. 29:11

Toni :0) - What virus? Sorry I’m out of the loop so I will pray for him and all the others.

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

this was weird.

July 17, 2014 Filed in family fun

we were on our way to sean’s basketball tournament in kansas and we saw ostriches.
like… 50 of them on the side of the road.
????
we said “WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT PLACE?”
so later between games we found out.
It’s called Hendrick’s Exotic Animal Farm located in Nickerson, KS.

IMG_9077IMG_9092
we got out of the car and there were all these giraffes…that you could just… PET.
you know how all your life you go to the zoo and everything is really far away and there are signs everywhere to stay back and don’t touch?
this is opposite!
and suddenly we were petting a giraffe!
our minds were blown.

IMG_9078IMG_9081IMG_9083
^^^^ my picture.

IMG_5912
^^^ talby’s picture.

IMG_9085IMG_9086IMG_9098
check out that gorgeous profile!

IMG_9087IMG_9088IMG_9094IMG_9099
then i tried for a selfie with the giraffe… and i think it has done this before.
because as soon as i turned around it licked my head.
and wrapped my hair around that tongue.

IMG_9101IMG_9103IMG_9110IMG_9111IMG_9117IMG_9120
we loved the giraffes.
but none of us were liking the ostriches up close.
it was WAY too close.
WAAAAAAY.
have you ever seen one really close?

IMG_9123
do you see the ostrich on the far left… see how the wing feathers are blowing up from the wind?
LOOK!
THEY ARE NUDE!!!
so creepy.  and their eyes bug out… the necks? the half open beak?! the huge middle toe claw?!! oh my word.
later that night when i was going to bed i told craig “i am honestly worried about having nightmares about those ostriches today”
IMG_9142-2IMG_9135IMG_9140
i love watching the girls explore with photography.
🙂

this was a really fun completely unexpected stop.
we were just looking for a park to run around and we ended up hugging a giraffe!

add a comment

Kerry - This is SO cool! Can’t believe you could just pet them! That giraffe selfie is amazing, and great blue tongue shot too Talby!

Cathy - that is so cool.. if I ever get out that way ..from OHIO I will have to stop. So how did it feel when he licked you. I was reading and saying ewwwwww….

Lorieloo - Also. An ostrich peeing might be the most disgusting & horrifying thing ever.

Lora - Those giraffes are the cutest!

Kerri - Isn’t it fun to discover something special in your own backyard, so to speak? Hedrick’s has been there for many years. School children from the town we used to live in in central Kansas go there for field trips.

Ashley Tiburcio - this is awesome! we are planning to go to Kansas next summer…I’ve never been and neither has my hubby or kids….We are going to go to Schlitterbahn but are wanting to explore to so we may just have to stop here too! Do you have any more places that might be interesting stops? I love exploring and we are going to have 4 days to do just that….

Tiffany - Meg, I love these posts of yours. For the few minutes I’m reading it, it’s such an escape to a happy place. You make me laugh, and tonight I shared some pics and part of your story with my husband and it had us both laughing. Thank you for that. Also, looked like a goat was getting fresh with you. 🙂

Jennifer - Oh my goodness…how fun!! The giraffes are so beautiful and boy, the ostriches–they are creepy!

Kari Bobari - I just found out I am pregnant yesterday. Here’s how I know it’s true… these pictures made me cry and tell my husband, “I love giraffes so much. I just want to move there so I can go see them every day.”
Haha. Wow! First pregnancy, things are weird!

Dara - I love that place!! we’ve been there twice. I love the giraffes.

Suzelle - Those giraffes are SO dang COOL !!! You got some amazing photos 🙂 Your expression with the ostrich is hilarious 🙂

Stacy - Oh My Goodness. I’m dying from the giraffe cuteness! We have something similar in Pine Mountain, Ga, but I don’t remember petting the giraffes! So glad ya’ll stopped AND shared the awesome pictures! I’d love a LARGE print of the giraffe close-up!

Haley F - Talbee’s picture is soo cool! this post is amazing!

Heather S. - My mom took my girls here about 5 years ago and they stayed for the weekend. They rode a camel, fed baby kangaroos, and generally had a fabulous time.
Have you ever been to Tanganyika in Goddard? Been twice now. I have the BEST pic ever of my then 9 year old hugging a giraffe! So sweet! And the lemurs? It’s awesome to just sit and let them climb all over you. We love that place!

Carol S. - We have TWO of these in Knoxville but I haven’t been there yet. They get rave reviews from all ages. Fun fun pics! You are fun parents.

Jenny B. - Awesome! Talby’s giraffe picture is so great! There is a drive-thru safari near where we live, and the ostriches (or emus maybe?) come right up to your car window and stare at you. It is freaky! 🙂

DebbieLynn - I am crying…I am laughing so hard right now! Real tears! The ostrich! Your expression! I have LIVED that! I am a huge animal lover. I am vegan because I love animals so much. Last spring we went to a wildlife safari. Saw bears, lions, zebras, etc. So cool…BUT..we were able to buy a cup of food to feed the ostriches that were able to walk up to the car. I was SO excited!!! At FIRST….soon as they walked up to me and got close..i screamed my head off, and just threw the whole cup of food out of the car. I almost cried and had an anxiety attack. They are SO creepy!!!!(poor things..lol). But I love the giraffes!! 🙂

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

my milk paint experience

July 15, 2014 Filed in home decorating

awhile back i found this buffet on pinterest.
i think i entered “green buffet” to see what came up.
image7
and that was that.
i was in love!
i tracked down the artist and asked her HOW did you make this look like this?
she told me she used milk paint and a dark cream and wax.
(she has lots of beautiful pieces that she has created!)

so i started looking around online for these things… i know… you probably know all about this but i didn’t.

i ended up on amazon and i came across Jodi from Back40Life and thought “hey… i know that girl!”
because i did!
i have worked with Jodi in the past over the internet so i emailed her and said “tell me the real scoop on what i need to make my buffet look like this”
photo-25-1000x750(pp_w775_h581)
She sent me all the supplies i would need to complete the project that i was dying to work on.

i had NEVER used milk paint before.
honestly i didn’t even know that milk paint was a “thing” let alone how big of a following it has.
did you know that people go to milk paint classes?!
huh?
where have i been?!
IMG_7923
this is the buffet i wanted to paint.
i got it from an antiques shop 9 years ago and haven’t done a thing to it in those 9 years.
it was finally time!
(disclaimer…our bedroom has really funky lighting and it is HARD to get a great photo)
IMG_7816
very first…i rubbed all the edges of this piece with the wax puck for sanding later.

did you know milk paint comes as a powder?!
i used my blender to mix it up (because the package told me i could).
i thought “this is crazy that i am using my ninja for paint!”
but i did.
and it worked.
and the ninja survived.
BUT you can buy a little hand mixer that would be way better… i recommend that.

i decided to not use the bonding agent since i wanted the paint to be super chippy.
that was me just guessing and hoping it worked.
i figured if the paint didn’t stick then i would just start over… it’s only paint!
nothing that can’t be fixed.  🙂

IMG_7819
this color is called Boxwood.
i painted a few coats.
and let it dry.
it is very flat paint.  i was nervous.  this is not my style at all.

and then came back and saw it was CHIPPING RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME!
my mood changed immediately!
i was giddy.

IMG_7835IMG_7836
i used this scraper and the paint just fell off.
i wasn’t putting pressure on the scraper… just moving it over the green paint.

IMG_7837
before and after the scraping.IMG_7838IMG_7841
after i scraped the chippy stuff off… i lightly sanded everything to get it even chippier!
IMG_7842IMG_7907
i LOVED this stage!
IMG_7912IMG_7915IMG_7917IMG_7918IMG_7919
i wiped it all down with a rag to remove the dust and extra dry paint.
THEN i used the hemp oil over the entire piece… put it on a clean rag and applied it.
IMG_7921IMG_7920
when it was completely dry i finished the piece by sealing it with Antiquing Wax using that great big brush.
i was nervous about this part but really it just made it look finished and not flat anymore!
i like it!
of course i can’t decide on the drawer pulls so those are still missing.
photo 1photo 2
i was so pleased with using Milk Paint!
there are so many different styles and variations you can do depending on color or the piece you painting… if you use the bonding agent or not…SO MUCH FUN!

You can get all the supplies for any milk paint project you have from Back40Life in their etsy shop.
They sell Miss Mustard Seed Paints and supplies.
they were great to work with…helpful and knowledgable!

and look at all these great colors there are to choose from?!
il_fullxfull.565770309_g6sa
have you ever used milk paint?
what do you want to paint next – or for your first project?
Which color would you pick?

i am crushing on that mustard seed yellow…. or the tricycle… or typewriter….

 

add a comment

Anne - You did an awesome job, congratulations! I just love the color and texture.
Anne.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - This is SO dreamy, lady.

Karen - You should just email and then call Marian (Miss Mustard Seed). Im sure she’d love to talk to you…

Beth - So cute! I am now itching to milk paint something, anything. Think my neighbors will notice if I sand and paint their cat?

Megan - I love it! This is what I’ve been waiting for 😉
I wanted to see how yours turned out because I was scared to do my own. But, I did it anyway. I chose chalk paint because I need instant gratification and didn’t want to wait for shipping on the milk paint. Now I want to buy all kinds of furniture to repaint. And I’ll probably be ordering some milk paint too. I’m hooked. I need Luckett’s Green and Kitchen Scale in my life.

Here’s mine: http://thingsthatfloatmyboat.blogspot.com/2014/07/eat-my-chalk-dust.html

Southern Gal - I haven’t used milk paint yet, but my son and his fiancée painted my dining room table and chair for me in a jade. It’s chippy without meaning to be. I love it! My husband hates it. Sigh.

Jenny B. - It looks great!! I have a lone dining chair I’ve been wanting to paint Mustard Seed Yellow. We have a local shop that carries it, so I just need to go get it and get started! 🙂

Mindy - Waaay back in the ’80’s, like when Country Living was just getting their magazine feet wet, I read about milk paint but wow has it ever taken off! Your piece looks so great. I am definitely keeping the process in mind for a future project.

Lisa - OMG! I love this! I went to the Etsy shop and then to the Miss Mustard Seed’s website and watched the tutorials on how to do this. I have to chairs I got for free that I need to repaint and upholster, I am so excited to milk paint them now!!

Laurel - Looks FAB! I always wanted to try milk paint since I first heard about it years ago but never got around to it… Recently I found Annie Sloan’s milk paint and OH My Goodness. What I love about it is the lack of prep work-a plus for me!!!! I have painted two brown wood pieces so far. A table that I painted with Paris Grey milk paint and then and then a white coat over and then some sandpaper to distress and then the wax with the fancy brush just like yours. Next I painted a bookcase-from Ikea and it turned out fab. One more bookcase to go and then my new loft area will look very beachy! My husband is afraid that I found this paint as what will I paint nex….:)

Tanya H - I love this! Thank you for answering my questions on how to make furniture look like that! I sooo want to redo my old dresser in Linen for my daughter!

Amy Woods - I’m trying to get brave enough to do this. I bought a vintage sewing machine in it’s original cabinet. That’s what I want to try it out on. I think I might go for it in tricycle. Only I wouldn’t do chippy since it is a sewing machine cabinet…at least not on top. Love how your buffet turned out!

Aimee - I have a piece in my garage that my hubby and I were talking about ….. SO happy to see this! Tricycle is going to be perfect!! And then we have the kitchen table to do and then the hutch in the dining room, oh, and the table in the office….

Kimberlee Jost - You know that built in that’s in my living room.
That needs this paint.
And I’m happy to have you on speed dial for when I get stuck!

Emily - Thank you so much for sharing this! I LOVE this! 🙂 Beautiful!

Meredith - Looks amazebeans Meg!! Milk paint for the win:)

Jeri - Typewriter is my fav. Been wanting to paint something gray…

Michelle Whitlow - One of these days I’m going to try the milk paint. I’ve only used chalk paint & distressed it by sanding. Looks awesome!!!

Katie - Ohhhh I love it! I’ve been itching to try out milk paint. I have a coffee table that desperately needs to be repainted, and that Mustard Seed Yellow would be perfect. I love the striped curtains paired with the buffet, too. Can’t wait to see more progress of how you’re making your new house a home.

Terri - I love how your buffet turned out. I knew you would love Miss Mustard Seed Paints! They are great. You should check out the Miss Mustard seed website. Every Friday she has a linky party and people send in pictures of projects they have done using the Miss Mustard Seed milk paint. You should put your buffet on there. It turned out really nice. Miss Mustard Seed’s dining room is featured on the cover of the new Romantic Country Homes magazine. You can see her dining room furniture that she painted. Also, she has a great picture of a cow above her buffet.

erin - Meg!!! GREAT post. And I love how it turned out *without* the bonding agent. The chippier, the better, in my book.
For the record, I do believe Kitchen Scale is my favorite.
xo

Denise Sandberg - I painted my first piece with chalk paint about a year ago – it was super fun – I skipped the hemp oil step and went straight to the wax – but it turned out great. Now I have an antique piece that has been sanded down to it’s bare wood and I’m fearful to paint it with chalk paint – I think I probably should use the bonding agent or it will just soak into the wood…..I can’t wait to get it done – now I need TIME! 🙂 Your piece looks amazing! can’t wait to see the finished project!

Wendy - love this! Where did you get your striped drapes? I love those! So pretty and just the right amount of chippy. Also, looks so authentic not sanded to look old!!
-Wendy

Mandy - …I have a very similar buffet that I nabbed for free with the matching table and I’ve been wanting to re-do them with milk paint. I’m loving that mustard seed yellow!

Gina - Apparently you haven’t been reading Marian’s blog. 😉 I love the look of milk paint but over the past five years I have painted several pieces in my house but don’t really have anything left. :/ I’m still thinking about painting some of my beroom pieces though!! Your piece is gorgeous!! 🙂

Jennifer - Wow! That looks amazing, Meg! Great job…I’ve never heard of milk paint–thanks for sharing your “how-to” on this…I’m going to have to give this a try.

Lorri - Love this! I just used chalk paint for the first time on living room end tables and now you’ve convinced me to broaden my reach with milk paint as well. So glad to see “the classics” like this get a new life – it looks terrific.

Barbie - Love your buffet!! I am really liking the Flow Blue color!!!

Jenn - Um….LOVE IT! Its turned out fabulous!

heidi e. - These would be cute in white:

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-hardware-knobs/073183.jsp#/

Or any anthro knobs.. especially the on sale ones! 😉

Alex - Thanks for sharing your heart.

I have been inspired to share my journey with Huntingtons Disease.
http://Www.livingwithpassion90.blogspot.com

Heather S. - Love the result! I struggle to do these projects. I’ve completed an end table and a decorative garden gate (for over the mantle), but I wish I’d have been more chippy with my paint. Still looks too “freshly painted.” KWIM?

Anyway, lovely work here, Meg! I really like the tricycle, the mustard seed yellow, and the kitchen scale! What fun colors!

ALicia @ Investing Love - I have never used it, but you just convinced me…first chance I get I’m doing it!!!

Carol S. - Where’ve ya been Meg? Ha ha, can’t believe you haven’t seen this around for awhile. Probably busy in your chicken coop. 🙂 Yes, been wanting to do same thing to a couple of pieces in my guest room…dresser and desk…each time I host guests, I think “I must do that before the next guest.” Maybe this time I will. A consignment store near me has a big display of these type products and offers classes. Loved the pics and descriptions and your buffet looks fab.

jamie - just went to the {miss mustard seed} website. my questions can be answered there. i think i’m in love.

jamie - silly question: why is it called milk paint? would this look good on bathroom or kitchen cupboards?

Angela - Looks great! I love the idea of using it for your tv too! I’ve never used it but I love the colors it comes in!

Lizelle - Wow – it looks great! I need to find something to paint in the “typewriter” colour!! 😉

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

fresh air

July 11, 2014 Filed in Uncategorized

IMG_4174IMG_4179
we met up with my parents last weekend for some outdoor fun and a picnic.
sean was gone at camp… it’s weird when there are only three kids with us!
we tried to catch crawfish, climbed on the rocks and explored.IMG_4180IMG_4190IMG_4206IMG_4209
IMG_4211IMG_4215IMG_4220
annie found me the Ultimate heart rock but then we dropped it and it broke.  🙁
IMG_4223IMG_4227IMG_4231IMG_4237IMG_4238IMG_4239
it was too hot NOT to jump in for just a bit.

IMG_4248IMG_4249
on the drive home craig let me stop for some photos of beautiful places.
i love the rust…the chipped paint… the washed out wood…LOVE!

IMG_4251IMG_4253IMG_4254IMG_4257IMG_4260IMG_4258IMG_4263IMG_4265
getting out of the house… exploring new places… it always feels good.

i should get outside again today!

add a comment

tara // etsetara - o meg, this post makes me miss joplin!
we moved to NYC two weeks ago and i haven’t seen enough green around here. =]

thanks for the lovely photos.

Janet - Isn’t the school in Marion County off 50 Highway?

Lori - So sad about the heart rock. At least you have a picture of it. My kids find heart rocks for me too. My 6 year old boy brought me one today and said “mommy I found you a heart rock but it was muddy so I washed it off in a mud puddle and dried it on my shirt. ” Sweet boy. Oh and the old, rusty forgotten places make me so happy too.I need to stop along the way to enjoy them as well.

colleen - You are good … photography is awesome.. so glad craig let you stop… we are all the richer!

Jen - District 34 schoolhouse…hmmm…my grandma is from Chapman. Was this anywhere near there?

Mel - You have such a great eye – for color, for photos, for arrangement – I always love seeing the world from your point of view.

Julie - Looks like you all had a fabulous day. Love all those old rustic buildings, so sad that many of them are abandoned.

chasity - so many beautiful photos.
looks like a wonderful day.

Traci - That’s a beautiful heart rock! I always look out for heart shaped rocks too, for some reason. You’ll have more. :]

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

the rainbow surprise

July 7, 2014 Filed in home decorating,pretty,things i love

the week that Annie got to go to her first longer version of camp we decided was a great time to paint and decorate her bedroom!
IMG_8016IMG_8044
she had picked her bedspread out a few weeks before at Target.
so i based everything around that.
i made a plan and we stuck with it.
i had all the supplies ready before i dropped her off at camp.
as soon i got back from taking her i emptied her room!
there was no time to waste.

getting it done without a lot of changing ideas… questions… able to work late into the night was GREAT!
kids change their minds a lot it seems.
i had talked with annie about the rainbow stripes so i knew she would like it.
we just hadn’t told her we were going to do it when she was gone.

photo-68
we painted the whole room white to start.

when the paint was dry, using a 48″ level and a pencil i measured down from the ceiling across the wall in three places so i could connect those lines.
and repeated that all the way to the floor.
then we used blue painters tape JUST under the line so our pencil line wouldn’t show.
the white stripe is the width of the painters tape.

if you were planning to do this project you would have to figure out your measurements based on your ceiling height, number of colors & stripes and your moldings.

we worked HARD for several days straight.
it was so great to finish a big project so quickly.
photo-67IMG_8114
IMG_8107
talby helped me pick the fabric for annie’s curtains at Hobby Lobby.
i sewed them quickly while craig painted the stripes.

i spray painted many coats  on the bed & bedside table over the few days we had.
i can only find that bright pink color at hobby lobby?  that’s kinda weird don’t ya think?
photo-69
i also revamped the chandelier i found a few months back with spray paint, brighter colors & a glossy finish.
chady
the night before she was coming home we put another coat on the stripes, cleaned up, craig hung the curtain rod, moved the furniture back in, made the bed and it was after 1 AM.
we were zombies!
But it was totally worth it.


IMG_8117
she was excited about this chair because it had been a big debate over who got the old living room furniture when the new furniture came.
and she got the chair!IMG_8141
the alphabet wall hanging is from SpunkyFluff.
i had been saving it for the new house!
it fit so great in that space on the white wall!

IMG_8145IMG_8157IMG_8167
Annie’s pillow is from Chrissie Grace.
the blanket was at the thrift shop.  🙂

IMG_4146
Stanley approves and really wants to get on the bed!IMG_8163IMG_8158IMG_8151IMG_8302
after she was home and settled in… and we were rested up a bit from the previous week,
i went back in and fixed the little lines that were left from the painters tape.
it didn’t bother craig and it might not bother you… but it drove me CRAZY.
so i fixed it with a little paint brush.
IMG_8597
THIS was so much fun to surprise her with.
she has kept it clean… she loves everything about it… it was the best.

along the same lines as getting the old chair… she was so excited to get a lamp with a pull chain.
she said “you remembered i wanted one!”

kids are rad.

IMG_4138IMG_4143

add a comment

Renee - love it!! did you go WOF for the curtains or piece together?? 🙂

annette - When you spray paint furniture, does it chip easily? How do you prep it? Do you cover it with anything to seal it from chipping? The room is adorable! You have an amazing way of making all the colors work. If I tried that, I think it would like a circus clown gone wrong!

Shellie - Absolutely LOVE it!!! ❤️

chasity - it all looks soooooo good.
that crocheted blanket is the bomb!

Tonya Brown - LOVE the room. can i ask where you got the material for her window curtain? I think all of it is my favorite.

Mindy - What a fun room – no wonder she loves it!

Janae - Oh my! I love it!! Striped walls are my favorite and even more so with those bright fun colors! What an awesome room and super awesome surprise!! You are fun parents!!

Lindsey - How awesome! Love it!

Heather - Looks cute!! I think you should put the headboard on the rainbow wall. It would add a huge impact!!

Emilie - Awesome room. What a cute raspy voice she has.

beth larson - You two are the best parents God ever created!!!! What a laborious project- I love how you made it sound like “not biggie”- (I’d love to have your energy). haha xo

Bree - Beautiful room!! When you wrote that Annie was excited about the chair and the lamp, it hit me how much our children learn from us and how excited they can get when we share or do something for them that we love too. It’s special to them because it’s special to us. I’ve seen this with our boys too and I often forget. Thank you for the reminder 🙂 Have a blessed week!

Nana - I don’t think I’ve ever seen Annie as excited as she was when she got to show me her “new” room! She absolutely loved it! I have to contradict something I told her. I didn’t think the cabins at Camp Mennoscah had changed since I used to go there back in the 50’s, but after seeing the picture I realize I was wrong….there was no cute graffiti on the walls then 🙂

Elizabeth - I love the container at the end of the bed holding her dolls. What is that? (I need to start googling to see what I can find for my daughter).

Kathi Mahoney - I love everything about her new room and, especially, how you surprised her! Gah. Can you be my mom too? 🙂

Kathi - It’s beautiful!

Jill - Meg…It is a DREAM! Just a dream!

Now, I am curious where the rainbow fabric for the rainbow pillow on the bed came from? Hobby Lobby too?

Kristen Bangs - Thank you for the great shout-out, Meg! Was not expecting it and what a coup! So much traffic from your amazing readers! xoxoxo!

Elz - We are converting the study into a bedroom for my older daughter while they are away at camp. I can NOT wait to see her expression when they come home!

Jeannine - I’m going to have dreams about that accent wall.

Elizabeth - Well done! The room is a true reflection of her vibrant and fun personality! She will always remember her mom and dad staying up late to redecorate and paint her room. That is an awesome feelingg for a little one to have. You guys are just amazing parents!!

Karen - What a fabulous room for a young girl! I know as a mom, we love surprising our kids with things we know they’ll love!

Sami - That comforter is beautiful. It looks amazing with those colors! I love the way you decorate with such bright, cheery colors. It is so inspiring!

Sami

Crystal - Wow that looks stunning! On the nightstand and headboard, can you post about refinishing them? Did you sand first or just paint them. Too many pinterest tutorials are on the shabby chic look and not a regular bold paint job!

Lora - Wonderful! What a great gift to give.

marcie - Love the room – fun colors and just “looks” like Annie – spunky and bright!! I’ve done the “room surprise” thing twice for my daughter. Once when she went on a week long mission trip and we went from deep turquoise walls to white – talk about late nights – it took so many coats and threw me off schedule but it worked out. I did a bathroom makeover like that once, too. It seems that I only finish completely if I have a project deadline!!
There is a trick to painting those lines and not having to touch up…. has amyone shared it?? If not, let me know before you stripe again!! I’ve painted a zillion stripes with no edge bleed using the technique. It’s on my blog, too.
Can’t wait to see more progress in your new home!
Marcie

Nicole Franks - I WANT your taste and talent! and I want this room 🙂

Julie - LOVE the room! What a wonderful surprise to come home to. I remember painting my sister’s room when she was gone on vacation once. I told her that we had painted it to look like a candy cane when really Mom and Dad painted it mint green, which was her favorite color at the time.
Did Annie go to Camp Mennoscah? If so, she was about 5 miles away from where I live. That is the camp I went to when I was her age and for several years I took my students there for an end of the year camp out.

KirstenP - I would totally go back and touch up the white stripes in Annie’s room. Love her room!!

Jackie - Awesome!

Julie - What a fabulous room – love all the colours, especially that duvet cover and chandelier.

Janna - I LOOOOVE!!!!! LOVE!

Andrea - This room is adorable!!!! Just like Annie! So glad she loves it!

Jane - What an awesome room! I love the bright colors!

Shelby Beck - Meg, this is gorgeous and a great surprise for your daughter.

missy - If you paint over the tape with your base coat first, it will eliminate the need to go back & fix choppy lines.

Adrienne - Darling! The stripes remind me of rainbow sherbet!

Tammy @Through the Milk Glass - Wow, beautiful room! I would love to have it myself!

What a wonderful surprise to come home to!

Jesse - Love the stripes! If you want to avoid those paint line touchup next time you tackle a stripe try painting over the edge of the painters tape with the original wall color then paint on the colors once that’s dry. Since something will always bleed under the tape you seal it with the original wall color and end up with a clean line, no touchup needed. (Yes I saw is on Pinterest but I’ve actually done it and it works!)

Michelle Whitlow - Such a cute room!!!

katie Skiff - I loved watching this on Instagram – what a lucky girl! I want it for my room, but hubby might flip out!! HA!!

Jane - I wish you had been around when I was raising my kids. I did my best but could have used inspiration from you. You are an amazing mom and have so many incredible ideas!

Tiffany - Beautiful room! I love the stripes. I did that once in my youngest son’s room when we first moved into a house we remodeled. It was so much work, but adorable. Everyone loved it. Maybe one day I’ll do something like that again, but not right now. Good job mama!

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

old coop – new home

June 28, 2014 Filed in chickens

IMG_4085
some friends of ours came to our rescue and offered to help us move the chicken coop to our new house.
i am naive and thought it would be easy.
i thought the big equipment would come and lift it up… drive it over… set it down.
that did happen.
but with lots of stuff in-between.

IMG_4088IMG_4090
once it is up in the air or on the trailer suddenly it looks like a really big coop!

we wrangled up the chickens and put them in our dog kennel.
i drove this car full of kids and chickens to the new house.
this was the extent of how i contributed to this project.
i WANTED to help but i have no skill in this area at all so i was totally in the way.
but i CAN drive chickens in a dog kennel!

IMG_4093IMG_7820IMG_7821
at least we only had to go 1.5 miles!
IMG_7822
then they took it off the trailer and the way it worked 1.5 miles before… stopped working.
hmmmm….
now what?
it was a beautiful night and everyone was out for a walk… so we drew a crowd.
more people meant more ideas… more resources… more muscle.
it was AWESOME!
and we even met some of our new neighbors!
IMG_7824
IMG_7825IMG_7827
a sloooooow drive down our “alley”  with a parade of helpers.
and me… doing nothing other than take pictures.
(i serioulsy wanted to crawl under a rock.  i was thinking “WHY did we ever get chickens? this is such a mess?!! holy cow i wish this was not my chicken coop!)IMG_7830IMG_7849
we put it down in the vegetable garden.
i don’t actually know how to have a vegetable garden so this seems like a much better use of the space.

IMG_8443IMG_8475IMG_8449IMG_8478
this was a task way over our heads and we clearly needed friends.
it was a gift that they gave us their time and resources.
we were so grateful for all the help!

these ladies seem to really like the new neighborhood!

THANK YOU Vogts!!!

add a comment

teresa - How wonderful to have great friends to help…Wish I had space for a coop…Thanks for sharing.
Happy Day

Diana - Wow, what a chore, huh. Coops are crazy things to move, we did a couple for my cousins years back. I bet the chickens were glad to be back in their home. Pretty chickens, those are my favorites. 🙂

kerry - Thank goodness it was well constructed HA!

Jen - It looks as though it was meant to be where it is. Lovely.

Lisa - We had to do this with a shed we had built, which really didn’t look that big in our back yard, but looked huge, and heavy, when we had to put it up on a flatbed truck. Then we had to drive about 20 miles, right through the main part of our new town, with about 4 pickup trucks behind the flatbed full of our household stuff/furniture, etc. We laughed, calling ourselves the Hillbillies, and wouldn’t our new community welcome us! Friends are awesome, and I always try to volunteer to help others because I remember how important the help of our friends was that crazy moving day. Glad you finally have the whole family together!

Leslie - Hi. Just wondering if you ever posted how you made your coop. Next year we will be building a coop (probably adding onto our small shed that already exists) and I love how cute yours is. If you have any tips that would be awesome as we’ve never had chickens before. I’d love some chicken tips- there’s so much information out there it gets confusing. Maybe a “All about chickens” post in the future? Love your blog- such beautiful motivation to work out, eat healthy, to have fun with family, and to create beautiful spaces in our homes and yard. Keep up the awesome-sauce. I love that your life is messy and real and fun- not like some blogs that are always a little too immaculate and dreamy (which is not real life with kids). I read your blog and smile instead of think about how my life compares. Because mine is pretty messy fun awesome too!
🙂 Leslie

Diane - Now you have to start a veggie garden!

Mindy - I always love your chicken posts so I am happy they made the move. Your coop is so cute and they look at home already. You have great friends and what a bonus to give the new neighbors an excuse to visit : ) Looking forward to more chicken news…

Seamingly Sarah - Friends and help are such a wonderful blessing, but I would’ve been like you too, trying to hide under a rock! I don’t like asking for help,or drawing attention, but the blessings from God are there for us none the less.

Jennifer - That is the prettiest chicken coop I’ve every seen! It’s perfect there! It would make a great print! Totally agree with Karina.

Karina - I see a few chicken posters in your future…You can contribute artistically! And I am sure the Vogts will appreciate some free eggs. Good neighbours are worth more than their weight in gold!

Jenny B. - So pretty with the chickens in the flowers! 🙂

redheadsarah - The coop looks like it was made to be in your vegetable garden! I’m glad you got it set up. 🙂

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top

ribbit.

June 25, 2014 Filed in Uncategorized

IMG_3819IMG_3814IMG_3815IMG_3825IMG_3858
we could hear frogs a block away so we went for a walk to find them.
the dogs joined us.
and Spanky always comes on our walks too…. such a funny cat.
i think she would LOVE if we got her a leash.
seriously.
IMG_3837IMG_3838IMG_3843IMG_3860IMG_3845IMG_3848
this puddle was FULL of tadpoles!
they were finding so many!IMG_3852IMG_3994
then another night they found and caught a big frog.
they were so proud!
i love that they will get dirty and enjoy exploring nature.
IMG_3995IMG_4002IMG_4003
IMG_4001IMG_4012
IMG_8002

then one night we had a big storm and my mom found this BIG green frog in our window well.
it was a little beat up… i assume it was from trying to jump out of the window well for hours.
talby rescued it and took it back to the creek.IMG_8005IMG_8007
what odd creatures.
i mean look at that thing…. the eye balls.  the feet.  the “fingers”

W E I R D O S.

 

 

 

add a comment

Cathy - I really enjoy your blog. I’m just getting back into mine after a long time off.? I love the shabby chic of your craftroom in the craft house. Can you show us pics of your new craftroom? Can you come shabby mine up?

Janae Mettling - How fun! My girls LOVE catching frogs and toads! After each rain we always have some in the pit of our walkout basement. We have lots of fun pictures of frogs and toads. I love that they aren’t afraid to get dirty and have some fun!

Amy Mak - Love your blog! The frog picture is insanely awesome and I love your new/old coop. We have chickens and love the fresh eggs even though my children are not quite as enthused about doing any of the work anymore 🙂 Enjoy your beautiful place.

Chris - Glad Talby rescued the big guy!

Lisa - The fingers is right…..yuck! Don’t touch it!!!! 😉

Gevay Piercefield - Looks like fun! Your girls are brave. 🙂

Christy - This reminds me of growing up in MO. Love the pictures! Stanley is getting so big!

PS. Is it wrong that I immediately thought FROG LEGS?! Not that I would ever consider eating them now that I live out West, but I remeber that was a big deal growing up. Now I think EWWW!

Tiffany - To add to the above… We have so many around our house I have to walk real slow when cutting the lawn to wait for them to hop out of the way. Last week when mowing I felt like I stepped on something squishy. I turned to see I stepped on a frog! That I mowed over!!! I felt A W E F U L!! (And grossed out!) So I killed the motor, ran away, and left the rest of the mowing till the next day, when I wore my rubber boots instead of flip-flops. 😛

Tiffany - My 6 year old Olivia is obsessed with catching frogs. I love that she isn’t scared of them and getting dirty. Exploring nature is the best!

Hannah - Can’t wait to be able to take Blueberry on adventures – I imagine that Chris will be leading the troops when it comes to that. I used to work in a builder’s merchants and we’d find little frogs hiding in the pallets of sand bags – on at least 3 occasions I caught little frogs hopping their way towards the tills and nearly getting squashed by trolleys. I used to get told off for rescuing them……

Share on Facebook•Tweet this Post•Pin Images to Pinterest•Back to Top