Working On It!

While the blogger is away, the paint brushes and creativity play.

And so do baking pans and a KitchenAid mixer.
Irrelevant but these cupcakes turned out amazing and I had to share.

I wish I could say that was the whole reason behind my time away, but it's not. 

To give you an inside look of our personal, personal life, one of the twins 

had his open heart surgery during that lull, 

so while residing in the hospital for a week and mending back at home, 

I had no energy to do anything but get back on track 

emotionally, mentally and physically.

He's good, I'm good, we're all good!
Now back to regular check ups with the next "big one" 7-10 years down the road.
Sigh of relief and sigh of being able to not worry about that again for a while.

I think that little "rest" was good for me {that's tongue in cheek, ya know}. 

It inspired me to start doing projects in and on the house again. 

I've done some deep cleaning, organizing, rearranging and reworking some 

pieces that have been in dire need of attention. 

With school starting next week, I've compiled a list of my own 

"Amber Do's" to get done while I have those quiet hours.

 It's amazing what you can get done when you're under the gun! 

I've had the itch all summer but with my boys, short projects would drag 

on, and on, and on. You know, because of snack breaks, wrestle mania refereeing, etc. 

 We did manage to get a few things done with the most recent improvement being the dining table and chairs, which got a complete overhaul.
I finished the last chair this morning and now it is beautiful!

It was a re-do a few years ago but it took a beating with

 our move and we grew complacent with its flaws.

Full exposure coming in the next post because it looks nothing like this now.

Rearranging furniture and in house shopping...

Since we are on the verge of overhauling the main downstairs bathroom,
the antique dresser we had in the living room is getting its new job (and facelift)

 and moving in as a vanity.
{Again, another future post.}

Since we're going with a farmhouse look, 

we painted it white and I'll be doing my wood grain painted top. 

It will have a drop in sink, which meant reconstructing the inside of the drawer's. 

{I know a guy that's good at that kind of stuff ~ wink, wink.}

 The little French table that was in the kitchen by the window seat was moved to the living room

in place of the dresser and I really love it there.

 You can really see the detail in the skirt and legs now. 

When it was in the kitchen, it was hidden in the corner and covered with stuff.

The rustic entry table was moved to the great room and boy, did it ever make a difference. 

The room feels pulled together and warmer. I love it!

And, we made a decision on the red wall in the dining room. 

Brick.

I've picked some samples and we are still deciding, but we know 

we really like the old world feel of a tumbled, antique looking brick. 

We'll see what the final outcome is on that one.

AND, to top it all off, I've been accepted into my first Vintage Market in the South!

 It's kinda the only one I've ever applied to, too. 

I will be baking pastries and treats for The Market on Chapel Hill in October!

Somewhat of a different twist on my former business BUT my pastry boutique will have the Vintage feel with my favorite displays just like Black Rooster Cottage did.

 My husband is starting to loathe Pinterest.

 "If you show me a picture." he says. Oh honey! {Big mistake!}

All those old windows, shutters and doors we have piled on the side of the house

are going to be something fun to play with.

Now to work on that menu....

See ya in a few!

p.s. Mr. C says bye!