The Simple Life

last of fall...

levi workin' hard and chopping wood for the winter!

snow is just around the corner so we are enjoying the last of the warm days.

magical forest...

afternoon walk around town...crying, fighting and whining included. but still lots of exploring and playing too!

this is what we call the "magical forest!" look around lot's of imagination and creations to be found here. i envision it with an old rustic sign "welcome to the magical forest" and strings of lights from all the trees ♥

isabella had to climb out through the weeds, so she was stuck with cockleburrs all over.

jeremy enjoying an apple along the way home...

"why are you dressed up?"...

so my friend let me know about PTO on monday, so i hurried, showered, got ready and went the meeting an hour later. and when i picked up the girls after school, isabella said "mom, why are you all dressed up and wearing a nice shirt?" and then gulianna..."ya why are you wearing that shirt?" genuinely concerned about my outfit! 

well i guess that's when you know that the clothes you wear are boring. which is true. my every day clothes are usually work out clothes, or v-neck tshirts,(because i'm claustrophobic! cargo capris and flip flops. every day. unless i happen to be "going some where." is that really so bad? i don't think so! but to my kids...i guess it is. levi also agreed!

so today i made an attempt to "dress up" and wear decent clothes. i can't guarantee this will happen every day. 

sandals. YES.

my favorite bracelets that i love to wear. 

necklaces...not so much. i have a lot of cute ones, but i get claustrophic with them, and they tend to get tangled in my hair. and my kids like to yank them, and break them. so yeah...

a twist. or a braid. and a ponytail. every day. yep.

i generally like simplicity when it comes to certain things.

like shoes.

i don't like to wear them. i'd rather be barefoot. 

so what's the next best thing to being barefoot? sandals and flip flops!

microwaves? nah... we haven't used one  in 5 years. remember this episode? (but i did actually use one today, at my friend's house)

no tv in the living room. no really we don't have a tv in the living room. no real space for one! although today i am actually considering putting one in, mostly because i am tired of kids taking over our bedroom. today i told anthony, "maybe you can watch a show with sage in her living room." and he replies "WAIT. they have a tv in their LIVING ROOM?" yes my kids think it's odd. because it's our "normal" no big deal!

but as for creating! i go all out, over the top on it all!

clique kits august guest designer...

it's been a long time since i've scrapbooked, i'll be honest... and i truly miss it!

i'm excited to announce that i am a guest designer next month for Clique Kits. i love their name and their logo, so cute ♥

 

so check out their blog for inspiration, and my guest post coming soon, as well as monthly subscription kits for the trendiest scrapbooking supplies hand picked each month for YOU! 

august 2015 kit is filled with bright summer-y papers, lots of gold and pink flamingos and pineapples-cuz they're "so hot right now." {gotta love zoolander!}

today's adventures...

woke up this morning...started to pull out the blender and i knocked over the pyrex measuring cup, instantly shattered every where! did this a few weeks ago too, with the larger one. after i got the glass taken care of, started to make my shake and threw the banana peels in the blender and the bananas in the trash, ahhh.

so you could say things are going great this morning! then i went for a bike ride, and told myself i wasn't going to switch gears, (my bike needs fixed...the gears are all messed up)but then i had too and of course it was jacked up. so i left my bike up the canyon road and walked back home. better safe than sorry, didn't want to wreck on the way down. time for a new bike! 

well at least i can count on gulianna. she has been watching her crafty carol youtube videos that she loves! except we only have a tv in our bedroom with a roku box, and so she has her crafty mess all over my bed and floor. yesterday i told her no more projects, she can watch the show and then make it in my studio or elsewhere... so i caught her watching it, and then crafting in the hallway. so funny, she really does listen!

 

i guess i got to take some pictures on the way down since i was walking :)

and came home to these little rascals...

rain rain...

well it's been the rainiest month ever! every day it's been down pouring. then it'll clear up...and have a short sunshine break, and then another storm will roll in.

but..."we need the moisture." yes i cringed as i typed that ;)

i literally spoke too soon when i mentioned that it was hot last month in april...

 

i love all the green though! and we finally got our garden plowed last saturday. usually everything is planted in april. late start this year for us.

heritage day weekend...

the first busiest day of the whole year in our small town, heritage day. got the first sneak peek of the art squared paintings last night...loved this painting of this old country path, now i wish i would have bid on it!

 

because you know i love a good ol raggedy ann doll and vintage cowboy boots ♥

 

love kathy peterson's paintings, and especially her frames. 

got up early this morning...only a few hours of sleep, finished pricing more items for my sale over at the old school, and then lunch prep at our church. my mom and dad, and chelsey came down late last night for this weekend, glad they are here!

 

the kids and my mom and chelsey got to ride in this cool classic car! never get in a stranger's car when they offer you a ride, unless it's a bel air, ha ha! (and you're with your aunt and grandma)

 

 

 

my favorite artist...randall lake! love that his place just down the street. they added these awesome shutters inside ♥

 

hhello lovely vintage quilts ♥

i love our small town...so many charming stone homes and buildings. we got a sneak peek of the third floor of the old school...they have done so much work, it looks so good!

 

and my favorite barn...some day, we will have one too! going to give up some garden space for it, levi put it in the plans last year, can't wait!

 

and the biggest miracle of all! we didn't get rain at all, even though it was forecasted, all the surrounding areas got poured on...while our little town was protected with good weather and sunshine until the evening. 

on my desk...

i was asked to have my stuff for sale at the old school for heritage day...so prepping starts now, it's this weekend wish me luck!

mother's day 2015...

pictures after church...plus the out takes, you're welcome!

 

 

on my desk...

 

handmade kraft tags for days... on my desk today.

payson temple youth activity...

we visited the newly completed Payson temple for our activity tonight, so beautiful!

{photo edits using rhonna designs app}

 

 

we are blessed to have so many that surround us here in utah.

 

sunday hike...

after sunday lunch/dinner...we hike! this time just us girls.

and just as i was parking, isabella said "first things first, we have to find the perfect hiking stick!" and then she ran and almost grabbed the knawed off deer leg..."ewww, this is definitely not a hiking stick!" the things we find out in the country. ha ha!

our special place...i will always treasure these moments with them. 

projects...

trying to be better at posting regularly! and still have a lot to catch up on. a few photos from yesterday's projects. i finally dug out my stash of paint from the barn, some of it survived the cold and heat from ...how long? almost 4 years now! i was a little disappointed to find my most favorite mug cracked and broken from my kids...they asked if they could use it. oh well. i'm hoping that i hoarded another one, but i'm pretty sure i sold them all. good ol' chatterbox and melody ross...love her artwork! she's amazing! well i got a few more things organized to how i want them in my studio, it's hard to keep up because i'm constantly using different stuff, trying to keep all my favorites close by so that i don't have to spend time searching, just more time creating. painted with watercolor, and also painted a few more mason jars to add to my collection. so fun!

happy weekend!

visiting teaching printable...

i know, last day of the month! (and happy birthday heidi swapp!) git r dun!! visiting teaching printable from my etsy shop ;)

and kraft paper bags, polka dot washi tape, bakers twine and doilies too!

banana bread...

love banana bread! didn't get to have it a few weeks ago when i was doing whole30. i didn't even give in! baking some for some last minute visiting teaching :)

 

my kitchen decor matches my printable for this month too...stay tuned for photos later ;)

hot...

and just like that we are back to HOT! we love the sunshine! the kids have been begging for the sprinkler underneath the trampoline for weeks now. so today was THE day. and time for me too pull weeds, we have lots!

today's chores...

cleaning up this mess today...spring chores. allergies for days.

 

 

lovely saturday...

yes...simply lovely, right? so perfectly aged, and i love the bright seafoam green paint...and scallops! we have so many charming old houses all around. i love old homes, definitely one of a kind, and i love to see their personal style reflect on the outside too. 

today we went to a few yard sales around town, and then to ephraim to a swap meet that snow college was putting on. picked up a few vintage books, and old rusty metal box and ice cream for the kids!

small town saturday outings ♥ #thesimplelife #countrylife

out and about...

love this little town. and seriously. i NEED this building. some day. some day! the owners were in town today and their studio was open, so marci got to peek inside. they recently had a flood, so they had to gut it out and redo the back walls and floor. they had wanted levi to do the job, but he was already booked. so glad the front main wood floor was not damaged, i love it!

had lunch and a good visit with marci today, she's the sweetest! and i finally met her daughters, they are so pretty ♥

baby chicks...

levi brought home baby chicks today...they are sooo cute, wish they would always stay this small. now to keep the kids from squeezing them to death, jeremy loves to pick them up and let them run loose in the living room, ahhh!

jeremy had a few hours of alone time playing with blocks and trains while everyone was at school. 

ballet monday...

today was parent observation...and i see isa has already pre-planned her own stunts for this spring ballet recital! she really is only interested in ballet when she has an audience, she always asks "when am i going to be on stage?" so very anxious to be on stage! she was delighted that she got to show off for parents today.

gulianna does extremely well on her technique, and she gets a bit hard on herself if it's not done perfect. she truly loves ballet and i'm so happy she loves it! they really have the best instructor ever, she's like the mary poppins of ballet. it was a bit of a struggle to keep jeremy sitting for 2 hours, but we managed. i forgot the stroller.

ladies night out...

with my little rascals! (we left jeremy home with dad) and what? is there really such thing as a "ladies night out?!"

we quickly put together this little happy spot for a little get together at the snow creme place for ladies night out! my kids are very helpful at unloading, setting up and then loading it all back up, love them! they had fun making cute little easter bunny make and takes and cards. 

saturday outing...

i can't believe gulianna is getting so old! she will be eight this summer. tonight we went to see the broadcast of the general women's session of conference with our friends jamie and ava! they made cafe rio salads for dinner, and actually bought a lot of tortillas from cafe rio, which made it that much better! it's all about the tortilla. 

i did it...

i actually went through with my hair appointment and highlighted my hair...can you believe it?!

to color or not to color...

i have not colored my hair for 6 YEARS NOW! can you believe it? it's not as dark as in the photos...but filters are nice...am i right! so for over a year i've been debating whether or not to add some blonde. i like my natural hair color, i get maybe two trims a year, and so i just haven't wanted to mess with the low maintenance i have going on. 

here is my hair without a filter...and i have lots of random red hairs too, like pure red head hair. so weird i know! well i booked my appointment for tomorrow, whether i keep it or cancel it, i don't know! too nervous, but i could use a little change! we shall see...

on my desk...

working on lots of custom orders! can't wait to finish wrapping these last few up, so that i can get my room back to order, and then i can start on easter banners. never ending i tell you ;)

bike rides...

riding off into the sunset this evening! love this picture i caught unexpectedly. gulianna was helping isabella balance on her bike, until we got back to isa's bike. (i'm sure because she didn't want to walk any more!) i pushed jeremy in the stroller, and the other 3 rode their bikes. anthony was scared of every dog we came in contact with! 

anthony's staples...

this is the classic warning of "do not run with scissors." which is what happened today. i ran outside for 3 minutes to take pictures of my banner, came back inside to anthony holding his arm, and holding back the tears.

i asked him what happened and he quickly told me that isa ran to get a bandaid so i wouldn't find out. when i came back in the house i even heard her going next door to grandma cherrie's and she was singing. then anthony told me that as soon as i left, she was running with scissors because they were going to "work on a project" but then they started fighting, i'm sure because he just wanted to play with his legos.

when i left outside, she was sitting on the sofa playing with her leap pad, and he was sitting on the floor building stuff with his legos. poor kid. i told him we had to go get his skin sewn back together.

he fell asleep really fast, probably from being so stressed out about his arm .my neighbor brought over butterfly closures because i didn't have any, i squeezed his little fat back into his arm and then we had to wait 20 min til gulianna got out of school. i took him into the clinic, but the doctor was busy for an hour. so we walked over to the e.r. and then he didn't want to get stitches. i told him he had to then keep the butterfly bandaids on for a whole week, without touching them. we then went to the grocery store, and they didn't last 10 minutes with him running all over. so back to the doctor we went. by then they were closing, but he stayed and quickly numbed his arm and stapled it shut. poor anthony, screamed and cried. he wasn't quite numb yet! and with that kind of incision, it stung really bad. he was still very brave, and got an ice cream right after.

springtime snow...

we got snow! and isn't it lovely? it's basically been spring all winter, we haven't had snow since christmas eve. march, in like a lion, out like a lamb, right? this will all be melted by tomorrow. can't wait for greener grass, yay!

saturday out and about...

guess what! gas is super cheap right now...hallelujah! we took off to utah county at 2pm, which is unheard of. sold some bronco parts, stopped at 3 Dotters Vintage Market just in time before they closed at 4. jenn's booth is always the first one i look at! grabbed a roxberry and caught the waffle love truck on a missed turn! #wafflelove #bestwafflesever

we were actually planning on eating at the store in provo, some how i over read their post on being right in lehi, so it was perfect! now i know that roxberry and waffle love is way too much at one time, pick one or the other...but still so good!

an ARTSY weekend with Stephanie Ackerman...

i got to attend this fabulous artsy weekend that marci put together, with stephanie ackerman! i've followed her blog forever, sure love her doodles. she is so kind and genuine, and an excellent teacher. we stayed in the cutest house in heber! 

haven't been away from my kids ever...oh wait, except for this weekend with heidi swapp. 

 

check her site for more retreats♥

and my OCD is kicking in full gear, i did NOT have time to clean the house before i left. i missed out on dinner the first night, but no worries, i stopped and grabbed a roxberry. peanut butter blast is where it's at! and then looking back, why didn't i stop at waffle love??!

my room for the weekend... i had it to myself for the first night, and then crazy susan came along to share, she was seriously a riot, we laughed non stop! and i loved these vintage books on the little table, a sure sign that this room was for me :)

hung up my tops...because why NOT?!

then this happened... #pineneedlepaintexplosion pressure from the plane caused this to explode all over me AND susan! geeez, we had a great laugh! 

 

 

 

did some thrift store and antique shopping, because who can't resist! not i! love this room, i need that vintage green sofa, and the map, so unique and one of a kind. definitely my style.

 

had mexican food for dinner...awesome salsa bar ♥

 

 lots of painting and mixed media, i love everyone's different styles...and how cute is that fox?! love it rikkel!

 

 

my art journal that i can't wait to add too, and my projects ...

 

 

photos for the road and scrapbooks, it was a lovely weekend ♥

today...

monday morning...anthony watching tv from inside a box! 

jeremy has been sick with a head cold going on 3 days now, he's had a horrible fever too. he must have had a dream about the train expo we went to last weekend, because he woke up, wanted to get ready, (which is not like him, he hates wearing clothes!) and put his shoes on, and go in the excursion to see thomas and the trains. poor kid! we went to ballet and the park for 3 hours instead. and of course he took his shoes off right away...

sunshine always does a body good!

my little polka dot table...

on a whim...i ran outside to sand and paint this table! this last week i've been trying to get my studio back in order...and part of my solution is needing this little table right next to my main work table, so that i can pile on my tools and such on this, and keep my table clear and functioning, yay! and since this wasn't planned...i had 90 minutes before the sun went down...good thing i barely made it. i had to stain outside in the dark with a hallogen light. levi said i couldn't stain in his garage. mainly because i'm messy, and he's a neat freak in his garage.

super excited and can't wait to organize my stuff on it!

on my desk...

prepping and kitting valentine banners today ♥

isabella's birthday weekend...

we started a new tradition last year, (beginning with gulianna's birthday) that we would spend the night at the hotel in lehi and celebrate all weekend! we missed out on anthony's birthday since we had too much going on. but he didn't seem to mind. our first stop: fleattitude in payson. found this frame, had to text a picture to my mom, because she has the same one. "life is fragile, handle with prayer."

we had lunch at waffle love, sooo so good! and isa opened up her presents from grandma and grandpa, and chelsey! after lunch we ran errands, and then checked into the hotel. we went to the train expo at thanksgiving point, the kids were in heaven! we walked to smash burger for dinner, and came back to swim.

the next morning we were planning on taking the front runner to salt lake, but we didn't "plan" too much because i forgot that they don't run on sunday's...oops! we ate lunch at panda express and then took the kids to the discovery museum at the gateway and they played for a good 4 hours, until we couldn't take the noise any more. we read books for an hour at good old barnes and noble, haven't been there in ages! then we headed back to the hotel.

the next morning we ran more errands, (have to make these trips worth it) had a late lunch at masa, picked up a trailer from jeremy. i stopped at michael's to run in for some glitter, while levi fixed the trailer lights and we ended up being there for 2 and half hours...not the best evening. we made it home, i made levi drop me off to spin class, i was 15 min. late and some one took my bike! luckily (or not so lucky) a friend wasn't feeling so great so she was getting off her bike any way. so it worked out great. what a weekend!

 

 

isabella's birthday...

we surprised isa in the morning with her brand new bike. of course, she wasn't thrilled at 7:30 in the morning...

after i dropped her off to school, i picked up donuts for her class, she was excited to hand them out to her classmates.

 

she couldn't wait to get home and ride her new bike!

her first birthday party with "friends" over. we had an ice cream party! 

valentine garland LOVE...

i love pink and red! just finished taking photos of these yesterday. i made the small trek in the mud and deer poop to the old cabin in our backyard, we have no snow! all these lovely valentine garlands and banners are available in my etsy shop. thepolkadotbarn.etsy.com

my one little word 2015 #olw

 

super excited for twenty fifteen.

new beginnings are always exciting! i feel like i did a pretty good job with my one little word for last year. ha ha, so funny to say that, 2014 was just yeasterday. for this year, i did some pondering, and back and forth between two little words that stood out to me this past fall: joy and believe. both go well with the holiday season but also exceptionally well for all year long! i ended up choosing BELIEVE. this year i want to focus on believing more in myself, my faith and prayer, my savior Jesus Christ, my family, and my goals. believing that i truly can do everything i want to with HIS help. believing in trials and the better outcome that happens after going through them. i want to see only good this year, and if the bad sneaks in, i can "shake it off" :)

happy new year to YOU!

quote made with Rhonna's fabulous app ♥

happy new year's EVE...

 

 

we went to walmart with chelsey to pick out ice cream for our ice cream party! her idea...and we ALL love ICE CREAM. "americone dream" with stephen colbert, can you tell who that one's for? RJ! she also bought jenga...or the generic version "jumbling tower" walmart had slim pickings for games, we had a good laugh! then we watched annie and jeremy snuck into chelsey's make up...that kid. 

puzzles...

2 days after christmas...some of us still in our christmas jammies! and just about done with this puzzle going on 11+hours. these kids are pretty good with puzzles, so i thought i'd get a harder one, but the 1000 piece might be a bit too much!

Christmas pajamas...

merry christmas eve! we watched the good ol' classic christmas cartoons that i used to watch, (levi too) and then i paused the show for a surprise! the opening of the christmas jammies...jeremy was already asleep but we woke him up, he wasn't too happy at first, but then grandma also had a little toy train wrapped inside so he woke right up! anthony said "this is why i LOVE grandma, she buys me a new train!" it was so funny to hear him say that :)

merry christmas eve!

the boys are finally asleep, now if the girls would stop talking, they are sleeping under the tree tonight.

christmas eve...

preparing for the big day tomorrow! woke up and made one more batch of oatmeal cookie bars for a few more friends that levi said i "had to deliver too!" he working when i made the list. and plus i forgot to set some aside for santa!!

anthony spent most of the day laying under the tree, dreaming of what he might get for presents. here he was looking at a store catalog. 

getting ready to open up some christmas jammies!

i had just put the presents that i bought for the kids under the tree, and jeremy ran for them...this is why i usually wait til early in the morning! AND one minute he's fully dressed and the next minute just his diaper!

special wrapping for my little family, love the colors and this paper! have i mentioned i'm addicted to paper? that of course includes wrapping paper! i added this one to my "collection" this year ♥

3 more merry days...

schools out early, 3 batches of oatmeal cookie bars later (and some banana bread) we are ready to deliver to our wonderful neighbors! wouldn't be complete without a few fights here and there amongst the kids on who's running out, tis the season right!?

schools out for christmas break...yay!!

and isabella is so proud of her gingerbread house she made in kindergarten. and can you see all that grass behind her, we still have no snow! it's been so nice, but i hear it's coming for christmas.

saturday...

i spent a few hours outside today helping levi cut and stack wood for the winter. anthony and isabella snuck outside to help even though i told them to stay in because they weren't feeling too well. they came outside any way, so i made them load and unload the wheelbarrow. gulianna stayed inside and watched jeremy, although he escaped too, in his diaper! clouds were rolling in and it rained, hailed and snowed just a little.

new place in town...

sanpete is finally keeping up with the times! there's this new frozen yogurt place in ephraim...they did a cute job remodeling the inside! 

temple square trip #ShareTheGift

we took our young women to temple square today! we tried to plan this trip last year, but we couldn't fit it in, so this year was it! we drove up to provo and took the front runner to salt lake, loved it, and reminded me of my past travels in chicago, and london and paris, oh how i want to go back to london sooo bad! ours was super clean and new, and hello wi-fi ♥

i enjoyed walking around the temple grounds and exploring the visitors center with my class and presidency, grateful for their examples to follow Christ. and if you've never been to temple square to see the Christmas lights you MUST go!! 

please remember in this busy holiday season WHY we even CELEBRATE...Jesus Christ IS the GIFT! 

 

#sharethegift #HeIStheGift

visiting santa 2014...

gulianna came prepared with a list ♥ she politely asked for a pink teddy bear, a pink yoga mat and didn't make eye contact with him not once!

isabella... right when i was trying to get everyones hats and gloves and coats on isabella walks up to me all serious and says "mom, i've been bad ALL year, right?" uh huh, sure isa! i told he r there is still time to change and be better. when we got there, she still didn't want to go see santa, she was one of the last ones. i asked her why and she just said, "because i don't want to!" i made her get in line, and right before her turn she says "but mom, that is not even the real santa, that's just a fake santa because i can see the lines from his fake beard!" miss know it all! i wouldn't expect anything different from her :)

anthony was just excited to have a candy cane...

and asked him for a sail boat.

jeremy was smart enough to just go in front of everyone and get a candy cane, i think he ate 10 of them!

we ended the night singing christmas carols with a tractor "sleigh ride" around the town. it had been super windy all day long, and we were blessed that the wind had died down during our ride.

preschool fun...

i love picking up anthony from preschool and seeing how happy he is to show me the things that he's made...today he decorated these cute little gingerbread men, and was very excited and eager to share with jeremy and isabella. he also was so thoughtful to save a piece for gulianna when she gets home- later. 

lovely day...

we've had the warmest december days these past few weeks. i've been slammed with orders non-stopped and some days i just look out my window wishing i could be outside! today was the first day that i had nothing on my schedule, no orders to fill, no errands or kids to pick up/drop off...so i went outside and stained the side of my barn! (the only one that's currently sided) and i've been waiting to do this, so yay for crossing this off the list of to-dos ♥