Motivate Me Monday....Congratulations Mom & Dad!!!!!

What a milestone!!!

This is definitely "Motivate My Monday Marriage!"

My parents celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary yesterday!!

They built their own business almost 40 years ago, still work together and

still love each other.  I would say that is a successful marriage!

I, along with my sister, am super proud to be their daughters.

We never wanted for anything...but, were taught to work for it!

I love you Mom & Dad!!

Have a great week!

Julie

Summer Spruce Up...Front Doors & Entryways!!

It's finally here! Another Summer Spruce-Up party! 

This time our front door/entry areas will take the spotlight!

It all started in May with our backyard/patio areas getting spiffed up. And in June we discovered some pretty awesome planters!

Check out some of our favorite planters:

Jenna's favorites

Julies favorites

My favorites

Now here we are in July, ready to show off our Front Door/Entry areas!

Check out my friend Selene's front door/entry area's dreary before and colorful after:

She did a fabulous job!!
You can read more about this fun makeover here.

Be sure to check out my fabulous co-host's recent projects and posts and follow them so you never miss out on their creativity!

Jenna from Rain On A Tin Roof

Julie from The Vintage Barn

Jamie from Better With Age

And don't forget...there's one more party left on August 21st for this Summer Spruce-Up Series and it's a WILDCARD!!! Anything outdoors will go! Okay, on to the party! We're at the edge of our seats waiting to see what fabulous things you all made happen!  Ready, set, link!

--

Julie

Transformation Tuesday...Yard sale Find turned My Friend's New Dresser!

I am LOVIN' this one...and keepin' it!!

JUST KIDDING!!!!

I do LOVE it...but, I am sending this one home with my friend, Kim.

She has just moved into a new home, painted her room a grey and HAS TO HAVE THIS!!!

This is the best before picture I have...

just your plain ol' maple dresser in great condition.

So, I just gave it a quick coat of primer...

After that dried...I gave the dresser a quick coat of Behr Ashes...a really light an pretty grey.

Trying a new technique....I rubbed soap on the areas that I wanted the grey to show

through once I sanded.

Soap.

Yes, soap...LOVE the results!

Next, I painted the dresser with Behr Atmospheric...one of my favorites!

After the paint dried (it really doesn't take long it has been about 100 degrees daily!!)

I gave the dresser a once over with my sander.

LOVIN' the layered look...see the white and grey peeking through??

I am not a huge fan of wax...I like it, just like to use a brush on clear.

But, because I had rubbed this dresser with the soap....I thought it was a good idea to use wax!

I think I renewed my love for wax....on CERTAIN pieces!!!

(Definitely not on a dining set...yep, I learned my lesson there.)

I love the layers....

Yep, I could keep this one...but, I (and my hubby as well) am happy

to see her go to a loving new home!!!

Come and get 'er, Kim!!!

Have a great week!!

Julie

MONDAY:

www.skiptomylou.org    www.craftomaniac.blogspot.com    www.betweennapsontheporch.net  www.homestoriesatoz.com  

 www.uncommondesignsonline.com  www.alderberryhill.blogspot.com  www.cupcakesandcrinoline.com  www.rainonatinroof.com     www.astrollthrulife.net

TUESDAY:

www.elizabethandco.blogspot.com  www.craftytexasgirls.com  www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com

www.SugarBeeCrafts.com    www.cozylittlehouse.com  www.adiamondinthestuff.blogspot.com   

www.notjustahousewife.net  www.knickoftimeinteriors.blogspot.com  www.insidebrucrewlife.com   www.diyshowoff.com

www.iheartnaptime.net   www.craftomaniac.blogspot.com  www.linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com

WEDNESDAY:

www.somedaycrafts.blogspot.com  www.lilluna.com  www.highheelsandgrills.blogspot.com  www.gingersnapcrafts.com 

www.creationsbykara.com  www.bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com  www.the36thavenue.com  www.cupcakesandcorndogs.com

THURSDAY:

www.livelaughrowe.com  www.somewhatsimple.com  www.impartinggrace.com  www.thevintagefarmhouse.com   www.thecsiproject.com

www.yesterdayontuesday.com   www.staceyembracingchange.blogspot.com  www.theshabbychiccottage.net 

www.nominimalisthere.com  www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.blogspot.com 

FRIDAY:

www.missmustardseed.blogspot.com    www.thecharmofhome.blogspot.com  www.lizmarieblog.com 

www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com  www.tatertotsandjello.com  www.fivedaysfiveways.com  www.freckledlaundry.com 

www.thestitchinmommy.blogspot.com   www.whipperberry.com   www.commonground-do.comwww.sixsistersstuff.com

SATURDAY:

www.funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com    www.thriftydecorchick.com   www.bedifferentactnormal.com

SUNDAY:

www.too-much-time.com      www.bystephanielynn.com  www.suburbsmama.blogspot.com

www.iheartnaptime.net  www.diyshowoff.com  www.niftythriftythings.com     www.findingsilverpennies.com

My Name Is Julie....& I Am A Yard Sale Junkie!

I love yard sales.
I Really love yard sales.



I love the new people you meet...or the old friends you see!
This is my mom on the right...and her friend Carol at our last Fancy Flea Market/Yard Sale.

Here's a little recap of some of my favorite yard sale transformations...


Check out my new favorite HERE!

Some of the most beautiful pieces in our home and some I have sold,
have been found at yard sales.

Yep...I kept that one!

Here are some others...

I found this one at a yard sale late in the morning...for just a few bucks!!!

This sweet desk came from a friend's yard sale...

Click HERE for the scoop on these finds.

This sweet sideboard was found on a local Facebook Yard Sale page.
I think this may be my FAVORITE (okay,  one of them!)

You can read all about it right HERE.

A few more favorites...

I saved this one from a church yard sale...

Check out the whole story HERE.

Fell in love with this, too...

I was done for my day and headed out of town...and snagged this one at a yard sale just outside of town.  Glad I did!!

Check this on out right HERE.

Then, there is Kristen's Buffet...love this one!

I spotted this beauty and had to have it.  I brought it home and had it sold before I even painted it!

That was a fun one!

This buffet below took some serious work...read about that mess HERE!

This coffee table was practically given to me...





Thanks, I'll take it!!



Here is another almost freebie...honestly!



A friend gave me a footstool...and this turned into a cute little set!

See why I LOVE yard sales???


So many FUN things just waiting to be cleaned up and loved again!!

It is SO easy to keep great, old, vintage and quality made furniture...and make it your own with a new paint job, new upholstery or just a good cleaning!

I have a pile of stuff in my garage waiting for me to paint...better get goin'!

I hope you have a GREAT day!!

Love & Junk~

Julie

Summer Spruce Up..Front Door & .Entryways!

Can you believe we're already on our third theme for the Summer Spruce Up Series? In May, we tackled our backyard spaces & patios, and in June we translated our creativity through planters. Thanks to everyone who linked up to our planters party! You guys sure had some cool planters ideas! Check out some of my co- hosts favorite planters:

Jenna from Rain On A Tin Roof: 10+ Creative Planter Ideas Julie from The Vintage Barn: Fabulous Planters And mine: Fabulous Planter Ideas And now here we are in July, getting our inspiration for our Front Door/Entry projects! How exciting!

Just look at these bright colors! And is that a painted doormat? Hmm...

{source}

How about adding a sign to your front entry?

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Adding color to the front door always does the trick!  And adding your house number to your door is definitely appealing!

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You can never go wrong with a nice summer wreath like this one:

{source} Bright colors, a starfish wreath and big planters sure makes a statement!

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How will you be sprucing up your front door area? Come back on Wednesday the 24th so you can show off your creative skills!

And remember, there is one more theme and party left for August 21st and it's a WILDCARD! Anything outdoors will go! 

I'm looking forward to see what everyone links up on Wednesday!

Julie

Dairy Wife Wednesday...July is Ice Cream Month!

There is nothing better than rich, creamy...COLD ice cream on a HOT day!

We LOVE ice cream in our home...I think I've told you we try to make

ice cream every Sunday in the summer!

This last Sunday, we made plain ol' vanilla...yep, my husband's favorite.

The recipe I use is simple...super simple...

Mix:

1 1/2 cups of whole milk (I use 2%)

1 1/8 cups of granulated sugar (I always use less...say just 1 cup)

Mix that well...then add

2 cups of whipping cream

1 cup half and half

1 1/2 tbsp of pure vanilla extract

Yep, no eggs in this recipe...perfect for little ones!

Pour mixture into your ice cream machine and let it go to work!

(I have a Cuisinart, 2 Quart Ice Cream Maker.)

Vanilla ice cream is delicious on it's own...or it can be a blank canvas for some of these treats:

Like this Bay Area Fudgy Fog Treat

Source: Real California Milk

Or this...blow your diet kinda treat from Taste Spotting.

Source:  Real California Milk and Taste Spotting

Be sure to check out the California Milk Advisory board's website for more recipes!

 Click Here for more ice cream treats!

Love & Junk

Julie