New Blog - The Home Constructess

 Hello all, I don't know how many of you are going to see this, I know that I haven't been posting on this blog for a few years, but some people may still find it from various sources.  I am here to announce I have a new blog!  

The Home Constructess

It is mainly a way for me to share my home purchase, upgrades, designs, etc.  Come and have a look and stay awhile.  

Hope you are all well, and see you soon.

halloween

A Happy Halloween to all you witches and warlocks alike!

I love geneology

Hello all,  I know it has been awhile since I last wrote.  I am actually working on starting a new blog, but details on that to come at a later time.

For Father's Day we got my father this cool certificate, and I got one for my birthday.  I have an amazing mother who went to all the work to get these for us.  Another cool part about it is that they posted a write up, along with pictures of us, on their blog.  Feel free to check it out. 

Newest First Family Recipients

Be my Valentine?

I love you all, and want to wish you a happy Valentine day.  Enjoy your day.

Sunglasses aren't just for summer with @westwoodsun

I don't know how many of you know this, but I like sunglasses.  If you haven't seen my post about my sunglasses drawer - check it out here - with the update that it now holds two pair of sunglasses a slot not just the one as is shown.  So, you might say I am fond of them.

Lately I have been noticing some very cool glasses, made out of wood.  I may have had this on my list of things to make years ago, that I never got around to making.  Well, I have recently found a great company that has been making some of their own, and they are better designed than the ones I had in mind. It is a company called Westwood Sunglasses.

Look at how pretty the sides are, and the color (which they have many of).  It is just the best in woodworking, fashion, and style.  I have yet to touch some (but oh how do I want to) but they look like good quality glasses.  I'd put them in the realm of Michael Kors, or Coach as far as quality is concerned.

Just looking at them, they look so sexy, and I want some.  If you feel the same, they are currently having a sale - 20% off until the end of the month.  Just use coupon code: HOLIDAYJOY20.

 Side note: These are my affiliate links, and I will get part of the sale if you buy, but I also love sunglasses.

Merry Christmas

I wanted to stop by and wish everyone I Merry Christmas.

I have been doing some thinking about Mary recently.  She must have known that her baby was going to special, that He was on earth to do great things.  However, she must have loved Him all the same as only a mother could.  I think it must have been special for her to give birth to her first son.  To then get the chance to raise him.  To trust that He would be where she wanted him and doing what she expected of him.  And to loose him and find Him later in the temple.  How worried she must have been.  To see him go about life, being profitable as He did.  And, then ultimately to see Him killed, how heart breaking.

We hear a lot about Christ this time of year, as we should.  But Christmas time is about love.  The love that God had for us to send His only Son to earth to live and die for us.  The love Christ has for us to be able to perform the atonement for us.  For some of us this is hard to comprehend, for we have never loved another that much, no matter how much we have loved, to die for others is slightly beyond our comprehension.  But, the love that Mary had for her son, that is a love that many of us can relate to.

So this year, love others, do good for them and show them your love.  For Christ truly loved you, and all He really wants in return is your love, for Him, as well as for others He loves.

how to make a thanksgiving cornucopia wreath decoration for your own home

As many of you know, I feel Thanksgiving to be an under valued holiday.  However, I also feel it is a silly holiday, because you should always be grateful for all of your blessings. 

Many people get irritated when Christmas music is being played - always saying that "It's not even Thanksgiving yet!"  Not that they want to celebrate Thanksgiving....  But after you have been in choirs for years you get use to the music at the beginning of October or even September, so... 

They also have a fit when the stores are filled to the brink with Christmas goodies the day after Halloween (or before), although working retail you learn to love that crazy time of the year and slightly tolerate the decor.  However, there is a good point - there are barely any Thanksgiving decorations! 

So when my Mother set out to decorate this year and felt our wall over the fireplace was very empty, I went to work.  And now I am going to share with you how to make a cornucopia wreath.

Step 1: Gather Supplies

We got the blank wreath at the hobby store.  It was cheaper than the wire one I would have had to add to.

We spent a pretty penny on this wreath, and when I first had the idea I realized that much fake fruit would cost a lot, so I stopped by the dollar store, and hit the jackpot.  Not all dollar stores are created equal, as my trip can tell.  At the first one I found nearly everything I got, the apples, grapes, pears, berries, oranges, peppers, a lemon, and even a small peach.  The second store I went in had the harvest veggies, and berries, and that was all.  But, I was able to get it all for $1 each, I figure saving at least $100.  When we went to the craft store these were at least $5 each, but we did splurge on the strawberries for $5.

This was our other splurge.  My mother wanted some leafs, and I didn't want the green ones.  After hunting for awhile in the massive selection, we found these lovelies.  I would recommend these if nothing else, because I think they are what is holding half of the wreath together.

These pine cones were free, a super good value.  I was trying to figure out where I could snag some from.  Our tree doesn't produce any, and our neighbor has torn down their pine tree.  Then we remembered that over 15 years ago we had got a bunch of pine cones from my favorite great-aunt's house before she moved and had planned to use them in some sort of craft.  Well, we used some of them for this.

Step 2: Add Leaves

 

I wasn't sure at all how to build this thing.  I wanted it to last, and knew that wood wasn't the best to hold hot glue to.  But, I just started with glue.  I then would weave the steams into the wreath a bit, not that it would have stayed by itself.  Well, then I brought out the wire.  I am a fan of this small wire, and would wrap and wrap it around both the steams of the wreath and the new leafs I was attaching like you would wrap together a bread bag.  I'm fairly sure that those aren't coming out any time soon.

Step 3: Add Berries

Did the same thing with the berries as I did with the leafs.

Step 4: Add Grapes

The grapes had this handy hole in the top that I was able to wire to the wreath as well.  I also would make sure and wrap both ends of all of the items I was attaching, just to be sure.  I kept adding the easy stuff first, so whatever you have that is easy, stick it on.

Step 5: Add Fruit

 

Before I actually put the fruit on I laid it out in a circle so that the colors and items weren't bunched together on the wreath.  Or at least that was the idea.  I forgot to take a picture of it all laid out.  As you can see, I then started with the colors red and green, and well, I just sort of ended up trying to put them in the same place, but failing and just put them wherever.  My mother loved the completely random look and how they were all so different.  The truth is, it takes a lot of work to make them so different, but at the same time is easier because you have to just not care about being a perfectionist.  I like them random as well.

While attaching I was still scared of it not holding, so I tried a bunch of different approaches.  With a lot of the items that had steams I would wrap some wire around them and then attach it.  And of course, glue the crap out of it.  I went through a small bag of glue sticks on this project, so be prepared.

The problem I kept running into was the steams were against the wreath and didn't look as cool as it could, so with a few of them I would attach the wire far down and the wrap it around so the steams were facing out.  Sure, you can see the wire when you get up close, but most people don't, and if they do they are looking to see how you made it anyways, so they are impressed.  Let them look.

And then came the rest of the fruit.  When all else failed, I just used the glue.  But, this is where the leafs come in so handy - use them!  So much of the things are glued to these lovelies, even the things that are wired in.  It not only made it more secure, but has an added dimension with some leaves coming out and covering parts of the fruit.  Made it look integrated and not like fruit on top of a wreath.  Love it.

Step 6: Add Pine Cones

The pine cones were added as a filler, mostly under the fruit and leafs, and to add that extra bit of volume, a detail that you don't need, but that enhances the overall look.  I would have added more, but had already been on my feet for over two hours, maybe three, I don't know, time kept going by and I wasn't finished.  This was not a short project, but well worth it.

Step 7: Hang on Wall and Enjoy!

Mine is hung on three nails, but I don't know how much the middle one is holding since it is kind of high, but it was already in the wall, so... I am against new holes if I can avoid it.

I seriously would just sit and stare at this thing for hours, so do enjoy it.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed learning how to make this Thanksgiving Cornucopia Wreath.  If you did, make sure let me know below, and share it with your friends.  I would also love to see your own cornucopia wreaths, so let me know.  Thanks, and I look forward to sharing more with you soon!

Thankful Only Once?

Once a year a time comes around, a time to be grateful for what you have.  It is a time to reflect upon what you cherish in life, what you think you couldn't live without.  Some celebrate by eating turkey, some spend time with their family, some watch football, and some get ready for the largest shopping day of the year.  But why?  Why only once?    

Everyone in the world has something to be thankful for.  It may be lots of money.  It may be lots of opportunities.  It may be a cornucopia of love ones.  It might be having a blanket.  Or maybe it is just being able to live.  Everyone is blessed in many different ways, and everyone should be thankful for those blessings.     

The following is something to ponder:  

• If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world. 
• If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.  
• If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.  
• If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.  
• If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ... you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.  
• If your parents are still alive and still married ... you are very rare, even in the United States.  
• If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful ... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.  
• If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder ... you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.  
• If you can read this post,  you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.        

To be Thankful For.......  

• ....the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends. 
• ....the taxes I pay because it means that I'm employed.  
• ....the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.  
• ....my shadow who watches me work because it means I am out in the sunshine.  
• ....a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.  
• ....all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.  
• .....the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking.  
• ....my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.  
• .....the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means that I can hear.  
• ....the piles of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.  
• .....weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been productive.  
• ....the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours because it means that I'm alive.  
• .....getting too much email bogs me down but at least I know I have friends who are thinking of me.  

Now, I want you to think of 100 things you are thankful for, go on, do it.     

Have it yet?  No, to hard?  I don't think so.  Want some help?    

Okay, here is what you do, you take some paper, or other writing surface, and make five lists. 

1. Physical things, things you can touch. 
2. Opportunities, things you are able to do.  
3. People, those you love.  
4. Things about me, or you in this case, what do you like about you? 
5. Things about the day.   

Now write 20 things on each list.  It might take a while to get started, but once it comes, it will come.  Now, have those 100 things?  Have more than 100?  I have over 200 people.  Keep this list.  Add to it.  Share it with others.  Look at it often to remember all the things you are blessed with.    

Here is part of my list:

Physical things           

• House to live in
• Own Car 
• Contacts to see with 
• Guitar 
• Water (so tasty) 
• Heater 
• Computer
• Fingernails  
• Phone 
• Clothes

Things about me           

• I can walk 
• I can sing
• I am organized 
• I can read 
• I can picture things 
• I have a job I love   
• I learn quickly
• I am strong willed
• I am passionate about this
• I can write

Opportunities   

• School 
• Work 
• Choir 
• Church 
• Shopping 
• Making Friends
• Gym
• LDS Insitute
• Outdoor Recreation
• Sleeping

Things about the day           

• Having a bed 
• Eating breakfast 
• Going to work 
• Having a car to go to work 
• Having the internet 
• Finishing projects 
• Getting to watch TV 
• Getting to see my parents
• Getting to see my best friends
• Being able to write this post

Take some time out of the day to ponder.  Ponder on what blessings are in your life.  Think of the things that you have to be grateful for.  Maybe even show that appreciation to those deserve it.  Remember, being thankful should come around more than once.

Go ahead and share some of the things you are thankful for below in the comments section.  I would love to hear from you!

have a happy Halloween

Hope you have a great day today!

I like pumpkins, they like to decorate my living spaces during this time of year.  I most of the time just let them sit, in their natural state.  Big ones are nice, but I have a love for cute little ones.

So, I want to know, what do you do with your pumpkins?

Grandma's Estate Sale, plus our own 30 years Basement Sale

I know what you are saying - VaLon, didn't you just do a post about saleing things?  Why yes I did, and now we are ready to have a big sale!

 You see, as I said before, my Grandmother recently passed away and we are selling a lot of her items, plus some of our own that have been lingering too long in the basement for sentimental value.






We will have:

*Furniture - dinning table and chairs, sofas, chairs, bookcases, coffee table (see listings for all items)

*Multiple size women clothes. From preteen to plus size. A lot of good items, mostly just outgrown.

*Jewelry (none of grandma's)

*Glasswear, including vases.

*Electronics from bygone eras (think record players and stereos.)

*Large fish tank with supplies.








There will also be Water and Soda for a refreshment during the day.




Some free items available as well.



Sale Date: Saturday 26 September 2015
Sale Time: 8-2
Sale Location: , West Jordan


Cash only please.


Look forward to seeing you there!

Make sure and check out my furniture post to see items.