Art on the walls

I took down all the pictures at the old house once it was sold and we didn't have to stage it anymore so I've been living with blank walls for a while now. Anja was here for the weekend and helped me hang up a lot of pictures. We have so much fun doing things like this together. The only thing missing was Liisa. We started by carrying all of these across the street.

The first day we hung 55 things and the second we put up 32 more.

 It's starting to look a little more like home.

A happy sight out my kitchen window

Nora is now tall enough to take down the laundry.

 Hooray!

Kitchen help

We needed some pizza dough today and Penny was available to help add ingredients and knead.

Each of the three big kids has two days a week when they can help me in the kitchen. Sunday is my day to work alone. They don't always want to exercise the option, and I haven't solicited as much help lately as we adjust to a new normal, but it is there. However, I think we are going to need to find a way to schedule four helpers.

New (sort of) couches!

After a decade of use, our couches were looking faded and worn. New slipcovers and they look great.

Entryway, improved

When Liisa was here last weekend she helped me move some of my art around and we put some pictures in the entry. And a mirror! She was in favor of a faux lamp, but I didn't have one to spare.

Spring Challenge : a bathroom

Another spring cleaning challenge from Mystie. You should join! You might win a scarf, but everyone gets a cleaner, prettier house. :)

I picked the master bath to focus on. It is the poor, neglected, ugly stepchild of a bathroom in our house. It isn't ever used by guests and tends to be cleaned one area at a time. This week was different. I started at the top and dusted the light fixture. And I dusted the baseboards. I wiped off the cabinets and washed the floor. The shower was thoroughly scrubbed. I also did all the usual things like cleaning the sink, counters, toilet, and mirror. But they are all done at the same time! I almost quit at "clean enough" but I'm glad I didn't. I didn't do a beautifying touch because a clean bathroom is pretty enough for me.

Spring Challenge: tidying the entryway

Mystie is hosting a Spring Challenge. I liked having Simple Mom suggest tasks during Project : Simplify (I did them all even though I haven't posted them!) and this is a nice way to continue the momentum. My procrastinated task for the entryway was to glue the felt that I had cut some time ago (years, eek) to protect the shelves from being scratched by the baskets. It makes the whole shelf look neater. I am also working on a better system for the contents of the baskets and drawers. I got rid of more magazines that were there and was able to move some of the drawing supplies to an empty basket which should make them easier to access.
I was hoping my sister would be here to help with the beautifying part of the challenge but she isn't so I changed the tray I had there and cut a spray of lilac from our yard. I'd like to add more art to the wall.I also spent about 15 minutes outside sweeping off the front porch and relocating rocks the children had displayed there. Since we come in from the garage the front door doesn't get as much attention as it used to. Thanks, Mystie, for providing the nudge to get something done!