HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Here's to a wonderful day full of blessings!

Ready or not...the HOLIDAYS are here!!

This is my favorite time of year.  The changing colors outside are a reminder of changes to come in the new year ahead.  Spending these last 6 weeks of the year with family & friends (and lots & lots of yummy food & drink).

I have always found myself in a frenzied scramble preparing for Thanksgiving and then for Christmas & New Years.  Last year, I sort of got a ‘year off’ from the craziness...we were between homes...living at the beach...everything was simple & relaxed.

Then...we moved.  And the craziness resumed.  Unpacking, decorating, school, work...all of the everyday ‘stuff’ that defines CRAZY.

Fortunately, I’ve had the past several weeks to really get myself organized.

We decided to host Thanksgiving here at Grayce Lane this year.

I finished the menu...

Shopping is finished...with the exception of the ‘fresh items’, which I will purchase on Tuesday, in hopes of avoiding the masses at the grocery store (BTW...I’m really annoyed that grocery stores are open on Thanksgiving.  Come on people...get your shopping finished on/before Wednesday and let those employees spend the day with THEIR families!)

I have actually made an agenda for myself for the week as well.  Since Miss M only has school Monday & Tuesday...and half-day on Wednesday...I needed to maximize my time to the fullest.  Hopefully, I can stick to it!

So that gets me through Thanksgiving...

Now, let’s see how well I do with Christmas & New Years!

Blessings...

This is our first fall here at Grayce Lane.  One year ago, our daughters & I were living 160 miles away, while hubby remained here and built this amazing home for us.

Recently, I’ve had a few inquiries of what the name means.  So, here is an explanation of how ‘Grayce Lane’ came to be...

Very simply...Our daughters’ middle names.

Miss M’s middle name is Grace.  Miss L’s middle name is Layne.

Since we built this home for them to grow up in...we thought it was perfect to name it for them.
To play on their names, we changed the spellings...to make it more ‘address-like’, of course.

Grayce (pronounced GRACE) Lane.

Now, here’s the fascinating part...
Grayce as a girl's name is a variant of Grace (Latin), and the meaning of Grayce is "blessing".

Everyday, I am reminded of how very blessed we are. 

Grayce Lane Designs is OPEN!

Ok, so I only have one listing so far, but I'll be listing more this week.  Come on over to Etsy and visit Grayce Lane Designs!

Check out my current listing...Miss "Autumn"...

Oh!  And some more good news...
My dear friend, Nicolle at Libby Lane Press was featured on Hostess With The Mostess this morning.  You may remember my post about a special detail I designed & created for her.
Congratulations, Nicolle!  We will celebrate with coffee and ruffles!

Simple update

Want to change up a piece of furniture easily and without breaking the bank?

Hardware!

It's simple, fast, cheap & can make an old piece of furniture look completely new.

This was the dresser/changing table in our girls' nurseries.  We've moved it into one of our guest bedrooms, but needed to make it more 'guest friendly'.

And here it is now!

Grayce Lane Designs

I have been delirious with projects...but have made Grayce Lane Designs my priority lately...

Sneak peek of some items that will be listed in my store SOON!

desk calendars

a few samples of personalized stationery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sample "Mommy" cards

Guest Bedroom design

Slowly but surely I am getting each room designed...on paper, at least!

Here's the latest...one of our guest bedrooms.

 *   *   *   *   *

TODAY is a humble day for all Americans.  A day to remember...to reflect...to love & cherish...and be thankful.
A very special THANK YOU to all of the service men & women, who risk their lives everyday...and to their families for making the sacrifice of not having them here, to keep us safe.

image via laughing squid

projects galore...

So, we’ve been pretty busy around here lately.  Lots of projects...big and small...have started and will be wrapping up in the next several weeks...all of which I will share with you, just not all at once!

First up...Paint

Now that we’ve been in the house for 5 months, I’m finally getting a ‘feel’ of what I want each space to be.  Some rooms are exactly how I want them (minus some furniture) and others...well...let’s just say I’m having second thoughts.

The Girls’ bathroom:

Here is the original design board I did for it:

image my own

The vanities are in, the Carrara marble, white subway tile & tile accents are PERFECT!  The paint...not so much.  With so much white, the Pratt & Lambert “Diamond” loses the blue tone I was after.

image my own

image my own

Pratt & Lambert:  Diamond

So, this weekend, I will be making a stop at Benjamin Moore to pick up a sample of this:

Benjamin Moore:  Antiguan Sky

I’m hoping this will add a modern & fun touch to the gorgeous, feminine fixtures.

Kitchen:

Fortunately, there isn’t a lot of exposed wall space, which means not a lot of wall space to re-paint.  Unfortunately, the perimeter cabinets are a custom paint color, so finding a good ‘match’ is going to be nearly impossible.

This will be the THIRD...yes, THIRD paint color on these walls.

My first selection was a green...but I hated it once it was on the walls.

Benjamin Moore:  Jalapeno

So, my ‘safe’ choice was the same color that is on all of the hallways:

Pratt & Lambert:  Winslow Grey

But I’m leaning towards something more like these:

*   *   *   *   *

Next...Miss L’s Bedroom

I’ve had a hard time deciding what to do with this little one’s bedroom.  Miss M got new furniture and selected the fabrics she wanted in her room (she opted for aqua blues, pinks, yellows & greens...and has fabulous taste in fabric patterns & colors...gee, I wonder where she gets it from???)

image my own

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Miss L is only 2 1/2, so I wanted to do something fun, bright, modern, but simple so that we can change it later as she gets older and has her own taste.
She currently has her big sister’s hand-me-down furniture (which was my late-grandmother’s...I painted & antiqued for Miss M’s first ‘big girl’ bedroom in our last house).

image my own

I’m still working on my own design board, but here’s my inspiration photo:

image via Lonny Magazine

Loving the pink & orange combo!


So, that’s it for now...will be snapping some photos around Grayce Lane this weekend to share next week.

Stay dry & have a fab weekend!

A Bee-coming treat is ahead...

My sweet friend, Nicolle at Libby Lane Press contacted me last weekend and asked if I could help her with a styling project for one of her upcoming photo shoots.  (insert happy dance and giggle)

First, I was beyond excited honored to help her because she has this fabulous new business, and I’m all for networking in this DIY/Crafty/WAHM-gig.

Second, she is just too sweet and has fabulous taste, so I knew this would be a fun ‘project’.

Third, I'm kinda biased, but her biz name is super cool and personal to me. (wink wink)

And finally...this has helped me find my sewing mojo!  So, a big thanks to Nicolle for that!  xoxo

I am only going to share a ‘sneak peek’ photo because she hasn’t released the final professional photos...but check out her blog in the next couple of weeks for the amazing photos she’ll be posting!

image my own - and yes, I designed & created it!

In the meantime, have a wonderful weekend.  We are preparing for Miss M to officially begin her full-time, ‘student status’...Kindergarten, here we she comes!

We've been busy...

So, I've been MIA for a couple of weeks now.  There's been a lot going on here at Grayce Lane.

Our driveway project is complete (photos soon).  Landscape plans are under way.  The outdoor patio areas will be underway soon.  Bathroom vanities were delivered & installed and the countertops arrived yesterday.  Whew!

Oh, in the midst of all of this, the fiberoptic cable, which provided our phone/internet/cable was broken and we've been without all since last Wednesday...and to top THAT off...the communications strike delayed our service call to have it fixed.  4 trucks, 6 men & 5 hours of work, our service was restored yesterday.

While I catch up on photos, Grayce Lane Designs and preparing for Miss M to start school...I'll leave you with another fabulous summertime recipe.

Fruit Cobbler

Get this:

• 1 stick salted butter
• 1 c flour
• 1 c sugar
• 3/4 c milk
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 c each of 3 fruits of your choice (I used peaches, blueberries & raspberries)

Do this:

• preheat oven to 350 degrees
• melt butter in 2 quart baking dish
• in mixing bowl, mix flour, sugar, milk & baking powder.
• pour over melted butter.  DO NOT STIR!!! (melted butter will be around sides of batter)
• spoon fruit on top of batter.  DO NOT STIR!!!
• bake 1 hour

(images my own)

ENJOY!!!

One year ago...

Looking back at these photos makes me very emotional...for so many, many reasons.

Just to name a few...

We listed our previous home on 7.23.10, and little did we know, 12 days later, it would be sold!  A blessing....yes.  Difficult...yes (after all, this was the home we brought our babies home to...the only home they knew!)
The biggest downside...the girls & I moved to our Beach House for the 8 long months it took to build Grayce Lane.  This was hard...missing Hubby/Daddy...missing the transformation from dirt to house...but mainly just ‘missing’.

Reconnecting with friends I grew up with (Ms. K, I cannot thank you enough for keeping me sane, grounded & focused...and for being such a dahl-ing...I luv ya!)

My girls...they are absolutely magnificent.  I am so lucky to be their Mama...and since we embarked on this journey for them, this house is named for them.  Miss M’s middle name is Grace...Miss L’s middle name is Layne...we changed the spellings, but it’s pronounced the same. 

My hubby...is the most amazing & talented person I know.  He worked so hard to make this dream a reality...(Babe, if you’re reading this...THANK YOU for building this house for our children to grow up in...and do not get any ideas...we are NOT doing this again!)

 * * * * *

It still amazes me, looking at those first photos, that we did this.  Even now, walking into our home, it's very overwhelming, remembering that we looked at it on paper for 18-months, and now it's a live, physical home...that we are filling with love & memories each & every day.  We have so much to be thankful for...

So...here’s to you, Grayce Lane...and the endless years of wonderful memories we have ahead of us.
(and PS:  don’t get any ideas and start with the leaking pipes, broken A/C or other crazy notions that would make me want to sell you!)

Morning Room project

Today has been a relatively productive day, considering I had 2 hours of sleep last night, have been dealing with an ache-y back (again) and the girls are suffering from a serious case of the Mondays.

With the Home Office finished, I started on Miss M's curtains and decorative pillows this morning.  Took a break for lunch, got Miss L down for a nap (which means I'm working on borrowed time at this point), and took a few minutes to have another cup of coffee while finishing my fabric selections for the Morning Room.

With this house being much more modern/neutral than our last house, I wanted a fun, but neutral print for the window treatments in the kitchen & living room.  I searched every site I know of, and finally found this (and promptly ordered yardage so that I couldn't change my mind!):

Windsor Smith:  Pelagos (Haze)

So, with that fabric chosen, I needed to find something to re-cover the cushions on the furniture in our Morning Room.  We purchased the furniture several years ago, when we moved into our last house, and the red/gold plaid suited that house...not so much for this one though.  My ultimate goal for this room would be to have a fabulous round table with 4, cushy, wing-back chairs to enjoy breakfast, mid-day coffee, etc.  But, until then, this is what I've got, so I'm doing some simple updating.

Here's the room & furniture as it is:

And here are the new cushion fabrics:

seat cushions

back pillows (Kravet Design:  Bansuri - Slate)

 

 

I also found some fabulous fabric to re-cover a bench in my closet...which I will post as a DIY when the fabric arrives.

We have a nice afternoon thunderstorm here at Grayce Lane, so I'm off to do more sewing!

Home Office...DONE!

So, the new home office was supposed to be a 1-week project.  Turns out, it took about 1-month to complete.  Still need a few accessories here & there, but the big stuff is DONE!

Details:
Wall color:  Benjamin Moore - Warmed Cognac
Fabric for curtains:  Premier Prints - Zippy (Charcoal Slub)
Desk:  ZGallerie "Jett" Desk (found at Home Goods!)
Filing units:  IKEA Effectiv

Next room to finish...Miss M's bedroom!

Guess I'll be doing a bit of sewing this weekend...

Lazy days of summer...and they're just beginning!

Today was a lazy day here at Grayce Lane.  Lots of little projects to finish this weekend and I decided it was best to stay indoors and get started. 
Reason #1: it was 109 degrees outside = YUCK! 
Reason #2: our driveway project started this week and we have to park about 1/4 mile down the street...or UP the street rather, since it’s uphill (no fun with with 2 kids in the 109 degree weather) = YUCK YUCK!
Reason #3: we have a week to get some of these ‘projects’ finished because we have some fabulous friends coming into town next weekend = SUPER FUN!!!!

So, the other day, I mentioned going to visit our local farmer for some tomatoes...well, we did...and I got some fresh yellow squash, too.  During our ‘day in’, we made these fabulous Yellow Squash Muffins.  It’s a recipe my mom handed down to me (upon request).  She made them frequently during our summers growing up...and they are super yummy!  (NOTE:  they can be frozen to enjoy later too!)

Next summer, we’ll plant our own garden and grow our own yellow squash...so if you’re fortunate enough to have a garden this year...or have a favorite local farmer...go grab some squash and ENJOY!

Yellow Squash Muffins

Get this:
2 pounds (about 8 medium) yellow squash
2 eggs
1 c margarine or butter, melted
1 c sugar
3 c flour
1 tbsp plus 2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt

Do this:

• Wash squash thoroughly; trim off ends.  Cut into 1-inch slices.  Cook in a small amount of boiling water 15-20 minutes or until tender.
• Drain well, and mash.
• Measure enough of the squash to equal 2 cups.  Combine squash, eggs and butter; stir well and set aside.
• Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture.
• Add squash mixture to dry ingredients.  Stirring just until moistened.  Spoon into greased muffin pans (or lined muffin pan), filling 3/4 full.  Bake at 350 degrees, for 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

• Yields 2 dozen.  Recipe can be cut in half.

(waiting, waiting, waiting...)

Hope you have a fabulous (and COOL) weekend!