New England Farmhouse Dining Room in Winter

I have a hard time with labels, so I'm hesitant to label this space "farmhouse," and I've found that I'm also leaning towards a more minimalist mindset, so... hmm, where does that leave me? Farmhouse minimal? Streamlined farmhouse? I'll have to think about that. :)

I typically keep things neutral in January, with maybe a few pops of color, partly because I like the clean, fresh slate feeling after Christmas; and partly because there are inevitably a few lingering holiday things that need to get used up or thrown out. I joked on IG that the coffee bar nook is having a slight identity crisis with all the candy canes still hanging around.

If you look below, you can see how we sanded down the table leaf on the left- this table is pretty awful BUT it's what we have, and Levi is going to wreak havoc on it for the next few years, so I can't justify purchasing a new one. Anyway, we tried using a Danish oil instead of poly as a sealer and it just plain stinks. Literally and figuratively. It took weeks for the smell to dissipate, gross! And I don't like how it turned out, either. I'm thinking of sanding and applying a creamy chalk paint- any thoughts?

We also got a wild hair and decided to remove the big rug out of here. We got that for our second house back in 2002, so it's been with us a while, and my tastes have definitely changed. And it's pretty worn out, ha. I like having it gone, but I'm not sure I like such bare floors. We shall see...

The other change in here is the curtains. After redoing this space (and the living room) almost two years ago, I just couldn't commit to window treatments. It was SO nice having everything light and bright, but lately it felt a little too bare. So we tried several different wood and faux wood blind options, and NONE of them worked. The builders decided to frame the windows with two pieces of trim instead of one, and the one closest to the window sits at an angle. Just why? WHYYYY? The right size blinds don't fit because they bump against the angled trim. The smaller sized blinds just look weird because there is too much space on either side. So blinds are out.

Considering we already had the curtain rods from when we first put them up shortly after moving in  (2016), AND we've committed to a 90-Day No Spend plan, we simply used what we had. And I like them! The curtains from our previous house, and since I don't have the last two panels to complete each window, I opted to do this. I didn't think I would like it, but I do! That ridiculous chandelier, not so much. BUT. 90 days, people. We can do this!

Ha ha, guess I was snapping pics during lunch. :)

Here is a shot from before the curtains and prior to ditching the rug...

And here...

I've got a question for you: are the photos on blogger not acting right for anyone else? They seem super grainy and dull. No bueno.... oops, now I hear someone calling for me, gotta go! Happy Tuesday! And you can find me on Instagram @bethanylivs_life , so pop over and say hello!

sharing with Tuesday Talk today! 

Just wanted to share that I've got some pretty new nightgowms in my shop, too, so feel free to take a look. And THANK YOU  so much for your support by shopping small!! 

Rose and Ruffle

 

Friday Favorites - Hello 2019!!

Hey friends! Just popping in to share some highlights from our week...or rather, the first week+ of the new year because they've all sort of jumbled together and we don't have our regular rhythm going yet. It's been a hard week (+, ha) but also good. Ah life, why you gotta be so complicated??

Every year, I treat myself to a new flowering plant to celebrate a brand new year, AND to have some color and life around me. This is a hard time of year in New England when we're often simply stuck indoors and everything seems so lifeless and dull. I've been doing this for over a decade now, so you might think I've got quite the assortment of flowering plants. Not so. My green thumb does not extend to indoor plants for some reason, ha!

Also, Levi wanted to read with me, so we were both doing some devotional studies. :)

And Story Time is back in session at the library...yay!

Big changes are on the horizon for this little guy. He's ready (I think), but I'm not! But I am. I don't know. This big age gap and having one in college, some in high school, and a middle schooler and toddler is a blessing beyond measure, it truly is BUT it often leaves me curled up in the fetal position with emotion overload. I don't think I can even accurately describe the mess that's inside my head most days lately. Anyhoo, I moved some furniture around to make room for a big boy bed and I LOVE the difference it makes. I'll share more pics soon!

Meal prep is ON, and my kitchen only sees the sun in the early afternoon, and it's been really dreary and dark lately, so this was a wonderful sight! Dinner cooking and sun pouring in. (I'm interested in the instant-pot but we've committed to a no-spend January and one didn't come for Christmas, so... good ol' crock-pot it is!)

Sweetest little smile and some fresh air! Hooray!

Lastly, at least it looks pretty, right?

Just don't look down at my floors because all that lovely out there becomes a never-ending mess in here.

Okay, it's Friday! I mean, it's Fri-yayyyyyy!!! Let's make it a good one, and have a super weekend!



Linking up for Friday Favorites today!

Isabelle's Colorful Winter Birthday Party

Isabelle's birthday was on Saturday this year, so we celebrated on her actual day. Fun fun! There were some hiccups because of basketball (and the fact that there is STILL no schedule posted so we have no idea from week to week when her games are, ugh), but we were able to bump it up from an evening party to a mid morning one, and that worked really well. It was so nice to see the sunshine!

And even though you'll never escape Christmas decorations at your birthday party when you're born in December, you can still bring in pretty and fun colors! Those darling snowflake cookie cutters came as a set (Wilton, I believe) and they added the perfect touch to the table.

I like the twinkle that the lights on the side table give...

Favors were so simple and easy and FUN: fuzzy Christmas socks for the win! We put in a few candy canes and kisses, and I think it beats the junk that everyone throws away anyway.

The girls enjoyed making hot cocoa, too. I put out some marshmallows and whipped cream, and they loved the thick peppermint sticks to swirl around in the mugs. I think those came from WalMart when I was shopping for gingerbread house supplies. :) 

I dislike plastic tablecloths  all opened up too, but I think they make a great runner when kept in half. Easy, cheap, and adds perfect color!

Our birthday girl!

She had asked for a camera and new yoga pants. I don't think she's put the new camera down all week! :)

You know how I feel about sharing pics of other people's kids online, so no party pics, but isn't this hooded blanket the absolute best thing ever?!?! Her friends gave such fun and thoughtful gifts!

The basketball game was an hour away, so Caleb drove Bill and Isabelle out there, and it was really quiet here at home. I don't think I have to tell you that I didn't mind one bit. The game was a tough one, but Isabelle scored three points in the last minute! We ended the day with goodies and a movie all snuggled up in our fuzzy blankets. Such a good day! I can't believe my baby girl is TWELVE!

 Some of my favorites from over the years...

This Week's Menu + Recipes

We're bracing for our THIRD nor'easter in two weeks here and the snow is already falling. Thankfully my husband is working from home and schools everywhere are canceled- everywhere is cancelled, we have gone soft in recent years, ha ha!- so I don't have to worry all day about anyone having to drive. Oh! I just remembered that Jonah works this evening...we will have to discuss that one later...

So moving on, I love seeing what other busy Mamas plan for their family's meals, so I thought I'd share mine from this past week. Honestly I wish we could go out to eat more, but the cost is INSANE with all these big appetites around here, so we really don't eat out all together very often anymore. I'll post the recipes I've blogged about...enjoy! If you have any questions, ask away!

I guess this post should actually be titled: LAST week's menu, but... ha ha

Or how about this for an alternate title: 147 plates to prepare! That's three meals a day, times seven people! Seven. It doesn't normally phase me, but when I was writing it all out, it seems like a LOT.

Monday

Jonah's birthday!!!

Breakfast: donuts
Lunch: leftover pizza...score!!!
Dinner: BLT's on specialty bread, corn chowder - so good!- and strawberry shortcake

Tuesday

Breakfast: eggs on toast
Lunch: easy homemade macaroni and cheese

 
Dinner: Hungry Jack casserole, peas, squash (I don't think I've blogged about this one but it's a favorite! I will have to remedy that soon.)

Wednesday

Breakfast: Donut Wednesday!!!! (apple fritters...kinda donuted out, ha!)
Lunch: chicken sandwiches, snacks
Dinner: I really cannot remember, and neither can the kids, ha! So I'll post another favorite: beef stew in the crock pot & EASY homemade yeast rolls

Thursday

Breakfast: SNOW DAY! apple pancakes, sausages

Lunch: ummm...sandwiches? toasted cheese sandwiches I think...
Dinner: kielbasa & noodles (adults ate veggie-heavy pasta salad), squash

Friday
 

Breakfast: puff pancake with fruit
Lunch: frozen pizza, snacks
Dinner: burger & fries Friday

Saturday

Breakfast: Dad's homemade waffles with berries - no recipe, but you gotta include a pretty waffle picture, amiright?? ;)
Lunch: soft pretzels & lemonade iced tea at the mall...oops! But it was SO yummy!
Dinner: baked fish, sweet potatoes & potatoes, steamed carrots, steamed baby spinach

Sunday

Breakfast: blueberry muffins, scrambled eggs & hash browns
 

 (eek! that's an old one!!!)

Lunch: tuna sandwiches
Dinner: quesadillas & nachos

Share some of your favorites in the comments, or if you have a similar post, include a link! I love getting new ideas! :)

Finally a FUN Weekend!

Hey hey, it's Monday morning! We had a pretty great weekend around here and it was SO needed. This time of year gets really depressing for us, as the weather is often disagreeable and you're still kind of stuck indoors a lot. Our last snowstorm on Thursday left things looking absolutely beautiful, for sure- so sparkly!!!- but at this point, I am done. Done with cold things. Just done, ha ha.

So...Friday night was a low-key family night, Dad made us waffles Saturday morning, and then we ventured to one of the "big" malls nearby. There had been another stop planned, but lack of self control and poor attitude canceled that trip for the time being, ugh. One of these days she will learn...I hope!!! There was another big yucky incident later in the day, with another child, and it's hard to not let those moments/situations ruin everything else. Motherhood is so hard! Did you already know that? Sorry for the spoiler if you didn't.

Well anyway, we let this guy get out and WALK, which we have actually never done before. Look at him! He thought he OWNED the place!

Just a baby bro and his big bro. I die.

Fresh pretzel and mustard, yum! We also tried to cinnamon sugar bite-sized ones, and were they good! Levi was a big fan, ha ha.

Wanting what's in that cup, too...

Yup. A big fan. :)

And then someone had to climb through all the displays and signs. Of course.

A little window shopping...

Now we all thought this kid was going to run for the hills when he saw that big bunny, but he was intrigued. He just kept staring and getting closer and closer, and then when the bunny waved at him, he looked a bit starstruck. ha ha ha We were not expecting that! We figured he'd be screaming by this point. Funny boy! I grabbed him after he darted under that rope, we waved from there, and kept going. Remembering back to Santa, I'm sure if he were face to face, there would have been some drama.

Aww, just a few months ago and he looks so much smaller there. Stop growing up so fast!

Look at that smirk! He liked driving!

Notice Caleb's enthusiasm, ha ha ha

Thankfully Levi didn't fall asleep in the car so he had a nice nap after we got home. The sun was shining (but it was windy and cold) so Isabelle went outside to build this cutie- she is seriously the best! I could never make a snowman like that!

We went for a walk, still freezing, and then tried playing with bubbles for a bit. He couldn't have cared less, but then he liked stomping on the ones on the ground. I think he wanted to be in the snow, and Mama did not want to be in the snow. So...sorry, kid.

Then of course, we braced ourselves for Daylight Savings Time. Such a cruel thing to do to parents of young kids. The first day is usually okay, but we've learned it's the next couple days that are just OFF.

Someone wanted to touch the screen to take the pic, ha! So smart! :)

He did it!

Mama's turn...those eyes! That grin! I love it all.

Ethan was sweet with Isabelle and played outside with her lots of times this week and weekend.

We dropped Jonah off at work- they called him in a panic, since he isn't normally allowed to work on Sundays, and we said it was okay. I brought Isabelle along and we went to the bookstore- she's had a gift card burning a hole in her pocket. She has the hardest time deciding, and I don't want to tell her what to get, so I ended up guiding her to the sale section after not finding much in the regular part. She was eager to save a few bucks because she wanted to surprise Levi with a new toy. Aww, talk about restoring hope in my heart. I thought that was so sweet, so I will make myself remember that sweet spirit the next time she is sassing and being snarly and disagreeable. It's in there, ha!

It was fun spending some time alone together :)

When we got home, dinner was nearly made, so my day got even better! Levi, who has been whiny in the bath lately, just had a great old time in there, so that was extra nice too. Just really little things, but lots of them this weekend, and it was great. Hope yours was too!

Here's a question for you, totally random: does anyone have a product for cracked feet/heels? Mine have gotten out of control and it is SO gross and SOOO painful! Help!