…we were in Florida vacationing at my Grandma and Grandpa’s house.  They live in a little Gulf Coast town called Weeki Wachee {pronounced just like it looks and pretty fun to say}.  Their backyard backs up to a fresh water canal which leads to a fresh water, sand-bottomed, crystal clear river which leads out into the Gulf of Mexico.  You can start up their boat in the backyard canal and easily be in the Gulf in less than an hour.  As a child, my siblings and I would stay with my grandparents for one month out of every summer, and we loved it.  {I’m sure my parents did too!  One month without four kids sounds restful.} Packing was light and easy:  a few pair of underwear, a swimsuit, a T-shirt to sleep in and sunscreen.  We’d spend that month swimming in the river, going on boat rides, deep sea fishing, watching beach sunsets, eating homemade comfort food, kayaking, catching lizards, paddle boating, picnicking, visiting my aunt’s goat farm, riding bikes and petting manatee.  Those summer days were long but never boring. We were very lucky kids.  Oh, how I wish I could go spend a month there every summer now!

Before last week, I hadn’t been down to my grandparents’ place in two years.  So, we packed up the car and the kiddos and made the 14+ hour drive down to Gigi and Great Graypa’s {that’s what my boys call my grandparents}.  I was so excited to see my kids experience it all. Neither of them had remembered being there 2 years ago.  Here’s a brief recap.

Poor Everett hadn’t seen his legs in months.  The first time I put him in shorts on vacation, he cried, “There’s dog hair all over me!!”  I finally convinced him it was ‘Everett hair’ not dog hair.

We did some swimming in my aunt’s pool.  She lives on a 20-acre goat farm further inland from my grandparents.  The property is like a sanctuary.  Every time I’m there, I forget I’m in Florida.  Who knew The Sunshine State had country?

I felt so inspired by the mossy trees, feathery ferns and rocky ground cover.  So much green!  We tried making buddies with the goats but they didn’t want anything to do with us.  I think they were scared off by two “baaaaa’ing” boys chasing them down.  We finished the day off with a down home fish fry complete with hush puppies.  All the fish was caught in the Gulf by my Grandpa and he fries up a mean batch of hush puppies to go along with it.  Mmmmmm….  Back at Gigi and Great Graypa’s house, we enjoyed cool mornings, boat rides, more homemade meals {thanks Gigi!}, fishing off the dock, grasshopper hunts, basking in the sun, fragrant jasmine, and manatee watching.

{Nobody tell them the motor is off and that they’re tied to the dock.}

With little to no cell phone and internet service, I was left with a more than usual amount of time to read every day.  I didn’t complain; I LOVE reading.  I finished these two books and highly recommend both.

{Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert:  a quirky, insightful, honest, and comical look into the history and future of marriage.}

{Apartment Therapy’s Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan:  a collection of small, inventive, creative, and livable spaces.}

A week of family, sun, good food, and limited social networking does a body good.  It was just the break we needed to reconnect and rest up.  Thanks Gigi & Great Graypa and Aunt Janice & Uncle Bucky for putting us up and filling our bellies!

What about you?  What was your favorite vacation spot as a child?

images:  all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

Today Everett turns 3.  He’s officially no longer a baby even though he is the baby of the family.

Three years ago today, he came flying into this world.  Literally.  My labor with Everett was an intense, scary, overwhelming, precipitous, 48-minute labor that forced us to deliver at the closest hospital {the one we were trying to avoid by having already toured and prepaid at another hospital} with a shady reputation.  We arrived at the hospital only 10 minutes before Everett was born.  My OB’s office was not contracted to deliver at this questionable hospital, so Everett was caught by a stranger {as in I had never met her before} doctor when she heard my pleas of, “The baby is coming!” prefaced and trailed by a string of 4-letter-words that, in a normal state of mind and body, I don’t usually say.  The nurses, God love ‘em, were trying to get a urine sample from me at the time.  No one thought to check me to see if, in fact, the baby was coming. I don’t think they believed me.  Or they thought I was exaggerating my condition.  That’s right.  I went to a hospital in full-blown labor with paralyzing contractions right on top of each other and in the 10 minutes I was there before giving birth, no one checked to see if and how much I was dilated.  I’m no nurse, but I thought that was pretty textbook stuff.  {Now you understand why we hadn’t planned on delivering there!}  Luckily, even after a tumultuous birth, Everett was perfectly healthy.

I had seen the soap opera and movie childbirth labors where the woman is having a serious conversation or at an important event when she suddenly grabs her pregnant belly in horror and says, “It’s time!” and must be whisked away quickly to give birth.  And I had always written them off as TV and big screen birth stories {because, really, who wants to watch a 20-hour movie??}, not real life.  After all, labor with my first child was gradual and well over 15 hours.  But Everett’s birth could have very well been played out on the big screen, and it would have been a short film {and X-rated and probably not received very good reviews}.  I wasn’t even able to toss in those few extra items for my hospital bag…no camera, no MP3 player, no toothbrush/toothpaste, etc. Everett’s first picture was taken via Handy Hubby’s phone.

A lot has changed in the last 3 years.

{If it looks like I’d been through a car wash not in a car that would be a pretty good description of how I felt.}

My hair is longer, and my patience is shorter.  This lil’ guy has brought so much to our home that we didn’t know was missing.  A newborn who slept through the night from day one, dimples, noise, tantrums, pure joy, an instigator, never ending games of catch, a child narcissist {he frequently asks to look in the mirror}, child nudity {he would feel right at home in a nudist colony…it’s a struggle to get clothes on him daily}, toddler bone fractures {he broke a leg before age 2}, brotherly wrestling matches, smiley eyes, a social butterfly, a picky eater, and a loving cuddler.

You know, all the things that a stylish couch, perfect paint color, designer mirror, granite countertops, and capiz chandelier will never be able to offer.  I’ve had the most wonderful and easiest newborn, breastfeeding, and potty-training experiences with this guy.  It’s a trade-off for the gamut of emotions he runs through everyday.  Love you EJ!

FYI – I don’t recommend tying balloons to a crib for obvious safety reasons.  But it does makes a pretty cool birthday shot…for a kiddo making the leap from babydom to kiddom.

images:  all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

I think I’ve portrayed somewhat of a dishonest image of my home.  After all this talk about prepping, staging and cleaning in preparation for the sale of our home, I think you might get the {false!} idea that our house always looks the way it does in photos on H*T.  Well, it doesn’t.  Sure, we probably go over the top for open houses and showings in the hopes of attracting a buyer, but on any ol’ regular day our house is dusty, toys are strewn about and there are water rings in the toilets.  Take yesterday, for example.  {We’ve shown the house 4 times in the past 6 days, so as much as I want to sell this house, it was kind of nice not to keep it in showcase form and romp around with my boys.}

Layne gathered every last cushion and throw pillow on the first floor of our home in an effort to construct the biggest Pillow Cave known to a kindergartener.  Now, if you know anything about me you know that that’s a LOT of pillows.  Here’s the completed cave…

Yes, a few accessories made it into the cave as well:  a ceramic pot, fabric storage boxes and a West Elm faux book {we hide playing cards inside}.  Layne was pretty happy with it.  Until lil’ bro came along…

…and popped up through the middle of it all like he was surprising someone by jumping out of a birthday cake.  I talked Layne into playing nicely with Everett…

…which lasted all of about 40 seconds.  That’s how long it took for Layne to get frustrated with his little brother messing everything up…

…and to attack him with a cave pillow.  {At least he didn’t grab the pot, right?!}  Poor Everett.  He never saw it coming.  And so ended the 40-second Pillow Cave that took about 15 minutes to build. I really don’t mind the boys playing with the pillows at all.  {I keep their pillow-playing adventures in mind whenever contemplating a pillow purchase.  It’s got to hold up to 2 rough and tough boys.} I do have a rule about putting them back when they’re finished playing though.  Here’s what ‘putting back’ looks like to two boys 6 years old and younger…

Um, not exactly what I had in mind.  But, in the end, no pillow or child was harmed so all is good.

See, things aren’t always picture perfect over here.  In fact, most days are far from it.  We’re normal parents with kiddos who like to make messes and noise.  And usually they fight while doing it.  Ah, sibling rivalry.  I have a feeling this isn’t a phase.

images:  all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

Today my older son, Layne, turns 6.  He is a sweet, intelligent, creative and highly inquisitive boy. Just today he asked me what a judge does.  I told him that judges help settle disagreements between people.  He replied, “So, they’re kind of like Moms?”

At times, he can be downright quiet and I can see the wheels turning inside his head.  If you ask him what he wants to do when he’s older, he’ll tell you he wants to work with his Dada and live with his Mama.  Melt.  My.  Heart.  I’m sure that answer will change a little further down the road.  In light of celebrating such a special boy, I hope you don’t mind if I delay the DIY Sliding Barn Door Part II post until later. {Monday at the latest.}  Please forgive me.  Volunteering at a kindergarten Valentine’s party, eating cupcakes, opening a few gifts and watching a movie just sound like fun today!  And the sun is shining.  For the second day in a row.

Happy Birthday Layne!

image:  Dana Miller

We got slammed with an ice storm 2 days ago.  It’s really ‘frozen’ many of the little projects going on over here because 1) I’ve spent most of my time entertaining {breaking up fights between} my boys on snow days and 2) I can’t go out to get anything I need without falling flat on my a$*!  These are our front steps today…actually much improved over yesterday.  Reminds me of the scene from Home Alone where the robbers try repeatedly to enter the front door to no avail.

If you live anywhere in midwestern USA, most likely you know what I’m talking about.  It’s very hard to describe but our front yard looks shiny.  There are about 4 inches of snow petrified in a half inch of ice.  I thought about going down to the road and taking a picture for you but decided against it after I remembered I hadn’t made it to the car {which is parked at the bottom of our driveway because it can’t make it up} once without wiping out.  I figured that wouldn’t be good for the camera and all.  So, I stuck to the porch.

I did try unsuccessfully to drive the car up into the garage yesterday morning.  I got about halfway up when the car turned 90° and I was facing my neighbor’s house.  I then proceeded to slide down the driveway {in the car still} completely sideways, ending up at the bottom with the passenger’s door parallel to the road.  Did I mention this was on the way back from taking Layne to the bus stop…after I realized school had been cancelled?  So, the boys were with me.  Once the car stopped moving, Everett said, “dat’s cool.”  Layne said, “Maybe we should just park here until the ice melts.”  That should give you a good indication as to what each of their personalities is like. Everett = loud, daredevil, crazy.  Layne = practical, cautious, intelligent.  They are night and day.

I’ve been biding my time finishing up my first design project for the interior design course I’m taking. So far, the hardest part has just been finding time to study the material.  On Monday, I worked my regular {stifling} day job and then went to the library for 4 hours to put in some study time.  You can probably guess which one I enjoyed more.  ;)  Between caring for my family, housekeeping, working, blogging, DIYing and studying, I’m feeling quite scattered-brained.  And I don’t feel like I’m doing any single one thing very well.  But I’m doing the best I can and nobody’s going hungry…yet! {Although we did miss the bus this morning.}  Lying in front of the fireplace with this lil’ guy makes everything better.

I just realized he has on the same clothes as he did in the DIY kale chips post.  Oh well.  At least I got him out of his pajamas.  Today.  As things start to thaw out over here {hopefully!}, I’ll take some pics of the master bedroom project that Handy Hubby has been working on.  You may be surprised to know that it’s not gray or white.  Not even close.  I think I need a drink tonight after the kids go to bed.  On the rocks. We’ve got plenty.

images:  all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

I know this isn’t a food blog.  In fact, I was not born with nor have I acquired a love or knack for cooking.  But there are 2 things that force me to cook {sometimes}:  I love to eat and I love to keep things cheap. Honestly, cooking is just another DIY project to me…minus the warm, fuzzy feeling. So, I hope you don’t mind if I share a {what-I-think-is} good recipe here and there.  Seriously, it won’t be that often because I don’t cook that often.  Just ask Handy Hubby.  He’s the head chef. In fact, the idea for this quick snack recipe came while reading Kristin van Ogtrop‘s {managing editor at Real Simple magazine} account of introducing her family to kale last year.  She mentioned making kale chips, and I love chips so I thought I’d give ‘em a try.  {This required me to buy kale for the first time in my life!}  Here’s what happened:

1 – Buy kale.

2 – Cut leaves off main stem.

3 – Tear leaves into chip-sized pieces.  Wash and dry in lettuce spinner.

4 – Place on non-insulated cookie sheet.  Drizzle over with a little olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.  Bake in oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes.  {Watch to make sure the edges of the chips don’t burn.}

Those are mine right out of the oven.  I probably could have used less olive oil.  But they were surprisingly good!  The even bigger surprise???  The pickiest, slowest eating, most indecisive, and difficult to feed 2-year-old LOVED the kale chips.

So maybe I cheated and let him dip them in sour cream, but seriously, it was the most green leafy vegetable that kid has consumed in all of his almost 3 years on earth.  I was amazed.  It was the first thing I told Handy Hubby when he walked through the door after work that day.  ”You’re never going to believe it!  Everett just ate a bunch of kale!”  I don’t think he quite believed me, but I’ve got the pictures to prove it.

I’m definitely going to have to make them again.  Just for this lil’ guy.

Now, that’s how you tweak a healthy veggie into a kid-friendly snack.  Have you tried any new successful recipes lately?  Do you have a picky eater in your house?  Maybe you eat kale regularly?  Take a break from home improvement and interior design today to tell me all about it.

images:  all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

We’re cooped up inside today while snow flurries down. No school, no work. I’m trying to keep my boys occupied without plopping them down in front of the TV or Wii. After suggesting we play a board game {‘no, too boring’} or read some books {‘no, we always do that’}, Layne resorted to his imagination. I love it when he does this.  Exhibit A demonstrating how pillows can be used as toys.

It’s a ‘pillow-cycle’, can’t you tell?

Little brother thought it was a good idea, too.

One of the benefits of having dozens of throw pillows throughout your house.  What will you use your imagination for today?

images:  all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

I thought I’d share a little handmade gift that my boys received for Christmas a few weeks ago. Handy Hubby’s artsy sister crafted it for them.  {Thanks Aunt Amy!}  She’s also the master mind behind our framed “Miller” wall art in the mini mudroom.  Here’s the auto mobile {Get it?  auto…mobile?  I thought I was so clever with that one.} she made for Layne and Everett.

An embroidery hoop wrapped in ribbon holds everything together nicely.

Two pieces of wire attached perpendicular to each other on the hoop give support for the ribbon hanger.

Various vehicle silhouettes cut from card stock hang from the hoop via filament.  {Fishing line would suffice also.}

There are even little road signs made from map scrapbooking paper.

The cut-outs are attached to the filament with Sticky Dots {or Glue Dots}.  The small circles that were punched out for the headlights disguise the Sticky Dots.

Isn’t that just adorable?  Layne and Everett love it…even though I haven’t had a chance to hang it in their room properly.  It’ll look great with the navy and olive color scheme they already have going on in there.

The possibilities for inexpensive mobiles like this are endless.  Couldn’t you see one dangling above a crib in a nursery?  Or above a reading chair in a corner?  You could feature anything from animals to flowers to snowflakes to shapes…really…anything.  Does this give you any ideas or inspiration?  I just love handmade gifts.

images:  all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

I’m trying to reduce our stuff this year.  To start out on the right foot, I decided to tackle something small scale before moving onto more chaotic messes. {Namely our basement.  Gulp.}  Our boys received a few new movies, Wii games and music CD’s for Christmas, and the bins in our entertainment console were beginning to overflow.  Handy Hubby had the grand idea to take everything out of their original cases and organize them into folders.  Brilliant.  A trip to Walmart for three $2 zippered CD cases {we already had one on hand} and I was in business.  First, I whittled down the collection to only those items that we still watch, play and listen to.  Then I emptied every single movie {only 2 of them were non-G-rated}, Wii game and CD from its packaging…

…slipped them into corresponding folders {Layne even helped!} and labeled each folder with a silver Sharpie…

I had an inkling to alphabetize everything, but, let’s be honest, my 3-year-old isn’t going to put stuff back in alphabetical order.  And that’s the whole point…to give the boys {and Handy Hubby and I} a quick and easy way to put things away.  So, I nixed the A-Z idea.  Our entertainment console is breathing a little easier.

I am too.  Especially since this little organization project only took about 15 minutes and cost $6.

PS – I still need to find a green way to get the empty packages off my hands.  I tried donating them to our local library, but it’s a small library that doesn’t carry movies so they wouldn’t accept the movie cases.  Any ideas from the peanut gallery?

images:  all Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

I found these 2 wooden plaques at Goodwill for $3 each.

Hideous, right?  I was wanting to paint silhouettes of my boys for my Mom as a Christmas gift.  My Mom’s style is a bit more traditional than mine, so the intricate wooden frames would fit right into her decor.  I figured the flower art could easily be painted over, so I grabbed them up.  I primed…

…and painted them.  {I painted them the same Benjamin Moore Harbour Town as I used in my nieces’ handmade gifts.}  I took several profile pictures of Layne and Everett and picked the best one of each.

I traced the outline of each boy’s silhouette onto plain notebook paper – straight from my computer screen.

I cut each silhouette.

Then I used a projector to project the silhouettes onto the wooden plaques.  I drew them on with a pencil then traced over with a black Sharpie to get a clean outer edge.  {Notice I flattened out my boys’ hair for a smoother silhouette.}

Then I painted inside the Sharpie lines with black gloss paint that I already had on hand.  Here’s the final product {still a little wet}…

The goal is to make my Mom cry.  Think I’ll succeed?

images:  all by Dana Miller for House*Tweaking