The Summer of '16

The Summer of '16 has snuck up upon us and is already gone!  School starts in a week and a half and then routine takes over.  (Thank goodness!)

What have we done this summer, you ask?  Well, no vacationing, that's for sure.  Mostly working, trying to keep goats alive, and trying to keep kids alive.  We've managed to get a few projects done around the house, but still aren't anywhere near 'done' with this 'new' house.  Still many more things to do!

We did take a little day trip jaunt down to the Frio, courtesy of some sweet friends of ours that allowed us to use their private access.  It was a quiet, lazy day floating and watching the kids play.

And we've spent some time porch-sitting and enjoying God's beauty as we see it from our home.  Family pictures were taken, goats were birthed, bought, sheared, and tamed.  And work.  It was done, over and over again, as necessary.

We hope you and yours have had a great Summer of '16!

DIY: Rolling Wooden Crate

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So, as we build the house, I keep coming across all of these cute, DIY projects.  Always thinking to myself, I could do that!  And lo and behold, one day while looking at Pinterest at this very project, a friend posted she had a couple wooden crates for sale.  I took that as a sign and snatched them up from her for $4 a pop.  Other items I used in this project were: sanding block, wood putty, wood stain, polyurethane, foam brushes, and castors.  I had everything on hand except the sanding block and polyurethane (I wanted a satin finish and all I had was glossy, so I bought a small can).  I purchased the castors from our local big box home supply store.

First, I used the wood putty to fix any holes, in this case the staple holes where it was put together.

Then it's time for stain...

I used a foam brush to apply the stain, then let it sit for about 5 minutes and used a clean cloth to rub the excess off.  Rub in circular motions to allow stain to penetrate the wood and remove excess.  You can let the stain sit a shorter or longer amount of time depending on how dark you wan the wood.  This was a dark walnut stain and I wanted it pretty dark.

After the stain dries (follow directions on can), you can apply a sealer.  I chose to use Polyurethane in a satin finish.  A lot of folks say it's hard to apply because of air bubbles.  The trick is to not shake the can, stir it slowly.  Then I used a foam brush and applied it very slowly.  This also has to dry (according to directions on can).  You can apply more than one coat if desired.  Since I knew my crate would (should) not be around water or damp areas, I felt one coat was enough.

I purchased the smallest metal frame castors I could find at our local home supply store and used the enclosed hardware to attach them to each of the four bottom corners of this crate.

Finished Product

When I originally saw this on Pinterest, the post had it as a storage for throws or pillows next to a couch.  I think I'll use mine either as that, or maybe storage in the closet for linens or winter items.  I can then roll it under my hanging clothes or shelving for easy access, but it'll be prettier than a plastic bin. 





Whoa... It's been a YEAR!

Well, I've just started another page on our blog to chronicle our journey of building a house.  Check it out!  (At the top of the page, click 'Our Barndominium)  AND I realized that it's been almost a YEAR since I posted on here?!?  My how time flies!

So I'm now on my 7th 'Fix' from Stitch Fix and still really loving it!  Never heard of Stitch Fix?  Or ready to give it a try?  Here's a referral link where you can get started!  Click HERE to find out what all the fuss is about!

7th Stitch Fix

Soooo....   What have we been doing all of this time, you ask?  Well, a lot.  We've had more birthdays, celebrated Christmas, played basketball, raised show animals, showed show animals....

Darcy showing one of her goats.

More birthdays, birthed more babies here on the ranch.....

Stopped to smell the flowers...

MADE BUTTER FROM RAW MILK!....

And we are currently enjoying spring and all that goes with it.  Green grass, fresh produce, and spring rains!

Stitch Fix Fix

My second run with Stitch Fix finally arrived!  I'm usually not into clothing and fashion a whole lot, but I've really enjoyed getting these boxes and seeing what someone else would pick for me.  I kept two items out of this box as well, even though I really liked everything in it.  

Here are the two items I kept!

Such a fun process!  If you want to try it out for yourself or just see what it's all about, click HERE!!

Birthday and Holiday Fun

While we haven't taken any huge trips, or really had much on the schedule (besides work) this summer, we've kept busy!  Darcy's 7th birthday has come and gone...

And July 4th brought a trip to Bellville to meet Miss Greta and play with fireworks!

 

 

 

 
 


Dax LOVED the fireworks!  I think we have a future pyro on our hands.  I guess like father/like son! 

 

Product Reviews From Influenster

This Post May Contain Affiliate Links

All opinions in this post are mine, although I did receive these products free from Influenster for testing purposes.

I recently also enrolled on a website called Influenster.  It's a website where you can review products, answer questions, give your honest opinions, all for the benefit of others.  They also use the surveys and reviews you've done to qualify you for their 'voxbox' program.  These boxes are sent to folks that are in a certain market and contain various products for you to try.  Of course, in return they ask that you review these products and take a survey on your use and future use of them.

Recently I qualified for their 'TLC Vox Box' for moms!  It has a lot of great products in it!  Here's what I got:  Neosporin Neo To Go, Breyer's Gelato Indulgence (coupon for product), Ivory Bar Soap, AVON Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother, Puffs To Go, and a Shell Fuel Rewards Network Card.

While I haven't tried everything yet, I already know that the Neo To Go is going to come in really handy for a certain mini-red-head in the family.  In fact, last night he fell on his head (again) and now has a good bruise brewing.  And we are always in need of more tissue in the truck.  And after my last round with a sinus infection a few weeks ago, I have a new love of the Puffs with Lotion!

I'm waiting to use my Breyer's coupon until I know I can get it home without it melting.  Just one of the problems of those that live so far out of town and happen to reside in the middle of Texas.  And I'm currently checking out Pinterest for all the uses of the Ivory Bar Soap.  Wow!

But the product I have used the most, and that I'm loving, is that Shell Fuel Rewards Card.  As said above, we live way out of town.  So I drive a lot.  So anything that will get me a little break on fuel prices, I'm all over.  My first use gave me $.03/ gal off.  It may not sound like a lot, but over time I know it'll add up!

I'm happy I signed up with Influenster, and hope to be able to continue with them for a while!  Thanks @Influenster for the complimentary products!

Trial Run With Stitch Fix

A friend of mine introduced me to Stitch Fix, an online styling service, a few months back.  A short story shorter, I decided to try it, even though I'm usually pretty picky with clothes.  I'm trying to step out of my normal on clothes a bit, so this was a step.

How it Works:
You sign up online and fill out an extensive survey, including questions about your style, colors, what not to send, sizes, pricing, and an extra comments box to add anything else.  You pay a $20 fee to have a box sent to you that consists of 5 pieces.  Your stylist uses your survey to pick items for you.  Once you receive the box at home, you can try on everything and you have 3 days to decide what you want to keep or send back.  If you keep something, your $20 fee goes to your purchase.  If you keep all 5 items, you get a 25% discount on everything!  If you don't keep anything, they keep the $20.  They also provide a post-paid envelope to mail items back in.  And the biggest factor (for me) is that you don't have to receive boxes unless you want to.  While you can set it up to be a monthly subscription-type box, you can also decide to manually schedule boxes as infrequently as you would like.  Oh!  And they send these nice style cards that give a few examples of what to pair each piece you got with (for those of us that are style-impaired).

VERY easy and convenient.  Especially for those of us with little ones that can deter our shopping.  Or those of us that live so far out that shopping is an all day excursion.

Am I satisfied with my box?  Yes!  I didn't expect to like every piece in my first box.  But with each box, you fill out an additional survey about the pieces they sent that they then take into consideration for your next box.

So what did I get?  Of course I took pictures.  I'm just not guarantee-ing the quality of said pictures.

 

And what did I keep?  I chose to keep the white shirt (LOVE it!) and the plaid shirt.  And I can't wait to get my next box! 

 

Interested in finding out more?  Use this link to check it out!!  Stitch Fix