My BIG Summer Project

Usually when summer hits I have a long list of fun projects I'd like to do as well as a list of summer activities. This year, since I was so sick most of the first part of the year, I think I was making up for lost time. I put a lot of the project plate and when all was said and done some projects have moved to the "fall project" list. I managed to finish one really big (to me) project on my list though and our family will benefit from it for years to come. Yay!

One of things I have been wanting and looking for for quite a while has been a school room table. It couldn't be too big or too small. It had to be the right shape and durable. It also had to fit the decor in the school room. I looked and looked and the tables I was finding were either too much money or not exactly what I wanted. I tend to be pretty picky with certain things. This was one of them. I ended up going to some thrift stores and that gave me the idea to buy a low cost table and refinish it.

Bright idea right? I thought so. I had never refinished anything like that in my life. I have built a full size bed frame out of wood before (of course with my Dad's help) but never stripped paint, sanded and repainted a piece of furniture.

I thought that this would be a quick two week project and really that it would take no time at all. I mean after all I saw pinterest ideas everywhere and it only took them two weeks to do a project like this right? No way. I was deceived!

I purchased the table from a person off craigslist and I think it is actually an antique drop leaf table. It also came with four chairs. I will tackle refinishing those in another lifetime! No really I will try and get that done in about a year. No rush on those. Here is the table before. (I had already started disassembling it when I realized I needed to take pictures.)

 These puppies will be getting refinished at a later date. I just could not do them this summer. It would have taken me 300 more hours. I picture these to be the same color as the finished table with fluffy red tie cushions on them.

I started by stripping the white paint off the bottom portion of the table. Easy job right? NO! It took forever. The person who painted this table before painted over dark brown paint that was already there. Because there were two layers of paint I essentially had to go over the table two times with jasco paint stripper, a putty knife (for a scraper) and steel wool. To strip the paint off this portion of the table it literally took me over 40 hours!  The little rings on the table legs (that are decorative) took forever because I had to get into every nook and cranny to strip it otherwise the new paint would show the imperfections. I realized after stripping the first portion of one of the legs this is no two week job! Part of it is my fault too because I just can't do a half done job. I couldn't have painted over what was there. The finished project would have been cheesy. I felt like this truly was an investment and wanted to do it right.

Here is the beginning of the table being stripped of it's paint. Many, many hours went into sitting on the concrete floor of the garage with goggles and mask on stripping away at the yucky white paint.

Thankfully, my husband was feeling physically up to helping me sand the tops of the tables. He has previous professional experience restoring Corvette's so he knows all about sanding as well as refinishing. He did an excellent job sanding and I am so glad. I tried it once when I discovered a section that needed to be done and stunk at it! He helped me out soo much. I was praising God that his back was feeling up to that kind of work too.

Once those were sanded and the table was stripped of all paint, then I had to take tack cloth and get all the fine debris off so it wouldn't get into the new paint.  I knew the colors I wanted to paint the table because I wanted it to match our school room and the shelves I made covers for last year.

One of the funnest parts was picking out the paint. I had never done that before either. I learned A LOT. I was so grateful for my Dad's help (who was a general contractor most of his career and is an expert in all things building and more.) He guided me through what I would need for this project. He also helped me to choose paints that he knew would be durable (for little boys sitting at a table and doing school work on it almost every day) and wipeable. I know marker or paint was bound to get on it and I wanted to make sure I could just wipe it down with a damp cloth and it would not be ruined.

I started the project in May and finished it one week before school started at the end of August! I didn't work on it every single day but pretty much every week of the summer I was doing something with the table. I learned a lot and it felt like a wonderful accomplishment in the end. For the red I had to paint three coats on everything and the blue needed two coats. It really required some perseverance and there were many times I was thinking, "What did I get myself into?" However, now, we have a sweet table we can use for our school room for years to come and when the school season of our life is over I can use it for a craft table. I don't think I will ever get tired of the colors because blue and red are my two favorite colors. I also really love the drop leaf part of it. It works so well in our school space because we can make the table big or small.

Here I am putting the table back together in the school room

Cody was really excited and being the builder that he is he helped my put all the screws in. He's good at it too. His dexterity at 3 amazes me sometimes. I realized as I was putting it together that I forgot to paint three of the bottom portions of the table. I plan on doing that in the next few weeks in all the spare time I have (right.)

Here is the finished table with both side leaves down 

The paint is latex enamel and it is truly really strong and I think it will last for a long time.

I love the size of the table too. With one leaf up we can all sit at it and have enough room. With the other leaf up it will be great for bigger projects. I am so pleased with the finished product. So if anyone ends up pinning this or trying this, know that a refinishing project is truly a blessing but it is A LOT of work, especially if you are going to have to strip paint off first. I knew if I just spray painted over what was there it would peel off in 6 months or the minute it got scrapped by one of the boys.

Here are the before and after photos:

Before

After

Thanks for reading! Sorry for the sarcasm but I really did think this was going to take two weeks. I am a bit cynical after it taking the whole summer. I am grateful though because through hard work comes blessings.

~Blessings~

Fresh, Wild Caught Salmon Salad with a Creamy Dairy-Free Carrot Avocado Dressing

(Paleo friendly and potentially OK for GAPS in later stages when tolerating raw veggies)

2-4 servings

1 small fresh, wild caught salmon fillet per serving, poached and flaked

2 cups per serving of any mixture of organic lettuces or greens. (I used a mixture from our garden of kale, romaine, butter lettuce, purple cabbage and mixed green lettuce.) Chop into bite size pieces and combine them together.

1 small organic carrot per serving, julienned cut

¼ of an organic cucumber per serving, diced

½ of an avocado per serving, peeled and chopped

2 tlbs. raw almond slivers per serving (optional) (I like to roast these myself at home)

1 recipe of Creamy Dairy-Free Salad Dressing from She Let Them Eat Cake 

** Combine all salad ingredients in a big bowl. Top with flaked salmon and toss with Creamy Dairy-Free Salad Dressing


Creamy Dairy-Free Salad Dressing
Recipe from She Let Them Eat Cake 

2-3 chopped carrots (you could also use sweet potatoes)
half an avocado
1 medjool date, soaked and pitted
3/4 cup water
2 tlbs. flax oil
1 clove chopped garlic
1 1/2 tlbs. dijon mustard (we use grainy Dijon)
a shake of dulse (optional)
1/2 tsp. Herbamare or sea salt
1 quarter of a lime, juice only

Place all of the ingredients in your blender (you might want to chop your veggies first – depending on the strength of your Blender. If you have a Vitamix there is no need to chop the veggies.) Blend until creamy. If you find it too thick, add a bit more water.

*This dressing will taste even better the next day.

Enjoy this refreshing salad on a hot summer day.  It is full of omega 3's, antioxidants, good fats and will make you feel energized!

~Blessings~

Summer Fun!

Today was a hot one here.  We just finished up swim lessons last week amidst three days of rain (which I happen to love.) We also had our first friend visitors from our old state! It was such a blessing to be able to just pick up where we left off two years ago.  The kids just played and played and we ended up in bed at midnight!  Then we slept in until 10.  Gotta' love the summer!

We also bought a slip n' slide last week and today was the perfect day to try it out.

I remember when I was a little girl saving up for so long to buy an alligator slip n' slide for $20 at the local drug store.  It was so gratifying when I finally got it.

We had such a nice time today.  The boys stayed soaking wet for hours and then had yummy homemade Popsicles and I lounged in the shade occasionally getting a spray of water.

I couldn't have asked for a better day. Thank you Jesus!

Dying to Read More!

My goodness the past month has been a WHIRLWIND.  It is a blur.  It has been TOO busy for my taste but things are winding down now.  Yay!  I am not one who likes to be TOO busy.  We finished co-op with our final presentation night which was such a blessing.  Corbin got a free ticket to our local waterpark for reading over 600 minutes in a couple months.  Cody received his preschool binder that he worked so hard on all year and I wrapped up teaching my first preschool co-op class.  Our homeschool here at home is winding down too.  Between those things, sickness, doctors appointments, GAPS diet (which takes a lot of prep), planning meetings, Sunday school teaching, bible studies, fellowship with friends and family, starting our garden, and more, things have been downright crazy.

One thing I have been really missing is sitting down with a good book. I have several that I am reading right now and several on the list too read. I look forward to starting summer with some lazy days curling up with a good book and a glass of carrot, celery juice (yeah, you read that right, carrot, celery juice. That is what I can have right now. Actually I really love it. Heheheh!)

Here are some books on my reading list:

The Fruitful Wife

I haven't started reading this one yet but have heard and read really good reviews on it.  I can't wait to start this.

Parenting Collection: The New Dare to Discipline, The New Strong-Willed Child, and Parenting isn't for Cowards all in one book.

I have read the Dare To Discipline book in this 3 in 1 book and it was great!  I am now in the middle of the strong willed child section.  It is also very informative and motivating.  I was (and still am) a strong willed child and happen to have one just like me. Dr. Dobson helps so much in figuring out how to live life with one!  Fortunately, because I am one I have an inside scoop on what makes a strong willed child (or person) tick! I have always loved Dr. Dobson.

Why America is Free

I have started reading this book. I really, really love it.  I wish I had books like this when I was in school.  I have learned more (truth) from this book than anything I read in school when I was a child.  I also love the way it is written.  It is not merely just facts but instead an actual story with characters.  Interspersed throughout the book are factual tidbits and information. Michael Farris of HSLDA recommended this book at our last homeschool conference.  I am so glad we purchased it.  I can't wait to read it with Corbin and Cody. How important it is for them to know and understand why America IS free!

Educating the WholeHearted Child (3rd. edition) by Clay and Sally Clarkson

I have started reading this book and consider it to be a go to resource for me throughout most of my homeschooling.  Clay and Sally have a lot of wisdom to pass down and I am so appreciative of such a great resource. This is their description on the book from their website:

You’ll find 384 help-filled pages packed with useful information, insights and encouragement:

■Ideas: Hundreds of practical ideas, teaching methods, lifestyle suggestions, and product recommendations

■Insights: Dozens of scriptures, personal anecdotes, quotes, notes, and comments

■Anecdotes: Dozens of "In Our Home" snapshots of Clarkson family living

■Books: A recommended "Family Favorites" reading list of whole and living books

■Helps: A section of reproducible forms for planning and record-keeping

Paleo Slow Cooking by Chrissy Gower

Yes, I read cookbooks.  Actually, I devour cookbooks.  While I don't identify myself as "Paleo" because of some of the things the lifestyle supports that I don't agree with, I do think that for a lot of people eating Paleo makes complete sense.  After I am done with the GAPS diet I will probably be following the Auto-Immune Protocol for Paleo eating.  You can read about that here and here. If you have an autoimmune disorder I highly recommend looking into this way of eating. I love this cook book.  It has some great ideas and also wonderful information at the beginning of the book before the recipes.  It makes eating Paleo style look simple (which it really is.)

Paleo Indulgences by Tammy Credicott

I am happy to say that I finished reading this one!  I am a baker at heart.  I have been baking since I was a little girl. I always asked for baking stuff for my birthdays!  Even when I had to go Gluten Free two years ago I continued baking.  It is not until now that I don't do much baking (for myself at least.) However, I pray that one day soon I will be able to get back to indulging and baking once in a while with almond flour and coconut flour which is what this book uses a lot of.  The recipes are decadent!

Here are some other books I have finished or are in the middle of but don't have pictures....

Keeping Bees and Making Honey

I intend to read this and many other beekeeping books over the summer. I want to have a few bee hives in the next few years.  Bees are getting scarce and raw local honey is getting expensive. I think it would be so much fun to have a few hives and harvest our own honey.

Oswald Chambers: The Man and Message behind My Utmost For His Highest

I did read this whole book and learned so much about Oswald Chambers.  It was a quick read and gave a good glimpse into his life.  It also made me think a lot about my perspective on life and my world view.  Mr. Chambers was a great man of God who was dedicated to his work.  It is amazing that his wife put together all of his works in so many different books after his young, untimely death.  Thankfully she did that so we could glean from his teachings.

The Problem of Pain by C.S Lewis

I am greatly anticipating this book about why pain and suffering occur.  I love C.S. Lewis and his writings and I am sure he will paint great light on this subject.

A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by Phillip Keller

I am in the middle of this book and want to just inhale it.  I have to take it slow though because it is a "thinker."  I love Phillip's verse for verse explanation and view of Psalm 23.  Since he was a shepherd he has a inside look at what God really means when he calls us his "sheep."  It is such an interesting book. I highly recommend it!

Corrie Ten Boom: Heroine of Harlem by Sam Wellman

We are reading this together as a family right now and what a woman Corrie was.  She suffered so much in Nazi Germany yet never lost sight of God. Her story is encouraging and she is a wonderful example to all of us on how to live out our faith.  We love reading Christian Missionary or Christian American Hero stories together as a family.

Holy War by John Bunyan

This book is on my summer reading list.  I can't wait to read it.  I also want to read The Pilgrim's Progress by the same author this summer. We have the audio book and it was excellent.

The Search For Significance: Seeing your True Worth Through God's eyes by Robert S. McGee

I haven't started this book yet but as soon as school is out I intend to.  It has a workbook with it and I hope to make it part of my bible study when I start it.  I hear it is a life changer.  I am greatly anticipating reading this one.

This goes without saying but the number one book on my list for the summer and every day is my Bible.  I am learning so much in my quiet times lately and love having my Strong's Concordance by my side to help me understand and dissect verses more.  It has been so fruitful. I have also taken to journaling more lately and it is so therapeutic.  It is also wonderful because I can look back and see God's faithfulness through my joys and trials.

I am sure on the book list above there are a few I am missing. I truly enjoy reading and am making and effort this summer to have a bit less screen time and a bit more reading time.  I think it will be much healthier for me. Books are truly a blessing and I don't take them for granted.

What is on your reading list for the summer?

~Blessings~

Summer 2012 Recap

Summer is coming to a close for us.  Even though summer isn't truly over until next month we start school next Monday so I count summer to be over.  This was our first summer in our new home in our new state.  We sure had a blessed time and I truly thank God for His amazing grace and all He has poured out upon us. 

Join me in looking back on some of the "Lazy (or not so lazy" days of Summer 2012)...
(Bear with me - I am a scrapbooker and can't just choose one picture from each event. Pictures are fun anyway!)

Finger Painting

Cherry Festival

The carnival part of it. My cousin John went on a ride with Corbin.

Cody picking a little ducky.

Cherry dark chocolate ice cream.  Read about it here.

Homemade smoothie popsicles

Pool time with friends

Fourth of July

I didn't make these look as good as the links on pinterest but they still tasted yummy!

Burning our last sparkler from our wedding 8 years ago!

Made edible playdough... it was yummy.

Slip N' Slide

Watering the garden everyday and enjoying the harvest from the fruits of our labor.

Green beans

Peas

Roma Tomatoes

Max loves to water with me every night.  He goes to every plant with me and follows me around.  He is so cute.

Going to the water park right by our house for the first time.  We had a blast!

We made our own Gummies.  We learned about seaweed and carageenan which is an ingredient gummies are made from. Actually you can find it in a lot of products - even salad dressing!

Running in the sprinklers

We went on our first real train ride through the mountains. It was beautiful!  We got to wave to all the rafters in the river along the way.

The boys had fun at our table in our train car.

We had Corbin's 7th birthday! Super Mario Themed was his request.

Lastly, we went on our first camping trip here. Actually it was our first camping trip in three years - since I was pregnant with Cody!  We went with our church to "Family Camp."

They had a family activity where the kids got a handful of whipped cream and a popsicle stick.  They got to smear it on their Dad's face and "shave" it off with the popsicle stick. Steve was a trooper for this one!

We had worship everyday by our worship leaders (it was awesome) and Steve got to lead our devotional one night on Initiative and taking our part as the Body of Christ. Our church also provided smores every night for the camp.  That was a huge hit!  We had a potluck dinner one night as well.  I can't wait for next year.  It was so much fun.

Fishing in the river one day during our camping trip.

This was Cody literally 5 minutes after we got into the car to head back home after our camping trip.  He was pooped!

We had an eventful summer.  It has been fun to look back on some of the fun things we did.  I have to say that I am looking forward to the return of the school year.  More structure and routine and hopefully a little less busy.  We will see?

Ecclesiastes 3:1 ~ To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven...

Thank you Lord for a great summer season!