angieburke.com

I thought that when school was out for the summer, I would have so much more time to blog, and that’s mostly true.  I do have so much more time but I haven’t been blogging. Instead,  I’ve been doing my “summer thing” which really means a heck of a lot of everything and nothing all at the same time.  And, I couldn’t be happier.  Not sure if that makes any sense but this is what I’ve been up to…

Strawberry jammin’…

We picked a mountain of berries at a local farm (Pallman’s) and the boys and I made the best jam ever.

 

It’s de-lish! We’ve been eating it all summer.  Jam&toast has been the most popular dinner request which is a win for me because I don’t even have to make it. Score!

Making the jam was an eye opening experience for my youngest who was amazed at the amount of sugar in jam although this has not stopped any of us from eating it.

Spray paintin’…

Seems like I have a thing for spray paint and mirrors — I’ve done 2 so far this summer. The 1st I bought at Bridge Street Marketplace in Tunkhannock, PA.  I loved, loved the unique hexagonal shape but did not like the muddy brown color.  I grabbed a can of preppy green spray paint from Hell Mart and adore the pop of color it adds to my upstairs hallway.

I also found this rattan mirror at Target on clearance and sprayed it grey.  I actually liked the original finish but the color too closely matched my hardwood floors (again, in my upstairs hallway) and I wanted more of a contrast.

My upstairs hallway does not get much natural light (as you can clearly see in my pictures) and having multiple mirrors on the walls help bounce the light from the window at one end of the hall and the bathroom window at the other.  It’s a great trick for lightening up dark spaces — add mirrors! Plus, mirrors are easy to find at yard sales and thrift shops. Don’t be discouraged by the frame — you can paint it any color you want!

My father-in-law (aka the most talented man ever!) made me the most amazing shelves for my hallway that I will be sharing more about in a separate post. Here’s a peek…

 

Patio layin’…

Our driveway/sidewalk/front patio is done.

The driveway and sidewalk are concrete and the patio was done with brick pavers in a herringbone pattern.  I love the new patio and how it opens up the front of our house.

Since we don’t have a large front porch, this new area will make the front of our house more welcoming and provide more space to sit and watch my kiddos play ball or ride their bikes.  Now we just need to grade our yard to match.

Bathroom revampin’…

Remember our kids’ bathroom update that I shared here? Well, it’s finally done or as done as it will be.

Things in my house aren’t ever really done.  Is it like that in your house too?  I still have some more things I’d like to add (like something above the toothbrushes, maybe?) but for now, I’m lovin’ this brighter, fresher space.

And, my daughter (who’s the oldest) is thrilled that her younger bros aren’t using her towels anymore — yucko! I bought the boys striped towels and had the hand towels monogrammed so there’s no more confusion.  Should have done that a while ago.

Here’s the bathroom “before”…

Flea market shoppin…

If you follow me on FB or Instagram, you might have seen some pictures from my recent trip to Brimfield, Massachuesetts to the Brimfield Antique Flea Market.  I’ve been dying to go there for several years and it did not disappoint! I was in heaven — so, so much to see! I will be writing a separate post about it because I want to share more details about the flea market but it was definitely worth the trip and a highlight of my summer so far!

Here’s a peek at what we saw…

 

And the rest of the time, we’ve been swimming…

 

Gardening…

Golfing…

And, A LOT of relaxing…

 

So, that’s what I’ve been up to — a whole lot of something and nothing! Does that make sense now?

Anyway, what’s been a highlight of your summer so far?  I’d love to know.

More blog posts will be coming soon including more details about my upstairs hallway, kids’ bathroom, and my Brimfield trip.  Stay tuned.

love, Angie