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  • Annisa Olsson Jones sitting on the front porch of a colonial farmhouse in new jersey double rockers for our porch
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    Labor Day Break & Fall-Inspired Reads

    Happy Labor Day to those in the U.S. who are enjoying the day off. I’m not just enjoying one day off. I’ll be enjoying the rest of the week off! I like to take time away from the blog when Handy Husband and the kids also have some time off from work and school. To those of you with kids going back to school this week, I wish them all the best! I hope they aren’t too nervous and that they have the nicest teachers. If you want something to read, check out one or all of these fall-themed blog posts. Fall Mantel With Leaf-Stamped Wood Rounds Vintage Toolbox Fall…

  • flamingo pool float summer bucket list: covid-19 edition
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    August Break – So Much To Do In One Week

    Hi! I’m taking the week off the blog because summer is almost over for us. (whomp, whomp) There are things to do. Fun to be had. Mortar on the Carriage House to be done. Please note that the “fun to be had” is different from the work on the Carriage House. The work on the Carriage House is satisfying but I wouldn’t necessarily call it fun. A well-rounded life has a balance of both. At least, that’s what I tell myself while my hands are covered in mortar and I’m immersed in a seemingly neverending repointing project. Did you notice what my shirt says in the above picture? Take it…

  • cross stitch american flag on a grain sifter 4th of july wreath
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    Happy (Early) 4th of July 2024

    Hi! 4th of July is this week in the United States and it always feels a little odd when it happens in the middle of the week and not on the weekend. We’re not the ones to miss a celebration, so I am taking the week off of the blog to spend time with family. We’re going to have such a good time! In the meantime, if you’d like something to read while I’m away from the blog, try one of these oldies but goodies. DIY Cellophane Faux Sparklers (Mega Frill Picks) I use these to dress up my ferns for the 4th of July. Even ferns need a little…

  • indian rocks beach florida sunset on the happy list
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    Spring Break 2024 & What’s Trending On Pinterest

    Hi! It’s Spring Break! My kids have been counting down to this week since Christmas. I’m sure their teachers have been too. Ha! We are determined to have fun this week, so I will be out of the office, so to speak. New blog posts will resume next Monday. However, I’m sure I’ll be posting on social media (Instagram or Facebook) this week, so be sure to follow along there if you aren’t already. That’s where all the unpolished, behind-the-scenes stuff happens. If you’d like some blog posts to tide you over until I return with fresh new content, try one of these: The darling of Pinterest, the post all…

  • terra cotta gnome gnome made from yarn and terra cotta pot
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    Merry Christmas 2023

    It is finally Christmas! From our family to yours, we wish you the happiest Christmas. Wherever you are and whatever you are doing, we hope the spirit of this day – the peace and joy – fills your home and heart. Thank you for your time encouraging our family with our house and crafty projects this year. We appreciate you so much. I will be taking time off the blog for the holidays. I anticipate returning to regularly scheduled blog posts in the second week of January. In the meantime, you can always follow what we are up to on Instagram or Facebook. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! P.S.…

  • pink and navy christmas tree how pop culture influenced the popularity of the christmas tree
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    How The Royals Made The Christmas Tree Popular

    Buckle up because we are taking a very quick romp through history to learn the fascinating reason why society is obsessed with Christmas trees today. Because it hasn’t always been that way. Not even close. When you think of a Christmas tree your mind probably conjures up the image of an evergreen tree of some sort. Evergreen trees have long held symbolic meaning for ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Druids. Evergreen trees were believed to be able to keep away witches, ghosts, evil spirits, and illness. Evergreens also symbolized life during the winter months when the various sun gods or agriculture gods were believed to be sick. (source) No pressure or…

  • Labor Day 1956 stamp via Wikicommons Media Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Designed by Victor S. McCloskey, Jr., using as source material a photograph of a portion of the mural by Lumen M. Winter located in the AFL-CIO building in Washington, DC. - U.S. Postal Service; National Postal Museum:
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    Labor Day 2023 and A Poem

    Happy Labor Day to those of you celebrating in the United States. I hope you’ve had a fun and relaxing weekend. I’m taking the rest of the week off of the blog to settle into September and this fall season. My kids will be back in school and I imagine my productivity will be off the charts this week. A girl can dream. Speaking of work and Labor Day, I thought I’d share the poem “Something Left Undone” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. His poems always cut straight to my feelings. Something Left Undone by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Labor with what zeal we will, Something still remains undone, Something uncompleted still…

  • cliffs of moher 2017
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    4 Things To Read While I’m Taking A Vacation Week

    Hi! There will be no new blog posts this week as we are taking a vacation week to enjoy the summer with our family. In the meantime, here are 4 things to read until next week when new blog posts will return. The Great Barn Loft Clean Out Believe it or not, the squirrels and other rodents had not entirely destroyed something of interest in this barn…something that helped us date its age. 10 Must-See Places In Ireland If You Like Castles And Nature There are many reasons to visit Ireland beyond having a pint of Guinness and most of them have to do with castles and nature. DIY Wood…

  • flags on memorial day
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    Memorial Day 2023

    Happy Memorial Day to my friends marking this holiday in the U.S. I hope you’ve had a great weekend. There won’t be any new blog posts on the blog this week but don’t worry. I’m sure I’ll be on Instagram or Facebook this week sharing what we’re up to. I’ve also got some things for you to read to tide you over. You can read about how to repurpose a burlap sack into the most patriotic vase cover. There is another patriotic holiday coming up in the U.S., so if this idea inspires you to create something of your own, let me know. I love to live vicariously through your…

  • feet on the lake on the happy list
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    Spring Break 2023

    Hi Friends! I hope you had a great Easter weekend. Just a heads up that I am taking the week off the blog because it is finally Spring Break! I guarantee you I’m more excited than the kids. We will be spending time with friends this week, so I’m looking forward to catching up with them. If you’d like something to read this week, let me recommend one of the following: The Silly Thing We Do That I Love So Much 7 Funny Truths About Moving Check Out These Old Photos Of Our Home 10 Must See Places In Ireland If You Like Castles and Nature As always, thank you…