Enjoying Summer Time

It is officially summer!  I love summer.  The hot days and the warm nights handing us the opportunity to linger.  So this year, instead of putting our bistro table on the back porch, we've set it up in our driveway, allowing us to visit with the neighbors and be social.  We sit and visit and enjoy a drink or two.  It is a wonderful way to spend the evenings.

Every summer there seems to be a drink that catches my fancy.  Last year it was Pinot Grigio, another year it was Landshark beer, and another yet was Margaritas.  I never really know whats going to tickle my fancy, and summer seems to be the perfect time to switch it up.

So far this year I have not settled into my "summer drink" so when I was presented with the opportunity to try something new I eagerly went with it.

Yes, Michelob reached out and asked me to try one of their new products, and yes this is a review.  But as always I promise to be real, honest and truthful.

With the weather being so hot here, last night was a perfect night to give Michelob ULTRA Light Cider a try.  Yes that is their new product.  It is advertised as being lower in calories and less sweet than traditional hard ciders.  (Sounds summery, that is good)

My first thought was it was not sweet enough.  I am no stranger to hard cider, and even though I don't buy it often I do like it, and,  in general, I don't believe it needs to be less sweet.  In fact I like sweet, especially for the summer.

But after a second tasting, and pouring Michelob ULTRA Light Cider over ice, it started to grow on me a little more.  Why ice would make a difference I am not sure, but I like ice in a drink, so much I even put it in my wine (don't judge me).

I am not sure that Michelob ULTRA Light Cider will be my drink of choice this summer, but I would recommend at least giving it a try, especially if you are looking for something different and light.

So if you are in the neighborhood and stop by our bistro table I will spot you one.

-Laurie

Visit our sponsors site (Michelob) and the Michelob ULTRA Light Cider page on BlogHer.com to find out more

10 Day Challenge

I am so close to having my basement done, but I am not finding the motivation to finish up those last few projects.  And I have promised myself I can't move on to my next project until the basement is completed.  And I am dying to work on my guest room, so I am giving myself a 10 day challenge.

I would love if you would join me. 

It is easy, and it doesn't have to be hard.  Just pick 10 smallish projects that need attention, make a list and complete one item per day, crossing off items as you complete them.  You get to see the progress and feeling productive at the same time.  I call that a win-win.

Here is my list...
1. Finish doors
2. Sew couch cushions
3. Finish quote board
4. Hang wall art
5. Write Toy Chest post
6. Work on cubby
7. Sand and stain posts
8. Make Dr. appointments
9.  Make the Donation run
10. Clean Guest room
11. Take before pictures

OK I gave myself a bonus item, but I really need to get these things done.

I will be starting tomorrow, 6/23 and finishing up on 6/30 . You can pick what ever day you would like to start, just don't make it too far out, because that is how procrastination sets in.

 Today I will clean the house and get the everyday things under control.  If you want to join in let me know your 10 items.  If you write a post yourself put a link in the comment section.

In the end I will finally be able to say I have completed my basement.  And I really want to be able to say that.

-Laurie

The Arts & Crafts ideals- Do we need to bring them back

Recently I have been drawn to William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement, with its rebel yell against the industrial movement and the excesss of the Victorian Age.  With the idea that the "craft" in craftsmanship should be applauded and elevated.  Although I may not gravitate to the style as a whole, the ideas and intents have been loudly speaking to me.

William Morris- Tulip and Willow

And as I watched PressPausePlay, a documentary about how new and readily available technology is effecting art,  I couldn't help drawing lines of comparison.  Although PressPausePlay focuses mainly on the music and film industry, I kept thinking about the men and women over 100 years ago.  Whether this is good or bad is whats debatable.

For me the connection came during the discussion regarding the perfection ideal in production.  That the craftsmanship of the musician is no longer needed, as editing equipment is able to smooth out all the imperfections.  And it just may be those imperfection which makes the art accessible and real.

Just a thought....

Will we rebel against the perfection that our technology allows as the Arts & Crafts movement rebelled against the perfection of the industrial machine?  It seems we have slipped from the Arts & Crafts ideals and moved back into the mass consumption of machine made goods.  Where every house can, and sometimes does, look just like its neighbors.  And if you are like me you feel the need to bring back the homey and the hand crafted touches that personalizes our spaces.  Where every home reflects its residents and welcomes in our guests.

You can watch PressPausePlay for yourself.

Let me know what you think.
-Laurie

Too many ideas, not enough resources

Today I am sitting down and starting a new project, in fact I am starting about 3 new projects and finishing another.  But I don't have anything to share.  Well, at least not any wow factors. 

Eventually the basement will be completed.  I am about 2/3 of the way done, and really just need to buckle down and complete it.  But it hard when new ideas are rapping at my brain and I want to figure out if I can do them.  I am sure I am not the only one that this happens to.

I do, however, want to share a bit of what I am working on, with out giving too much away.

I shared one of the new projects, my drapery panels.  I am still actively looking for the fiber/yarn/trim I need for this project. 

Next, I am working on ideas for the guest room, which will be based on a short story.  

I am super excited about this project.  Much of this project is in my head and still in the planning stages, but under way it is.

And lastly, I want to expand on some of the ideas I worked with on my fabric art project, But using a more personal topic.

In the meantime, I am dealing with the first of the summer injuries.

-Laurie

Fuzzy Wuzzy Was a Chair

Back in February, I came across an image of a Mongolian fur covered stool, I thought it was interesting.  I soon became obsessed with the image, and then the idea of covering my new chairs for the basement in fur.  And finally, that is what I have done.

What do you think?  Don't you want to climb in and cuddle up?

I love this idea for basement chairs, where the room tends to be cooler, these chairs warm it up a bit.

And they feel amazing.  All it took was a big box of fur.

-Laurie