One of the many projects my husband and I have worked on (with much help from my in-laws, Kent and Kathy Bartholomew) since we moved into our first home almost 7 years ago is this overhead storage.
One of the selling points for my husband when purchasing our home was this extra large 4 car garage. I don't know how tall the ceiling is but, it is extremely tall and always seemed like wasted space. I visited a friend's home and saw they had overhead storage in their garage made with 2x4s and plywood or was it particle board? They paid someone to install theirs, but with a "handy-man" like my father-in-law I knew we could DIY it! So we bought the materials and they took a weekend off from their busy lives to drive down from Idaho to put this up! (please imagine an emoji face with heart eyes placed here).
Below, I've tried to show how we did this. My measurements are not exact, but anyone can change the measurements to fit their needs.
Et voila! $1,200 worth of overhead storage for $350! And since my father-in-law built this, it is strong and built to last.... now I just need to figure out some kind of a pully system to get my holiday bins off and on the shelf!
At my parent's Farmhouse they decided to turn an old outdated bathroom (built in the 70's by my grandfather) into a quaint lavender inspired bathroom. The wallpaper is just lovely with bursts of watercolored lavender roses.
They also added white carrara marble to the top of an old 19th century dresser, after which they painted a dusty grey/green.
My mom also made her own chalk paint to refinish this old dresser as well as to paint the new built-in that holds the towels and toiletries. Below is the recipe for her homemade chalk paint.
CHALK PAINT
- 1 – 8 ounce pot of paint (this is 1 cup)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons of Plaster of Paris
- 2 tablespoons of cold water
To learn more about their lavender farm visit their website at www.thelavenderapple.com.
10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER!
I've taken a long break from blogging to raise my family, but have missed it dearly. In the meantime we have done some really fun things to our house that I am planning to blog about. Projects that are budget friendly, but pack quite a punch in adding value to your home.
Before I do this, I have to share my parent's new website. For those of you that don't know, my parents live on a 6 acre Lavender & Apple farm in beautiful Cache Valley, Utah. My mom is a wizard at making amazing products from her organic lavender plants and she has sold them at the Salt Lake City Farmers Market for a number of years. They just created a wonderful and easy to use website where you can buy all of their products online!
They are offering 10% off your first order and since she gives very little markup on her products (that are all handmade) it is quite a steal.
To visit their website just go to... www.thelavenderapple.com
More pictures of THE LAVENDER FARM!
my mom harvesting lavender
the lavender fields
lavender on the cottage deck
Organic lavender from The Lavender Apple
they hang the lavender in a cool dark place to maintain its rich color and aroma
their English Masiff looking over one of their lavender fields
their property
harvest
apple orchard
the farm in Winter
BPD? Borderline Personality Disorder. No, I am not admitting to this condition... if I was it would probably be considered a medical break-through as most of those with this condition (I don't even know if I can call it a condition?) are so caught up in survival and denial that they cannot admit they have a problem. In fact, from my experience, people with BPD rarely seek out help. To them they are not the issue. The issue is someone "else". They tend to think they are always being sabotaged or people are conspiring against them. They rarely take responsibility for their actions and often blame what they do on others. My experience has also taught me that they have almost no-boundaries when it comes to justifying their behavior. Most people with BPD are good people. They want to have loving lasting relationships, yet it seems to me they almost need someone to be angry at in order to survive. People with BPD are always at odds with someone. I think they do this in order to justify their anxiety and feelings of fear. So if you become their targeted "bad-guy" they will almost always go to any extreme to justify their anger towards you and portray themselves as the victim. I've seen this in action more times than I'd like, but it is actually quite brilliant, and they are masters at it. I believe they are masters at it, not because they are innately bad or manipulative (even though they are master manipulators) but I believe it stems from fear and in some odd way (in my opinion) they are angry at someone or something, but they are not able to get mad at who or what they are really angry at. So, either intentionally or not, they find targets and take out their inner anger on them in order to rid themselves of a sense of helplessness. And somehow I think they feel like they are fighting a justifiable battle in their mind. I believe this is also called misplaced anger.
i.e. I am angry at my boss at work because I am being overworked and taken advantage of, so I come home and yell at my wife for the smallest mistakes. This person is not really mad at their wife. They are furious and frustrated at their boss, but we can't yell at our bosses so we yell at those we feel we can. This can go on to many forms. An eldest child may feel bullied by a parent and helpless to fight back so they bully a younger sibling. Once again, misplaced anger. It's a vicious cycle of abuse.
In all my life (I haven't lived that long) but, in my relatively short life I've moved a lot. Last count, I have lived in 10 homes before I was married (one of which was international). With those moves I changed school boundaries a number of times. I attended out of state college/universities, did internships and served a mission. I was regularly forced into situations of meeting new people and making new friends, I have even figured out that I have lived in a dorm room or mission apt. with 58 different people from all walks of life and backgrounds. 9 times out of 10 I have gotten along with these roomies spectacularly and have only encountered severe BPD 3 or 4 times in my life. But for me, that has been more than enough. I think my moving around so much made me quite vulnerable to finding these people.
After my last encounter with BPD at the age of 35, I remember thinking that "they" must smell me! I must have this invisible sign on my forehead that reads; "hey, do you have BPD? Be my friend." After seeing an amazing counselor (yes, I see a counselor. I am proud of that fact, maybe too proud? Because to me it shows a willingness to improve.) I was able to realize that whenever I'm in a situation where I can chose my friends from a wide variety of people, like High School or college etc... I never had a lot of problems with BPD. I think because I had many options and I most likely, politely avoided those with BPD. But as my comfort zones shrank I did not have as many options. So I willingly and desperately entered friendships with a few people who had BPD.
The most uncomfortable thing about being a friend to those with BPD is the beginning of the friendship. They gush over you so much, almost too much. With my latest BPD experience, she would literally call me a "saint", even though I would tell her repeatedly; "I am not. I am a normal human who gets angry and grumpy like everyone else". But I could see it fell on deaf ears. To her I was just sweet and kind and so wonderful. Yep, it was very uncomfortable. I am a good person and I try to make everyone feel good, but I have my moments and I have my breaking points... like every other human on the planet. But with someone with BPD, once you have become a "saint" there is really no coming down to being a "normal human". With BPD, in my experience, they are so terrified of being rejected or put down by the person they have set so high, that even the possibility of rejection/abandonment or judgment from the "saint" sends them on a tirade. They are so angry and hurt, they create this whole persona in their head of who you "really" are, and they begin to twist everything you say or have said to justify how much they hate you now. And quite literally within the cycle of a friendship or marriage, depending on whatever you have with a person with BPD. You will go from being the greatest thing that ever happened to them, to being the person they wish were dead or at least lived on a continent far far away. Unfortunately, with the anger I see in people with BPD, they would rather their "targets" no longer existed.
How do you combat a person with BPD? Well, truth is, you don't. A normal human has boundaries. When I am arguing with someone I have boundaries that I will not cross. With BPD, they are so desperate and scared, and intent on letting everyone know how victimized they are and how awful the "saint" has become, that they will begin to believe their own twisted versions of the "saint". All you can do is sit back and watch it happen. Know that beyond all doubt, twisted versions of you are being talked about. Your very character is being attacked and what can you do? Nothing. You can fight back, but how do you fight with an entire imaginary world that a person has created with you as the villain? And so I've found the best thing to do is; 1. Hold your head high, and if you can't, find a shoulder to lean on. Someone who is healthy and balanced as you try and pry yourself from the strange world you unwittingly became entangled in. 2. Be consistent. Someone can only tell others weird things about you for so long, but if you are normal and you are consistent then people eventually catch-on to the fact the BPD person may have it wrong. Although this is much easier said than done. 3. Don't apologize for what you have not done. Do not give into the BPD for for the sake of peace. It's not fair to you and it's not fair to them. Accountability is a powerful thing, if we are held accountable it can change us for the better, those with BPD included. 4. Find those who make you happy. BPD people are heavy, because they carry heavy burdens and thoughts. Find friends who are light and loving and loyal. 5. Don't blame yourself, you did your best. People with BPD generally take the worst of us and exploit it for their own gain. Again, they are not bad people. They are just trying to survive in their own mind and until they get real outside help, they will forever blame you.
Maybe one day I'll have the courage to tell my story about the journey I've been on with people with BPD (one of which lasted 26 years). I am not guiltless or blameless in any thing I've done. But I do know who I am, I have learned to admit when I am wrong and own it. And I know beyond anything else that nothing I have ever done deserves what has been heaved upon me by those in my life with BPD.
With this new year I've been working very hard on finding where I fit in as a mother, wife, woman/girl (who still feels so young inside), friend, teacher, leader etc. As I search for a healthy perspective I have come across some jewels of wisdom. This article really resonated with me and I wanted to share it. It is so simple & profound.
21 Truths to Living the Life Your Want
1. Understand that sustained happiness rarely comes from outside circumstances. Your wealth, beauty, power, or acquisitions have far less to do with happiness than your appreciation for what you have this very moment and your loving relationships with others.
2. You can live your life by design, but you must acknowledge your power in that, plan for it, and take the necessary actions.
3. You can’t have it all, but you can have enough to be very happy. Prioritize and focus on the top 3 or 4 most important areas of your life.
4. Stop focusing on what you don’t have or don’t like. Focus on what you do have and do like, and create a plan for what you think you can improve and change.
5. Abandon perfectionism. It is a useless pursuit with no end. It creates stress and unhappiness. Learn to find the balance point between good enough and peaceful living.
6. Put your own deepest needs first. If you are living for others before yourself and pushing your own needs aside, eventually you will crumble in some way — through depression, anger, anxiety or destructive behaviors.
7. Your choices may disappoint or offend others. That is sometimes necessary in order to grow and live authentically. Those who love you and want the best for you will accept and support you.
8. Count your blessings. You probably already have many of the things you want for your life. Don’t take them for granted.
9. Address personal issues head-on. Don’t use these as an excuse for not having what you want in life. If you have a wound, a personality or relationship problem, or an anxiety, go to a counselor and work on it. Resolve it. Weak people don’t go to counselors, but strong forward-moving people do.
10. Pick one small problem or irritation and resolve it. Feel how much personal power and energy that gives you. Imagine how it would feel to resolve one of your bigger problems or concerns.
11. Consider disengaging from people who bring you down or drain your energy. Build relationships with people who are positive, action-oriented, and supportive.
12. Pick the one change that would make the biggest positive difference in your life. Begin visualizing your life with this change implemented. Practice this regularly throughout the day.
13. Take this one step further and begin writing some specific action steps that might help make this change happen.
14. Strengthen your strengths. Make yourself indispensable in your area(s) of interest and expertise.
15. Always leave time for fun. Make fun happen in your life.
16. Don’t neglect your relationships. Don’t take them for granted. Find out what makes your loved ones happy, and do that for them.
17. Learn to let it go. Worry is the most fruitless expenditure of energy on the planet. Very little is worth worrying about. If you must do something, take action instead.
18. Don’t assume that you can’t do something. Prove that you can’t, and if so, try something else.
19. More often than not, your fear is the culprit for inaction. More often than not, your fears are unfounded or at least out of proportion. More often than not, your fear will go away once you take action.
20. Focus on the task at hand. When you feel overwhelmed and pulled in many directions, just pick an important thing and do it without distraction. Then do another one.
21. Life is short. You have a limited number of days on this Earth. There isn’t time to waste your days in worry, anger or frustration. Make the most of this moment and the next and the next and the next . . .
If you want to have a wonderful life, spend your days in positive, forward-moving action and thought. Dismiss your longings for what you don’t have. Enjoy the actions as much or more than the outcomes.
The real secret to having the life you want is learning to love the life that you have.
By: Barrie Davenport
click HERE for the link to the article
By: Barrie Davenport
click HERE for the link to the article
My sister is an amazing cook and baker. She started a blog a couple of years ago to keep track of all of her favorite recipes. She calls it Rozlynn's Homemade Goodness. She never puts up a recipe she hasn't successfully made and isn't amazingly delicious.
Last night for our traditional Sunday dessert we had New York Times Chocolate Chip cookies. I originally got this recipe off of my sister's cooking blog and now it's my husband's favorite.
Last night for our traditional Sunday dessert we had New York Times Chocolate Chip cookies. I originally got this recipe off of my sister's cooking blog and now it's my husband's favorite.
These are NO ordinary chocolate chip cookies, they are THE PERFECT chocolate chip cookie.
But there are a few tricks to this recipe such as:
-room temperature butter (un-salted)
-room temperature eggs (weird, but it does the trick)
-baking soda AND baking powder
-mixture of regular flour and cake flour
-sea salt
-mixture of regular flour and cake flour
-sea salt
A couple of hours before, I like to take my butter out and let it get to room temp. If you forget to do this you can always put it in the microwave and cook for 5-7 seconds at a time until room temp. But don not, I repeat do not let it melt!
Also, I always use un-salted butter for cookies, but all I had was salted. So if this happens to you, just cut the salt in half that the recipe asks for.
2 cups minus 2 tablespoons(8 1/2 ounces) cake flour
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content (see note)
Sea salt
Start off by preheating oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
Using a mixer (my good ol' Kitchen Aid) fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.
Makes 16 5-inch cookies
Check out my sister's cooking blog for more amazingly delicious recipes:
Also, I always use un-salted butter for cookies, but all I had was salted. So if this happens to you, just cut the salt in half that the recipe asks for.
Next, as I am getting all my ingredients together I get a cup of warm/hot water and place 2 eggs in there. I let the eggs sit for a bit to get warm. Below are the eggs I used. They are from my Mother in laws chickens. Nothing like farm fresh eggs!
While the butter and eggs are out, mix your dry ingredients. Flour, cake flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt (remember to cut salt in half if you use salted butter). I like to take a small whisk and mix all the dry ingredients together to make sure they are thoroughly mixed.
Next cream together the butter and sugars, then add the eggs one at a time until completely mixed and creamy looking.
Then add the dry ingredients about a cup at a time to wet ingredients and mix. Then add vanilla. Should look like the mixture below.
Next, mix in chocolate chips with a spoon.
Then roll them out into large 2-3 inch balls (a little bigger than a golf ball). The larger the better with this recipe. It says to bake fro 18-20 minutes, but mine were done at 12-15 minutes so start checking after 12 minutes. Makes approx. 16-18, 5 inch cookies.
Here is the recipe:
1 2/3 cups (8 1/2 ounces) bread flour
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons coarse salt
2 1/2 sticks (1 1/4 cups) unsalted butter
1 1/4 cups (10 ounces) light brown sugar
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (8 ounces) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons natural vanilla extract
1 1/4 pounds bittersweet chocolate disks or fèves, at least 60 percent cacao content (see note)
Sea salt
Start off by preheating oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a nonstick baking mat. Set aside.
Sift flours, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a bowl. Set aside.
Using a mixer (my good ol' Kitchen Aid) fitted with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugars together until very light, about 5 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla. Reduce speed to low, add dry ingredients and mix until just combined, 5 to 10 seconds. Drop chocolate pieces in and incorporate them without breaking them. Press plastic wrap against dough and refrigerate for 24 to 36 hours. Dough may be used in batches, and can be refrigerated for up to 72 hours.
Scoop 6 3 1/2-ounce mounds of dough (the size of generous golf balls) onto baking sheet, making sure to turn horizontally any chocolate pieces that are poking up; it will make for a more attractive cookie. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and bake until golden brown but still soft, 18 to 20 minutes. Transfer sheet to a wire rack for 10 minutes, then slip cookies onto another rack to cool a bit more. Repeat with remaining dough, or reserve dough, refrigerated, for baking remaining batches the next day. Eat warm, with a big napkin.
Makes 16 5-inch cookies
Check out my sister's cooking blog for more amazingly delicious recipes:
