New Arbor

We have been busy at the Sparks Nest. Every year I add something to the yard.

One of the things we added was this beautiful wood arbor. 

We used to have a metal one here but this one really changes the look in front.

We also add several new plants to the beds every year.

The mums were from last fall and I was surprised to see that they are already blooming

I have no idea what the yellow flower is but it is beautiful. And these beauties on the deck draw the butterflies every day all day.

Love me some butterflies

Look at all these beauties hanging around my yard.

I have planted lots of flowers to attract them this year and it looks like it has worked. Looks like they enjoy the wet sand area by the retaining wall too. As long as they flutter around my yard they can hang wherever they like.

Kitchen update

Finally decided on a color for the kitchen. Extra virgin olive oil! The painting is done, the backsplash is up and the chairs have pretty new skirts on them. I LOVE IT ALL!!! Only thing left to do is put in a new sink and maybe custom shelves for the open pantry.

Beller's did an awesome job on my chairs. They look amazing!

New again.....

Thought I would share a sneak peek at my latest project.

She wasn't very pretty BUT she was FREE. Some of the glass was broken and needed replaced and she was DIRTY. I spent a weekend prepping her then it was time for the magic. PAINT.

The blue looks really bright in this pic(so do my walls) but it's really a beautiful teal. I love it. The outside is painted gray which I already had so I only spent $ 6 on paint. This makes the hubby really happy. I have new glass being cut for the shelves and front. She is going to be BEAUTIFUL when I'm finished.

A brand NEW YEAR

A brand New Year and that means a nice shiny new day planner. I'm like a little kid with new school supplies. I would be lost without my planner. And I know some of you like being all digital but I'm a paper girl. I love the whole idea of picking out a planner heck I LOVE office supply stores. And now that there are pretty girly supplies that makes it even better.
I'm ready to start filling this baby up.

And full it will be. My niece Emylee is getting married, lots of home projects, and of course the first grand baby makes his or her arrival this year. I'm ready and excited!
So get ready the Sparks Nest is going to have lots to blog about this year.
What are you looking forward to this year?

Ya, just never know.

This story will make you happy, sad and maybe shed a tear.

Thursday I took all three pugs for a nail trim and to Petsmart for food. On our way home I noticed a sign for a estate sale. Thought about stopping but it was starting to get hot and I wanted to get the pugs home. Then I decided to run in real quick just to peek. They pugs were sleeping. I could leave the car running with the ac on. As soon as I walked in I noticed a beautiful iron fireplace screen and a little pug statue. The sweet lady working asked me if I had pugs. Yes, I have 3 I told her. She then told me her sister (who lived in the home and had passed away, her things were being sold) also had 3. Charlie, Rosie, and Lady. She said those dogs were so spoiled that they never ate "dog food". Her sister cooked for them. When she died they would sit at the end of the drive and wait for her.
OK, I was tearing up listening. She often watched the dogs when her sister traveled. I could tell she missed her sister and the dogs.  The sister even left $10,000 for the care of the dogs when she died. WHAT?? The oldest daughter was the caregiver. But she decided that was not enough money and had both dogs put to sleep(and kept the money) she said.
She was whispering because the daughter was upstairs. Charlie was old, blind and in bad health. Rosie was still young. This sweet lady was not happy about this at all.
WAIT.... what about Lady? Seems lady was a "free spirit" and would never stay in the yard. She ran off. She was gone a week before anyone knew and it. It was January and freezing outside. They figured she would never survive the weather and gave up looking for her. The sister's memory and health got worse after that. My heart sank. This was about the time we found Pearl on our deck.
I didn't know what to say and was feeling terrible for this lady and the younger daughter who was also there. Finally I said I have Lady. The older lady said "oh you have a lady too"? No, I think I have YOUR LADY. And told them my story. And how we tried to find the owner.She is in the car I said. All of us were thinking the same thing. Could it be? They both came out and anyone who knows Pearl knows she is not overly friendly. But her tail started wagging and she didn't bark. (she barks at everyone except me)There was no doubt she knew them. I could feel my lip quiver, my voice was cracking and I was about to cry. THE UGLY CRY!
I asked the daughter "are you wanting her back"? She said, there is no way to" prove" she is lady and I think it's fair to say after all this time she is yours. I wanted to hug her. I looked at the sister and she said, honey I'm a old women and can barely take care of myself. She patted my hand and I lost it. Yep, I cried right there in front of complete strangers at an estate sale. And I was STILL crying when Jeff came home.
Then the sister said wait here I have something for you. She comes out with a box of "pug stuff". (more statues, coffee mug, etc.) She said I think these should go home with you too. She said we can tell you love "Lady" and my sister will rest in peace knowing at least one of her babies is being loved and taken care of.

What are the chances??? If it is Lady it sure explains her "running". Guess no one will ever know for sure. But from now on we call this one....  LADY PEARL.

Much better......

Before we went on vacation I decided to clean out and organize my closet. I had put it off waaaaay to long and it NEEDED it. What a mess!

No wonder I could never find anything. Every piece of clothing I own is in this closet with the exception of undies and pj's.

Ugly wire rods and baskets. It was time for a change. So I pulled EVERY SINGLE item, shoes included out and went thru EVERYTHING. I even found a dress that I liked and bought TWICE. I know!!!!! I said it was bad.
My brother Frank took all the old racks down and installed a brand new system for me. And I LOVE IT!

Believe it or not I did take 2 large bags of clothes to goodwill. Yes, I could still go thru my purses. Some I no longer carrry. Maybe craigslist??????

We used every inch of space. Now I can see all my boots.

Found this lil idea in a magazine and it works great. Chair railing to hang heels on. AWESOME!

Still need to add more chair railing for these.....

Hey a girl can never have too many shoes. Right???????? Can I get a whooop from all the "shoe ho's" out there?

Perfect? NO! BUT I can find things easier.

And it looks prettier than it did. So for now it works.