wallpaper talk-- 30 favorites

It's Monday and I am SO excited to post the answers you sent to the first "The Wallpaper Talks" question!

I have to be honest and say that getting and reading these emails may have made me happier than making my own 30 "favorite things" list.  I have read and re-read them.....and I will probably read them again throughout the day.

THANK YOU to those brave friends who participated.  Hopefully the contageous bug will find a few more friends and these posts can be something we all look forward to reading to kick off the weeks ahead.

Also, notice the button on the sidebar? That will take you right to all of our past talks. 

 Now, here are the goods!

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What is on your 30 "favorite things" list?

(Happy reading!) 

(I added my real list to the group)

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1. The front pockets of my dad's shirts. They always have very important papers and such in them.
2. When my mom wears lipstick.
3. Winter
4. Pictures..of my family, your family, or any family. You post it, blog it, or have them to show, I want to see them!
5. High heeled shoes. I hate flats. Don't own them. I do own sneakers and flip-flops. I feel self conscious in them though.
6. Ripe tomatoes off the vine.
7. 3yr old boys running around in tighty whities.
8. Singing in the car/and singing in my kitchen thanks to my sweet 40yr old radio that is built into the wall. I made Chris pay $100 to fix it when it broke! REALLY.
9. Diet Mountain Dew.
10.Good hair days.
11. The color Navy-LOVE.:)  Down right obsessed with.
12. Law and Order reruns.
13. Tufted furniture.
14. Getting my J.Crew catalog, Country Living, and Lucky Magazine in the mail. Heck I love getting the mail everyday. Chris knows to never get the mail. It's my job!
15. A suntan!
16. Trying on perfume at Macy's. I always do.
17. The smell of currant. I love it.
18. Giving gifts.
19. Doing service.
20. Thrift Stores. Have mercy.
21. Picking my split ends. I still do it. Have since I was 16. I can't stop! It calms me almost as much as vacuuming.
22. Simon Cowell, Mark Harmon, Booby Flay..Yummy.:)
23. My Seiko Perpetual Calendar Watch. It's not that great of a watch. I've had it for 10yrs. I feel 'wealthy' when I wear it. I don't have the foggiest idea why!
24. My Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses. Same deal as #23. They are really nothing special. Every time I wear them I feel like I'm kick arse beauty queen. Crazy. I know. I have problems.:)
25. Compliments.
26. Vicks Vapor Rub
27. Fitted dress coats/ blazers..Wool, leather, tweed..I really don't care.
28. Mozzarella Cheese. I'm scared of it though. I'm convinced cheese goes straight to my hips.
29. The Articles of Faith. Sorry to get all 'churchy.' They get me though.
30. Bottles of face goo. I'll try anything that says it will keep away the wrinkles. I'm a sucker!

Emily

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1. Franklin Planners
2. Freshly Painted walls
3. Channing Tatum (big crush)
4. Good hair days
5.Cowgirl boots
6. My sewing machine
7. The smell of the clothes that have been on the clothes line
8. A clean house
9. Footy Pajamas on toddlers
10. the feeling after a workout
11. Babies
12. My circut machine
13. Little kids dancing
14. My Family
15. My sisters
16. Reading old journal entries from when i was young
17. Bagpipes (i'm scottish, they pump through my veins)
18. Maine
19. Old and new friends
20. White bean chili
21. Fitting into non-maternity pants for the first time after a baby is born
22. Spring after a long winter
23. Milk
24. Harry Connick,Jr
25. The movie's "So I Married an Ax Murderer" and "What About Bob"
26. A new Bra
27. Watching my kids sleep
28. Going on dates with Jim
29. Ludington, MI
30. Going to my uncle Bill's Elvis Impersonator Events

Thanks Mellissa, this was fun!
Heather...............www.avacadoandmonkey.blogspot.com

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1. mittens
2. finishing a road race
3. laying on a beach
4. puppies
5. snow days
6. cadbury eggs
7. tent camping
8. holding my husband's hand at church
9. coaching Cross Country
10. Carrie Underwood
11. roadtrips
12. hiking in new places
13. roller coasters - scary ones!
14. pink
15. visiting Lake Michigan
16. fishing memories with my dad
17. talking to my 2nd graders
18. decorating the Christmas tree
19. coffee on Saturday morning
20. naps
21. getting a massage
22. snail mail
23. watching TV shows on DVR/TiVo
24. Tiger baseball games
25. going for a run with Mark
26. being anywhere with my family
27. being a mom to Caleb
28. holding his 1 month old hand
29. getting him out of his crib in the morning
30. snuggling him on my shoulder


Sarah
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1. Conference Sundays
2. Michigan Friends
3. Summer BBQ's
4. Cherry Coke
5. my mom and dad
6. The Pig Farm
7. riding horses
8. Easter (first camping trip of the year)
9. 4 wheelers
10. tractors (they do alot of the work for you:)
11. food from the garden
12. cowboy boot
13. a kiss from my kids
14. daily talks with my sisters
15. date nights
16. the beach
17. cruises
18. country music
19. Parenthood (that is just one of many:)
20. cheesecake
21. Cleveland Days
22. Valentine's Day
23. a good pair of sweats
24. subways (the food place)
25. skeet shooting
26. parades
27. lunches with my dad
28. well mannered kids
29. wallpaper talks:) even though I HATE wallpaper
30. working cows

Brayci

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1. A nap in the sun
2. Feeling guilty about being a pack-rat....but then finding a hand written letter from your grandpa about his childhood...and no longer feeling guilty about being a pack rat!
3. A really good cup of coffee, and the time to savor it
4. Wearing my pink fluffy fleece bathrobe with my two favorite accessories- My girls
5. Music music music! All kinds really, but you know I have a weakness for Hip Hop!
6. Giving a gift that you know someone really wanted
7. Dinner dates with my hubby, where we get to talk about the "big picture" of our lives and our dreams together
8. The sound of the ocean, and the feel of the ocean breeze
9. A really tasty plate of pasta, especially if it has seafood in it!
10. Michigan Football with my girls from College, and the joy I have received by sharing the experience with my little girls!
11. Crossing the finish line at a 10K/5K
12. When I am in North Carolina, and my accent sneaks back as if it never left
13. The smell of White Pine needles
14. The excitement that builds right before Santa, the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy etc. pay a visit
15. Baking/Cooking anything with the girls in the kitchen
16. Spending time with a friend that you can truly be yourself with- One who will hug you when you're down and party with you when you're not!
17. Dancing! Slow dancing with my hubby, or lately, it's Zumba or Hip Hop
18. Summertime on the back porch-When the sun is going down, the warm breeze is through the trees, and the crickets are starting to sing
19. Finding awesome clothes at Salvation Army...with the tags still on them!
20. When my hubby and I notice the same random thing about a situation, then giggle about it like little kids
21. Sitting in quiet in front of the Christmas tree at night....preferably with some egg nog, and The Messiah playing
22. ANYTHING HALLOWEEN
23. Planning and enjoying a really great PARTY
24. The joy that comes from watching your kiddos discover new things
25. Bluegrass/Folk music- Any time or place I hear it, I think of my family in VA and the connections that music has made for our family over the years
26. Taking a family walk in the woods
27. ANYTIME our extended families can be together!!
28. That (very!) brief moment when the house is clean and the laundry is done
29. Movies/Books created from actual events in history...or ones that are totally NOT based on actual events...Like Entourage!
30 A really juicy issue of People magazine, and the time to read it!

Liz

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1. Wrinkly hands-they tell a tale without using words

2. Family traditions.  Ones I grew up with and ones we have started.  They make life meaningful.

3. Gardens: playing in the dirt, the family working together, picking the yummies.

4. My kids left overs: stuff I find here and there from the kids.  It drives me crazy but leaves me feeling SO blessed at the same time, especially when their laughter echos through the house.

5. Country music: CMAs and concerts

6. The story of Josh and Mellissa

7. leather what-have-ya's: leather is a girl's best friend too. 

8. finished basements of all assortments

9. squeaky clean bathtubs

10. wind

11. Naps and comforters, blankets, throws, quilts....I like them all.

12. "Friday Night Lights." It is the best show in the history of television.

13. Thrift stores

14. Texas: It gets in your soul and never leaves

15. Dining rooms and tables: Big chunky wooden tables

16. A freshly vacuumed car.  It sure doesn't last very long, but I am very pleased when I unload the kids from the car and there isn't a trail of cheez-its, gum wrappers, and pretzel sticks following along.  I guess if we were in an emergency situation we could survive a little while on the crumbs.

17. Vintage mirrors...heck, vintage anything

18. PICKLES.  I will devour anything floating in vinegar, especially cucumbers.
19. Hot weather.  I will say hot and windy would absolutely make my day.

20. Richard Scarry and Gyo Fujikawa books and illustrations.  They are timeless.

21. Peonies: they smell awesome and look pretty

22. The last day of school.  As a teacher, as a mom of a school-goer, or as a student, it just feels awesome.

23. Kyle Chandler: small crush

24. Tiger's baseball

25. When Josh calls in.

26. Hand written letters and getting things in the mail.  I am even willing to walk our long, icy driveway or park the car of crazy kids with screaming baby to enjoy that one moment of the day.  Plus, Josh pays the bills so I really only see the good stuff.

27. Mangoes fresh picked from a Belizean tree.

28. Salt and pepper hair and five o'clock shadows

29. Big sunglasses.  My face has a big sunglasses limit because I think there is a point when they stop looking good on me, but I love to see how big some people will go.

30. Weeping Willow trees.  I am almost obsessed with them.  The kids and I scream, "WEEPING WILLOW TREE" whenever we drive past one during our outings. 

Mellissa

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1. Swinging-I could swing for hours
2. Kisses on the cheek

3. When Frank brushes my hair

4. Country music

5. Panguitch, Utah

6. A clean kitchen

7. Taking pictures

8. Walks with the kids

9. Fall-the crisp fresh air, colorful trees

10. Cutting down my own Christmas tree

11. Snapping my gum

12. California beaches

13. Late night snacks

14. Rainy days

15. Mr. Terpstra

16. Wild flowers

17. Jeans & a T-shirt

18. My grandparents’ farm

19. Working up a sweat

20. Knoepfles & Navy Bean Soup

21. Michigan-everything about it!

22. Very short finger & toe nails

23. Birdies at my bird feeders

24. A cute new bag-Frank calls me the “Bag Lady”

25. A great “score” when shopping-yard sales, thrift stores, vintage “stuff”

26. Making a three pointer

27. Yummy smelling candles

28. Lucy’s endless questions (i.e. What’s in grass? When do crickets sleep? Etc.)

29. Letters from my grandma

30. When my mom comes to visit

31. Steelers football with Frank

32. “Girl” stuff from my childhood-Strawberry Shortcake, Hello Kitty, Rainbow Brite

33. Organization, structure, tidiness

Laura

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Wow, I feel like I could have easily listed another 30 favorites! I will keep that in mind and maybe later down the road we can make a second list of favorite things. But until then, you will LOVE Friday's question.

wallpaper talk-- question 1

I have happily decided to start my very first blog series called: 

The series title comes from the saying "If only the walls could talk," but with a twist seeing as I love wallpaper more than a regular old painted wall (except plain white walls which get me as jittery as wallpapered walls).

I love remembering my childhood and the person I am by sharing my ideas and stories with anyone who will listen.  There is something fulfilling, down right funny, and extremely meaningful about that...am I right?  It's learning more about grandpa by listening to stories from the days of "walking up hill both ways" or remembering "the good old days" from talking to a middle school friend.  People need people to live an enriching life, it's just a fact.

Here's how "The Wallpaper Talks.." works.

1.  Anyone can participate because you are all cool to me and I think you have cool things to say.  If you email me, you will be featured on Monday's post.  Please make your own spelling and grammer corrections: what you email me is what you will see as your work and ideas.

2.  Each Friday will be "The Wallpaper Talks" question day.  I will post a fabulous question that will leave you dying to share your own personal stories, lists, ideas etc. about your life.

3.  Email me at thewallpapertalks@hotmail.com by the following Sunday at 9:00 pm for a Monday blog post.  Length does not matter.

4.  I will add any emails I receive after Sunday at 9:00 pm whenever I can, but I will also be updating the blog throughout the week with my own personal stuff so readers will have to log back and see updated responses.

5.  Attach a picture, please?

6.  Leave your blog, facebook, twitter if that fits your fancy so readers who like what you have to say can jump over and visit you there.  Free publicity....sweet!

7.  Keep the content clean.

8.  I have the right to exclude, ignore, return, delete etc. your post idea if I feel the content is disrespectful in any way.  It is my blog.  I may filter as I please.:)  

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What is today's question?

What is on your top 30 "favorite things" list?

(Happy listing.  See you Monday.)

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In the words of my sister, "WOOT, WOOT!"
I am so excited to start a blog series for people who are interesting like their English professors, funny like their grandmas, and talented in ways other than making crafts!

this is the story of a swing

Urban, oh Urban.

Our little Urban.  What a funny guy he is.

Do you want to hear how funny he is?  He is SO funny, and very particular.  But still a great baby, don't get me wrong.

Urban's funniness really is best shared with the story of a swing, long ago when we lived back in Mason, actually.  That town had the BEST thrift stores and roadside junk sent from the heavens just waiting for me to swoop in and jam into my blue junk finder.

One day I found a old-time Graco crank swing in the ghetto. I was dying to use it for our next child. Then, we didn't have kids and we couldn't have kids and the crankster sat in the basement taking up too much space in our 800 square foot townhouse. I contemplated putting back on the curb to be someone else's big find. I didn't. We moved and moved the swing from house to house never knowing if we would need it.

 

Then, along came Urban and my chance to use the swing of dreams....no batteries or electricity needed.  But also no seat cover and a little, let's say, uncomfortable. 

He hated it.

We tried again the next day.  We wrapped him in blankets, stuffed pillows on either side of him but nothing worked.

He hated the swing.

He also hated, hated and hated other swings.

Maybe he wasn't a swing kid.  Fine.  I would have to wait to use my crankster for another.

Then one day, when he was a bit older and fatter, the crankster got the best of him and now he can not deny it's love.

Being the good mommy that I am (that's code for being completely obsessed), I made a seat cover from scratch.  I mean scratch-ch.  I had no other seat to use as a pattern and it was tough.

 

I grabbed some Dwell home decor fabric and blue biased tape from

JoAnn and used an old comforter for the padding.

  

A little painters tape and green spray paint add some fun lettering.  It didn't turn out that well so I will be going to Hobby Lobby to get some stickers that will provide cleaner edges.

 

Urban loves it.

Long live the crankster!

sharpies are amazing things

Ida wanted to do something "really fun."

I guess she thinks Urban and I are pretty boring, to which I would have to agree only because we have been lately.  In our defense, however, Urban is only a few months old.  Fortunately, he is on a schedule now allowing Ida and I to be a little more adventurous.

The wind was whirling and whipping around, blowing the trees every which where on Friday.  I was beginning to think the Man in the clouds knew I needed a sunny windy day to pull the winter grey from my soul.  It was beautiful.  The wind gets me. 

"Let's go out in the winds," says she.

"I thought you would never ask, "says I.

Urban was mummy-a-fied in his blankets, in his car seat and somehow wedged in the stroller that isn't made for carrying a car seat; all with a blanket on top.

It was too windy.

We were in after being out for only 5 minutes.

We decided to play with oranges and sharpies instead.

Emerson thought we were awesome and made his own family when he got home from school.

(Ida's oranges on the left, Emerson's on the right.)

 

 

Tents are amazing things too.

 

I am still not allowed to peel any family members, though I am dying for an orange.

We spend too much money on toys.

when the day thinks it's boss

 

Sometimes life goes anywhere it likes.

1.  Ida doesn't like small shirts, she told me with a disgusted look on her face after trying on a new shirt I brought home for her.  She doesn't mean shirts that are too small.  No.  She means shirts that fit her appropriately.  She is into Boho style right now.  She "doesn't like small shrits" but she "looooves doing the dishes."

2.  I have been involved with church youth groups for the last 8 years. No matter where we move, the youth find me. The story is the same about where we live now. And, in four weeks they a going to be involved in a Roadshow performance. Last night I was asked to be in charge of costuming the 25 said youth.

Whoa!
I have a baby. But I like sewing and thrifting. But, I have a baby!
TO BE CONTINUED!

3.  Josh bought me a treadmill from Craigslist.  I hate it.  I love it.  It is just so boring but I feel so sweaty-tired-good after plowing through a small workout session.  Thank you for the present I hate good and hate bad.

4.  Urban is a master napper.  I put him down in his crib awake and he puts himself to sleep.  GOOD BABY!

5.  Emerson is still missing his front tooth after almost two years and insists his bottom two teeth are getting loose.  Oh dear, I don't do teeth.  

6.  I almost want to put our bathroom in time-out because it needs a good remodel sooooo bad.  It is such a naughty bathroom.  I am not showing you a before picture because we don't have an after.....and the before is so bad you would be so sadden to think we are still using it because there is no after shot.

making stuff with leftovers

I have a lot of left over stuff from the projects I am constantly making.  I sold two garbage bags of fabric scraps on Craigslist last week in efforts to clean and organize my room in the basement. 

I made a pillow for the entry using left over stuff.

  

And I made another pillow doing the same.

This fabric makes my mouth water and my hands sweat.  It is from a skirt I found in my grandma's attic.  The pillow may be a little too large.

 

I will tweak that later.

I have just enough of grandma's skirt left to make a very special gift for someone!  Oh boy, I am excited.

happy love day

   

   

   

   

   

And that's the way, we became the Fraker bunch!

when your big sister calls you annoying cute, you know she's serious

   

We pretty much love this little dude.

I do. Pretty much, I do.  Sometimes when he manages to spit-up steams of milk all over my Sunday wear I wonder about his timing.  Did he time that?  Can he time a better night's sleep?  He must get that timing precision from me.  He and I work by seconds.  I am doing and planning something for every second, and even when I am not, my body thinks it should be and gets antsy.  And the second I hold Urban in my spiffy clothes he marks it with milk.  Josh takes his time doing everything.  I mean he.takes.his.time. Schedules, to him, are important, but not really.  I think that is a reason we both want to start farming our land.  I want to learn to slow down and Josh wants to prove he is right.  Lovingly, of course. 

Big brother and sister couldn't talk in a higher, more squeeky grandma voice around the baby.  They see him and something triggers internally, they start talking and playing with Urban, I look out our window and all the neighbor dogs have gathered in our yard.  They LOVE him.  They think he is cute!  Like, when he is taking a bath and kicking water all over the bathroom mirror they think he is "so funny" cute.  Or, when he has just woken up in the morning and his leg rolls are all sweaty from his swaddle he is "so snuggly" cute.  Sometimes when he is arching his his back stretching and making his grandpa face he is "SO, SO, SO, my favorite, oh my gosh" cute.  And then there's the times we play dress-up and he wears any outfit Ida chooses and shoes that he's "look at you, big boy" cute.

Yesterday we were getting ready to pick Emerson up from his bus stop and Urban, who thinks car seats were obviously invented by adults, was a touch upset for having to spend 10 minutes of his afternoon strapped in.  "You are so annoying cute," says Ida.  It was all about the timing again.  Crying in the car is just not that fun for people.  I think she took it back.