Mom and Dad's kitchen redo (and outside updates too!)

A lot has changed in Mom and Dad's kitchen in the last few months.  Dad painted all the cabinets a light, creamy color and added new knobs and pulls.  The kitchen sink fixture was also updated.  Mom painted the pantry door a bright apple green color.  When the cabinets were finished, she shopped for new stainless steel appliances.  You can't have new cabinets with old appliances, it just doesn't work.

The new look has resulted in a brighter and more updated kitchen!

Mom asked me to make a "pantry" sign with my Silhouette machine.  It comes in handy when you are in the kitchen and forget where the pantry is...  

Mom saw the red knobs and had to have this stove!

Here is a BEFORE:

And the AFTER:

Another BEFORE:

And AFTER:

And one more BEFORE:

And final AFTER:

Now, let's take a look outside...

Mom and Dad painted their front door red and updated the door knob and light to new, oil rubbed bronze ones.

I made Mom this sign for Mother's Day.  I'm pretty sure she was the only mom to get a handmade, one-of-a-kind no soliciting sign made from an old drawer front for a gift that day.  

You're welcome, Mom ;-) 

I made this hello. sign with my Silhouette machine as well.  I am kind of addicted and want to label all things!

As you can see by the next pictures, Dad works hard at feeding his birds and keeping his lawn and flower beds perfect.

Mom has always wanted to add shutters to their house.  Dad made these shutters and they painted them black.  They are the perfect addition to the front of the house.

My favorite, by far, are the little plants that Dad carefully planted in these cedar pieces.  When Dad takes a walk to get the mail, he usually comes back with a new treasure (cedar limbs/branches, rocks). Some have even been added to flower beds at my house.  Thanks, Dad!

Here are a few pictures of the flowers in the backyard.

One of our favorite things to do is feed the neighbors dog, Molly.  She has us all trained to sneak her a treat through the fence whenever we are outside.

Jordie is not too happy with sharing his treats...

There is the neighbor dog, Molly.

Here is a BEFORE picture of the front of the house when they first bought it:

And the AFTER:



I hope you enjoyed seeing the updates at Mom and Dad's house.  Pretty impressive changes!

Goodbye texas, hello new york!

Guess where the Plemon family will be ALL summer?

New York!!!

We arrived last Friday and have been spending a lot of time at the pool which is steps from our apartment!

Chad has been in New York for awhile now and is too busy to travel back and forth to Texas, so his work sent us to New York - for the summer!  

Get ready for pictures galore of all we do and see here in New York!

Another teacher appreciation week - day 5

The final day of teacher appreciation week!  Again, I stuck with apples.  Again, I turned to an idea I pinned a long time ago...

I followed the recipe for the most part, but I wanted to make enough treats to give all the teachers and helpers who work with the kids.  I bought the small mason jars at Target.  This gift is a little mixing and a lot of layering...

Instead of buying Skors candy bars and chopping them into little pieces as the recipe stated, I found this in the baking section.  Done!

I 

I printed a little label and cut it out with a scalloped hole punch.

Thank you

for being such

a sweet teacher!

I purchased small green apples and they were the perfect size!

Whew, another week of teacher appreciation gifts is complete!

Another teacher appreciation week - day 4

A few months ago, I picked up these adorable apple notebooks from IKEA and knew that would be a perfect teacher gift.

I simply added a red pen and a quick note and the gift was ready to go!

Take NOTE:

You are the

best teacher

and I appreciate

YOU!!!

Check back for the last gift for teacher appreciation week... it is going to be a sweet one!

Another teacher appreciation week - days 2 and 3

I am back with two more days of easy teacher appreciation gifts.

DAY 2 was a little treat.  I found this quick idea on Pinterest and it turned out really cute!

DAY 3 was an orange inspired day!  I have had this idea pinned for a long time and it just seemed perfect for this time of year.  I am tired - and ready for summer.  The kids are tired.  The teachers must be tired!

I made an even simpler version of this idea by purchasing perfect little orange drinks, printing a simple note and cutting in out with a scalloped hole punch.

“ORANGE”

you glad it’s

almost summer?!

I sure am J

Three days down, two to go!

Another teacher appreciation week - day 1

Last week did not start off as planned, so I am a bit behind...  I was asked very last minute (just before 10pm Sunday night) to decorate a teacher's door that was neglected (not done) by the homeroom mom.  It was for Caleb's teacher and I could not say no.  I wanted to, but didn't.  She has been amazing this year with Caleb!  Last year I spent WEEKS planning and researching the door I decorated and this year was the complete opposite.  I looked at Pinterest, ran up to school for paper and had the door finished within a couple hours.  Even though it was not my best work, it got done and I know the teacher truly appreciated it.

I took a couple pictures with my phone...

Now back to the teacher gifts!

This year I planned on sending a little gift each day because the kids really got excited about handing their teacher something - even if it was small - last year.  So, for Day 1, they were blessed to receive original artwork done by me!

I painted signs for the teachers, a tutor and the librarian...

printed a simple tag to add to the sign...

Because of you,

I want to …

READ more BOOKS!

THANK YOU

for all you do,

and had the kids sign their names...

and sent them off to school!

Check back for more teacher appreciation ideas!