Once begun..Finally Done!!!

All I can say is YEAH!!!! Our major remodel is done...We have been enjoying the pool since May 29th.  It took another 10 days to cure the plaster and then it became a salt water pool.  I honestly didn't know how they would make it a salt water pool...chemicals, maybe??  Nooooooo, they just added 400 lbs of salt to the water and Voila..salt water.  Did I feel a little silly!!!  Our outdoor kitchen/living area is awesome.  We eat nearly every meal outside and enjoy the view.   Nature is back in our yard.  I began a new herb garden with 17 lavender plants, 2 rosemary, basil, dill oregano, thyme and mint (in a pot, of course).    My studio is in the process...we are waiting on furniture and are moving things each day.   I am being inspired as I move things (that I forgot I even had).  My goal is to have all the things that belong in the art studio in there before we leave for Florida on the 29th.    Thanks for following the journey...It has only just begun!!!

 

Nearly Done!!!

Perhaps this title has been used before..at least by our family for the past several weeks!! But this time it is true.  The studio needs painting and the pool need filling (plaster first) and of course, the decorating!! Our target date is Friday, the 29th!!! We can't believe the transformation that has occurred in our yard and the hopfullness in our spirit.  We plan to use this wonderful  setting for entertaining, sharing fun times with friends (new and old) gardening (I will have an herb garden!!)  and creative art "retreats" for those that love to be inspired.  We feel truly blessed by our Lord to be able to do these things and since all good is from him....He deserves the praise and the thanks...

I hope y'all can drop by for a swim,  s'mores by the fire or just a time to sit and visit...

There is a little less dirt....

If you are wondering, the answer is yes.  We are still under construction..or should I say on top of it...our lush green yard has been turned into an oasis of dirt, stone, pipes, wood and a big hole in the ground.  Seriously, it is coming along quite nicely.  In the following pictures you can see where we have come from and to where we are heading.  This will become an oasis of lush green, vibrant texas colors (in the plants we choose) and barrel full of laughter and good times. I am looking forward to the days in the pool, the studio and cooking outdoors.  Who knows--maybe the inside of the house will stay clean...One can only dream!!  Summer is here and we are almost ready!!

At the end of the summe,r I am also looking forward to hosting a  group of women called "the Texas Bellas" in anticipation of our art workshop (in Omaha) in November for a mini-art workshop.  It will be a great time here at the Johnson's, this summer with friends and family.  

Stay tuned.....

in between construction and daily living,....

I wanted to give everyone a quick update on the construction....It's coming along.  We have walls and a roof on my studio, a foundation poured for the outdoor kitchen and alot of mud (yes, it rained today!!) all around the pool.  In fact, in my yard there is either concrete or mud.  But by the end we will have a beautiful oasis of water, rock, color, life, food and art...what else is there?!! 

And now on to the creative side of life, there are so many avenues that I want to create--but here are a few finished projects.  I love my new collage with Scott and the kids.  Isn't it funny we all love to make our pictures in black and white?  I am sure those who didn't have color would tell us we were crazy.  It reminds me of the country song by Jamey Johnson "In color"...great song.  But back to the collage, with backgrounds from paper to paint to stamping, gilding, etc... 

the black and white picture doesn't compete, it compliments.  Presleigh called us the faith family ...priceless.  Let me know what you think...Hope you are having a wonderful Friday...Many blessings to you....

It's begun..diggin' is half the fun

Here it comes.... The excavation began on Wednesday.  With the big "claw" (I don't know the technical term but the word describes it well.), my garden was gone, my grass was gone and the weeds were gone.  This thing sliced through my Texas dirt like butter.  It was an impressive sight to see the sculpting of the pool and the areas for the outdoor kitchen and my Art Studio.  Then over the next few days came plumbers, steel workers, foundation diggers (once again not the technical term, but it is what they did)..we did have one interesting delivery....a  Port-a-Potty. We laughed so hard when the truck brought this to our yard and asked where did I want it...Let's just say as far from the house as possible!!  It is so exciting to see all this unfold...a lot of choices, interruptions and new aspects we have never even thought of will surely be a part of our life for the next few weeks.   This will be a wonderful journey with many memories!!!Stay tuned.....

Rain, rain go away!!!

Rain, rain go away..come again another day!!  We know that we need the rain, but we are anxiously awaiting the beginning of the construction of our pool,  the outdoor kitchen and my new art studio..  But our singing was to no avail...The rain came and the rain won't go away until Saturday.  Then good weather on the horizon.  So perhaps it will be next week.  In the mean time, we are having a great time so far in this fast moving month.  Our youngest, Presleigh turned 8 on the 1st and was baptized on the same day.  Praises for that wonderful expression of her love for God and for her saviour in Jesus!!! Morgan is home for Spring Break and the girls are out next week!!! My parents celebrate their 48th wedding anniversay today!! What an example they have been and continue to be for my life!!  I have also been working on many projects and hope to get Spring creations underway!! Many events, many memories being made and many avenues to share joy are happening here.  Hope you are having many happy days....(by the way, I am lovin' my word for this year...Many)....

A little joy in the journey

I found a little time to make an Altered Easter Greeting..using a 1914 post card..Don't worry I made copies.  These make great little splashes of holiday... Using a little of this and that, it is a bit of nostalgia and sentiment.