This weekend was a busy one. On Sunday the family celebrated Michael’s eighteenth birthday a week early because his brother is still home. Patrick returns this weekend to San Luis Obispo.
This is what my baby looks like now. Eighteen, I still can’t believe it.
So despite the chilly weather, uncles and cousins bundled up and met over at the paintball fields for an afternoon of testosterone-filled action. And even the girls played, which was fun to watch.
And afterwards, everyone came over for dinner. We had a fire going in the fireplace and I pulled out some dishes I got at Pier One a few years back, and I used a bright, cheery tablecloth that I didn’t even bother to press.
I made a big pot of home-made spaghetti. And served it with green salad and warm French bread.
And I also made this pot of Tortellini soup which everyone loved.
Personally, one of my favorite meals during winter is soup and bread. With something chocolate for dessert. Yum.
Pot rack are a great spot for balloons, don’t you think?
On Saturday I also managed to fit in a few little paint projects.
This ugly $2.00 thrift-store urn got a coat of Ann Sloan’s white chalk paint.
And you can see the immediate impact a little paint makes. I still need to age it bit before I share it with you.
I also applied a coat of paint on our family room coffee table.
In this light you can see there’s a thin finish on it. What I love about chalk paint is that you don’t have to sand anything.
I decided to paint the legs and the sides of the table with white chalk paint and finish with a final coat of wax. No real reason other than I got tired of all the dark tones in my family room.
After speaking with a few folks who use chalk paint a lot, I decided to begin with a thin coat first. Let it dry, and then finish.
I’ll be sure to share it with you when it’s done.
xoxo
Leslie
12 comments:
soup and bread are the best! ...along with paint :) looks like a busy weekend for sure!
Happy birthday to your boy, a very handsome young man! What a wonderful day you had, and as usual your table setting looks fabulous. Can't wait to see your painting jobs when they're finished!
love your paint projects! and I always wish the mama Happy Birthday too. After all, you did all the work!
I can't believe the difference the paint made on that vase. I don't think I would have realized its potential.
Sounds like a perfect weekend, Leslie...soup and bread, one of my favourites and the soup here, looks delicious ;-)
Have a wonderful week.
Catherine
xx
Seriously, I'm beginning to think you and I might be soul sisters! First, I can't even tell you how moved I was back when I first found your blog and read "The Decision That Changed My Life". Second, I LOVE your decorating style. I mean I could just take everything you post and put it right into my house and it would go perfectly! Third, I have three sons too, and my youngest will turn 16 soon. We have talked about celebrating his birthday at this three story laser tag place that I'm so happy he apparently hasn't outgrown. Oh! And spaghetti with french bread? One of my specialties! See what I mean? There's more, but I'll stop before I start scaring you. Love your blog =)
Yummy!! I love homemade soup and your looks soooo goood....
Thanks for sharing!
You sure did have a busy weekend! Your son is so handsome! Can't wait to see your finished projects!
Great winter Italian food for men! You should see the lasagne I've been making lately..
I also went through a phase of painting less-loved pieces in chalky white. I think it looks great. And that $2 pot/urn? That's my kinda find! Xcat
Looks like the Ethan Allen farmhouse pine table I had in my family room for years!!
Hi, Leslie
I just love your stemware, beautiful! Can't wait to see the finish table. Have a great week.
Hugs,
Vanessa
Such a beautiful table! Don't you just love Pier 1's dishes and stem ware? I think the spaghetti and soup sound great too!
Your table will be beautiful I know. You are quite a pro with the paint brush!
xo
Pat
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