Blog Archive

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

A Stroll Through the Park and a Look Behind the Scenes


I have a fun post for you today.
 I am going to take you on a stroll around the family room and also let you see the reality of how we really live on a daily basis!  
First I want you to see how carefully I cropped this photo of the family room decorated in a Art in the Park theme for the summer.  


I made sure that I took the photo at an angle that you couldn't see  that my computer is out.....it is always out... except when I am taking pictures for a post.
  You can see my Iphone on the table safely cradled in a napkin holder.   I can't tell you how many times a drink has got knocked over near our phones!


If I were doing a post from this angle,   I would shove H's magazine rack  to the side and out of the photo.....it holds all the things he needs by him at all times...lol!   His computer,  heating pad,  and newspaper.   I would put our drinks and kleenex box  away  (they are ALWAYS  on the table )   I would replace them with a pretty floral design for the picture.

  When we eat while watching TV,   Ky sits between us at her TV tray and she sits on a piano stool.

In a previous post,  I showed my new slip covers from this angle,     When I took those photo's I had put Ky's computer aside and put some decorating magazines in it s place.      Ky lays on the sofa ....watches TV ...and plays on her computer so this is a good place for her charger and also to store her computer when not in use.


Now for a little stroll around the family room.    You have already seen a post on the new slip covers and fireplace ,  if you haven't....
click here       http://penny-pennystreasures.blogspot.com/2016/05/fun-summer-fireplace-decor-in-family.html 
and here       http://penny-pennystreasures.blogspot.com/2016/05/open-furniture-arrangement-for-summer.html



I completed the Art in the Park theme by adding some art pieces to the top shelf of the TV armoire.    I also added a piece of art on the floor in front of the armoire.    I repurposed a vintage heater by using it like an easel.


Here is a close up of the pieces in the top shelf of the armoire.....




I decorated the top of the piano with pictures.    I had taken the banner down from the fireplace mantle earlier and realized that I missed it,  so I hung it across the piano.


This is the dining room area in the family room.      I took this blue rug out from in front of the sofa and put a pink rug in it's place.   I thought this one would look nice in here since it picks up the blue in the stained glass.  
 This whole rug switching thing began when the pink rug (now in front of the sofa) was too wide for the entry after H installed the built in cabinets.    The only rug I had that would fit the entry was in the studio.....so we moved that one into the entry....pink to the family...blue to the dining....entry rug to the studio....whew....I'm tired of moving rugs!

 I did a simple swan arrangement for my  "park" theme on the family room dining table

I have had the dishes in the photo on the left sitting on the dining table for about a week.    I plan to use them in a tablescape on the back porch,  but it has rained ...too windy....anyway,  it hasn't happened yet.   So I piled them in the floor next to the table and made sure you couldn't see the mess in my photo.   Look back at the photo above this one...can't see them can you!


I added my new Magnolia wreath to the front of the milk glass cabinet for a "park" feel.   I have been shopping for a Magnolia wreath for quite a while....all have been pretty much out of my budget.    I found this one at HL....half off for $25.


I get so many comments....how do you keep your house so clean?    My house gets messed up just like yours does....I just make sure it doesn't show up in my blog photo's!   


So,  here is reality at the Phillip's......blankets,  drinks,  computers,  and a lot more stuff sometimes!

What has H been doing while I was taking pictures and writing my post?    Usually he is busy with a project or working in the yard,  but today it is cool and rainy so  he has been cooking.      H cooked a big pot of chili ....some for today,  and plenty for the freezer.    He peeled and cooked 10#'s of potatoes,   some for today and some for the freezer.   In the bottom photo you can see how we pile the burner covers on the counter to the side of the stove.    All the prep work is done on the completely clutter free island  

He was frying something earlier so he put a light weight kitchen towel over the rooster that sits by the stove.    He didn't want grease popping into the chickens eyes...lol!



http://thecraftyblogstalker.com/create-link-inspire-linky-party-130/
http://liverandomlysimple.com/totally-terrific-tuesday-link-party-86/
http://www.loulougirls.com/2016/05/lou-lou-girls-fabulous-party-112.html
http://www.stringtownhome.net/2016/05/tips-tricks-linky-party_23.html
http://www.dagmarbleasdale.com/2016/05/thrifty-floor-lamp/
http://www.thekimsixfix.com/2016/05/you-gonna-love-it-books-bees-and-peas.html
http://www.homestoriesatoz.com/tutorials/tutorials-tips-link-party-261.html
http://snapcreativity.com/show-tell-218/
http://myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/inspire-monday-113/
http://mamaldiane.com/the-gathering-spot-205/
http://ohmyheartsiegirl.com/heartsie-girls-wonderful-wednesday-8/
http://www.stonegableblog.com/the-scoop-224/
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2016/05/show-and-share-no314.html
http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/2016/05/tweak-it-tuesday-194.html
http://blog.bernideens.com/2016/05/an-old-ladder-for-bttcg-blog-party.html
http://www.thedempsterlogbook.com/southwest-style-room/
http://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog/whatd-you-do-this-weekend-172/
http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/2016/05/no-place-like-home_23.html
http://betweennapsontheporch.net/a-whimsical-garden-bench-for-the-front-porch-and-landscape-updates/
http://www.sewcando.com/2016/05/craftastic-monday-link-party-is-here.html
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2016/05/inspire-me-monday-week-229.html
http://www.keepingitsimplecrafts.com/2016/05/we-love-eating-out-but-sometimes-you.html
http://www.waittilyourfathergetshome.com/2016/05/22/10-patriotic-projects-monday-funday-party/
http://www.flourmewithlove.com/2016/05/mix-it-up-monday_22.html
http://redheadcandecorate.com/2016/05/inspiration-monday-party-139/
http://www.niftythriftythings.com/nifty-thrifty-sunday-231/
http://www.rustic-refined.com/2016/05/dishing-it-digging-it-link-party-97.html
http://www.apinchofjoy.com/2016/05/busy-monday-217/
http://www.vintagepaintandmore.com/2016/05/share-it-one-more-time-inspiration.html

21 comments:

  1. I love the slipcovers! Especially the way you draped the recliners. They are so hard to decorate.

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  2. we are in the process of closing on a new to us home and I absolutely love your ideas for slip covers. Your home is always so beautiful! Thank you for sharing with us.

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  3. I love very much your idea for slip covers! You are always so inventive. Your home is so cozy
    Hugs
    Alessandra

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  4. Penny,
    I think as bloggers we always tend to hide the reality of everyday living. This was a great post into what your reality really is. I often get asked about cleaning too and all I say is Swifter Dusters which I could go through by the case!!
    Have a great day!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  5. Love you keeping it real Penny. But even your behind the scenes is beautiful! Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  6. So pretty Penny and real too. We all have to live in our rooms, even though sometimes I would just like not too!
    It is easier now that the children are grown-of course the sweet grands come over and we welcome them with open arms!
    Thanks for joining us at TOHOT!
    Jemma

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  7. Your home is beautiful! Absolutely stunning!

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  8. Thank you Penny, I am so glad to see you are "normal" lol. I really was beginning to think you didn't even live in the house you show.

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  9. Thanks for sharing this 'real life' post with SYC.

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  10. A nice visit into your world. You have a gorgeous home filled with great goodies.

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  11. Thanks for the grand tour! I have an 8 year old so I am not going to encourage bringing a bike into the family room, but I love the look of yours, ha ha! It's always fun to take a peek at all of your lovliness. Thanks for sharing on #FridayFrivolity.

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  12. A pretty house and a chili cooking hubby sounds wonderful. We so appreciate you joining the Thoughts of Home on Thursday gathering. May you have a delightfully lovely weekend.

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  13. Penny, I think there isn't a blogger out there who doesn't crop, do re-takes and shove real life out of the way in an effort to get the best picture :) Oh, but it is so fun for everyone when we admit that we are real people too. I enjoyed the post and all of your beautiful pictures of your lovely home. Have a great week and thank you so much for sharing with us each week at Snickerdoodle Sunday!

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  14. Reality is that we have to live, right Penny? lol! I love that you are a theme girl like me. Always running with a theme. Loved the stroll! I've ended up with an unintentional swan collection. :) Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  15. We all have to shoot around things and it's wonderful that we can do that. I love cropping and editing pictures so one has a lovely image to share. Now about your hubby who can cook! You are blessed, my dear. I have always done ALL the cooking in our home and there are days when I wish my guy could make something so I could have a break. But my hubby is an awfully busy guy who works at a job that requires him to get up at 4 o'clock in the morning and he is very involved in church matters too. But when he retires, he's going to learn to cook a few things. Yes, he is! :-) Thanks for sharing and enjoy your week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  16. I love the idea of the phone in the napkin holder! Very clever,Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Sharing on G+! Have a great week!
    Kim

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  17. Keepin' it real, Penny and I can relate! Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm!

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  18. Dear Penny:
    I especially love that first picture "The Lady of Shallot". Remember, Anne Shirley sank in the rowboat and Gilbert rescued her when she was pretending to be the "Lady of Shallot". Thanks for sharing and linking.

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  19. Everything is so country chic - so very pretty! Thanks for linking up on Tips and Tricks this week!

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  20. Great idea for a post! REal life. :) Your home is amazing. There is SO much to see and every time I come visit I find something new that I'd like to do in my home.
    :) gwingal

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