by Wendy Scheel | Jun 11, 2016 | New Products
Last Saturday at Jack’s graduation party our previous neighbors came by to celebrate. During the several years we lived by them, we became good friends and shared a lot of stories about our lives and the lives of our extended families.
As we toured the house, Sherri shared her story that she had recently redone her own kitchen. This launched a whole conversation about my plans to redo our kitchen backsplash. After showing her the tile sample I had decided upon, she asked me where I got it from. Cue Tile Shop spiel (you can read the whole spiel and about how much I love the store here).
Well unbeknownst to me, Sherri’s Mom works at The Tile Shop that I have been going to for years.
We chatted about how long her Mom had worked there and what her hours were and on and on. The small chit chat went on and on and with such a busy day, I forgot all about it.
Then out of the blue, Sherri texts me a couple of days later telling me that her Mom and all of the other employees at The Tile Shop had been called into a meeting. The reason for the meeting was to inform the employees that the store was closing for good. On June 19th. THIS June 19th, as in 8 days from now!
Whaaat?
The first chance that I got I high-tailed it into the store to see if it was true. Not once did I think that Sherri wasn’t telling me the truth, but I needed to hear it for myself.
I spoke with the manager and yes, they were closing on the 19th.
Boo. ????
That very moment I ordered all of the tiles and supplies that Chub had said I would need. Thankfully, that was on Thursday, the final day they were ordering a delivery truck, which would arrive Monday.
I can still return any extra tiles or products that I need to, but after June 19th, I would have to drive over an hour to get the next closest store.
Boo again.
But wait, as always, there is a silver lining to my story.
Guess what store is going to replace The Tile Shop????
HOBBY LOBBY!!!!
Now don’t get me wrong, I was devastated for a full 14 seconds when I found out that The Tile Shop is going away, but Hobby Lobby within 20 minutes of my house?!
I sincerely tried to hide my excitement for the sake of the employees that will have to make some life changes as they move onto another store or another company..…but a Hobby Lobby!?
I can’t even.
Have a great Saturday,
Wendy
Sidenote: My pictures have nothing to do with my story, I realize that. But, I wanted to show you these picture frames that I have had for a little while and finally have them ready here if you would like to purchase one.
The story behind how I found the two gentlemen that make these frames is quite the story too.
by Wendy Scheel | Mar 16, 2016 | Get To Know Me
Hello!
Wade and I returned to Minnesota on Monday morning after completing our 25th Anniversary trip to Hawaii. I was going to blog as we were enjoying so many beautiful sights on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii, but then those blog posts starting turning into watching someone’s video of their vacation. We have all graciously watched those videos or looked at someone else’s pictures, but let’s be honest, it’s not the same as being there. Now don’t get me wrong, I love photos of sunsets, beaches, museums and the like but unless you have actually been to those places, it’s just not the same. Let me take a moment and share only a couple of highlights.
This was our view from our hotel room in Waikiki. If you haven’t been to Oahu, find a way to go. It is amazing.
If you can stand one more set of pictures, I do want to share a little about me and one of the main reasons we saved and spent our pennies for this vacation.
I asked my Dad via email to send me the details about his Dad/my Grandpa. Here is what he shared.
We visited the Punch Bowl Crater Cemetery one of the days when we had rented a car to drive around the island.
Here is my Grandpa’s grave site.
Visiting his grave was the most emotional moment of my life. And believe me, I am a very emotional person. Tears even slip out of my eyes as I am remembering this day. Such intense feelings of sadness, joy and pride all at the same time.
Although my Dad was about 3 when his Dad died, I am positive that Grandpa Clarence is smiling about what a great son he created in my father.
This cemetery was breathtaking. I am so happy my Grandpa is in such a peaceful place.
Wiping my tears and moving on.
We left the island of Hawaii relaxed and rejuvenated on Sunday evening. We arrived home at 12:30pm on Monday. Having slept very little on the plane, the first thing on the agenda was a nap.
Catching up with Jack and unpacking were next. After a great nights sleep back in our own bed, it was time to run some errands on Tuesday.
One of those errands included a trip to Hobby Lobby.
This wall has been screaming for help since we moved here 1 1/2 years ago.
Today was the day that I found the perfect piece and used my 40% off coupon.
It looks like it belongs there, right?!
So cute.
See you on Friday. Thank you for letting me share.
Wendy
by Wendy Scheel | Dec 21, 2015 | DIY
Thank you Channel 4, for showing The Sound of Music. I love the Sound of Music. I watch it every year.
I know every word to every song and my voice is amazing while singing along….by myself, making centerpieces for the Christmas dinner table. 🙂
My neighbor Nikki had an extra pine cone wreath that was missing a bow and asked me if I would like to have it. It just so happened that I needed a missing bow pine cone wreath. Thanks Nikki!
Instead of simply making a new bow, Jack and I flipped over the wreath and using a small hacksaw, he sawed off the thick wire frame freeing up all of the boughs.
This was a 24″ wreath and there were enough boughs and pinecones to make 3 small centerpieces.
My scissors and cutting wheel are kept in these containers and hang on the wall beside my cutting table. But it just so happens that they are the perfect size to use for these centerpieces. They are about 5 inches tall and 5 inches around.
Simply stuff each container with the pine tree bough stems down and the fragrant greens upwards. Stuff away, the messier the better.
I placed three branches into each arrangement using one piece of birch and two oak sticks that I cut into 8-12 inch lengths.
One pine cone from the original wreath was placed among the greens.
And the final step of adding some artificial red berry sprigs for a pop of color completed the centerpieces.
A view from the top.
And now the fun part.
Setting the table.
Table for two?
Table for more?
All of these centerpiece items can be found at your local Hobby Lobby or craft store if you don’t have a neighbor named Nikki who happened to have an extra wreath. 🙂
auf Wiedersehen,
Wendy
by Wendy Scheel | Oct 19, 2015 | Life
Sooooo, let’s talk about me. 🙂
This blog is typically about things I make, or other people make or things that inspire me.
But today, the blog is all about me personally. So even if you slide through the pictures, they will tell the story of me.
We went to Des Moines, Iowa this weekend to visit our daughter. We packed so much into one weekend and I loved it.
Friday night we arrived at her house in time to hang up some Halloween decorations, make the beds, chit chat and fall asleep.
Saturday was going to be a big day.
Saturday morning we went to the Farmer’s Market in downtown Des Moines.
I don’t know if it was the company or the day or market, but this is the best Farmer’s Market I have ever shopped.
They was a little of everything.
I am seriously going to learn to weld because at the east entrance there was a vendor that had so many cool iron sculptures. And yes, that is a rock in the center that makes the peacock’s body and colored bottles on wrought iron posts for his feathers.
So creative.
Need some more ideas?
Painted tires? Yes please. Some Halloween décor? Thank you. Christmas gifts? Check.
But the fresh vegetables….ohhh, the fresh vegetables.
On every corner there was some kind of music. A single singer or a Duet of guitar players or a full 5 piece band. So festive!
Sam and Wade didn’t eat breakfast that morning because they were set on getting a breakfast bowl from the Farmers Market. We walked all the way to the other end of the market to get the “Best Ever” breakfast. They were dying of hunger because I was snapping pictures the whole time and oohing and aahing over everything.
Finally they got their steaming hot breakfast bowl filled with breakfast sausage, bacon, jalapeno, cheese and eggs.
They shared a bite with me and in all honesty, it was pretty good.
As they were feeding their faces, I walked over and made friends with Miss Gypsy (3) and Roscoe (4). They had on their cute fall sweaters but were still shivering. Their owner said they shiver on a 90 degree day too. It’s a Chihuahua thing. 🙂
Our next adventure was to go to the HyVee Center and pick up our packets. Packets as in the next morning we were going to run a half marathon.
Can you believe the welcome sign they had for us? Okay so our last name is Scheel, not Scheels, but since there were 3 of us, they “S” made perfect sense.
Here is the swag bag goodies we received along with our bib number. Love free stuff.
From the HyVee Center we went shopping. Okay, more shopping but at stores.
First we went to Goodwill to grab some sweatshirts that could be tossed onto the sidewalk after getting warmed up for the race. (It was 37 degrees at the 8am start for the race. Ya need a sweatshirt!) The fun thing is that the Salvation Army walks the route and picks up all of the tossed headbands, mittens, sweatshirts etc. and donates them all back to the store. I love that.
Next stop was the HyVee grocery store. “HyVeeeee, shop Hyveee, where’s there’s a helpful smile in every aisle” has been there jingle forever. I was born and raised in Iowa and even lived in Des Moines for a period of time. The HyVee grocery stores have come a long way since I lived there.
I mean really, look at the bakery!
After spending way too much time at HyVee, we went to Target. No pictures from Target. You’re welcome. 🙂
Our last little stop was at Hobby Lobby. Sam NEEDED some curtains for her room. I’ll share a quick post with you on Saturday about that.
We drove home and then got to our to do list.
- Eat dinner
- Weather proof the windows
- Make and put up curtains
- Put together a new lamp
- Change burnt out light bulbs
- Install a new battery in fire alarm
Then it was bedtime because we still had that little half Marathon to run in the morning.
Got up at 6:30 am, ate breakfast, drove to the race and started running by 8am.
I was a little nervous about running this race. I had not run a single step for over two months. I walk and attend weight lifting classes several times a week, but I had not run.
I would NOT suggest this exercise routine for anyone attempting a Half Marathon.
This was my 5th half marathon and the second time on this course so I knew what to expect. After 2 hours and 38 minutes we were done. Thank goodness. 🙂 Not a personal best for me, but personal best for not enough prior training. Pretty proud of myself. If I may take a moment to pat myself on the back, Go Team Wendy!
Our medals. The best moment of any race is when they put the medal around your neck and you can stop running. 🙂
After the race we grabbed some lunch, shred crocodile tears while saying Goodbye to Sam and headed home.
And that my friends is what a fantastic (Half) Marathon of a Weekend looks like.
Wait until you see what I have for you on Wednesday!
See you then,
Wendy
by Wendy Scheel | Sep 25, 2015 | DIY
Years ago when our children were little, I worked nights and weekends as a cook and caterer at a quaint little restaurant in Lake Geneva, WI. The owner/chef was John and he loved to try new recipes. The menu was always changing. John would share his recipes with anyone that asked.
That always confused me.
Why would he give away his recipes? People could just make these dishes themselves and he would lose customers. In his gentle manner, he explained that you can give someone a recipe down to the tsp. but they will always, always substitute at least one of the ingredients so it will never be exactly the same. They will come back.
And they did. 🙂
I am finding this same principle to be true when I am attempting something from Pinterest.
My friend Karianne from Thistlewood Farms posted this blog earlier this week about how to DIY Pinecone Acorns.
What a great idea to add to my White Sweater Pumpkin décor!
Problem was that I changed the ingredients. My acorns don’t look like Kariannes.
Karianne used wooden eggs, I used paper mache eggs.
She stained her eggs, I spray painted and spray-glittered mine.
BUT, we both got our supplies from Hobby Lobby. 🙂
Here’s what I did.
I bought the paper mache eggs and pine cones from Hobby Lobby. The black spray paint and glitter spray paint came from an estate sale and I think the skewers came from IKEA. All very inexpensive items.
I then stabbed the eggs with the skewers and stuck them into the ground in the backyard to spray paint them.
(Can I let you in on a secret? My husband proof reads my blogs before I post them. He is going to sigh and roll his eyes when he sees the grass. Heehee, love you honey!)
After the paint had dried, I cut off the top of the pinecone and cut off the wider end of the egg. The egg was plastic on the inside. I was surprised by that. I thought paper mache meant it was paper all the way through. Obvi, not. ;(
Anyway, cutting off the top of the egg created more of a flat section to hot glue gun the pinecone top onto.
Then I simply added the acorns to my fall décor.
Thank you Karianne for the great idea even if I did change your recipe. 😉
Stop in tomorrow for a quick SideNote Saturday!
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