Creating New Steel Projects

 This is the base for a new sofa table that bar stools can sit under.  A dual functioning sofa table.  How cool is that!!!!!!!

I think it's fantastic.  Industrial and modern!  

Seriously, if you can come up with a plan that has metal and wood in it, Taylor, Jackson, and Steve can usually create it.  I can't wait to see the table top and then to see the finished project.

 This is another one of my favorites.  Just a piece of  I-beam made into a clock.

I think every industrial space could use one.

Jackson's latest dining table and bench.

The metal bases are fantastic with an oak butcher-block table top and bench seat.  

These are solid wood and beautifully finished.

I can't help but brag about the guys and the awesome work they do.  

Everytime I see a new project, I'm amazed.  

Steve's new project:  A King sized bed frame with headboard and footboard.

Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait because it's for me (and him).   Always something happening with the Clan and Oxley and Son Welding.

Check out more projects on their web-site and Facebook.

They can make your dream come to life.

It's a horse life

Looking out our window today, we noticed our horses enjoying the warm, drier weather.

We see them every day but I guess we don't always really "watch them".  Today we really watched them and noticed how much they hang out with each other. They follow each other around.  They are always standing by each other but today we watched them lay by each other, actually resting on each other.  There was a day when they didn't get along that well. Now, I think they've become best friends.

 Chex was Sugar's pillow today and he didn't mind at all.

Sugar, our mare and Chex, our gelding!

 There is something relaxing and comforting about having horses in the back yard.  Just watching them is peaceful (usually). Haha!!

If you have animals, take a moment to really watch them.  Amazing creatures that bring joy into our lives. 

 

Biking!!!!

 

Beginning a new adventure in biking to save the knees.

 

Yes, I've been instructed by my doctor to start cycling, either in the gym or on a road bike, to save my knees.

Bad knees run in my family and lately my knees have been crippling me. 

After having x-rays and meeting with my doctor, he said I need to start cycling to build the muscles around my knees to prolong the life of them and put off having knee replacement surgery.

He said that the doctors at TOSH (the orthopedic hospital here is Salt Lake City) have noticed that some patients who are scheduled for knee replacement surgery and start therapy (cycling) prior to surgery, have their knees improve so much that some opt out of surgery for a while.

This is my goal, to put off knee surgery for as long as I can.

I realize that it won't work for everyone but I'm going to give it a try.

 

Today is the beginning of this new adventure.

I have been researching all the different bikes and after reading reviews I've made a decision to purchase a hybrid bike from Amazon.  I know there is a risk but I'm willing to take it.  If I went to a bike shop, I'd know exactly what I'd be purchasing, but I chose to buy a bike on-line instead.

 

This is the bike I bought today.  It is a Schwinn Odana 700C.

The reviews seem good and for a beginning bike,  I think it looks great.

There is a newer model but I'm just fine with the older model and it's cheaper.  I'm all about saving money.

 



The doctor said I should clip my feet in to give my knees the most benefit of pushing and pulling.  I'm not doing that for now.  Once I see how things are going, I might invest in those kind of pedals and down the road, purchase a more expensive bike when I'm a more experienced biker. 

I'm looking forward to getting my bike and hitting the road. 

I'll post later about the bike when it gets here and how my biking is going.

Next step, get Steve a bike so he can ride with me. 

 



Is it a Pinterest Fail?

 

 

I am not nearly as creative as some of my family members.  My husband, Steve, is very creative and so are my kids.  They get a lot of the creative genes from the Oxley's.  Don't get me wrong, I like to create.  I love to cook and create yummy goodiness in the kitchen.  My mom, my grandma (on my dad's side), an my aunts (again on my dad's side) are all wonderful cooks.  I guess that desire and love to cook came from these wonderful ladies.  Our youngest daughter Becca, loves to cook too.  She is amazing and will way surpass me with this skill. 

(Sorry, I went on a cooking rant)

If I do anything crafty, I need tutorials and pictures to copy.  I'm not creative enough to come up with the ideas on my own.

This is my latest creation, copying someone else's idea.

 

Ikea Farmhouse Basket

(Idea from Jami Ray Vintage YouTube video)

The Ikea basket after applying stain

I went quickly to Michael's to buy the chalk paint.  I haven't ever used chalk paint before.  This is what I picked out.  It worked just fine (at least I think so).

I applied the gray pewter, thinned with water.  I wish I would have applied it a little more sparingly. 

 

Next I added the white chalk paint.  I tried to follow Jami Ray Vintage as close as I could.  It dried very quickly and then I added the plants which I also bought from Ikea. 

I really like the way it turned out. It looks like weathered old barn wood.

It reminds me of Spring. 

What do you think?

 







Adventures in Cleaning

 This is new to me.  A new adventure in cleaning. 
I was introduced to Norwex a few weeks ago and since I had never heard of Norwex before, I was curious about the products.
Now after purchasing a few cleaning cloths, I've been putting them to the test and I have to say, I'm a little bit addicted.
They require no harsh cleaners, just water.  It's a new way of thinking for sure.
My favorite cloths are the Enviro Cloth and the Window cloth.  They are a bit of an investment but hoping to save from not buying harsh cleaners and chemicals and the quality of the cloths are good and absorbent.
They clean beautifully and with no streaks (which can be hard on granite counter tops and mirrors).
Just cleaned my bathroom counter top, sinks, faucets, and mirror.  I'm loving this!!!!
I think the Hubs will approve too.

Logan is the place to be.....
While the guys are away, it's only right that we have some fun too. 
Off to Logan we went to spend time with family, do a little shopping, a little eating, and enjoying each other's company.  Each time we go, one stop has to be "Adorn It".  A little boutique with the cutest clothes and accessories.  Usually a birthday gift or two are purchased and a few items for ourselves.  Another stop has to be one of the antique stores in Logan.  Love, love, love antique dishes.  Can't wait to have a girly Tea party with these pink Depression Ware berry bowls.  How cute are they!!!!! Just adding to the collection.  Couldn't pass up the vintage sign for my office and the soap dish for the laundry room from a new store called "Eighth & Main".  Such a fun new place to shop for home accessories.  I hope they are around for a while.  If you can make it to Logan Utah, check these fun places out.  Trust me, there are more. We will just have to talk about some of them later. 

Adventures in California

 

This is what I'm talking about.  Steve and the boys in Sacramento California enjoying the warmer weather and blue skies.

They did work hard all week to put up this platform at a chemical plant.

(The unpainted section)

(Will look fantastic when painted)

They always do a wonderful job and I'm always in awe of how good they can weld.

It seems like so many of their jobs are high in the air which requires them to use fall protection.

I'm always  thankful when the job is done and they are home safe. 



Beautiful industrial coffee table

 Reclaimed wood and steel stand to display wildlife mounts
Awesome kitchen table and bench

What can I say but I think my family is very creative.  It most definitely comes from my husband. I wish I could say that I had as much creative talent as they do.  Steve (my husband) was taught how to weld by his father when he was just a young boy.
Steve is one of the best welders.   He has passed on this talent to our two boys.  Taylor and Jackson are amazing welders and craftsmen.  They are now creating furniture and home décor.  Their beautiful pieces will be on display at the Utah Home and Garden Show next week, March 10-12.  Oxley and Son Welding has been around for over 55 years, providing exceptional welding services.  I'm so proud of my guys.