A Look Back: Our Prairie Home 2011

So, who can believe that 2011 is almost over???  Definitely not me! I tell ya, the older I get the faster the time goes!  And my mother says it only gets worse the older you get!  Gee Mom, thanks for giving me something to look forward to!  ;)

The year of 2011 brought about a lot of changes in my life.  One of which was falling in love with crafting and refurbishing furniture.  Oh, how I love the hunt for bargains, refinishing, and repurposing!  Who knew I even had a creative streak?!  Not me, that's for sure!

I initially began blogging to give myself much needed motivation on remodeling our home.  To be honest, I had really gotten overwhelmed with the never-ending list of things that need to be done to this old place... Almost to the point that I wanted to put it on the market, take a huge hit on what we paid for it, and move on.  But who could afford to do that in this economy?  Certainly not us!  Talk about frustrating!  There have been many times that being overwhelmed with this place has brought me to tears...  Little time and even less money to do what we wanted and things were just beginning to deteriorate.  NIGHTMARE!  But one day, I googled remodeling old houses and I ran across a blog.

I had heard of blogs before, but never really "got" the idea of why people would put their lives out there for perfect strangers to read.  I had no idea that there were blogs out there where people shared their crafting and remodeling ideas.  I just thought people rambled on about their boring lives and put themselves out there because they needed some kind of pat on the back from people they didn't know.  Remember I'm blond, okay?  LOL!

This was back in June and I spent a few weeks reading blogs and getting more and more excited about what I was reading.  One blog led me to another, then another, and then another.  And then a little seed was planted...  What if I started to blog?  What if it would hold me accountable to others to get things going?  What if I got some much needed moral support in this never-ending quest to remodel this pain in the butt?  But I had no clue what to do.  Some of the blogs looked so professional.  Some actually intimidated me.  I was scared.  I was totally chicken to put myself out there like that.  What could I possibly have to offer?  What if people laughed at me?  And I didn't know a thing about remodeling, except painting.  I didn't know much about anything - and really, I still don't.  But one day, I just did it.  And you know what?  I am so glad I did!

Blogging has opened up a whole new world for me.  I have made some fantastic "friends" that I look forward to chatting with and reading their comments.  These are such fantastic women that have let me into their hearts and into their homes.  You know who you are and I love you!  :)   My favorite part of every day is in the early morning quiet when I sit with my cup of coffee and read about what everyone is doing.  And comments on this blog and my Facebook page just make my day.  Its amazing just how much a part of my life blogging has become.

There are blogs that I faithfully follow because I adore their authors and some I follow that I laugh at their sense of self-importance.  One thing I promised myself when I started was that I would keep my blog "real" and I would never take myself too seriously.  I wouldn't act like I knew it all - because I don't.  I wouldn't act like my life is perfect - because it isn't.  And I hope that I have done that.

So, this is a look back at 2011 at Our Prairie Home.  Some of my early blogs, I actually giggle at because of the picture quality or things that I said.  For what its worth...  Here are the Top 10 Post of 2011 according to number of views...

2011 Our Prairie Home Top 10

10. Rocking Chair Reveal 

My very first ever refurb.  This is the one that started it all...  Gave me confidence to do more...  And made me realize I CAN do it.  I love this little chair!  A $30 Craigslist find that I'll never part with, just simply because it was my first.  Is anyone else sentimental over their refinished furniture like that?  LOL!

9.  A Man's Got To Do...

I was actually surprised how many views this one had.  Probably had more to do with the title and less to do with the content.  LOL!  However, there are some beautiful pics of our yard that make me long for summer!  LOL!

8.  Foyer Table Reveal

Love my foyer table - which is now in my bedroom - but probably won't stay there.  I have such schizophrenia in my decorating.  LOL!  It was a boring stained oak and now has a lovely coat of white paint.  With a little distressing and glazing, this little beaut is now a little more Y2K and less 1980s.

7.  Its All About Family

I'm actually considering selling this piece.  I love it, but I'm not sure what direction I'm going to be taking my living room after I paint it.  Might keep it, might be coming to a Craigslist near you!  ;)

6.  Birthdays and Expected Blessings

This one brought tears to my eyes when I re-read it.  You can definitely hear my sorrow through my words.  And the video will probably always make me cry.  And each one of your loving comments touched my heart in ways you can't imagine -  helping to heal me even more.  Thank you!  What a wonderful father I was blessed to have.  And Landon - my heart - what a blessing you were during a time of unspeakable sorrow.  I love you, little man.

5.  A Start On A Prairie Home Christmas

Ahhhh...  It was beautiful, wasn't it?  And to think that I had no clue what I was doing when I started dragging things out.  Its amazing that pretty much everything in this picture, except for the tree and a couple of odds and ends came from a thrift store.  Even my "tree skirt" is a tablecloth!  I never even knew it was possible!! And I was amazed at how much I was hurt when someone "complimented" me on how I had taken this picture from a magazine and claimed it as my own.  But it also that gave me hope that maybe I do actually know a little bit about decorating after all.  LOL!!

4.  Rotten Potpourri, Meal Worms, And A Blond Moment

Not my brightest moment, but one of the funniest.  Thankfully, I never got poison ivy since I was pretty well bundled up.  Thank the Lord for small favors!  ;)  And I loved how my lantern wound up turning out.  That thing was N-A-S-T-Y!

3.  A Little Repurposing Goes A Long Way

Sadly, the south wall of my office no longer looks like this.  :(  Since deciding not to put anything back up after I took the Christmas decorations down, all that's left on the wall is the mantle.  But its the only way I can motivate myself to get these walls painted, darn it!  It relaxes me just looking at it.  I miss it!!

2.  DIY... Barn Window Picture Display

This cutie is how I met Shannon @ Fox Hollow Cottage when I linked it up a linky party.  We've been fast friends ever since!  One of my most favorite bloggy friends!  Love you, Shan!  And it was one of my favorite easy-peesy crafts...  Until Ian knocked it over a week before Christmas which shattered the glass and broke one of the boards off.  ARGH, KIDS!  Will wrapping all the breakable stuff in your house in a layer of bubble wrap ever be a fad???  :P

And the #1 viewed post of 2011 with 1, 714 views is:

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...

1.  Buffet Reveal

Ahhh...  My favorite piece to date.  And the last "big" one I've tackled.  Thank you so much to Shari @ Turnstyle Vogue (another one of my lovies that I adore and follow faithfully) for egging me on and getting me to shut up and just do it! - And I didn't suck!  HA HA HA!  :)  I'm finally getting the itch to tackle another one!  It just took me 2 months to get over the hell that one put me through.  LOL!  But I tell ya what...  I now know that if I can refinish that bad boy, I can do anything!  LOL!

Well, that's it for 2011, and 2012 can only hold better and brighter things, right?  Right!  And I hope each and every one of you keep me company for the ride.  I adore each and every one of you!!  You brighten my every day!  Here's to 2012!

Wishing you a Blessed New Year 

from Our Prairie Home to Yours!