Seattle Heat!

Great view of the "Space Noodle," as my boys call it!

Another hot day in Seattle!

Our day was spent playing with Grandma, hiding in the air conditioned house, pool time, and we ended the day with a cold, fresh, fruit smoothie!




Happy Friday! Hope you have a great weekend!

Photo: All rights reserved: Seattle-www.overheardbin.com, smoothie and boys-Emily Carlson

The Journey of a Family Home!

The view!

I grew up in a small town called Leavenworth, WA. It is located in the Cascade mountains, surrounded by trees, rivers, animals, and the most breath taking views! My heart lives in that valley, I love everything about the area, the people who live there, and my family home. I can actually feel my stress release from my body when I drive into the last canyon before you enter into the town. I lived in the same house for 23 years, those roots have given me such a sense of security, years of traditions, and a love for family. Someday I hope to move back into that area and provide the same kind of roots for my kids!

My Family Home

My parents own a bed and breakfast in the same house I grew up in. They are two of the most creative and talented people I know. My dad is an excellent chef as well as a very skilled craftsman. He has the skills to build, carve, plumb, wire, masonry work, paint and stucco, and a amazing amount of finish work with ease and finesse. My mom is the most gracious and welcoming lady. She loves people and has a gift of making anyone feel comfortable and welcome in her home. She too is very creative and a great dreamer and planner. When they moved into our home in 1979 the house was a rustic log cabin, essentially a shell of orange and brown. Over the last 30 years she has painted, sewn, fluffed, carpeted, white washed, organized, planned and executed numerous building projects to create a lovely and inviting home. Seriously the house didn't know what was coming its way when these two moved in...oh the stories it could tell if walls could talk!

When they decided to transform our home into a bed and breakfast, both of my parents were teaching full time. Crazy? Maybe, but they knew that retirement was coming, my sister and I were moving out, and they needed a new adventure. All the work would be done by them, and so the projects would be done progressively. So, for the last ten years the house has undergone a series of massive construction projects. First was the addition of two bedrooms, a bathroom, two private decks, and a library in the back of the house. Then we created a suite with two decks overlooking the Icicle valley and the most amazing bathroom to soak all your cares away. Next was a second bathroom for the first two rooms, creating two mini suites. And lastly, over the fourth of July weekend, we launched the biggest project yet...the kitchen!

Their handy work, the suite bathroom and sitting area!

My parents kitchen has been functional and cozy for years, but with the additional cooking that the B&B requires, my parents love for entertaining, and our ever growing family, a bigger kitchen is a must! Our family all gathered for what was going to be a long, hard, sweaty, loud, fun, and sometimes crazy work weekend. We have had many of these, and kinda knew what to expect...but sometimes the unexpected just can't be avoided! Just a few of the unexpected details; holiday weekend means closures and a lack of building supplies, mice nests falling from the rafters, hot weather, electrical burns/fires, no kitchen to cook in...oops, dogs escaping, and my Grandma being rushed to the hospital for her last few days.

Let the packing begin!


Here are some pictures of our starting point, demo, and the shell left for a new beginning. My mom has some amazing appliances, special touches, creative details, and lots of sparkle for this space! We will have many more work weekends planned, but with an end result that is going to be fabulous! I will keep you posted on the progression of this space as it is going to be incredible!

Demo Begins...

The last of the 70's gone..., which has been hidden away in the back of the house....

The shell that is left...

The makeshift kitchen that will have to do until the renovation is done!

What do you think?? It is going to be amazing!

Photos: All rights reserved for Emily Carlson, & Scandinavian Escape

Goodbyes...

Last night, at the end of a very long work weekend...I will explain later, we got a call from my uncle. My Grandma was admitted to the hospital. She has stopped eating, and has been having abdominal pain. She underwent a full CT-scan last night, and the doctors found that her entire abdominal area is full of cancer. They were able to make her comfortable, but now it is a wait and see game. She has been in the process of saying her goodbyes, sad, but such a gift.

Today it is my turn. I have to go and say goodbye to my last living grandparent. I am deeply saddened to see the end of her amazing life. I am praying for two things, strength for our family, my Dad especially, and for my Grandma to go quick. I don't want her to suffer with cancer. I love her, but know she will be in a better place once she lets go! So pray for strength, today is going to be a long day!

Sorry, NO Monday Facial post this week, to be continued next week....

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner...

I WON, I Can't Believe It!

I entered into a contest on Flower Patch Farm Girl's blog, which by the way is amazing...great read, and I won!! I am super excited because she was giving away two books, that I am dying to read!

My husband and I have spent countless hours discussing chickens and the idea of raising them. We are now currently in the process of designing and building our chicken coop, the birds are on hold with a farmer down the road! I am looking forward to this new adventure, but I have to admit that I probably have rose colored glasses on...: ) Ignorance is bliss right?

We also have spent a ton of time talking about ways to extend our budget and live simply. One of the proposed ideas was canning. My mom canned when I was growing up, but I have to admit that I didn't really have any interest in learning the process, until now! I would love to learn how to preserve the amazing local fruit that grows abundantly!

I am so excited!!! I have two of my Summer reads now! : ) Thank you so much Flower Patch Farm Girl!!! I love your blog, and it is an honor to win!

Great Fun Had By All!

The Sensaria party in Leavenworth was a smashing success! By that, mean that the ladies came, relaxed, laughed, restored their senses, and left renewed and a little slippery from all the lotion... hehe! My host was amazing, she worked so hard to create a fun night for her friends, and she totally succeeded! I think she was a little amazed that the night was so fun! I loved working with her, and it was a privilege to serve her and her friends. Here is an e-mail she sent to me this afternoon...just thought I would share!

"Yippee! I have to admit I have never been interested in going to parties that sell things and had never even considered hosting. I think you have a gift Emily. Your personality and the fun atmosphere you encourage makes everyone feel so comfortable and pampered. It probably helps that you are selling great products too! Thanks for the extras!!!! I took a shower last night with my new Mango body wash … YUM! Oh, I also wanted to tell you that my feet are transformed since using the foot line. I am amazed. My feet are super dry and cracked all year round. I use one of the buffer things all the time in the shower and it just never seemed to help … it almost seemed like it made it worse. I think I was probably missing some steps like … I don’t know … foot cream. I have tried doing the lotion on the feet after a shower with socks, but that is hard to do in the summer. My feet are sooooo much better after just one foot bath. I think I need to pick up your foot night idea once a week. I am just so pleased and so thankful you invited me to the first party so I could host my own.

Enjoy your Thursday! Talk to you later."

Wasn't that so sweet...she made my day! I love my job!

Happy Facial Monday! + Giveaway!!!

Hurray, it is Monday again!

How was your week? I hope you enjoyed the amazing results you experienced from masking! I bet you have a new face today with less fine-lines and wrinkles...not saying you have any, smaller pores, and skin that is glowing!!!

I have been busy running around here today, getting ready for a spa party in Leavenworth, WA, and haven't even gotten to my facial today! But never fear, I have a plan for a bubble bath and a facial before bed...doesn't that sound heavenly!

So our focus for today is toner! Surely that is a step you can skip, right? No way, let me tell you why! Toner is a step that will not only save you money but it will also save you time. I know what you are thinking, how can another step save me time? Well, the toner's job is to prepare your skin for repair products and moisture. It does this by balancing your skin's PH and hydrating your skin. By balancing and hydrating, your skin is ready for the next step and will need to absorb less, therefore you will use less. This saves you time and money. Toner is also great for skin that is exposed to the sun. Spritz a little on after being outside and your skin will feel cooler, moisturized, and the skin cells will begin to repair from the sun's damage!

Important note: Find a toner that doesn't have alcohol in it! This is very important. Toner needs to hydrate your skin not cause extra drying!

Well, my bags are packed, I am ready to go....

One last thing, don't forget about the skincare challenge and giveaway. I would love for you to receive a free basic skincare package. See Skincare Challenge post for more details and rules!

Photo:1912bunaglow.com-bathtub

Peacocks and Succulents!

A while back I posted on how much I love and admire doors and door knobs. I love the stories behind doors, the variety of materials, how a door can be uniquely yours with a few minor changes, and most of all I love the idea that a door can make an impression about you to all who view it!

Unique Fall Inspiration Wreaths

During the winter, I have a business making custom holiday wreaths. I have always loved wreaths and their power to transform an ordinary door into a festive, glamorous, and welcoming site during the holidays. I love that wreaths can transition from the colors and textures of fall, into the the smells and sparkle of the winter holidays! Wreath and doors go hand in hand...love it!

Winter-Alaskan Wild

As much as I love a fresh evergreen wreath, I have recently decided that I would like to try my hand at another type of wreath. Not many people are looking for sparkle, ribbons, and ornaments in May, June, and July! I picked up the latest special addition of Better Homes and Gardens, Outdoor Rooms. The cover grabbed my attention with a beautiful outdoor entertaining space...it was love at first sight. But that is a blog for another day. In the middle of the magazine, was the most beautiful succulent wreath I have ever seen! I have always thought succulent plants were amazingly curious, and love their variety. I had a misperception of succulents, that they were temperamental and delicate. However, the article contradicts this perception. Of course they make the process look so simple, fool proof, and results in a low maintenance, lush, unique living wreath!

My new challenge!

The above wreath isn't from BHG, but it is close!

This is my kind of project, and I am up to the challenge. I will keep you posted on my progress. If all goes well, I would love to add living wreaths to my business. We will see! Wish me luck!

Photos: Knob & Alaskan Wild-www.premiumwreathdesign.vpweb.com, peacock wreath-Lori-Ann, berry-countryhome, citrus-countryhome, living succulent wreath-Dhast, succulent wreath-topiary artworks.