2013!
What a year!
I have no other way to describe it but by saying…
I. Am. Blessed.
It was my first year of Blogging full-time.
I have learned sooooo much along the way and hope that
The Everyday Home will be an even more enjoyable place to
come visit and learn – and most of all laugh – in 2014.
I was a busy gal this past year – so sit back and relax and let’s look
at a few of the projects I shared.
— January —
January was a very sad and frightening month for our family.
My sweet Daddy suffered a stroke a few days after Christmas,
and it turned our lives upside down. My sister and I literally moved
in with my Mama and Daddy to care for him full time.
So, honestly – blogging was on the backburner – but I did share a
re-post of my Winter Mantel which is still one of my faves.
— FEBRUARY —
By February, as Daddy was improving, my son and I started
working on a project which I had been putting off for far too many years –
My Laundry Room and (lack of) Pantry.
One of my most popular projects was:
How to Fake Expensive Mouldings
And I got into the Valentine’s mood by creating this easy
— MARCH —
About this month is when Daddy was getting much more improved,
and with a Home Health Nurse we did not feel like we needed to be
there 24/7 – so I started getting back into some of my projects and
blogging more, too.
I created a Pink, Black and White Easter Mantel…
I shared my project for creating the DIY Chalkboard Tags
which I had used in my Pantry Makeover.
Another Laundry Room/Pantry Makeover Project was
How to Build an Inexpensive Shelf
Last year, I made the conscious effort to use less chemicals in our
home, and that started with items such as our toothpaste and
mouthwash which I now make myself.
“How to Make Homemade Mouthwash”
— APRIL —
As Spring was quickly approaching, I was busy with outdoor
projects, but managed to share quite a few indoor projects, too.
Such as “Recipes for Making Your Own Vitamin Water”
I also discovered that I love, and I mean LOVE, using fresh
clippings from the yard to create arrangements. I shared one of them
here in this Foyer Makeover.
— MAY —
May in Eastern NC means Strawberry season, and a day of day picking
berries with the boys yielded a ton of fresh fruit and these…
Strawberries ‘n Cream Breakfast Rolls
Also, Yard Sale Season is in full gear. I found some children’s games and
created Scrabble Tile Name Magnets.
— JUNE —
June found me Spring cleaning and decorating around The Everyday Home,
and that meant creating a Spring Mantel.
I also shared my MOST POPULAR POST ever…
10 Ways to Add Farmhouse Style to a Suburban Home
As the last of the Summer berries were dwindling away,
I shared one of my favorite desserts –
Grilled Angel Food Cake with Berries and Cream.
— JULY —
When July rolled around, I decided to totally re-do my two
Grandson’s Bedroom. Some Pottery Barn Kids sheets
inspired me. But, what was not so inspiring was the price. So I shared
“How to Get the Pottery Barn Look on a Budget”
I was featured in the online magazine
“Celebrating Everyday Life with Jennifer Carroll” and this is the
fabulous Summertime dessert I shared.
July is my birthday month, and my sweet hubby treated me to a
trip to Colonial Williamsburg, VA
My second most popular post of the year was when I shared my
Btw, I also revealed my new Laundry Room and Pantry during this tour.
— AUGUST —
I was very honored that Miss Mustard Seed allowed me to interview
her, and it was a fun post to write.
I joined five other ladies in a “No-Sew Showcase” – which we
have since made into a regular, monthly event. This is one of the
projects I shared… “A No-Sew Roman Shade“
It was actually a “two fer” project and I also shared…
I took you on a tour of The Everyday Home’s Farmhouse Kitchen...
Plus, I also shared how I keep my
Measuring Cups and Spoons Organized.
(my 3rd most popular post)
One of my favorite projects from this past year is my
“Painted French Grain Sack Table“
— SEPTEMBER —
September was when things really started getting crazy around
The Everyday Home. I felt like I was going non-stop 7 days a week.
I was finishing up the boy’s Bedroom Project and completed these
“DIY No Sew Padded Headboards“
I followed soon after with the full reveal…
“Pottery Barn-Inspired Nautical Boys Bedroom“
And, as many of you were winding down your Summers, we folks here
at The Everyday Home were not sitting back and relaxing. No, no, no.
We (“we” as in “I”) were starting to pull out the bins and get ready
for “The Everyday Home Fall Tour”
— OCTOBER —
As the Summer heat dwindled down in Eastern NC, cooler days
and nights sauntered in…bringing an onslaught of
Dollar Store Rubber Rats, Skeleton Heads and Glittery Spiders.
Yes, Halloween was in full scare-mode at The Everyday Home.
That included “Mason Jar Mummy Jars“
A “Monsters University Party” for my Grandson’s 4th Birthday…
Complete with Mike and Sully cupcakes and matching party bags.
Another “No Sew Showcase” Party had me scaring up this
“No Sew Halloween Mantel Scarf“
And finally – my “Halloween Mantel“
I also shared my “$1 Halloween Art Plates“
— NOVEMBER —
No sooner had the Great Pumpkin arrived, out came the Fall Decor bins
and The Everyday Home was soon covered in a plethora of Autumnal Bliss.
— DECEMBER —
Finally, we get to the last month of 2013, and we’re in the home stretch.
I won’t lie – I was getting tired and looking forward to an end of
year Bloggy Break.
But, first there were walls to be decked and I had a lot of
“Fa” to add to our “La”…
Starting with “How to Make a Lighted Doughbowl“
and a “Lighted Birch Log Basket”
There was “A Farmhouse Christmas Tablescape“
And, even more projects such as my
A “Christmas Cookie Exchange“…
and finally…
The Everyday Home 2013 Christmas Home Tour
These are just some of the highlights and most popular posts.
So you see… it’s been a very busy year.
But, I have enjoyed every single minute and could not be happier
in my new job as a full-time, underpaid, overworked, glue-gun burned,
glitter-covered, cookie-eating Blogger.
I hope I have inspired you, made you think,
and allowed you to be creative, too.
But, most of all… I hope I made you smile.
If so – then I did my job well.
Wishing you and yours a Blessed, Happy,
Healthy and Prosperous 2014.
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says
These were all such great posts and I enjoyed them all. Hugs, Marty
View CommentShelia says
Enjoyed looking through this year at your blog, Barb! I just loved your home tour – your house is so beautiful and I love how you decorate. You don’t know it, but I have gotten so many ideas and helps from your posts! Hope your Christmas was wonderful and am looking forward to more blogging with you in the new year.
View CommentBe a sweetie,
Shelia 😉
debbiedoos says
Looks like it has been a fantastic year. So glad I checked this out, you done some really cute things I missed. Happy. Healthy 2014 Barb!
View CommentYvonne @ StoneGable says
Even though your year started out with such a scare… you certainly created and amazed us all year loooong! I’m so blessed to have found you as a friend this year and look forward to deepening our friendship in 2014. You are a dynamo… and inspire me!
View Comment