stuff i’ve made

paint technique to make Ikea Hemnes mirror look like Restoration Hardware finish
February 26 By meesh
i picked up this Ikea Hemnes mirror for a property in Mammoth Lakes. i wanted a rustic look to match the gorgeous and majestic Sherwin Mountain Range that is viewable from the house. i started with a light dry-brushing of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint’s Paris Grey. after brushing in the direction of the grain, […]

queen anne dresser refinishing :: part 1
October 3 By meesh
my husband and i took care of our uncle george for the past 18 months. he was a kind man with a generous nature. he had nothing, but gave everything he found to those in need. he treasured this queen anne dresser, which belonged to his parents. i decided it should stay in the family. […]

sand room mishaps :: my attempt at wood working with a steak knife
September 2 By meesh
sometimes i get hair-brained ideas in the middle of the night that keep me awake. my husband and i call this swirling. several months ago, i got this idea that i’d build a sand room. it’s like a mud room, but is really more for sand, since our family tracks more beach sand than mud. […]

Rustic mid-century inspired dining table
February 4 By meesh
How to paint new wood to look like weathered, rustic wood.
garden love

harvesting potatoes grown in coffee sacks
howdy! several months ago, i stalked a bunch of gardening blogs to learn how to grow potatoes. while spring isn't the ideal time to grow … [more...]

teeny, tiny peaches!
i love spring. the flowers are blooming, and you find cool stuff in the garden you've never seen before! like this one here...i've no clue what … [more...]
fresh garden salsa
there's something really magical about fresh, homemade, garden salsa. the colors are vibrant. the flavors are unmatched. and when paired … [more...]

Hello, ladybugs!
I released 1500 ladybugs into the garden this morning. I have no idea how many have survived, but while they were alive, I snapped a few pix. They're … [more...]

summer’s here. the flowers prove it!
We've still got another month or so of what we southern Californians call June gloom. That's right...don't come here expecting hot blazing days. … [more...]

how’d that tomato plant get there?
i love seeing the world. but i also love returning and seeing what's happened in my garden after a week away. the trumpet vines on our garden … [more...]

growing potatoes and yams in coffee sacks
i met a wonderfully delightful woman a few months ago at a baby shower. i started telling Cheri how i was obsessed with watching YouTube videos on … [more...]