finds

For the last week, every time I sat down to do a post I would get distracted reading all the blogs I follow. 
And inevitably, I would end up crying or laughing about something someone had written....yes, I am that emotional.  I cry at least once a day.  I laugh even more.  Believe it.
So I've been a slacker, and that is why. 
The sun has been out this week and we've been running around in it...soaking it up and loving it.  Additionally, sun = yard sales.   Which = happy me.
Wahoo.
Remember the cute little own trivets I've been finding all over town?  here and here.  Well, my little family is growing:

+3 baby owls, $.10/each yard sale.

I know...I fear I am turning into a creepy hoarding bird lady also.  But they were $.10 each and I knew they needed to be with their family.  Plus, what are the chances that I would find the EXACT same trivets, at a different location, almost a month later??  It was just meant to be...Dylan does not agree.  And thinks I'm crazy. 

I picked up this little shopping cart last week for Harper.  I've been debating getting her one from Target for about a year.  I wasn't sure how much it would get used for $25.00.  I found this one for $1...other than its near perfect condition, the best part is that I had this EXACT one when I was her age:

We've been doing LOTS of shopping this week.  That little girl loves shopping...I think she gets that from me.

One of my favorite finds from last weeks yard sales was this AWESOME vintage binocular set.  It was $3 and my most expensive purchase of the day.  I debated getting them, but decided they were a must-have for the boys room ( I know, you STILL haven't seen pictures of that room.  I'm a loser.  Plus every time I go to take pictures Beckham is napping.  Or beds are unmade (every day of my life).  Or there is underwear all over the floor.)  In any case, cute huh?

I found some awesome clothes at yard sales this week too.  My favorite?  This cotton tunic:

don't mind that it's sideways...blogger was not cooperating.

I had every intention of buying Dylan a new tie for his first day of clinic (yes, he started seeing actual patients this week).  However, he is the PICKIEST when it comes to ties...he wants thick (width and depth), old (cool, vintage old) and good colors.  So I can't just swing into Burlington and grab him a tie...I have to cross my fingers that someone who lived through the 1970's dies or decides they are sick of their collection.  I got just so lucky this week (no one died):

my sad attempt to tie a knot...I could use a few lessons.  but b didn't seem to mind.

Oh, and the best part about the tie?  It was FREE.  And Dylan wore it day 1 of clinic and looked sharpppppp.
Several times a week my good friend Lisa and I curl up in these comfortable brown leather chairs and gab for hours over warmed pitas and hummus (we've tried EVERY kind and swear by Trader Joes Roasted Garlic and the Trader Joes triple layer: jalapeno, traditional, red pepper.  Delish!).  I tried a vintage swag lamp and it was a HUGE failure...see for yourself here.  Ever since, I've been looking for a small-ish table to put between the chairs...it would not only help fill the space, but would give us some much-needed space for our hummus plates (and the habitual occasional soda).  Last week I hit the jackpot.  Perfect size, perfect shape, perfect price: 

$.25 wooden table, yard sale.

this is what happens when your 'hilarious' 18-month old refuses to move and then sports a cheesy grin for the camera.

I also made a run to the Goodwill bins this week and got an entire bag of crap treasures.  Harper was with me (even though I've vowed to never take my children there) and was an excellent side-kick.  She sat quietly in the cart, eating her Cheez-Its.  She only piped up once...it was to scream out about a clock she wanted for her bedroom...it was a moment that almost brought a tear to my eye.  My sweet little 3-year old...following in my footsteps...and wanting to dig through dumpsters of trash for buried treasure.  Cutesie.  Here are a few pictures from our clock project...we ran straight home and got to work...thank goodness the sun was out and cooperated:

h's wonderful find.  she spotted it from a mile away.

we removed the guts of the clock.

it really had lots of character.

the little thrifter/artist.

she got bored waiting for the paint to dry.

h wanted navy blue...but i talked her into picking a shade she actually has in her bedroom.  she chose this pink.  perfect.

we debated putting a mirror in the middle, but opted for a vintage button instead.

we narrowed it down and h chose her favorite.

I think she has an eye for art.

above her bed.  the pink she chose is the exact shade as the shelves we already had. she has an eye for color too apparently.

To keep from droning on and on and on and on (longer than I already have), I'll post my other finds in the next few days.  Let's just say, I left with a bag of clothes and another chair that is set to be my next project.
And this has nothing to do with my finds, but two little ones finished preschool this week.  Dawsons class did a singing program:

i can't believe how old he is getting.

d and his pal.

And Harpers class had a picnic outside:

i can't believe how big she is getting also.  note my sunglasses...harper picked them out at the goodwill...$.99.

d skipped class to be at the program...his first time playing hookie in grad school.  one word: rebel.

teachers lynda and chris with the kiddos

Yah for milestones. 
And Summer.
And yard sales of course.

xo,
tracy

dress

I've been waiting through 6 months of rain to be able to wear this dress.
On Mothers day the sun finally peaked out of the clouds.
I didn't waste any time.
Just another Goodwill find.

 Now here's one where Dylan waited long enough for me to be smiling at the camera:

And I know the background is awesome...the parking lot.
We are just lucky we got a picture before the rain started again.

A big thank you to my mom for taking the top of the dress in.  It fits like a glove.  And I love it.

xo,
tracy

ps: my favorite part of Spring...the farmers market...and thoughtful husbands:

Aren't they gorgeous?

white coat

Last weekend was Dylans white coat ceremony.

86 white coats...ready to be worn to clinic

the venue for the ceremony

Receiving a white coat in optometry school means a few things:

1) we had visitors for the weekend...wahoo.

jill and leon hatfield, waiting for the ceremony to begin...and people watching.

2) Dylan starts working in clinic and seeing ACTUAL PATIENTS.





3) we're halfway done with school... and I do mean 'we.'  It's been a collaborative effort.


goofing off during the ceremony.

and again...some things never change.

4) I got a new (to me) outfit for the ceremony (although there are no good pictures of it...it's really cute. dark coral, Fossil silk dress. $3.99 goodwill).

the guys.

the girls.


5) even though he'll be sporting a white coat, he is not a dr...yet.  So feel free to continue calling him Dylan, not Dr. Hatfield (dad, that clarification is for you).  Oh, and you can call me Tracy....not Mrs. Dr. Hatfield.
 

i don't know what is going on with my hair...it was windy.

It was a wonderful weekend and we're so proud of Dylan for his hard work, dedication, and perseverance.

xo,
tracy

mothers

Happy Mothers Day...
To my own sweet mom.  She is the most caring and talented woman I know.  She is never too busy to serve.  She has patience in all she does.  She sees the good in every situation.  She is creative and shares her talents willingly.  She is everything I hope to be.
To my mother in law.  She is funny and witty.  She is understanding and compassionate.  She is a true friend to many, but most importantly, her children.  She loves her grandchildren.  She has the most hilarious stories.  She accepted me as a daughter.
To my grandma Carol.  She is wise and well spoken.  She values relationships more than possessions.  She has an open heart and open home.  She makes treasures out of yarn. She is the kind of grandmother every child deserves.
To my grandma Dorothy.  She is gentle and sweet.  She is gracious in difficult situations.  She is thoughtful and articulate.  She always made time for a back scratch or spoonful of brown sugar.  She helped shape my childhood and is missed so much.
And to my children.  Who have given me the opportunity to be a mother.  Who have taught me things each day.  Who have forced me to look beyond my own wants.  Who have tested my limits and taught me patience.  Who are the loves of my life.

xo,
tracy

affair

I've mentioned my weird job before.
You remember?
The one where I cook for a single student?  And he pays me.

Whenever people find out I do this, they get the weirdest look on their face.  And then the questions and heart-felt concerns start.
'How does that even work?'
'How long have you been doing that?'
'Do you actually enjoy it?'
'You're weird.'
'Don't you feel like you're having an affair?  Like you're his pseudo wife?'

So here's how it works:
I send him a grocery list.
He brings me groceries and tupperware.
I cook.
Text him.
He picks up.
Repeat.

Let me back up.
When we moved to Oregon, I quit working.  We moved to a new place, where I knew no one, and I had a 6-week old baby.  Then the rain started.  And I realized that I was home ALL day, with three kids under the age of 3 and no husband.  I quickly learned I was going to have to find some hobbies, or I'd go crazy (more so than I already am of course).
Shortly thereafter I learned that a single male student was looking to hire someone to cook meals for him.  I thought about it for a solid 2 seconds and decided I was up for the challenge.
We had a phone conversation and laid out our expectations. 
With a one-month trial run ahead, I started searching books and blogs for meals that would be healthy, low sodium, full of vegetables, and freezable.
And during this last year, I feel like I've benefited so much from this seemingly strange arrangement.

I've come to love several cooking blogs that I would have NEVER found without this job.  And I check them regularly...obsessively maybe.  Hoping and praying for a new recipe.
My favorites?
http://www.fortheloveofcooking-recipes.blogspot.com/  (my favorite)
http://www.ourbestbites.com/
http://smittenkitchen.com/
http://thepioneerwoman.com/

I've tried things in the kitchen that I would have NEVER dared to do.
Like making homemade marinara. 
Or perfecting orzo.
Or learning to cook with fennel seed.

I've put together a portfolio of delicious meals, that I am confident I can make perfectly.
Like baked penne with homemade garlic marinara.
And slow-cooked beef stew.
And lemon orzo with roasted vegetables, pine nuts, and feta.
And sweet potato/shredded beef chimichangas.

I'd say the only negative to the job has been the hours and hours and hours time spent pouring over recipes.  My new favorite pastime.

Tonight marked the last time I'll cook for this job. 
And I feel a little sad about it.
Because even though it's weird and wouldn't work for most people...it's worked for us.  And it's become a hobby that I really love.  And it's helped pass the rainy days.  And it's taught me things I wouldn't have learned any other way.

So maybe in some way, it has been a little like an affair.
To some, a very strange affair.
With food.

xo,
tracy
ps: This post might be a bit dramatic.  At least I know it.  Oh, and sorry for no pictures.  Lame, I know.

break

It's been one of those weeks that you wish wouldn't end.
Wonderfulness at its fullest.
The wonderfulness is due, in large part, to Dylan being off school for a week.  It's in celebration of finishing his 2nd year of Optometry school.  For all of you (yes, the 6 of you) real world, non-student people...that's a big accomplishment.  Even more thrilling is the fact that we've passed the 1/2 way mark.  It's a threshold that makes all the test cramming (him), single parenting (me), and stress (both) feel (almost) worth it.  Yah for survival.
Because of the break, I got to do some things solo this week...shopping, eating out (think Rachel Green on Friends.  Yes, I went on a date with myself), and napping.  Heavenly doesn't begin to describe it.
And the sun was out.  We all got sunburned in fact.  Harper looks like Sebastian on Little Mermaid...I am neglectful and totally forgot sunscreen.  Bad mom.  But it was a nice change from the downpour....which has made its grand appearance as I write this.
Because I had some time alone, I went to yard sales, hit up the Goodwill (duh), and went to Salvation Army. 
One word. 

Success:


gray leather flats with leather/satin bow. $4.99 goodwill.  they're in perfect condition and my 'new' summer staple.



vintage owl fabric. $1.00 yard sale. it is so cute and i have big plans for some throw pillows.



colorful cotton tunic. $.25 goodwill bins. perfect with dark skinny jeans.

The next 2 items are such great finds that they require an explanation.
I was at the Goodwill and they had announced they were closing.  I walked through the mens jean aisle and a short leg caught my eye.  I looked over to see 7 for all Mankind capris, dark wash, brand new.  I said a little prayer that they would be my size.  They were.  And they fit like a glove.  These pictures aren't the actual pair I bought, mine are a little darker.  And as a side note, this model has much nicer legs than i do...even with my newly-acquired sunburn:

$6.99 goodwill

A few days later I was at the Goodwill (again...ahem) and turned the corner, only to see the BEST FIND EVER.  I'm not exaggerating.  Oh, but by BEST FIND EVER, I mean that for myself.  Other people would probably think it was junk. 
Note: remember the craptacular sunburst mirror I made here that has just been holding a place for my 3rd and final sunburst mirror?
This week, I found her.  In the form of a gold clock:

before the glaze

the clock

I am a loser and forgot to take a picture of the before.  So I'll describe it instead. 
The face of the clock was gold crackle with thick black numbers.  There were heavy black metal hands, that seemed too ornate for the retro feel of it.  The color was a bright gold...too gold:

before color

Basically, it sucked.  But that's to be expected for $4.99.  Right in my budget.
I removed the clock face and arms.  I had a piece of glass cut to size ($10.00).  I don't think the clock had been cleaned since 1973...but with some cleaning and staining, it turned out JUST as I hoped and dreamed (that might be a bit dramatic):

my glaze of choice, tinted black

the finished mirror, after 3 coats of glaze it looked more bronze

sorry this picture is so dreadful.  it's rainy and cloudy here...but if i wait for the sun i'll never get this post done.

My sunburst wall is finally complete, so now I can find something else to obsess over. 
I love it.
And I love wonderful weeks...full of thrifting, sun, and time with family.

xo,
tracy

ps: because I failed to post pictures of Easter morning and doubt I will get to it, here are a few of the morning...better late than never (and these are completely out of order and the spacing is off because blogger is being difficult and I'm over it...even though I hate it):


don't worry...i didn't give out any of the cookies touched with these fingers

or this knife

harper received candy (her favorite part), coloring book, stickers, and dress up princess shoes

dawson received bakugans (don't ask), coloring books, candy, and a shirt



beckham received a green polo shirt, pacifiers, candy, and a book 



the sprinkles lasted 4 cookies



it didn't take beckham long to figure out the candy situation



dawson after the hunt



harper with her bunny

when we were young, my creative mother made us bunnies like this.  they always had jelly beans in the stomach.  she made them for my kids this year and they loved them.

my one decoration