RV decor, plus storage and organizing

I really love to look at the posts about "glamping" and ideas for renovating an old camp trailer into a "glamper." Pretty to look at, but not totally practical if you camp frequently, boondock, or full- time. In my opinion, frilly and cutesy is much too high-maintenance. I like easy clean, easy care, minimalistic style for camping, but don't worry! I still have some glam! Having upgraded to a new 5th wheel, I don't need to paint, or remodel, but I still want to make it uniquely my own. (Why does the RV industry only use dark, earthy colors in their schemes? And storage? fuhgetaboutit!)  I've incorporated some things to decorate (comfy, cozy) and some storage and organization ideas. Some ideas are original, and some I've seen on RV blogs, or Pinterest.

I made a couple of cute pennant banners, This one is strung along the large back window, and the other is above the head of the bed. I use blankets and throw pillows for the comfort factor. I also love pictures of family, so I have tons of pictures on the walls. I love the velcro type picture hangers for the trailer. They work great.  The little round lights you can see under the cabinets are a battery operated set we found at Sam's club. They have a remote, so it's really nice when there is no electric power available.

 I love cute sayings, owls and birdies! These are above the dinette. The bird is secured with a small screw into the window valance. Our new 5th wheel has a slide, where the dining table is, The trailer is only 2 feet longer than our old one, but the slide makes a world of difference! I put a storage ottoman in to use as a footrest and an extra seat. It opens, and is a great spot for shoes. Using the ottoman, I can seat 6 around the table. In the old RV we could barely squeeze in 4.

Some silk plants help warm up the space above the entertainment center. Since I could never reach the top of this shelf without a step stool, I opted not to store anything up here. But I like the plant.
I also used some dimensional wooden stickers- you can barely see them to the right of the cabinet, but I scattered them throughout the RV.


Storage can also be decorative! I use this basket above the microwave to store plastic containers. I also use the microwave to store a loaf of bread. It's easily removed when need the microwave, but putting it in the micro keeps it smash-free! The tin sign and flower magnets add a homey touch.

Storage in an RV bathroom is usually a challenge! The medicine cabinet is actually quite roomy compared to our old camper, but I love having what I need, or may need, in a compact space. These little bins make it easy to keep lots of variety in a small space. I use small or sample sizes, take them out of the boxes, and re-stock as needed. Bins also keep things from getting jumbled and tumbled while traveling.(I put a piece of bubble plastic in front of the drawers while traveling to keep them in place.) I try not to keep things in the camper that aren't needed. Having had an RV for several years, I've learned to minimize what I think we may use, and try to take what I know we will use. We may load and unload the RV differently each trip, but not having excess, makes keeping organized much easier. If we ever had to full-time in our RV, however, I would be in a world of hurt!!

A mesh shower organizer hung from the shower curtain rod, keeps shampoo, soap, razors, puffs, etc handy, and allows them to dry.     A shelf from Ikea, stained to match the wood, holds items on the counter. It just has a piece of drawer liner underneath it- so far, it has stayed in place- even on some really bumpy roads.

The storage under the banquette seats goes in really deep. I found a couple of wire baskets to hold items I use frequently. The basket pulls out easily, and I can easily get to paper plates, cups, and silverware when we have a crowd.

  I asked farm-boy to build pull out trays to fit the pantry. There was no way my shorty self could even see into the top 2 shelves of the pantry!  This way I not only can see, but also reach, those way, way, in the back items!

 I'm also too short for this cabinet over the sink. I use handle baskets, so I can pull them out to get to the goodies inside! A small shelf doubles the storage. Taller items, like a cutting board & cookie sheet are to the right, also in a basket!

These garden items make a great cutlery and sink tray. It fits into the sink when we travel, and lifts right out when we arrive! My spoons and spatulas are corralled, and I can easily access the soap, and scrubbies!
 In our old rv I had a magnetic knife rack mounted next to the stove- It worked really well, but this rv has cutouts for the knives behind the stove-top, so I haven't put up a magnetic strip.

 Small games, books, crayons, note and color books, dvd's, scissors, pens, pencils, cards, trail guides, plant and animal reference books,etc. are stored in  mini-drawers and bins under the entertainment center. A 3-ring binder holds the registration and the user manuals for everything in the RV.






These solar deck lights are the best little night lights ever. ( I got these at Shopko) I can charge them during the day, and put them all over at night. They have a button underneath to turn them off, so they make a great bedside lamp. I also keep one in the bathroom for those night time visits. They work great next to the door, if you're coming back to the campsite after dark, or as a flashlight, or put one on the table so you can see to assemble your s'mores! We also have a few stake type solar lights we put outside so we aren't stumbling around at night. Saves a ton on batteries! They stay bright pretty much all night (if you charge them good) I've decided to keep one in my suitcase, for those trips that don't involve the trailer! We have sure loved this new RV. I'm continually coming up with new ideas to organize and just simplify- after all camping should be relaxing, right?!

We recently took the RV's and went to Zions and Bryce canyons. The kids, and grand kids came also. Ophelia is 9 months and into speed-crawling! She gets into things she shouldn't in a blink of an eye! We used the blow up pool idea as a playpen outside. She loved it. We threw in a blanket and some toys, and miss O. She was happy, and so was mom, because there was no escaping off the blanket and eating of rocks, and dirt, and twigs.... Alesia used a laundry basket for Ryder as a bed in their RV. There wasn't room near the bed for a pack and play, but the basket fit perfectly! Both babies did really well!

Both Ophelia and Ryder loved hiking! Ryder was just 1 month old, he pretty much snuggled into the carrier and slept the whole time, Ophelia waved a stick, or a piece of grass, and her pretty blue eyes and sunny smile had strangers snapping pictures of her! It was such a good time. I can't wait for for next family trip- any destination ideas?

Changes

Wow! time has flown by since I last posted. Pinterest has totally sucked me in. My blog is neglected, but I do have lots of pins (grin). I have found lots of great fall decorating ideas, so I've incorporated several of them into a design for my front porch,- its kinda of a work in progress, I'm mulling several additional ideas, Since my flowers are still alive and well, I haven't removed the summer flowers yet, so the porch has some elements that will go once the frost hits (take your time frost, I am liking this warm fall.) I have been having fun using the old door from the barn as an element in my decor.
This past year has brought lots of changes. A new and improved camp trailer for one thing. We bought a 5th wheel trailer with a slide. It is amazing the difference a few square feet makes! I'm sad that summer is so short- I love to "rough it" in my new trailer.

We also have a new grand-daughter! So. much. fun!

Ophelia, or little O, is so precious! I just want to snuggle her all day long. Unfortunately, so does her mom, so I have to share (-: My sweet daughter is a mommy! It seems like just yesterday that she was teeny like this. My son and his wife announced they're expecting also, so I will get a new baby to snuggle in April. Joy! My friend and neighbor, Raecale snapped some darling pictures of O. And some darling family pics too. She is just so talented. (she even got the fur kids to smile!) like these? She would gladly snap some of your family. Well, I will see if I can find time to un-neglect my blog. Until then, happy trails!

Vintage- Rustic Wedding

My darling niece Maele,was planning her wedding and asked me if I would help her decorate for the reception.
Of course I was so excited to help out, especially when she started telling me some of her ideas...right up my alley! Let me now confess, Pinterest has become my new best friend! Maele and I would post ideas we liked, and occasionally we would both post the same thing, at practically at the same moment, we were so on the same page it was great! She wanted something rustic, and vintage,yet wanted it to look warm and inviting.
The reception was being held in the gymnasium at the church, and you know how echoing and cavernous those rooms can be. It is difficult to hide the fact you are in a gym without spending a fortune. (which we did not have) We have old doors and windows from our many remodeling projects, and used those as backdrops.
*disclaimer*
Silly me, I forgot to bring my camera, so the pictures are mostly from farm boy's cell phone, so they are not always real clear
*sorry*
Maele and I both really like the bunting banners that are so popular now, and Maele had made several with fabric, but I came up with a vintage style banner.
For her shower I made a garland out of vintage hankies, and cut letters from cardstock to spell out the Bride and Groom's names. I used clothespins to hang them from a clothesline and used sticky dots to fasten the letters to the front of the clothespins. At the reception, we hung it from our old doors behind the video table. Also at her shower, I used mason jars wrapped with lace for the drinks, I knew she wanted to use mason jars for part of her centerpieces on the tables, so that was the start.
Maele decorated many, many, more jars with lace, burlap, bakers twine, and buttons, and used them on the tables, and around the gym to decorate. She filled one jar with flowers & one had Epsom salts with a battery powered candle. There were also pictures of the couple on each table. A colorful tablecloth, and a burlap runner tied at the ends with bakers twine completed the tables. Her colors were purple, yellow and gray. Looks pretty, don't you think?


As the guests entered the gym, we had a table set up with the guest book, and used a vintage suitcase to hold the cards.

Next to that, was a long table to hold gifts, see the cute "just married" banner Maele made?

Moving along the line, there was an antique treadle sewing machine, with a wedding quilt displayed across it.

The next stop was the receiving line.

Maele had made a garland with strips of fabric and lace to hang between the doors that were for their backdrop. Didn't it look pretty? I love the softness of the fabric with the chippy contrast of the doors. Maele and Collin and their parents stood in front of this backdrop to greet guests.



I had planned to do a word art collage on an old window, in time for Maele's shower, but unfortunately there just wasn't enough time...(I will still get it finished, Mae) So I quickly whipped up a darling wreath to hang on the window. It is made with white felt and burlap rosettes. Isn't it darling? The denim quilt on the couch is made from Collin's old clothes- things from babyhood on up. What a cute idea!

As the guests made their way around the gym the next thing they came to was my FAVORITE decoration of all! ( well one of them)

I have a favorite store in Preston I like to visit. It is called the Gingerbread House, and the owner, Diane always has the cutest ideas. Her store is kind of a cross between a thrift store (without the yuck) an antique mall and a gift shop. She has lots of vintage things and they are displayed in the most creative ways. Anyway, she had a plethora of vintage crates, and since Maele wanted to use crates as part of her display, and vintage crates are costly!, Diane kindly let us rent practically all she had, and look at this!
We used an old ladder found in our barn, and suspended it between the stacked crates. Jars of fresh flowers are hung from the rungs with wire. This picture was taken before we dimmed the overhead lights, and so the doors are quite obvious, but with the lights dimmed, and strings of white lights suspended across the ceiling, the doors and "gym" disappeared into the background. Below are close ups of the displays inside the crates.

The line wound it's way around the gym, past the crate display, and the TV, to the best part, (for the attendees) the Treats! Maele served soft serve ice cream with a choice of toppings. I found these silver trays at DI and painted them in the center with chalkboard paint. Isn't that a sweet message?
As the guests were leaving there was another table with a "thank you" for them to take, and a display of Bridal pictures suspended with ribbon from a large "frame".
All in all, I had a BLAST! I think it all turned out wonderful, and it all looked just as beautiful as the Bride! Thanks for visiting, and grab a sweet stick candy on your way out!

Excuses for Blog neglect...

Wow! Was 2011 a busy year, or what? I committed severe blog neglect, I totally put a lot of my projects on hold, and just blocked it all out, and said "nah,nah,nah, I can't see you", to all my messes! BUT. I will do better this year. I hope. That said, The biggest thing this year that kept me sidetracked, was my son's wedding. (just a little sidetracked, ha, ha.)

It was such a fun, beautiful day. I love having another daughter! The setting was beautiful, the Photographer was awesome ( Thanks, Ashley Lowder) and of course, the bride was beautiful!

Some of the other things that kept me sidetracked, included our anniversary trip to Hawaii, planning and attending my parent's 50th wedding anniversary open house, and building a closet in the living room! (not in that order, just pretty much all at the same time ;D)

Our front room is a funny shape with an area of wasted space by the front door. I used to have the desk there, and complained regularly about everyone seeing the piled up desk mess when they came in. Since there were only 2 closets in the house when we started out, we decided another closet would be a welcome bonus! So here is what we did. (By "we" I mean farm boy doing the labor, and "me" helping. (ie: making suggestions, holding things, fetching tools, encouraging, nagging, cleaning up etc)

First, we pulled up the laminate flooring, and then farm boy moved the ceiling fixture over, (see the hole in the ceiling?) then framed up the walls of the closet. The heat vent was re-routed, and electrical and cable connections were put in.
Then the walls were sheet-rocked, shelves and hanging rods installed, the laminate laid back down, the box for the TV connections put in, and then it was painted inside and out. The baseboards and trim were replaced, and the door hung

Now, wallah! a closet, and space to mount the TV to the wall!
Farm boy wanted to add some color, so he chose a red to add to the accent wall. I really didn't like the color, so I deepened the color with some black glaze. Now the color looks great.

(The wires hanging from the TV were a temporary thing, Farm boy hadn't quite finished all the connections when I snapped the picture) I love the closet! it is really huge. And, an added bonus, that area was always freezing cold, so the closet helps insulate the front room. Of course, you could store food in the closet in the winter, and it would keep it perfectly fresh! Just kidding about the food, but I sometimes put my coat on the heat vent before I put it on!
Farm boy does such a great job with my honey do projects! I wish I could have the unlimited funds to go along with my list! My next project is to remodel the (yes the only) bathroom. Unfortunately, that will have to wait until we can afford to get it all completed at once, since one. bathroom. is. all. there. is.... at least we can use the trailer bathroom while we remodel the bath!

Simple Pleasures.2

1. Camping

2. Stars so close you can almost reach them.

3. Pine-scented breezes

4. Campfires (with or without s'mores)

5. Raspberries

6. Corn on the cob

7. Dutch oven cheesy potatoes

8. Mountain meadows patchworked with flowers

9. Seeing deer grazing, elk herds napping, potguts chirping, and hawks soaring

10. Burbling brooks

"If you're lucky enough to be in the mountains, you're lucky enough"

Got Beach Fever?

Since February (in Utah) is a TOTAL cosmic mistake on the calendar (other than my daughter's birthday) I have found the perfect thing to do during February!

It has to do with this...

And lots of this...

And quite a bit of this..........

And who can forget this?

I am totally thinking this should be an annual February thing!

Any takers?

Wow! have the months flown by or what? Talk about blog neglect! Good thing I am my only reader! I can't believe it's a new year already. Wasn't it just summer? I haven't even cleaned up the trailer from Farmboy's last hunting expedition! (But don't tell anyone ok?) Well, a new year has begun, and I have lots of fun projects planned, but actually doing them may not happen. A long, long, time ago, I wrote about a project I was going to do with the old window from the front of our house. It was one of those great ideas that take forever to get around to. Plus the spot I was going to put it needed to be used for something else, and on and on. Anyhow, I finally got it finished. What do you think?

It is hard to tell, but there is a little bird on one of the branches, At Christmas I put a little cardinal on the branch. I would like a saying also, but haven't come up with what I want yet. So it's still a work in progress. Hopefully this year we can get some crown molding up in this room. We have a big project planned, that will eventually include a fireplace.. I can't wait! I'm willing to live with the mess just to have a cozy spot in front of the fire. Sometimes winter is just too long! My plan is to do better this year with the blog, and try to get some projects in also! Have a great New Year, and decorate something!

All she wants to do...

I have really neglected this blog, it's more like a "blob"! It seems like my life has spiraled into a raging tornado. When summer arrives I go into "camping mode" all I wanna do is camp, camp, camp. (reminds me of some lyrics...) Unfortunately, I must work, weed, work, supervise the watering and mowing (j/k) work, (not kidding), do laundry, work,.... anyways the list goes on. Even though getting ready to camp takes effort, the end result is so worth it! At one of our camp outs, these little butterflies were soaking up the sun. There were hundreds of them, and when their wings were open, they looked like little blue flowers. (as soon as I would get close they would all take flight, so it was hard to get a pic) The creek was chattering nearby, the breeze was scented with pine, the foil dinners cooked in the campfire tasted heavenly, and the view from that great 4-wheeler trail was spectacular!
Another weekend we were joined by our son and his friend (also considered a son), and Farmboy's sis and her family. The boys got up early to fish, and all had their limit within a few moments. Later, we went for a ride, and saw dozens of deer and an entire herd of elk. We made dutch oven cherry chocolate cake, um, yum!, so delicious, and just enjoyed one another's company. I can't wait to go again! I am so enjoying our little trailer! Camping is elevated when you have a comfy bed and a shower. Oh, and lights, toilet, fridge, popsicles, warm water, screens, and did I mention showers, toilets, and a comfy bed? I love to camp! (especially in the trailer)

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go visit my Grandfather, and my kids were able to come also. My son brought his fiance to meet great-grandpa too. What a fun trip. We haven't all gone on a trip together since we moved to Cache Valley. (7 years ago. Really? has it been that long?...) It had been that long since my son had been to see his great-grandpa too. Grandpa lives in Reno, and will be 92 in August. We carved out some time to go to Lake Tahoe, and yes, the water is still cold. (in case you were wondering about the whole "global warming" thing.. not affecting the lake, yet!) Whenever I think about Lake Tahoe, I always think of the first time I saw Bear Lake. You drive through a beautiful canyon, with pine trees all
around, the scenery is beautiful, you come to the crest of the hill, and you can see the lake, and WHAM! all the trees disappear! I have always thought that Bear Lake was mis-spelled... it should be "Bare Lake", especially if you grew up going to Tahoe!! (If you have never seen Lake Tahoe, the pines are right to the beach, so you can imagine my shock at seeing a totally bare lake!) Don't get me wrong, Bear Lake is great, I was just really shocked the first time I saw it! Well, I have about rambled myself out, time for bed! (gotta rest up for more camping!!) TTFN!

Mother Nature is at it again!

Well Spring has sprung...a leak! Our weather is so amazing. We lost another tree in the other night's storm, We have actually whined spoken to the city about these trees because they are "mostly dead". The city claims that it is UDOT's problem, because they are on the highway side. This is what they looked like after the wind.

The branches came down right on the highway! Cars stopped every which way, and several people pulled the branches out of the road. Luckily nothing was damaged. An officer came by, and called for a front loader to come push them out of the road, and that is how they ended up on the lawn. I spoke to the city about removing the rest of the tree, and they said to call UDOT. Udot told me that the trees were planted by the city as part of the "City beautification project" (did they have those a hundred years ago?, just askin'???) and that anything behind the curb and gutter (what's that?) was the city's problem. I told him that the city already told me that they didn't own anything big enough to remove the tree, but basically I guess it's MY Problem! The city did come and pick up the branches this morning which I am grateful for. But I wonder what to do with a hulking "mostly dead" tree in my yard. Not very attractive yard art! I wonder if I were to hang something offensive all over it how long before the city removed it? Any Ideas??? suggestions for offensiveness?? (The mostly dead one is on the left).

I am just glad that farm boy finally got the rest of the tree that came down last summer cut down. It would have come right through the house during this last storm, it was leaning towards the house and that was the direction of the wind! What a blessing! The yard sure will be different this summer, Only 1 tree left to shade the back yard, and it doesn't do a very good job. I miss those big trees. Oh well, we planted a few new trees, so in 20 years we will have shade again.

My nest un-emptied. I no longer have an office and the "piled with junk" desk is back in the front room. Dang! But I love having my kids around, and will put up with the desk stuff in the meantime... It won't be too long before I have an office again, on the other hand, a guest room would be nice too! I guess the main thing about life is that it changes! Trees fall down, kids move in and out, neighbors and ward boundaries move here and there, change happens, whether we like it or not. Change keeps life interesting, that is for sure. Enjoy the changes in your world! TTFN!

Empty Nestin'

Well, all the birdies have flown the coop..

But that means when I'm not weeping at the emptiness, I have another room to re-decorate!

I have very much disliked having our desk in the living room. The only place for it was right as you walked in the front door, and since I am likely to pile the mail, ads, coupons, junk, stuff, things, you name it, on any empty, flat surface, (try not to look so shocked!) I was usually reluctant to answer the front door. Luckily, ( typed with sarcasm) most people come to the back door at our house, and so they get to be greeted by all the miscellaneous junk that gets piled up in my laundry room!! (back door guests are best?) so either way, my guest's are amazed by my piling skills! But not any more! I may have to put a sign on the back door to please use the front door, because the desk is gone! Hooray! I have big plans for the former desk area, involving an old window, but you'll just have to wait, cuz today it's all about the office.

For now, the desk is how I dream it should be, cleared of junk, waiting for me to peruse blogland, dream up ideas, and deal with necessary evils, like bills. Unfortunately, it will probably not look like this long, but all the bliss going on in here now may inspire me to change my ways. (one can dream, can't she?) The room has wonderful tall windows that let in lotsa light, and a windowseat for curling up on. It is still in progress, I am looking for a cushion for the windowseat, I priced a piece of foam, and decided I would rather spend hundreds of dollars on other things than foam. Anyone have any suggestions? The seat is 69" long and about 2 feet deep. I want to find some cute brown and blue fabric to cover it with also. The search is on! Wish me luck. I will post updates as they come along. Ta for now, gotta dream up more ideas....