Random thoughts on a Saturday full of sunshine:

1. You are amazing friend. Just in case no one else mentioned it today? Let me be the first.

2. I’m spending the weekend attending virtual Haven, the home decor and DIY conference. I’m in charge of the mentors and I wasn’t supposed to have a mentor group. But at the last minute? I just couldn’t help it. I found a few friends to mentor.

3. We live in the historic district of McKinney. It’s truly a wonderful place to be. We have historic homes and brick paths and a square full of vintage shops and policemen that patrol on horses.

And this week?

I even had a milkman come to my house to deliver milk in an old-fashioned van.

I think I was born in the wrong era.

4. It was an amazing week on the blog. We talked about how to organize the space under the stairs and how to find more storage in the living room and how I went shopping with Zack to send him off to college.

5. I know you are probably all about summer right now.

I get it.

But me? I live in Texas. The land of the 110 degree heat.

So me and my minutes?

We can’t wait for fall.

And now?

Here’s all the amazing stuff I found from around the web this week.

Did you know that hydrangeas came in trees?

Here’s a limelight hydrangea tree.

And here’s how to grow one.

Loving this laundry room.

That floor. Seriously.

Here’s a round up of amazing diamond projects, too.

Here are some simple gardening tips.

We all need a few more plants in our life.

See the tips here.

These beautiful summer entertaining tips.

Sigh.

Her photographs are amazing.

 

In random news this week:

The recipe for this yummy dip

This amazing potting bench

Faux grass stepping stones

This sweet house tour

This house on Nantucket

These DIY french country bookends

This beautiful antique linen press

This free DIY library

How to cover popcorn ceilings

How to relieve stress

And this. If you read nothing else today.

Take these words to heart.

And one more for the road

Are you looking for an easy DIY for this weekend?

This drop cloth wreath is SUCH a simple project.

See the DIY here.

PS For more projects and fun? Join me and dozens of my friends over in my FREE DIY and Decorating group on Facebook.

You can request an invite here.

happy random Saturday to you

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Kris Kris

    I don't know why, but I love being the first to comment. I look forward to your Thistlekeeping every week--it's such a nice Saturday morning thing to do. That home from My Scandinavian Home--ahhh. I wanna move in. And adopt the cat. Also, I love little libraries and while I'm too old to use them, I'm always sorta tempted to look at the books they hold. That one was adorable. Happy weekend!

  2. Image for Carol Carol

    Thank you for this grateful sigh in a weekend that's too busy. Put your blog on my grateful list. It immediately gets me to a different place and away from my stresses. Carol

  3. Image for Lynn W Lynn W

    Summer heat 🥵. I feel ya!!! Love these words from Chip! I immediately sent his article to my 3 children 💜💜💜thank you for sharing!

  4. Image for Theresa Guetlich Theresa Guetlich

    One year while driving to Houston from Kansas City we got off the highway in McKinney in search of something to eat. We saw a sign directing us to the town square and were utterly delighted with what we found. We ate at a cute little restaurant and ended up walking around the square and visiting many of the shops. It was an unexpected and delightful find! Great city!

  5. Image for Donna Donna

    First, your opening photo, great, love the flower wrap & the wood carving of Thistlewood. The Scandinavian home, textures, softness, flowers, lived in (no to the cat, I am a dog person & cats on the counter!!) Projects were fun, even the stepping stones. You are mentoring the masses here.

  6. Image for gilmer gal gilmer gal

    I'm definitely making that wreath. I love it, and it would also make a great gift for some of my friends. I grew up in Plano, before McKinney was cool. Now I visit and I can't believe how wonderful that square is now. Of course, there was nothing on Stacy Road in Fairview, and next to nothing but farmland west of Hwy 75. Now, I can't find my way around!

  7. Image for Nicole Nicole

    I'm with ya on questioning if I was born in the wrong era. I decided God put people like us on earth at this time so the past is not overlooked. Happy Saturday!

  8. Image for Janice Janice

    Really enjoy your posts - thank you for the ongoing inspiration. Also, liking the new look of your long hair. One silver lining in this virus journey, missed hair stylist appointments and rediscovery of the joys of long hair!

  9. Image for Loryl Loryl

    i always love the Saturday Thistlekeeping but this one was extra GOOD! And by the way its 90 here in Chicagoland but feels like 103 because of the high dew point and humidity. It’s been a HOT summer here. But I’m enjoying it because sooner than we like we’ll be taking snow and windchill`!

  10. Image for Rachelle Rachelle

    We will be closing in on the 100 temperatures this week, but it's a dry heat so it makes it bearable - at least that's what I keep telling myself ;) Thanks for all the Haven work you've been doing. RR

  11. Image for Beverly Pope Beverly Pope

    Hi Neighbor! I just saw that you live in McKinney, Texas! I live in Princeton! Not far from you! I enjoy your blog! I really read this one today and it was very interesting! Thank you for sharing!

  12. Image for Kathy Menold Kathy Menold

    I can sympathize with you and this southern heat. Here in North Carolina we had a heat advisory today and we sat out on the porch hoping for a thunderstorm to bring some relief. It's been dry and hot all week. Going to make some herbal scented soaps for Christmas presents tommorow. Makes me cooler to think of Christmas!! Always love reading your blog. You are a brilliant writer. Stay well and keep cool.

  13. Image for Marlene Stephenson Marlene Stephenson

    It is hot here in Oklahoma too. I love small town living and McKinney sounds perfect. Thank you for all the great fun things found for us to go through this weekend and hope you had fun at Virtual Haven.

  14. Image for Teresa Gonzales Teresa Gonzales

    Thanks for the weekly wrap up! You are awesome! It is blazing hot where we are too. I can’t wait for Autumn!

  15. Image for CoCo CoCo

    Thank you so much for including my DIY French Country Bookends in your round up this week, Karianne. It was such a sweet, thoughtful and much appreciated surprise. I hope you had tons of fun at Haven. I know first hand what a game changer the weekend can be! All the best, CoCo

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