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What you see. What you don’t.

I’m sure you all think that my home is always clean, photo worthy and well decorated. 
Well, that’s just what you see. 
This is what you don’t.  This is what my house typically looks like on a Sunday afternoon.  Pizza, junk food, football, and teenage boys.  They are all huddled around a laptop checking out their fantasy football scores…including my husband.  Well, what’s a home if it’s not enjoyed?  Right?

And, in case my neighbors didn’t think I was crazy enough, I was on my front lawn at 9:00 at night taking pictures of hand made tombstones in candlelight.  I even “borrowed” some leaves from my neighbors since my husband mowed our lawn today.  I have no shame. 

I just hope no one calls child protective services. 
 “…and she stole my leaves and set up a candlelit graveyard on her front yard.  It’s unnatural, I tell you.” 
Miss Mustard Seed

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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40 Responses

  1. Too funny.My neighbors can't figure out what to make of me. There is always some partially painted item drying on my lawn or the deck. This week there has been glitter and mica flakes flying off the deck table as I made more junque wreaths…I mean I didn't want to have to vacuum it up inside!!!Have a great night.

  2. I wouldn't worry about the neighbors! A house is meant to be lived in, especially with children. I would always much rather have had my girls at home with all their friends than somewhere else. Love & blessings from NC!

  3. Thanks for keepin' it real. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who can't find her countertops on Sunday afternoon!
    I didn't realize you had a teenager… just thought ya had littles. I've got 18,14 and 5. 5 keeps me hoppin'! lol

  4. I love seeing the "behind the scenes" action! My friend Alice made 1/3 of her front yard a graveyard for Halloween, it was fantastic! Forgetting about her dogs, I stopped on my way home one night to take pictures. She was still at work, but her husband wondered why on earth the dogs were in such an uproar. *flash* *flash*

    : )

    Julie M.

  5. "And the husband belongs to some kind of church and there are always teenagers around. Indoctrination? A cult?" Keep laughing. Luckily when my kids were little we didn't have to go to such lengths to decorate and be a good mom.

  6. Thanks for keeping it real. I can relate to this post more than you know. My kitchen usually looks like this and my husband is also all about his fantasy football (which I'll never understand). Thanks for sharing 🙂

  7. That is too funny! I love your graveyard! My house looks like that too, minus the fantasy football. Hubby opted out of that this year. Still plenty of football and junk food though!! Is there any other to watch it!? 🙂

  8. Nice to know you're human, just like the rest of us 🙂 And I wouldn't worry too much about the neighbors…they probably won't get concerned unless they see you start digging graves at the tombstones!

  9. It always amazes me that I can start with a clean house Friday night, and by Sunday night it seems to be a complete and horrible mess! It drives me crazy!!! Ah well, I know it is life, and I can't imagine if I had teens around as well as toddlers, they make just as much if not more mess than the toddlers, and that's sayin something! Thanks for letting us see the "other side"!

  10. I can just picture you out there at night taking photos of your hand made tombstones! How funny! I would get a kick out of it if you were my neighbor. I love the crow on the pumpkin. Great photo!

  11. I would have loved to see and hear your neighbors as you took the leaves. That so cracks me up!
    Just like the looks I got when I made part of my living room a sewing room…temporarily of course…Ha!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

  12. Glad to hear someone else has a normal household, although mine is a bit messier at the moment.
    It was great to catch up on your blog and see all of your awesome inspiration again.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Crystal

  13. I love this!! On a few of my posts with the candles glowing, the bed made just perfect, the mirrors crystal clear…I take a reality pictures for my readers of all the crap I shoved out the door to get that perfect shot. They always thank me….Thanks for keeping it real, this is life and I wouldn't change a thing.
    XO
    Kristin

  14. That is too funny! I can definitely relate to how your kitchen looks in the second picture! My house is always filled with teens and young adults. Especially on Friday nights when it is pizza night at my house.

    Love the copper hanging on your pot rack. Honestly, although it is nice to see "picture perfect" photos, I actually enjoy the photos depicting real life.

    ~ Tracy

  15. Love the shot of the guys around the computer on a football Sunday! There's a difference between a magazine shoot – and a home. I'd much rather live in a real home! (As long as it comes with those copper pots)

  16. Great after and before pics, I have been trying to see counter and table top for about 3 weeks now as soon as I get more than 3 square feet…in goes another project LOL
    Too funny about the RIP sign.
    I carve memorial stones for cemetary's, when my girls were small I would have to explain to mothers of their friends, that all the stones out back were for sale. And no, there were not xhusbands or siblings burried there LOL

  17. I was taking pictures of my Dad's garage that he has transformed into his work room. I love how he used things heading to the dump to hold his tools and supplies. But he thought I was strange; especially when I was taking photos of the food. Bloggers are an odd beast:)

  18. can i tell you how great this post made me feel? i think i almost cried…..BUT i did save the pic of your kitchen in my inspiration file..the clean pic 😉

  19. I love the photography with the tombstone pictures. You do a nice job. The candlelight is awesome. By the way, I noticed you won nesters giveaway!!!! Congrats!!!

  20. Seriously…don't we all "stage" for our photos? I'm happy if my house stays clean for a good half hour once I'm done cleaning. And as far as neighbors wondering what you're up to….well, there's an advantage to living in the country!
    Love those tombstones!

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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