My name is Tarah and its great to meet you!

Sleeping Aids – How to actually Sleep Well in the SAME Room Together

Sleeping aids. Lodi and I are not exactly polar opposites when it comes to our needs in our sleep environments but we’re pretty darned close! I am a light and very cranky sleeper (DO NOT WAKE ME UP) though I wake up at the littlest of noises etc. Lodi on the other hand could sleep through a bomb going off. We both have night terrors and nightmares. Me for my entire life… Lodi after returning from his last tour in Iraq. Its not that I’m not a morning person I’m just not a “waking up” person. It takes me a solid hour in the morning with coffee before my brain is capable of any kind of actual functioning. And then there’s Lodi who, as far as I can tell, is functioning at practically 100% the minute he wakes. Read More »

Book Shelf in the Master Bedroom above the Headboard

We’ve been working on our master bedroom for weeks now and finally have wound down to what might have been the one project I was looking forward to the most. A book shelf above our headboard! Long before the rest of my ideas for this space came together I was hoping to add a shelf here all the way back in 2019. But, like with everything, other projects needed to come first.

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Outdoor builds – Revisiting our most popular and personal favorites

I think its a common theme for any DIYer with absolutely no experience to run into projects that just turn out SO much better than we expected. That’s been true of me a few times here at Grandma’s house. I generally go into things I’ve never done before on a wing and a prayer just hoping they turn out all right. Outdoor builds for us have been one of my most surprising with how well some of them turned out and many, even years later, we’re still using and appreciating all summer long! Read More »

Tufted Headboard DIY – Build it Yourself using Peg Board

How to build a custom tufted headboard! I’ve had lots of questions over the years about how I built the tufted headboard in our master bedroom. Unfortunately I built it years before I even had the blog so I had no pictures of the process. Its really lasted a long time considering its not only white but has been through two moves with me and spent over a year in storage. Its well past its prime though and no amount of scrubbing is going to get it back to what it once was. Not to mention it has several tears from the moves and getting beat up in storage. Read More »

Creating a Charging Station – Adding Power Strips to End Tables

Charging Station End Tables. If there was ever a project I became totally obsessed with it was the little sofa table charging station I built for our living room years ago. A couple of hours of easy work, a USB/outlet port and BOOM we suddenly had the most used piece of furniture in our whole house. I added another charging station to our Guest Bedroom desk and then it dawned on me, why the heck wasn’t I doing this everywhere I could? I immediately thought of the ugly mess of cords I have under my end table in the master bedroom… Read More »

New Window Treatments and Design in the Master Bedroom

New window treatments up here in the master bedroom! As most of you know I’ve been excitedly hacking away at our second floor for awhile now. It all started with a game plan that had us first painting out the whole room and then adding a door for the first time too. The door gave me a great place to hang our floor length mirror giving us even more floor space. So far, all of the changes have really brightened this whole room up and though I did love our old flower boxes in the windows it was time for new window treatments and a design change. Read More »

Basement Refrigerator Makeover – Before and After!

Lodi did a refrigerator makeover a couple of weeks ago and I can’t wait to show you the before and after! Our basement refrigerator is a solid 30 years old (at least) I grew up with this refrigerator and remember poignantly the awesome day when my mom got a brand new one and this one was retired to “beer refrigerator” status. When she moved she asked me if I wanted it and I immediately jumped on the opportunity. Our basement has been slowly coming along but, not long ago, this was a totally unfinished space I often used for painting and staining if it was cold outside. Read More »

Cork board and Key Caddy Makeover!

I’ve had this little pine cork board my grandparents’ made for many years now. It comes with the added perk of also being a key caddy so, of course, we put it right by our front door. It really comes in handy! However, it doesn’t exactly mesh with the look we have going throughout our entryway. Varnished knotty pine in that gold color is really not our style so its been on my list for awhile now to give it a little makeover! Read More »

Adding Tufted Upholstery to an old Coffee Table

Adding a tufted top and a new paint job to an old coffee table. I’ve been working on the refresh of my living room for awhile now. It started when I decided I hated my sofa and was ready for a new one! That worked out perfect because I really needed my old sofa to complete my seating area out in my garage. Following my old sofa to the garage was my coffee table and one of my end tables too! That left my living room pretty barren: the perfect time to do a makeover! Read More »

Three Legged Stool Makeover: Paint and stain combo with dipped legs

Teaming up with Chas in our DIY blog hop this month with projects for our bathrooms! (Make sure and check out all of the bathroom projects following this post and feel free to join in!) This little stool has a fun story behind it. My Grandparents’ were wood workers and made and sold lots of these along with many other pieces of furniture. One of my neighbors is an avid follower of my blog and felt she simply had to return it to me so this milking stool came home after being gone for over 30 years! Read More »

Lace Doily Upcycling on my Radio Stand Kitchen Island

Lace doily upcycling across the front of my kitchen island that I made out of my great grandpa’s radio stand. This piece remains one of my ALL TIME favorite transformations that I’ve created. Some projects just work! It was like this old radio stand had been waiting 100 years to be made into a kitchen island. It looks great from the front and the shelves in the back house all my recipe books too. During my recent kitchen remodel I did some surgery on it to work even better for me. Read More »

Thrift Store Lamp gets a Country Makeover with the Farmhouse Hens

So, a few months ago, I went to my local thrift store to get myself a sweater to make mug koozies for my Christmas in a Jar post. I left the thrift store with two sweaters, some shop rags, a mirror tray and a lamp! To be fair I still only spent $8 and no one really believed I was just gonna be able to get one sweater right? Read More »

May 2022 – a little room mate for a couple days…

May 2022 – Lodi and I don’t go out a lot. (We’re frugal people and happily stay in most of the time.) So, the fact that we went out on a TUESDAY (a work night of all things!), was practically unheard of. There was a very good (heartbreaking) reason we went out that night though… That day, 17 years before, Lodi had lost his best friend when they were in the army (in action) together. We always go to a local VFW post and toast to his friend’s honor. Because of this we didn’t get home until nearly 8:30 that night… If we had not gone out we never would have known about the little guy on our front porch, looking for help. Read More »

April 2022 – Some Seriously Horrible Weather

I really wish I had anything good to say about April 2022 here in northern Minnesota lol. I said in late March (when we had a lovely warm up) that mother nature could throw anything at me and I wouldn’t mind at that point because we were so close to spring… I WAS SO VERY WRONG. We got nearly two feet of snow over the first couple of weeks of April. I got my car stuck in our yard… TWICE (that has NEVER Happened) we had snow on the ground for nearly six months this year… Read More »

How to Make your Home Look Better without Spending Much Money

Making a home look better and even overall just FEEL better doesn’t have to cost much or anything at all really! Sometimes we need to just pull all of the furniture out of a room, clean it top to bottom, and then change things up a bit by exchanging the furniture, pictures and art with others from around our homes. I read somewhere that they call us, “shopping at home” because we’re literally going around and grabbing things from other rooms. Just some rearranging can make a huge difference because, sometimes, we just need a little bit of a change! Read More »

March 2022 Spring Hit us like a Freight Train!

In March 2022, all in just a few days, our temperature went from a record breaking -25 to almost 50! And, in true Minnesota fashion, we all went from complaining about the insane cold to freaking out and complaining that our basements are gonna flood lol. You just can’t please us. Regardless though the warm up was much much much appreciated. I don’t know how many posts I saw on Facebook mentioning how much better people FEEL just seeing warmer temps. Read More »

February 2022 – Progress on the Second Floor and Wedding Plans!

February 2022 – Whelp Lodi and I are officially both a year older. My bday just went by and his was the end of January. 40 for Lodi and 36 for me and wow do I have a lot of white hair lol The last couple of months we’ve been getting our wedding plans organized. Its going to be a small ceremony this spring with just a few of our closest friends and our dog Annie, of course. In late summer we’re planning on throwing a big shindig / reception here at the farm for all of our friends, extended family, coworkers etc. Read More »

January 2022 – Looking back, a 2021 Recap

January 2022 – A Recap of 2021. Last year was a record breaking year for MN and for all bad reasons… Lodi and I had huge plans here for the spring / summer but, before that, we got several things complete inside the house too. This recap always makes me feel at least a little better about the last year. Generally when I write this post I’m almost always feeling like: We didn’t get enough done. Its a sickness. Its just how I am lol. If I feel like I fall short of my goals anywhere I tend to feel like that’s true everywhere. Though we did accomplish the majority of what we set out to do in 2021 it sure did feel like pulling teeth a lot of the time! Read More »

Basement Bathroom Reveal – Pallet Walls, Barn wood and Black Floors!

Basement Bathroom Reveal, adding a touch of girl to this little space because it was starting to feel like a man cave and not in a good way… I am not a girly girl by any means (as I’m sure you’re all aware at this point…) but even I can attest a balance between masculine and feminine in a space is a real must. Outside of this bathroom our living room feels like just the coolest underground speak easy and I totally love it. But with Lodi’s wood furniture and black leather couches no matter what I do it will always feel at least a little like a bachelor pad. Read More »

Basement Living Room Reveal – Speak Easy Theater and Chill Space

Basement living room reveal. So it all started back in 2014 when I purchased and began the renovation of my Grandparents’ 100 year old farmhouse. I was single and the basement had a separate entrance so I immediately tackled it with the intention of putting in a rental suite. It was a ton of money and work that all went for nothing a couple of years later when my husband (now ex) decided that renters were a NO. I used this unfinished space (what a total waste) as my workshop for awhile until I threw him out in 2017. So, I emptied the space to, once again, try to move forward with the rental idea. A lot of life happened in the years since but, finally, all of my time and money down here is no longer for nothing! Read More »

Lodi’s Room Reveal Complete with New Light Fixtures!

Lodi’s Room Reveal complete with New Light Fixtures! Starting at the beginning… When I renovated this home back in 2014-2015 I designed this as a wide hallway which included a huge closet made specifically to house a 6 foot chest freezer. At the end of the hall I put our “back door” which included a doggie door in it – which was a great straight shot out of the house for my big dog at the time. In 2018 I got rid of the chest freezer and I was playing around with making this wasted area into a reading nook / day bed / dog bed area and putting up some kind of gate so I could lock dogs back here whenever I needed to… Read More »

The Back Hall Reveal Before and After

Besides a random peak here and there from reveals and projects of other parts of the house this is the very first time I’ve ever posted about our back hall! This hall, Lodi’s room, our Guest Bedroom, and even a bit of the workshop, used to be a wide open screened in porch. (Sorry for the before pics but they’re the best I have. Hopefully the before and after floor plan as well as the renovation pics help somewhat.) I designed this back hall during the renovation to be a “T” each wing going to a bedroom and, before we made Lodi’s room, to a hall and big closet and back door which was just wasted space until we started work on all of it. Read More »

The Current State of the Garage and What’s Next!

To get the garage to its current state feels like a huge accomplishment for me! To recap I started in the early spring of 2019. First I had to clean the whole place out, get everything off the walls and then haul yet another pile of crap to the dump. Then I ran power, insulated, covered the walls, installed the doors, put EVERYTHING back where it belongs, made a path and enclosed my stock tank complete with a barn door on top of it! Read More »

Autumn Deck Reveal with New Seating and Updates!

Autumn Deck Reveal with updates and lots of new seating and additions! OMG Where on earth did this summer go!? I can’t believe its so far into November already and I still have so many fun things Lodi and I finished this summer and fall to share with you guys. I decided after so many changes to the deck (Check out the old reveal here) that I definitely needed to share a new deck reveal with you before 2020 was over and I missed the lovely fall colors! The biggest changes are all the seating we removed and replaced with new! Read More »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #301)

Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #301. Wowser anyone have any advice on how to return to the real world after getting married, going on a honeymoon and being gone for a week!? Everything went absolutely wonderful! I cant wait to show you guys all of the pictures and tell you all about it! Meanwhile I feel like I need to sleep for a week lol but no rest for the wicked it is, in fact, good to be home and back at it. Now, on to the Party! Read More »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #300)

Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #300. Guys I can’t believe it but I am on my first EVER vacation in several years and the longest I have ever taken off of work in ten years! Lodi and I are on our honeymoon! We got married June 11th and I am so so excited to share all the details and pictures with you guys soon! (No, lol, I am not working on my honeymoon, I set this post up before I left I promise!) Now, on to the Party! Read More »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #299)

Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #299. OMG you guys Lodi and I are getting married on Saturday!! EEEEK!!! Are we ready for this?! Lol so ready for the stress of the event to be gone – we have so many lists and its a REALLY small wedding. I’m starting to understand why wedding planners are worth their weight in gold. Send good vibes our way as its an outside wedding – so far the weather looks beautiful but I can’t help but worry. Oh I am so excited!! Now, on to the Party! Read More »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #298)

Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #298. Phew have we had some serious crazy storms over the past couple of days. Unfortunately we even ended up with a tree blowing down on our garage! We were lucky (though there was a ton of clean up) the garage actually did not get damaged more than a bit of bent siding etc. The wedding is June 11th and I’m trying not to think about the weather because, obviously, there’s nothing I can do about it whether it rains or snows lol. But is it too much to ask for some sunshine and a few nice hours for when we’re out on the boat!? Now, on to the Party! Read More »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #297)

Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #297. Well we had a busy busy weekend here for us. After many months of training Lodi ran a half marathon! I am so proud of him… I’m not a runner lol. He did 13 miles is just over 2 hours and finished about 600 in a pack of over 1,700 people. I am so impressed with his persistence and discipline to keep on training for so long! The weather is finally beginning to feel like summer and YES I did finally manage to get all of our gardens planted! Now, on to the Party! Read More »

To Grandma’s House we go! (Wednesday Link Party #296)

Welcome to the To Grandma’s House We Go Link Party #296. Well, dare I say it, but I do believe spring is finally actually here. Still haven’t planted the garden yet but it will happen tomorrow come hell or high water lol. Our weekends are slammed from here until the wedding on June 11th but that’s ok. Knowing we get a full ten days off for the wedding and honeymoon is making me all kinds of excited. I am so proud of Lodi – he’s running in a half marathon this Saturday! Now, on to the Party! Read More »

OMG Pumpkins everywhere! Hometalk Fall Decor Inspiration board

Hometalk Fall Decor Inspiration board! Summer is absolutely my favorite time of the year – you will NEVER hear me complaining about the heat lol But I honestly think that’s a fact simply because fall and spring are such short seasons here in northern MN. Fall for us could truly last all of three weeks like our spring did this year! And that’s just depressing lol because that means we’re settling into at least four months of some serious cold and snow. Read More »

Hometalk’s Outdoor Projects I Can’t Wait to Build! Do it Yourself!

Inspiration Board of the Outdoor projects on Hometalk that I’ve been drooling over! I received a comment on my outdoor bench saying, “You’re SO crafty, that’s amazing!” And I admittedly got a bit offended, eventually I just laughed about it but I’m not sure how I can build a wrap around bench for my deck and still be called “crafty”. I could’t help but think that if I was a guy she certainly wouldn’t have looked at that bench and called him crafty! I am a builder at heart and I spend most of my time building things in my head or drooling over outdoor projects like these: Read More »

Let’s build some swings! Pinterest Do It Yourself Inspiration Board!

Well now that spring has FINALLY arrived, my dreaming has turned to swings! Let’s build some! These are some of my favorites I’ve found on Pinterest and stashed away for a later time because, seriously, who doesn’t want to swing away a beautiful summer day? Contrary to popular belief, I do NOT feel that swings are for kids in any way. Many of these are very grown up swings for us “adults” lol Read More »

Nooks and Getaway Places: Pinterest Inspiration Board

Nooks, crannies, special getaway places, some of my favorite escapes via Pinterest Inspiration board. It has been a very difficult few weeks here at Grandma’s House, tailing the end of a very, very hard year. I will tell you guys why and what’s been going on when I’m able to get my feet back under me again. To say the least though I have found myself on Pinterest, looking longingly at getaway places and nooks that promise quiet and PEACE. Read More »

Inspiration Board: Six more Summer Projects I can’t wait to build!

Six more summer projects I can’t wait to build for us outside and out on our deck! Some DIYs and things just have to wait for some nice weather not only for us to enjoy them but for us to build them as well. Currently I’m sitting here in late October and we have a winter storm warning 🙁 So, hears to dreaming about next summer and all the things to look forward to building. I posted earlier this year a few summer projects I just can’t wait to build but I’ve seen so many build projects on Pinterest I had to share a few more that I can’t wait to build next summer! Read More »

Inspiration Board: Gorgeous Bedrooms to swoon over!

I spend a certain amount of time on Pinterest gazing with my mouth open at some of the gorgeous bedrooms people have. As far as Inspiration Boards go I’ve published quite a few over the years but I think this one might take the cake. I am absolutely in awe of a few of these. Considering how much time we spend in our bedrooms (albeit it is with our eyes closed) I am a firm believer that they are a VERY important part of our homes. So, without further adieu here’s some gorgeous bedrooms via Pinterest!! Read More »

6 Challenges of Moving to a New State

Moving to a new home, let alone a new state, presents enormous challenges all on its own! I swore once I finally settled in here it would be my last move for many many years and Lodi said the same once we got him settled, finished the basement, and were able to fit all we owned cohesively together. Moving is just, plain an simple, a huge stressful headache that is often not something that can be done slowly but, somehow, always in a rush! Read More »

Choosing A House That Aids Your Health

We don’t always necessarily think of our homes as being “healthy” for us but certainly it should be at the top of our priority list. I know living by a school would have me go postal but, on the other hand, if I had kids in said school that could be a lot of convenience thus making it a much healthier place for us to live. There are many things I would sacrifice to live for our health and that, obviously, includes convenience and location. For me its the perfect location but living out in the sticks is certainly not for everyone! Read More »

9 Ways to a More Cost-Effective and Sustainable Life

Living a sustainable life has always been on my mind especially since I moved in here at Grandma’s house. Living in northern MN I never had any notion that I wouldn’t do all I could to support our local wildlife and nature. We live here in THEIR woods not the other way around in my opinion. Being a DIYer too really lends to a more sustainable lifestyle as we’re all about building, reusing, fixing and /or buying used whereas buying something new is always a last resort. Striving to be sustainable is alwso an amazing money saver in just about every way too – awesome perk! Read More »

5 Ways to Prepare Your Landscape for Summer

We’re finally gearing up here for actual summer – nearly a month later with how crazy our weather has been! But this week its looking like we can finally get out in the yard and prepare our landscape for summer! Lodi already got our side by side and riding lawn mower in for all the maintenance they require for another year here of fun and yard maintenance. I got our magnetic screen doors installed and put away our electric waterer, replacing it with a bird bath with a solar fountain. There is a ton to do, as always, but we are so looking forward to it! Read More »

How To Take Better Care Of Your Deck

Deck care and maintenance are a big part of making a big investment last as long as possible. Up here in northern MN we’re lucky to get ten years out of a deck even if its treated wood for outdoors. Once our own deck really starts to decay we’ll be replacing it with composite so we don’t have to worry about it near so much though that material is VERY expensive. In the meantime we do what we can to keep ours lasting as long as possible. We keep it swept and don’t use rugs or, if we do, we don’t leave them on the deck very long. Read More »

Your Garden Deserves To Be The Best It Can Be

Summertime means for me that I can finally get back to my garden again! Every year I look forward to it and every year I understand more and more my Grandma who still kept a garden even when her health began to fade. The sanctuary that is our gardens is such an important healing place for me from spring until fall. I feel like I’m just a better person when I’m gardening! Read More »