Author: Elizabeth Phillips

Life style blogger. Wife to Dale Phillips, Mother to two daughters Irene and Mary and a grandmother of four. Love photography and all forms of art. Love reading books, magazines and studying the bible. My guilty pleasure is eating chocolate ice cream. My favorite foods, cheese burgers and love grill chicken! My all time favorite is enjoying a cup of coffee with a friend. Good conversations happen when drinking coffee together! Most of all I love hanging out with my husband he is the coolest guy I know.

Queen E’s Garden

Last December on a warm day, I took advantage and cleaned up the garden area. I pressure wash the garden shed and the raised beds, finally getting the last of the dirt left from the flood. I also cleaned all my potting pots, tilled the raised beds and filled the beds with compost.

Winter

Early Spring

This is actually my second year gardening, so definitely a novice. I have three 4 x 8’s raised beds and kept it simple by planting what we like in salads. Cucumbers and tomatoes! Dale added a trellis for the cucumber vines using PVC pipe, which has been a nice addition to the garden. I use pots for my tomato plants and herbs. Sweet mint for ice tea! Basil for pizza! Yum! I planted green beans for the first time and also planted some dill from seed, experimenting!

Before Trellis

PVC Pipe Trellis

Pickling Cucumbers

Cherry Tomatoes Early Spring

June

Fresh From The Garden

This year I devoted one of the raised beds for flowers. I planted from seed, Zinnia’s and they are starting to fill the garden with beautiful colors! I love plants and flowers and have placed them in potted pots all around the area.

Flower Bed

Zinnia’s

Cut Flowers From The Garden

Zinnia’s & Basil

I am enjoying my garden very much! We have had enough cucumbers for salads and extra to give to our neighbors. I planted two types of cherry tomatoes and they are delicious! Next year I would like to try to add more vegetables to the garden but for now keeping it small.

Salad

Basil & Marigolds

Fresh Basil

Plants

Porch Plants

My garden shed I like to decorate along with the seasons. For spring I hung up a painted floral picture, added some spring flowers to the window box and a wreath for the door. Dale and I agree that the garden area is our special feature here at the Phillips Place. The last family gathering here, everyone loved the garden shed! It gave me a big smile seeing them pose in front of the shed for their pictures.

Spring

Garden Shed

Spring Wreath

Queen E’s Garden

I came up with the title “Queen E’s Garden,” one of my neighbors gave me the nick name “Queen E,” he has since moved because of the flood, but when we do talk or see each other, he always addressees me with Queen E! I dedicate this blog to Mark McKinney, we miss you! We will never forget the good conversations we’ve had on the porch and really miss your cooking!

You will forever and always be our friend, Dale & Elizabeth Phillips

Texas Patio

Dale and I have been busy as bees here at the Phillips Place spending our spring time getting our yard ready for summer!

I’m excited about our new red fence next to the stone patio! But let me tell you about the patio first. The area next to the garden shed had a low spot that collected rain water. I came up with the idea to build the area up by installing a stone patio. Last fall we had sand brought in, to spread in the backyard and ended up with more than we needed. So we used some of the sand to build up the area for the stone patio. We didn’t get technical about it. Dale made a frame using some landscape timbers we had on hand. He shoveled the extra sand to the area and we pounded the sand using our body weight by stepping and jumping on the sand. Yeah! I know we must’ve looked a little crazy, plus we don’t have a lot of body weight, so if the patio falls apart later you know why! Ha-ha! We finished the patio all in a days work. Not bad huh! Dale later installed a stone sidewalk next to the garden an unexpected surprise!

Before Picture

We removed shrubs for the fence.

To make the frame square we had to cut part of this tree. We plan to cut this tree down in the fall. Landscape timbers for the frame.

Filling with sand.

The first and the last stone laid

After we squared the patio we were left with a small odd shape area by the patio. Dale concrete that spot.

Made sure to put our initials and date.

Sidewalk

Dale used treated 1 x 4’s to make the form for the stone sidewalk.

After picture of sidewalk.

Fresh dirt under the shrubs.

Red Fence

I’ve always wanted a picket fence next to the garden shed and trying to come up with an idea on how to make that happen. We previously had a fence in our backyard hiding our propane tank. After the flood we had the propane tank removed and Dale suggested we should reuse the fence for the patio area. A good idea because all we needed was to purchase concrete and a couple of 2 x 4’s for the project. Dale shorten the fence by cutting a foot off the height so that we would have a view of the front yard. It’s not exactly a picket fence but it is a fence and it works for me.

Setting the post for the fence.

Cutting the fence for the desired height.

One side installed.

Painted the fence to match the red gate.

Color is Red Geranium by Glidden Wal-Mart.

After Picture

I love our patio! It’s a nice peaceful spot to sit and have a glass of iced tea or a cup of coffee. I also appreciate our new stone sidewalk a much stable walkway and makes it easier to get to and from the garden shed. The cherry on top! Is the red fence! It really stands out! I can imagine some good times will be spent here in this beautiful Texas patio.

Our Texas Patio

After Pictures.

The Hearts of Texas.

I hope you enjoyed reading about our Texas Patio as much as I’ve enjoyed telling you about our outdoor project.

A note from Elizabeth

I was so nervous the first time using the miter saw. It did not take long for me to get the hang of it though!

I started blogging two years ago for the reason that we were renovating a 1987 single wide Bonnell mobile home. We purchased our property over six years ago and were fixing our home those past years. The Bonnell started out from a deer cabin and I do mean deer cabin to a beautiful cottage. My thoughts were, “do people know about this?” You can indeed renovate a mobile home! Hence, my blog began. I wanted to encourage others that it is possible to renovate a mobile home like any other home. When I began this journey I did not know anything about construction. With the help of my husband I learned to demolish, saw, hammer, nail and paint. Oh believe me, there is a wrong and right way to hammer and a technique to everything I listed above. I had never used tools like a nail gun, drill or a miter saw before. My husband even gave me a lesson on how to measure because all those little lines on the measuring tape do mean something when you are trying to get an accurate cut! Believe it or not I became pretty good at cutting with accuracy! Ha-ha! Last year we were in the process of replacing the floors to our master bedroom when our home flooded along with most of our neighbors.

LIFE! Life happens! People go through some devastating stuff sometimes. You hear about it all the time tornado’s, fires and flooding. My advice is to be prepared. What I mean by that, is to make sure you are insured and keep a record of all your belongings and keep all that information at another location. We have a safety box at our bank and keep all our important papers there. It’s better to be prepared then not.

Back to the blog! After our home flooded I did not know if I wanted to continue to blog anymore. I didn’t think I had anything to blog about. I kind of had this give up attitude. You know it’s okay to be down when you’re out, but it’s not okay to stay in that place. I choose to get up and wipe the dirt off my britches! I did what ever it took not to give up! Guess what? Less than a year later, we were back home and it’s even better!

Our Home

Dale just recently put some lattice around the outside of the porch. Also he laid some fresh dirt next to the sidewalk.

This is a picture of my kitchen. I decorated this wall for under $35.00. The clock, lamp and pictures are Walmart finds. Great deal when you are on a budget! Oh and I made that HOME sign using reclaimed fence board.

I was excited when we found the home we wanted to purchase! Clayton homes, “Anniversary.” A single wide three bedroom manufacture home and I thought why not blog about our experience! So far I have blogged about the preparations in the setup of our home and about some of the changes we have made to the inside of our home. I will continue to blog about what we are doing here at the Phillips Place, but since we are not doing any major renovations (thank goodness) I might not post as often. I can tell you we have plans in the works for a room redo in the fall. Yay! Can’t wait! I promise to post at least once a month if not more. At times I might post my thoughts or a small project. I hope you will continue to follow us! I think some exciting things will happen! Make sure to subscribe to my blog so you will not miss any post. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my note from my heart. I appreciate it very much.

Elizabeth

P.S. Maybe I will put to good use some of the skills I’ve learned from renovating. 🙂

Laundry Room

Thank goodness another thing off the check list!

Updating our laundry room was on top of the list of things to do! Dale and I really like the size of the room and it was one of the features that help in making the decision to purchase the “Anniversary.” Since the room has some good space we wanted to take advantage by adding more shelves for storage.

Laundry room, came with 12 inch wire shelf.

Before

Dale made a wood shelf using 3/4 plywood to make a 14 inch shelf. He installed the shelf below the existing shelf, which made it easier for me to reach for items. Dale says, “For short people.” Ha-ha! He is such a teaser!

Preparing for the wood shelf.

Wood shelf installed.

Do you remember when we updated our master bedroom closet? The closet had a wire clothes rack and we were able to reuse and install it on the far wall in the laundry room. I love it when we can recycle something and it just happen to be the perfect size!

Preparing for the next shelf for the far wall.

Shelf installed.

In addition, I was able to put my Ikea book shelf against the opposite wall from the washer and dryer. I’ve had this shelf for many years and was very happy we had a place for it in our new home!

Book shelf

To keep things organize, I purchased some wire baskets online from Wal-Mart. I knew I would love these Better Homes and Garden baskets because I’ve ordered them before for my previous laundry room. I love the look! Love the chalkboard tag! Love that you can wash the lining and they hold a lot of stuff!

Wal-Mart Better Homes and Garden Wire Basket.

For the cherry on top! I added a bright floral decal to the wall! I think it’s a nice finishing touch, don’t you?

Wall Art, Hobby Lobby.

Applied on the far wall.

Laundry Room

After

Wire Baskets

Everything in it’s place.

The book shelf offers more storage for the laundry room.

Organizing has been easier with the extra shelves and baskets.

Laundry Room

The laundry room has much more storage and feels better organized!

Thank goodness another thing off the check list! Yay! Take care till next time!

Kitchen Pantry

I am happy our mobile home has a separate pantry! You know an enclosed space with a regular interior door.

I am so happy our mobile home has a separate pantry! You know, an enclosed space with a regular interior door. My last mobile home did not have a pantry and some manufactured homes you will have to use your kitchen cabinets for pantry space. Originally our pantry came with 3 wire racks that were only 12 inches in depth, not very user-friendly. But that’s okay we can fix that!

Pantry Before

Clayton Homes “Anniversary”

Dale used 3/4 plywood to make 5 shelves, 16 inches deep. This is a pretty simple solution for adding more storage to any pantry. In addition, a wire spice rack was installed on the inside pantry door for more storage and organizing. Extra bonus! Dale added an electrical outlet to the inside of the pantry so we can place our microwave and Keurig inside the pantry to save counter space. I love having my kitchen counters free from clutter and love having that extra work space when needed.

Special note: We were able to add an electrical outlet to our pantry due to easy access to an outlet next to the pantry. A certified electrician can do the job for you.

Removing wire racks.

Dale locating studs.

Working on the last two shelves.

The Keurig and microwave were placed on the second shelf, which is eye level.

Pantry shelves complete.

Installing spice rack and foil rack.

Pantry is now much more user-friendly!

I am loving my pantry! Adding the extra two shelves has made a big difference!

Pantry Complete

Kitchen Pantry

We spent $77.00 customizing the pantry, which includes plywood, spice rack and foil rack. We used leftover paint from a previous project.

Earlier I mentioned that my last mobile home did not have a pantry. My husband made a pantry though, he used the breakfast nook area that was not being used and made an awesome food storage space! I would like to end this blog by showing pictures of the work he did. Just to prove that anything is possible! Ha-ha!

Breakfast nook.

Dale was picturing in his mind how he was going to make a pantry that we really needed.

We make a good team! But he is the mastermind.

You can see even then Dale made a special place for the microwave. It’s not on the kitchen counter.

Pantry next to the laundry room.

Remember if you are willing to DIY you can save money!

Spring Time

We recently pressure wash the inside of the shed and metal storage building; getting rid of the dried up mud from the flood. Good riddance!!

Hello everyone! We are still around! I do apologize for not posting any blogs lately. Dale and I have been really busy doing some spring cleaning and working on the outside of our home. Taking advantage of the nice weather here before it gets hot!

Spring Time!

We recently pressure wash the inside of the shed and metal storage building; getting rid of the dried up mud from the flood. Good riddance!! We have been doing some rearranging to both buildings. The shed is going to be my garden shed/storage. The metal building will be Dale’s workshop. Originally Dale had tools in both buildings and it was a pain going between the two. What I am really trying to say is that he was hogging both buildings! Ha-ha! I am excited that I will have my very own garden shed and happy that my husband will have his own workshop! (Future projects!) Dale painted the inside of the shed with left over paint we had using a sprayer and I painted the ceiling with Walmart’s grab-n-go paint Antique White. I will show more pictures later.

Painting the future Garden Shed.

Installing a stone sidewalk.

What’s ahead? Updates coming soon!

Pantry and Laundry room we have added more shelves for storage.
Patio slab and side-walk installed next to the garden shed.
Adding more dirt in the front yard and laying sod.
Master bath and small bath decorated.

We have much work to be done and I look forward to blogging about some of these projects soon! Thank you for stopping by! Take care and stay tune till next time!

Love, The Phillips

Musical Lights

“Musical Lights” It all started with a vintage chandelier!

It all started with a vintage chandelier!

We were visiting Dale’s Dad who lives in Palacios and when we visit this small town, we like to check out one of our favorite shops “Palacios Antiques.” We’ve been keeping an eye out for a chandelier and Dale spotted this beauty. The chandelier was under forty dollars so we snatched it up! We used a steel wool sponge to clean the brass and soap and water to clean the ceramic. A good wiping did the job!

When we purchased the Anniversary she came with a nice Hunter ceiling fan in the living room, which is now our dining room. I thought it would be nice to have a chandelier over the dining table instead of a fan. When it came to the placement of the chandelier we had to get creative on how we were going to install this vintage beauty. The electrical box was not centered where the table sits. I came up with the idea to add a beam to match the beams that are already there on the ceiling, which would make it easier to hook up the chandelier. I do sometimes come up with some great ideas but Dale is the one who makes them happen and I am so grateful for him! Dale used a 2 x 4 to make a beam and painted it to match the beams on the ceiling. (He took a piece of sample trim to Lowes Hardware and had it colored matched.) The beam looks wonderful! While Dale worked on the beam I was in search for light bulbs and shades for the chandelier. I wanted to find bulbs that looked like light flames and were dimmable. I purchased some LED dimmable bulbs at Home Depot and found some clear glass shades at Lowes. The chandelier looks pretty good in its new home!

This is where the title “Musical Lights” came to be. The master bedroom did not have a ceiling fan so we installed the Hunter ceiling fan there. Dale moved the Flush Mount light that was in the room into the master closet, which gives the closet better lighting. Last but not least Dale added a dimmer switch in the dining room. I love dimmer switches! Once you have a dimmer switch you will never go back to a regular light switch, it’s awesome to be able to control the brightness of your lighting.

Vintage Chandelier