Happy Valentine’s Day! We’re celebrating quietly at home with Burger, Clara, and each other, plus a photography crew who’ve been here for a third straight week. There’s a twist: we’ve been fighting a stomach bug. Clara was sick through Saturday night into Sunday morning, and now John and I are feeling under the weather too. Still, the show must go on—fortunately our big secret projects are finished. We just need to wrap up the last few shots by Friday and then we’re done. We’re also supposed to shoot some cover photos tomorrow, which is a little nerve-wracking, but we’ll focus on that later. For now: heartfelt Valentine’s wishes from our slightly green household to yours.
I’ve been keeping up with my self-imposed “Dude, Get On That Already” challenge, which is honestly turning into “So I’ve Been Hoarding Little Animal Friends And Now I Get To Spray Paint Them.” Exhibit A and Exhibit B are evidence. In my defense, I’ve also been collecting coat hooks and old light fixtures, so it’s not like I have a whole spare room full of ceramic animals—yet. But I did find two little horse-head bookends for $2.50 each about a year ago during a thrift store spree in Delaware. They sat in the playroom for twelve months, waiting for their moment.
These orange-and-black sponge-painted horse heads had potential from the beginning. The first step was to give each piece a few thin, even coats of spray primer. Smooth ceramic pieces grip paint much better after a primer coat, so that’s an important step for a durable finish. After priming, they looked steely gray and ready for color.
With spring on my mind, I chose a bright yellow spray paint to bring these little sculptures to life. The key to a good spray-painted finish is patience: I applied five very thin mist-like coats rather than heavy layers. Hold the can about 12 inches away and keep your arm moving to avoid drips and pooling. After spraying, I let the pieces cure for a few days in the carport so the paint could fully harden before bringing them inside.
Once dry, the transformed horse heads were ready for action. They now function as cheery bookends that brighten the room and remind me that small updates can make a meaningful difference. Who’s ready for warm weather, cherry blossoms, and birdsong? This girl (with yellow-sprayed thumbs) certainly is.
This project is a perfect example of why I love breaking tasks down into bite-sized challenges. Two $2.50 thrift-store bookends sat idle for a year before becoming a quick and satisfying fix. Small wins like this add up: when I force myself to tackle one manageable thing each week, the results are doable and not overwhelming, and they compound into steady progress. Besides these little wins, we’ve been juggling bigger projects too—like writing the book and working on our kitchen—so finishing small tasks keeps momentum going and gives a sense of accomplishment.
Sometimes the tiniest updates create the most joy, which is a bit surprising but always welcome. That’s why I keep pushing myself to take on small fixes and creative DIY projects; they’re the ones that often make me beam. We don’t need a full-scale renovation to feel refreshed—sometimes a quick spray paint session and a few hours of attention are all it takes.
What about you? Have you taken on any “Dude, Get On That Already” challenges lately—things that needed cleaning, organizing, painting, or repairing? Anyone else trying to avoid motion sickness on Valentine’s Day while still enjoying the holiday? I’d love to hear about your small projects and wins, or any tips you’ve learned along the way.