Meet Mt. Digmore.

The mountain of dirt with a sweet story to share with you. Can you see it just glaring?

You can see that I need to do something and it needs done quickly before spring jumps to summer. eep!

early March 2026

Also, you can take a peek at all my projects including my garden projects in my Project Gallery for free build plans, inspiration, and tutorials.

Oh, and I have quite the side-story for you over on my new brand and site, Livin’ Real with Larissa. (tee hee) Just tap/click the image or text below.

HEAD HERE FOR MY BACKYARD DIY FRENCH DRAIN

On another note… or should I say another step?

I was right!!

Not only did I guess one of my cats would love my new open staircase project, but I also guessed who would be the first one to roost in an opening. ha!

Ivan found his spot to lord over the rest of us.

And he literally scares the living daylights out of me in the dark. Do you blame me?

Now it’s Lily’s turn to give it a try. She wouldn’t dare lower herself to such standards.

As for Loula, she’s my constant shadow and helper maintaining our busy household with five of us flitting about on a daily basis.

In the meantime, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter. That’s the best way to stay in the know and be a part of this awesome online family!

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Here are more DIY projects like this backyard DIY French drain:

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While it seems like I’m running around in a thousand directions at once, my progress is steady as she goes.

I’m jumping in wherever I can to keep going and as weather permits. I didn’t take this remodel on thinking I’d be done in a few months.

I knew it’s going to take me a couple years to have everything done – if I even want to.

I’m savoring where I’m at.

Not just physically, but emotionally.

Healing doesn’t happen overnight and sometimes is never complete either.

However, I feel even recognizing the need to work on myself as well as being able to work on my home are THE BIGGEST blessings.

Maybe you’re in a similar situation – just know you are enough.

With that, I invite you to join me on my new brand site, Livin’ Real with Larissa to see my upcycled chalkboard facelift. (tap/click the text or image below). Also, I’m excited to share my garage update!!

HEAD HERE TO SEE MY REMODEL UPDATES

One last thing, if you aren’t already signed up for my FREE newsletter I highly encourage you to do so. I consider my readers my family. My goal is to create an uplifting community, promote self-esteem in all areas of life, and just be a place where you can completely feel welcome JUST AS YOU ARE. And nothing less… in any way.

Until next time!

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You’ll love these other DIY projects like my remodel updates:

The post Remodel Updates appeared first on Prodigal Pieces.

It’s messy, full of twists and turns, and even has a happy ending… ish.

If you recall, last time I share with you the “why” of cutting into two perfectly good walls.

Well, I’m not new to remodeling and my project gallery shows plenty of details on my past DIY adventures.

First, I will admit there are times I am saying to myself, “what are you doing?” and also “almost there… almost there!”

I’m sure I’m not the first one to feel like you have bitten off a large bite and wondering if you should swallow or spit it out.

Let me just say that I’m not a quitter by any stretch of the imagination.

And this project is now different… my entire new home.

Not only that, but I have news on my garage project!!

Tap/click the link or image below to read more:

HEAD HERE FOR THE NEW HOME STAIRCASE UPDATE

On another note, I have been pulling my hair out. Because… in the wee hours of the morning and night, I am working on finishing the transition of 14 years of work to my new brand, Livin’ Real with Larissa.

When I just feel like I’m making headway, the plug-in (a must-have in this blogging world) keeps failing. I spend hours setting it up and then it reverts back like nothing I work on takes.

AAAAGGGHHH!

I’ve contacted everyone I can imagine and not getting anywhere.

So, I’m pausing on that bit because ain’t nobody got time for that and I feel exhausted.

Please pray I can put this part behind me and that I can continue on where with I need to be in more ways than one.

Before you go, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter. Until next time!

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And here are more DIY projects to pique your interest like this new home staircase update:

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What you see below is the “before” of the wall in my family room that has the staircase behind it.

While I’m eager to just dive right in, I’ve actually been researching different ideas to tackle this.

One way I could do it is to completely demo the wall and add a header and railing.

However, I really don’t want to go that route since I want to keep it simple. That means I get to pull out my tools and cut into the wall without affecting the loadbearing status.

I do live in a two-story home with a slab foundation which also comes into play when considering a project like this.

Without any further waffling, let’s head over to my new site to see what I’m up to… literally. Plus, I have a sweet update to my garage build – eep! Tap/click the text or image below.

HEAD HERE TO SEE MY OPEN STAIRCASE DIY REMODEL

Also, I’m looking for feedback on my new brand transition. I’m still trying to please the Google gods so that my near-14-year stent continues on only with a new name –  Livin’ Real with Larissa. That’s it. Nothing else is changing, but so much work to prove I’m worthy. sigh.

Either way, I’m glad to be making these much-needed change for many reasons. I hope to continue to inspire!

Before you go, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter. Until next time!

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While you’re at it, here are more remodels like this open staircase DIY:

The post Open Staircase DIY appeared first on Prodigal Pieces.

I’m sharing all the amazing details on my new site Livin’ Real with Larissa. Just tap/click the text link below or GIF works too.

HEAD HERE TO SEE MY DAUGHTER’S DIY SENSORY SPACE

If you want to see a few of my other kid-related projects from the past, you can see them listed below:

• Thrifted Kids Bench
• Kid’s Play Table
• Pretend Play Grill
• Mud Bar from Upcycled Desk
• Holiday Cupboard Door Projects
• Upcycled Play Kitchen
• Kid’s Storage Bench
• Child’s Tea Cart
• Kid’s Rocking Chair

What is more, I just got the heads-up that my new garage concrete is being prepped tomorrow. That means I had to hit the brakes hard to clean up and get ready.

Additionally, we saw this excavator digging up a tree in the field behind us.

hmm… wonder what’s going on?

Hopefully, just clearing that tree. In the meantime, we’re back to snowfall and trying to enjoy the time until we can get outside and prepping the property for some changes.

Also, we’re starting our sports season and continuing on homeschooling. Our plates our full and happy to say we can keep going on.

After this last adventure and knowing what’s coming, I could use a break of sorts. Does that ever happen to you?

A reset and change of pace can do the trick. Until then, I keep plodding on.

Before you go, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter. Until next time!

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Check out these other related kids’ projects like this DIY sensory space:

The post DIY Sensory Space appeared first on Prodigal Pieces.

woot!

It’s nothing new that I have reworked many ceilings in my lifetime from my paint crew job to my old home:

• DIY Coffered Ceiling
• Faux Beam Ceiling – featured on This Old House
• Dining Room Ceiling
• Living Room Ceiling
• Kitchen Ceiling
• Bathroom Ceiling

With that in mind, I invite you to see the latest update in my new home family room remodel. Either tap/click the text or picture below to join the fun.

HEAD HERE TO SEE MY DIY HIDE CEILING WIRING POST

What is more, I want to continually thank you for being patient with me as I still maintain two blogs. One being my “old” one, here Prodigal Pieces, and my new brand and blog, Livin’ Real with Larissa.

If you’re new here, since I’ve been working on Prodigal Pieces for nearly 14 years, I have to prove to the online gods that I have a valid reason for starting a new place. That means I have to maintain the two for now until they are eventually melded into on.

Nothing is different for you other than one extra step to click through, but for me it’s so much behind-the-scenes work. I’m honestly tired of maintaining both, but this is my livelihood and I have to put in the sweat equity so I can be where I feel called to be.

I know without a doubt I can see God working (see all Life Updates HERE) and that I am blessed for trusting. It ain’t always easy, but I can’t deny seeing the fruits.

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With this DIY ceiling wiring in mind, check out these other remodeling posts:

The post DIY Hide Ceiling Wiring appeared first on Prodigal Pieces.

Or at least it’s started and staring at me at the moment.

It seems as soon as I start a project, another “emergency” pops up and is screams for my attention instead.

That’s what today’s post is all about. Tap/click the text or image below…

HEAD HERE TO SEE DIY LIGHTING FAMILY ROOM

What is more, I want to update you on how our fur family is enjoying our new home.

Since the weather has warmed up nicely, or, at least, enough to be able to get outside more. All winter we’ve kept the kitties on harnesses with leash, then just a harness, then a collar with leash, and now attempting to have them with just a collar and bell.

Both cats are outdoor cats and we’ve trained them before.

Lily especially is a barn cat with SASS.

This is her first day out and about with us setting a timer to checker periodically. She just wants to sit on the back steps and sun herself.

I don’t blame her.

One time I go to check her and here she is watching the field.

Meanwhile, this stinker (aka. Ivan) still needs a leash for now as he wanders into my neighbor’s yard instantly. He’s watching Lily in the tree at the exact same time.

And as far as Loula goes, she does so good just running about and an occasional bark or chase of the deer. Likewise, her reaction to her stitches has abated with antibiotics. whew!

Now, I’ll see you at my post link above.

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While you’re at it, here are more projects like this DIY lighting family room:

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In case you missed it, my kids and I relocated into a new place after being in our old home for 22 years – or at least I was there 22 years.

With only one window, no access to the back yard, and I closed it in building my son’s bedroom, we lovingly named the family room THE DUNGEON for the time being.

But… there’s only one way to break free and that’s the DIY ticket that’s covered in ample elbow grease.

Am I right?

You know I am. tsk.

With that, tap/click the text or image below to head on over to see what I’m up to (literally).

HEAD HERE TO SEE THE FAMILY ROOM BEGINNING

In case you missed it, I want to say thank you for the prayers for my sweet, Loula. (sign up for my newsletter to get all the updates in your inbox). Her tumor tests show her mass removal is benign.

As you can imagine, I couldn’t ask for better than that. I had to make some hard decisions for her and continued prayers for her not to get another mass. What is more, it seems that she is allergic to her sutures. Of course, she is {{sarcasm}}. So as they dissolve her incisions are inflamed. Not infected, however, so I’m happy for that.

In the meantime, I’ll see you over at Livin’ Real with Larissa for my latest DIY adventure.

Before you go, be sure to sign up for my FREE newsletter. Until next time!

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While you’re at it, here are more projects happening like my family room beginning:

The post Family Room Beginning appeared first on Prodigal Pieces.