pure and noble

Forever February Challenge: Love Languages

2012-02-03T06:00:00.002-06:00

Did you know that you have a love language? Well, you do. The hubs and I uncovered our love languages through the book: The 5 Love Languages. This is seriously eye opening stuff here homies. Before reading the book years ago, I expected the hubs to know me inside and out - not because I told him what I needed, but because he loved me so much. Phfft. Not possible. Do you have any idea how many tiny little arguments and huge fights were had over my our unmet expectations? Ugghhh... too many!

Here are the big 5:

Words of Affirmation
Quality Time
Receiving Gifts
Acts of Service
Physical Touch

Guess what? The hubs and I are pretty much complete opposites in 50% of our love languages. Explains some of those fights huh?

Mine: Physical Touch and Words of Affirmation

His: Acts of Service and Words of Affirmation

So as you might expect, before our love language enlightenment, I was holding his hand, gettin' all hugged up on him while watching a movie and spooning in bed. And he was taking out the trash, scrubbing the toilets, doing the dishes and washing my car. (I know. I really shouldn't be complaining.) But while I appreciate all of those things (especially the toilet scrubbing) they just don't get my motor revved or make me feel pretty.

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My challenge ~~this~~ next week: speak his language! (I've told him this week how grateful I am for all he's done with the boys while I'm with my Mom and Dad, but I want him to know more!) Notes of affirmation all over the place. I'm talkin' out the yang people. And some acts of service too...like telling him to go on some runs (without the littles) and giving the house a good thorough cleaning - with a side of bow chicka wow wow thrown on top like a little cherry!

Do you know your love language? Go here to find out. And if you want a little challenge in the love area, check this out. Happy lovey dovey weekend homies! xo

Forever February: Remember

2012-02-02T06:00:00.000-06:00

Forty years. To me that's a lifetime. To my parents, it's the sign of a lot of love and a lot of hard work. If anyone has ever told you marriage, or any relationship for that matter, is easy...they're lying. Plain and simple. And don't let Hollywood fool you into thinking that 1. sex comes easy - and always rocks, 2. your man should, and will, always romance the pants off you (this goes back to the big sex lie #1), and 3. you'll live happily ever after. Lie. Lie. Lie. The divorce rates in America and around the world clearly speak to the fact that marriage is hard.

So how can we keep our relationships alive and strong year after year? Well, there's a lot of answers to that, but let's just focus on one for today... Remember. Remember why you fell in love with your spouse in the first place.

Forty four years ago, my Mom made these undies for my Dad at the ripe old age of 19. He still keeps them in his undie drawer. I'm not sure why he does, perhaps as a reminder - I sure hope so. Anyway, the point is this - I'm pretty sure my Mom still thinks sex is fun (although it kinda gags me to think about that) and I'm quite sure that his body does NOT look like it did 44 years ago. None the less, I do think she still "craves his bod" because of the love that she has for him, not for his abs or firm bootie (both of which were lost in a time/space continuum). My parents have seen and experienced a lot and they are still romancing one another in their own little ways.

So, why did you marry your spouse and promise forever? Me? Well, my hubs was and is hysterically funny, extremely smart, wicked talented, a leader, and above all - a godly, humble man. Sure he still annoys the heck out of me by leaving the toilet seat up, mistaking the floor beside the bed for a dirty clothes hamper, and oh sooo much more, but no one is perfect. Not even me. The little things that annoy me and quite honestly piss me off sometimes are not things he does to make me mad or hurt me. They are simply a part of who he is... a tad forgetful and a tad messy. But when I married him, my vows were for better or for worse and I'm pretty sure his little idiosyncrasies are far from the worst that we'll face together. Year one was proof that we'd face super hard times but we're fighting like hell everyday to make our marriage forever and it is so worth it.

Now it's your turn to remember - what was it that made you fall in love? xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Divorce. Hate. Etc.

2012-02-01T06:00:00.001-06:00

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You knew it was coming right? Posts about love and all the warm fuzzy feelings that it brings about... But what about the flip side of love? Hate. Divorce. Bitterness. Etc. Not a fan. My guess is you aren't either. So, for the next two weeks leading up to February 14th - International Romance Day - I am going to be posting crafts, marriage tips, truths about love and the like.

I hope you'll join me on this 14 day journey - Forever February. I promise it's gonna be fun. xo

Obedience and the "L" word.

2012-01-30T06:00:00.001-06:00

Life is often marked by a series of events that are either joyful or sorrowful. Chasms. Mine is marked by several. Most recently, an act of obedience and one that I never saw coming in a million years.

Several weeks ago Bonnie, of Revolutionaries, asked me to share my story of grace with her readers. As much I desired to do so, something was holding me back... I had never shared my story with my Dad. There was so much fear of his response and hurting him that I just couldn't do it. I am proud to say that I was obedient to the Lord and finally told him everything two Thursdays ago. Instantly I felt complete freedom as that weight, that burden, was removed. One week later, my Dad was hospitalized with Leukemia. To have shared my story with my Dad and ask him for forgiveness before he got sick was nothing short of a miracle. God's timing is perfect.

Yesterday Bonnie shared my story with her readers here.

Here's a snippet:

As I poured over the pages I realized...I am Gomer. I am Israel. I have prostituted myself in a number of ways: drugs, alcohol, materialism, control and anger, just to name a few. Hosea 4:1-2a says, "Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel! The Lord has brought charges against you saying: 'there is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. You make vows and break them; you kill, steal and commit adultery...'" That was me. But before I get ahead of myself, let me tell you a little bit about how I got there.

For the complete story (it's a long one) check out Revolutionaries.

Interrupted

2012-01-27T10:03:00.000-06:00

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My life has been interrupted by a fallen world where there is pain, sorrow and tears - my Dad is in the hospital and we are waiting for a diagnosis. I will trust in the Lord and His goodness. And, be back when things are a bit more settled and clear.

In the meantime, please pray for my family - my Dad and Mom specifically. Thank you sweet readers. Have a wonderful weekend embracing family and friends. Life is shorter than we think. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Napkins

2012-01-25T06:00:00.001-06:00

I don't think I'm on my own here when I say that I'd much rather dine with the above napkin in my lap than this...

Paper napkins are nowhere near as pretty as their fabric counterpart. And, they do a much better job of removing chocolate from little hands and mouths - trust me on this one.

For all you thrifters out there, I scored these two sets at an estate sale for $4.00 per set. For all you seamstresses out there, I'm pretty sure they were made from old bedsheets. Hello fabulous. That right there friends is a two-in-one reduction; unless, of course, it completely grosses you out to wipe your mouth with something you once slept on. (Doesn't bother me a bit, but I also pee in the shower so....)

Keep an eye out at your local thrift stores, estate sales and garage sales. The vintage napkins have the prettiest patterns and are sure to dress up any dinner table. xo

Heavenly

2012-01-24T06:00:00.001-06:00

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Without even realizing it, my sweet friend Hannah curated one of the most lovely blog posts for me. She's getting married in a few months and will be moving into a new home with her hubs. This has created a dizzying onslaught of pinning for their love nest.

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I can't wait to pop over for a visit! All of the images seen here are inspiration for their guest room. If it's as serene as this, I might have to stay an entire night. xo

Around the House: Five Lessons Learned

2012-01-23T06:00:00.001-06:00

Wouldn't it be nice if every weekend were a three day weekend? There was so much that I wanted to get done this weekend, but my head cold prevented me from accomplishing a lot of it. I was as productive as anyone could be in the midst of sneezes, nose blowing and ear popping.

I did learn a lot this weekend though:

One - don't have your sick son blow his breath on you to diagnose him as sick or healthy. I think the true litmus for that is via thermometer. I have this crazy idea that I have a seventh sense. I'm pretty sure I can tell if my littles are sick by the way their breath smells. Is it just me or is this a mommy thing? From now on... Daddy's smelling. His immune system seems to be stronger than mine!

Two - that lump up top is what happens when you leave your clean laundry in the basket for way too long - it takes the shape of said basket.

Three - When your hubs puts the littles down for a nap... they are likely to wake up with sucker sticks in their hair.

Four - Happiness can be found in a $23.00 kitchen mat from West Elm.

Five: Valentine's Day can be super inspiring.

I hope your weekend was full of lessons learned, hugs and kisses as well as sticky sucker heads. It's Monday homies, let's kick this week's booty! You with me? xo

Weekly Challenge: Serve Others

2012-01-20T06:00:00.009-06:00

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One of my friends joked the other day that the main reason she keeps having babies is because of all the free meals she receives. And while she was completely kidding, there is a hint of truth in the statement. Not that we have babies just to get stuff, because that would be completely insane (and a wee-bit masochistic), but because when others serve us, it makes us feel loved. There's just something so touching about someone going out of their way to show they care - No matter how great or how small the sacrifice.

This week I challenged myself to serve others - and not just the three men in my life. Through meals, errands, decorating, babysitting, prayer and more, I stretched myself to give beyond the "norm." Through it all, I was consistently reminded of how much joy there is to be had in the simple act of service. I was filled up by pouring out!

I plan to do a lot more pouring this weekend. I challenge you to do the same. I promise, your cup will overflow! xo

Creeper

2012-01-19T06:00:00.001-06:00

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Clowns are creepy. Sorry if I offend anyone here. I've just never gotten it. I don't know, maybe it's all the scary movies that have portrayed them as tiny little murderers or maybe it's their creepy little faces that emit only one emotion. Eeek! Whatever, I don't like 'em.

Last week, the hubs shot an amazing home in it's time-capsule state (nick-knacks and all) before new owners move in and gut the poor jewel. He found this clown-like elf thing and shot it in a cool retro kitchen. Later, I got a sneak peek and the images were amazing. NOT amazing on the other hand was waking up to the above little guy in my kitchen at 2:00 am. What the heck? From photoshoot to front and center on my kitchen counter... I almost peed my pajama pants. I had to immediately tuck him away in a cupboard, nose tucked into a corner. I will soon be moving him to the garage. Just feels safer that way.

Creeper. Fo' realz. Has anything like this happened to you? If so, I feel your pain! xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Birthday Invitations

2012-01-18T06:00:00.001-06:00

Our little postman has been busy lately. We've gotten invitations out the yang. Could make a girl's head swell, but I'm not the popular one... my littles are. All these invites mean - lots of parties, lots of cake and lots of gifts. In an effort to be more budget conscious, I've been making birthday cards (to go along with the gifts) out of the invitations I've received. That's $3.00 to $4.00 bucks saved. Ka-ching!

It's so easy too. Just a hole punch, scissors and some string.

Some are easy. Just slice off the top third, punch a hole and BAM! you're done.

Others require a little thought about where to cut. But if that's as hard as it gets, count me in.

Let's be honest, most littles could care less about the card and rip right through to the gift anyway. Just sayin'. xo

Wild for West Elm

2012-01-17T07:00:00.002-06:00

Thoughts of fireside afternoons and evenings make my heart go pitter patter right now. And if I had an endless budget, West Elm would be my one-stop shop for all things cozy. Have you given them a look lately? They are doing the perfect marriage of modern and woodsy. I'm smitten.

Are you drooling all over the place or am I all alone in that? xo

PS - I'm going to try and copy that gold throw pillow by spray painting some burlap. I'll let you know how it turns out!

Around the House: Cleaning and De-Stinkifying

2012-01-16T07:00:00.003-06:00

If you're a mom of boys, I think you'll agree with me... they're stinky! I'm not sure why, but there's a certain odor that tends to linger at their doorway. Maybe it's something they do intentionally to keep Moms and all girls at bay. Personally, I'd prefer a sign that says, "Boys Only." Last week I finally reached my breaking point and while the boys were at school I did a thorough cleaning and finally got around to hanging my favorite $15.00 Round Top score.

She's orange, lopsided and all banged up, but she's a jewel for sure. And now my big can see his trophies at all times.

I added a few new estate sale books to their shelves too. Happy. They make me happy - the boys, the books and the odor-free room. Now that makes for one happy Monday. Hope your weekend was fabu! xo

Weekly Challenge: Google Reader 911

2012-01-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

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Going into this week I didn't really have anything on the radar for challenges. And honestly, this week went by so dang fast I could hardly keep up. But I did make an effort to catch up on my blog reading. Yowza, I follow way too many blogs. Anyway, I am so glad I did some actual reading rather than just zipping through images. Whoever says the blogosphere is a waste of time is viewing the wrong posts. There is some seriously good stuff out there homies. Here are just a couple that blew me away.

AshleyAnn - Under the Sycamore: I have a voice.

Glennon - Momastery: 2011 Lesson #2: Don't Carpe Diem

They both made me feel as though I had been rescued from my self-imposed island. It's amazing the sisterhood you feel with women you have never even met just because you have something in common with them. I praise God for women who have the courage to speak up and speak out! (Glennon made me laugh my arse off and even got a chuckle out of the hubs. Now that's impressive.)

I tell ya, this is why I love being a part of the blogosphere and Faithblogs. It's not just fluff and materialism.

Happy Happy Weekend. It's going to be a busy one for me :

Chicago - high school play with a dear friend.

Cheering on the Bey Bladers - 6 year old basketball is a hoot.

Date night with the sexiest man alive.

Friends. Friends. Friends.

Have I told you lately that you guys are the shizzle? You are! xo

Two Bucks. TWO Bucks!

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-06:00

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I have long been a fan of those sweet booties up top. But - I do not/did not like the price tag that went along with them. Isn't that always the story? Ugggh, don't retailers know that we are in a recession? Anyway, when I found the little ditties below for two bucks at an estate sale last weekend and they just happened to be my size, I snatched 'em up real quick!

Fear not...I sprayed the insides with Lysol - a lot of Lysol - and wear them with footie socks. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Erasers

2012-01-11T07:00:00.001-06:00

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In the grand scheme of things, I don't think that erasers are the number one problem filling up all our landfills. I mean...they're small. And, most people (sadly) don't even write anymore...they type. So why the focus on erasers? Because sometimes the little things get overlooked.

I'd say the tiny little eraser has been severely overlooked. That is one versatile little office supply. Agreed? Now I know how to get the most use out of all my karate chopped pencils. (What can I say...he's six and he thinks he's Bruce Lee.) xo

Yeah...It's Like That.

2012-01-10T07:00:00.000-06:00

Living with boys means that my life is never dull. Never. Yesterday I heard, "Oh no! Awwww. Moooom! I accidentally peed on the toilet lid. Now it's all over and you have to come help." All of this is said with the most endearing Elmer Fudd voice due to "Ls" and "Rs" being super difficult for my little three year old.

Once school got out and the grueling task of practicing for our first ever spelling test was concluded, I looked up from the kitchen to find this...

Really? Seriously, what in the world goes on in their little brains? Whatever it is, I know it's wonderful and way too short lived.

Long live little boys! Oh, and ninjas too. xo

Around the House: Being Particular and A Bit Ungrateful

2012-01-09T08:28:00.000-06:00

Blessed. It's what I am. I don't deny it. But what I also often feel is entitled. For instance, I have a lovely home that keeps me warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Not only that, it is filled with treasures that I love - from family to furniture and bits and bobs. If that's not enough, even our cars - that's right, this family has two - have houses...we call them garages in the States. With all of this, why am I focused on the things in my home that I don't like? It's frustrating, for sure. I think some call it discontent. Ouch.

My Kitchen - Love lots of things about it, but don't love the floor or the countertops. Wish the floors looked more like this:

this

or this.

And the countertops more like...

this

or this

or this.

Then there's my bathroom issues... but I'll save that for another day. Good grief. Lord, help me be content with all You have given me!

Happy Monday peeps - what will you be grateful for today? xo

Weekly Challenge: Get Back Into the Swing of Things

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-06:00

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Winter Break was long and good. There were lots of late nights, no schedules, no alarm clocks, no lunches to be packed and no expectations... perfect. Best part - my six year old alarm clock slept in 'til 10:30 on more than one occasion! This week, reality hit like a ton of bricks with extremely early mornings and the return of bum bum bum... routine. Bring on the double dose of coffee please. Better yet, just give me an IV drip.

Happy Weekend fellow campers. Let's hope Saturday starts later than 7:00 am. Just sayin'. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Resolutions

2012-01-04T07:00:00.001-06:00

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Goals.

Lists.

Resolutions.

Call 'em what you will, in the end, they leave me with nothing but guilt. Guilt for not accomplishing them or striking items off said list, not matter how long or short the list may be. Last year I made the mistake of making a list and even sharing it with you guys - gasp! Guess what? Didn't finish a single one. Not one. Does that make me less of a person? Does that mean I didn't accomplish a thing? Does it mean that I'm not motivated? I think not. It means that life came along and swept me up with a new set of challenges - ones that I didn't plan.

I think I grew last year and faced many obstacles/challenges that weren't on my list. Maybe my list wasn't as good I originally thought. No matter. The point is that I grew. I changed. And in most cases for the better. So I didn't work out and I now have more dimples as a result...I did play with my kiddos a ton. Who cares that I didn't accomplish the splits? I encouraged my six year old as he attempted to do them. Does it matter that I didn't write a letter to each of my friends or family members to let them know how much I love them? Instead I spent time with each of them and never missed an opportunity to share that message with them face to face - in the midst of making new memories.

Am I saying that resolutions are wrong? No. I'm just saying that they don't work for everyone and sometimes they can do the opposite of their intended purpose. That is all. And that, friends, is my reduction for this week - one less list. And a whole lot less guilt. xo

The Forgotten Party Craft

2012-01-03T07:00:00.001-06:00

When Christmas garland is on sale 50% off and you have a love for all things that sparkle, it's kinda hard to pass up one that is both silver and gold! Before I left for vacation, I found a lovely little garland for about $4.00. I snagged it right away, planning to make New Year's Eve party favors with it. Guess what...forgot to make them. And, I was stuck in a car at midnight so it didn't really matter anyway. But, here's the idea I had...

Why not turn the garland into some faux sparklers! Here's how:

Materials:

garland

hot glue gun

kabob sticks

scissors

step 1: snip garland into 4" strips

step 2: hot glue garland strips to the end of the kabob - wrapping the garland around the stick and securing the ends with glue

step 3: party!

You could also tie on some jingle bells with some neon ribbon for noise makers! And by the way, how cute would these be as a cake-topper? Hello fantastic! Sorry I didn't post this little diddy before the new year, but perhaps you could hang onto this one for that special occasion down the road? xo

PS - Just to show you how easy this one is...I gave some snippets to my girlfriend's 8 year old daughter before we hit the road. Hers turned out fantastic.

Around the House:Vacation via Hipstamatic

2012-01-02T07:00:00.000-06:00

Six months ago I agreed to do a week and half, two-leg vacation with my sister and her family over Christmas and New Years. Pretty sure I should have been diagnosed as completely insane, but it actually turned out great! First leg: Drive to Des Moines, Iowa through the night with 5 adults, 2 littles and a ton of gear crammed into a Suburban. Talk about a family truckster!

Christmas in Iowa with the hubs family was a delight as always. Good laughs, good food and news of twins - plus late night Christmas light viewing.

Leg two: Rent minivan, drive 8 hours with family and in-laws to sister's cabin in Michigan. Hello? Where the heck is all the snow we came to see?

I didn't purchase or eat these, I just couldn't resist taking a picture of bright pink pickled eggs. Who eats this stuff?

lots and lots of this with my new Nook in hand

return trip home - 21 hours in the family truckster on New Year's Eve with 5 adults, 2 kids and lots of coffee

How we spent New Year's Day: Wiped! Completely wiped!

All in all it was a successful trip with lots of memories, tons of milage, a little thrifting and only one injury that should have resulted in stitches but didn't. Who wants to stop all the fun to go to the Emergency Room? Happy New Year peeps! xo

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T07:00:00.001-06:00

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Jesus Christ - the light of the world.

May your Christmas be filled with the joy, peace and love. Alleluia! I'm taking a little break and enjoying some time with family. See you in 2012! xoxo

Good Mornin'

2011-12-22T10:44:00.001-06:00

The hubs had a shoot in a little town outside Dallas yesterday and he scored the above sign from the trash! Woot Woot! Bonus... it still works. We plugged her in last night and she's a beauty.

Now we just have to decide where to hang her. Bedroom? (Which I think would be kinda funny to wake up to everyday.) OR Office? Decisions. Decisions.

I hope your morning is good and your Christmas morning is filled with love, warmth and happiness. It's the biggest birthday party in the world. Why wouldn't it be fabulous? xo

Wintery Weather Wear

2011-12-20T07:00:00.001-06:00

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I gots me a rule about Winter... layer, layer, layer and be comfortable! That little number up top with the flower? Oh my gosh, it's the perfect mix of hunter and feminine.

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Add a touch of sparkle and some cute flat boots...you've got yourself one major dose of snuggley goodness! xo

Around the House: Dropping the Holiday Madness

2011-12-19T09:50:00.000-06:00

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Yesterday I heard the most amazing sermon at church. Today I share it with you - HERE. I promise, if you take the time to listen to it, it will bless you immensely. My number one take-away...

Don't let His presents, rob you of His presence.

That's huge right? How often do we run around like little chickens with our heads cut off trying to get that perfect gift? Or trying to host that perfect party? Or trying to have that perfect holiday vacation? Clark Griswold didn't succeed and neither will we. It's not about us. When will we learn that? Christmas is about the perfect gift of God, given to the world in the form of a baby... a King in a manger. Every good and perfect gift comes from above. Not from us or anything we try to create.

This week, as the hurried Christmas season draws to a close, it is my prayer that each of you would have the peace that comes from Him alone. That you would rest in Him and slow down enough to enjoy His presents and most of all, His presence.

Merry Christmas and Happy Monday! xo

Weekly Challenge: Avoid Looking at My Wrinkles

2011-12-16T07:00:00.002-06:00

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Why avoid them? Because today I turn 39! And I know 40 is but a blink away. Oh how I pray these next 364 days go by slowly and I can embrace every single moment of them.

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To all you lovelies out there who are already 40 or older...you are amazing. May you cherish each wrinkle, age spot and gray hair. You're not nearly as old as I thought you were 15 years ago. Funny how that happens right? Happy Day to all of my lovely readers! xo

Last Minute DIY Gifts Under $5.00

2011-12-15T07:00:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I told you that my little elves and I were busy making all of our gifts for Christmas. Well, I'm sharing a few with you today in hopes to inspire you or give you some ideas for last minute gifts that are all under $5.00. Awesome Sauce, right?

Salt Dough Ornaments and Gift-tags - easy and fun. We got our recipe here and it's super easy.

Chalkboard Jars and Mugs: Great for teachers. I got the containers and the mug at the Dollar Tree.And I think it's time that I tell you, if you haven't picked up on this already, a can of chalkboard paint is the BEST craft staple next to the hot glue gun! Fo realz!

Top-tastic Goodie Pouches: A great gift for all the littles at school. Here's how I did this one...

Mini Candy Canes (Dollar Tree)

Top Party Favors (Dollar Tree)

3M Craft Paper (Dollar Tree)

Stamp

Thread

1. cut your paper strips and fold in half.

2. Stamp all your folded papers with a design you like.
3. Sew edges and write message.

4. Stuff with goodies and seal edge at top with tape.

5. Deliver with joy!

I hope I've provided a little inspiration. If not, at least our gifts are all complete and we've had a ton of fun. And yes, it's true... I have zero idea what I'm doing in Lightroom, but I'm having fun! (Sorry for the inconsistency in my images.)

Happy Gifting. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Holiday Spending

2011-12-14T09:34:00.000-06:00

Sorry for the late post. We are hard at work in our little elf factory! In an effort to put the focus on Christ and not on money and materialism, we are doing a handmade Christmas this year for family and friends.

Salt Dough Ornaments

Love Letters

Pot Holders

Goodie Jars

Top-tastic goodie packages

Come back tomorrow for a look at everything and get some ideas for any last minute gifts you might need - all under $5.00!

PS - look at our little crafting station... I've found that old cereal boxes opened up are the perfect "placemat" for crafting. We're also using old yogurt and butter containers to hold our water for cleaning our brushes. And recycled cans hold about anything and everything - item of choice at the moment, paintbrushes.

Merry Christmas all you little crafting elves out there. xo

Three Wisemen

2011-12-13T07:00:00.001-06:00

They do look wise don't they? I love my little gifted collection of owls. These are but a few of the wise guys sitting around our house. Funny thing is... I haven't purchased a single one on my own. When Jude was a baby he had this little puppet owl that he loved - he chewed on his beak. Ever since "Hootie" our collection has grown.

Oh... one more thing. I've been following this reading plan of the bible with the boys every night. It's a great way to count down the days of December until the birth of Christ. We've learned so much about Christ's character. This is definitely a new tradition for us. So fun and a great reminder of why we celebrate Christmas. xo

Around the House:Farm Fresh Christmas

2011-12-12T07:00:00.002-06:00

Do you remember this house and studio tour of Texas artist Jon Flaming? Well today you're in for a real treat. Jon shared some images from his grandparents' old farm that started his love of collecting and all things vintage with patina. When I got the email and began looking through the images, my jaw dropped to the floor. Not only is it amazing, but it's so super cool to see how much he was clearly influenced by his surroundings growing up.

Jon's cousin Chuck and wife Terri now live on the farm, where they raise their littles - hello dream life. They also raise cattle here, restore and redecorate the old farm house and much more.

As you can see, a few of the images are from summer and some from Christmas, but no matter the season this place is a wonderland of vintage goodness. I wanna stay year round - I'm pretty sure I'd find something new to fall in love with every day of the year. Thanks for sharing Jon! You and your family are so very inspiring.

Merry Christmas and Happy Monday friends. xo

Weekly Challenge: Stay Warm

2011-12-09T07:00:00.001-06:00

Oh my gosh. It has been so cold and rainy here lately. Makes me wish I had a fireplace, but loads of blankets, morning coffee and afternoon tea have kept me quite warm. And because we've been inside so much I've been able to do a little sewing too.

one infinity scarf that is super warm and snuggly

one fleece headwrap, earwarmer, headband thingy

Other activities to keep warm:

raking leaves for the littles to jump into

roller skating

soup, soup, soup

***

lots o snuggling with my littles

Happy weekend friends. Stay warm! xo

Hello Pretty

2011-12-08T07:00:00.001-06:00

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Do you ever look at an image and your heart just stops? That's what happened to me when I saw these interior shots on Moodboard the other day. I want to remove the dog from this scene (sorry dog lovers), fix myself a nice cup of coffee and curl up on this sofa. French music would be playing softly in the background. It would be raining outside. The littles would be asleep and the mister would be beside me. We'd both have bibles in hand... soaking up every single drop of everything around us.

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Oh... and I'd be wearing this:

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yeah... that sounds just about perfect! xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Toilet Paper Rolls - Holiday Edition

2011-12-07T07:00:00.000-06:00

for the birds

In a house of four, two of them being boys 6 years and under, we use a LOT of toilet paper. I'm so thankful for the glorious blogosphere and the talented millions out there that come up with the most clever ways to reuse toilet paper rolls.

stuffed and glittered

packaging and decor

with a touch of sparkle

advent calendar

wrap it up

Fa la la la la... Carolers

With all of these amazing ideas, there is absolutely no reason to just toss these rolls into the recycle bin. Come on...it's the holiday season - get your craft on! xo

Oh Christmas Tree...

2011-12-06T07:00:00.012-06:00

Do you know the story behind Christmas trees? Have you ever wondered why we decorate these lovely firs this time of year? Well I was clueless, so I did a little investigating and found out that the trees and the lights symbolize Christ. Pretty cool huh?

According to Yahoo Answers:

The evergreen fir tree is a sign of hope throughout the winter season--hope in the promise that the rest of nature too will awaken to new life in the coming spring. The message of this symbolism was simple: through Jesus Christ we too have hope for everlasting life. Indeed, Jesus Christ has become our tree of life--the paradise tree. As such the evergreen Christmas tree reminds us that even though our earthly season must come to an end, yet we will live through the grace of our Lord Jesus. Read more for the symbolism behind the lights.

My little and I made some of our own tiny fir trees the other day. You can make some too...they're so easy and fun.

Materials:
spools of thread
pipe cleaners
needle nose pliers
Christmas music (optional)

cut some of your pipe cleaners in half

using one of the long pipe cleaners, fold in half and twist sides together to create the base of the tree. once it's all twisted, put into hole of the spool/tree trunk.

using shorter pipe cleaners, fold in half around tree stem and twist into place

cut your tree into desired shape using needle-nose pliers or wire cutters. it's kind of like trimming a Bonsai tree - fun. (I used some of my longer snipped off pieces to create bulk/thickness on my tree)

Once you have the desired shape and tickness... you can decorate or leave plain. These little guys look so cute on bookshelves. I have to say, I absolutely adore the little Charlie Brown versions that Liam made. They're perfect!

Happy tree making! xo

Around the House: Christmas Cheer

2011-12-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

Sorry for my absence lately. I guess I've kinda had the bloggy blues in addition to the cold I had last week. However, I seized the moment and made the most of my "online downtime." We've been doing a bit of decorating around the house and it's wonderful. Christmas music is playing throughout the house and pine scented candles are burning.

Last year I received this vintage tinsel tree from our dear friends Jon and Kathy. It couldn't be more perfect what with our love of all things vintage and the boys allergies. I've been collecting little vintage ornaments here and there to give it just the right look. My Mother-in-law got me off to a good start with loads of goodies from her personal stash.

The entryway has been grabbing the attention of all the littles coming by to play. They love typing their most wanted items onto the list. So fun. I think I just may have to date this one and keep it in a memory box. I think it will provide some good laughs in about 10-15 years! Hope you are enjoying the season and the many blessings it has to offer. xo

Ahh...CHOO!

2011-11-29T07:00:00.001-06:00

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I have a whale of a cold. My head might just explode! Here's a few pics from the past week. Sorry...it's all I could muster in this condition.

Gobble. Gobble. I love my little pilgrim.

We took our annual family Christmas card photo this past weekend and this little Christmas tent is all that is left of the shoot... Liam thinks it's the prefect place to watch an afternoon show. Yesterday's pick - Wallace & Grommet.

I hope I'll be back tomorrow... I'm off to battle this cold. May the Force be with me. xo

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T07:00:00.000-06:00

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I am thankful for each and every one of you!

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Put on your big girl pants...it's eatin' time! Is it wrong that I wish I had my old maternity pants about now?

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My prayer is that your day will be full of praise and thanks. Yes, a full day...very full indeed! xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Holiday Fat/Calories

2011-11-23T07:00:00.000-06:00

WHAT????? Skip that. It's Thanksgiving. Bring on the gravy, sweet potato casserole and the pie! Instead I'll show you how I'm managing to keep my sanity and have a clean(er) house over the holidays. Enter the chore chart...

materials:

old cookie sheet (25 cents @ garage sale)

scrap magnets from mail

double sided tape or glue

ruler

pencil

scissors

craft paper

paint

paint brush

chalkboard paint

chalk ink

Step one: clean and paint cookie sheet

step two: cut up paper and magnets in the size and shape you desire

step three: adhere magnets to craft paper

step four: sketch then paint chores onto paper magnets (there are a lot of great free printables available out there if you want to save time)

step five: draw "system" onto cookie sheet with chalk ink

step six: hang and enforce

There is method to my madness...I drew the pictures of the chores as well as wrote them out because my littles are only 6 and 3. I chose the To Do/Done "system" for now because I think it's easiest for now. But, that is where the chalkboard paint and chalk ink come in handy... If this system doesn't work for us, I can change it at any time with minimal effort. xo

Good-bye City Life

2011-11-22T07:00:00.000-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, my bestie Cricket and her little man piled into my mini with me and my little. Thirty minutes down the road and it was all farmsville for us city folk! The boys loved it.

It was cloudy and windy but our littles didn't mind a bit. When they saw the tractors and the big mountain of rocks - they pretty much thought they had won the "boy" lotto.

Workin' a farm can be hard work even if all you do is moo at cows, slide down rock piles, sling a few shovels and eat some tasty yogurt. Whew, back to the city for these little buckaroos. xo

Around the House: Making it Work

2011-11-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

The hubs and I received some pretty depressing news this week that dashed our future hopes just a bit. Since early this year my husband has been working out of the home. It's been such a great blessing that we decided to add a studio above our garage so he would have a place to work and shoot. The city put the big kabosh on our plans - no adding a second floor studio to our garage since it isn't attached to our house. Booooo! Sometimes rules and regulations stink! After much prayer and being open to God's plans for us, we have decided to move things around here at home a bit. The hubs got the big office and I said bye-bye to my sewing/crafting room. I'm back in the closet - literally! Here's a look.

My "office" i.e. computer, now resides in our bedroom tucked away in a little Ikea desk unit. I think it will work out just fine. Until God shows another way.

PS - see that awesome Coca-Cola crate, wood box, kitchen scale and green metal lunch box? The estate sales have been good my friends. Very good. Happy Monday. xo

Weekly Challenge: Survive the Created Chaos

2011-11-18T07:00:00.001-06:00

I don't like messes. They truly get under my skin. And though I am trying to get better at this... we ripped apart that seemingly perfected playroom one more time and installed a vent/fan thingy in our bathroom. All at the same time and in three days! If this were your house...how would you survive?

I organized. Or rather, I tried to organize in the midst of the chaos. I made a chore chart for my oldest using an old cookie sheet, scrap magnets from the mail and chalkboard paint. Wednesday I'll post the details of how this was accomplished.

I also picked $12.00 worth of organizational doo-hickies at Ikea to get rid of our "on the door shelving system." And wouldn't you know... that was the best $12.00 I've ever spent. It has provided much joy and serenity. Now my door doesn't stick, my littles can open it and I don't have to worry about glass jars crashing on the ground every time we get in our pantry. Hello win. win. win.

The playroom is coming back together nicely - I'm doing the organizational bit today. And our shower/bathroom is now steamy sogginess free. Thank you thank you sweet husband and Papa Dude! I survived the chaos - Praise the Lord. Oh happy, happy weekend! Hope yours is filled with more serenity than chaos. xo

Thankful Thursday: Crafty Fun

2011-11-17T07:00:00.003-06:00

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Thanksgiving is fast approaching and next week school is out - one whole week! So, if you're anything like me, you're gonna want to do some special crafty things with your littles. Here are just a few of the awesome ideas floating around the blogosphere.

mayflower

gobble gobble

pumpkins

leaf rubbings and paintings

native american headdress

I can't wait to make some of these little lovelies. You know I'm totally looking forward to the headdress the most right? PS - we will be making all of these while sipping hot tea, apple cider and gobbling up homemade turkey shaped sugar cookies. Yum! There might be some lazy afternoons spent reading books in our new tent that Papa Dude made for us yesterday too! Love it. xo

Hobby Lobby Goes Anthro

2011-11-15T07:00:00.000-06:00

Did you know that Hobby Lobby has an entire row of knobs, drawer pulls and hooks that look insanely similar to some of Anthropologies' knobs and hooks? Well, they DO! And it gets better...they're so dirt cheap it's unbelievable. When I stumbled onto this little treasure trove, I knew straight away I had to make a coat rack for my Cricket (aka Bevel - it's a long story).

I had an old salvaged piece of wood in the garage that just happened to be her favorite color of blue.

What gets better than super cute hooks at rock bottom prices? How about a half-off sale? Yup, you heard me right...half-off! I died.

I love the end result. I can't wait to see this little number adorning her lovely walls! Be sure to check out your local Hobby Lobby; this would make an awesome Christmas gift for someone on your list. xo

Around the House: In the Key of G

2011-11-14T07:00:00.000-06:00

I scored the above lovelies while in Round Top for a mere $1.00 each. I love the rust, the detail of each one and the fact that they're all so unique, yet similar. In a way it reminds me of us/people. You know...similar but so different. A bit beat up and weathered from the daily struggles of life, yet beautiful in our own way.

I go to a Women's bible study every Wednesday and a few weeks ago I heard the an awesome teaching on the "Keys to Worship." Give it a listen if you can. It's inspiring. Kay, the teacher, shared that God is the grooves on the keys. He creates the notches in our lives that give us access. He gives us access to wisdom and understanding. Awesome stuff. i knew what I wanted to do with my keys...

entryway before:

entryway now:

I love it. Every time I enter my home, I am reminded to let Him be the grooves in my life. The life I desire and strive for daily. Happy Monday! xo

Thankful Thursday: Thanksgiving Tree

2011-11-10T07:00:00.001-06:00

I love any reason to give thanks. In fact, that is pretty much how we start every prayer in this house...by remembering the ways God has blessed us and thanking Him for those blessings. It cultivates a heart of gratitude; one that I pray I am sowing into my children's hearts. And since Thanksgiving is all about "thanks" why not display the many reasons we have to be thankful? Hello Thanksgiving Tree.

My oldest is doing this at church as well, so we're tag teamin' this season. So far, he's thankful for God, Jesus, food and most recently..."oxygen". Pretty good huh? Leave it to a little to remember the big stuff.

For our tree, I'm using tags that I soaked in coffee to "age."

Now that the tags are dry, I'm stamping a reason to be thankful on a tag each day until Thanksgiving.

Once Thanksgiving is here, this little tree of ours will be full of blessings. That's gonna be cool. xo

PS - can you count how many times I said "thanks" or "thanksgiving" in this post? ha ha ha Oh well, 'tis the season. Right?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Starbucks Fraps - To Go

2011-11-09T07:00:00.010-06:00

Oh Starbucks... how thoughtful of you to allow us to enjoy your beverages at home. And in a lovely and simple bottle too. What to do with those bottles once the yummy goodness has been consumed? How about a little DIY for your Thanksgiving table?

Materials:
four pack of Starbucks frappuccino
white spray paint
stickers/appliques from Michaels (dollar bin)
clear sealant spray paint

***

Consume yummy goodness, remove stickers, wash and dry.

Spray paint bottles in desired color.

Allow to dry.

Cut out the stickers/appliques. (I used the little ones for the smaller frap bottles.)

Place stickers/appliques onto bottles and rub/scratch with plastic stick included in package.

Seal with clear sealant - a light coat will do the trick.

Enjoy.

This little project is so easy, but it is probably not for the perfectionist. It was tricky to get all of the applique onto the bottle and while scratching it off, my hand would slip and I'd scratch the paint a bit. I'm sure if you really took your time it could come out perfect though. I did mine while my little was getting ready for school yesterday morning. Yeah, I rushed it a bit. Oh well, I love the end result.

A snip here and there from my bushes and trees in the front yard, along with some yummy apples and pears... voila! Instant Thanksgiving centerpiece. If you put the appliques on large enough bottles, they would work so well for storing your silverware on the big day. xo

Tres Joli Wedding

2011-11-08T07:00:00.001-06:00

Remember this wedding that I shared with you guys? Well, the wedding came off without a hitch. Voila!!!! The bride and groom are happily married and now have many fond memories of their special day. I am extremely honored to have been a part of it in spirit and via my mom's famous coleslaw recipe that was served alongside their farm fresh local bar-b-que menu. Congrats Jeen and Julian.
Here's a look:

Games and special seating for the littles...

Games galore for the grown-ups too... (Look at that lovely bride. Go get 'em Jeen!)

I think this may have been the very first post I have ever done with a huge grin on my face spanning from ear to ear. I am so happy for you Jeen. This whole wedding was handmade - including Jeen's dress. She taught herself how to sew in order to make her dress herself. Love that. Isn't this couple just amazing? If you'd like to follow more of Jeen, she's got a new blog and it's stellar, just like her. xo

Around the House: with Allison of AV Design

2011-11-07T07:00:00.001-06:00

I am so delighted to bring you a new Around the House today. This sneak peek happens to be my neighbor. Funny thing...we met through my blog and then found out we lived one street away from one another! Small world indeed. How blessed I feel to have scored an insanely talented friend and gifted designer mere blocks away. Join me in taking a little peek into the world of Mrs. Allison Vieger; I promise you'll be inspired.

Hi. I'm a believer, designer, yogi, artist and wife. I started my own design company AVDESIGN, one year ago. I recently launched a hand stamped line of stationery titled, Lines & Shapes at Oil and Cotton in Bishop Arts.

PN: Are you a self-taught artist or school trained?
AV: If winning the first place Dixie House chicken drawing contest when I was 6 counts-then yes I'm self-taught ha! Actually I've been an artist since I was really little. My mom said all my friends wanted to play with dolls and my response was 'let's draw with coders(colors).' I chose to pursue the arts in college as well and graduated with a degree in Fine Arts.

PN: Tell me/us a little about your business and how that got started.
AV: I worked in the design world for over 7 years and decided to take a break to become a certified Bikram yoga instructor. I taught yoga for 2 years and still freelanced with design gigs here and there. I was doing more and more design work and decided to make it official, got an LLC and designed a website and voila- AVDESIGN was born! Of course that's the polished and shortened version of the story…it took a long time to get the website up and there are still days where I ask myself ' what am I doing?!' but the majority of the time I love it! My emphasis is print collateral- wedding, baby, personalized stationery, and parties and soirees. I also do branding, logos and marketing materials. I love collaborating with musicians and artists of all mediums!

PN: Where can people find your work?
AV: On my website AVDESIGN or in store at Oil and Cotton. I also enjoy writing about interior design, fashion, health and DIY projects which I blog about on designfromatov.

PN: Are you organized with lists, crossing one item off at a time or sporadic with lots of projects going on at once?
AV: I love lists and feel extremely validated(I know I'm such a dork)when I cross off a task on my many post it notes.

PN: Where do you look for inspiration?
AV: I love tumblers and blogs and I admit to being fully addicted to Pinterest-you can see the evidence of my many boards here- pinterest.com/avdesign/. I also am inspired by music. My current favorites are Feist, Active Child, Bon Iver and Taylor Vieger(who also happens to be my husband:-). He just released his second album (the V album) on itunes. Check out the goods here.

PN: Are there any color combos you steer clear of?
AV: Not really, I'd like to think we are an equal opportunity color/design palette household. I do have an aversion to fake plants as decor and woven baskets- again I know I'm weird!

PN: Is there anything you are dying to learn how to do?
AV: Sewing! Brooke- can you please give me a tutorial? I can use a needle and thread but the machine scares me.

PN: How long have you lived in your current house?
AV: Since fall of 08'

PN: What was your first project upon moving in?
AV: The back porch- adding plants, outdoor furniture and creating a serene environment.

PN: What's the next project you’re going to tackle?
AV: Decor for the holidays! Every year I promise I'm not going to make a fuss or buy new decorations because I like to create the majority of it but something about the smell of cinnamon candles, cider and twinkle lights- it gets me every time.

PN: Do you enjoy redecorating/rearranging your home or do you find an arrangement you like and stick with it?
AV: I'm constantly moving pieces around. I think it's the best way to make old things new again, a new setting gives whatever object, book or painting new life.

PN: Which do you prefer DIY or Crafts?
AV: Usually DIY but the occasional craft is fun! I like experimenting with recipes too- whenever my husband and I find ourselves visiting a restaurant and ordering our favorite dish over and over- I attempt to re-create the goodness at home.

PN: What's your favorite project you've ever done/ had the most fun with?
AV: Recently, I took a solar-dying class at Oil and Cotton and it was so fun! You put a bunch of dried leaves, alum, the fabric or material you plan on dying and other interesting mix-ins into a mason jar, seal it, set it out in the sun. After a week goes by of the jar basking in the sun-you open it to see what you've won! Beware it is smelly- but the finished product is worth it. The yellow hankie I solar dyed is one of my favorite pieces of art in the house. I love it so much, I framed it and it's my hubby's Iphone background.

PN: Do you consider yourself a thrifter, scavenger or collector?
AV: I consider myself a hunter AND gatherer! I hunt vintage and collect all the treasures I can find. I love that pieces in my home tell a story from another time and place. To me that makes it that much more special.

PN: What types of things do you thrift/scavenge/collect?
AV: I collect vintage clocks mostly mid-century, mushroom artwork from 50's, 60's, and 70's, mid-century pottery and vintage jewelry. Oh almost forgot my favorite- white porcelain cats! I know it's weird but I'm ok with that. My husband even proposed to me with a white vintage kitten and a velvet ribbon was around its neck with the ring attached.

PN: What started your love of the above?
AV: I love the majority of design from the 50's, 60's and 70's. I secretly want to live on Mad Men. I feel like I belonged in that time period- the dresses, the furniture- LOVE IT!

PN: You have a lot of vintage pieces in your home. Where do you go to find these treasures?
AV: I heart Dolly Python!!! I also hit up estate sales, garage sales, and I've even had some luck at Goodwill.

PN: What's the farthest you've traveled to pick up a vintage find?
AV: Stockholm, Sweden. I was in a thrift store and found 2 beautiful scarves from the 70's. I framed both and love to see them hanging in our dining room and at the end of the hall.

PN: Is there anything you're on a constant hunt to find?
AV: Haegar pottery-to me it never gets old.

PN: What is currently on your night stand?
AV: Crazy Love- by Francis Chan. I love the way it challenges me in my devotion and walk with Christ. Also- Little Women, it is this months' book club read. I've read it as a girl and I'm even more excited to read it as and adult.

PN: What's your design moto?
AV: Less is more. My husband gets irritated because I tend to freak out over what I call visual clutter. But in my defense - I function at a higher level when thing are neat and orderly, or at least that's how I justify it.

PN: What do you listen to while working?
AV: I like a lot of mellow tunes while I work- Washed Out, Gem Club, The xx. Since the hubby is professional musician(I just play one on tv), he informed me it's called 'chillwave.'

Amazing right? When I first entered her home, I warned Allison that I might just have to move in! Thank you. Thank you Allison for opening your home to Pure and Noble today. Now let's go grab a cup of coffee so we can have some girl talk while gazing at our neighbors from your plush gray chairs! tee hee hee. xo

Weekly Challenge: Death by Chocolate

2011-11-04T07:00:00.001-05:00

***

Actually, death by Halloween candy. Seems like a strange challenge right? I must admit it's a little tongue in cheek, but I do love me some Snicker, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Baby Ruth, Butterfinger, etc. And since my oldest is allergic to peanuts, I kind of see it as my motherly duty to rid our house of all those peanuts as quickly as possible. While other moms are making vows not to eat their littles' candy, I prefer to see it as a loving sacrifice.

Happy Eating friends! I hope your weekend is full of many tempting treats. xo

The Table

2011-11-03T07:00:00.001-05:00

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Now that Halloween is out of the way, my official countdown can begin. Uh-huh, the countdown to my favorite holiday - Thanksgiving. This year I will celebrate this glorious event with a Thanksgiving related post every Thursday throughout the month of November. Today, tables for the special day.

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I love it all. My absolute fave is probably the paper plate-esque setting. It's completely against my reduce and recycling nature and it's extremely faux-pas, but I would rather spend time enjoying my family and friends than doing dishes. I know - unfollow me if you must. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Heel Height

2011-11-02T07:00:00.009-05:00

Sometimes this little series deviates from the norm and takes an unexpected turn. Today is one of those times. Why? Because it's hard to always find something worthy of posting for this little series. Because I like to shake things up. Because I'm just a wee bit frustrated...

***

Why, oh why, is the super high heel the mark of a cute ensemble these days? I mean, I can't see myself taking my littles to school or to a park in high heels. Much less grocery shopping or running errands. It just doesn't fit. I enjoy looking good and feeling good about myself - so that my focus moves onto others and not on myself or my feet that are killing me. Long live the flat and the woman bold/brave enough to rock 'em!

***

Here are my Fall FLAT pics:

leopard

toms (any Tom's will do)

chucks

a good pair of brown flat boots

classic oxfords

classic ballet flat

Can someone out there please start a style blog for Mommies? Seriously. xo

A Reason to Celebrate

2011-11-01T08:31:00.000-05:00

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Put your party shoes on... Halloween is behind us and my favorite holiday is just around the corner. Are you ready to give thanks? I plan on giving thanks everyday throughout November, jotting it down on paper and placing my notes in jar for my family to read on Thanksgiving.

Today I am thankful for the little blondie crying at my feet that longs to play Wii, but can't. Grateful that I have made it through 5 days without the hubs (he's back!), a series of Halloween events, the loss of a World Championship and fought off a cold. I survived. Thanks for putting up with my absence. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Cribs

2011-10-26T07:00:00.003-05:00

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Once the littles have flown their coop, so to speak, and you know there will be no future additions, what can be done with your sweet crib that holds so many memories? Here's a few ideas that just blew me away. Man o man, people are soooo creative!

Kinda wishin' you hadn't sold yours huh? xo

Foam Magnets

2011-10-25T07:00:00.001-05:00

Remember me showing you my boys playing with these awesome foam magnets at the DMA? Well, I made some of my own, because those suckers are expensive!

I found some foam shapes at the Dollar Spot in Target. That's right...$1.00 per bag. Then I got some adhesive photo magnets at Hobby Lobby for $2.99 a pack. With my handy scissors and pencil I traced the shapes, snip-snipped and BAM! - foam magnets for $5.00.

(I only used one packet and had left-overs)

Granted they're not as great as the DMA's magnets, but they're a heck of a lot cheaper. We'll see if they're a success once my kiddos get home from school. Fingers crossed! xo

Around the House: Playroom Perfected

2011-10-24T07:00:00.000-05:00

Finding the perfect layout for our boys' playroom has been quite the challenge. It has seen many variations and lots of different furniture over the past four years. But I think I have finally found a winner. I moved the Ikea bookshelf out of their bedroom and into the playroom, giving us more storage for toys and books. I also moved the position of the TV and couch. This little change up gave me space to put their "teeny table" over by the big desk as well as the legos and craft materials. Oh happy happy day.

(please ignore the hole above our micro in the kitchen - repairs in progress!)

(this view really lets you see all the paint on the table and rice on the floor - nice. I need to vacuum)

i also rearranged the bookshelf above the desk giving the boys a shelf of their own

the animal cracker jugs are perfect for storing toys!

recently found these little vintage chalkboards at a thrift store for 66 cents!

My youngest keeps saying, "I love our new house." I think that means this change-up is a big success! Kid tested. Kid approved. Happy Happy Monday. xo

Weekly Challenge: Date God

2011-10-21T07:00:00.001-05:00

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It's said that the more you know Him, the more you will trust Him, love Him and believe Him. So I thought, "hmmm... how do you get to know someone?" You go grab coffee and ask questions. Right?

Here are some of the questions I jotted down to ask God:

What are some things You love?

What are some things You hate?

How would others describe You/ Your personality?

When You feel distant, where do You go?

And this is what I discovered. When you make plans, they often get derailed. Don't be defeated. After one early morning date that was interrupted by my oldest (hello 6:30 am) I went into a complete tailspin. Then came the lightbulb. When your friends have to cancel, you just reschedule. So morning dates got changed to lunch dates and late night conversations. It hasn't been perfect, I don't have all the answers I'd like - I mean I think I know, but I need to really know. Ya know? So the dates will continue and I will not be so hard on myself, rigid or legalistic. Funny, it's not really what I planned, but I'm learning and growing in Him. Isn't that what matters most? Besides, I know God will never break-up with me. That gives me great joy. Happy Weekend. xo

PS - GO Rangers!

Holy Pumpkin Charlie Brown!

2011-10-20T07:00:00.001-05:00

Anything I can do to limit my time in the kitchen is a good thing. In fact, I often skip lunch or grab just a handful of almonds. So you can imagine my delight when I found yet another delicious vitamin packed smoothie to supplement lunch (or breakfast). It's quick, easy and oh baby is it delish!

Pumpkin Smoothie

1/4 cup canned pumpkin

2 heaping spoonfuls of vanilla yogurt

1 banana

1 spoonful of peanut butter (I do heaping...I'm an addict)

1 handful of ice cubes

milk to thin as desired

Blend in blender or with hand-blender and enjoy!

If you really want to go all out, add whipped cream and cinnamon on top. Thank you, thank you Better Homes and Gardens for a fantabulous Fall smoothie that keeps my hunger monsters at bay and me out of the kitchen! xo

Reduce, Recuse, Recycle: Halloween Edition

2011-10-19T07:00:00.000-05:00

painted jar luminaries

As promised, here's a look at some really fun things you can do for Halloween using everyday items. I've thrown in a adult crafts as well. The kids shouldn't be the only ones having all the fun!

tp roll bat

old book pages or newspaper decoupage

dryer vent pumpkin

pantyhose covered pumpkin

haunting terrariums

spooky rocks

Back to the Littles:

paper plate (we've made pumpkins with plates too!)

egg carton spiders (we've made these - so easy and fun)

tissue box monster feet

One of the reasons I love Halloween is that it's far from serious and real life. There's nothing like a holiday full of fun and silliness to bring out your inner child. BOO! xo

(ps - i'll show you that owl "art" another time. you won't believe how it got started.)

My Go To Outfit

2011-10-18T13:25:00.000-05:00

My sweet friend Hayley over at Tiny Twig is doing an awesome 31 day series called The No Brainer Wardrobe. Wanna see my "go to outfit" and get some tips on how to build that wardrobe of yours? Head over to the Tiny Twig! xo

Problem Solved.

2011-10-18T07:00:00.011-05:00

Upon moving into our house four years ago, I found the above ghastly problem. The previous owners had removed the super cool vintage heater and replaced it with these ugly brown tiles. This went unnoticed in our house tour because they had covered it up with a standing towel rack. Uggh! I have pondered about what to do ever since.

While in Round Top, I set my eyes upon a little $10.00 wire bookrack and I knew I had the "perfect" solution. Then came problem number two...not enough weight and the books were falling between the wire slits. Frustrating on a whole new level. I knew if I ever stumbled across just the right old wooden boxes, I could fit them on the shelves and my problems would be solved. Well, thank goodness for estate sales. I scored some awesome vintage wood boxes for $1.25 each, this past weekend. Now look!

The unsightly brown square is not completely concealed, but it'll do. Best of all, my kids have something to read during their 20 minute bathroom breaks! (Why it takes them so long, I'll never know. Guy thing I guess.) xo

Around the House: Halloween Decorations

2011-10-17T07:00:00.002-05:00

My boys love Halloween. What's not to love? There's candy till you puke, dressing up and staying up late. If you're under 12, it's like a dream come true. Here's what I don't like... all the scary things associated with Halloween that are mystical: vampires, witches, ghosts, zombies, etc. So, I try to stick to decorating with things that are real and kinda scary: jack-o-lanterns, spiders, snakes, bats, crows and owls.

Outside:

Entryway:

Halloween is so much fun. I hope you're having as much fun decorating as we are. On wednesday I'll show you how I made the owl "art" using things around the house, as well as some other crafty ideas using stuff from your recycle bin. xo

Weekly Challenge: Tame my Wants

2011-10-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

***

Lately I have more wants than my brain can handle. Not material wants, although I have those too. I'm talkin' about the desires of your heart kind of wants. Mine are a bit out of control and all consuming right now. Here are just a few...

I want to be a great wife.

I want to be a wonderful mother.

I want to be a great housewife.

I want to be a good cook.

I want to be involved in my littles schools.

I want to be a friend and servant of all.

And on and on the list goes. If you've hung around this blog for any length of time, you know that I struggle with this from time to time. This week as I've prayed through the list and talked it over with my girls, I've discovered that I need to be okay with how God's created me and just do my best. Today I've decided...

Being a great wife and wonderful mother are priority (after God). And if I take an honest inventory of the behaviors and actions of my hubs and my littles - I'm not doing bad in this department - PTL.

Cobwebs and dust build up in the corners of our home and the kitchen floor is sticky, but my kids are happy and well loved. Plus, it's Halloween - I can just pretend my mess is a part of our holiday decor.

I will never be a great cook. It's just not something I want to pour my time into. The good news is that I'm not awful at it and my family isn't starving - far from it.

My involvement in school will grow as he grows. We will all grow together and I like that. Plus, I'm not trying to keep up with the Jones'. I don't even know who they are!

Friends, well, my dear friends love me and accept me for who I am. Currently they are blessing me and they say I'm doing the same. I'll take their word for it and stop listening to the lies of the enemy.

Some might say I'm settling. I say I'm enjoying life, one glorious day at a time. Happy Weekend - Enjoy! xo

Pretty

2011-10-11T07:00:00.000-05:00

***

Because sometimes there doesn't have to be a reason. It just is.

***

We don't have to have a reason to wear a tiarra. Or smile at a stranger. Or eat a piece of cake. xo

Around the House: Use It or Lose It

2011-10-10T07:00:00.000-05:00

Always the same. Never changing. Mundane. Rut. This, dear readers, is a decorating nightmare for me. You know what I'm talkin' about... you move in, get settled and then 5 years later things look exactly the same. E-gats! Confession - this was happening in my own home! It was time for some much needed changes.

Guests had been squeezed into our cramped dining space long enough. And the couch was pushed up against the wall, preventing the use of our windows, for far too long. My living room longed for new life. Here's how she looks now...

My dear friend Cricket shared some wise words with me the other day. "You know you've changed things for the better if you use the room more." Truer words have never been spoken (concerning decor). My sweet family now eats dinner at our dining room table every night. The focus is no longer on the TV. And, we can open our windows to let in the nice Fall breeze. Funny, I find myself sitting in all the different seats just looking around - with a big ol' grin on my face! Happy Monday - sorry for the shotty photography. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Chandelier Ruins

2011-10-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

(source unknown)

For months I have had the above image sitting on my desktop, waiting. Waiting patiently to be recreated. Not the entire look, but the leopard and that amazing necklace...oh my. Round Top provided the perfect haunts for me to find all I needed.

gold beads - $3.00
chandelier crystals - $3.00 ea. (saw them later for 80 cents and wanted to kick myself...oh well)

Items needed to make it awesome sauce: thicker gold chain, gold safety pin, but I think I'm on the right track.

Below are some vintage chandelier pieces that my MIL gave me years ago. I just put them on earring hooks - so easy. Funny thing, they're one of my favorite pairs of earrings.

Reducing and reusing is such a beautiful thing! xo

Round Top Round Up

2011-10-04T07:00:00.054-05:00

Dazed and confused, I arrived back in Dallas with a carload of goodies. I could have purchased so much more, but the thrifty and practical side of me just mostly absorbed the experience.

Day one was filled with scoping things out, dinner and a Junk Gypsy party at Zapp's. I have to be honest, I felt like the ugly girl at prom in the wrong dress! This party was a HUGE event - we didn't get the memo. Next year you can bet I'll be donning some sequins and a head-dress. Truly, I have never experienced anything like this in my entire life. I think I saw more cowboy boots at this event than I have in all my years of living in Texas. Wow. The standard fare? Tutus and cowboy boots.

Day two, serious shopping was to be had. And oh my, did we shop!

(check out the super cutie above - she had the most original style there)

(yeah, glitter on wasps nests - what the?)

At the end of our night we went to an awesome little restaurant in Brenham and got to listen to this dude...he's played with so many amazing people, including Johnny Cash! Hello - so cool!

My two cents...skip Marburger Farms and stick to Warrington. Better deals are to be had in Warrington and there's a much greater selection. We kind of felt like since we were in Disney Land, we had to see Mickey Mouse. Well, Mickey was a major disappointment. Next year we'll skip Marburger, pack our sequins and be ready for anything! This is truly an experience that should be had by any junk/vintage lover. Round Top, I think I love you. xo

Around the House: Through the Eyes of a Three Year Old

2011-10-03T07:00:00.000-05:00

It must be because we have cameras lying around the house all the time, I'm not sure... but I do know this - my littles love to snap photos. One of the bonuses from this little creative outlet is that I get to see their point of view - what's important to them. This is how my little, Liam, saw our house last week.

As you can tell, there was zero retouching involved in the making of this post. It's his world, tt's what he sees and I love it.

If you'd like a look at my days through my lens...check out Annalea Hart's sweet post on yours truly! Happy Monday. xo

Weekly Challenge: Ready, Set, Girl's Trip!

2011-09-30T07:00:00.001-05:00

***

For the past four years I have dreamt of going to Round Top, Texas for the Marburger Farm Antique Show. My dreams have finally come true. But it gets better...I'm going with my homie Cricket. Uh-huh - road trip with lots of laughs, loud grown up music and lots of space in the back to haul back our loot. The hubs is caring for the littles while I am away so naturally I had to set him up for success.

Laundry - check.

Clean house - check.

Groceries - check.

Lunches (pre-packed) - check.

Soccer snacks - check.

As for me...

Bag packed - check.

Camera charged - check.

Red wagon (on loan) - check.

Cash & budget - check.

I'm so excited about this I could literally wet my pants. But I won't. I'll just have loads of fun instead and share my adventures with all of you next week. Look out Round Top! xo

Whooo's There?

2011-09-29T07:00:00.001-05:00

***

I found that little paper plate owl on Pinterest and couldn't wait to make it with my littles. Glue, paper plates, scissors, construction paper and paint... easy peasy.

I decided to make a frou frou one for myself adding coffee filters for "feathers". It turned out a little too frou frou for my personal taste - but she is cute.

Bonus: take the tops of the plate that you cut off the owl's body, snip a bit more and BAM... instant Halloween moustache! Simply paint black and hot glue a kabob stick to the back side.

Bah ha ha ha... I love fun, silly crafts.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Food Containers

2011-09-28T07:00:00.012-05:00

Stop! Before you go tossing those food containers into the recycle bin, why not get a few more uses out of them? I mean, shouldn't that $15.00 fruit tray bring you a little more lovin' than the single business luncheon for which it was purchased? I think so. Here's how we used ours...

Materials:
colored paper
marker
scissors
double stick tape
multi colored bits & bobs

I can't tell you how useful this thing has been - especially for this mommy whose little seems to think that white and yellow are "pink". See our bits & bobs tray? Yup, that right there folks is an old lasagna tray - washed of course. (It's also used as our sensory tub.)

Here are a few more uses to store in your back pocket (or on the beloved Pinterest) for when winter hits.

strawberry & spinach containers:

creation walk: we picked up items that God created and talked about them

sensory tub storage: originally I used this to store the rice and beans separate, but eventually...2 became 1.

magazines & water bottles:

creation lesson:

paper plates were colored to be our world

magazines were used to find things God created and then cut up and pasted onto the "world"

water bottles were filled with leaves, rocks, sticks and water (a beautiful clean world created by God) then food coloring was added to show how sin entered the world and corrupted God's perfect design.

Gosh, recycling can be so much fun! xo

Around the House: with Our Vintage Home Love

2011-09-26T07:00:00.009-05:00

Oh Happy Day! It's been a while since I've done an Around the House post on someone. Today's "someone" is amazingly gifted in design and woodwork. Her home is a feast for the eyes, her blog a delight to read (and super inspirational) and her bread boards... ah-mazing. I'm pretty sure she's Wonder Woman in the woodshop and the kitchen! Here's a little peek into the home of Diana from Our Vintage Home Love.

Hi, I’m Diana from over at Our Vintage Home Love. My hubby and I have been married for 19 years, we have 4 kids and we love anything vintage. Most of the things in our home come from flea markets, yard sales, or the side of the road, lol.

P&N: Which came first…the blog or the bread boards?
OVHL: My bread boards came first. Started making them about 4 years ago for Christmas gifts for friends. I started blogging in March of this year.

P&N: Which do you prefer DIY or Crafts? (you could also do a preference of interior design, product design etc.)
OVHL: DIY!

P&N: What's your favorite project you've ever done/ had the most fun with?
OVHL: Probably the rustic barn wood table in my kitchen. I saw a similar version of one in an antique store and loved it so much but it was outrageously priced. I really wanted to make one for myself but didn’t have barn wood. So, when hubby came home and said he bought a barn at an auction, I was so excited and couldn’t wait to make my own version.

P&N: Are you organized with lists, crossing one item off at a time or sporadic with lots of projects going on at once?
OVHL: I’m actually not very organized. I try to do lists but am never successful because I forget where they are, LOL. I usually always have several projects going at once. Sometimes that’s good, sometimes not.

P&N: Is there anything you are dying to learn how to do?
OVHL: I would love to learn how to make french bread and turned table legs

P&N: Are you a self-taught home renovator and wood craftswoman?
OVHL: Most of the wood work I learned from my dad. I’m also a big researcher. When I want to learn how to do something, I look it up on the internet and try to learn as much as I can.

P&N: Tell me/us a little about your breadboards and how that got started.
OVHL: I’ve always loved them, they’re beautiful. But they can be very expensive. My dad suggested I try to make them and so I did. However, he passed away before he got to see them. I designed and made my mini sets of bread boards as a way to honor my dad because, to me, they represent everything that was special to him, family, cooking, sharing a meal with loved ones and creating beautiful things with wood.

P&N: Where can people find your breadboards?
OVHL: My bread boards are available at my Etsy Shop. They are usually sold out but I always have more each Monday. I feel so blessed that people are loving them as much as I do.

P&N: Where do you look for inspiration?
OVHL: The internet, magazines, cataloges, books.

P&N: How long have you lived in your current house?
OVHL: We’ve lived here for 5 years.

P&N: What was your first project upon moving in?
OVHL: Painting all the wood trim white. Not much fun and took forever..

P&N: What's the next project you’re going to tackle?
OVHL: My hubby came home with salvaged bowling alley flooring the other day and I’d really like to make a cool table with it.

P&N: Do you enjoy redecorating/rearranging your home or do you find an arrangement you like and stick with it?
OVHL: When it comes to redecorating, I can’t stick with anything for very long because there are so many things I like, so I change it up a lot to experience different designs.

P&N: Do you consider yourself a thrifter, scavenger or collector?
OVHL: Yes.

P&N: What types of things do you thrift/scavenge/collect?
OVHL: I love to collect all types of things. Ironstone, bread/cutting boards, vintage kitchen utensils, white dishes, vintage linens, lots of things. I love going to thrift stores and looking for tables or chairs to redo.

P&N: What started your love of the above?
OVHL: They remind me of my grandma and a simpler (is that a word?) time.

P&N: You have a lot of vintage pieces in your home. Where do you go to find these treasures?
OVHL: My hubby is a picker on his days off and most of the things I have, he has found for me.

P&N: What's the farthest you've traveled to pick up a vintage find?
OVHL: We drove a couple of states over once to find an antique armoire.

P&N: Is there anything you're on a constant hunt to find?
OVHL: Whatever I seem to be drawn to at the moment. It always changes!

P&N: What is currently on your night stand?
OVHL: A Pottery Barn catalog, Cooking Light magazine, Victoria’s Secret Pear body cream and a clock.

P&N: What's your design moto?
OVHL: If you love it and it makes you happy, do it.

P&N: What do you listen to while working?
OVHL: I love the song Sweet Serendipity by Lee Dewyze. The lyrics are a great inspiration to me. I am a huge music lover and enjoy all kinds.

Thank you so much Diana. I love everything about your home, but I do think the thing I love most is that you've made it your own; your fingerprint is everywhere! xo

all images supplied by Diana of Our Vintage Home Love.

Weekly Challenge: K.I.S.S.

2011-09-23T07:00:00.002-05:00

***

Remember that little phrase that you heard in school all the time? KISS - Keep It Simple Stupid? This week it has never been more appropriate. Sometimes life just moves at the speed of light and there's no way you can keep up. It's like God's reminder that you are NOT in control He is.

This week I have been on bended knee for so many of my friends. The mom in me, and let's be honest - the woman in me, wants to fix it... make their hurt go away. There is no fixing the loss of a loved one, the bad news from a doctor, the sickness of a child, heart-break or the conflict that comes with life. What is one to do other than K.I.S.S. it? So I pray to the One who is in control and knows what each friend needs infinitely more than me.

Simple is beautiful. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Plastic Bottles

2011-09-21T07:00:00.001-05:00

porcelain vases (but how easy would it be to do this with plastic and matte spray paint?)

In an effort to make the world a prettier place and the landfills a bit more empty...take a look at just a few of the wonderful things you can do with plastic bottles...

So much fun and a great way to get your kiddos in on the fun too. You know I'm gonna try the top image the next chance I get right? Ha ha ha. Just remember, if you spray paint plastic or glass, you're gonna need to put a finishing coat (clear) to prevent scratches! Have fun. xo

Looks I'm Lovin'

2011-09-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

stacked

Fall is quickly becoming my favorite time of year. I'm currently working on 2 Fall bible studies and my Fall accessories. There are lots of layers in both what I'm learning about myself through the studies and what I'm piling on due to a drop in temps.

Beaded bracelets for stacking are being made at night and every time I hit an estate sale or thrift store the accessories come first. I've scored some great pieces all under $5.00.

Ombre & Beads

theirs

mine for $0.25 (i'll be adding layers for sure)

Chains & Stripes:

theirs

mine for $2.99

Clutches & Color

theirs

mine for $2.95

I am a firm believer that you can be a good steward of the monies God has blessed you with and still look like a million bucks! Seriously? Why do people get rid of such treasures? xo

Around the House: Easy Bake

2011-09-19T07:00:00.020-05:00

What does one do on a gloomy Monday when her oldest is home sick with fever? Easy bake crafts! No, not the kind in the cool vintage mini-oven with the lightbulb baker, the boy kind with crayons and lego molds. While my littles are busy peeling the paper off crayons to make lego rainbow crayons, I am trying my hand at polymer clay. While everything's baking, we'll be doing tie-dye and, much to my dismay, Beyblades.

My youngest is sure to be in hog heaven having his brother at home with him instead of at school. It's gonna be a busy Monday. Hopefully one with no fighting and lots of laughter - for all of us. Happy Monday. xo

Weekly Challenge: Fight Like A Brave

2011-09-16T07:00:00.001-05:00

***

If you are a man and read this blog (which I sincerely doubt any do) this is a post you will not want to read. Trust me. For the first time in almost four years, my "monthly visitor" came to town. After having my youngest I got an IUD. I recently had it removed for a number of reasons, but that's beside the point. Guess what else came back? PMS! This week I have had to fight hard to resist all that is encompassed in those three little letters.

Depression - I so wanted to crawl back into bed almost every day this week. I praised God for my littles, who get me on my feet daily.

Insecurity - I blame this partially on the depression; the other part is one of my sin struggles.

Gluttony - there has been a deep desire within to consume every bit of chocolate and peanut butter I can get my hands on. Luckily, I only got my hands on some Monster Mix. (I kind of blame/thank my husband and his recent healthy ways for this one.) But I just might have to make an ice cream run this weekend.

Bloat - I feel like a balloon. Dressing a balloon is no fun. I'm proud to say that I never once left the house in my birthday suit.

While I don't think it's bad to give into some of these feelings or all of them at one time or another, I sure as heck am not going to allow myself to stay there - for a week. I keep thinking of that L'Oreal ad, "Because you're worth it." Oh, there's a lot of stuff that I can convince myself that I deserve or am "worth" but in the end they are all fleeting or leave me feeling worse about myself. My a-ha moment this week? "He has come so that I may have life, and have it abundantly." I'm not about to let PMS control me. Dang it... I am woman - hear me ROAR! xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Doilies

2011-09-14T07:00:00.000-05:00

bike

I've never been a fan of the doily, despite all the amazing things you can do with them. But I must say, the craftsmanship that goes into them is stunning. Therefore, I cannot deny the need to upcycle these manmade snowflakes.

paint design (look at the tree stump top...awesome)

clouds

Doilies can be truly breathtaking - in all their many forms! xo

Art Hack

2011-09-13T07:00:00.003-05:00

***

The above image is from a recent house tour (one of my new favorites) on Emma's amazing blog, the marion house book. I immediately fell in love with the art in this image. So simple. So perfect. I have no idea where they found it and I'm quite sure it's out of my price range, so I made a quick and easy version of my own.

Here's how you can steal this inspiring look too...

Materials:

freezer paper

brown paper (i used 3M postal wrapping paper - found at Dollar Tree)

letters (i used iron on, next time i'll use stickers)

iron

scissors

pencil

compass

spray paint

frame

draw your desired shape onto freezer paper

cut out shape.design

iron freezer paper and letters (unless they're stickers) to brown paper - iron should be really hot

spray paint or paint the paper desired color

allow for drying time

remove freezer paper and letters

trim paper to frame size

Yes, my photography stinks. Yes, I will use a much cooler letter font next time (just used what I had on hand). Yes, this was super easy. Yes, I love the end result. And yes, because of my love for the home that inspired this little craft, I kind of want to paint my walls white. PS - am I the last person on earth to discover the genius of freezer paper? xo

Around the House: The Witching Hours

2011-09-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

Do you have 'em? The witching hours? You know that last few hours of the day that drag on for years before the husband gets home and the kids go to bed? Well, my girlfriend Cricket and I sure, sure do. So she asked me to do a post about some ways to get the wiggles out with minimal mess, few sibling arguments and little effort - let's be honest, it's the end of the day and we're wiped! I thought I'd share some of my oldies but goodies (click on the links for details) and a few new ideas as well.

Pom Pom Races:

Darts: I have two boys, therefore we have a lot of Nerf guns and "bullets". Using window markers I draw a bullseye on our sliding glass doors and let the boys go to town. It's a sure fire hit! (pardon the pun)

Balloon Punching Bag:

Spin Art:

Bean Bag Toss: Grab some Dollar Store buckets, set them up in a row down your hallway and let the kids rack up the points. If you want to make it really fun (and a teachable moment) have a prize for the one with the most points and the least points. The one with the least points gets the better prize and you can share Mark 9:35 He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”

Science gets Crafty:

(found this great idea on pinterest)

pipe cleaners

sink or float (a fave around this house)

Good day and good luck! xo

Color Wheel

2011-09-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

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Red: the color my eyes turn after being in front of the computer too long.

***

Green: the color I can become after too much time on Pinterest.

***

Blue: my mood when I get it wrong with my littles.

***

Yellow: the shade I turn when walking past the meat section in the grocery.

***

Orange: the color of my hair and skin in middle school. Put away the peroxide!

White: me in the winter.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Processed Foods

2011-09-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

1940's

It started with Fast Food Nation. Then came Super Size Me. Followed by Food, Inc. and The Garden. This is not necessarily the order in which these movies were released, but it shows my slow progression of awareness (in movie form) of the crap we are putting into our bodies and the fight that many are involved in to make a difference. Even the USDA can't decide what or how much of something we should be eating - the "charts" change all the time.

Recently the hubs got me to watch Sick, Fat and Nearly Dead as well as Fork Over Knives. And while I will be the first to admit that they are both one sided documentaries, I also have to admit they make a whole lot of sense. I can see nothing wrong with consuming more fruits, veggies and legumes and less processed foods. Probably over half of the food I feed my family is processed. Yikes! That's kind of astounding - and gross. I mean, if I can't pronounce it and have zero idea what it is, should I be eating it? Or be giving it to my kiddos for that matter? Dang it! Just when I thought I could really do this cooking thing, the rules changed on me. Oh well, it's never too late to learn something new right?

We've had our juicer for 2 weeks now and so far the thing annoys the tar outta me because it's always on the counter drying and the juice doesn't really get my taste buds all fired up. What does fire me up is celebrating my 50th wedding anniversary, spending time with my grandkids, and having enough energy to do it all. Add to that the possibility of not having to rely on the drug companies to keep me "healthy" and you have a win, win situation. Plus it's fun watching the littles get excited to eat sweet red corn, celery, peppers and make juice with Daddy.

Will we say good-bye to dairy, chips and cereal? I don't think so. Healthy Moderation is the name of our game. xo

Falling...

2011-09-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

***

in love with cooler temps. Just like that (snap) the temps dropped and for the first time in months I was able to enjoy my morning cup of joe outside. To say my soul delights in this unexpected and much needed change is an understatement. My boys were so convinced that Fall was here they started plucking leaves off our trees to make a leaf pile.

This week brings more changes than the temps...my youngest is starting Pre-K today. He's so excited. My oldest is concerned that is brother's not ready for school just yet. As for me, I will have two days a week all to myself to sew and run errands. Kid free days? What? That hasn't happened in three years. Wow.

Hope you all had a wonderful long weekend with family and friends enjoying the blessing of life. xo

Weekly Challenge: June Cleaver Style

2011-09-02T07:00:00.002-05:00

***

School is in full swing now. For the past two weeks I've done my best to welcome my sweet Jude home June Cleaver style. Do you remember on Leave It to Beaver that whenever the boys came home from school June would have a snack for them? Usually fresh baked cookies. Being that cookies aren't the most wholesome of snacks, I've tried to provide healthier options. Don't get me wrong, fresh baked cookies were on the menu for days 1 and 2, I'm not a saint ya know.

"cars"

insects (we traded out peanut butter for yogurt and cheese)

apple nachos (minus the nuts)

fruit nachos (yogurt or peanut butter is delish)

popcorn

I'm sure more ideas will surface the more I get into this. I hope I don't putter out while trying to keep their tanks full! As we devour our goodies, we sit at the kitchen table, talk about our day and do homework - all of us. It's a great way to catch up and get Liam geared up for school. Happy Weekend. xo

Breathless

2011-09-01T07:00:00.002-05:00

Amazing images right? It gets better...they were taken by my amazingly talented husband. I love his eye for color and composition. It's always fascinated me. He took these images while on a shoot in Egypt last month and I am one smitten kitten. Our living and dining room walls are a soothing dark grey and I would love to have one of the last two images blown up BIG, printed on canvas, hanging above our dining table. Sigghhh. Babe, if you're reading this...Christmas is just around the corner, right along with my birthday. wink. wink.

So you might be wondering, "Is she just showing us these images to brag on her husband?" Well, yes and no. Here's where it gets good for you guys. These prints will be available at Pure and Noble when we open up shop again in mid-September. I'm so excited. xo

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: Cookie Sheets

2011-08-31T07:00:00.001-05:00

memo board

What do you do with all those old cookie sheets with rust from washing or just baked on caked on goop? No need to toss them any longer. There are a ton of fun ways to repurpose those bad boys!

The end result may not be ooey gooey chocolate chip cookies, but these ideas are just as sweet! xo

Bang. Bang.

2011-08-30T07:00:00.001-05:00

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Why do brunettes with bold bangs look so darn chic? And why can't I pull this off?