decorating the house the same way you dress (pt 1)

Dave has accused me of this. I sat down on the bed to contemplate his theory..................

cousins...together again!

Such a fun time with my cousin, Kristy, the other day! She was with Uncle Gerry and Aunt Connie (who live close to us) so she came to see me! It has been 3 years since we have seen each other. Much too long. It was good to catch up. Glad we remembered to snap a picture. Reminded me of some old pictures......................

love the glasses....

This was 17 years ago. I was a freshman in college. She was my dorm supervisor. It was the best thing ever. We had never lived close to each other- so to live just down the hall from each other was wonderful. ((even tho I was a very hyper and immature freshman, who she had to deal with :) :) I am very thankful for her godly example to me and sisterly support!


14 (or so) years ago at Kristy's wedding. What a beautiful day...beautiful memories. Thanks for being such a good cousin :)

around the house

I am seeing one common thread throughout our whole house..................

green

the color of life and growth

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We are down to one child today. The eldest is at camp. I logged on to the camp website because they upload photos of the kids each day. In 3 pictures I just saw part of his shirt!!!!!!!!! Hopefully later on today I will see a smiling face!!!! And our middle child is at a friend's house. So Dave is stuck with just us girls. We started the day with pancakes- there were actually leftovers, maybe we'll save them for the boys :)

Have a happy Wednesday!

girls only stay-cation

Dave's parents have moved much closer to us- they are now about 4 hours from us instead of on the other side of the country! We look forward to making many trips to see them. We were all supposed to go to their house this past week, but our littlest was sick. So I stayed home with her while Dave and the boys went and helped them move in.

We were very sad at first, the girls and I (the 4 year old and Sadie). We really did want to go and see everyone.

But then I realized that with one on the couch watching cartoons and getting her rest, and the boys out of the house, Sadie and I could do whatever we wanted!!!!

This is what we (I) did:
(Sadie pretty much sat on the couch and watched cartoons too)

#1- made the salad that I have been dying to try but know that no one else in the house will touch it.......

Pioneer Woman's Favorite Salad Ever, Ever, Ever (or- Asian Noodle Salad)! It is so yummy! I highly recommend it- (although, like always, I left out a few things- most importantly the soy sauce...but it was still really good)

They left on Thursday and got back Saturday. So I made a huge bowl of the salad, stored the salad, noodles, and dressing separately, so when I got hungry I just fixed myself a bowl & some of that crusty bread. YUM! Perfect. I could live off of it (and I did for 3 days...except for that frozen pizza we had...and the snikerdoodles...and the pistachio pudding....)


#2- I got to get out my crafty stuff....I have been using these little goodies for awhile and have to tell you about them. This adhesive paper is pure genius. I am always, always cutting out paper and taping/gluing it to something. To be able to skip the taping/gluing step- that is priceless- just cut (or even rip) the paper, take off the backing and stick it on! LOVE it.

And then the fabric covered brads- I love these too. So much fun.


It was really nice to have time to make some cards.

I was also able to get all of the laundry done in the whole house--- AND folded---and put away. What a good feeling. And then there was the cleaning and ironing. When have I ever had time to just iron things ahead of time? It was the best feeling to take care of my house like it needed to be taken care of.


Towards the end of the weekend, I was adding cheese and bacon to the salad....there are so many different combos to try- but my favorite ingredients were the scallions (green onion) and the cilantro --things my darling Dave would never eat. I think it has just become a tradition- when Dave is away, this salad will get made.

If you can ever get stuck at home by yourself (or nearly by yourself...honestly, I did not totally neglect my precious daughter- she did sleep in my room on the floor :) It will be the best thing to happen to you. I feel like I am ahead of the game at my house for the time being. It is a nice feeling. And it made me see how important these things are to keep up with. Sunday was a much better day since I had everything ironed, cleaned, food prepared....etc.

I have also been making decisions to weed out unnecessary things in my life so that I can keep the house the peaceful and calm place that it needs to be. We, as woman, pretty much decide whether our house is chaotic or peaceful (and I am not talking about the noise level my kids make!). But the more we dedicate to our families and houses, the smoother things will flow for everyone. The more we gallivant all over town doing everything all the time with everybody- no wonder our families feel frayed and strained and stressed.

Sorry to preach at you- I am only preaching to myself. I felt like when I was made to stay at home under those circumstances- it was such a peaceful and right thing- getting back to the basics- having enough time to read my Bible and pray- having enough time to sit with my 4 year old and read and talk. Priceless.

our monday

Our 8 year old left today for camp! He will be gone a week. I am so excited for him. When I was a kid, there were 3 highlights of each year; my birthday, Christmas, and camp.... And now-- to see my oldest go off on his own like that! Wow- it is a milestone.

This morning we wrote letters to him, went to the post office, and then to drown our sorrows in snow cones :)
Which flavor? One of us got orange, one of us got pineapple (me) and my second son (who will not be leaving me for camp for 2 more years) got grape-bubble gum-blue raspberry.

So perfect for a hot Monday!

the watermelon was gorgeous

The ice cream was colorful

mmmm, these colors would work nicely at my house :)

pineapple was a good choice.

enjoying the grubble-berry flavor

kindergarten chic

My sister in law posted this picture of her kitchen and my niece's adorable little corner. My 9 year old niece and I have pretty much the same style when it comes to decorating. In her room she has paper lanterns and a whimsical pennant banner. I have decided it is a compliment that I have the same style as a 9 year old girl- what can I say? Kindergarten Chic has become 4th grade chic :) I told her I just hope she doesn't grow out of it- ever!!

(although, I have to say, that frame on the chalkboard looks like it needs some paint & polka dots, Miss Jenna :)

pretty, gorgeous, cute, & inspiring

I absolutely adore this quilt that Chrissie Grace made. The fabric, colors, pattern= gorgeous! You have inspired me, Chrissie, you and Steph and your gorgeous quilts- I am going to sew one all by myself if it takes me years!

I recently found this fun & creative blogger; Dori, who blogs at The Time to be Happy is Now. Love, love, love her art..........(a sample pictured above)..........

....and her personality!!!! I need those socks (tights?). Much more on Dori in a later post.

And then there is Staci- who I have mentioned before...I had some time to scroll through her archives the other day. Another kindred-polka-dotted-spirit!!!!!

How can you not smile when you see her piano.....and....

her letter wall......

and her yellow chair......

and her painted wall.....

and her flowers?!?!?!! How can you not smile?

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Also, a site to inspire you as a wife and mom and Christian. Girltalk is a blog by a mom and 3 daughters dealing with Biblical womanhood. There is so much good stuff on this blog! You will be inspired and convicted to be the kind of wife you need to be. To pray like you need to pray, to study God's Word...etc, etc! Check it out.

before and afters

You already saw this- but I will force you to look again. My "new" green dresser.


And-- our new blue dresser! This is another dresser from childhood. It now belongs to Dave and his clothes. This time I used the gloss Krylon spray paint and did not like it as much as the Satin finish. So I sanded it down to take off the shine.

That chair needed just a little color too........



Spray Paint

by Sara Gail Mincy

Spray paint is fun
it's cheap
and it's pretty

Spray paint comes in a can
-can be shiny
.......or flat

Spray paint makes your life beautiful
whether you live in the country....
or the city

My first poem ever- I feel it needs just a little work still? :)

Lots of love,

me & my paint

colors of the day..........

periwinkle and peekaboo blue {spray} paint!!!!!! (my new love :) :) What do you think I painted? The sky is the limit!



red & yellow for rainier cherries. Beautiful and delicious (just a little google trivia for you; they often sell for $1 a cherry in Japan)

squint

Check it out! Squint Limited. LOVE this stuff!!!!!!! (I heard about it on Staci's blog.)