Oilcloth

Have you seen oilcloth? It is a waterproof type of fabric with a lot of creative possibilities for adding charm to your home, especially in your kitchen. You can line your silverware drawer with it. You can line the shelves underneath the kitchen sink. The shelves above where you keep your dishes and glasses.

Here are two adorable prints I found at Fabric.com. How cheerful would you feel when putting away your dishes if you were greeted by cheery strawberries or oranges every time you opened your drawer or cabinet?

Another thought I'm thinking about. Painting my table and chairs white and lining my seat cushions with a vintage print. It wipes clean. We've reupholstered our chairs twice. There is a slight possibility they may or may not feel crunchy and hard because of a carpet cleaner someone who shall remain nameless used on them to clean them.

What do you think, three cheers for Oilcloth?

Financial Peace

We are going through Financial Peace University at our house.

Dave Ramsey. Have you heard of him?

Once you hear his ideas on getting your finances in order you want to kick yourself for not hearing about it sooner, before you got into all the credit card debt.

We got out of credit card debt early in marriage. But. We didn't save. We lived paycheck to paycheck. Then, when the tires needed replacing or an unexpected something happened on the car or house, we'd have to put it on a credit card and cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching it would start racking up again.

Once you get a lot of debt on that card it starts feeling like an impossible mountain to climb so it is easier to slap $20 here and $15 there on it and before you know it you have an $8,000 bill and a lot of stress.

It has lifted the weight of the world off our shoulders to realize that it is possible to get in control of our finances. We have a good amount of debt and we are getting out one decision at a time.

God blesses you when you are faithful with your finances. Listen to this cool story. We went on a trip to Florida to celebrate our 10 year anniversary a month ago. We really wanted to stay in an ocean facing room. When we looked at what we saved for our trip, we decided to spend less money on the room at the Bed & Breakfast so we could do other things, like, you know, eat. We checked in late Wednesday night.

Thursday morning we had a nice conversation with the manager over breakfast. Do you know that she upgraded up to an ocean front room for the rest of our stay? That was a gift straight from God. He used her to bless us.

It tickles us to death. God is a provider. It makes us laugh.

Did you know that 3 weeks ago I was browsing decorating magazines and I kept seeing real pairs of ice skates as decorations? I loved them. So charming. My dreams were filled with sugar plums and ice skates.

Two days later my car wheeled into a yard sale and I walked away with a pair of ice skates in mint condition for $3.

$3.

How does God bless us like that?

This post is a big shout out to God who sees you. When he looks at you he cares.

Even about the smallest details.

Man, he is too cool.

He is fun.

Backed Up

Not me silly, my random pile of laundry that has been laying on my floor for two weeks that doesn't really fit any one load category.

My paperwork mounding on my desk.

My dishes.

How does my dish routine get off? We run a load every single night, rain or shine, half full or all the way full. Today I'm running two full loads because enough is enough.

The rebel in me took over as I walked past the laundry room nearly killing myself over primary colored giant Lego's. Was it my near death experience that caused the sudden sense of liberty? I do not know. All I do know is that while we speak I have tablecloths, darks, whites, socks, dish towels and I'm not sure what else piled in my washing machine and the floor is perfectly empty.

How do you like me now?

So last night we went on a bike ride/scooter ride/stroll. My middle son starts into the street and my oldest yells, "GET OUT OF THE STREET OR YOU WILL DIE!"

Have I been dramatic? OK Good, I didn't think so either but I wanted to double check with you.

(for the family that likes kid stories and everyone else who is too curious now to stop reading):
Last night me and my oldest went shopping to get the kiddo a pair of shoes that fit. He let me carry him into the store with his arms wrapped tightly around my neck. He had sprayed his Dad's cologne on his shirt and smelled so sweet. He asked if he would get a box for his new shoes. He requested the pair that made him run the fastest. He was precious. After, we went to Sonic and sat at a picnic table. We had chocolate shakes, burgers, corn dogs and fries.

Bye

At our house when Dad leaves we don't just say Bye.

We give hugs.

Kisses.

High Fives.

Handshakes.

Booty Bumps.

Knucks.

Knucksplosions.

Then the boys ask every single time if Daddy will wave bye.

So we all four gather around the window and wave.

If it is an extra special day we get the wave and a double honk.

We are a rowdy, wild bunch. A friend and her two precious daughters came over today. I got tickled. My boys were running around. I'm making lunch. Please put your clothes back on kids. No you cannot have another cheese stick I'm standing here making your nachos for lunch. Where is your shirt? Do you want tea or orange juice to drink? Yes you have to take a nap today. Put the cheese sticks down I'm plating your lunch. Don't take that diaper off.

Sweet times.

I think.

Dad.Gum.

Every Spring a beautiful post-card arrives in my mailbox.

Wonderful I think. One of my dear friends is hosting a nice Spring Brunch on her patio and I've been invited.

And every stinkin' year I flip the gorgeous post card over to read the words...

IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN...

Please call our office to schedule your yearly appointment.

So today I've been super excited that we have only fun stuff planned for this weekend. Tonight I even bought fresh pressed apple cider from Gala apples for us to enjoy this weekend.

And then. Excuse me for a moment.

And then, I happened to glance at my calender for tomorrow.

And so The Great Socks or No Socks debate begins...

Remember...

Hugs, Bugs

Rest

What do you need to feel rested? If you are married, what does your husband need to feel rested? At our house we've been talking about what we each need to feel rested. Boy, the hustle and bustle of the mundane can squeeze every second out of every day if you aren't careful, can't it?

Two nights ago 3 pairs of big brown eyes were looking up at me as I stood in the bathroom brushing my teeth before bed. "Mommy, can we please snuggle ya'll tonight?" "Please, can we?" I cannot irresist those big brown eyes when they're looking so sweetly at me.

Contentment.
Utter Peace.

Stillness.

Sunday at church we were reminded that we can surrender every care into the loving hands of God. Is that a relief for you as it was for me? Big sigh. You can sit back and fall into the most comfy chair, kick your feet up and you can rest.

Yesterday I was blessed with the most wonderful treat. My friend invited me and the boys over for lunch. I brought lunch for my boys and she cooked us the most wonderful soup. She had the dining room table set for two with beautiful cloth napkins, chargers and goblets. We enjoyed soup in the dining room while the kids ate chips and sandwiches in the kitchen. Then she made a pot of freshly ground Pumpkin Pie coffee with Italian Creme creamer and we enjoyed it over a sinful, and I do mean sinful Pumpkin Delight dessert.

After lunch we sat around the table and looked at our favorite recipes and magazines and talked about ideas for the Holidays coming up.

What a treat. It was Thursday. My house has been neglected all week. It is a sticky mess. My 3 year old may or may not have worn the same tshirt and shorts 2 (today we're on 3) days in a row. And I stopped and smelled the roses thanks to a sweet friend.

Which leads me to today. Today is get my house in order day because there is a time for everything. The windows are open. The breezes are blowing through my house. My hair is in a pony tail and my bangs bobby pinned back. I've got on athletic shorts, a tshirt and tennis shoes. The washing machine is in full speed. The wood is about to get dusted. The bathrooms are going to sparkle when I'm done. The candles will be lit. Music will be filling the house with joy. And tonight I will enjoy my home.

Rest is not laziness. Rest is intentional. It is setting an example of slowing down for your kids and those around you. It recharges your batteries. It allows you to stop and think about allowing the Holy Spirit to fill your thoughts and words and spirit fully with Him. It is the place where you find peace amongst chaos.

Mitten Garland

This is a picture I snapped out of a magazine. Stop the world, how cute is the garland draped across the headboard with mittons clipped on? I'm adding white lights to my headboard garland. We've been in the mood to decorate for Christmas since early summer. When I say we, clearly I am referring to myself and the mouse in my pocket.

Usually I go for glitter, red, white and lime green around the holidays. Everything is big and whimsical.

This year I'm feeling the more natural look. Natural greens draped over the mantel, white lights and lots of white and lime green tablescapes. Can't you just picture a table covered in a white tablecloth. White dishes. Lime green accesories for the centerpiece? Granny Smith apples. Green Grapes. Which leads me to the next thing I want to talk about.

Ivy.

Some of our neighbors have ivy growing up their houses, around their front doors and I LOVE IT. Really. Love it. Not the kind of love your preacher refers to when he says society uses the word Love flippantly. I really love ivy growing up houses. God, my husband, my kids and ivy. It's true. Oh, and world peace.

The question I'm pondering in my head...can you plant ivy in urns on either side of the front door and train it to grow up your brick?

Oh the deep thoughts that never stop.

Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice

WELCOME, COME ON IN

The Door Prize

Happy Fall Ya'll

Fall Decorating 101

(Pottery Barn Photo)

When: 6:30-8:30 tonight

What: Bring your decorating ideas, recipes, small centerpieces you'd like to show, your favorite snack to share, pen and paper to jot down more ideas, your favorite decorating magazines

I'd love for you to join me tonight to talk all things food, decorating, and tradition related.

My sister and I will be here and we'll have a seat saved just for you.

Decorating 101

(please excuse the order today button, it's the only pic of my new fun magazine i could find)


Are you in the mood to talk decorating, cooking and all things Fall/Christmas related?

Me too.

I have some fun ideas I found in some magazines and I'm itching to share.

SO, I was thinking. Do you want to come over tomorrow night and eat and talk decorating?

Bring your favorite snack, chips/dip, sweet, salty, doesn't matter.

(please no whole grains or vegetables...preferable buttery chocolately salty things)

Bring your cute, fun, easy decorating ideas.

Bring pretty pictures or magazines you like. We can pass them around and share ideas.

Bring your favorite recipes you like to make this time of year.

Bring a pen and paper to jot down ideas.

Do you have traditions you do around the holidays you'd like to share?

If you can't think of a single decorating idea or tradition to save your soul that's ok. Come anyway.

6:30-8:30pm

My house.

Call or email for directions.

"By wisdom a house is built, and through undertanding it is established; through knowledge it's rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."

Proverbs 24:3-4

Laughter

The manifestation of joy.

Sharing my husband's dream of deep sea fishing with him.

That's my fish everyone. I think God was laughing when He sent that one my way.

Seeing the look on his face as he reeled in huge, beautiful fish. This one is my favorite of the look on his face with his fish. Shiny gray with black stripes.

Laughing hysterically when I caught a shark. Really LORD?! I mean we talked about it a lot and I'm really excited you took me up on my plea to catch a shark. It was one of the most exciting things I've ever experienced. Nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh.....


We have celebrated 10 years together. We're happier, more content, give our opinions less, see the small things, love our boys to pieces and I do mean we enjoy them to the hilt, we drive a bus, I mop and clean up sticky messes every day, I enjoy the sunset in our dining room through finger-printed glass and we are learning to experience the dailyness of life in it's fullest these days.

There's nothing like:

Butt's in the air

Butt's in the air

Lookin' like a fool with your butt's in the air.

Ahem, Do you think I could have passed up taking this shot. I took this one for ya'll, because somehow me telling you about the yoga class going on while we enjoyed our romantic sunrise coffee on the beach yesterday is much different than you seeing it for yourself.

Have a good en' today.

My Summer House

If I built a dream house this is what it would look like.

Charming white picket fence and porch. Sunny yellow paint. Ivy growing up the walls. Colorful flowers lining the path. Lights on inside, always.

When I took health in college I am not kidding one day my professor had us all close or eyes and imagine a happy place. Well, I am not serious enough to get into stuff like that so I shut my eyes and was creeping out about the freak show session that was going on during class. A little too hokey for my taste, ya know what I'm sayin? But man oh day, he had us searching for our happy places for a long time.

Did he forget to prepare lesson plans?

Yeah, I bet so too.

So anyway, after awhile it was getting boring so I started thinking about my happy place.

It had a charming cottage with floral oversized chairs inside, white walls with beadboard, board and batton. Arched doorways. Striped wallpaper on the walls. Thick crown moldings around all the windows, door frames, baseboard and ceilings. Jasmine growing outside. Sheer curtains blowing from the breeze flowing through the open windows. A waterfall was nearby. There were lots of colorful flowers. It was yellow, sunny, bright blue skies and green, purple, pink and orange on the ground with the flowers and plants.

My preacher says we're probably all going to have our own thermostats in heaven and we can adjust how we want it, so my thermostat would always be set between 68-74 so you cold folks would want to be sure to bring a light jacket.

I sure do enjoy beauty. Some days it takes a little more looking around to find it hidden within the day, but every days holds some beauty. I hope you enjoy yours today.