tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20249478192373545612024-02-20T06:02:59.872-08:00Posy the Porcelain PigUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger442125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-85247775349081134822014-03-04T06:00:00.000-08:002014-03-04T06:00:13.928-08:00Pssst- Big News!!! Ok, maybe this news isn't all that big to you, so I apologize if you clicked under false pretenses. ;) <br />
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My news is, after almost 5 years of blogging here, I've decided to pack up and move to a new corner of the internets! I'm so excited about a fresh new space, and hope you will come over and join me there. My new blog address is: <a href="http://www.thetinyteacupblog.blogspot.com/">www.thetinyteacupblog.com</a> <br />
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I'm hoping to be blogging more often, and about new and exciting topics! Please come find me and be my friend? ;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-44707102997747174872014-01-06T10:32:00.000-08:002014-01-06T10:32:09.215-08:00Resolved<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't make "resolutions"- something about the word itself just turns me off. Maybe because I know that I will just end up breaking them anyway! But the promise of a "New Year" is so uplifting and bright. It helps me get over the fact that the holidays are done (so sad and depressing) and realize that these new days hold so much promise. <br />
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In my heart, I know what my "resolutions" are, even if I choose to call them by a different name.<br />
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I've resolved to be more PRESENT in the every day living, not looking back in regret or looking forward in worry, but looking out in the hope that Christ has given me. I love being a wife and mom so very much. I used to have so many goals and ambitions, but they have taken a back seat to this all-important job I now have. Being present in the moment is so very important as the caretaker of our home!<br />
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I've resolved to continue simplifying our lives. We've gotten rid of SO MUCH crap (emotional and physical) this year. Think 10 different trips to Goodwill with carloads of stuff to donate. And way less shopping there to bring home more crap. ;) <br />
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Speaking of less shopping, I've resolved to continue this as well. After Evie was born I went a little crazy with clothes shopping, and it's time to get it under control. I've rebuilt my wardrobe, which was very needed, and now it's time to calm down (and stop looking at Pinterest for "inspiration" which always leads to wanting more!). <br />
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I've resolved to continued letting go of my fears, and stepping out in faith when it comes to my career as a musician. I did that quite a few times this past year (and wow, it was hard!), and God has continued to open doors in my career in singing as I step out. I am SO EXCITED to be learning my first full role for an opera! The opera will be debuting in May, so this Winter/Spring will be full with rehearsals. I can hardly wait.<br />
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What about you? Do you make New Year's Resolutions? <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-79604248663020048392013-12-19T06:00:00.000-08:002013-12-19T06:00:02.805-08:00The Tree Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year, we used our fake tree again, but that didn't stop us from tagging along with my family to the tree farm! We have a tree farm nearby that we go to every year now, and it really is one of the highlights of the season for me.<br />
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It's just so fun to be outside in the fresh air, surrounded by evergreen trees, laughing with the people I love the most. <br />
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The pictures from my phone don't do it justice of course, but I love that they have a cute little "cabin" (which used to be a chicken coop apparently) that they decorate and keep cozy and warm. <br />
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Evie got to ride in a little red wagon. She loved it! <br />
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I totally used this photo for our Christmas card this year! Hello, new phone, I love you. <br />
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Do you cut down a tree, or use a fakey? We're lucky that we kind of get the best of both worlds, but the real trees were $50 a pop this year. Yikes! They seem to get more spendy every year! I love our faux tree, and the fact that it is completely lit with beautiful white lights, and I don't have to cuss my way through detangling several strands of lights. ;)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-31229164877757718842013-12-18T10:55:00.000-08:002013-12-18T10:55:50.198-08:00Merry Christmas Darling!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I truly love decorating for the holidays. I love having Christmas music playing, baking up sweet treats, and making our home look festive. It's far from perfect, but I love it that way! </div>
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This year, our daughter is finally old enough to get excited too. I sing "You better watch out... you better not cry..." and she starts bobbing her head and humming along. The joy that brings is simply indescribable! </div>
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This year, I haven't had a lot of time to dedicate to crafting and creating. Our Christmas gift shopping was kept super simple and inexpensive. But, I did lay in bed the other night and watch "A Princess for Christmas" while my husband snored beside me. It was a perfect moment of peacefulness, and it was simply wonderful. Evie and I baked cookies with my mom and sisters. We all visited the tree farm as a huge, rambunctious family. I think the memories will stay longer than the decorations, and for that I am grateful. </div>
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<br />Merry Christmas, Darlings! </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-76479333416426097572013-11-15T09:54:00.001-08:002013-11-15T09:54:31.056-08:00Pinecone Wreath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So- I saw a pinecone wreath last year at the tree farm when we were picking out a Christmas tree. I wanted it so badly, but it was a little spendy (like $60, yipes). I have a really, really hard time buying things that I know I could make. The problem is, it often takes me a year to make them! <br />
<br />I think it worked out ok in this case, I made this cute little wreath just in time for the holiday season! I'm so excited about how it turned out. It was really easy to make, just time consuming. I bought a wreath form from the craft store, and several different sizes of pinecones (on sale!) to make this. I used a hot glue gun to attach the largest pinecones first, then the medium sizes ones, and finally the smallest ones to fit in the leftover spaces. You can't really tell from this picture, but I left the back of the wreath form bare. I think it will be easier to hang it that way, and it would have taken so many more pinecones to fill the whole thing!<br />
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My Facebook friends had a preview of this wreath, and we were jokingly discussing how silly it is to buy things that literally grow on trees outside. However, I think buying the pinecones was a good idea for 3 reasons:<br />
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1) I was able to buy different sizes to make a more sculptural wreath.<br />
2) I knew that there were no unsavory beings (a.k.a. bugs) living inside them that would consequently be abiding in my home.<br />
3) I'm super lazy and lets be honest, it would take forever to forage that many pinecones. <br />
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I'm a little embarrassed to show this close up, because you can see that there are obviously a lot of hot glue strands left over! But did you know that you can blast those away with a blowdryer on high heat? It works like magic! They literally disappear before your eyes.<br />
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My baby is napping now, which is why the blowdryer thing didn't happen before I posted these photos. ;) <br />
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I love natural looking wreaths! This one will be useful in a lot of settings (I think I can have it out Fall-Winter easily) and it only cost me $16 to make. Yay for saving moolah! <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-67507473339014381262013-11-06T06:00:00.000-08:002013-11-06T06:00:00.729-08:00Fall Table-Scape<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm a little late with sharing my Fall-inspired tablescape (isn't that the best word ever?), but it's been so fun to see every day that I just had to share it anyway!<br />
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I'm all about simple and cheap decorating, and this was both. The mini pumpkins were less than $5 for all of them, the candle was also less than $5 at Wal-Mart and smells AMAZING, and everything else I already had on hand.<br />
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<br />We had a Halloween party at our house this weekend, and this also fit right in with that. So nice and easy!<br />
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Speaking of Fall and Halloween- it's been the BEST Fall. We have packed in so much goodness in these short months, and my Autumn-loving heart is happy. We had a get-together for my dad's birthday which culminated in a pumpkin carving party! So fun. <br />
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Evie was a ladybug for Halloween. I had wanted to make her a costume, but then we found this on sale at Jo Anne fabrics and it was just meant to be! <br />
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Then for a Halloween Party at our house, I had fun re-creating the "floating candles" from the Harry Potter movies. These pictures don't do it justice unfortunately, but it was a really fun effect! It took forever to make the candles and hang them from the ceiling, but it was so worth it. If anyone is interested, here's how I did it: bought "faux" lighted tealights (24 pack) from Jo Annes (the batteries are supposed to last 100 hours!), wrapped cardstock around them to create different sized candlesticks, and used hot glue to make "wax drips" on the sides, then hung them from the ceiling using fishing line and white thumbtacks. This is one instance where I was actually thankful for our popcorn ceiling! It hides the tiny thumbtack holes really well. =) <br />
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Everyone dressed up for the party, I was so glad! I didn't ask if I could share photos of the other costumes, so I'll just share ours. I was "Little Miss Muffet" and Josh was supposed to be Ron Swanson, but at the last minute he decided to be a Russian soldier. =) Boys. <br />
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How was YOUR Halloween? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-23806541921502568922013-11-05T10:29:00.000-08:002013-11-05T10:29:18.180-08:00My One-Year-Old<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I can't believe my sweet baby girl is one year old! She turned one back in September, and it's taken me that long to come to terms with it. =) <br />
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I love waking up to her smile and sweet little voice every morning. She doesn't have a huge arsenal of words yet (mostly Mama and Dada), but this girl loves to SING. Go figure. <br />
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She's walking now, albeit still a little wobbly. I love how she walks; like a little sandcrab, scuttling sideways. <br />
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She loves books but only has the patience for them when they are super colorful. Mama's girl. <br />
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Evangeline, you are a gift from God! We are so thankful for you, and love watching you grow and learn. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-21522637764537998072013-10-15T08:48:00.000-07:002013-10-15T08:48:38.675-07:00AdventuringSometimes, I just crave adventure like I crave a morning cup of coffee. I crave a change from the routine, a new experience, a chance to get away from the daily in and outs of life.<br />
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This past weekend, two of my closest friends and I decided to do just that. We left our babies with our husbands, packed into a car and drove up North. The Fall colors are in their peak right now up North, and it was the perfect weekend to get away!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq_wMMzWp4oO5p6Q9k0ic7jmVkzR2spyYiYL3j7gw7hI3QXD9ehXiUdME6BZjjqUNyzN9LkmMpYBlr8mzqwu4fvS8cNDAJ27k51AExPsMy84tWaSXrmI1lD0oa5u4jiioswpbfMONgSk/s1600/WP_001954.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLq_wMMzWp4oO5p6Q9k0ic7jmVkzR2spyYiYL3j7gw7hI3QXD9ehXiUdME6BZjjqUNyzN9LkmMpYBlr8mzqwu4fvS8cNDAJ27k51AExPsMy84tWaSXrmI1lD0oa5u4jiioswpbfMONgSk/s640/WP_001954.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br />It was amazing to just do whatever we wanted. We had an awesome dinner, drank wine, laughed until our throats hurt, shared some great stories, and slept in the next morning. Then, just because we could, we piled into a golf cart with our morning coffee and just drove around the lake, admiring the trees and the sunshine.<br />
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Our best "adventure" was a one-hour trail ride. I have never ridden a horse before, so it was a fun and slightly terrifying experience for me!<br />
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What do you do when your soul craves adventure? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-53157467615494848282013-09-23T13:12:00.000-07:002013-09-23T13:12:39.689-07:00Fall CampingI've been dreaming of going on a Fall camping trip for a few years now, and we finally made it happen! I thought that just maybe it would be the best way to camp, since the main things I hate about camping (bugs, mosquitoes, hot tents, general stickiness) have to do with Summer. Sure enough, Fall camping turned out to be absolutely wonderful.<br />
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We originally planned to bring Evie with us, but then realized it would probably get too cold at night for her. So she had a fun night at Grandma and Grandpa's instead! </div>
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We only stayed one night because we had other weekend plans too, and I wish we could have stayed longer! Friday night we enjoyed dinner, tea and coffee, and dessert around the campfire, as well as a gorgeous midnight walk. </div>
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sister Elsie and her husband Kyle came with us, and my other sister
Morna and her husband David just came to hang out for dinner on Friday. The guys had fun using their hatchets to chop the firewood. </div>
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It got pretty cold that night, I don't know the exact
temperature but I do know that it was at least as cold as our
refrigerator! The butter that we left out overnight was still as hard as
rock in the morning! <br />
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Originally I thought it would be fun to try and make it a "glamping" trip, but the only thing I ended up doing was bringing a few mason jars for candles. Oh well. <br />
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We brought the air mattress too; definitely better than sleeping pads on the cold ground. <br />
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In the morning, we had sourdough french toast, sausage, and coffee over the fire. It was SO delicious. There's just something about being outside and cooking over a campfire that makes everything taste a million times better than normal! </div>
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We made up a great game too, called "which one of these sausages doesn't belong?" It's amazing how creative you can be without a television. <br />
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So, the Fall camping trip was a total success. I loved being surrounded by the colors of Autumn and feeling that delicious little chill in the air. Next year we will have to do it again, and maybe I'll even have time to make it more glamorous! <br />
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Have you ever been camping in the Fall? Do you even like camping at all? I know it's not everyone's cup of tea. =)Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-67140987861189704042013-09-18T09:44:00.000-07:002013-09-18T09:44:20.999-07:00Electric Orange<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a while since I did an outfit post, but I've been so very inspired by Pinterest and other blogs lately so I figured it was time to contribute to the pot!<br />
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I've been loving the cooler September days, and the chance to layer a bit more. I found this dress on super-sale at Ragstock, and even though it was a bit out of my normal taste, I thought I would give it a try. I was really excited when I got home and realized I had the perfect belt to wear with it! <br />
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I wore this out and about on a few errands, and to dinner at my parent's house later that evening. I've gotten a few comments lately that I seem to "dress up" a lot, which I think is rather funny. I don't really consider this that dressy... But in any case, wearing something beyond yoga pants and sweatshirts is really helpful for me in creating a better mood! I honestly do it for myself more than anyone else! <br />
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Evie has been sick this week, and she has attached herself to this sweet little bunny rabbit we affectionately call "Mr. Bun." He's been her constant companion, along with her thumb. <br />
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Outfit details: Dress/Ragstock, Sweater/Marshalls, Belt/Target, Shoes/Target, Shades/Anthropologie.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-90166705934218874082013-09-13T12:20:00.002-07:002013-09-23T13:13:48.177-07:00Fall is Just Around the Corner...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Fall is just around the corner... but in our house I'm pretending it's already here. Fall is definitely my favorite season! There's something about the crispness in the air, the crunchy leaves everywhere, the slightly spooky feeling with candles glowing at night... It's simply the best.<br />
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I went out and bought a couple of Apple Spice candles from Wal Mart (they seriously have the.best.candles. for ridiculously cheap!). This pillar candle was under $4! What a steal! And it smells heavenly. <br />
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In other news, I have managed to keep my house (relatively) clean for the better part of a week, for the first time since our little peanut came home... almost a year ago. I let it slide for a while, but it was starting to affect my mood. I felt like I couldn't keep up with the clutter, and was constantly picking stuff up. I think we've finally started to get into the groove of putting things away, rather than letting little piles of stuff gather throughout the day. It really helps! <br />
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I like adding small touches of seasonal decor- maybe so small that others wouldn't even notice. Like these sweet little red berry branches tucked in a vase. <br />
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Happy Friday, everyone! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-43569641511557120322013-09-10T07:45:00.000-07:002013-09-10T07:50:58.878-07:00Good Morning, Mini Quiche!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Some mornings just call for a little more effort in the breakfast arena. Not a lot, because really, who wants to cook/bake when they are half awake and under caffeinated? A dangerous pastime, to be sure.<br />
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These mini quiches are delightfully easy and incredibly delicious. I whipped some up this morning and they just made my day!<br />
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For 4 Mini Quiches, you need:<br />
-4 Wonton Wrappers (found in the fresh foods section of grocery stores)<br />
-2 Eggs<br />
-4 Tbsp. grated cheese of your choice (I used colby jack)<br />
-Salt + Pepper to taste<br />
-A pinch of Garlic powder<br />
-A smattering of dried onion/minced onion<br />
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Preheat oven to 350. Whisk the eggs together, then add in the salt and pepper and spices. Spray the bottom of a cupcake/muffin tin with baking oil (you will only need 4 spaces, so obviously you only need to spray those). Place the wonton wrappers inside. Fill each wonton wrapper just to the lowest point (you don't want them to overflow too much when baking). Sprinkle the cheese on top, give each quiche a spritz of oil, and bake for about 10 minutes. The quiches will pop up a bit at the end, and the edges of the wonton wrappers should be golden brown.<br />
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I just have to say, I love wonton wrappers! They are SO fun to use for lots of different appetizers and dishes. They add just the right amount of crunch and flavor! I actually used them yesterday to make this <a href="http://centercutcook.com/baked-southwestern-egg-rolls/">Southwestern Egg Roll recipe,</a> and almost keeled over from the flavor/crunch. YUM. If you are looking for any more fun recipes using wontons, Jenn over at <a href="http://www.peasandcrayons.com/">Peas and Crayons</a> has a ton of ideas! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-41584884936800406772013-09-04T06:00:00.000-07:002013-09-04T06:00:09.645-07:00The House That Almost Was<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This Summer, we looked at a few houses. We really want to move. We love our townhome, and have loved the fact that all the yardwork is taken care of and the driveways are plowed, but we are ready for a home with a yard and some more space.<br />
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You know that feeling that you get when you walk into a house, and you can actually see yourself living there? We stepped into this beautiful 1940's home, and I was already mentally moving in my furniture. The thing that took my breath away was this window (actual window pictured above). The way the light fell in such a beautiful pattern on the floor. I pictured my couch, my favorite mug filled with hazelnut coffee, a book, and pretty autumn leaves shadow-falling across the floor. It was perfect.<br />
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It was perfect, and yet it wasn't. It was the home I had always dreamed of, almost the exact floorplan I had thought up. And yet it had some quirks. Some possibly major, money-costing quirks. After the walk-through, we sat in Caribou with our realtor, coffee, and a squirmy baby and were ready to make an offer. I turned to Josh and said "If we don't get this house, I will throw the biggest adult-tantrum you have ever seen!" Yeah, not my proudest moment. But I really, <i>really </i>wanted to move into that house and bake pumpkin bread in that kitchen. <br />
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I wanted the house, yet there was something inside that just didn't feel right. I could see the way I would arrange the living room, but I could also see our weekends getting filled up with necessary projects. The upstairs hadn't been lived in in about 40 years (it was like a time-capsule, which is another reason why I loved it so very much), and needed a major overhaul. Could we really do that? We've done a few DIY projects around our house, but nothing that major.<br />
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By the time we pulled into our driveway that evening, both Josh and I knew that it wasn't the right place for us. It was hard. I may have shed a few tears. But after we sat down and watched Dave Ramsey's video about buying a house, we knew we had made the right decision. We've used some of his tips to get to an almost debt-free place, and the feeling is absolutely amazing. Once we pay off student loans, we will have no debt except for our mortgage. It is an incredibly freeing feeling, and we don't ever want to experience the slavery of debt again. As much as we loved that house, we knew deep down that it was going to be a money-pit. <br />
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So, we said no to our "dream" house. But, in saying no to that house, we said yes to many other things. We said yes to financial freedom and security, for us and for our daughter. We said yes to saving up some more and having an even lower mortgage some day. We said yes to that house that we know God will provide for us someday in the future. My heart still aches a little bit when I see that picture, but I know that God has a plan for us. And I don't ever want to settle for a lesser plan when I know that He has something better in store. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-29568833854661763082013-09-03T08:04:00.001-07:002013-09-03T08:07:00.846-07:00Bathroom Remodel! <div style="text-align: left;">
I'm super excited to share our bathroom remodel today! But of course, a makeover cannot truly be appreciated until you see the "before." So without further ado, here is a brief historical recap of our powder room. Ahem. </div>
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Ah, builder-grade bathrooms. What more needs to be said? We lived with our hideous, mauve-painted bathroom for a while before we did a semi-makeover a few years ago. It had bifold doors opening to a small laundry closet, linoleum flooring, and an 80's builder-grade sink cabinet with a gray linoleum top. What a beauty! </div>
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Then, we painted. Ah, glorious paint! What a transformation! We also found a pretty etagere at Goodwill, and added a new shower curtain. Progress! <br />
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A few months later, I tired of the shower curtain and bought a new one. And this is what our bathroom looked like for a couple years:<br />
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This Summer, we were finally able to tackle the "real" bathroom remodel! </div>
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We put in a new sink and cabinet, mirror, painted the walls, and replaced the flooring. We also removed the bifold doors and updated the laundry "nook," which I will hopefully get to in a later post. <br />
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Even small details, like changing the hardware on the door and adding in this pretty grate below, really made the room come together. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqmhrAsyQDapOilJcmGqa_l3ytUH5TObdZzOc1Pmhf7Nz26-2kbHDe5f4ejc6fbc5imuDiGfHxVte7vsEtrIUkQjHpelF6bilge-c4RxJAdyL8aLQ0sBWlOoiIMm5k3x1Da_fnKADQWo/s1600/IMG_4211.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqmhrAsyQDapOilJcmGqa_l3ytUH5TObdZzOc1Pmhf7Nz26-2kbHDe5f4ejc6fbc5imuDiGfHxVte7vsEtrIUkQjHpelF6bilge-c4RxJAdyL8aLQ0sBWlOoiIMm5k3x1Da_fnKADQWo/s640/IMG_4211.JPG" width="480" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX0IXDCRZ3dcwFbhUbKDEXuSzLW4SU7OUE5BFw0yxtrKX72wcwIwu6SkMMwHYPzToRh3Mgfb87xQWSh1YMmbzp5ZrgjoqR0taumb8XFnTNGTqH69DKgoso_KbjaGiwv2p052J7iS8nrE/s1600/IMG_4210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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Everything is kind of neutral color-wise right now, I'm excited to be able to change up the accessories/towels for a different look whenever I feel the need for change!<br />
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Here's a detail-shot of the mirror. Josh picked it out, he loved the "art-deco" feel of it. I love the look too, and also love the fact that I can clean the entire mirror with a few swipes! (It's all one solid piece of glass, with the mirror and design printed on the back).</div>
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I've been really happy with this remodel. We tried to keep it neutral taste-wise so that when we are ready to sell it will hopefully appeal to buyers. We also had to reign in our tastes and use materials that fit out townhome. I for one would have loved to tile the floors (marble tile!!!) but it just isn't practical in our townhome. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrXo7kjV4QpytdmRLG4_Ztr37i7YpmVM3Oa5x0fTOGa_xy3W58LFvQR-I4Lqa4zYBZLiL1CqB_B2FyqeSpruMul3iO5k8HNPDvooBz2UJFIPMVKbzZmr_ApthfxLWtuQ1MASS0CYvWx4/s1600/IMG_4218.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifrXo7kjV4QpytdmRLG4_Ztr37i7YpmVM3Oa5x0fTOGa_xy3W58LFvQR-I4Lqa4zYBZLiL1CqB_B2FyqeSpruMul3iO5k8HNPDvooBz2UJFIPMVKbzZmr_ApthfxLWtuQ1MASS0CYvWx4/s640/IMG_4218.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Materials List: </div>
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Sink/cabinet/faucet: Ikea</div>
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Flooring: Vinyl tile from Menards</div>
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Paint: Fossil Stone by Pittsburgh Paints (Menards)</div>
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Shelf and Towel Hanger: Home Goods</div>
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Other accessories: Thrifted, or what I had on hand</div>
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Shower Curtain: From Anthropologie, but I found it on Craigslist</div>
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If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments!</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-64499813099689104702013-08-30T06:00:00.000-07:002013-08-30T06:00:00.933-07:00Five-Minute Projects<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've noticed a trend lately... I seem to be unable to devote more than 5 minutes (give or take a few) on any given project. Chalk it up to motherhood, short attention span, not enough sleep, whatever. So when I saw that my friend Courtney over at<a href="http://feminineuniquenew.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-beauty-of-burlap.html"> Feminine.Unique.New</a> had made this adorable earring holder, I knew this project would be my next best friend.<br />
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It used items I already had, it helped me organize my dresser just a bit by getting all my dangly earrings corralled in one place, and it looks pretty. Score! <br />
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I'm super happy with how it turned out. And the fact that I was able to get it done in five minutes, all while trying to keep my scissors out of the prying grasp of my 11 month old!<br />
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What projects have you done lately? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-38779014473620381862013-07-23T09:03:00.000-07:002013-07-23T09:03:37.907-07:00Cherry-Picker<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Life is just a bowl full of cherries! Tart cherries, that is. One of my favorite "new" family traditions is to make cherry jam with my mother-in-law. They have several bushes of these amazing little cherries on their property, and they seriously make the best jam EVER. Sweet, slightly tart, absolute perfection on a piece of toast. Last year, the harvest was low and so we went a year without jam, but this year there are more than enough!<br />
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So, after my MIL graciously picked this entire bowl, we spent a lovely summer afternoon pitting them. It takes forever, but it's definitely worth it. <br />
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This little munchkin sat and played sweetly while we pitted and chatted. I am in love with this little head scarf that we are borrowing from my Aunt Elizabeth. When my Aunt and Uncle lived in Germany, she bought a ton of these for my cousin Faith. Apparently, all the fashionable German babies wear them! *wink<br />
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I had been on the lookout for a specific type of flower for this new vase I found at GW. I finally found the perfect flowering branch! I just wish it would bloom forever... <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXaqmxGtrdBlBINtCs2gwHdqIylUACr3SklqqZ7rJrmdI7kyWZr7xCyZuQQoW9iH-6D_lKjysFGOyrSECJjdzydbP2dOvY08Se5bexLBwH66J3SeLup6QrYcI3MZqjX-1-7XDtlklAeg/s1600/WP_001486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXaqmxGtrdBlBINtCs2gwHdqIylUACr3SklqqZ7rJrmdI7kyWZr7xCyZuQQoW9iH-6D_lKjysFGOyrSECJjdzydbP2dOvY08Se5bexLBwH66J3SeLup6QrYcI3MZqjX-1-7XDtlklAeg/s640/WP_001486.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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And last but not least, I love my husband dearly, but he seems to have taken the term "throw pillow" too literally. Does anyone else have this kind of issue with their spouse or male counterpart? Is there some type of "interior design for men" class that I could send him to? Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-58773313789638216842013-07-18T06:00:00.000-07:002013-07-18T06:00:08.674-07:00My FAVORITE Iced Tea Recipe (sugar + caffeine free!)If you're anything like me, you may feel sad and disheartened by the amount of unhealthy beverages that seem to abound in the summertime. I sure love a nice ice-cold Coke, but I really dislike the sugar content (and my hips agree). I get SO sick of drinking water. I know it's good for you and all that, but seriously, it's the most boring drink on the planet.<br />
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Do we want to be boring? I don't think so. <br />
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Last year, a friend introduced me to what would soon become my favorite tea on the entire planet. <a href="http://www.celestialseasonings.com/products/chai-teas/sweet-coconut-thai-decaf">Celestial Seasonings Decaf Sweet Coconut Thai.</a> You can find it at Target, and at most grocery stores! I lived on this stuff throughout my pregnancy and while pumping because it's decaf, and all it really needs is a bit of milk! You can add sugar, but I'm actually partial to it without sugar.<br />
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This Summer, I decided to try it iced and see if that was any good. Well, it may just have been the purest stroke of genius I've ever had! I made it once, and had to immediately go out and buy more! We've been drinking this tea like there's no tomorrow. I love that you can drink it without sugar too!<br />
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Here's how to make it: </div>
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Ingredients: Decaf Sweet Coconut Thai tea, ice, and 2% milk (or your choice of milk!)</div>
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(mason jar glass is purely optional)</div>
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Directions: Boil 4 cups of water, then steep 6 teabags in it for at least 1 hour. Chill the tea in the fridge for a few hours (if you can stand to wait). When ready to serve, pour equal amounts of tea and milk over ice. Ta da! Enjoy. Makes about 5 12 oz. servings. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1bzZu_lXOsQFB3FmgN62THfvh5laLoWJ2DSQ_eejnZqX_nDSA62Mpdz3hFVVzjcsb4nMHl1DEkxFOEfcNpu_cN_xDVMMB4UupNHlAlejQMXxgKIrDkd2q1i4Otw5q0ngvag8ET7daRQ/s1600/IMG_4175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1bzZu_lXOsQFB3FmgN62THfvh5laLoWJ2DSQ_eejnZqX_nDSA62Mpdz3hFVVzjcsb4nMHl1DEkxFOEfcNpu_cN_xDVMMB4UupNHlAlejQMXxgKIrDkd2q1i4Otw5q0ngvag8ET7daRQ/s640/IMG_4175.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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And no, Celestial Seasonings did not pay me to write this post. But if they want to pay me with a lifetime supply of this tea, I may allow that. ;) <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-16275816563448116532013-07-17T06:00:00.000-07:002013-07-17T06:00:04.640-07:00Pulling Everything TogetherMy approach to decorating is definitely to collect things slowly, over time, from lots of different sources. I like a nice mixture of new/vintage/fun/colorful/classic items for a balanced look. Unfortunately, sometimes this can result in a bit of frustration as you try different things out! Our bedroom just didn't feel complete because I could not for the life of me find something to hang over our bed! It has just been a big, gray, blank wall for the past 3 years.<br />
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I really wanted to find the perfect thing- whatever it was. And finally, my waiting paid off! I stumbled across this large painting a few weeks ago in a secondhand store for only $30. For a real, original painting that is actually decent, I thought that was a steal!<br />
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I adore the details of this painting! Each flower is made with thick and thin brushstrokes, and stacked paint to create the look of real petals. <br />
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I made a couple of new pillows (the green ones) to pull out the greens in the painting, and I had the velvet one already. It's hard to tell from the photos, but the green is more of a mossy color (it looks brighter in the photos). </div>
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Now I have a much better idea of how to decorate the rest of the room! And of course, Josh and I just started talking more seriously about moving. But even if that is the case, this painting is coming with me. ;) <br />
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Anyone have any fun thrifting finds lately? I miss thrifting so much. Evie is usually good about sitting in the cart nicely while I shop, but it's just so hard to get out of the house with her sometimes! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-34999264467964917282013-07-16T06:00:00.000-07:002013-07-16T06:00:01.302-07:00Ugly Dresser Turned TV Console!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Believe it or not, I actually forgot to take some "before" photos of this guy. I'm sad because it truly was hideous, and I'm rather proud of the transformation. I found it for FREE on the side of the road. And yes, my husband was very reticent and really questioned my sanity on this one. But thankfully, he gave me some garage real-estate and now he admits that it was worth it.<br />
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I had found a paint sample a long time ago that was this jade color, and I decided to match it for a fun pop of color against our blue/gray walls. I'm glad I chose this color! It does tie in well with the rest of the house too. <br />
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We brought the lamps that had previously been in our bedroom out here. I like the white base with the green dresser. The shades got dolled-up with some pretty yellow ribbon from Wal-Mart. <br />
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On the left side of the dresser, I grouped a painting (an original watercolor by my grandmother), a pretty white ceramic owl, and a terrarium from my sister. <br />
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The middle section of the dresser had 3 drawers hidden behind the doors. We removed the first 2 and cut holes in the back for all the cords, and now they house the DVD player and sound system! <br />
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I love finding things that make better use of the space we have! With only 880 square feet to work with, we sure can use every bit of help we can get! <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-12358630579821876722013-07-15T06:00:00.001-07:002013-07-15T06:00:12.876-07:00Scenes From Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>Picnic in the park, listening to La Boheme live. </i> </div>
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<i>Oh yes, a bathroom remodel. More photos to come... </i> </div>
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<i>Catching small moments here and there of rest. </i> </div>
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<i>Oh so many bottles for a growing baby.</i> </div>
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<i>Oh so many surprises too... (first time standing up on her own!) </i> </div>
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<i>The most precious moments, hugs from great-grandma.</i> </div>
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<i>Singing at my lesson, Evie sits quietly on Lila's lap while I run through scales. </i> </div>
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<i>Soup in the summertime? </i> Why ever not?</div>
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<br /><i>Visiting Como Zoo with Evie, another first. </i></div>
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<i>Playing in our "yard", a.k.a. the driveway.</i> </div>
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<i>Smiles on a Farmer's Market</i> <i>excursion with friends.</i></div>
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<i>Coffee, empty bottle, and lots of laundry on a Monday morning.</i></div>
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<i> </i>And life just doesn't get any better than that. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdgtThroJB0USCyXcBj1dBRg5NCq0DYC-DecTR2J7ZjAGnksFU0CCHDvPYctSw4LYYBPVBOs_paoNdkm82rdUj8EixiGfOht8Eu64z5DaFgICsrzFzU8omnbY4dtisy0hn18JNTRMUC8/s1600/WP_001381+-+Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzdgtThroJB0USCyXcBj1dBRg5NCq0DYC-DecTR2J7ZjAGnksFU0CCHDvPYctSw4LYYBPVBOs_paoNdkm82rdUj8EixiGfOht8Eu64z5DaFgICsrzFzU8omnbY4dtisy0hn18JNTRMUC8/s640/WP_001381+-+Copy.jpg" width="640" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-11328019439723482382013-07-13T19:24:00.000-07:002013-07-13T19:24:21.742-07:00Evie- 9 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-81179591835529933332013-06-13T06:00:00.000-07:002013-06-13T06:00:08.218-07:00A Gatsby-Inspired Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This past weekend, we had a little soiree for my baby sister (who is not actually a baby I must note, but in her 20's). She's getting married this coming August, so we decided to throw a Gatsy-Inspired bachelorette party for her. My sister Elsie hosted the party at her beautiful home, and all I had to do was bring some delectable treats, and figure out how to make myself look a little more old-fashioned. </div>
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Turns out, finger curls are a huge pain in the rear, but so worth the end result! In order to get this look:</div>
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I had to spend 6 + hours looking like this: <br />
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I did some research on the elusive finger-wave popular in the 1920's, and kind of came up with my own version. I used<a href="http://i-like-historical-clothing.blogspot.com/2011/06/finger-wave-tutorial.html"> this blog</a> to get an idea of how to set the curls. Basically, I parted my hair in a deep side part and completely wet that section of hair. I liberally applied mousse, and then used the clips to set it in deep waves (using the photos from the blog above as a guide). It took a really long time to dry, so I used my blowdryer with a diffuser attachment throughout the day to help it along. <br />
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Once the hair was dry, I curled the rest of my hair using a 3-barrel, and pinned it up in the back to mimic a bob. The finger-waves only needed a light combing to make them look more natural, and they were ready to go! I also put a couple of bobby pins in to help the finger curls stay put at least until I got to the party, but I'm happy to say they lasted through the night!<br />
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Josh snapped a few photos of the whole ensemble right before I left. I hemmed and hawed about what to wear for weeks, but I finally found the right outfit. The shirt is from Target, and the skirt is from <a href="https://shopruche.com/">Ruche</a>. I didn't buy them for the occasion, I actually had both things already and at the last moment threw them together. The tights, shoes, handbag, and feather headband were also things I had on hand. <br />
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Even though it was a lot of work, I really enjoyed doing my hair this way! It was fun to feel like I was living in my favorite decade for a bit. Usually I just live vicariously through shows like Downton Abbey and Poirot. Anyone else ever feel like they were born in the wrong decade? <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-11400077406905344562013-06-12T06:00:00.000-07:002013-06-12T06:00:01.008-07:00Goal Numero Uno: The Porch Project<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Now that Summer is finally here in Minnesota, a huge goal of ours was making our porch really "liveable." By liveable, I mean comfy, pretty, and practical. We are trying to make the most of every inch of space in our wee home since we have decided to stay put here for a bit longer.<br />
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The first additions to the porch were these two awesome adirondack chairs. We found them at Target for $18 each. They are SO much better than the stackable plastic chairs we had before. <br />
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The next addition was a few pretty potted plants, along with some edible ones. I LOVE growing fresh herbs. The flavor they add to dishes is far superior than anything dried, and even the "fresh" herbs from the supermarket just can't compare. So far I have mini basil, sweet mint, and regular basil. I also have a little tomato plant that I hope will make it through the Summer! <br />
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My favorite "plant" is actually this tree. It's a Hibiscus tree with beautiful pink flowers. Unfortunately there were none blooming at the moment I took this picture. <br />
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So, things are coming along quite well so far! I still need
to make some outdoor pillows (these are borrowed from the couch) and add
a few more fun "accessories" for more color. But so far our goal has
been reached, we've been spending as much time out here as possible! We've enjoyed a meal or two, and several Saturday morning coffee's as well. I love reading and playing out here with Evie too. I'm really dreaming of having a big patio/porch with plush outdoor furniture someday, but this will definitely do for now!<br />
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So here's our little "list" of things To-Do for the porch:<br />
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PORCH<br />
- <s>Pot plants (flowers and herbs)</s> DONE!<br />
- <s>Buy new chairs for a comfier seating area</s> DONE! <br />
- Make it pretty using accessories I already have<br />
- Sew up some new, outdoor-friendly pillows<br />
- Possibly refinish small table I have to replace the black IKEA table <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-33685120892205826882013-06-11T06:00:00.000-07:002013-06-11T06:00:09.401-07:00Around the Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQqQB3bl1pV9D5tW5viQS52iAl5jr-j-P_5DLnb5TWPxlGbfQ-J_HeGAwyIUt17bU-xSscifezXcaBRjgMKP72uxsXxaQIErF6jJdKPOjgBhBjLrE8QQvLeBz7T1bOxtRlzWxIKaqqxw/s1600/IMG_3758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQqQB3bl1pV9D5tW5viQS52iAl5jr-j-P_5DLnb5TWPxlGbfQ-J_HeGAwyIUt17bU-xSscifezXcaBRjgMKP72uxsXxaQIErF6jJdKPOjgBhBjLrE8QQvLeBz7T1bOxtRlzWxIKaqqxw/s400/IMG_3758.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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Some things have happened around here that I have been remiss in mentioning. Some very wonderful additions have become a part of our family, and I am so excited to introduce them to you today. First off, our blender. We affectionately call him Blendy. This rockstar whirs into action every day, making baby food, smoothies, soup purees, and the occasional batch of pesto. He even decimated a wooden spoon in an unplanned battle of strength. What a champ! <br />
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The chalkboard jar has found a new place next to our faithful toaster. I also discovered that if you dip your chalk into water before writing, it writes a heck of a lot better, and it also makes me feel a bit less like throwing up. Does anyone else feel like they might puke when writing on a chalkboard? No? I'm the only one? Why does that not surprise me.... <br />
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I'm trying super hard to keep our counters less cluttered, since we are still in the bottle-stage of feeding our baby girl and those things have taken over! <br />
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I re-finished the frame on this picture I found years ago in a thrift store. It's an embroidered picture, with tons of colorful chickens. I love it more than I care to admit, and if I had to rescue anything from a fire (after my humans of course), this would be it. I wish now that I had done the dishes before taking this photo...<br />
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Lastly, I found a fun new rug for in front of the sink (from Target)! Also, this photo gives you a better idea of how tiny our kitchen truly is. If Josh tries to come in while I'm cooking, I get a claustrophobic attack and start panicking. Truly. Also, when the dishwasher is open, there is only 2 feet of space in front of the stove. Eep!<br />
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So there's a few kitchen updates that have happened lately. It is definitely feeling more pulled-together than before! Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2024947819237354561.post-56054785396118761102013-06-05T08:42:00.000-07:002013-06-05T08:42:35.808-07:00Singing Opera: My GoalPerhaps one of the lesser-known facts about me is that I love to sing opera. People usually respond in a couple of different ways when I tell them that, the first is to say "I hate opera. Let's talk about something else." To which I just laugh, smile, and change the subject. The second is usually a look of confusion, and a statement along the lines of "But you are too skinny to be an opera singer," or, "Why aren't you singing at the Met then?" or my personal favorite, "What are your goals with that?"<br />
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Today, I would like to talk about opera a bit, and my "goals." If you are an opera-hater, that's fine, but maybe you could take a few moments to understand a wee bit more about it? Or perhaps, you have something that is in place of opera in your life that you could relate to my story.<br />
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I started off singing at a very young age, but it wasn't until college that I really learned my true passion for classical singing and opera. I struggled with vocal health for years, my voice would get very fatigued and the muscles surrounding my throat would ache after singing in choir or on worship team at church. My first teacher, Mark Calkins, started me on the journey to healthy singing. In opera and classical singing, the path of least resistance is used. In other words, you learn how to use your voice in the most efficient way, and the least harmful way. Other types of singing can actually be very damaging to your voice if you aren't careful. Opera can also be damaging if you aren't singing with healthy techniques. Here's a fun fact, and the thing that initially fascinated me about opera, opera singers are able to <i>project their voices over an orchestra, without any type of amplification. </i>Wow! When high notes are sung correctly, you have a feeling of weightlessness. But, after singing an aria you may also feel like you are ready to drop. It requires a HUGE amount of energy and focus to sing an operatic aria. It's the musical equivalent of a marathon!<br />
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Opera is truly one of the most intriguing and demanding art forms. It is so much more than just walking onto the stage and singing. It is an art form that requires constant practice, physical fitness, outside critique and coaching, and so much more. Most successful professional opera singers have dedicated their lives completely to the art form, learning to be the best singer and actor they can possibly be. I love singing opera, and I have pursued a career to a small extent. However, as much as I love it, I'm not sure that I want to devote my entire life to it. I want to continue to love it, rather than develop feelings of frustration or even hatred because it is so all-consuming. One story that sticks in my mind is from my former teacher, Doreen Hutchings, who met a world-famous opera singer and later learned that this singer, although she had achieved fame and fortune through singing, was absolutely miserable. Her family had fallen apart, and even her extreme fame is no consolation for the loneliness that results from that.<br />
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Right now I am studying with a wonderful teacher named Lila Olson, as well as working with Audrey Stottler, a singer turned teacher who has a very successful international career under her belt. I'm learning so much from these ladies, and I am so thankful for the opportunities to work with them! One of the questions that Audrey loves to ask her older students is "Why do you still sing?" She has taught people of all age ranges, and many of the people she has worked with are singing well past their retirement years. Why would someone work on an art form that gives them no monetary compensation, and is in fact mostly enjoyed in the comfort of their own home? The answer is: Because they love it and just couldn't imagine living without it.<br />
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I sing because I love it. My goal is to sing better and love it even more. Another goal is to help others learn to sing better and to love it. Would I like to sing at the Met? Sure, but I'm not driven towards that as a goal. Working on pieces from the classical repertoire and opera has instilled in me a very good work ethic. Even when I don't feel like it, singing through my warmups helps my day feel brighter. Working on a difficult passage and learning to sing it with ease gives me a sense of personal accomplishment. Putting aside my fears and singing an aria in front of an audience reminds me to lean on God for strength. Working with people who are passionate about music helps me to strive for excellence, even when I am not going to be compensated with worldly goods.<br />
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Here's how I feel about singing: It's a gift that God gently placed into my hands and entrusted to me. It is not something to be used to puff up my own feathers and prance around proudly, in fact in many ways it has done the opposite (something that anyone else who has done any type of audition can tell you!). <b>It has taught me to stand firm in what I believe, and to keep going even when criticism, competition, and discouragement threaten to derail me. </b>God is there with me when I stand up, against all worldly odds, and sing with the freedom that only comes from being grounded in faith. At times, this gift has truly felt like a curse, but I have seen Him turn it into a blessing as only He can. When I meet my Savior face to face, I hope to be able to hear Him say "Well done." <br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0