Thursday, February 25, 2016

An Open Letter To My Graduating Senior {Thoughtful Thursday}

Hey there friends! Well, here we are again. Preparing for another high school graduation. It seems like yesterday that we just did this, but in reality it was two years ago!! Time moves so quickly these days, that I feel I must pay close attention or it will all become a blur. 

There is something that happens to us mamas when are babies are about to leave the nest. It's odd, and hard to explain, but it's real. It happened two years ago and it's happening again. 


So, I am writing this letter to my graduate to try to make some sense of this strange phenomenon.

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Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Sweet and Simple Valentine's Day Table {2016}

Valentine's Day is sneaking up quickly this year! We have been doing a family Valentine's Day dinner for several years now, and I enjoy it so much. Any excuse to set a pretty table and get dressed up for dinner (even if I have to cook)! :)

As the kiddos have gotten older it's sometimes hard to find a day where we are all home to eat together. Lucky for me, Valentine's Day falls on a Sunday so the chances are good that we will all be there. (other than college boy of course)

I only sat the table for four for you guys because five would be weird, and I didn't want to do the whole table - lazy I know. Anyhow, here it is - sweet and simple.

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Thursday, February 4, 2016

Grandma's Lemony Lemon Cake

I mentioned that my daughter had a birthday, but I didn't mention that my hubby also celebrated his birthday! Yes, our daughter was born on hubby's birthday! Best gift I ever gave him - and one that keeps on giving!! :)

There has always been a struggle over whose cake I make on their day. Well, this year they both got what they wanted. My girl got a cheesecake (which I did not make), and hubby got his favorite lemony lemon cake (recipe courtesy of his grandma).


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Tuesday, February 2, 2016

Another Year Older

A couple of months ago our oldest turned 20. And just this weekend our daughter turned 18. 18 and 20? How is that possible?? Seriously it was just yesterday that they came home from the hospital right? 


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Tuesday, January 5, 2016

How'd We Do In 2015

Good morning friends and Happy New Year! 

I've never been one to write down goals in the past, but here on the blog I have. And, honestly, it's interesting to go back and look at where I was a year ago and where I am now.

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Monday, December 21, 2015

Yummy (And Cute) Home Made Gifts

We are getting close to Christmas! Are y'all ready?? Do you have all your shopping done?? Need a gift they will love?? Try you hand at baking or candy making and I promise it will be a treat!! (ha! - see what I did there? :))

I shared on Instagram how this tradition started when hubby and I were young and didn't have much money, but it has continued over the years and I would like to think it's one of the favorites. :)

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Friday, September 25, 2015

Sometimes I Feel Like A Skipping Record

Oh my, as I typed that title I realized that there are those of you younger than me that may not even know what that means. Bless your heart. So, back in the day, when you played music on a record player, sometimes the needle would get stuck on a speck of dust, or a scratch, or something and just stay in that spot playing that same second or two of music over and over again until someone fixed it by moving the needle. The dark ages of music, I know.


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Thursday, August 27, 2015

Hello There!

Hello there my friends! It's been a great summer here and I hope it was for you as well! The kids are in their second week of school this year and we are all adjusting to the schedule. I have so many things to share with you! I plan to get back to a more regular posting schedule after my boy goes back to Boston next week. I have missed writing here! Today I just thought I would pop in and share how the family is doing! :) 

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Wednesday, August 19, 2015

5 Things To Make Back To School Easier For Moms

Maybe your kids have already started back to school, or maybe you have a couple more weeks. Here they start tomorrow. After a summer of slothing around I'm looking forward to a schedule, but thinking about all the things that are going to be on the schedule kinda freaks me out a bit. Over the past couple of years I have put a few things in place that have seriously made my life easier and more peaceful.

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Monday, August 10, 2015

Patio Reveal!!

I am finally ready to reveal our patio and call it complete!! This has definitely been a process that has taken way longer than I would like. It's finally done and it's 100+ degrees outside, but hey, fall will be here soon and we will again be able to sit outside without melting. It all started here with some dreaming. Some things came to be and others not so much. The yard still needs some help in the landscaping department - all in good time.

So, no more waiting, no more teasing - here it is!!
Lots of pictures coming your way!!

At day...


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Thursday, June 4, 2015

So, It's Summer...Thoughts On Thursday

So, it's summer.  We have been on summer break for a week and a half now, and if you noticed I've been a little MIA on the blog. 


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Thursday, May 21, 2015

Thoughts on Thursday

Not gonna say this is a series, but God has placed some things on my heart lately that I have wanted to share, so I am. :) This week a sweet, encouraging friend posted a comment on my facebook page related to my last post.


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Thursday, May 14, 2015

Thoughts on Thursday

This year's Mother's Day sermon plucked my mama heart strings and I just wanted to share. So here are some deep thoughts on this Thursday morning. Hopefully you are encouraged as I was!

There were two things that grabbed me.  The idea of building a home - a legacy of faith - within our family.  This has always been the central goal of my husband and I. We often get caught up in the competition of good grades, and success in sports, or other things the world puts value on. However, in the end, the number one thing for us is that our kids love the Lord and follow Him. 



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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Tween Boy Bedroom Reveal

I know it seems like it has taken me a long time to finish the kids' rooms!!  In reality the majority of the work has been done for a while, just tough to catch the room clean enough for good photos!! :)

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Monday, March 30, 2015

Easter Mantel

Did you miss me last week?  Sorry for the absence.  Hubby and I were in sunny California where we met up with our oldest son.  The baseball team was there playing some California teams on their spring break.  So, three for one - I got to see my boy, I got to watch him play baseball, and I got to go to the beach! It was a great time for sure!!


It only took me a couple of days after having the mantel finished to start scheming it's first decor. Since Easter is coming quickly I thought I would do something simple for that.  



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Tuesday, February 24, 2015

What's Happenin'

I haven't forgotten about y'all I promise.  All sorts of things have been happenin' around here lately, I just haven't had a chance to pull it together to share with you guys!  ;)  So, today is a round-up of sorts.  A peek into our lives so to speak.

Some progress has been made in the family room update.  We contemplated paint colors for the walls.  And re-arranged furniture! 


Then there was a birthday in the house. :)  So, progress put on hold for more important things.


The kids had a day off from school, so we sorted through clothes.  My boys have been growing like little weeds!


Paint was chosen and painting began.


The house was a mess and laundry had piled up, so progress paused while I did some laundry.  As I was doing laundry, I realized I was running low on laundry soap, so I whipped up a batch.  


It's all gelled (is that a word?) and ready to be poured into containers!

Then the snow came.


And that meant some sledding.  (so thankful for a hubby and a dad who loves getting out and playing with his kids no matter the conditions...I hate the cold)


The snow makes me more and more mindful of my oldest and others I know who are among the many in the New England area that are buried under several feet of snow...not inches. I am thankful for technology that allows me to see his smiling face from time to time.  Makes this mama heart feel much better - you can tell a lot from just seeing their face, am I right?? (I screen-shot this while we were face-timing the other night - he would not keep his phone still, so the pic is blurry ;))

 

Finally the painting was finished and all the furniture back in place.  Nothing much is styled and pretty yet, so not quite ready for a complete reveal, but here's a sneak peek. Still lots to do, but we are definitely headed in the right direction! And, I am loving the new furniture arrangement!


See, I told you we've been busy!!  Hopefully I will be back soon to share more details of the family room transformation.  Thanks for following along on our little adventures :).


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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Valentine's Day Table 2015

Yesterday I played around with table decorating!!  It really is something that is so much fun!!  I always challenge myself to use what I have, and if I have to add, I do it on the cheap.

I've shared with you before our family Valentine's dinner tradition.  One of the best parts of this tradition for me, is an excuse to set the table!  

I kept it simple this year, and I love the outcome! I just love it when things come out as good or better than the vision in my head. :)



I used my black and white gingham table runners that I made at Thanksgiving.  I added some kraft paper placemats.  Red chargers, white napkins and plates.  



The placemats were simply cut from a roll of kraft paper and I added the XO with black craft paint.  



The only things I purchased were the red paper heart doilies that I used in the center and on top of the plates, and the tulips that were used in the centerpiece.  I gathered together crystal bud vases and candlesticks to cluster together for the centerpiece.  


So, I did this table for about $7.  When I buy dishes and such, I try to buy things that will go with lots of different schemes - white plates, white napkins, crystal, even the red chargers are very versatile.  I don't really have the storage for lots of different dishes, so this works best for me.


Here are a couple of pictures at night with the candles lit.



I can't wait for our family dinner!  :)


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