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Friday, December 30, 2011

Favorite Project Highlights of 2011

Friday, December 30, 2011

Favorite Project Highlights of 2011

I almost didn't do this post because I've only been blogging for a few months, but I wanted to get in on the fun!  Hopefully next year I'll have a much longer project completion list.  Here are my favorite projects from the recent past: My New Laundry Room (Pictures in this post are updated just a tad.) Re-hung Dining Curtains It was a small change that made a HUGE difference in the look and feel of the room. Updated Ceiling Fans A Perfectly Striped Wall Emily's New Room Stocking Pillow I can't wait to start a new year.  I'm working on a list of house goals and have so many thoughts spinning around in my head...I want to do it all at once!  Happy New Year friends! Linking up with.... Tatertots and Jello ,  Thrifty Decor Chick ...
Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas 2011 Wrap-Up

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Christmas 2011 Wrap-Up

Well hello friends!  I had planned to take this entire week off while the kids are out of school, but I missed everyone and felt out of the loop!  I hope you had a very meaningful Christmas and time of celebration with your families.  Here's a little recap of our Christmas. Our church held two Christmas Eve services and Ray preached both of them this year (he's not the regular preaching pastor but fills in occasionally).  After our Christmas Eve service, we hosted both sides of the family for a snacky-appetizer dinner and time to just enjoy being together.  The kids performed a few musical selections of their choice...entertaining to all! Probably one of Emily's favorite gifts-the day she received it she tried to make it to 100 jumps.  Today, 3 days later, her record was 1,467.  Wow.  Ray & I had to switch off counting.  And, she can now jump with no hands.  Do you think any colleges offer scholarships for pogo jumping? Approximately 2.7 seconds af...
Thursday, December 22, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Merry Christmas!

Wishing a Merry Christmas from our  family to yours! The Lord has showered his blessings on our family and I am so grateful for His gracious care for us.  Praise be to God for His indescribable gift (Jesus!)  this Christmas Season.   I am so thankful for all of you that visit my blog and share your support.  I'll be back around the first of the year and look forward to sharing more time with you!  ...
Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Raspberry Chipotle Cream Cheese Dip (& Jib Jab!)

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Raspberry Chipotle Cream Cheese Dip (& Jib Jab!)

This is one of my favorite go-to appetizers to serve at my home or bring to a party. It could not be easier, and is oh, so good!  If you have a Sam's Club in your area, pick up a bottle of this the next time you are there: It's on the aisle with the barbeque sauces.  I got hooked on this treat a few years ago, Sam's quit carrying the sauce, I found something similar at a local grocery store, and then they quit carrying it about a year ago!  I truly crave this through the year sometimes, so when I discovered that they had it again (maybe it's seasonal?) I've snatched up 4 bottles.  No sirree, not running out of this stuff anytime soon.  If you invite me to a party you can guess what I'll bring! By the way, do NOT get this expecting it to be the same... Blech!  Very barbeque-y. All you need to do is set out a brick of cream cheese and let it soften, and then liberally pour the sauce over the top.  Wheat thins are the p...
Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Shop at The Rink

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Shop at The Rink

This post is for all of my local friends.  Looking for a unique gift or accent for your home?  Have I got the place for you!   The Rink Gallery is located on 32nd and Rockwell in Bethany.  It's actually just a few blocks from the house I grew up in and literally used to be an ice skating rink.  I think the old Zamboni is still in there somewhere!  They have divided the space into individual booth areas which have such an interesting mix eclectic, vintage, and antique goods, furniture, and clothing. My parents rent booth space here.  Mom is the master shopper and Dad is the master fixer/painter/cleaner-upper of whatever she finds.  Here are a few pictures of their booth: All of the grandchildren call her "Bree."  Her name was going to be "Grammy", but when my son tried to say that it somehow sounded like Bree.  She loved it so much better than Grammy, so the name stuck.   My dad PAINTED that brick floor-I think it adds such character to their space...
Monday, December 19, 2011

Parties and Painting (Last Minute Gift Idea!)

Monday, December 19, 2011

Parties and Painting (Last Minute Gift Idea!)

Over the weekend we hosted a lunch for my girlfriends, a dinner for several young couples, and a birthday party for my sister.  I thought we might as well squeeze in as much as possible while the house was clean and looking good!    I basically kept the table set and just switched out dishes for each event.   These ornaments  served as place cards and a take-home party favor. The "cupcake stands" were inverted milkglass glasses that I spotted at a thrift store.  They were $2.99 each, but I knew they wouldn't sell for that much so I kept an eye on them until they were marked down.  Yes, I wait for things to be marked down at a thrift store.  I snagged the set of 12 for $9.00.  The girls sat in the dining room... and this was the boys' table-I kept it super simple and left the fluff for the girls. I meant to take pictures with our guests at the party, but I always forget to pull out the camera once people arrive. Part II- Several weeks ago...
Sunday, December 18, 2011

Sunday Morning Scripture

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Sunday Morning Scripture

1  In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  2 (This was the first census that took place while  Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  3  And everyone went to their own town to register. 4  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  5  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  6  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born,  7  and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  9  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  10 But the angel said to them, “Do n...
Thursday, December 15, 2011

Personalized Ornaments

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Personalized Ornaments

While on vacation I saw some ornaments similar to these in a gift shop and thought "Those would be really easy to make," and they were!  If you need a last minute gift or just a little extra something to accompany a present or even a few more ornaments to fill out your tree, give these a try!   I purchased a box of glass ornaments and used paint and ribbon that I had on hand. One trick that I like to use when painting dots is to cut one out of a sponge.   I sponge the dots on (remember sponge painting walls and t-shirts in the 90's?) and then go back and fill them in with a brush.   The sponge gives me somewhat of a template to make the dots uniform and makes the process much quicker since I only have to do a few swipes with the brush to fill it in.  See my fancy handy-dandy drying rack?  The kids saw them still hanging there in the morning and thought I should leave them.  Maybe that would be a good addition to the decor next year! M...