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Tuesday, August 29, 2017

HAPPENINGS ON THE HOMEFRONT | 4 | AND EXCITING NEWS!


Our hearts continue to go out to our family and friends in Texas who are devastated by Hurricane Harvey.  Please do what you can to help.  Here are just a few ways you can help monetarily: We personally contribute to Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, but Samaritan's Purse and the Red Cross are also worthy organizations providing help to those in need.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all. 

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Well hello there!  Long time no post, right?  I absolutely did not intend to only post a handful of times this Summer, but boy, our schedule over the past few months just about did me in!  Nope, no slow, leisurely Summer with afternoons at the pool here... we were WAY too busy and unfortunately when I did have a day or two to catch my breath blogging was not at the top of my priority list.  However, the kids are back in school, we're easing back into a normal routine, and I'm ready to get back to it!  Since it's been so quiet around here I thought I'd catch you up on what kept us so busy all Summer (one thing in particular...keep reading!), and a few other random tidbits.


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We kicked off the summer with a giant Garage Sale- check out my post on how to have a great one if you missed it earlier this year.  It was SO nice to clear some space and get rid of things we don't need anymore (not to mention make some extra $$!).  The day after we wrapped that up we took a trip to Phoenix and thoroughly loved it!

These chairs that I got for a steal on Craigslist have been hanging out in our garage for a few years.  I've kept them stashed planning to redo them some day, and I finally started making some plans for them.  I was thinking navy velvet, but before I committed I pulled them inside to get a feel for them in the room, and draped a throw over one of them to test out the color.  I liked the color ok, but after having the chairs in the room we decided they weren't quite right.  The shape of the back and wings is great, but they were better suited for an office since the seats weren't very wide or deep.  I want a set of chairs I can curl up in!  So, they're out and now I have even more room in the garage!  ;)


We also spent some time at the beginning of the summer digging out some new flower beds across the back of the house.  Once we finally got the patio all finished, we knew we were going to have to focus on some fresh landscaping back there.  We still have a long way to go, but it's a start!

We dug out two new beds that are actually much deeper than they appear.  It doesn't seem like that big of a project, but by the time the grass is removed, they're shaped and prepped, shopping is done for plant selections, and they're actually planted, it took quite a bit of time.  They are a hot mess right now, but I added some foundation plants and then experimented with some seeds and bulbs for the Summer.  The lantana and zinnias have gone crazy, so next summer I'll have a better idea of how to plan for and plant those.  I also hope to build up the base of perennial plants/bushes/trees in the beds a bit more this Fall.





A few days after we returned from Phoenix, we all left for youth camp at Falls Creek.  Ray was a High School sponsor, and I helped cook for our Middle Schoolers.  We took over 400 students and adult sponsors altogether, with about 185 of those being middle school, so there were lots of hungry mouths to feed!  I've done this job two different times in the past and it's a work out, but so much fun!


One late night snack...


Our June was back to back events, and two days after we returned from camp we had a week of Vacation Bible School.  My teen kids worked and I always organize the teachers' break room and keep it stocked with yummy snacks that church members donate.  There's not much better than tables full of snacks made by church ladies!

The Fourth of July is always celebrated at my parents' house, and our son marches with the band in our town's parade.  He moved to snare this year and is loving it!



I took on one big project over the summer (more to come on this one),



and we continued to work on outdoor projects as well.


Our pool days were few and far between!



As we moved into August I spent a week helping at the school run a merchandise booth for a band fundraiser as kids rotated through to pick up their schedules.  She's moving to High School this year so they're both in the same building again... woo hoo! 


We were finally able to squeeze in a quick family vacation right before school started, and even though we only had a few days it was unanimous that we should head to one of our favorite vacation spots.




Everyone else practiced their new hobby of fly fishing this year, while I watched from the sidelines with a book.  Perfection!





We had one day when we returned home and then poof!  The summer was over and the kids went back to school.


On top of our busy schedule that kept me from blogging, I'm working behind the scenes on lots of changes to my site to update the look and to make things more organized and easier to navigate.  I'm hoping to have that ready for you very soon!

Now, on to the big exciting news...

the reason that almost every spare day that we weren't out of town was filled with a big to-do list...

We had a photo shoot in our home at the end of July!  A CHRISTMAS photo shoot!!!  Yep, we were sweating away while decking all the halls during one of the hottest weeks of the summer.  Fa la la!  Sooo.....keep an eye out for the Griffin family in your December issue of BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS!!!  (Can you tell we're just a bit excited?)  I'll do a big behind the scenes post when the issue comes out, but for now all of the photos are top secret.  ;)  I will say the best part of having a photo shoot in your home is all of the flowers that are left over after the shoot.


So, there you have it, you're all caught up.  I've been storing up lots of things to share with you, but for now I'll see you back here tomorrow for a fun special post.



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  1. congratulations! and looks like such a fun summer!

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  2. Congratulations on the shoot and wow, were you ever busy.

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    1. Thank you Marty, glad to be back to a regular routine around here!

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  3. Congratulations! I can't wait to see the issue!
    Shelley

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    1. Thank you, me too! I really didn't see very many shots so I'm in the dark too! :)

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  4. So excited for your home being featured in BH&G. I've missed your blog so much (but I did check everyday just to be sure I didn't miss a post). Glad your summer was so fulfilling. Glad you're back!

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    1. Thank you Jayne, it's nice to be missed! Thanks for your faithful support!

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  5. I missed your posts so much but I'm happy you & your family had such a nice summer together. You are my favorite blogger and one of the main reasons is because your family & faith come first. Congrats on the BHG feature!!

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    1. Lauren, you just made my day! Thank you so much for your kind comments!

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  6. You certainly did have a busy summer. Can't wait to see your gorgeous home all decked out for Christmas. Congratulations!

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  7. I hate to bug you but here goes --I'm trying to copy your tassel pom-pom pillows (is that even the right terminology). When I sewed the tassel pom on the corner it just droops over. Any suggestions?

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    1. Hi Jayne. It seems like that happened to me too. I think I just tried to grab a larger area of the pom (go wider with your needle and thread) against the pillow to secure it a little better. I hope that makes sense and helps!

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  8. I had missed you and even checked in a few times to see if I had not gotten an update. Welcome back! Fantastic news on the Christmas shoot. That is incredibly exciting for you! Can't wait to see it, as I'm a subscriber to that magazine.

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    1. Thank you Diane, BHG is one of the few I still subscribe to as well.

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  9. What a busy summer! But I have to say, you don't look anywhere near old enough to have teenagers! Look forward to seeing the article in BH&G!

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    1. Oh Linda... you're my favorite! ;) I just had a birthday last week, getting older every day!

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  10. Congrats on the shoot, can't wait to see it! You sure had one BUSY summer!!! OMGoodness!

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  11. Congrats on the BH&G photo shoot! I can't wait to see the Christmas issue now!

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  12. What a fun filled summer! I can't wait to see you in Better Homes and Gardens :)
    XO
    Debbie

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  13. Jennifer--
    What a wonderful summer and I'm sooooo excited for your Christmas feature in BH &G!!!
    Can't wait!!

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    1. Thanks Carol, we're really looking forward to it! Christmas will come early!

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  14. Will definitely purchase the Dec. issue BH&G to read and view your Christmas home. Have followed your posts the past six/seven years. Enjoy your love of color in your home.

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  15. i love all your photos,congratulations! and looks like such a fun summer!

    หนังจีน

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  16. Jennifer, Thank you for acknowledging the crisis in Texas. I am writing to you from the Houston suburb of Kingwood. I am one of the lucky ones. However our local Kingwood High School was flooded. So classes and extracurricular activities are not starting. My daughter teaches and coaches the girls volleyball team there. 15 of the volleyball families lost their homes and cars. Overwhelming. The prediction for the repair of the Houston area is years ahead. I am wishful that someone like you, who has the ability to communicate to so many, that you might help spread the word that help is needed. People here cannot be forgotten as just this week's news. I am hoping that teenagers will communicate and help lift up the disappointed kids here who cannot even get started back to school. I am wondering if a tradgedy of this magnitude can find its way to help people of all ages and regions of our country help each other. Jennifer, thank you for being there as an avenue of communication. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Amy Byrd
    Amyge611@yahoo.com. Kingwood,TX
    832-515-3794

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    1. Amy, thanks for sharing your heart here! It is so inspiring to see how people are all working together in a time of such great need, across Texas and the nation! With our terrible tornado seasons, our community is familiar with the bonds that form in the midst of these types of tragedies too. I'm thankful that your home was spared and will continue to be praying for all for the months and years to come as rebuilding starts. Hoping those kids will be able to get to school soon!

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  17. I'm catching up over here and am so happy to see what a wonderful summer you've had with your beautiful family, and to hear your big news!! So exciting Jennifer, your home is not only beautiful but also inspiring with all the DIYs and thrifted finds and creative repurposing you have done.

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  18. Hi Jennifer! I am fairly new to your blog and really enjoy all the great photos and stories you share! I'm so glad you are back from your busy summer,I didn't know what to think when I kept checking in but no new posting! Family time is very important, but i've missed you, welcome back!
    How exciting, you are being featured in BH and Gardens!! Before we know it, we'll all be decorating for the Holidays!!
    Rebecca

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  19. Hi Jennifer! I am fairly new to your blog and really enjoy all the great photos and stories you share! I'm so glad you are back from your busy summer,I didn't know what to think when I kept checking in but no new posting! Family time is very important, but i've missed you, welcome back!
    How exciting, you are being featured in BH and Gardens!! Before we know it, we'll all be decorating for the Holidays!!
    Rebecca

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