Monday, January 7, 2013

Real life Pinterest

As you probably know…  I ♥ Pinterest.  I’ve told you about multiple different things I have pinned.  But I haven’t shared any actual pins that came to reality recently… So today we share!

Exhibit A.

Fullscreen capture 152013 102045 AM.bmp

Idea from Chiot’s Run

Our version:

DSC_1674     DSC_1675

~~~~~~~~~~

Exhibit B:

Fullscreen capture 152013 102443 AM.bmp

Martha Stewart’s Christmas card display

DSC_1177     DSC_1184

And ours…  I took this photo before the majority of our cards came in.  I loved the way it looked when it was full of our loved ones.

~~~~~~~~~~

Exhibit C:

Fullscreen capture 152013 102536 AM.bmp

Better Homes & Garden beautiful front door

DSC_1196

I also pinned lots of ideas for gifts for the Holiday season.  I made a goodie basket for the neighbors from recipes I found on Pinterest.

Fullscreen capture 152013 102129 AM.bmp      Fullscreen capture 152013 102321 AM.bmp

Links to sources click on picture

DSC_1393

These cookies were delicious!!  I highly recommend them!  They are little nuggets of nutty goodness.  In the instructions it states that they are good for 3 days which is true… so eat up and enjoy right away!

photo 4

And some other Christmas present ideas…

Fullscreen capture 152013 102147 AM.bmp

The Lemoncello is still steeping away – but coming along nicely!  The ornaments were a little more tricky than I thought they would be.  The earrings were a big hit and fairly easy to produce, a good “busy work” project.

photo 1 (1)    photo 3

Have you been pinning?  What projects has it led you to complete?  Would love to see!

Thursday, January 3, 2013

1/52

2012 was an amazing year for our little family.  I can clearly remember sitting on the sofa at the beginning of January last year and telling Joe that this was going to be the year we “did something” about expanding our family.  Of course our good Lord already knew that 2012 would be the year to do that, but He doesn’t always share His plans with us in advance. 

So much happened last year and I can’t say I did the best job of documenting it here on the blog.  I know that life with a baby will only get crazier as Isaac grows so I want to make a goal of documenting his first year with weekly portraits.  He will only grow up once.  He will only have his “first” once.  So I don’t want life to get in my way of remembering those moments.  The pictures may be from my phone, instagram or my actual DSR but  there will be some sort of documentation of our week.

So I’m putting it out there…  I will post 1 picture of that sweet boy once a week for the next 52 weeks.  I hope you’ll enjoy the journey with me and keep me accountable if I slip up and miss a week.

Project 52

5 weeks old – 1/1/12

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Weeks 5 & 6

As all parents say – Time is flying!  Isaac is doing well!  He actually got weighed today and is already 10 pounds 2 ounces!!  The boy is growing for sure.  We are all sleeping pretty well; we get one 4-5 hour stint and then a 3 hour stint to finish up the night.  Joe and I are taking turns on feeding so the other one gets some rest.  On to the important stuff…  PHOTOS!

week5

 

week6

Such a beautiful baby, if I do say so myself!  I could stare at him for hours (and that may be why my house is a mess!)

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Merry Christmas 2012

What an amazing Christmas we had.  Our first as a family of three.  We had a wonderful time celebrating with family.  It was so nice for everyone to meet Isaac and get to hold and love on him.  We can’t express how blessed we feel!

DSC_1047a

Our Christmas card / Isaac’s birth announcement

DSC_1449     DSC_1453photo (1)

DSC_1506

image

IMG950358      image (2)

DSC_1550

DSC_1432    DSC_1559DSC_9679

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

DSC_1531

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

IWL–1 month

Can you believe it’s been 4 weeks?  I know, me either!  Our little guy is growing away and we are enjoying watching him every day!

IWL1mthCollage

And because I can’t just share one picture..  Here are some of our outtakes…

DSC_1367  DSC_1340  DSC_1375 

DSC_1381

DSC_1322  DSC_1351  DSC_1338

Ah, the many faces of Isaac… so fun!  Each one could have it’s own caption!

Saturday, December 15, 2012

The start of the beginning

As you know we’ve had a lot on our plates recently.  Being preggers…  Moving…  Having a sweet baby boy.  Just a few things to focus on.  We’ve been in the new house almost 4 months now.  I know I haven’t done the best job of sharing pictures of the new place.  But I thought I’d start today.

Thankfully the house was fairly neutral so we have been able to bring in our things and pretty much make things “work" for the time being.  Truthfully that’s been a life-saver considering we haven’t had the time or the energy for a full overhaul.  Actually some friends just stopped by to see the new babe and the new house yesterday and couldn’t get over how “neutral” everything is.  Especially considering how they know I love color!  Example here & here

We have painted two rooms so far in the new house.  The nursery and the kitchen.  The original color of the nursery was pink and I don’t think Isaac would have been ok with a pink nursery so that was a necessity.  And the other room is the kitchen.  This was also some what of a necessity.  You see, there was a border.  I couldn’t handle the border.  So it needed to come down and when we removed it, the wall color wasn’t under it. I actually used the same color in both rooms.  Yes the nursery and the kitchen.  I do love the color!  It’s Benjamin Moore’s Pashmina.  A perfect combination of grey and taupe.  

Fullscreen capture 12152012 44325 PM.bmp

Ok, so how about some pictures!  So we’ll start with the “before”:

la062ac43-c2o

So many great things…  Stainless appliances – Gas stove (Joe ♥s this!)

la062ac43-c16o

Granite countertops – lots of counter space – nice deep sink

la062ac43-c18o

Large kitchen for cooking up all kinds of yummy treats!

Do you see the border?  Let me zoom in for ya a little…

photo 2

 

My sweet friend Rhonda was here helping me paint the nursery when we decided we should also tackle taking down the border.  She gave me the easier task of the long wall while she took on the cabinet walls.  A challenge to say the least – awkward reaching and back bending work.  Did I say how sweet of a friend she is?!?! 

photo 3

Then a little painting and we have a room in progress…

DSC_1150

DSC_1159DSC_1152

DSC_1162

Along with painting we changed out the light above the sink…

DSC_0800      DSC_0799 

There is still much to do.  There is so much room in the center of the kitchen that it is just screaming for an island.  I want to add some cabinetry that will give additional storage along with a countertop overhang for an “eat – in” option.  That will also allow us to hang our pot rack over the island.  We will change out the remainder of the lighting as well when we add the island.  We are using a small table for now so we get used to having something in the center of the space.

The cabinets are not may favorite finish so I’m not sure if we will paint them down the road or try this re-finish option.  I love when the island is a different finish than the perimeter cabinets but the verdict on all that is still out.  Of course I am pinning away ideas over on Pinterest.

So that’s the progress on the kitchen.  I will be sharing more spaces soon!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Growing away

Today Isaac is 3 weeks old!  3 weeks or 21 days or 504 hours…  that’s how long it’s been since this little boy entered our world.  Already he has made such an impression on his Mom and Dad.  His sweet little face just melts us.  We love his smiles – even if it’s only gas at this point.  The “hope” of a smile makes us happy!  Isaac is good boy… he likes to eat and he likes to sleep – a chip off the ol’ block for sure!

And because I know you’re just waiting for the pictures…

Isaac 1 week

 

Isaac 2 weeks

 

Isaac 3 weeks

I know, right!?!?!?  Too cute for words!  Love that kid!  Can you believe next week will be ONE MONTH old!?!?!  Wowza!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Introducing…

 

DSC_0842-001

Born 11•21•12 @ 12:04 pm

7 pounds 3 ounces

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Thanksgiving 2012

As we are preparing for the arrival of our little butterball.  I thought I'd post our past menus in case you're looking for a little inspiration for your menu.

Thanksgiving 2011




This year I tried a new appetizer recipe, Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip.  It was ok.  Nothing I would actually make again.  But one I would make again is the Roasted Green Beans with Balsamic and Parmesean = YUMMY!

Thanksgiving 2010




We didn't cook this year but that didnt' stop me from coming up with a menu!  Some stand out options from this menu:  Paula's Ooey Gooey Pumpkin Bars (to die for!) and PW's Soul Sweet Taters.

Thanksgiving 2009




This is the first year I made Lime & Ginger Cranberry Sauce and I have been HOOKED ever since.  It has become my one item I *must* have on the table.  I may be the only one that eats it but I lurve it.  It makes an awesome tangy addition to those leftover turkey sandwiches as well.  SO yummy and SO easy!  I also touch on the idea of brining your turkey.  You should NOT skip this step.  I promise it will be worth it.

For this year, our plan is to have everyone at our house since we can't really travel anywhere.  So depending on Baby L's arrival will determine what day we celebrate.  This year's menu is as follow:

Citrus Rosemary Turkey & Gravy
Crock- pot Mashed Potatoes
Mom's Stuffing
Lime & Ginger Cranberry Sauce
Strawberry Salad - one of my fav's!
Memama's Corn
Sweet Potato Casserole
Squash Casserole
Steamed Broccoli
Carole's Macaroni Salad
Parker House Rolls

Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin Cake
Lemon Squares
Scrumdidlyumptious Chocolate Pudding Dessert

Can you say, YUM?!?!  I can't wait!!  What's on your menu?  Any must have items on your menu?