The day we closed on our house, we had some time to kill before we had to be anywhere, so to celebrate we went to buy our supplies for our concrete countertops, even though we knew it would probably be a couple weeks before we had time to tackle that project, but it wasn’t until …
It’s a cold, rainy day in Texas and my hubby had the day off, so while he took my son to Cabela’s (a favorite rainy day outing around here), I decided to work on my quiche recipe. For years, I have tried to find an awesome recipe, and they never came out right…often watery or just …
*I am in no way affiliated with Behr, nor do I receive endorsements for this recommendation. I simply love this product and want to share with you an affordable way to makeover your kitchen cabinets in less time and less steps…with professional results.* Lucky [or maybe not so lucky] for my husband, I am one …
Last week I was feeling a little guilty about being so preoccupied with packing and wrapping breakables and, you know, moving that I decided to take a little break from all that and make my hubby a yummy Fall treat, despite the fact that it is STILL. SO. HOT. Texas, I really hope you make …
Over dessert at a “Mom’s Night In” a couple weeks ago, some friends and I were talking about “mom stuff”, so cooking inevitably came up in the conversation. A lot of my generation doesn’t cook much in general, I get it. It’s a sign of the times, so to speak. But I know there are …
I L.O.V.E. Fall, have I mentioned that? Forget the fact that it definitely doesn’t feel like Fall here in Texas, I am appreciating a somewhat cooler day today, if 80-something is “cooler”. Since I’m dreaming about our new home a lot lately, I’ve got to come up with some ideas for banister decor, of course! …
So my baby, he’s not really a baby anymore. He’s turning 4 in two days. Can. Not. Even. Seriously?! How does that happen? Browsing the aisles of Joann’s the other day, I was happy to find some cute dinosaur fabric to use on my little dude’s birthday shirt, because I was beginning to think I was going …
I love the Fall. Hands down, my favorite season. All the playing and fun we had this Summer, the memory-making and lack of schedules, trips here and there, enjoying a slower-paced life *most* weeks…it was amazing. But there’s something about the page on my calendar flipping from August to September that cheers my heart! All …
Almond butter is usually our nut butter of choice in this household, but lately I’ve been craving peanut butter, and not just for dipping celery sticks in. I needed something chewy, something sweet, something from childhood. It’s literally been years since I’ve had a peanut butter cookie, but when I saw a picture of these …
I unhooked my soon-to-be 4-year-old son out of the carseat this morning, helped him put his cumbersome backpack on, hastily grabbed our snack for the class (a perk of having the first alphabetical last name of the class, along with the job of line leader and helper for the day—sure to make a fantastic first impression for my managerial-type child, …
I’d say I’m way overdue for another tutorial! It’s been quite awhile. About this time last year, I was prepping to open up my space at the antique mall. I thoroughly enjoyed hunting for furniture at estate sales and refinishing, but I quickly learned that my best-selling items were my hand-painted signs, something I hadn’t …
This is why I brought this rowdy child here, I think to myself. He may never remember running around with all the little cousins out on that harlequin-patterned wood floor or offering his chubby, soft hand to the crinkly, large-veined hand of a 95-year-old farmer as he introduced himself in his gregarious way, but someday I will show my son these pictures and explain to him the legacy of what the older generations sowed into the soil of this family and how the fruit can continue to proliferate. What a gift.
The Saturday had been long, my hands full of hair and my head full of thoughts at the salon. Bright sunshine and silence kept me company as I drove. I walked up cedar steps to the front door of that little log house, knocked and waited. And waited. Rolling my eyes, I knocked again, louder. Nothing. …
Rumbles of thunder, the pounding of raindrops, little feet snuggling so close they’re almost under my legs…this is how I woke from a too-short sleep this morning. Aroma of fresh espresso drifting back to our bedroom tells me my husband’s awake and ready to greet me with a sweet kiss, arms wrapped tight. I’m loved, cherished. The little …
Well, obviously life is a little busy right now, so I haven’t had the opportunity to really sit down and blog much, but I’m thankful for some unexpected time this morning to catch up a bit! The transition of running the business in addition to family life and our previous commitments has been easier in …
Okay, Clock. You’ve gotta chill. The minutes just keep ticking away and my Baby’s not a baby anymore! Judah turned 3 yesterday. This kid came into the world with such a grand entrance, we should have had an inkling that it was just a prelude of how exciting, adventurous and all around unpredictable life with …
Wow, the last 3 weeks FLEW by! As of yesterday, The Cantaloupe Crate is open for business. Woohoo! Life has been a whirlwind of fun and work, and this is only the beginning. It’s really neat to see some fulfillment of what used to seem like a silly dream…having a space in an antique mall …
So here’s my sign that I started on this past weekend for my space at the antique mall! Click here to see how I did the whitewashed background. I was happy to finish all the wording during my son’s nap this afternoon. I never know how long I have to actually accomplish something because …
Remember the 2nd chapter in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer? The whitewashing scene? Mark Twain is one of my favorite authors of all time; his wit and humor are unmatched. And because he’s such a great author, I used to be intimidated to try whitewashing anything (yet I love the look of it)! After all, …
when it’s not too hot, we take our new books out on the library patio, he has a snack and I read a couple books to him As much as I love Summer and swimming and playing at the splash pads around here (there are so many in DFW), I must admit, it’s the most …
Growing up, my mom made this dish for just the two of us (my dad and brother hate feta), so this is a decadent comfort food of sorts to me! It’s the simplest side to make for your entire family if they like the flavor of feta or just yourself, if you want to halve …
After 5 years and many, many posts about my dad, I’ve debated what I should write about today. Losing him has been an all-encompassing, ever-changing and continual experience; life goes on and we laugh and grow and cry and progress, but the fact that he’s not here living life with us…well, it feels just as …
Years ago, when I started this blog, I posted a lot more recipes. So many, in fact, that I ended up creating a whole new blog, just for my gluten-free recipes. As my child grew and became more active, I had less and less time to keep up with two blogs, so now I’m back …
Today we visited one of my personal favorites in the entire DFW metroplex…the Dallas Arboretum! I L.O.V.E this place and every season is different, so it’s worthwhile to go several times a year. My favorite time of year is Autumn — woohoo, it’s almost here —and it’s also the best time at the Arboretum with …
Lately, parenthood has been quite…interesting. In less than six weeks, our little 2-year-old will turn into a big 3-year-old. Life has been {more} dramatic, {more} unpredictable and anything but boring! Today, I ran more than usual and I don’t mean for fitness or fun. Hubby and I literally had to chase our child numerous times …
So, I don’t know what the deal is with me, but I CANNOT read just one book at a time. I always have a stack of books on my nightstand, or in many cases, the Kindle on top of a few other books on my nightstand. Usually I’m reading something out of general interest, often …
This past week and weekend was one of celebration, reminiscing and creating new memories with my grandparents. I’m so blessed that Judah has had the opportunity to know his great-grandparents and he’s old enough now that the memories we’re making now will be some he’ll remember for the rest of his life! I love that. …
It was the end of a long, great day (as great as days between stark white walls of an ICU can be). The five us sat in that fish bowl of a room in front of the bustling triage desk and relaxed for the first time in at least several days, for sure. The big, strong man whose … Continue reading
I’m overwhelmed this morning with memories of one of the momentous days of my life, but that day, we had no clue it would be forever written on our hearts. My family and I had found ourselves somewhere we’d never anticipated. It was a gorgeous August day in Alaska, one of the most beautiful of … Continue reading
It was a cold, blustery evening in Alaska, a reality that I wasn’t yet re-accustomed to. Not that one can ever really become accustomed to frigid, sub-zero temps, but I had just returned home from Texas and Christmas was less than two weeks away, so I was still in culture shock. I had invited this … Continue reading
Okay, since my last post, I have failed to implement any sort of structure for Judah and I, like I said I was planning. What is it about Summer that lends itself to becoming as carefree as the wind?! My child is not even in school yet, and already it seems that the world turns … Continue reading
Life has been crazy busy lately, of which I am thankful, because it means celebrations, get-togethers and fun. Although Judah isn’t in school yet, it actually feels like a Summer break for us in some ways because we kept a pretty busy schedule this Spring and recently we’ve been PLAYING a lot! I do enjoy … Continue reading
As the creative soul that I am, sometimes I have these ideas in my head that I can’t really explain, I just have to go with it and show my finished products to people for them to really grasp what I was so excited about to begin with! My husband of over 4 years knows … Continue reading
What can I say about this job called “Mother”? I suppose at every stage of our children’s lives we take on many different roles; for me, as Mommy to my 2.5 year old I am entertainer, personal chef, owie-kisser, snugglemonster, playdate coordinator, clothing taylor and outfit coordinator, hair stylist, lizard and bug finder, bodyguard, boogie-wiper, … Continue reading
I picked up this whopping stack of papers from my mom’s house yesterday evening. It’s been in a large envelope in a box on a shelf in my mom’s closet ever since she moved from Alaska to Texas almost a year and a half ago. Before that, it was in the loft of my parent’s … Continue reading
Several months ago, I was blessed with the opportunity to become part of Gateway Worship Vocals, a fancy name for the Gateway Choir. I underestimated what I was getting involved in (in a really good way!); this is no ordinary church choir. I don’t mean that disrespectfully, but GWV is an out-of-the-box ministry. It consists … Continue reading
When my group of Tuesday Bible Study mommy friends and I decided to ‘adopt’ a single, pregnant young girl for the Embrace Grace baby shower, I was excited to become part of something beyond ourselves and thankful (again) for such generous ladies with whom I have had the sweet opportunity to share life with for … Continue reading
As I glanced out my windows this Good Friday morning, the overcast sky mirrored my pensive, somewhat heavy heart. In addition to this day marking the remembrance of what many of us consider the most important events in history (the crucifixion and subsequent resurrection of Jesus Christ) it also marks what would be my dad’s … Continue reading
Being the mother of my child is a living lesson on the definition of “oxymoron”; Judah is the most strong-willed, sweet, stubborn, affectionate, tempestuous, even-keeled little person I believe I’ve ever met. If you’ve spent much time with him, you know exactly what I mean. Just watching him live life is like a fascinating rollercoaster … Continue reading
It seems that I can’t find a spare second lately to sit down and collect my thoughts into a post, but I’m sitting myself down after a long night of last minute Christmas morning prep and I’m going arrange some midnight musings. My husband and son are sleeping soundly and the quiet is too tempting … Continue reading
I really am married to an awesome guy! We are totally tag-teaming this elf tradition! Thanks, babe! Continue reading
Today was the last full day of my brother’s trip here from Alaska, so we decided to head down to Cowtown and the Historic Stockyards which are just north of downtown Fort Worth. It was just me, Mom, Brandon and Judah, and actually neither Mom nor Brandon had ever been there, so I enjoyed playing … Continue reading
This first week with Jingle in our home has been super fun! J is loving the search for him every morning and Daddy even got creative on days 5 and 7 when Mommy completely forgot about this little elf guy! (Sorry, Jingle.) Take a look at all the mischief he’s been into! Continue reading
As the Christmas season has so stealthily snuck upon us once again, I’ve found myself in a familiar and nostalgic place; I can’t help but think about past Christmases and fond memories, as well as I am considering future Christmases and memories we have yet to make as a family, especially as our son is … Continue reading
We celebrated another wonderful Thanksgiving with precious family members yesterday! Our lives are so richly blessed and we have much to be thankful to God for every day. One of the most major blessings in our lives is, of course, our 2-year-old son, Judah. He is a fiery little dude with enough spunk and energy … Continue reading
When we lived in Alaska, Autumn began in early September if we were lucky. I remember crunching through puddles that had iced over in the middle of the night several years on the first day of school in August, in fact. That kind of weather is much more conducive to Fall decorating, so here in … Continue reading
I have been wanting and needing to makeover this old Bassett chest of drawers for Judah’s room, but haven’t had the opportunity to until now. I wanted to continue with the vintage theme, incorporate the harlequin pattern that I’ve used on several other pieces prior and use neutral colors to compliment his white bed and … Continue reading
For the second night in a row, I have been wide awake at a ridiculous hour while my child (who normally wakes me!) sleeps soundly in his bed; this morning I’ve been awake since 4am, I’ve showered, blow-dried my hair and now at 5:30am I am writing this blog post. I’m really not over-zealous for … Continue reading
One of my favorite things about Texas is the multitude of antique shops scattered all over creation; they’re everywhere and loaded with stuff. A lot of antiques, some basic old stuff and some junk. For those of us who love vintage style, these places are awesome for finding inspiration and things to fill our homes, even … Continue reading
Planning for our 4000 mile move from Alaska to Texas via planes, in cars on freeways and a few major cities with a 10 1/2 month old baby got my creative juices flowing a couple of weeks ago. I started wracking my brain for ideas of ways to keep Judah entertained for our journey. He’s … Continue reading
Heart pounding, worry mounting, just breathe. In and out, steady. Inhale…exhale. Rhythmic calm trying to settle my body. I didn’t need my heart muscle to quiet down, what I needed was for my heart strings to tune to another note. So I grabbed my prayer journal, my favorite pen and my shiny chrome clip-on reading … Continue reading
Reading the headlines this morning during a break from some projects, my heart a heavy paper weight inside my chest, anxiety filling me to the brim…I was thankful my son was at preschool and I didn’t have to pretend like I wasn’t quaking in my flip-flops. You know that feeling when fear bursts in, darkening every corner … Continue reading
Monday came too quickly this week, don’t you think? Sometimes the most easy-going, laid back days with my family are the best. No agenda, nothing major to check off the never ending to-do lists, not a plan in the world, if only for 50 short hours. All the planning, the events, places to be and … Continue reading
antique wash basin stand…my great find of the weekend! So, what have I been up to lately? Well, since you asked… I’m starting a business! Yep, it’s true. I’ve always loved antiques (probably thanks to my parents who’ve collected pieces here and there as long as I can remember, as well as my grandparents) and … Continue reading
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