Easter

I've been such a slacker....but here are few pics from Easter Sunday. We had dinner with some great friends, the Cockley's. Jolie and I were so happy that Mark was able to join us for a little bit. (in between his night shifts) It was a day full of BLESSINGS!

paneled ceiling

I would LOVE to do this...

to our ceiling in the kitchen and dining area.

Mark and I were one week from signing papers on the house. Things were going smoothly...we had all our moving arrangements planned. Part of the contract on the house was that the previous owner has to put a new roof on the house. Which was great for us! Being that our house is 40 years old and in Florida (were everything is built right on the cement slab) any re-piping is done so in the attic. Well....while re-roofing, a pipe was hit. Leaving our already old and ugly kitchen looking like this:We were within a week from closing! We were so upset...and almost walked away from the house. But that little nail allowed us to completely start over. Something that we wouldn't have been able to do for a few years. The kitchen was a hideous sight...but I had a vision...

There are still so many little things I'd love to do to the kitchen. The thing that bothers me the most about our kitchen is the ceiling. It is far from perfect. The texture isn't consistent. I can still see where the big gaping hole was. So...I've been thinking...

I love how the white paneled ceilings look. They really give a space the cottage flavor and comfort. I would just be tickled PINK if I could cover up our bumpy ceiling. The kitchen and dining room is one large, LONG room. The groves of the paneling would make the width of the room seem more balanced with the length. I'd also like to install more recessed lighting....cutting more holes into the ceiling before the re-do.

Here are few more pics for inspiration...

Don't you just love the idea? I do!

St. Simons Island

Yesterday we drove to St. Simon's Island, GA for the day. We started driving north intending to go to Savannah, but decided to turn off early. (an hour early...Savannah is 2 hours from our house) St. Simon's Island was such pleasant little surprise! It has such a quaint little village with shops and restaurants. Beautiful homes and gardens! I told Mark that I wanted to move there! I guess I'll have to settle for an overnight trip.

my 'timeout' corner

the kitchen corner: before....


the kitchen corner: a work in progress!

The more progress I make on it, the more I like it! First we had a bench built into the corner. It was a very lonely little bench for a while, but I'm starting to pull things together. The light fixture was found at Lowe's. I fell in love with it at first sight. I ♥ shabby chic! I found the *awesome* fabric at Joann's. It has all my favorite colors! ;) black, brown & beige! Next I'm going to attempt to make pillows. This has been a slow project...but thought I'd share my progress so far!

What should I do with the big bare walls???
an arrangement of plates?
an old distressed window?
shelving for plates & bowls?

flashback

one year ago...... and today.
I was just noticing how much Jolie's hair has grown!
(yes, I notice these things...mommy and hairstylist in full gear)
and gone are the days of capturing sweet moments....now all I get are cheezy smiles. Oh well. I'll take her cheezy smile any day! She makes me laugh!

a taste of disney...

I am a spur-of-the-moment kind of gal. Late last night I told Mark I thought we should drive to Orlando for the day. We were both off...and had no plans, so we made the 2 hour drive to Downtown Disney. Which, btw, is 100% free. All we had to worry about was gas and lunch.

Jolie had such a good time! The Disney stores were so much fun for her to walk through. The Disney Princess store, the Lego store, the toy factory, the candy shop... This little taste of Disney has us hungry for more! We are so anxious to take Jolie to the 'real deal.' Magic Kingdom, here we come! And it'll be soon... Jolie can go for free till she turns 3!

oh...we did spend $2 on the carousel ride. It was worth it!

Do you love cooking? photography? or a good love story?

Check out this blog/website

I ♥ her

The Pioneer Woman

One cold and rainy day I came across her blog. Snuggled up on the couch, I read her story of meeting and falling in love with her cowboy hubby. "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" Didn't you have one of those daydreams? You know...the daydream of prince charming, but he was gorgeous cowboy? Maybe it's just me! :)

lots of recipes! for my culinary friends to enjoy!

Pioneer Woman Photography

$5 table

It all started with a $5 table....

before & after!

I got the bug again....to be crafty. I found this side table for $5! A little sanding and a coat of paint...and I'm in love. Our bedroom has been a hideous sight for far too long. First things first, I had to get rid of these god-awful blue drapes that were 100 years old:

I decided to paint the bedroom a pale, powder blue....to go with my new table! :) Compared to rest of my house, that's pretty colorful. I usually stick with the neutrals...the tan family. After painting the bedroom, I wanted to find a new sheet set, and just keep the white throw over the top. Instead of doing that, Mark insisted on pricing King size mattresses. So, off we went....and once you lay on one of those amazingly comfortable NEW beds, you're a goner! This is what we ended up with: Now that we had a new bed, I had to buy new sheets AND a new comforter. (darn it) It's still a work in progress. I have a really cute idea for artwork over the lamps.... so stay tuned for pics of that. Speaking of lamps...check out my clearance find! I'd also like to find an old headboard to distress or do something crafty with!

all in the details...

The night before the party I asked Mark if we could go the party store to buy a few decortaions. His response was "can we not spend any money?" So I made the birthday banner with some scrapbooking paper and ribbon that I had left over from previous projects. His request was granted! :) and I think it turned out adorable!
Check out my 'punch stand'
Punch with sliced lemons...too cute!
Only the cutest for our little Jolie!! :)

Jolie's 2nd

Jolie had a great little 2nd birthday party. She loved having her buddies from church over for cake and ice cream! and she definitely loved opening up her wonderful presents! The picture of her standing on the bench is my favorite! That is just her...happy and silly!

PURE JOY!

2 years ago......she arrived.

and has forever changed my life.

I love her so much.... Jolie is sweet and loving. She loves to cuddle...loves to give hugs and kisses. She loves to be read to...loves books. She is bossy....she knows what she wants. She is creative....loves to build with her blocks and "cut" Daddy's hair like mommy. She looks like her mommy, but with Daddy's beautiful blue eyes. She is an early riser....ugh...but I still love her. Like I always sing to her...she is "Daddy's little princess....and Mommy's little sweetheart."

Happy Birthday, Jolie!!!

Grandma & Jolie

Happy Birthday to You! Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday deeaaar Grandma Jeannie annnnd Jolie.... Happy Birthday to you!!!!!

Anniversary in St. Auggie

6 years later....

♥ and we're still in LOVE ♥

We celebrated our anniversary with a little get-away to St. Augustine. Mark planned the entire evening! Just one of the many reasons why I love him so much! He loves to surprise me...and I love the surprises!!! :) We checked in at the Hilton on the Bay...and our room actually had a view of the bay. It was great! Even though it was cold out, we walk through historic downtown and to dinner at a very fancy restaurant at the Casa Monica. After dinner we had dessert at A1A Ale Works... fried banana split!!!! omgosh!!! We finished the night with a horse carriage ride. It was such a cold night for us Floridians....but it was a great night! I love my hubby!

6 years

Mark and I have been married for six years! Six years ago today....on a cold winter-y day in Wisconsin...we said "I do." I am so thankful to be married to my best friend...to the love of my life. Happy Anniversary babe!

Six reasons I love you so much:

you're strong faith

you're such an amazing Daddy to Jolie

the way you look at me

you're fun!!!

how we can talk about anything and everything

and I also love how you love to spoil your girls ;)

2 is "tutu" much fun!

Jolie is turning 2 next week!
our little ballerina...sigh.
Thank You, Meredith! for helping me make Jolie's tutu!
I love it. and I love u!

Christmas Day I cooked up a big ol' delicious dinner. The Gover's came over for dinner. We had all the fixin's! I cooked the turkey....and this amazing sweet potato casserole! I will have to post the recipe. It was sooo good! Rob & Kristie brought over a ham, dressing, mashed potatoes. And we even had more! We had such a wonderful Christmas. Mark's mom, Kellen, came into town. Jolie was very excited to have her here!

The day after Christmas we made the quick drive to St. Augustine to see the lights.

"oooo.....pretty lights" Jolie was very impressed! :)

SANTA WAS HERE!!!

This was Jolie's 2nd Christmas. She doesn't quite understand the Santa thing yet...

but she sure was a grateful recipient!!!

She LOVED her blocks and wooden cookie set. She's been baking cookies all week!

Hope you had a blessed holiday....

and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas memories...

Christmas Eve Service last year...

Jolie had just started walking about a month prior... she teetered around with her buddy Smyth. I can't belive how much she has changed in a year!