Birthday Creeping Up on Me

As I'm turning to the next page of the calendar to fill in all the appointments, play dates, bills, and other crazy nonsense, it hits me, I have to fill in my birthday! OMG! WTF! Where did the time go and how old am I again? Hikes! (Thinking in my head, subtract that from that)…. I'm turning 28! But the best part is the day my birthday shares….Cindo de Mayo..which means usually a fiesta is going on somewhere (usually a Mexican restaurant) for me to part take in :)

To be perfectly honest, I don't mind getting older, yes, but I just don't want to look older  :) Maybe this is all because I'm still in my 20's I can say that. Well, we will see what I have to say when the age is 30!

This year, I'm prepared though with a list in hand! My hubby is not good at buying presents and in the past has epically failed picking out my presents so now it has come to lists for him to follow. He doesn't have to get everything on the list, but one thing would be nice that I actually want. It's hard as a mother not to pick things that would benefit your kids, like a new stroller, but this is your day to be loved and celebrated, so pick stuff that makes you happy. Strollers can be bought for things like Mother's Day :)

Wish List:

Ikat Gray Rug     

  

Ariat Corazon Shattered Tan Cowboy Boots

Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay

Navy & White Stripe Tote Bag & Satchel

Norah Chandelier Earrings

And of course any Essie nail polishes or gift cards to Sephora would be awesome. Unfortunately, this is a wish list and the fact that my hubby doesn't read my blog lets you know how likely I am to getting any of these awesome gifts :(

At least I will have my family to celebrate another year older!

Have a Happy Day Y'all! :)

The Little Things

This past weekend we couldn't have asked for better weather and spent as much time as we could outside enjoying the sun and warm breeze.

It's official, Christian is obsessed with corn on the cob. We have literally been buying packages of this stuff around the clock for him. He loves it with butter, salt, and pepper, and cooked on the grill. This is great, except for rainy days of course, because he is slowly moving away from what we thought were his favorites to sometimes not eating at all! I've been making all kinds of dishes lately to try them out on him and only a few have made the cut…so corn on the cob to the rescue it is :)

 As we were enjoying our day and getting ready for dinner, I got to take some quiet pictures of my little man…he loves cars so it was so precious to me to see him outside playing at the table by himself. He was just talking to them and saying all kinds of I don't know what and looking so big….when did my baby get so big?

I also managed to get some things done in his bedroom, like hang a tv and a painting I have been eyeballing forever waiting for the price to come down. Still waiting on a few things to come in the mail and at this rate he will be going to college before they get here! :(

My friend Hannah was so kind to lend me her Circuit one day to make shapes for a fun accent wall in Chrispy's room but I messed up every time and I all managed to get the whole day I had the darn machine was this cute little sign for his door. I'm just not meant to use a Circuit.

With all the sunny days we have been having with little rain storms in-between, my herbs and succulents have really started growing! Hopefully all the food I cook this summer will have tons of flavor from those yummy herbs!

Also, if you follow me on Instagram, I snagged a gorgeous three tiered glass and metal stand at a thrift store for $5. I don't know what it was used for in the past, obviously someone that didn't have kids to break it, but I decided it would look perfect to hold some pretty succulents. I just removed the glass, cleaned it, spray painted the metal stand Brass by Krylon and BAM!!! It's so fancy :)

 With all this crazy awesome weather, we have spent almost all the time we can outside, playing, and being together, which is always a nice time. I personally enjoy lazy weekends, not all the time, but these past few weeks have been just hard with tons of decision making on our part and the lazy time has given us a break from being the adults we have to be. Many changes might happen for us in the future soon so the less stress the better. On a side note, I might wear my hair in a high bun all summer long….it's just too easy!

Have a Happy Day Y'all! :)

Making it Happen

I'm pretty much in love with power tools and just the whole concept of working with my hands to make something new. It's just one of those things I guess and nothing makes me happier than getting a beautiful result. When we first moved to Ohio, I wanted a larger table for the kitchen/ dining room. I didn't want anything formal, I wanted something rustic and everyday. Like most people that are on Pinterest, I kept seeing these DIY farmhouse style tables and swooning over their beauty and charm. I went on Craigslist and found a basic white and yellowish wood table with 4 chairs for only $40….um sold! Unfortunately, I'm just not a huge fan of that yellowish finish that is usually standard on older pieces so I decided to do something about it.

I finally had the motivation, and the weather, to sand the table top and make it my own. I wanted the stain to be imperfect and strike-like to give off that old feeling of worn in. I also discovered that this table had a built in leaf! Major Score in my book! After sanding the top down with 60 grit sandpaper first I was able to remove all the "shininess" and get to the bare wood. I smoothed it out starting with 80 grit and moved to 120 grit. I also made some random dings in the wood to just give it that much more of a worn in look. I used PolyShades in Walnut and couldn't be happier. In all, it only took me about 2 hours to sand and stain. The hardest part was just getting the table out the door, because she is heavy. After letting it dry, which was a very short time period, I brought the table back in and rubbed a layer of furniture wax because I didn't want the shine. I buffed it about 30 minutes later and added another 2 layers of wax and let it cure fully for about 24 hours before I put anything on it. I love it!

I still have to finish the legs and apron. I want to just distress it and remove and stain marks leftover from the table top project.

With the weather being super nice here these days and a weather forecast calling for rain all weekend, I'm on a strict time limit to get my little projects completed. Coffee has become my life force! I mean, it is the best thang EVER! I am just one of those people that has to have coffee and lately, this coffee maker has held up! LOVE HER!

The backyard is coming along nicely. We are just in a rental for now so no crazy awesome plans for the house except to making it comfortable to live in while we are here. I hate how tiny our little cookout area is but one day I hope to be in a house with a huge backyard that we can have a open sun room that leads out to a outside fireplace and built-in grill/kitchen, but until than, this is what you get :(

I managed to grab the outdoor rug for just $30 plus a military discount at Lowe's and the umbrella for just $20 at Dollar General. The table I bought for $10 in Japan and sanded and stained it darker and the hubby drilled a hole in the center to accommodate the umbrella. The chairs were given to me but I have plans to buy 4 matching chairs for around the table. We also have a hammock we bought on a trip to Cambodia but still need a stand since there are no trees to attach it to :( 

I will say this much, the Coleman grill was a gift from the hubby for Christmas and I couldn't live without it! First off, so easy to clean, it's just the right size for us, we can take it when we go camping, and her name is Betsy..yep, I named my grill!!! :)

In all the excitement of shopping for the house and sanding and staining, my beautiful new license plate came in from MonogramCase and I love it! I'm so happy every time I walk out to the Jeep now seeing this plate :) It's the little things that are making me happy these days.

As productive as I've been, I'm super tired too. Poor Mr. Chrispy is teething hard these past few days trying to get the last of his teeth in and it has been super hard not to just sit on the couch and hang out with him. There are some days that Momma needs a time out card too :(

Happy Thursday Y'all! :)

He Has Risen

On this glorious Easter Eve, we decided much needed family time was in order, to remind us of the love for each other is the most important thing, and that love is why God scarified his only son for us. We, me to be exact, and Chrispy woke up super early today and started our morning with donuts and milk. I finally got busy making an Easter basket, yes I know it's super last minute, but better late than never. I made a bow tie for the little Mister to where to mass the next morning as well. We keep things pretty small when it comes to Easter baskets and such…just a few toys and some candy, nothing crazy.

I also managed to finish my step stool from Ikea and fold all the laundry from a Plato's Closet run I happened to have yesterday. Yep, I love prints, and all these beautiful shirts and romper cost me $20! That's a deal! It's amazing what I can accomplish in the morning hours when no one is bothering me :)

After much needed naps from going to lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings and playtime at the mall playroom, we were wiped out! Crazy how chasing a little boy around can tire you out so quickly. We all took 3 hour naps today! I was impressed but felt like I had a million things to do after my much needed catnap. Hubby and Chrispy were outside working in the yard and it my chance to sneak out of the house and grab some stuff for dinner.

When I got home, they were both covered in dirt and sweat and having a blast, Boys! I love them. It was so much fun hanging out in the backyard today. The sun was shining…such a rare thing here lately and the weather was amazing, so we took full advantage of our surroundings. We planted corn so hopefully some stalks will be popping out soon for fresh corn all summer long. Trying to decide what else we will be planting for the summer, maybe some squash, tomatoes, and pumpkins? I always try to plant what we actually eat…duh! :)

Chrispy has also become the best help when it's time to water the plants and veggies. I always fill a pale up with some water and tell Chrispy it's time for the plants to eat and he immediately says "eeeaat"..which is precious..and than he pours the water in. I love it. I love that he talks to the them the whole time too. Such a green thumb already :)

It was dinner time and we were HUUNNNGGGERRY!!! We managed to cook up some ribs and corn on the cob on the grill tonight and eat outside…amazing! Chrispy couldn't even wait for us, he just dived right in..managed to polish 3 corn on the cobs tonight too. I can say that we have been blessed with a good eater, and the funny thing is that he really only likes healthy food, which is a plus.

Our day was amazing. Just being together, off the computers, and staying away from our phones was enough to make us so much more grateful for our life. We have it pretty good and we appreciate it all so much. I love my little family so much, they are what guide me and help me everyday be a better person.

I hope everyone was able to have a great Easter with your loved ones.

And now I leave you with a happy bunny, aka The Hubby! He was such a cute bunny when we were living in Turkey. :)

  

Fast Projects

Today has been a day of getting fast and easy projects completed.  I am currently working on updating Chrispy's room..which can get really expensive quick. So I'm am taking advantage of my craftiness and trying my best to re purpose things I already own or finding them second hand…not an easy task sometimes now that everyone is on Pinterest! 

I wanted a unique lamp for his room but something also neutral, as this might grow with him as he gets older. You know those ugly, sad, and lonely brass and milk glass lamps you find almost in every thrift store, well, I found one in SC for a $1 at a Goodwill. I bought it not knowing if it even worked and without a shade. I got home and it worked!!! I hated the bad fake brass look on it, it really had been neglected, so a fresh coat of Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint it was to make it have new life. I just taped off what I didn't want painted and there you have it! And even better, I picked up this natural fiber burlap looking shade at a Dollar General for $5! It fit perfectly and I love its old world charm.

I also got to sewing some new pillow cases for my couch. I usually change the look in my living room with throw pillows, it's just so easy to change the look and feel for the season. I love the orange and how it is next to the aqua/blue fabric, which is a pillow case from Ikea. 

And lastly, contact paper is amazing!!! I think this stuff rocks like no other and I have masterful plans to use it, not just on a shelve or draws, but on the walls :) I found this awesome black and while houndstooth print contact paper at the Dollar General for $2.75 a roll! Amazing! I still have a ton of it left so I might just go ahead and line my jewelry draws in my dresser with it. No since in wasting any :)

It was so easy to install, simply measure your surface area and cut it out. I had six squares to cut so I just cut them all out at once with scissors and some folding. Clean your surface area and line the paper down and spread slowly to remove any bubbles. Done! I love it. Not only does it give a pop of drama but keeps my white shelves where my sons "dirty little hands" are all the time. I couldn't stand it anymore and I was constantly wiping them down…now, it's a little less gross looking. I might even put some legs on this guy, just to make him a little bit more stylish or even a wood paneling backing.

As soon as I took this picture and had it all clean, Chrispy decided a minute was too long not to play with his "stuff" so you can see the dirt/food on the blue bins already….I will never win! :(

Happy Tuesday Y'all! What's your favorite contact paper print?

Succulent Success

Since Spring/Summer is upon us here in Ohio, there is allows a need for me to put more life into our home…such as plants, flowers, and of course people. We haven't had any visitors yet :( …..but hopefully friends and family will be able to come visit this summer (fingers crossed). Ohio is officially become the weirdest weather state I have ever lived in! I absolutely can not figure out what is up with it's constant changing climates. I am a girl that likes my seasons to be clear about what is going on, not bi-polar, but I will trudge on and remember that I'm grateful for the days it is nice and try to take advantage of them.

Today is not one of those days unfortunately :( Being that I need to "liven" up the joint, I decided some indoor planting was necessary. Chrispy and I got up early this morning and decided to head to one of my new favorite thrift stores and check out the goods. Now, this thrift store, though I like it, I do find that sometimes they are way overpriced for the kind of stuff they are selling. I really have become picky when choosing what I want to take with me and sometimes even a mere dollar can make me decide to put it back. I know, how cheap am I? But really, if it costs the same brand new in the store than why would I buy it  at the same price from you if its used? Logic people, that's just my 2 cents.

Well, today was a good day. I have this thing for milk glass. I love the different styles and textures of the pieces and how they can be transparent in the light. They also look and work great as vases :) I grabbed these guys up for pretty cheap, about $6 for all the pieces.

I stopped at Home Depot on the way home and decided to go ahead and purchases my beautiful succulents and potting mix and plant away…after all, it's raining again here so it's something do.

Let me just say, I love succulents…always have. I think the colors and how they "don't die easily" make them idea for anyone who just wants some plants in their home but don't want to really care for them too much.

I love these soup bowls I snagged. The lion faces make them so unique and very posh. I actually ended up getting them for 50 cents a piece because of some sale that was going on. SCORE!

Also, when "gardening" indoors, make sure to put down a towel or garbage bag for easy clean up. I was in such a rush to get these guys in their new homes that I didn't even think about it. Thankfully the hubby bought me a handheld Dyson Animal last Christmas so cleanup was really easy.

And there you have it! Beautiful potted succulents. I love them!!! You can put them all together like a collection or separate them. Could you imagine how beautiful, and cheap, it would be for a wedding to have big displays of succulents and candles throughout the table schemes? FABULOUS!!!

And this is a great activity to do with your little one on raining days. Unfortunately, Chrispy was more interested in the leftover plastic containers the succulents came in rather than the actual dirt/potting process. :( But he does love to water them which is great.

And now I leave you with this handsome boy who really wanted some attention. It's so hard to be this beautiful :)

Happy Monday Y'all! :)

I'm Your Buckaroo

Every time I hear Rodney Atkins song "Watching You" I almost always start crying now, because it has a whole new meaning to me than when it first came out. Now I have a son and a hubby that share this love that I will never understand. I may be Momma and I may be the one the fixes everything but when Dada is finally home for a good two solid days on the weekend, I no longer exist, and that  is okay. He needs his Dada to show him how to be a boy/man. Yes, I could easily teach him how to throw a ball or jump off the couch but when Dada does it…it's just better :) And that's okay.

It seriously melts my heart when we go on family walks now and I see them holding hands and just talking…I'm just in awe. It's amazing how a simple thing as becoming a parent makes everything change in your world. Not just the big things like taking care of another human being, late nights holding a sick baby, and never really having time for yourself anymore…but how your heart changes. I never knew mine could hold some much love that at times it feels as if it might explode…and that's when tears come. I love them so. These men are my life. I love them more today than yesterday :)

                                                                    "Watching You"

Driving through town just my boy and me
With a happy meal in his booster seat
Knowing that he couldn't have the toy
Till his nuggets were gone
A green traffic light turned straight to red
I hit my brakes and mumbled under my breath
His fries went a flying and his orange drink covered his lap
Well then my four year old said a four letter word
That started with "s" and I was concerned
So I said son now now where did you learn to talk like that

[Chorus one]

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We got cowboy boots and camo pants
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you

We got back home and I went to the barn
I bowed my head and I prayed real hard
Said Lord please help me help my stupid self
Then this side of bedtime later that night
Turning on my son's Scooby Doo nightlight
He crawled out of bed and he got down on his knees
He closed his little eyes, folded his little hands
And spoke to God like he was talking to a friend
And I said son now where'd you learn to pray like that

[Chorus two]

He said I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
We like fixing things and holding mama's hand
Yeah we're just alike, hey ain't we dad
I wanna do everything you do
So I've been watching you

[Bridge]

With tears in my eyes I wrapped him in a hug
Said my little bear is growing up
He said but when I'm big I'll still know what to do

[Chorus three]

Cause I've been watching you dad, ain't that cool
I'm your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are
By then I'll be as strong as superman
We'll be just alike, hey won't we dad
When I can do everything you do
Cause I've been watching you

By Rodney Atkins

Jalapeño Cheese Cornbread

Being that I'm southern, I like sweet and spicy when it comes to most of my food, but since most of southern food isn't exactly healthy for you, I try to spread it out and make it into a real treat when I do have it. I have been craving some Jalapeno Cheese Cornbread for sometime now and just thinking about going back to South Carolina at the end of May has got me in all kind of a "feeding" mood.

I found this great Jalapeno Cornbread recipe on Pinterest and couldn't wait to try it. I will say I did change it up a bit and instead of chopping up my jalapenos I just sat them onto and also added cheese at the top as well. Next time…I might add bacon…yep, I just got excited :)

I also didn't have buttermilk on hand, I know, I'm a horrible southerner, but I do know that if you mix vinegar with milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes, it will substitute for buttermilk :) So I just put a tablespoon of vinegar, it can be white or apple, in a one cup measure and than added milk till it reached the top, let that baby sit, and BAM!!! MAGIC!!

It was so good and really hit the spot. I prefer to eat it warm, almost right out of the oven with butter….yep, going to have to run a few more miles after I polish off the rest but it is always worth it. Life is just too short to neglect your cravings,….but for the people that don't quite understand the word "cravings", it means to sample it in moderation…not eat the whole thing by yourself…everyday :)

Hope everyone has a great day today and a wonderful weekend! :)

Progress

These past few days at our house have been a little crazy, poor Christian is cutting more teeth and it really has really taken it out around us. Poor guy, not eating too much and not getting enough sleep on our ends is making my days seem like a year! :(

In the morning, after eating a bit that some how manages to get everywhere!…he looks so happy and sweet…but by night, he is this crazy kid, screaming and crying about everything….might have to sell him…just a thought ;)

I've decide it is time to update Mr. Chrispy's bedroom as he is becoming a big boy. I couldn't decide between a nature/animal or planes/travel theme. I am just not really a theme person, I think some can really overdue it and I prefer more of little piece that add a theme but not overwhelming the room.  I think I'm just going with planes/travel because we already have so many pieces that can be used in his room throughout our house.

With him always at home, it will be awhile before I finish the room :( But I did start with a piece of wood art of the wall. I just used an old sign I had on hand and up cycled it. I love touches of vintage, even if they aren't really vintage, so I distressed the wood art in the end just enough to have white paint show through and put a layer of furniture paste on it so it wouldn't have a shine but more of worn look.



What do you think? Just a start but got to start somewhere. Next is to go to Ikea and pick up some supplies. I can't decide between stacked shelves or the Expedit book shelve.

I also want to add some amazing art and brass pieces into the room.  I have a lot of inspirational pieces I've been finding online like these below.

Shouldn't be too hard, once I find time and make a bunch of little pieces that really just add that extra touch! I'm also trying to get out of painting the room since it is military housing and painting it back when we leave is always so annoying. I desperately wanted to paint the ceiling blue too, not to make it part of the theme but because of an old southern myth that painting your porch ceiling blue keeps evil spirits from haunting your home. Yes, I know my sons room isn't the porch ceiling, but it is a ceiling and I'm way southern so all those cute little myths and charming folk tales I love. Keeps it interesting :)

Have a great day y'all!!! :)

12 Hours

 

7 am : morning cleaning

8 am : pancake breakfast

    9 am : after bath movie time on Momma's bed

  10 am : naked time while trying on shoes

  11 am: paint nails/ do some email checking/ web work

  12 pm : lunch!

    1 pm : nap time for everyone!

    2 pm : Organize drawers, starting with the jewels :)

    3 pm : find a place to store my stella & dot stash

    4 pm : finish stump side table

    5 pm: cupcake before dinner/ finish quilt

    6 pm: spaghetti night!

    7 pm: wrestling before bed time

Have a happy weekend y'all! :)