Monday, May 27, 2013

Life Lately

I've had a bunch of little things I have wanted to post about lately, but the motivation to do a bunch of separate posts is nonexistent so I'm just going to cram them all into one and give you lots of pictures to sum up life lately. :)


Here we go!

First up are two little thrifting makeovers: a little $2 mail box and $4 bread box.

 A good scrub, a few coats of white spray paint, and some tlc and this box has helped cut the mail clutter and finish off our little "command center".

Before- hook missing
Before
I used a tiny screwdriver to remove the hardware on the box.
I would have preferred wood filler to even out the missing hook, but this is what we had.
Let it dry, lightly sanded it- all better!
A few coats of spray white paint & primer in one.
After!
Love our command center!
A good scrub, some white spray paint, and two new swanky knobs and the bread box was brought back to life! We love this thing and it is now one of my favorite things about our kitchen.

before
plain jane knobs
Hello gorgeous!
Knobs came from Lowe's
 On May 11th of this year I got to help host a baby shower for a friend I have had since Preschool! She and her hubs welcomed a sweet baby boy to this world on 05/24 and I loved being able to help get them ready!

Outside. Before the rain. :(
Sweet little favors my twinsie made!
My gift- a diaper wreath!
About the diaper wreath- it was so easy! A little time consuming, but will be my go to gift for baby showers now. :) The diapers are tied with balloon ribbon around a duct taped pool noodle (we couldn't find a wreath form large enough and the noodle was only $1!) and I got the idea to make a little pea pod out of the washcloths from Pinterest. Everything is tied on except for the blue ribbon that came with a sticky tag and I did have to glue gun the "G" in place.

floating tea lights, lime slices, baby's breath, clear vases and blue mason jars were easy and beautiful decor!
I had to take the opportunity to snag a picture with mah man. We don't take enough together!
Y'ALL! My twinsie and brother in law made this beautiful cake! It looked and tasted incredible!
 We have lots more babies in our deck garden now!!! Can't wait to try out zucchini lasagna and eggplant parmesan and pickling cucumbers- and don't even get me started on the tomato sandwiches!

Baby zuchinni
Our better boys are growing like weeds!
Teeny baby green pepper
Lots of baby cherry tomatoes!
All cucumber vines on deck! :P
sweet williams flowers on the left, basil in the middle, stevia on the right. love my herb box!
Finally, I can't wait to spend a few summer days being lazy with these two-
Such a hard life being spoiled rotten
Until next time,
-A

Friday, May 17, 2013

The Rocket Summer

A band called The Rocket Summer stumbled into my life 4 years ago around this time when I was on my way to my very first job interview. I was so nervous and was spending the drive praying with my fingers trembling on the steering wheel. Then this song came on the radio randomly.


God reassuring me from above that He had me in the palm of His hand and all I needed to do was be brave. I got that job. And later I had to be brave again. He came through again.

This afternoon working in my classroom I had forgotten all about this band and after a long hard (but still very fun) week I looked up this song that started it all for me. After it was over, another one played. And I stopped in my tracks at the lyrics, moved deeply for the first time in a very long time. A perfect reminder-

"And greatness isn't what you think it's not being up on that silver screen.
It's not convincing people you don't fall apart.
It's just loving and serving and being who you are.

You were made in an image of greatness.

Just for a moment start to forget about the scars and forget who you think you are. Don't say another word. You're meant for greatness.
Just for a moment start to forget about the scars and forget who you think you are. All the fear within your world, you can take it... "


Have a listen. Be moved. And have an awesome weekend!




-A

Monday, May 6, 2013

Babies

There are a lot of babies around the house lately. Sadly, none of them are located in my belly but we're okay waiting on God's timing for that. ;)

First are the babies that are our very first {container} vegetable garden!

Hubs looking very excited about this adventure
Our sweet baby plants. All in a row.
Our containers and accessories came from Walmart.
Garden soil came from Lowe's [on sale!]
The order of the plants (below) is as follows:
Rutgers tomato {big blue}, zucchini {orange}, cherry tomato {big yellow}, purple bell pepper {little blue}, pickling cucumbers {little yellow}, better boy tomato {green}, and green bell pepper {red}.
  
 
After everything was potted; being guarded by our citronella plant.
Our basil & stevia plants. 

Freshly watered basil
 The other babies in this household aren't plants. They are animals. Baby birds in fact. Josh and I have had the delightful pleasure of watching a mama dove lay her eggs, hatch her babies, raise them, and even teach them to fly. We were very sad when they flew away until a few days later when we noticed this:

Photos were taken through our window screen, forgive the grainy quality.
Talk about the circle of life. There are two new eggs in the nest with what we presume is a brand new mama.
Photo was taken through our window screen, forgive the grainy quality.
What are you guys getting excited about as Spring flutters in? I'm looking forward to sharing a few projects I've tackled here lately to spruce up our kitchen. :)

Until then,
-A