sundrenched moments

just a little something fun

2012-01-25T01:04:00.000-06:00

Back when we were in Dallas a group of women from my church and I helped host a dinner.

Maybe you need a simple, inexpensive dessert sometime soon but want it to appear fancy.

Here's what we did:

Start with a fun clear plastic rectangular plate (we got ours at Party City). Of course you can use any kind of plate, this is just what we chose.

Bake triple chocolate brownies from the boxed Ghiradelli mix from Costco but before you put them on the plates . . .

Grab a bottle of chocolate syrup (or even another flavor if you like) and make a fun little swirly.

It was so much fun to do these on all the plates and kind of made me feel like a pastry chef.

Plop your brownies on next.

And in my humble opinion, you can never go wrong with some of this added to virtually any dessert.

Add a strawberry or some other type of garnish and

ta da

simple, fancy, yummy dessert!

Happy cooking!

Do you have any occasion coming up that you could use this idea for?

Kelly

nine

2012-01-22T15:44:00.001-06:00

We have NINE stoves!!!

Thanks sooo much you guys!

This is so fun!

Just think of ALL of the lives being changed!

God is good.

Kelly

seven

2012-01-22T09:56:00.001-06:00

We have SEVEN stoves!

THANK YOU!!!

This fundraising campaign runs through the end of the month so it's not too late if you've wanted to donate but haven't yet.

Kelly

the stripes

2012-01-21T20:59:00.003-06:00

the stripes . . .

ARE

DONE!!!

(photos taken pre-touch ups)

Plus we have baseboard, trim on all windows and doors, cabinets installed (but still need drawers and doors), bookshelves installed, etc.

We're coming along!

Oh and I went with the bottom color contrary to popular opinion.

It is called "crumb cookie".

The top color was "country beige".

Believe me, it really does look good and the people I got to ask in person liked it so I think the lighting in the photo just wasn't the best.

Okay, I need to go wash brushes . . . not my favorite part.

Kelly

stoves, crockpots and such

2012-01-20T16:11:00.003-06:00

So this morning's blogpost was completely auto-scheduled to post today and I'd done it before I did the stove thing and somehow it was ironic to me that my "follow-up" post to the stoves was about a crockpot.

Made me realize that I have at least seven heat producing, cooking appliances in my kitchen . . .

a stovetop, an oven, a waffle maker, two crockpots, an electric griddle, a rice cooker . . .

oh eight, a toaster . . .

It's okay to have those but it does shed a bit of perspective for me somehow.

I am thrilled with the six stoves (seven counting mine that is on someone else's fundraising page) that we have collectively made possible for families in Haiti!

This is exciting stuff you guys.

If you'd like to read a little more about the stoves check out this post.

happy weekend!

Kelly

smart idea

2012-01-20T01:46:00.000-06:00

I took this photo nearly a year ago and I don't think I ever remembered to blog it.

Isn't this smart?!

I can take absolutely no credit.

This is my Sweetie's (my grandma's) crockpot and she had this great idea for keeping the cord neatly with it. I love it and had forgotten about it until I was just looking through photos. I need to go and do it to mine right now since the cord is always stretching out and getting caught under other appliances in the cabinet, etc. making taking it out of the cabinet difficult without moving ever single thing.

Do you have any favorite kitchen or storage tips lately?

Kelly

six

2012-01-19T08:51:00.001-06:00

We have SIX stoves!

This is so wonderful!

I am so excited thinking of the lives that are being changed.

God is good.

It's exciting to see how he uses us in His grand plan.

Kelly

FOUR!!!

2012-01-17T21:03:00.001-06:00

We have FOUR stoves!!!

Hooray!

Thank you!!!

Kelly

two

2012-01-17T18:10:00.001-06:00

We have TWO stoves!

Yippee!

Thank you!

Kelly

one

2012-01-17T11:22:00.002-06:00

We have one stove!

Thank you!!

Kelly

two friends

2012-01-15T22:51:00.004-06:00

You know what?

I'd like to ask you for something today.

I'd like to ask you to consider something.

January 12th marked the second anniversary of the earthquake in Haiti.

I'll be honest, I don't think about Haiti a whole lot.

I am so thankful for a couple of my blogging friends who keep me on my toes and open up my eyes.

When I began reading blogs on the 12th late (really late) in the evening. I was excited to see this fundraiser that The Adventure Project is doing.

It's called You+Me.

It's all about the ripple effect.

"We want to turn the second anniversary of the Haiti earthquake into a day of record-breaking impact.

It's a simple idea. We are each finding 2 friends. Two friends who will recognize the anniversary by sponsoring a $20 charcoal-efficient stove for a family in Haiti. And the movement begins when those two friends reach out to their 2 friends.

These stoves are revolutionary, allowing families to breathe easier, cook faster, and increase their income by saving on fuel costs. The money saved is money used to send their kids to school, start small businesses, and eat more nutritious food. The stoves are produced locally in Port au Prince and sold by women entrepreneurs. It's a sustainable business model providing a life-saving product.

So we are marking this anniversary with a ripple movement of friends.
2 years, 2 friends, 2 stoves.

Buy your stove. And find your two friends."

So back to what I'd like to ask you.

Will you please consider finding $20 this month to use to buy a stove for a family in Haiti?

I would really appreciate it.

I have already bought my stove by being one of another fundraisers "two friends".

I really believe in these stoves. They are saving the lives of babies who will not be dying from the toxic smoke of the fires that are their other cooking alternative.

I would love for you to check out this post that really explains a lot about the stoves from Jody who has seen them in use with her own two eyes.

Technically the goal is to each find two friends so I'll be REALLY happy if I have two friends who take the challenge.

I set my sights kind of high though.

Last week 164 of you visited my blog. 70% of you were returning visitors - my friends, either in real life or just here in this space.

If just 50 of you will buy a stove for Haiti then I will reach my goal.

(told you I set my sights high)

But 70% of 164 visitors in a week is 114 people, 114 stoves . . . I think we can reach 50, don't you?!

You can make your donation for a stove for Haiti through the Adventure Project by clicking HERE

This is exciting! We are going to change lives!

THANK YOU!!!

Kelly

is it crazy?

2012-01-15T18:15:00.002-06:00

to not want to choose a paint color because of it's name?

"Country Beige" . . .

It just sends 80s shivers up and down my spine.

So, not telling you which is which, do you think I should use the top color (two stripes) or the bottom color (two stripes) to stripe the wall in my family room?

(I realize the lighting's not the greatest.)

Thanks for your input!

Kelly

progress of the day

2012-01-14T23:22:00.004-06:00

Today has been a good and full day!

We have worked hard on our remodel and it will eventually get done!

This DIY stuff is a lot of work. :)

We congratulated ourselves on all that is already done with a trip to Josh and John's Ice Cream downtown. Always fun!

My very talented husband built the window casings, sills and trim from scratch, just exactly the way I wanted it to look. I am thrilled with it!

I used my handy dandy laser tool to tape and tape and tape!

Tomorrow I paint stripes!

I hope you've had a great day!

I would love to hear what you've been up to.

Kelly

warm lunch for cold days

2012-01-12T11:45:00.001-06:00

roasted tomato soup with grilled cheese croutons

We highly recommend it!

What are you enjoying eating for lunch during these winter months?

Kelly

what can we do?

2012-01-11T07:57:00.001-06:00

Today's blogpost is not light and fluffy.

It's hard.

Really hard stuff but I pray that you will read anyway.

Today is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

A year and a day ago I had no idea what human trafficking was.

I was reading blogs just enjoying some computer time.

I read Emily's post.

Now I am no longer ignorant.

And I am glad.

Sometimes I'll admit, I wish I didn't know. I wish I lived in a happy little bubble of pretty things and cheerful feelings but that is not reality, not sustainable and not what God has for me.

He has bigger responsibilities and bigger blessings.

This year I read this article by Tally Flint.

I encourage you to take a few minutes to read it. It is very well written and sheds a lot of light on this problem.

One of the things that struck me was the simplicity of helping with this problem.

If you are like me so many issues and problems that I learn about in the world seem insurmountable. I don't know what to do or where to start of if I will make a difference.

There is a quote in the article that I think is very important and empowering.

" . . . talk about it [human trafficking]. We were not put on earth to think comfortably or ignorantly. It’s going to be hard, but it’s worth fighting for, and the more knowledge you have about something, the more power you feel you have to work with.” Kristen Muche

If you do nothing else after reading this post please just acknowledge in your own mind that this is something real and something horrible. Take a moment out of your day to feel for someone else - someone who does not have the advantages, the comforts and the security you have.

If you're willing to do more, please take a look at the article and especially read the last several paragraphs about how we can help. It probably won't be as hard as you think!

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and I would love to hear your comments and thoughts.

Kelly

ten on ten - January 2012

2012-01-10T21:40:00.005-06:00

ten on ten

being oh so silly

shoes on, bye bye

Nana came to music class with us

big boy

silly cousin

searching for the missing shoe

enjoying this feature on our new car!

will we ever leave Lowe's?

high class dinner!

bedtime after a day with no nap

--------------------------------------------------

did you do anything silly today?

go anywhere fun?

make any music?

lose something?

enjoy something new?

eat a yummy dinner?

I'd love to hear about it.

Happy 10th of January.

Kelly

reminder

2012-01-09T04:13:00.001-06:00

If you'd like to participate in Ten on Ten, tomorrow's the day!

Kelly

happy 2012

2012-01-03T16:10:00.002-06:00

I started this post about 10 p.m. on the 31st but things have been moving along over here and I am just now getting it finished.

We had our party and it was a lot of fun!

We ended up "counting down" at about 6:55 our time. We were trying for 7:00 to celebrate when it turned midnight in Rio de Janiero but the kids were ready so we just went ahead!

More pics from the party to come but I wanted to mention a couple things for the new year before too much more time gets away.

I'm going to try out this decluttering calendar for the new year. Anyone want to do it with me? Nothing formal and I'm not gonna promise to do every day but a little is better than nothing, right? Leave me a comment or e-mail me if you want to do it together. It would be more fun that way for sure.

Also, last year at the wonderful encouragement of a dear friend, I intentionally memorized scripture for the first time in years. This is such a good thing for me but I had not exhibited the discipline to do it in so long.

We did it along with Beth Moore and thousands of other women through the Living Proof Ministries blog.

It was really good and I am so glad that I bit the bullet and did it. At the same time though, my year has been full, my brain has been full and while I am so thankful that I kept it up I still don't feel like I have those 20 some odd verses really truly rolling off the tongue of my mind/heart.

Rather than trying to memorize new ones right now I am going to work on really solidifying those so that I can say them anytime, anywhere to myself, to my family, to friends or strangers to bring a word of encouragement or peace.

I think the thing to do will be to put the verse reference and the first word or two of each scripture on a list on my mirror and just work on them from there. Do you think that will work?

Are any of you memorizing scripture? Do you have any ideas of things that are helpful to really have these truths of God's word written on your heart and mind?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on scripture, decluttering, what you ate for lunch . . . oh just anything.

Happy Tuesday!

Kelly

new year's eve party sneak peak

2011-12-31T01:35:00.000-06:00

I've been wanting to host a New Year's Eve party for so long.

We had a teeny tiny apartment before that didn't stop us from entertaining but wasn't especially conducive to big groups of people for extended periods of time and plus there was always someone else to host with a bigger space.

Also, we've ended up traveling a lot on new years.

But this is the year!

I am very thankful to God for our wonderful house and also for our family here in Colorado Springs to invite and also for *friends* to invite. We are slowly but surely making friends here in our new city and I am so thankful.

the deer are all ready for the party

now we'll just wait for our guests to arrive

since last we spoke . . .

2011-12-29T22:04:00.006-06:00

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday!

{note: I totally stole this Christmas decorating idea from my friend Emily several years ago but I love it!}

I kept in mind that Christmas is indeed for mamas too.

Christmas Eve was a very relaxing, hang around the house, greet family and neighbors who came over and kind of finish up some things like a half finished crafty project and adding a few more decorations.

Then we went to a nice Christmas Eve service with my parents.

David LOVED the candles at the end!

He also loved the cherry sour candy that I gave him from the heavily laden dessert tables set up in the foyer.

See that handsome white collared shirt peeking out from his sweater?

Unfortunately it now has pink candy stains on it.

Should I try bleach?

Unfortunately I didn't do quite enough "finishing" up during the day because that evening it was a baking and wrapping marathon after David was in bed and we were completely wiped out by the time we collapsed into bed.

Christmas morning we started what I think will become a new tradition. I kind of adapted an idea I read about here. We put David's stocking by his door.

When he woke up (at 8 a.m.! It was glorious!!) we told him merry Christmas and showed him and pointed out the stocking. It literally took him about three tries before he was quite confidently and enthusiastically saying "tocking! tocking!"

He loved it!

My grandma, Sweetie, used to always put some bubble wrap in our stockings for us to have the fun of popping. Since David likes the "pop" game on my mom's iPad so much, I decided to put some in for him too.

We opened some presents but learned that 20 month olds would rather just get on with the playing so we saved about half till after dinner on Boxing Day which was fun too.

Question: do any of you moms out there get a shower before noon on Christmas day? I think I would do better if I could get showered and dressed earlier but does that really happen with kids on Christmas morning? I'd love to hear your take.

My parents came over for brunch and we had those super yummy Hawaiian roll ham sandwiches that we were introduced to at more than one friend's house in Dallas. Our recipe is very similar to this.

We also had cranberry breakfast bread.

We had a very white Christmas! So very different for me.

We had Christmas dinner at my parents and opened presents but I don't have those photos loaded yet.

And since then we've been trying to recuperate from all the excitement

stepping over toys

and working on the remodel.

Adrian has been doing a TON!! Building, painting, etc.

I have helped out some during nap time and after David's in bed.

Today I did this:

I'm pretty excited about it.

What have you been up to these past several days?

Kelly

twas the night before

2011-12-23T23:10:00.009-06:00

the night before . . .

in which I share some random thoughts and photos because I've missed blogging.

Then I shall collapse into bed because it's been a BIG day!

{my mother-in-law gave me these really fun reindeer ornaments when we were there for Thanksgiving, they're from Ikea Aren't they cute?}

This is my first year where I feel like I'm "in charge" of Christmas.

Have you ever felt like that?

It's interesting because in some ways this has been one of my most "Christ" focused Christmases. It has been a good and enjoyable time of reflection.

At the same time, especially as the "big day" approaches I feel some pressure to "make" the holiday.

I know I am not alone in this as I have read posts on the internet addressing this very thing.

This one I feel like is a very good reminder for moms, so if you're feeling anything like me, do yourself a favor and read it.

This one is really good too.

I just did my absolute last round of shopping for Christmas.

Stocking stuffers . . .

In my head I had them for my two guys, when I checked my stash it seemed woefully small.

It is hard to know when you are just trying to "keep up" with others or the commercial pressure and when it really would be nice to pick up a few more things.

A few things that are rolling around in my head:

1) David's only real concept of stockings I think is that at Nana's house she has a cute little garland with little baby socks that look like Santa and when the boys are at her house they get to pick a stocking and get a little surprise out like a little car or playdoh or rubber spider

so, if he finds a stocking with even two things in it, that will be more than he's expecting!

2) No one in blogland or anywhere else for that matter will know what my son's and my husband's stockings contained

Is it wild that I have to consciously remind myself of that?

But I did just have fun tossing things into the grocery cart that I normally wouldn't buy for my guys and was super excited to find that the Pepperidge Farm gingerbread man cookies (which were a favorite of mine as a child) didn't have any dairy listed on the ingredients so my little guy can have that fun treat!

Also, I haven't mentioned but we've been in the middle of a big renovation all month!

We haven't actually been doing the brunt of the work thankfully but we are about to kick it in gear as our part is starting of painting, installing shelves and cabinets, finding people to lay carpet, etc.

The family room as well as some other spaces are getting a makeover.

Let's see, what else shall I tell you about?

this cutie pie who likes to wear his monkey hat and eat waffles that his daddy made for him is SUCH a joy and a lot of fun right now learning new words daily and imitating us and making us laugh.

{ornament we made from Truth in the Tinsel}

We had a couple of BIG snows this week!

I really can't believe it.

A white Christmas!

A real white Christmas with TONS of snow.

This Texas girl is having trouble getting it through her head.

Do you know that Amy Grant Christmas song "Tennessee Christmas"?

I've heard her singing from my iTunes "There may be more snow up in Colorado than my roof will ever see . . . " as I look out my windows and see huge flakes coming down hard and heavy. It's wild . . . AND really fun!

I mentioned today was a big day.

Thanks to my parents baby-sitting, Adrian and I enjoyed a really fun date day to Denver.

I got dressed up all cute in a new shirt and scarf from Old Navy thanks to my friend Erin reminding me of Friends and Family discount time and we started off with a Chickfila chicken biscuit and sweet tea! Ah the joys!!

I hardly ever go there anymore since David can't eat much on their menu with his dairy allergy.

It was wonderful.

Then we made a quick dash to pick up a kajillion paint chips.

After years of apartment living it is so exciting being able to paint.

Choices, choices!

Then it was onto ikea where I had a clipboard, yep, a clipboard, I really did.

Cabinet front and drawer pull choices, lighting, shelves bought and barely fit into the car, a little toy picked up, a couple more gifts, looking at lots of stuff and making lots of choices . . .

Then onto Maggianno's which is a favorite from our dating days and we got to use a gift card!

Yummy lunch then back home to pick up our sweet boy.

So, here we are on the brink of Christmas Eve 2011.

I'm still working on letting go of the fact that if we get a Christmas card out at all (I really, really wanted to do one of the three of us on our red tandem bike in the snow and I even ironed the shirts and wired a wreath to the front of the bike but it just didn't happen!) it will be electronic and not with the photo I had planned.

And I'm looking forward to

a visit from a sweet neighbor

hanging out with family both immediate and extended

enjoying yummy food

seeing David's excitement and joy

giving David his second haircut hopefully before we start taking too many pictures

wrapping most of our gifts since I've only done a few

opening boxes that have come in the mail

attending Christmas Eve service

starting some new traditions

and most importantly worshipping our Lord

I hope you all have a very, very merry Christmas!!!

Kelly

last year

2011-12-15T10:22:00.002-06:00

what will this year bring?

can't wait!

Kelly

kid crafty stuff

2011-12-14T21:01:00.004-06:00

Remember how I told you about Truth in the Tinsel?

Well, on day two we made a crown ornament.

I decided that painting and gluing rhinestones was beyond us at the moment but I thought that learning to roll would be really good.

My little mister was very intrigued by the big bag of glitter I gave him.

We rolled our toilet paper tube crown in glue and then glitter and talked about how Jesus is King.

It will be fun to look back at this little crown hanging on our tree year after year and remember how David made it when he was really little. I guess it's the first craft he's made that I'll keep. (The pumpkin we painted rotted after a while and he did paint on paper once but I'll probably just photograph it and throw it away.)

Also, have you seen that ingenious felt tree floating around on pinterest?

I made a version and he likes to play with it from time to time.

Super cheap, easy and fun activity.

My smart friend Julie made a mini version that fits in a ziploc to take on a plane to occupy her little ones!

Happy crafting!

Kelly

yea for iphone pics!

2011-12-13T19:58:00.002-06:00

me and my winter ready boy

Kelly

all is calm, all is bright

2011-12-12T19:52:00.000-06:00

playing in the snow

2011-12-11T08:26:00.001-06:00

last weekend

Has it snowed where you live yet this winter?

Do you think you'll have a white Christmas wherever you are celebrating this year?

It'll be interesting to see if we will. I'd like to as long as I'm living in Colorado and all.

Once we had a white Christmas Eve in Houston!! Yep, Houston, TX! It was so much fun. We jumped in the car and drove around looking at it all.

Kelly

p.s. does anyone else love that song "Snow, Snow, Snow" from White Christmas? One of my favorite scenes in one of my favorite movies.

even better though:

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool." Isaiah 1:18

ten on ten - December 2011

2011-12-10T22:47:00.006-06:00

another idea to try

sorting out the hangars

Mama and David playing chase and saying "boo" around the kitchen (hence the blur)

hanging out outside and ending up getting to chat with neighbors

Costco run and lots of samples eaten

trip to Lowes, selecting lumber to make a Christmas gift

some Christmas decorating

and more

returning

just for fun, see December 2010 here

and more ten on ten entries here

Kelly

Christmas cookies

2011-12-09T17:52:00.001-06:00

Another pinterest project completed!

My MOPS group had a cookie swap this week. I had seen these on pinterest and thought they were so pretty so that's what I decided to make.

The dipping and rolling in sugar part was really fun.

I was so thankful that my friend Erin had given me a BIG jar of colored sugar. It came in really handy.

Are you doing any baking this season or participating in a cookie swap?

I'd love to hear about it!

Kelly

decorating the tree

2011-12-08T14:37:00.006-06:00

Last night was tree decorating night at our house.

I have never really had it be an "event" before.

In the back of my mind I tried to have low expectations after reading Ashley's excellent post but truth be told I was pretty excited and hoping for a great time.

I have to say it was GREAT! I won't expect it to be "just so" every year but we had so much fun this year!

David was really into it.

He loved putting the ornaments that look like blocks on especially and he kept saying "block". It was the cutest thing.

All of the breakables went on the top.

We ordered pizza for dinner to make it feasible to start decorating the tree before David got fussy.

I hope your preparations are merry and bright and that you enjoy this season even if it has ups and downs.

Kelly

tree cutting expedition 2011

2011-12-07T11:25:00.000-06:00

This picture was taken while we were still all having fun.

Good memories!

Do you have your tree yet?

Are you putting up a tree this year?

If all goes as planned tonight is decorate the tree night at our house.

Kelly

today

2011-12-05T18:23:00.011-06:00

Today has been a really, really good day.

For those of you reading back in Texas and in other warmer climes, the high was something like 12 degrees today. People around here act like it's pretty normal. Weird.

But I didn't go out in it for the most part. I did dash across the street to chat with a neighbor for just a few minutes and tonight I got out to go to a women's event with my mom but other than that I stayed toasty warm inside my house in 3/4 sleeves even.

David slept in late and I got to spend some good time reading different passages in the advent study I'm doing. The part about the angel telling Mary that the Lord was with her really got my attention and prompted me to search on Bible Gateway for places in the Bible where it is stated that God is with people. It has been wonderful to read so many stories that I haven't read in quite a while and to see this thread of God *being there* and really making the connection that He is here with me every single day too.

Today was also a day that I sort of set aside to use pinterest and my before pinterest inspiration file and do some of those things I'd earmarked. It was lots of fun to get to crafting and decorating and doing.

I had an enthusiastic little helper too!

One of the ideas I'd saved was all about sequins so I was glad I had some in my stash.

Aren't those FUN?!!!

You can find them here at Melanie's You Are My Fave blog. It's really fun and she's in Denver!

We got out the funnels and got hard to work.

{okay, so he was playing with a binder clip while I poured sequins, probably a less messy proposition anyway}

I did one sequin ornament and finished up some other ornaments I had started once upon a time but never finished off the way I wanted.

I would have liked to have more sequin ornaments but remember it was like 12 degrees and I'm new to this Colorado thing and I only had one package of sequins on hand.

This ornament is filled with a button and bead necklace of my great grandmas that had broken. It is a happy memory of her to me.

This one has a bit of sand from our trip last month ~ a fun memory for sure.

We got our tree yesterday!

That was an adventure for sure.

We went and cut it down in the forest up in the mountains.

This Texas girl sure never thought of doing that. It was a blast until it wasn't but we survived and got a fun tree. Poor little guy just got too cold. I'm thinking next year just the parents might go get the tree.

But really, look at this face, is it not just too cute?

We snuggled on this couch filled with pillows today and read a Christmas board book.

Truth, we did not actually read our scripture for Truth in the Tinsel today. You know what? That's okay. It's not about guilt. If you're doing something with your kids and you skip a day, you know what? That's okay too.

We did share a potato chip snack and mama had some hot chocolate to go with it.

I spruced up my dishwasher detergent with this inspiration

I'm working on the Christmas decor.

It sure is fun having a house.

I had seen a Christmas tree made of books on Pinterest.

I made one.

It was harder than I thought. Not actually the tree part but the tree trunk part. I had trouble finding something with the right proportions.

I had also bookmarked Vintage Junky's Christmas decorations from last year.

There are soo many things I like.

Here is my version of her wreath trio.

embroidery hoops snagged at a garage sale earlier this fall for cheap,

different ribbons from my stash and a few white frosted berries

The dining room has kind of taken on a greens, yellows, blues and silver color scheme for Christmas and I like it.

I also clicked over to see what Michelle is up to this year and wow oh wow, such cute stuff!

This post immediately brought to mind the neat old truck that my mother-in-law gave me at Thanksgiving and I knew exactly what it needed.

If you're mother-in-law didn't happen to give you an old truck at Thanksgiving definitely check out Michelle's shop, these things are too cute!

I have candy canes on my shopping list so I can copy the bottom picture here.

I am working on a "Glory to God in the highest" banner like Michelle's in the second photo here.

I'm contemplating this for my fireplace.

But mostly I want to just take in the wonder

and enjoy these next several weeks.

I hope you do too!

Kelly

a happy spot

2011-12-05T10:54:00.000-06:00

happy birthday!

2011-12-02T06:28:00.002-06:00

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday!

I love this photo of her holding David when he was just about three weeks old.

Kelly

p.s. and I love his little whale swaddle and to be honest I love how my books are color coordinated in the background.

advent

2011-12-01T21:16:00.003-06:00

Today I wanted to share two e books with you that I have recently stumbled across.

The first is one that I am doing for myself and very much enjoying so far.

It is called An Everyday Advent and it has four sections, one for each week for you to read from the Bible and questions to ponder. I am excited about focusing my heart in this way at this time of year.

The other is called Truth in the Tinsel and is for David and I to do together. I really like the simple and easy format of it. It has a passage of scripture to read with your child everyday. I have read to David out of storybook Bibles so far in his life but never once have I read straight out of scripture to him. It was exciting today to get out his little Bible that he was given by our church family in Dallas at his baby dedication and talk about the Bible and sing a little cradle roll song about the Bible and then to show him my Bible side by side (his only has the New Testament or I would have read directly out of his - today's reading was from Isaiah) and then read the passage of scripture out loud with him.

Each day has a simple ornament craft for you to make with your child so that they can focus on details of the story as they begin to internalize it all and it gives big and little hands something to do while you talk about the story. I really like the way the author, Amanda, has written the "talking it through" part.

My little guy is not very into crafty things at this point so I plan to do a few simple ones but also just play with different objects (today a flashlight instead of a candle craft, as well as practicing blowing out a candle and looking at one) as we go through it. I am excited about this way to teach David the story of Christ coming to earth to be *with us* and as the most amazing gift ever *for us*.

In no way am I receiving any compensation for reviewing these e books nor do I receive anything if you buy one of them. I just wanted to share these great (and inexpensive, each under $5!) resources with you in case you would enjoy using them this season. If you do, I'd love to hear about your experiences with them.

Merry Christmas!

Kelly

big boy!

2011-11-28T11:27:00.001-06:00

drawer knob jewelry

2011-11-25T01:58:00.000-06:00

the latest thing you know!

boy with a stick

2011-11-23T11:18:00.000-06:00

splendor

2011-11-22T09:42:00.000-06:00

"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness."

I Chronicles 16:29

leaf photo taken in Seattle

cornbread dressing

2011-11-19T06:53:00.000-06:00

For me, Thanksgiving dinner is not complete without this cornbread dressing that my grandma, Sweetie has always made.

Last year was my first year to make it myself as we celebrated in Colorado, not in Houston where my grandma lives. I was following the recipe she sent me via e-mail hence the iphone in the photos.

In case you'd like to try it for yourself:

Sweetie's cornbread dressing

2 pkgs of Corn Kits cornbread mix
1 full cup of chopped (fine) onions
1cup celery chopped (fine)
broth from turkey or canned chicken broth
1 rounded tsp of poultry seasoning
salt and pepper to tast
(optional) pieces of dry bread broken into little pieces

Bake corn bread, crumble into a large bowl, add bread pieces, onions, celery, poultry seasoning,salt and pepper mix well. Add a can of chicken broth and continue to add more broth as needed to the cornbread mix until you can pull the mixture to the side and can see a little liquid on the bottom. Bake in casserole dish at 350 for about 45 minutes.

Yum!

Kelly

Seattle

2011-11-18T00:47:00.001-06:00

On the way home from Hawaii we had an overnight layover in Seattle which gave us a great opportunity to visit some friends there.

It was my first time to go to Seattle and I really liked it.

I look forward to going back and having more time to explore!

Our color is almost all gone in Colorado but theirs was beautiful!

Have you been to Seattle?

What is your favorite thing to do there?

Kelly

swinging bridge

2011-11-17T00:34:00.000-06:00

This was something we just stumbled upon one afternoon in Kauai.

It was really neat although it did make me a little nervous, all that swinging . . .

does that mean I'm turning into a "mom"?

hmmmm . . .

David loved it!

Afterward we went to get a shave ice.

We did that after pretty much everything.

I was making up for my whole summer in Colorado Springs without a snowcone stand in sight!

Kelly

breakfast

2011-11-15T01:37:00.002-06:00

Our last two mornings in Kauai we ate breakfast at the hotel and on the beach with our assorted groceries. It was fun (and at least a little cheaper than eating out). See that pink fruit? Isn't it neat looking? It's called dragon fruit. I had never seen it or heard of it before.

we went . . .

2011-11-14T01:32:00.001-06:00

to Hawaii!

It was beautiful and relaxing and a much needed time of being together as a family and rejuvenating after some crazy working hours for Adrian lately.

Aloha!

Kelly

ten on Ten - November 2011

2011-11-10T21:15:00.007-06:00

Rebekah's great idea to capture ten photos in ten consecutive hours of your day on the tenth of the month led to these shots of our day today.

MOPS meeting where we made these cool scarves out of an old t-shirt

my little guy helping to fill Operation Christmas Child boxes for the first time

picking out a book for reading before naptime

scheduling appointments

taking a break from folding laundry to . . .

catch up on blogs

(Is anyone else falling down on blog reading due to Pinterest? I would rather read blogs but Pinterest is such a very long rabbit hole and I often find myself mindlessly following it.)

post nap tooth brushing

(not that this is some special dental hygiene regimen in our house but this boy likes his brush and asks for it often)

sweet sisters who made a super yummy dinner and dessert for family and friends

chocolate pie filling with a coconut "crust" all layered in a mini parfait dish ~ yum!

It was a delightful tenth!

How was yours?

Kelly

p.s. I guess no one felt like playing the guessing game on the last post, huh?

we've been . . .

2011-11-09T22:57:00.010-06:00

a-traveling.

Anyone wanna guess where we went?

And no fair guessing if you already know.

One clue is we saw this guy . . .

and this guy got to do lots of this . . .

and some of this too . . .

We had a great time and are now glad to be home.

Hope you're having a good week.

Kelly

reminder

2011-11-09T09:44:00.001-06:00

Tomorrow is Ten on Ten if you'd like to participate.

Kelly

fall vignette

2011-11-04T10:55:00.000-05:00

creative reuse centers

2011-11-03T02:08:00.000-05:00

Have you heard of creative reuse centers?

They're basically like a thrift store for craft supplies.

Pretty sweet!

I got to go to one in Pittsburgh and in addition to some crafting supplies for David and I, I picked up the vintage bingo cards above and the word learning flip books in the entryway photo.

Here is a directory I found of creative reuse centers around the States and abroad.

I'm curious if any of you have ever been to one and what the one you went to was like.

Kelly

back to that carpet

2011-11-02T02:47:00.000-05:00

When we were looking at the house, Adrian realized from seeing hardwood flooring in the coat closet, that there were probably hardwoods on the main floor under the carpet.

After eating in a carpeted dining room with a little one in our Texas apt. we knew that we really wanted to take advantage of those hardwood floors in the dining room.

We were prepared to refinish them.

The first thing we did after closing was go to our new house!

Adrian broke out a crowbar and began peeling back the carpet to see what we were working with.

What a blessing to discover that there indeed hardwood floors beneath the brand new carpet and that they were in GREAT condition!

This is a shot taken while standing in the living room looking into the dining room and the sunroom beyond.

We plan to use the carpet from the dining room in a space that we will be converting into a second guest room/home office. Yea!

And just for fun, a few more pics . . .

the fireplace wall in the living room

and the dining room as the house was staged before we moved in

the living room

2011-11-01T01:54:00.000-05:00

First up, a photo of the living room as the house was staged before we moved in.

I wouldn't have minded a bit if they had decided to leave those blue chairs!

As you walk in, this {brown} wall is in front of you and you can see the dining room off to the left and the doorway into the kitchen on the right.

The living room that we just saw is directly to the left.

I would not have chosen brown paint for this accent wall and am planning to paint it a robin's egg blue. You would think that now that I have decided on the paint color that it would no longer be brown, but it is.

I need some motivation I think.

And here is looking into the living room from the dining room after we moved in.

My signature ikea Expedit bookshelf has found itself a home and as you can tell we began ripping up carpet . . .

stay tuned.

Kelly

happy halloween

2011-10-31T04:54:00.001-05:00

a couple more photos of the entryway

2011-10-29T01:17:00.003-05:00

I am really enjoying being able to decorate with flowers from our own yard!

The whole shebang! Entry way with a school-ish theme for fall.

let's look at the house

2011-10-28T01:12:00.001-05:00

The very best thing would be able to have you over in person but second to that let's have a little photo tour.

First up, the present entry way display.

the view from around here today

2011-10-26T16:01:00.004-05:00

Obviously I am not a true "Coloradan" yet as I still think snow before December 1st is a little crazy, but I am enjoying it.

Is anyone else out there having snow today?

I hope you are having a great day no matter what your weather.

Kelly

my handsome, growing up boy

2011-10-24T05:42:00.000-05:00

Colorado Springs Streets - A-Z {Cache La Poudre}

2011-10-20T17:37:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday, we set out as a family to tour Cache La Poudre.

It is a fun street to say.

It is downtownish and is fairly short.

I was super hungry so we went to try out this deli, Wooglin's, which is right off Cache La Poudre to give us energy for the journey.

It was in a neat building. I liked the grates over the skylights and the hanging plants.

I got an Italian sandwich on house made walnut wheat bread and Adrian got a green chile burger.

David mostly ate chips but don't worry he'd already had something to eat at home too.

We also got a slice of the raspberry cheesecake before leaving and the girl who took Adrian's order told him she was jealous of him getting to eat that cheesecake.

We took two cameras in.

We like to do stuff like that.

Adrian snapped a photo of me capturing this play of shadow and sunlight.

And I also got a fun pic of my cute guys.

Look at how beautiful the sky was that day!

People were out enjoying the fall weather on bikes, on foot, etc.

Great leaf shot taken by my husband.

As we walked in the direction of Cache La Poudre we saw the sign for this La'au's Taco Shop.

The sign looks fun to me and it is right by the Colorado College campus so I'll bet it's a cool place.

Look at this gorgeous view on the western end of Cache La Poudre.

There are great views of the mountains and fall color as you look down Cache La Poudre.

On the campus of the college there are these really neat statues made of saplings.

David had a great time going through the tunnels!

Cache La Poudre crosses another fun "C" street, Cascade.

{pretty fence}

{sunny courtyard}

{neat staircase}

love the orange and blue together

more shadows and sunlight

{crossing Weber}

see that bridge up there?

We've ridden over it on our bike!

this type of house ornamentation is fairly common here in the older homes

{close-up of the bridge}

house with a turret and I *love* the trim above the window!

nearing the end where it turns into Yampa on the eastern side

Aren't those flowers so fun?!

They make me happy.

What's your favorite "C" street in your neck of the woods?

Kelly

photos by Adrian and Kelly

afternoon painting with David

2011-10-15T17:55:00.001-05:00

I like pinterest a lot.

I want to be a doer and not just a pinner though.

Breanna over at No One Has More Fun did this fun painting activity with her little guy.

I decided to try it with David.

I did it on the shower door rather than on a sliding door because I just wanted to be absolutely sure no paint ended up on the carpet (our sliding doors are in a carpeted room).

I think he may be just a bit too young for it because it didn't hold his attention for very long at all.

We'll try it again one day but it was fun to do instead of just pin.

ten on Ten - October 2011

2011-10-10T15:56:00.007-05:00

sweet morning face and I love the hand me down tractor jammies

first day to wear boots!

legos at the library

leaving the library

we always have to stop and pat the big lights

a neat new bookstore

messy pasta lunch

nap time

flowers from my husband

fall candle burning

first of the season

caramel apple spice with whipped cream

Bonus:

While Mama was downstairs writing her ten on ten post little man took it upon himself to stay occupied.

He thinks pasta is a toy because I put it in a sensory tub for him.

hmmm . . .

at least we have a shark and he knows how to use it! {sort of}

What unexpected things have happened in your day today?

Kelly

you can see more ten on ten participants here

reminder

2011-10-09T09:19:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is Ten on Ten if you'd like to participate.

Kelly

last Saturday

2011-10-08T07:15:00.001-05:00

we went to see the aspens!

Kelly

Colorado Springs Streets - A-Z {Bijou}

2011-10-07T01:37:00.001-05:00

We finally finished the "A" street and now we're on to "B".

Bijou is French for "jewel".

This street is one of the major thoroughfares through downtown Colorado Springs.

For this tour we started on the eastern end of Bijou and made our way west towards the mountains. My brother-in-law was in town and was up for a day of touring around the city with David and I and it was great having someone else drive so I was free to take photos.

One of the first points of interest was Target. Gotta love 'em.

We crossed Academy.

Dunkin' Donuts!

I still prefer a good Shipley's donuts as glazed yeast donuts are my fave but cake donuts are growing on me slightly as long as they're not dry.

Who do you think has the best glazed yeast donut in town?

The name of this Mexican Food joint cracks us up and we may just have to try it sometime. Would a place that's been around since 1966 not be any good?

And as you can see on this sign, there is evidence of the "jewel" meaning of Bijou.

It doesn't bear much resemblance to the Cafe Brazils in Dallas.

I really enjoy looking at the houses in this area of town. So cute and unique, each one different and with it's own distinct characteristics and colors.

Look at the crescent moon cut-outs in the shutters of this one.

neat details with the arch around the entry and scallops on the side of the house

I love the picket fence, awnings, trim work . . .

and red door!

There are beautiful nice big grassy areas.

Great turquoise house!

This park looks nice.

Fun McDonald's

First Presbyterian is a very large and active church in town and signals that we are starting to get into the heart of downtown.

This is Acacia Park. It is a very active park right in the middle of downtown.

One day David and I were driving by it to meet my sister-in-law, nephews and friends for lunch and there was a real live elephant in Acacia Park!

You never know what you might see here!

the playground

The Uncle Wilbur Fountain

Every hour on the hour (in season) "Uncle Wilbur" rises out of the fountain and music plays.

Kids LOVE this fountain!

The Thunder Dogs smelled wonderful but I haven't had one yet.

We did have gourmet dogs from a vendor at the Farmers Market that sets up in Acacia Park on Mondays (I think) and it was DELICIOUS! There were a zillion toppings you could put on.

This is looking down Tejon St. from Bijou. I would like to try La Creperie sometime. My mom and I went to another, less formal, crepe place on the same street and it was amazing!! Terra Verde is a fun store, Anthropologie-esque but as far as I know, independent.

This shot is taken looking the other way down Tejon. I like the big sewing mural on the building.

The Mini Mart reminds me of Europe and I may have to try the Gyros sometime. In and Out Burgers it's not but apparently In and Out Gyros it is!

parking downtown is all by meters and boy is it taking a lot of concentration to get in the habit of having change and remembering to put it in all while getting David out of the car, etc.

neat doors

This is another odd name for a restaurant to me but who knows, it might be good.

I wonder how the Pita Pit differs from In and Out Gyros . . .

David loved getting hold of the balloon outside of Opb&j.

It is a gourmet peanut butter and jelly sandwich place.

I'll have to dig up our photos from going there and do a post for it too.

history

caffeine

Unfortunately this place is closed with brown paper lining the huge storefront windows.

I wonder when it closed.

It just looks absolutely darling and I am sad I missed it.

another shot of the mural

once we'd explored the downtown portion of Bijou on foot (and stroller) we got back in the car to drive west and see where Bijou ended up

We saw this quaint church

and the promise of this restaurant that looks like it could be fun

and kept driving and driving along through a nice little residential portion . . .

until Bijou became a little dirt alley . . .

so we kept going.

and going and going

until Bijou turned into Echo Lane.

I think that is an adorable name for a street.

Isn't there an Anne of Green Gables reference there?

It sounds familiar but I can't quite remember off the top of my head.

Anyway, it was a nice adventure for a summer day and somehow there is a great sense of satisfaction in knowing you've explored something from end to end and know it's secrets.

Happy exploring in your neck of the woods today!

Kelly

three years!

2011-10-04T10:27:00.003-05:00

photo by Rachel Debell Photography

three

2011-10-03T05:43:00.002-05:00

Happy October 3rd and happy eve of our 3rd anniversary to us.

{photo taken of a university elevator floor number on a recent visit}

I looked back and realized that I never posted about our "rehearsal dinner" for our wedding so I thought I'd do that now. (I'm also retro-publishing part of this post back in it's chronological order as well.)

The venue where we got married had a lot of different events all the time so you didn't get to book it for an entire weekend or anything. Basically we got it for the day of our wedding and that's it. I think there was a high school homecoming dance there the night before our wedding.

We didn't have attendants and since our family members who took part in our wedding doing music, readings, etc. are all polished speakers, performers, etc. and our preacher is very accomplished at doing weddings and we certainly weren't his first, we decided that a formal "rehearsal" in the space was not important to us.

(Sidenote: our wedding ended up starting about an hour late because the deejay we hired did not have all the equipment he needed unfortunately. I guess if we'd done a rehearsal with him then the delay wouldn't have happened but it just wasn't practical given all of the logistics in play and it was fine in the end.)

So back to the night before the wedding . . .

We decided that we what was really important to us was actually getting to spend time with all of the wonderful friends and family who were coming to our wedding, particularly the many, many people who came from out of town and who we don't get to see just every day.

My old youth minister, Greg, once said that there are two times in your life when everyone you know and love is going to gather in one place. One of those is your wedding and the other is your funeral. Obviously, you only get to enjoy those people at one of those events. His point was to soak up that time with the people you love and who love you at your wedding rather than getting overly focused on details and things.

So . . .

we went a different route than the norm and had a big social at a park and invited everyone who was invited to the wedding to come the night before and hang out.

We made it simple by getting sandwiches, chips, soft drinks, etc., nothing fancy, and everything was just serve yourself.

That meant we got to enjoy

family

old and new friends

big hugs from people we hadn't seen in a while

beginning to be hospitable together as a couple

sweet conversations

watching our friends and family from both sides join together and pitch in to set out food, etc.

This was actually one of my favorite parts just watching all of the people that we love individually meeting each other, smiling, laughing, talking, working, eating and playing alongside each other. It was neat.

We talked and caught up on each other's lives.

People came from Alaska, California, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, other parts of Texas and even overseas. I may even be missing a place or two.

It was so very special to us!

We had simple decorations.

Many handmade by friends.

There was laughter,

football

hugs

and smiles!

I think it was absolutely perfect for us and I'm so glad we did it.

What a wonderful night that in some ways seems like so many more than three years ago.

Kelly

maybe I was wrong

2011-10-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

After looking at the letters a little more I'm thinking that this perhaps is the "i".

Let's just say it is, okay?

Happy Saturday!

Kelly