Newbie, learning quickly

Okay, so I am new at this whole blog thing still but I am finding some extremely valuable resources here! My new favorite blog is Young House Love (www.younghouselove.com). Beyond the instant gratification with DIY tips and projects, they have the best taste (in my opinion!) Now the negative, I am dying to transform my home using the new found treasure as inspiration.

My plan of attack is to start with our guest room. It's basically neutral on steroids:

So, white walls, white sheer curtains, and limited wall decor. The bed right below this window currently has a yellow quilt on it (the only substantial color in the whole room.)

These sheers are a new addition too, they were an "oops" from my mother, so they ended up at my house because I desperately needed something on the windows so my guests could have some privacy when they spent the night.

Next comes the opposite side of the room... which isn't much better! I assure you the wall are still white, trying to capture the awfulness with a phone camera isn't the best method.

Now this dresser has been sanded and painted white. It's actually really a nice addition to the room. I just need to pull more color, possibly from the picture - some earthy blues and some bright copper accents.

So, for the next few weeks (coinciding with Christmas = chaos) this will be my job to update and transform. Keeping my imagination open, and my influences and inspiration close, next post will be progress and completion pictures! Wish me luck.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas

The Christmas tree has arrived! And boy, is it massive.

Sunday was the day, we bundled up (for 55 degree weather mind you, overkill for sure) to trek through the farm and find our "perfect tree." Unfortunately, this idea of going off on  your own to find a tree was not as easy as it sounds. We walked for what seemed like hours through too small, too large, too wide, too skinny, too bare, too bushy trees. Finally we found what we thought was "perfect." Were we wrong! Our ceiling height is a normal 9 feet, our new tree was over 13 feet! So caught up in the beauty, we brought it home unwise to what was to come.

After trimming the top off, and some of the bottom, it fit in the house. Then it was time to trim the sides so it didn't seem so daunting in our tiny home. Below is the results:

With only weeks to go, I've put it into full gear when it comes to presents. Still completely unsure of some, I think the people I have done will be pretty pleased. For my brother and sister-in-law who live in Tennessee I put together a really cute "baking bowl." Started out with a big mixing bowl, in holiday decor of course:

Then I found some really cute oven mitts, complete with cookie mix inside. With two of those, a new spatula, some cookie cutters, measuring spoons, hot chocolate mix (in holiday gear as well, of course), and some Keurig coffee pods - this makes a very nice family-friendly gift to ship! I may throw in a few homemade cookies as well, if I ever get started:

Now on to my brother in Florida, (keep in mind I am stock piling any boxes that come in at work so I can send all of these things to various states) I was considering baking and sending him a care package of goodies he can enjoy before and after the holiday. He'll be here for Christmas, but it's always easier to send before the holiday and let him enjoy his gifts in his own home. That will be my next project... is it bad when Christmas presents become projects?

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, I can give all my attention to my most favorite part of the year. Christmas in our house is quite an extravaganza - starting with the seven hours it took for Matt and Owen to put up the Christmas lights on the house on Sunday. Luckily we cleaned the front yard and bagged what looked like a carpet of leaves...

I spend Saturday putting all of the small touches together inside the house. We have yet to get a tree though, that will come this Sunday. Then after a fun night out on Saturday, our decorating party started a little later than expected. But, all in all, the day was successful as you can see!

 Because we don't have a mantle or fireplace to put the stockings, I use easy to remove hooks, and then hide them with a bow or some other accent!

 Starting outdoors seems a little odd with our pumpkins still holding strong! The mums are a different story. What to do with two huge pumpkins now that December is just around the corner?

And the (almost) finished product in the dark for all to see! Apparently there are still some additional things needed, but I think it looks great! The actual tree will come next week, and again I will be sure to share pictures.

Another day.

Another week has passed, this week was especially fun because it was Matt's birthday. A laughter filled dinner on Friday, followed by a quiet dinner together on Saturday is the perfect way to enjoy his big day. Monday was dinner and birthday cake with both of our parents. I worked from home for the day, because I was feeling a little under the weather. Being home, I was able to bake him a cake without rushing. Unfortunately I was rushed, and the first came out terrible - broken in every possible way. It was then on to cake two - which again wasn't perfect, but it worked. It was a really nice night, with no stress and again laughs and jokes.

It's almost Thanksgiving, and the holidays are definitely present. Everyone is giving thanks and getting excited for spending time with family, good food, and creating memories. I have to admit, I am ready for some time off from work, sleeping late, and enjoying a family dinner.

After the past few months, I still am not up for the full on family experience. However, I think I am getting there slowly. Matt and I started with our Christmas decorations - because we can never wait for anything. We're like two kids... on Christmas! Regardless, even with the small amount of decorating we have done (mostly him) it looks really good!

 Our Christmas tree will go to the left of the tv stand above. A little different than last year, it should give us a lot of room and still have the tree be visible from the street!

We actually bough this white ladder (I have been looking for a similar item for a long time) primarily for Christmas villages. I look forward to having a new place to decorate once the holiday is over as well. 

I will post more pictures soon, once everything is up and finished. Now it's time to enjoy some of the left over birthday cake - I can hear the crinkling of the saran wrap. Matt must be enjoying the cake too! :)

Productivity at its finest...

Here we are, a week from Thanksgiving, a few days away from Matt's 26th birthday, and a little over a month away from Christmas. Today was a good day, long day at work ended with making chicken cutlets and then homemade apple bread. Had to mess with the recipe on the apple bread because I didn't have some of the ingredients... it came out better than expected! (I used an adapted version of the SkinnyTaste.com Apple Nut Bread)

Apple Cranberry Bread

1 cup of Craisins
1/2 tsp lemon juice 
1 tbsp honey 
1/8 tsp + 1/2 tsp cinnamon 
1 1/2 cups homemade applesauce (or store bought) 
1 1/2 cups flour 
3/4 cup brown sugar, not packed 
1 tsp baking soda 
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 
1/4 tsp salt 
2 tbsp vegetable oil 
2 large egg whites 
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
baking spray

• In a medium bowl combine Craisins, 1/8 tsp cinnamon, honey, and lemon juice. Set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan with baking spray.
• In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt with a wire whisk. Set aside.
• In a large bowl mix oil, egg whites, sugar, apple sauce and vanilla; beat at medium speed until thick. Scrape down sides of the bowl.
• Add the flour mixture, then blend at low speed until combined. Do not over mix. Fold in Craisins.
• Pour batter into loaf pan and bake in the center rack about 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Let the pan cool at least 20 minutes, bread should be room temperature before slicing.

I'm looking forward to enjoying this bread tomorrow morning before work!

Tomorrow will be my Friday, since I took of on actual Friday for a birthday celebration with my dear husband. Also, getting a jump start on Christmas decorations. Hope to include some pictures in my next post - we are going for a new look this year with new furniture and elements. Stay tuned!

Longest night of my life.

Knowing this blog is not frequented often, I feel its ok to share some intimate details... Hopefully they will help someone through what I have experienced.

About a month ago, Matt and I got some very exciting news - we were expecting our first baby. Only a few weeks along we were cautious but extremely excited. The first doctors appointment went well, so we felt it was time to tell our parents. They were beyond thrilled, and it just so happened that my brother was up from Florida so he enjoyed the news face to face as well.

Needless to say, everything was better, the sun was brighter, our spare room (which right now is an office) always seemed to look like a baby room when I walked passed.

We talked about names, a new car, and how we would handle all the significant changes. However, little did we know, this wasn't meant to be.

A few weeks after the first doctors appointment, we went back for a sonogram. It seemed as if we were not as far along as we were told originally (they take the first day of your last period.) Scared and skeptic we left the doctor, and I knew something wasn't right. Not only was I not comfortable with the doctor or the sono tech, I could feel in my heart that there was a problem.

For the days following, I tried to stay positive. We went back less than a week later to see if there were any changes. I looked at the screen, and nothing. It petrified me. From so much excitement to such sadness. The doctor quickly pushed me to schedule a procedure to remove whatever was there. I was hesitant but emotional, so I agreed. We drove home and I was torn and confused, not sure what was going on and what would happen.

Matt asked me to trust him, as he sat on the phone for hours trying to get a second opinion and another doctors appointment in a different practice. I did, I trusted him completely, but I had already started mourning. Every favor pulled through, and another appointment came the next day. This doctor more hopeful and more comforting.

Unfortunately without going into detail, the results did not change. I had a blighted ovum, which is a very technical term to me. All I heard was that we had lost our source of joy, and had to accept it and move on. Or so we thought...

Then came last night. From what I thought would be a normal period became the most painful experience of my life.

Morning came, and exhaustion and fatigue has set in. But, I am working toward accepting what my body has done. What is meant to be will be, and I know and believe this. However, the pain and sadness doesn't change. Hopefully with time we will over come this, and I know when the time is right we will have our baby.

I don't post this for sympathy or the never ending "I'm sorry's." I use this as a venting post to get my thoughts out and hope it will help me accept and feel more comfortable about this uncontrolled situation.

I heard a song on the radio yesterday that put my head into perspective...

"I know my heart will never be the same
But I'm telling myself I'll be okay
Even on my weakest days, I get a little bit stronger
Doesn't happen overnight but you turn around
And a month's gone by and you realize you haven't cried"

Christmas is around the corner...

Okay, so I'm not the person who goes crazy over Christmas and starts decorating before Thanksgiving. However, I am absolutely married to that person, which means we dwell in the same home. Not only has my husband scouted out the Christmas decorations in the attic, he has also order MORE! I have to admit, I also piggybacked his order... With an entire set of Christmas dinnerware. I have an excuse however, we have offered to host Christmas dinner. How can that be done without Christmas china? :)

Beyond my holiday-too-soon rant, today is a good day. Exciting things to come, challenges to overcome, and adventures to enjoy together.

Good things come to those who wait.