25 random things

ONE. I make lists every. single. day.

TWO. I have to have a couch pillow behind me when I sit on our couch so I don't get sucked in.

THREE. I love seeing my husband walk through the door every night - it's the favorite part of my day.

FOUR. Other than my wedding rings I wear Lisa Leonard necklaces more than any other type of jewelry.

FIVE. Sometimes I get so happy about something that I cry.

SIX. I like seeing my husband's work clothes in the laundry. It's just one of many reminders of our life together.

SEVEN. I am really OCD about bathroom products and rarely run out of toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, soap, etc.

EIGHT. I don't wash any cups or glasses in the dishwasher because I don't think they will get clean enough.

NINE. I have at least one protein smoothie every day.

TEN. I drink my coffee with two parts coffee to one part cream...and I almost always leave the last third in the cup.

ELEVEN. I go to Pottery Barn every couple of weeks just to pick up new catalogs.

TWELVE. I organize my clothes by the colors in the rainbow - both in my closet and in my dresser drawers.

THIRTEEN. I never go anywhere in pajamas or sweats or without my makeup on.

FOURTEEN. I have seen and own all of the I Love Lucy episodes. It is still my favorite TV show and has been for the past 16 years.

FIFTEEN. The number 25 has been my favorite number since I was 17.

SIXTEEN. I read several inspirational blogs every day.

SEVENTEEN. I do not have a shoe fetish. I wear the same pair of Doc Martens nearly every day.

EIGHTEEN. I wish Becky Higgins was my BFF. I have adored everything she has ever created or written for the past 12 years.

NINETEEN. I am both intimidated and in love with the idea of scrapbooking so I only make mini scrapbooks.

TWENTY. I do not know how to decorate at all so I copy what I see in magazines (this explains the Pottery Barn trips).

TWENTY ONE. I hate milk and I hate cereal because it has milk in it. I have not had a glass of milk in 20 years.

TWENTY TWO. Before the Morning by Josh Wilson has been my favorite song for the past several months, but I like my brother Rick's rendition better than the original. Sorry, Josh.

TWENTY THREE. I only use black pens to write with even though blue is my favorite color.

TWENTY FOUR. I always have my toenails painted.

TWENTY FIVE. Tomorrow is my 26th birthday. Happy Birthday to me! :)

before the morning

There are times in my life when a certain song really speaks to me, and it becomes my song. This has been my song for the past month. Good, good song. True, true words.

Before The Morning by Josh Wilson

Do you wonder why you have to feel the things that hurt you?
If there's a God who loves you, where is He now?
Or maybe there are things you can't see
And all those things are happening to bring a better ending
Someday. Somehow. You'll see, you'll see.

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing?
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
Can't compare to the joy that's coming.

So hold on. You gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
Is just the dark before the morning.

My friend, you know how this all ends
And you know where you're going.
You just don't know how you'll get there so say a prayer

And hold on 'cause there's good for those who love God
But life is not a snapshot; it might take a little time
But you'll see the bigger picture.

So hold on. You've gotta wait for the light.
Press on and just fight the good fight.
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
Is just the dark before the morning.

Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory
Once you feel the weight of glory
All your pain will fade to memory

Would you dare, would you dare to believe
That you still have a reason to sing?
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
Can't compare to the joy that's coming.

So hold on. You gotta wait for the light
Press on and just fight the good fight
'Cause the pain that you've been feeling
Is just the dark before the morning.

decking the halls

I have been so inspired by various crafty blogs that I ended up decorating a lot more this year than I ever have before. These are few of the cheerful Christmas spaces in my home. These little nooks make me happy.

Front entry table.


Close-up of front entry table.


Close-up of my button tree. This was something I saw online last year, and I loved it so much I went out and bought hundreds of buttons and hundreds of pearlized pins. It took me hours and hours, but I think it was worth it.

Since we don't have a tree this year, I gathered up all the glass Christmas ball ornaments and put them in this bowl. Yummy, happy colors.


Our Christmas wreath. I am so happy to have this - it smells just like a Christmas tree.


My little Christmas elf has tucked himself away with all my mini books.


The computer desk. I found this letter "C" recently, and I love that it can stand for our last name or Christmas.


My dining table.


The wreath that was completely inspired by the lovely Rachel Denbow. I adored the colors she used in hers and used the same ones for mine. This little wreath hangs on the wall right over my Christmas presents.


My presents this year were completely inspired by Danielle Thompson - her photos are so wonderful and all of her Christmas decorations are so inspiring. I love that pom-poms are in right now. It was so much fun to include them on these gifts along with twisted yarn for candy-cane string. The little bird is a Wee Wonderful pattern by Hilary Lang.

Christmas memories

I love Christmas. I love remembering past Christmases. It truly is my most favorite time of the year. Always has been and I think it always will be.

Take for example last year's Christmas.

There is something special about going to the Christmas tree farm in search of the perfect tree.



There is something special about watching my husband put the ornaments on the highest branches because I chose a tree much too tall for me to reach the top standing on my tiptoes.


There is something special about giving my husband the exact same ornament he gave me. Coincidence? I think not.


There is something special about the glow from all the twinkle lights.


I think perhaps these are the reasons why Christmas is so magical for me.

This year is a different kind of year - a Christmas tree-less year. I am okay with that; I think the thought of having to unstring 2200 lights from the tree is enough to keep me from feeling too disappointed. This year is a good kind of different. I will be decorating in other ways with different decorations, and I am so happy about that. I love you, wonderful Christmas season.

photoshop brushes

Have you heard about photoshop brushes? They're amazing. I had never used them until today. My brother Rick (part of him shown in the photos below) asked if I could put water stains on some of the photos I took of him. I said that I'd try. One google search later I had downloaded a few water and coffee stain brushes.

The original photo:


The spiffied up photo:


The brushes were easy to load and simple to use - I so love it when that happens! I have learned my something new for the day.

thankful

I am thankful. So very thankful.

For my sweet husband Matt.


For every day sights such as this.


For my home.


For creative hobbies.


For candy cane pajama pants.


For a good shoe shine.


For sunshine.


For yummy food.


For photography.


For dreaming together of the southwest.


For Christmas music.


For the loveliness of the season to come.

eye candy

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Oh my goodness - all of this loveliness just makes my heart smile. I find so much wonderful inspiration online for all kinds of creative projects, and these are the lovely things that are inspiring me lately. Hello, vintage eye candy. I love you so.

1. Untitled, 2. the glitterfest has begun, 3. button wreath!, 4. Handmade Holiday Wreath, 5. Last Year's Wreath, 6. From Us to You, 7. CafeMom Holiday Home Tour, 8. Studio Space, 9. Paper and Tinsel, 10. Ta Da!, 11. Habitat, 12. Untitled, 13. Untitled, 14. Untitled, 15. Untitled, 16. Untitled, 17. Untitled, 18. Untitled, 19. Christmas Gifts 2006, 20. Untitled, 21. 97/366, 22. 113/366, 23. DIY tutorial on my blog., 24. pom pom flower bouquet, 25. martha tissue paper flowers