It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS!

I've been on the hunt for vintage glass ornaments. I hit the jackpot this year. I am smitten with the pink!

One year we did a homemade Christmas. Everything had to be made with love. My sister-in-law made us these Christmas pillows. It is one of my favorite things to put out every year.

Don't judge me but I totally choose drinks by the label. They make the cutest candle holders! (this came from Abby)

I stole this idea from my dear friend. These are my kids baby shoes. I don't have too many (baby shoes - plenty of kids) so I used a tiny tree!

My stairway is FULL of stockings. My favorite Christmas tradition is stocking stuffers. So much fun!

sneak peak

That kitchen floor was a HUGE job.

If I had my old worn STAINED pine floors right now it may have been worth all the time and trouble.

 I'm still not sold on the white painted floors but they will do for the time being.

Who am I to say - maybe I'll grow to love them in time.

There are still some small things to finish and excuse the dishes in the sink. Also - the blue island and the green wall color looks funny in this picture. I will get some good daytime pictures soon. As soon as I over my little home improvement meltdown.

tired

we are in the middle of a big house project that did not turned out as planned.

it has worn me out.

i am trying to adjust to a new plan.

plan b.

i really wanted plan a.

ugh! it just makes me weary.  trying to be ok with the curve ball.

i hope to have pictures of the finished project soon.

and i hope to happy about it when it finally happens.

one quarter

Parenting is NOT a job for the weak.

I have been a mother for one fourth of a century. When Abby used those exact words yesterday it made it seem like a very long time. Who am I kidding? It is a long time!

Twenty five years ago this very day God blessed me with a beautiful baby girl. To say she was beautiful is an understatement. We all think our babies are the prettiest - but she really was.

When I first held her and looked at her perfectly round teeny tiny head I could see something that only God had the power to create and gift at his discretion. I was bound and determined to not fail that 18" 6# 2oz little one who had just came straight from Gods tender loving care.

I knew deep down in my heart that He had given us something very special and He had great plans in store for her and it was my responsibility as her mother to make sure those gifts came to life and she was equipped to go forth and live a life of purpose. That there is HUGE. Bigger than ME. And I take my jobs very seriously.

Those dreams are so easy in the hospital room with a brand new little one in your arms. Everything is so new...nursing, cloth diapers, sleepless nights, where will she go to college?.

However - years pass and things get cloudy and you forget. You get beyond tired. Beyond flat broke. Way out of reach from the end of your rope.

And maybe - if you are like me - you plan your quick escape in the middle of the night. Days aren't easy. Some years are down right brutal. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It's crazy. It's also true.

I'm so thankful that I stayed. Not that I would have ever run too far away but I would be lying if I didn't say it did not cross my mind a time or two.

This was my mantra for a long time: 

"If I can only make it to lunch. If I can only make it to dinner. If I can only make it til tomorrow...."
"If I can only make it to lunch. If I can only make it to dinner. If I can only make it til tomorrow..."

ummm....there is no such thing as tomorrow. When I was almost there it always turned into today.

It reminds me of colic. The doctor would tell me that one day Abby would just stop screaming. I really was skeptical of that. REALLY? He was witnessing her crying while he was dispersing advice. Would it be next Monday? Christmas? The 4th of July? Her FIRST BIRTHDAY???  People who knew us back then still say the they have never seen a MORE FUSSY BABY!

She DID stop screaming and I know longer want to run away. OK - sometimes I still do but for other reasons.

Today my little birthday girl celebrates her 25th birthday.  I am so happy that I did not throw in the towel. So glad that she did not give up on me either. She stuck it out just like I did.

She is the pioneer of our family. She was our social experiment. I was a tough mom. I ran a tight ship. That said - I'm even a tougher fighter FOR her. I'm her biggest fan. I'm her loudest cheerleader.

My dream for her now has changed. I hope that her two beautiful daughters grow up to be just like her.

Happy Birthday, Abby Jo!

Mr. Sandman

Randy has been sanding. and sanding and sanding. I started calling him Mr. Sandman.

One thing for sure is he is working some kind of magic with that 100 year old wood. 

Here are a few updated photos from the weekend.

Sunday

TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS....

I'm not sure this will be ok

I have to say that I have been around the block a few time with MAJOR home improvement projects. I am always the one who reassures Randy that I won't loose my mind half way through. My heart is full of good intentions when I repeat the promise at the beginning of every. blasted. project.

"I PROMISE! I won't complain."

I lie.

Anyways, here we are. knee deep (not really kidding, either) in a major kitchen floor project. Randy has ripped out laminate (that I had to have seven short years ago) and we are thrilled to find yellow pine!!

Hoping this turns out beautiful.....sooner than later.

Where the cabinets end was the original back porch. A huge gap in the floor where the exterior wall was. Not a big deal. YIKES!

This is where the sink was when the house was built.

pretty much sums it up

It's been crazy at my house. More to follow. Until then - isn't this the truth?

From: Out Came The Sun.

October - how I love thee

I have always loved October.

I met Randy 31 years ago on October 24. I am forever grateful that he picked me off of Main Street.

Our first baby had a due date in October (which turned into November).

I love the cool weather coming off of hot summers.

My favorite colors are orange and red and the trees on my street just happen to be brilliant orange and fire red right now! I think we live on the prettiest street in town in October (actually every month). Now is a great time to go for a drive through older neighborhoods with old trees. They are so beautiful.

I also love scarecrows and pumpkins.

Here is the outside of my house - all decked out for fall.

 I got this scarecrow many moons ago.  This year I finally had to put him in new clothes. I won't lie - sometimes he scares ME. I think there is a man in our backyard.

 This plant is left over from summer. I'm not sure what it is but it is prettiest now in the cool weather.

 I am crazy over pink. For the record - Randy resisted painting this for a very long time.

My handy dandy handyman lined our sidewalk with bricks. Who knew it would make such an impact?

I found these old urns at garage sales. I love that the paint is chipping off.

Happy Camper.

We bought an old camper this winter.  Randy had it all painted and ready to go by our first outing in May. We are blessed to have a great group of friends and family that we spend our summers with. Friendships are stronger and the memories will last forever (only because I journal).  I am sad to say our camping for this has come to a close but I would not trade these weekends for anything.  It is especially fun in my cute little camper!

Before pictures are on top and after are on the bottom.

Sunday!

my favorite room - part two

Thanks for coming back! Here is the rest of my favorite room!

I'm a reader and I think that is why I love this corner of our room. This chair looks out a South floor to ceiling window. The chair is so cute! It is rose colored with a fringe skirt. It has definitely been loved in a past life so I disguise all that love by "layering" blankets and pillows on top (OK. My blankets and pillows sometimes show lots of love, too)  Remember I said I imagine master bedrooms with white furry rugs? Mine just happens to be on the ottoman.

I have a thing for old mirrors. I may be in rehab for it soon. It doesn't matter what size, color or what they are made out of. I can just hear Randy saying "ANOTHER MIRROR?" Here is the deal. They are plentiful and they are cheap. This one is plastic. One would never know! Much easier to hang on plaster, too. You can spray paint it any color under the sun and so it is a fun way to add something whimsical into your home.  It is impossible to wake up in a grumpy mood with that Sunshine yellow mirror to greet you.

Be Brave! Be Bold!

My name is Stephanie and I have a problem with rings.  I was in trouble when I found that at Forever 21 you can score super cute rings for $2.49.  Abby surprised me with this ceramic egg tray (Anthropologie) and it's perfect for my ever growing collection. Vintage tea cups are great, too.  I have also found that by setting this all on a tray my dresser looks much neater.  There you have it - our master bedroom! One more thing - the master bath is down the hall. It's the community bath. Families have been known to be closer with a shared bath. More time to bond and share in small talk - all while brushing teeth, straightening hair and putting on makeup. Just ask my kids. I would not recommend this without a huge vanity and double sinks, however.

my favorite room - part one

When I hear master bedroom I think of a huge bedroom with a fireplace, fur rug on the floor and a huge walk in closet. It would absolutely have an attached private bathroom. 

I have to laugh. In 27 years of marriage I have never had a "master bedroom" as I imagine it.  The newest house we have ever lived in was built in 1935 and that is not how houses were built in the stone ages. We are lucky to have indoor plumbing!

Thank goodness I find old house bedrooms to be very quaint. Our bedroom has character and lots of charm but it does present several challenges. Thankfully - we DO have his and her closets. Those closet are like a needle in a haystack in an old house that has not had a major renovation.

I was not necessarily looking for a gray and yellow quilt but this was a bargain at Target one day. Do you know me? I can hardly ever walk away from a great deal. Especially one that is so CUTE!  I already had those yellow striped shams from a tag sale from last summer. (I think those were a whopping 25 cents) White coverlet at the end of the bed tag sale this summer. It was originally at home in our camper but I moved into my house after our last camping trip.  White sweater euro shams super clearance at Kohls.  That adorable Love You More sign is from Wal-Mart. I had to have that because that is what we always say to each other.  Besides those wall lamps - it is the only thing purchased full price. That sign was $11.97. I do believe in a splurge now and again.

This rock is my pride and joy! I found it at the lake on our couples camping weekend. How perfect is that! You just never know when you will find that perfect home accessory. In this case - at the bottom of the lake. I had it outside and then thought what a better place than on my armoire!

Here is my advice - buy what you love. Somehow - it will all work together.

...master bedroom to be continued

Cheesy Potato Soup

I was so cold all day long. It was all cloudy outside and I thought it was perfect soup weather.  For days Abe has been begging me to make potato soup. And since I aim to please my children - that's exactly what I decided to do.

I have several potato soups I make depending on what I have on hand, what sounds good, blah blah blah. Everybody has dozens of recipes, I'm sure.

A couple of notes about this soup. It is the BEST potato soup. I love it. We all do. Even picky eaters Abby and Stella. Next thing - it's not very healthy. Why Oh Why are the most delicious foods unhealthy? The way I look at it is we don't eat out hardly ever. We eat fairly healthy so if I want to make us comfort food - I'm not going to feel guilty. I am a justifier of all things. If you can justify things like me and want the best potato soup EVER- this is just what you've been looking for. Enjoy!

CHEESY POTATO SOUP

8 slices bacon
32 oz package tater tots
2 cans chicken broth
1 stick butter (I don't use margarine)
12 slices American Cheese
1 cup green onions with tops - sliced
1 tsp minced garlic
2 cups sour cream
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

In a large pot, combine tater tots and broth over medium heat until thawed and crumbled. Add remaining ingredients (except bacon). Stir well. Cover and cook on LOW until soup is hot. DO NOT BOIL! I cooked mine for 2 hours this afternoon. It heats up in about 30 minutes for a quick meal.

Brown bacon and use as garnish when serving.  DELISH! Abe said this is his favorite meal ever. I laugh because he won't go near sour cream and he has no idea that is what makes this so yummy.

I was feeling brave and have some new gluten free flour mix and thought I would make my homemade biscuits. These were a staple in our house in the gluten eating days. It has been four years since I made these. I must say - I was impressed. Not near as tasty as with wheat flour but they were really good. This is the recipe I learned my freshman year in home ec class.

BISCUITS

2 cups flour (I used William Sonoma C4C)
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons shortening

sift flour, baking powder and salt. add shortening and cut it. gradually add milk. knead 8-10 times. roll out and cut with glass or cookie cutter.

bake 450 for 12-15  minutes.

champaign taste on a beer buget

I love Anthropologie. It is a good thing there is not one down the street from me because I would have to go in daily. Abby is so kind to taxi me to several different ones on my trips to Chicago.

As much as I enjoy going there I don't actually purchase much. (I have splurged on their Volcano candle. It is my all time favorite scent.) I like that their things are retro and vintage looking.

I always wonder why I would pay dollars for something that I can find for pennies. I also love the thrill of the hunt. As much as instant gratification sometimes works well in some instances -  I'm still the girl who loves Christmas Eve so much more than Christmas day. Anticipation is a gift.

I'm going to tell you my secret on how to make your house look and feel like the Anthropologie store without spending much money.

If I was in the store today I would for sure want this:
( I have a thing for cute small bowls)

It's not very expensive. $12.00, In my world, twelve bucks here - twelve bucks there, adds up very fast.

I found this and I feel it is just as cute if not cuter:

I scored this at the thrift store for 50 cents. LOVE it!!

Sunday!

The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.

— C. S. Lewis

Boo!

One of the things I love to do is decorate for the seasons. Fall is especially fun because there is so much to choose from. I especially love Wood Wick Pumpkin Gingerbread Candle. I have lots of pottery pumpkins, iron pumpkings and fun colored real pumpkins. These might be called funkins now. Isn't that funny? Blue, white and green and yellow.

There is something cozy about going into a home that is festive and smells like fall.

Buy a pumpkin or two. Light a candle. Settle down with some hot cider.

Happy fall!

I'm home!

Annie sent me a text and was very excited.  She is at a graphic design conference and heard a speaker give this advice.

"What you are doing to procrastinate from what you really should be doing is what you should be doing for a living."


It's perfect advice for her just starting out her grown-up life. I mean - she's got the entire world at her feet to be whatever she wants to be.

I want to apply that wisdom to my life in some way. I think it's terrific even if I can't turn back the hands of time and be 21 again.

I love reading blogs and the blogs I visit over and over are decorating and cooking/baking blogs. So I am going to give it a go.

Thanks for stopping by.

I'll can't wait to see you tomorrow!

big leap!

so...I'm thinking for blogging. For real. With pictures. Recipes. Decorating.

Which is what I love to look at so it seems only natural.

What do you think?

another (school) year

We moved Annie back to Manhattan on Saturday. It's exciting to see her start her senior year!

We seem to be in the swing of 6th grade. So much different than elementary school. I forget.

And so it goes. Me with a middle schooler. Oh happy day!!

Eleven

Pretty sure that this picture sums up my little guy.

He is eleven today.

He has filled our home and our hearts with joy, love and lots of energy. lots and lots of energy.

He likes all things baseball. Video games. Bikes. Camping. Climbing. His friends. Birds. Swimming. Computers. Ipods. Ipads. APPLE!!

He has a huge heart. He is sweet. He is kind.

He is a fantastic uncle. He adores his sisters.

I love that he is a perfect combo of his sisters.

Our family is blessed because of you and your sweet spirit.

I am proud to call you my son. I have enjoyed every single minute of the past 11 years.

Happy Birthday, Abraham!

You DA Best!

YES!! I have something to say today!

yesterday was my birthday.

at my age - it's really just another day. But still....

it was my birthday.

i love my birthday cards.

i have them all hanging on a ladder in my front room.

they make me smile.

randy was off yesterday. he had a list of things he was trying to do.

stuff like mow. haul dirt around our yard. paint steps. those kind of things.

i walked in the door after work and had surprise.

he had baked me a gluten free birthday cake. and had a candle lit.

for my birthday.

it really made my day.

i wish i had a picture of it.

i wish i had a picture of him and me and the cake and the silver candlestick.

it was beautiful.

it was sweet. and thoughtful.

it was a really good birthday.

SPRING makes my thoughts very random!!

it is time to wash up all of my summer outdoor furniture!!

randy is painting some old vintage chairs PINK!!

it is time to figure out flowers and planters and dirt!

i love dirt.

i love dirt and pink flowers.

i am so happy my girls are spending spring break together. even if it's in chicago.

i am so happy to have a little guy still at home who loves icecream and the coffee shop.

i love having friends who like to go and spend time in the coffee shop with ME!

i am ready to be reading my books out of doors and walking in the daylight hours.

i love having my windows open.

and my ceiling fans on.

and bbq dinner out every night.

i do not want a late march snow storm.

or april for that matter.

i need a tan in the worst way.

sunshine - please stay.

forever can never be long enough for me

27 years ago today randy and i opened up our first joint checking account

27 years ago tomorrow we were married. 3.3.84

we were so smart for our age

we were really stupid

i was 18

he was 20

his mom had just passed away after a 2 year battle with colon cancer

he was sad. very sad.

we were young. too young.

right now i can name more than several couples in our stage of life who have divorced within the past 2 years

we are not on that list. i'm not really sure why we are not

we took things too seriously

we took some things too lightly

we have been blessed with two beautiful daughters

we have been blessed with a handsome son

we have one son-in-law who has given us two lovely granddaughters

life has been so hard at times

life has been really easy at times

if i over analyze it i can make myself crazy

so i choose to just let it be what it is

a love story of two kids who met on a blind date

and who have been married 27 years

and lived happily ever after

the. end.

random act of kindness

Randy and Annie surprised me with a skinny vanilla latte today at work.

I needed that. I am struggling to keep my chin up.

Sometimes it is the little unexpected things that make the biggest difference.

Annie

She is beautiful. Inside and out.

The minute I laid eyes on her I fell head over heals in love with her dimples. All of the them.

She is an old soul. She is wise beyond her years.

She loves with all of her heart. She does not judge.

She is an amazing artist. Her masterpieces fill our home.

She is our little sister. She is best friends with Abby.

She is our big sister. Abe thinks she hung the moon.

She is an Auntie. She loves Stella and Lucy with all her heart.

She has an opinion. She is not afraid to speak her mind.

She has the prettiest eyes. She can see God's creation everywhere she looks.

She is extremely feisty. We always know when she is around.

She is a helper. If I want the job done right - I ask her.

She is daddys girl. He would travel to the ends of the earth for her.

She is a perfectionist. She is too hard on herself.

She is not afraid to say no. She is not afraid to say yes.

Today our baby girl is 21. It's a big day.

We love her just the way she is. Our family would not be "us" without "her".

Happy Birthday, Annie!!

P.S. I never in a million years imagined not spending birthdays with my daughters. I hate it and I will never get used to it. Never ever ever. I want to tell them every detail about the day they were born (even though they have both heard it over twenty times). Someday soon I hope we can have big family parties with birthday dinners and lottsa cake. That is my dream...