We're home!

Yep, back to reality.  A week at the ranch did wonders for my body, mind and soul.  Coming home was necessary and it felt great to be in my own bed Sunday night, but it's all very bitter sweet.

I have lots and lots to blog about from the ranch, but I need to focus on the necessities first...laundry, groceries, catching up on blogs, checking email, Pinterest, watching the episodes of The Voice we recorded.  Priorities.

Oh, and let's be honest...the order of the list above is really reversed if you want to know the truth.  Don't judge. 

I did return to find a few packages waiting for me!

The Tiny Prints stationary I had ordered a couple of weeks ago arrived. Love them.

These little gems were waiting from Sweet Auburn Studio on Etsy...

 Nice legal pad pic, right?  

They really are prettier in person.  This is just a cell phone pic.

I harvested these lovely berries from my garden on Sunday...

Lots and lots more to report.  I just had to check in and let you know that we are alive and slowly will return to the daily grind soon. 

XOXO

Recap...

Hi loves!  We've been going and blowing for the past week.  It's been busy, wonderful, and memorable.

Our new niece was born!  Madeline Story Jones came into the world on Easter morning...such a precious gift from God. 

I also had a new Beltie arrive in an unexpected and crazy way (more to come on that).  That added more drama to the Easter weekend than we would have liked and a lot of mileage on our vehicles as we commuted back and forth to Fredericksburg each day to care for the calf. 

A few fun things from the week...

I made these healthy breakfast 'cookies'...easy and pretty tasty!

I made this for Bible study on Wednesday night and it was delish! 

It got rave reviews from the ladies and my hubby...and it's super simple.

I ordered these little dittys for myself from Sweet Auburn Studio on Etsy...

Thought these would be fun stacked together...my mono on one and J&N on another.

Also added this guy...just for kicks.

I followed these tips in preparing meals for my brother-in-law and sister-in-law this week.

And I took great comfort in reading this...great comfort!

I won't say that my house is messy, I'll just say that my life is NOT wasted. 

At all.

Pinterest

I hope you all have a great weekend!

XOXO

Eloise's special day...

My very good friend, Hannah, recently shared pictures of her daughter's baptism brunch with me. 
Hannah hosted such a beautiful event to celebrate Eloise's big day in her home.  She kept things simple, personal, and still so beautiful.  I had to share these pics with you!

This is such a pretty dessert table.

I LOVE the antique china, buffet setup, and simple florals.

 Pink pom-poms make the table fun and festive.

 Mason jar love!

 She had special monogram cookies made and displayed them on such a beautiful table cloth.

 The soft pink and yellow are so pretty together.

 The precious family...Cameron, Hannah, Presley and Eloise.  Love them!

All photos courtesy of Angelica Rodriguez.

Aren't they adorable!? 

Don't you just want to eat baby Eloise up?!  She's just too cute. 

Such a truly blessed family.  Thanks for sharing with me, Hannah!

Hope you are all having a great week. 

XOXO



Mono Monday...

Hello, loves!

Happy Monday!  Happy President's Day! 

I hope you are off today and out doing something fun and exciting.  I'm home waiting for the propane guy.  This is how I celebrate by stocking up on natural gas.  Yeah!

Enjoy these amazing monograms.  You know my obsession so I had to share! 

Have a blessed day!

XOXO

All of these can be found here.

Friday Fabulousness

Hello, loves!  TGIF!

I'm so thankful that it's Friday and Josh and I have very little planned for the weekend ahead.  I'm looking forward to a lazy Saturday morning in my robe and slippers.  I hope you have something equally relaxing planned.

Here's a little Friday house porn for you...some "Friday Fabulousness' we will call it!

Have a great weekend!

XOXO

All photos can be linked back here.

Getting back on track...

Hi loves!  I feel like I start too many of my blog posts with apologies for not blogging more.  So, I won't say I'm sorry...instead, I'll say thank you for sticking with me during looooong lapses in blogging.  Really, thank you! 

December and half of January just flew right by.  It's all a big blur. I wasn't neglecting the blog intentionally.  I started some big treatments for this crazy neurological disorder that I have that really set me back during the holidays.  We visited the ER twice and Urgent Care once between December 25th and January 5th.  SO fun!

So, let's get back on track...

Before Christmas I was sharing with you what we had been up to a year ago...remember?

I'll refresh...we were getting ready to travel to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for my sis-in-law's wedding. I have to share a few lot of the photos from her day because it truly was a one of a kind event.

Courtney's full ball gown...unbelievably gorgeous!

The bride...complete with a handmade rich dark purple cloak to give her a little more warmth on the ride up. 

She was stunning. 

A sleigh ride to the mountain top complete with apple cider and lots of handwarmers. 

Courtney was given away by Josh.

Courtney and Korbin were married by her dad, David, overlooking the National Elk Refuge below.

  

Unforgettable views from the mountain tops...amazing.

The happy couple.

Courtney spent months on the details...all from Texas. 

The reception was held at The Jackson Hole Flower Company, a quaint flower shop that had been transformed for the night.  It was rustic and still so elegant.  The perfect venue for a small, private night of dinner and dancing.

All of the details were incredible...

real wood chargers, monogrammed linens, and all natural greenery dressing the table. 

The guest book incorporated more of the woodsy feel of Jackson Hole as well.

Take home ornaments for each guest that also served as placecards.

Cozy and yet still so elegant...perfection.

The happy couple dancing in the glow of candlelight...gorgeous.

A little impromptu piano playing with 2 of my favorite guys.

The precious newlyweds!

Courtney and Korbin celebrated their first anniversary on two separate sides of the world...Korbin was on his aircraft carrier serving in the Navy and Courtney was back in San Antonio, holding down the fort until he returns.  They've sacrificed much and have grown as individuals and as a couple this past year.  It's awesome to see what God has in store for them.  We love and adore them very much and were very honored to be part of their big day!

Happy Friday, loves!

XOXO



A year ago...

A year ago on December 1st I clearly remember my hands being raw from all things...needlepointing! 

Yes, I am still in my 30's.  No, I don't need a walker to get around.  Yes, I know the needlepointing sterotype of grannies sitting in a rocker needlepointing with little glasses on the tip of their nose.  Ok, yes...I do wear glasses sometimes and they do tend to slide down every now and then.  Let's move on...

Now, how does needpointing, sore fingers, and a year ago fit together?  Let me explain...

Rewind to December 1st, 2010...My sis-in-law, Courtney, was only 27 days from her wedding day and I had volunteered to make some of the special gifts for guests.  She and her fiance, Korbin, planned a destination wedding in Jackson Hole, WY on December 28th.  It was truly an incredible destination and provided for some unbelievable photos and memories. 

Courtney did most of the planning herself since her husband was deployed at the time while serving in the Navy.  She did it all while here in Texas, which made things a challenge at times, but she allowed me to be part of this special day and help with some of the really special details.

One of the things I volunteered to make were the 'take-away' gift for guests.  THANKFULLY it was a small wedding of only immediate family and a handful of friends!  I needlepointed and made mini-champangne bags for each guest to take away to toast the New Year.  On each bag was Courtney and Korbin's last initial...K.  I couldn't find burlap bags at the time that would fit the champagne bottles that Courtney wanted to use so I made those too.  Thankfully my mom gave me a quick tutorial on how to operate a sewing machine so that I could quickly stitch up 20 bags.  For a good 3 months I would needlepoint whenever I sat down to watch tv, on long car rides, while sitting in doctor's offices, and anywhere I was sitting or even standing for more than 5 minutes. 

Josh about had it with all things burlap, eggplant purple, and anything involving a K by the middle of December.  And I was to panic as the days ticked by and the number of K bags very slowly grew...very slowly.

Here are a few pics of the completed bags...I'll admit, I did really love them.  Do I think anyone knew how much time and effort went into them?  Um, no.  Hell, no.  But, it was totally worth it.  The little details make everything in my opinion. 

Another guest gift that I made for Courtney and Korbin's special day...the welcome bags.  They were also stitched from burlap and had their signature C and K monogram that we designed.  We cut the CK monogram out from a deep eggplant purple satin fabric and used an iron transfer paper to adhere them to the bags.  These bags were filled with hot chocolate and marshmallows, peppermints, maps of Jackson Hole, handwarmers, lotions, chapstick, etc.  Everyone loved them and used the goodies inside throughout the entire weekend.  



There is a lot more to share from this incredible event and I will in the days ahead.  So stay tuned!

XOXO

Paper pretties...

Have you checked out Rifle Paper Co.?

Oh, you haven't? 

Oh, you must.  Simply must.

I saw these the other day and had to check out their website.

I know...a notepad that fab is tough to write on.

 Wouldn't those look amazing with Natalie Jones on them? 
Yeah, I thought so too.

Check these out...

I know, right!?

 Does it get any more lovely?

How about this for a kid's room?

Oh, did you see the personalized notecards with an illistration that looks like you! 

Totally presh...

Oh, and of course, what any great company should have...

Pretty adorable! 

 

Well, you don't have to leave right now. 

I mean...you can keep reading and check them out in a minute.

Oh, alright...whatever. 

Go, go ahead...

Fine.

 

 

Happy Weekend!!