Entryway Decorations

I added a simple pail of mini pumpkins to my entryway table.

A tiny bit of color among all the greens and browns.

Today's high is 83F, but tomorrow it's going to be 55F. I can't wait!

Back Home

It's a beautiful Autumn morning and I'm ready to start the week. We returned home from our trip to Florida late Saturday evening. Yesterday was spent cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, and on endless loads of laundry (finishing up the last 3 this morning).

I also put out a few more fall decorations and I will share pictures soon.

My oak tree got a bit of a head start on me.

Welcome October

Happy October! My favorite month of the year is here and the temperatures in Texas have finally dropped down into the 80's. :0)

Thank you to all who have left messages and sent emails. We are doing well and had a good start to our school year. We are preparing for a family wedding - I'm getting a new sister-in-law! She spent this past month at my house and has become a great friend. She's crafty too, so we have lots of fun together.

I'll try to be better about posting, even if it's a quick hello!

Simple Little Pleasures for Tuesday

Today I'm enjoying flowers from a friend and a stack of old Victoria magazines to look through.

"I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens, but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string."
— L.M. Montgomery

New Kitchen Remodel - After Pictures

Phillip and I worked all weekend and got everything moved back in. We love how it all looks!














I've ordered place mats that are the same color as the curtains. I think they will blend in better than the solid red.


Inside hutch light on.


Upper and lower lights also on.


Thank you for taking a look! I'm sure I'll be sharing close-ups of various things. I found some new treasures at the antique store last week.

I hope you all have a wonderful week ahead!

Shared for Show and Tell Friday.

Before and After Kitchen Pictures

Moving in...

Our kitchen is finally finished and now begins the fun of moving everything back in. It seems daunting right now, but I'm sure once we start, it will be fine.


Happy June! I'll share more pictures, soon.

Container Water Garden

When we had the new patio put in last fall, my water garden had to go. I really missed it, so this past weekend, I put together a smaller version in a barrel.

We'll add some small fish soon.

It's possible that our kitchen remodel will be finished at the end of the week. I can't wait to move back in!

A Sneak Peek...

The granite counters were installed this morning and I'm loving my new sink, too.

My parents are coming for a visit and are about an hour away. I've been tidying up the house and I think everything is ready for a fun weekend. I hope you have a good one, too!

A Place of Retreat

It was overcast all morning and now it is pouring rain. It's supposed to continue for the next 4 hours.


I think I will stay inside in my cozy nest!

May 2011

Hello! Is anyone still around? It seems like we've been in the middle of at least 1 home construction project for the past year and a half, which is why it's been so quiet around here.

We had friends over last night and we talked about how most of our back patio is a "kitchen graveyard" at the moment.

We are having our 1980's kitchen updated. We completely cleared everything out 3 weeks ago and hopefully in another 3 weeks, it will be finished.

Work in progress.

It doesn't stop us from using a small area of the patio though, at least before it gets too hot.

I also wanted to say "Happy Mother's Day" and especially to my mom, who will be here for a visit this coming week.

I hope to be around more often!

Happy Birthday, Benjamin!

We celebrated Benjamin's 10th birthday this past weekend. No more single digits in our family!


We had a fun filled day that included indoor surfing (at a local mall), new toys, and sharing birthday cake and ice cream with neighborhood friends.

Happy Birthday, Benjamin!

Winter Wonderland!

On Monday evening we got an ice storm and the schools (basically the whole city!) have been shut down since then. This morning we awoke to several inches of snow.


An early birthday present for me!

Happy Birthday, Grace!

Happy Birthday, Grace! It's the big 13! We are celebrating with a snow day, movies, and vanilla cupcakes. We love you!

Our New Back Patio

We started our new back patio project in November, finished in December, and I'm finally getting around to sharing pictures! You can see the before and during pictures HERE.


There is a hot tub on the far end, which is Phillip's Christmas present for the next 10 years!


Hopefully the pergola will keep the area a little cooler in the summer.




My favorite spot to sit.


There are fleece throws under the table for cold evenings.


Thank you for stopping by and taking a look!