I`m PRETTY EXCITED
If all goes as planned I will be spending Friday night in Columbus and Saturday here:
Contentment, please guide me…
Odds & Ends.
This morning Elle woke me up at the insane hour of sometime before 6 am. We ended up downstairs (she wanted breakfast) and although I planned to go back to bed, I never did.
I loaded the washer, unloaded the dishwasher, started the coffee. Elle curled up on the couch, buried in a 100 blankets and fell asleep again– she looked cozy and peaceful. I felt jealous of her, but ready to start the day. Feeling good with starting my chores so early, I plopped down to surf a little in-ter-net. I came across this blog {The Painted Hive} and sat here feeling a bit overwhelmed.
She has a gift, I just love her style and creativity. She “gets” me somewhere deep. You know the feeling where you see something so cool and you just feel o-ver-whelmed!? I sat there and felt that way.
I wish I had more TIME. I wish my kids weren`t so little and NEEDY. I wish I had more time… I wish I had more talent…. more time to cultivate the little talent I have…
I felt stupid for having a blog at all. Little nerdy me. 
Who wants to see my crap? I suddenly felt poopy. Not even in a sad way– just more like a revelation of truth that hit me for something different.
Okay, well, this is NOT meant to be a pity me post. I just wanted to share the things I feel sometimes. Then I asked God, again, for 2 things I desire so much right now:
contentment and freedom from reservation (feeling free to just be me).
I posted this on Facebook, but it has really gotten me thinking…
“Popularity is what people strive for when they lack the strength to be themselves.”
You know how all of a sudden maybe 5 different things you`ve seen or heard lately, make a “theme” in your life? In your own private little thoughts?
Well, contentment and freedom are the 2 things that are my theme right now.
Observing things like, watching 2 different friends in my life, living so simply and so happily. Seeming to only desire what is needed in life, yet with a joy to cultivate their gifts and bring God glory and enjoy life. Stuff like that enforces other thoughts in my mind that were already there. you know?
Last night G and I watched this video together and it really struck a cord (what does ‘struck a cord’ mean anyways?) with me.
Here it is:
(I will embed the video when G gets home. For some reason embedding videos is not a talent I possess.)
Anyways– please take the time to watch it…
How shall we then live? This all makes me think of this verse:
2 Peter 3:11 (The Message)
11-13Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we’ll hardly notice. We’ll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.
Anyways– so I say all this to say that sometimes it`s hard to have a blog… to convey the balance between this blog being “me”– having this site be kind of a scrap-book of what I like, think, etc. And hoping that I spark a sense of encouragement and inspiration in people, not consumerism or materialism.
So with excitement and a little trepidation (a state of hesitation or concern), I finish the blogpost I started before I even wrote what I did at the top here.
**********
I wanted to add a bit of personality to my living room. I wanted to do it for zero dollars. I love getting inspiration from friends, magazines and blogs but I am learning that most of all my home has to be “me”– or there really isn`t any point/personality in it. Even if that means things are a bit eccentric or eclectic or boring. Or whatever.
Although this was started before your “Sit in my living room” photos– I have to say they also confirmed the love in me of a place showing a picture of the people that live there. Very inspiring!
::BEFORE::
I liked this picture okay, but felt there had to be a way to insert more personality within this frame.
^^They (whoever stocks the prints at Joann Fabrics) do not make it easy to un-assemble one of their creations. I had to use an Exacto knife to cut the picture from its mat. I was also horrified to see the $59.99 price tag on the back of the picture. Was that really what I paid for it, 7 years ago, when richer and more “spendy”?
^^Yes, my “salad garden” is producing quite nicely thank you.
^^ I ended up attaching a page from an ANCIENT songbook I have. I use this old song book a lot. .25 at the thrift store, baby! You will be seeing more of it, I`m sure.
The song is called,
The Dear Ones All At Home
I thought that was so tender.
The little girl silhouettes are a blatant West Elm knock off.
Again, closer.
I love this. It`s okay if you do not. Think of a way you can make it “you”, you know? I love when different people put a different spin on the same thing.
Twine, with little,old buttons glued onto clothespins, used to attach postcards from Amazon that I had, and also one of my vintage flashcards.
I was reading lately, somewhere, that it`s fun to mix things up and do things different than what is traditional sometimes. Like, hanging the bigger item ABOVE the smaller thing would not have been done by me before, but after reading this idea, I really like the look of it.
For uniqueness sake.
Grouping collections make things less cluttery and have more “meaning”. It looks intentional.
I am learning….
It was so fun to take frames that I was ready to give away or send to Goodwill and instead, give them a new perspective. This frame was really battered, I used a perm marker to color int he broken parts and scratches. Now it looks really new again. The page I inserted here– replaced a tired picture of G and I together. Bad photography and all.
What is it? I carefully trimmed (the pages are so old they are crumbling) and inserted a page from an old music manual. This picture depicts the hand placement when learning piano. It`s odd. It`s not for everyone. My husband thought it was so cool, beings he was a Music Major in college and all. I think it fits well here in our home, somehow.
new corner.
I think something small and round would look great right above, and to the left of the cards on a string.. but oh well.. I like it the way it is for now.
I was not even going to comment on the sideways photo of the blue map. This, my hus DOES think is weird. When people ask about it he always says, ROLLING his eyes,
“My wife *thinks* she can do anything she wants and that makes it cool…”
(Insinuating huge amounts of sarcasm.)
I shrug.
I like it, is all. It`s odd at best.
Want to see an OLD picture of it before? Archives, here I come…
^^There it is, before…
^^The old pencil. I get this from my sister, Joy… If you find something of interest, display it somewhere, somehow. She is really good at doing this. Someday I need to do a photo tour of her place… It`s VERY cool!
^^Sorry about the gross old “Before” picture…
I loved this picture, and it was from a dear old friend, but the coloring wasn`t working for me anymore.
^^After.
First I painted the whole thing white. 3 coats. Then glued old sheet music on– decoupage style. At the end, I added a bird silhouette. All I did was Google Image it, and trace it off the computer monitor. Since I didn`t have black paper. White paper worked okay, after I drew over it with a black marker…
^^FUN project, this idea is not original with me. I am seeing this idea ALL OVER bloggy land.
^^whatever.
^^BEFORE: Another picture bound for Goodwill. Saved by an idea…
^^After.
^^ I like it better now I think.
3 things:
1. It`s less crinkly than it looks.
2. I like crinkly, at some level.
3. If you try this, spray the paper you use, with a gloss preserver before you glue on with Modge Podge, to minimize the crinkly look.
^^This post was called “Odds and Ends” for a reason. Wanted to also Fall-ize the mantel for zero dollars. The large pitcher now holds alive berries and Golden-rods in celebration of Fall.
^^Oh, there is a picture.
I picked these when we were away at a cabin with my family this last weekend. There isn`t much like this at my home, here in town…
Another cool (free, Fall) idea, is to gather branches with red and orange leaves and display like a bouquet. It looks SO PRETTY. I haven`t tried it yet, but have seen it done.
Happy to say that so far, all the projects featured here cost $0. My hus could get used to that, I`m sure. : )
No reason why.
I thought this was darling.
Caught her all alone, tracing pictures, like mommy. 
;(
Her sweet little, happy hands.
With her finished “art”.
Excuse her short dress. She usually wears leggings with this dress, you know how things go… “around the house”.
Later, I found her finished masterpiece TAAAAAAAPED securely to the pillar in the living room. No, art on the fridge for her! haha
More random-idity.
Scored these large serving spoons at the thrift store the other day for $1 each.
G and I keep a closely watched budget here, and I can`t say I buy much deco stuff these days. It was kinda fun to bring something so sweet and cheap home with me the other day.
Tarnished beauties.
A little Bar Keeper`s Friend makes them just shiny as ever…
Stored here.
I will get them out and USE them whenever next possible…
Also scored these wooden spools .25 each. Any ideas for them? I have none.
Same day. A simple, table runner I was looking for…
Clothes Ladder. I think it actually looks “neater” (less cluttered) in real.
Why?
Another easy organization idea. Since our house is old– closets are rare.
I was looking for a sturdy, yet purdy ladder to hang all my scarves on. Found this one for $8 at the local Antique Mall, had to dig, most were $14. I was happy.
Other ideas for using ladders to display or organize are: magazines in a bathroom, heels in a closet, books & art in the living room, dishtowels in the kitchen or towels in the bath.
Feel free to leave any great easy/free/fun Fall deco ideas in the comments. We all love to read your ideas!!
Blah, blah, blah– got to go–I am sooo sick of hearing myself talk. Plus, my baby smells like a garbage truck, got to go run the bath water.
Love, Jenny
“Come sit in my living room”~ Part 2
This thread was getting a bit long (happy) so I thought I`d continue it on a new post…
If you are new here, the first part of this thread is here…
Keep sending them in. (To: Ilovegk@gmail.com) I put them up whenever I can. Some wait days and some are up in 5 min.
Don`t forget to include name, city, state and 3 food times you would serve your guests. Low res pictures are a plus. I have been downsizing them when they are too big, so no worries if you don`t know how…
Thank you to ALL who participated! THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!
____________________
And the Bravo award goes to Annie…
and
Annie Carpenter
Novelty, Ohio
Annie explains:
…”i want you to see why it does my heart good to see other people’s pretty rooms. its because mine is such a disaster zone!! its been like this since last july. yes, i mean july 2009. so is my den, family room, and dining room. so i do a lot of dreaming of pretty places. catalogs are great, but these rooms your readers are showing are so much more real. love it.”
____________________________
and
Charity Gingerich, Lovington IL
Since it’s fall I’d serve you some spiced cider, homemade sugar popcorn (like kettlekorn), and apple crisp.
______________________
and
–Tina Hostetler
Brownsville, OR
3 things I would serve a guest? Grilled Chicken, Italian Vinaigrette Salad, and Sweet tea, of course.
__________________________
Elaine Hefner
Lima, Ohio
I would serve mini party pizzas, popcorn/corn chips/cheese curls mix and brownies
_________________________
Marilyn Miller
Macon, MS
Most of my company consists of some type of ladies party since I’m single and don’t have just lots of visitors. I do love to entertain though and some of my favorites to fix are, cream cheese with pick-a-peppa or hot pepper jelly served with crackers, stuffed mushrooms and something sweet, lemon bars or chess squares. I usually always have a variety of hot drinks, coffee, cider, hot chocolate etc., and water.
________________________________
Ruth Yoder
Chengdu, Sichuan, China
If you came to my house…I would serve, well, first of all, I’d take you out to eat for some real Chinese food since you’d be in the best place in the world for Chinese food–Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan- which is known for it’s spicy food- in China. And it would be an absolute shame not to take advantage of the amazing(and cheap) food we can get here. Then, since the Chinese don’t usually serve dessert, we would come back to my house for dessert. Maybe iced coffee made with sweetened condensed milk since that’s easy to find here. If I was splurging, I’d buy cream cheese(super expensive here) and make cheesecake, but most likely I’d just make chocolate chip bars or hot milk cake with chocolate chips or maybe lemon pudding cake.
________________________
3 cheers to Coleen for “Most Creative” entry!!
before
and…
…after!
Coleen H. Barnhart
Waynesboro, Georgia
cheese and summer sausage with crackers, orange julius & fruit kabobs with dip
(Or if you were the right age to make my livingroom this messy and clean it up again I might reward you with Koolaid and popsicles!)
___________________________
Linda Hershey
Stone Lake , Wisconsin
if we are not doing campfire–which is really all we do in the summer- Weldon would probably grill his to-die-for smoked salmon. i would throw a salad together, fill a pitcher with iced tea, cut up a ton of fresh lemons to squeeze in tea, and then in a near panic fall back on brownies or blueberry buckle. but who am i kidding? dinner guests beside family who bring half the food, are quite rare.
______________________________
Rachel Miller
Millersburg Ohio
Pumpkin Bars , Coffee , veggies and dip
________________
Kay Martin
Plain City, OH
I’d serve coffee, raspberry cream cheese cinnamon rolls, and fruit with dip.
______________________________
WandaHurst
Churchtown, PA
Love to make fresh salsa right now, so we would serve salsa and chips with coffee or cider for those who don’t love coffee.
_________________
Lori Schrock
Millersburg, OH
Iced Coffee
Fresh Salsa and Tortilla Chips
Dream Filled Cupcakes (since that’s what happens to be in my freezer at the moment.)
__________________
Paula Yoder
Delta, CO
Three of my favorite dishes to make for our guests would be:
Southern Sweet Tea
Brownies out of the box, a little gooey yet…
Ice cream and the oh so wonderful coffee
that my hubby taught this Southern girl to like.
________________
Sherri Yoder
Sarasota, FL
Spaghetti casserole, garlic bread, and salad
_________________
Jo Martin
Myerstown, PA
Hot Wing Cheese Dip in a bread bowl, tortilla chips and veggies on the side.
_____________________
and
Beth Miller
Reinholds, PA
When we have guests over, my husband and I like to make quesadillas with all kinds of topping! I also love making lemonade, it is so refreshing! For something sweet, I would probably make hot fudge brownie sundaes in the microwave! (But a little brownie batter in the bottom of a mug and bake in the microwave for about 1 minute, then add ice cream on top and toppings! ) Yummo!
__________________
Cindy Forry
Hanover, PA
fav foods to serve…something with cheese,
mississippi mud pie,
and {we have beef cattle} steak on the grill!
__________________
and
Cretora Kline
Mt. Airy, MD
The 3 most common things we serve guests: (not as a dinner menu)
Southern Sweet Tea w/ a lemon wedges
Bean-n-Cheese Dip w/ tortilla chips
Popcorn
Also, I asked Charlie the same question (what are the top 3 things we serve people on the spur of the moment) and he rattled off those exact 3 things-might be a sign we should mix it up a little. We l.o.v.e. having people over and all those things take such little time to put together and everyone likes it.
________________________
Julie Beachy
Sugarcreek, OH
My living room is a work in progress right now. I really need some window
treatments. Any ideas? =) I think I would probably serve fraps and hot coffee,
Chicken chip dip and brownies/cookies.
_______________________
Anna Miller
Quaker City, OH
I love having girlfriends over for coffee in the morning, so I’d serve you blueberry cheesecake muffins, my favorite coffee: Gevalia, and possibly some fresh fruit. Then we’d sit and chat the morning away while the kids play!
_______________
Janice Kauffman
Moyie Springs, Idaho
I tend to be a bit indecisive about what to serve guests, so I will just serve what I am hungry for today. Apple pie with (premium) vanilla ice cream, coffee, and chocolate covered pretzels.
____________________
Elaine Martin
Denver, Pa.
I would serve coffee and probably fresh squeezed lemonade or cold meadow tea. I usually have something baked in the freezer for unexpected guests. I would also serve something salty.Since we’re heading into Fall and cooler weather, I might make hot pizza dip served with tortilla chips.
______________
Just sitting here poised and waiting to add yours…
SO.FUN!
I wanted to also say, if you don`t want to send a picture of your living room feel free to link up, so more women can find out about it, AND so we can enjoy more entries together.
Jenny
“Come sit in my living room”. {By You}
Here is something I have been dreaming of doing for a long time now.
Shall I explain what “it” is?
I am going to do a post that stays LIVE right here, featuring the living rooms of women from anywhere on planet earth.
Why?
Well, I had this idea, because every time a blogger posted a picture of their living room on the web somewhere– it always made me feel like I knew them a little better, like I`d love to sit there and soak up their peaceful space. I started brain-storming about how FUN it would be to gather them all up, and enjoy them together.
I thought it would also be REALLY fun to have each woman share what food she would share with you (imagine) if she were to serve you refreshments. Plus, if you are like me, you can always use new ideas of what to serve friends when hosting.
So!
I`d love to have a picture of Y.O.U.R living room. I`d love for YOU to share it with us. No matter how humble or how grand. THIS IS NOT A FASHION SHOW. It`s not.
I want to capture the aura of you as a woman, not a show-off session.
Just send your: name, city and state along with 3 items that you would serve a guest. Also, a photo of your living room– clean or messy.
_____________
Send to: Ilovegk@gmail.com
with “LIVING ROOM” as your subject.
_____________________
Now, if you read this:
Remember it means YOU! I`d love to get a 100 or so pictures to display. Keep checking back for more photos/entries. I will be adding them as they come in.
Can`t wait…
And heeeeeeere are the lovely spaces we have so far. Thanks ladies!!
(Remember, you can click on any image to view larger.)
************
Shannon Hostetler
Martinsburg OH
With curtains I dislike a few toys here and there, this is half of it. 
What I would serve…. cheesecake and coffee if I knew you were coming, popcorn and lemonade it you just stopped in. Right now I have pumpkin cookies so you might get a few of those or some ice cream. I am indecisive so you never know what you’ll get.
____________________
Teresa Miller
Macon, MS
Food: We recently hosted the youth group, and three things I served were, Rotel cheese dip with chips, hot pepper jelly poured over cream cheese with crackers, a Hummingbird cake with cream cheese frosting, oh and of course, Good ol’ southern Sweet Tea. =)
____________________________
and
Kayla King
Bird in Hand, PA
This time of year I would serve chai latte and/or hot apple cider, with a cinnamon stick and whipped cream. Does that count as three? ha.. Maybe the new pulled pork recipe I have been wanting to try, and some Davy Crockett bars.
_________________________
Melissa Stoltzfus
Lancaster, PA
For food I might serve pretzels and warm apple crisp with milk.
________________________
and
Esther Glick
Gap, PA
we don’t eat a lot in the the living room because we prefer eating around our dining room table. but when my brother & his wife come for game night (usually Rook!), it’s something sweet, something salty & often ice cream, served with water!
_______________________
Jessica Yoder
Vandallia, MI
I’d like to serve warm apple pie with ice cream, maybe a good ranch
pretzel mix, and your choice of hot, spiced apple cider or coffee, and
if you brought the kids I’ll serve some milk.
__________________
Freida Hostetler
Martinsburg, Ohio
Food? I don’t know. Probably something sweet, like pumpkin cookies, coffee- iced or hot, and fresh cantalope from my garden. Whatever I have on hand at the moment.
_______________________
Lisa Martin
Narvon, PA
This is my house at Christmas!
I thought maybe I should say I would serve Hot Choc (my hubby would say coffee)., Christmas cookies & a cheese ball/crackers at Christmas.
__________________
Jessica
Brownsville OR
Food? tonight it is pan fried pork chops, southwest veggies and rice, and a salad. if you surprise me and we need a meal? I will make chili. There is almost always ice cream.
_____________________
Amber Swarey
Honea Path, SC
I would serve:
Sweet tea, coffee with flavored creamer, and chocolate brownies.
________________________
Kendra Zimmerman
Lititz, PA
Food:
mini pizzas made with english muffins
chips
brownies/ice-cream
____________________
Rachel Beachy
Brownstown, PA
three foods i would serve….
this time of the year, and in my major ‘i’m in love with all things fall’
mentality that kicks into high gear, it would definitely be:
pumpkin cheesecake, pretzels, and hot spiced cider or hot coffee.
___________________
Elaine
Sarasota, FL
3 foods i would serve are coffee cake, fruit & dip and coffee w/ french vanilla creamer
_____________________
Diane Miller
Martinsburg Ohio
Food: COFFEE, chocolate chip cookies or apple-crisp with vanilla ice cream. Crackers and dips.
___________________
Jennie Zimmerman
Ladysmith WI
Food? She says,
Coffee, brownies, and ice cream often gets served in my living room. Strawberries too, if I have them….which i don’t this yr. I missed strawberry season! Who does that!!?! Sadly, I did.
_____________________
Lisa Yoder
Wilmington, Ohio
Food:
I would serve cold mint tea and a cookie or fruit and veggies with dip
________________________
Gina Wilcox
Corvallis, Montana
Three foods I would serve to my guests in my living room:
1) Veggie Pizza (I’m dealing with an addiction at the moment!)
2) Chocolate fudge brownies w/ ice cream and coffee of course!
3) Havarti dill chesse w/ crackers (another addiction)
___________________
Amber Hutchins
Cincinatti, Ohio
…if it’s favorite food items then::
potatoes fixed any way
chocolate cake w/ white butter frosting
cheese – any and all kinds
___________________________
Terri Good
Wilmington, Ohio
She says: (I had to include this because I loved it so much)
“my simple living room has a rip in the free recliner, yes, a baby sleeping on a boppy pillow (illegal, i know), and a free iron burn on the carpet, compliments of my 2 year old’s explorations. but i guess my living room is the way it is because it’s hard for me to spend money on my decor and i want it to be relaxing to anyone from michelle obama to the little kids from wilmington who come from such sad homes… you can spill lemonade on my carpet and know it wouldn’t be a really big deal.
my very normal food is hot brewed coffee, lemonade, and peach delight… ”
____________________________
Kristy Willey
Abbeville, SC
For food…..vinegar marinated chicken and wings
lettuce salad with strawberries
iced tea
custard or pecan pie
____________________________
Audrey Miller
Hayward, WI
Food: Jeremy would make his FABULOUS chicken on the grill, I would make my special home-made baked beans that everyone raves about, and we would probably have brownies and ice cream or something to go with it.
__________________
Joann Kauffman
Guys Mills, PA
Food: She says:
“Now for the three food items … how can I ever keep it to 3? but right now it would be yogurt berry smoothies, FRESH salsa & chips, or maybe warm chocolate chip cookies w/milk & coffee. I am so funny but I enjoy making food that I think suits my guests … like the other night when we had homemade pizza at 10:00 w/our company )) (Shel thought I could have served apple slices but I told him apple slices don’t always make the best memories)”
______________
Aimee Weaver
New Holland, PA
What I would serve? (I guess hot dogs and potato chips are out of the question? Ha, ha!)
-Sparkling peach drink because it’s peach season
-Pita chips and fresh salsa
-Something completely chocolately and divine like warm brownies and whipped cream
______________________
Clarita Yoder
Jesup, GA
Food? She says:
“So, here in South Georgia, a beverage that I keep on hand literally all summer long is fresh-squeezed lemonade. This is a place where the heat index is over 120 degrees for weeks on end (no joke), and a cold drink like this is sooo refreshing! And, because it’s so hot, a big meal doesn’t happen very often. A light lunch for us often consists of a grilled sandwich and a yogurt parfait with fresh fruit that’s in season. Light but filling, and I don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. ”
_____________________
Jenny Kauffman
Mbg, Ohio
Food:
Probably… warm box brownies and ice cream
flavored coffee, liquid creamer
popcorn
_______________
Now. We are waiting to add YOU.
{I`d rather be reading…}
This last weekend my friend loaned 2 books to me.
I am back into reading– and just loving it to bits. When I was in grade and middle school, all I did was read.
No, I actually mean that`s all I did.
I remember going to the Millersburg library back when it was that historic, 2 story building right there on Main Street, and looking high and low (literally) on the children`s floor for a book I had not read.
When there weren`t any new ones that interested me, I started reading old beloveds all over again. There are a few novels I know I read close to 10 times each. I was a bit of an introvert.
I probably haven`t read for pleasure for a couple years now. I started again a few weeks ago…
I forgot how much I loved it.
Now I am borderline obsessed with getting lost and wandering around in a world I previously knew nothing about…. I wade in cautiously. I know that when I start in a day, everything else I need to do will sit idle for the rest of the day. I can`t really afford that at this time.
Coffee helps me get more done.
The cookie was just for affect. No, I really mean that. I had to scrounge around in my cupboard for something baked to add essence to my photo.
All I could find was a Little Debbie in a wrapper, meant for G`s school lunch. It`s not that I`m a Cookie Saint, it`s just that I`m too lazy to bake…
Laila ate it after the picture was taken. Should I be worried the 1.5 year old intakes more food that the 3 year old? Although to be fair, more of it was on her face, than in her mouth when it was all over. (The brutal slaying of the Oatmeal Debbie.)
Speaking of Little Debbie Oatmeals– the other day I was at Dollar General (Class-sssy!) and the cashier informed me when I was checking out that their Debbies are at Rock Bottom price of $1 a box and would I want some?
I love the cashiers at my humble Dollar General. When my daughters drop and bust open a jug of Mr. Clean in Isle 2 (are there more than 5 isles there?) the cashier that has a haircut that looks like bangs all the way around her head, says things like,
“Oh, honey we will get it! Don`t you worry one bit. Lorrie, you get that? The mop`s in the back. Sure, sweetheart we`ll get that. You`re little girls are just precious, they`ll drive you crazy won`t they? Alrighty, you see our sale on the Debbie`s? Rock bottom prices. Lorrie and I bought a bunch already…”
I leave feeling fuzzy. They bless me. I want to be like that.
Oh, but anyways, speaking of the oatmeal Debbie cookie- where was I?
Oh, yes, they bring back really pleasant childhood memories for me. I think my mom must have liked them, because we had them around fairly much. When we were children, my sisters and I, would take the oatmeal ones and bang them open, still in the wrapper, they made a huge “POP!” and then we peeled the paper off and ate them, flat, in little savory bites.
De-lish!
We swore they tasted better that way. Of course we never swore anything, that was just more current me-speak.
The bottom book I am 3/4 of the way through. The language is a bit brutally colorful, but I am loving it because being a fellow waiter(ress), although in a hugely different genre…
(him: Upscale Italian. me: Amish)
… I could relate so much to his stories, insight and utter indignation. I guess humans anywhere tend to have the same human-like stains, er, strains.
The top book, I haven`t touched. I saw inside the front cover, this book was a gift from the iconic, globe trotting, nomads, Darren and Jenn B.
{Check out their blog, then you`ll know what I mean.}
I feel I am going to feel VERY COOL whenever I read this book… I love feeling cooler than me.
OK, I`m back…
I have to tell you, when I “try” to throw up a blog post, it usually happens in about 10 different little sit-down segments.
In the time since I have started this post I have,
-Explained that we only have turd colored play-dough, and there is no red. The blue and yellow got mixed together.And the rest dried up.
-Danced in an 80s rock kind of way with Laila on my hip, to a song called Bye, Bye Poopy. It`s a potty training movie and the song is actually quite jazzy. Elle has long been potty trained, but she picks it out at the library when it`s there. I think she likes the accomplished feeling she feels when watching it.
Like, been there. Done that, little girl from the 80s that has struggled with going potty the last 10 times we watched you sing your way through this DVD.
-Had a candid talk with Elle about why only mommies and daddies can kiss for long periods of time on the lips. She seems to have some really romantic notions about it. I have such a desire for her to continue to dream about it in a positive way… but to firmly realize it`s not appropriate for her to practice it at this time.
Sometimes G and I stand and kiss in the living room, just to watch her face light up with utter rapture. It`s really fun.
-Caught them sneaking raw hotdogs. Begged them to let me warm them. No. Realized they likely aren`t healthier either way. Chose not to make it a “mountain”.
-Rocked Laila.
- Pretended to be G, driving a bus to Hannah`s house. Made all kinds of car motions and noises. Elle was “the mom– me”, so she got to ride shotgun for a change.
-Rocked Laila.
-Made a tunnel with blankets and chairs that Laila knocked over constantly. Can we just say Frustrated Elle?
…
Anyways, you get the idea.
As my post title implies, I will not be reading today. See the picture in the photo above? See the blatant red arrow?
I plan to dismantle the little black and white bistro scene once and for all, and try something I haven`t tried before…
See below.
(image: West Elm)
SIGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven`t loved a look this much since… well, who knows?
I am going to try and get inspiration, who am I kidding (like Cindy Forry says) no, COPY this idea, above, and replace my bistro scene TODAY.
I am actually shaking with nervousness and excitement over trying this. I know a lot of you already are doing the silhouette thing (Thelma, Clarita), but I haven`t yet. I know it can be done, but JITTERS!
It could just be the coffee too. I`m a new “drinker”.
I wanted to say– I saw today, the picture above, is only $19 and free shipping right now at West Elm. I was impressed. I mean, it`s probably a small picture, but I thought that was reasonable. I can`t buy it, but maybe you can?
More West Elm LOVE.
*********
Thought you might like to see my living room before and afters…
Living room BEFORE:
This was a picture I snapped when “the realtor” (Curt) took us through the first time.
Another angle and before shot, that I snuck snapped. I felt kinda rude taking a picture of another person`s then-home, but I love having them now to look back on…
So worth the rudeness!…kidding.
It brings back such a wave of memories of how in love I was with this house from the very beginning. It has threatened to break my heart many times since, so I love looking back and rekindling a little of the “flame” I once had for it.
Maybe this house and I should just get a room, eh?
After. There is much I would like to change already in this room. I feel it`s a bit cluttered and there isn`t much “plan” in place. Trying to just love it the way it is, and practice good solid CONTENTMENT.
I do like it though. It`s a good comfy cozy room to lounge in.
The windows need replacing– but they do make a fun view of town and the stately historic courthouse.
*****
Ok, love to ya! I have got to git!
Feel free to send any book recommends my way. I only read recommends. No time for dud books.
I like anything– just none of that Karen Kingsbury stuff.
Trust me, if you like her, I still love you!
Jenny
The WINNERS are…
Congrats to…
1. Gina Schrock Wilcox,
She said,
“labor day means the fair is in town and hubby has off of work whish means family time! YAY!! can you tell we are in NEED of such time!?:) very cute flowers! pick me!:)”
2. Kendra
She says,
“It’s our anniversary weekend! So excited for a trip to Niagara Falls with my little family. Love the flower:)”
**Kendra, I need your snail mail addy… Send it to ilovegk@gmail.com
Thanks so much!
Will try to get those out pronto to you ladies… Jenny
Bobby Pin Flower Giveaway (yay!)
I got up way early this morning and thought I really should make something to give away for my belated 100th post celebration.
What celebration? I know. So far, I haven`t produced any “cupcakes” for you all– if you know what I mean.
So here come the cupcakes.
Anyways- so my day was really super crazy and busy but I fit it in wide open and the girls were still in bed, so I got out some scrap fabric, glue gun, needle and thread, stray beads, bobby pins and a scissors.
Honestly?
“It was Easy Peasy- Lemon Sqeeze-y!”
That is a quote from Lotta, on Charlie and Lola. I`m not that cute.
*Hmm, apparently she really DOES watch that children`s program…*
I made 5 of them– 2 to give away (to you!) and one each for Laila, Elle and I.
What a fun little rendezvous.
When the girls got up, I thought it would be great to have someone model my new bobby pin flowers. Since I hadn`t showered yet, (I look “crazy” in the middle of a creating frenzy) I thought I`d go ahead and let the girls take it away.
This one had just woken up and was sitting on the love seat staring dead into The Nowhere.
She was pretty angry at me for trying to make her wear this stupid hat. I promised her a tootsie roll and it all seemed to work out after that.
Laila`s face says it all.
For some reason, she was harboring the same resentful attitude as sister.
You can pin these babies on to anything– a blouse, a book bag, a jacket, a low hair bun, use it like a brooch…
It really felt like I was “selling” it there, which really wasn`t necessary since this is after all a GIVE away.
Thought it gave a cute little kick to this Gap jacket of Laila`s.
Okay– since we all are going to be running around this holiday weekend– I`m going to leave this giveaway open until next Tuesday. September the 7th.
I will be picking 2 winners– each winning a tiny teeny, eensy weensy prize of a flower hairpin. Both pins are identical!
Exclamation mark unnecessary.
Both pins are identical.
You can enter up to 3 times, once for commenting and then 2 more times when you connect to any other social network.
blah, blah, blah.
But wait!
To enter, say anything you would like, on the subject of:
Labor Day.
What is it? Where will you be during it? Do you like it? Did you have to Wikipedia it?
There are no wrong answers.
Us? We are spending a long weekend with good old friends. Sitting around eating, I think the guys will golf. There will be lots of talking. We cannot wait.
Enjoy yours!
Favorite Words.
This is my 100th post on this blog!!
I feel like I should be doing something really cool in memoriam, but can`t really think of anything.
{Learn.}
{Grow.}
{Rest.}
{Think.}
**************
Also, I need your help picking which edit is better.
Will you please vote for me?
“Neither” is an option as well.
1.
2.
Thanks chicks! Jenny
(SuperSimpleSavers will be back one day– when I can get them better organized. Sorry to have slacked in that area!)
(Happy 100th to meeee.)
Look what Shelly did!
Painting before.
This was just so wild, I had to share this.
One of my oldest and best friends, Shelly, had this redo goin` on when I over there awhile back. I was “pretty sure” you all would love to see it too.
You know those HUGE, 1970s scenery pictures you see at every Goodwill?–I bet even the workers there, know no one is going to buy them.
Well, they sold one to Shelly! And I LOVE what she did with it. How cool.
“Painting” after:
NOW, it`s a beautiful cork board to hold all the family photos she has collected. What a classy way to display pictures.
From what I gathered, she just painted the frame, added cork and covered the cork with pretty paper.
viola!
(I guess you can look for a photo of yourself or someone you know on there now.)
Love the detail of the frame corner now in fresh green!
Here is a canvas board she covered and them wrote on with stamps.
Crafty Shelly she is!
For more of Shelly`s makeovers, go here.
If you are interested in directions on how to make the cork board (above)– Budget Wise Home has a great tutorial here.
If you ever have a great before and after you`d love to share– I`d love to show it off for ya. You can email pictures and details to Ilovegk@gmail.com.
Thanks! Jenny
Oh, Lolla! {and a Charlie & Lola rave}
No, it`s not Laila`s birthday, but I just felt like celebrating her today. She is my stinker pants.
In case you are wondering about the title of today`s post, everyone here affectionately calls her ‘Lolla’, and Elle, G and I are often heard saying,
“No, Lolla!”
or
“Oh…. LOLLA!”
Depends on whether she just did something cute or naughty.
I have always adored/loved her, but to me, she just got fun, if you know what I mean..
A little photo tour of her life so far.
Here she is a couple weeks old.
3 mo.
9 mo.
10 mo.
Here she is now at 1.5 years. An a feisty little firecracker she is. She can be very intense and supercute and funny!
There was a little girl who had a little…
barrette…
right in the middle of her forehead…
and when she was good, she was very very good…
and when she was bad, she was horrible…
Sorry, just made me think of that little song.
She is really enamored with textures and how things feel. Even when she was a lot littler, she would sit and play with a silky scarf rather than a toy. And just swirl it around her face and try to hide her head in it.
Now her “security spot’ is my arm pits. When I`m holding her she doesn`t feel relaxed until her sweet, little arms are tucked up as deep into my arm (yes, pits) as she can get them.
Oh, stop saying gross. I shower a-lot.
She also Lo-o-o-oves playing with the skin tag on the back of my neck.
And, (trying) to stick her finger up my nose– she thinks it`s a tunnel (she does it so FAST), and if I have any hair on my chin she will stroke it as I rock her to sleep, so peacefully. As if, ahhhh, everything is right with the world… because mommy has a chin hair.
Hell-o, it`s just runs in my family!
And okay. Be honest with yourself…
Now I think I haven`t convinced you so much that she likes textures, maybe just that she likes things that are gross on mommy.
Here she thinks she is really cool because she is in Elle`s princess play box and Elle isn`t yelling at her!!
That bracelet on her head is probably her equivalent of being dressed like a princess because she did it herself. She is proud and feels pretty.
“Hey princess, I see your underpants!”
***************
While we are on all things kid related. I came across this reading somewhere and have just fallen in love…
with… KIDEOS.
Or as Elle says,
“Can we watch those cutelittlemovies? PLEEEASE, mom?”
They are a rainy day lifesaver. Or okay, on just a regular day too.
And Oh, my, I also have to share with you my new kid`s book/show crush
CHARLIE AND LOLA!!
They are so cute I want to cry. I think I like them more than Elle. I always make her watch them then I sneak in and sit with them and I`m the one saying,
“Just one more okay, we don`t have THAT much work to do kids.”
How sweet Charlie is to his little sister, Lola`s darling British accent, the funny dialogue, the artsy format (which takes a bit to get used to), Lola`s laugh, the subtle humor of the adult writer, how Lola walks bent over when she is sad, how they refer to things It`s a bit old fashioned…
Here are 2:
(Don`t miss the little boy who drops his basketball when he sees Lola in her old red shoes.
I do want to say, Charlie has a monster themed birthday party in this episode. I just don`t want anyone to be offended.
Well, the Stinkerpants that I wrote about earlier, is up. She is now at large. She is the same one that got me up in the night with her cold and made me sleep all night on the recliner with her.
Smoochy, smooch- I love her.
LIVE UPDATE: `Ope, nope, OHHHHH, she just flung her whole bowl of my favorite cereal out into the air, and now, CLUNK onto the floor. Honey Nut Chex were bombed EV-ER-Y-WHERE…!”
(To me it`s worse if the cereal they wasted was delicious.)
Still. love. her. mostly.