Working Towards #68 & 69

Once upon a time there was this 101 list that I was working on….that I guess I haven’t really been working towards lately. Of course, I was just going through it and saw that I had actually marked off a few items, so I’m going to have to get on that.

Anyhow…number 69 was to decorate my porch for summer. Number 68 is getting part of 69 complete. I’ve been working on it little by little for the past two weekends, and I finally made some photos of it. Let’s pray that I can get this done by May. I know that seems like a long time, but April is going to be busy, busy, and the money is not going to be plentiful with all of the goings on.

Here’s where it stands as of now…

So, there’s lots more that I want to do, which you’ll see an overview of at the end.

Here’s the breakdown of what I’ve down so far…

{one} Planted Dianthus in my hanging pots

These flowers are supposed to like FULL SUN and need watering ONCE A WEEK….we’ll see

{two} Picked up some Geraniums

{three} Planted Begonias in my empty pot

{four} Pressure washed the porch, steps, and rockers, as well as the house

{five} Planted Dianthus in my hanging pot on my door

And now….the ongoing list of what has to be done.

{first} pillows for the swing and rockers

I’ve found some at Target that I really like, but I can’t really decide on which ones I like best and which ones will work well together. I’m not really good at picking patterns that work together. You pick and tell me which ones you like and think will go together {if any}. I have my favorites, but I want to see what you have to say. Some I just threw in for the heck of it.

       {1}                        {2}                         {3}                        {4}                       {5}                       {6}

{second} the swing needs to be painted before any said pillows can be put on it

Let’s just say that pressure washing can really knock the paint off….

{third} I need to take care of number 68 and get a bench or huge basket for the thousands of shoes that can accumulate at the front door.

Nothing like greeting guests with a heavenly smell….

{finally} there’s all of this as a whole

So, that’s it. I’ve still got a long way to go. April gets busier and busier by the minute…

BUT, there is some good news! There’s plenty of time spent having fun within the month, too. I can’t wait!

Here we come Easter and a four day week, Luke Bryan, and vacationing in the mountains! I can’t wait to see you here!

Spring is Here

Spring has finally officially arrived, and I just can’t seem to get enough of it. The last thing I’ve wanted to do is sit behind a computer more than I already have to. The school days seem to be getting longer, too. After all, the students and I just want to go outside and do anything else but study school work. I can’t blame them, especially since we don’t have a spring break until the end of April. Geez!

Anyhow…Colby and I have been busy sprucing up the house. I will hopefully have pictures of that tomorrow. Between finishing putting down baseboards and quarter round and pressure washing the house, we’ve been busy for two weekends in a row. It feels nice to  know that we’re making some progress on this little place we call home.

All I have to document the past two weeks are these two iPad photos. Colby went fishing in his pond the other day while we were out at the farm. I had the pleasure of feeding the fish on the opposite side of the farm, but it didn’t take long for me to join him. Don’t take that the wrong way though. I didn’t fish. I just took the pictures.

As you can see, nothing big was biting that day.

On the other hand, I have been making some new recipes around the house. Many of them have required some green onions, and I saw this tip on Pinterest to put the fresh onions in some water. Then, the green on top will continue to grow, and you can just snip some off as you need it. We’ll see if it works.

Hopefully a porch update will be coming up this week, too! Enjoy your week!

Weekend Plans

It’s only Tuesday, and I’m already thinking about the weekend. I don’t want to wish life away, but this time of year makes me long for the weekends. I’m even trying to work ahead on my school work, so I can enjoy the sunshine and pleasing weather. I’m not a fan of extreme cold or extreme hot, which is what we seem to get for 90% of the year. The other 10% is divided between spring and fall, and this amazingly beautiful weather doesn’t like to hand around long. It’s barely enough to enjoy to the fullest.

So, this weekend, I’m hoping to break out the gardening gloves, fertilizer, water hose, and scrub brush. I got a head start today, but I barely touched the surface of all that needs to be done.

Here’s what I’d like to get done this weekend:

1. New pine straw in flower beds
2. Plant flowers in hanging pots {that do not thrive on daily waterings}
3. Wash porch down
4. Clean {and possibly} paint swing
5. Add pillows to swing and rocking chairs {might have to wait on the $$$ to appear in the bank account though}
6. Put Geraniums in urns or bigger pots

Speaking of Geraniums…..I picked up two beautiful Geraniums from the “fruit stand” in town. I had originally though about doing a red, white, and blue type theme on the porch. Not the “O, say can you see” patriotic theme that might look a little tacky if overdone, but rather the subtle hints of patriotism and color that could easily be turned into some fabulous décor during the summer holidays. It was the red geraniums that inspired it, but then I saw these…

Gorgeous, right? I’m in love, and I can’t wait to get proper pots for them. Right now, they’re flanking both sides of my porch.

I’m still pretty proud of these flowers that have survived a not so harsh winter.

Today, I even potted some various plants that I’ve been rooting for a while now. Something tell me that they stood a better chance of surviving in a vase full of water than a pot full of dirt {that may or may not get watered regularly}, but let’s pray that spring is going to inspire me to move my behind from the couch to the outdoors. I found this cute $5 pot from the trusty Wal-Mart. It almost matches my pot from last year that my MIL bought me for a plant that she rooted. Surprise, surprise! It has taken off and is huge now. I love plants that take almost no effort.

Anyhow…do you have any weekend projects planned? Has spring make you want to get going and add some color to your world once again? All I have to hope now is that the husband is on board. Cross your fingers!

An Update in the Future?

Many rooms in my house are FAR from being finished. There’s not much hanging on the walls. The rugs are not what I want. Lots of things in our house were bought basically just to get by for the first couple of years of living in the house, but there are some things that are really just working on my nerves.

My dining room is one of them. I like the furniture that we have in there, but that room has no windows. When you add dark furniture in there to it, it turns out really blah looking. Don’t believe me?

Now you do.

As much as I want to paint the walls in the house, I just don’t think it’s worth it right now. I want to keep the walls a neutral color, so it doesn’t have to be painted again when we move out one day. Anyhow…I have been wanting to paint the furniture for some time now. I’m drawn to white furniture, but somehow I always buy dark. This dining room set came from my great Aunt Lucille, which I bought from my grandparents who inherited it. The chairs didn’t come with it though. I found those separately.

 

  

I’ve been wanting to get the guts up to paint it all, but I just wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the risk. I don’t want to ruin a perfectly good set of furniture, but it is definitely stuck in the 70s. I think some paint is just what it needs, and I’ve now confirmed that assumption. Thanks to the blog, Bower Power, I feel like I can take the plunge.

She actually painted a hutch she bought at Goodwill that it very similar to mine. Here’s hers:

  

Seriously, how great does that look? I think this is a project that will have to wait until the summertime unless someone knows a professional painter who is awesome but cheap or a reliable volunteer, but it is definitely coming! I love the contrast of the back {blue} and the the stark white. Gorgeous! I think this might be just the punch our house needs! One step at a time. Before long, I’ll be painting everything white.

Want to see more of her makeover on her cabinet? Click this link. You will fall in love with her blog. She’s witty and creative!

Happy Hump Day!

Tried and True Pinned Recipes

I’ve been mixing things up lately with meals. I was getting tired of cooking and eating the same things over and over. I was stuck in a rut, and I was ready to get out. I turned to Pinterest for some recipes that I thought would be good, and I have to say that I have been impressed with my choices so far. I haven’t taken the time to take any pictures, so I thought I would just share the links with you. These will definitely be regular meals in our house from now on.

{Monterrey Chicken}

With this recipe, I added a lot more cheese than it asked for. I layered it like so:

Chicken, BBQ sauce, cheese, tomatoes, bacon, green onions, cheese

{Lemon Baked Shrimp}

I used tiny shrimp when I made it instead of the larger shrimp. I really liked that the smaller shrimp soaked up the taste, but I’m sure the larger would work fine. It’s all in preference.

Honestly, I couldn’t find a recipe for this. All you do is line your sheet with aluminum foil. Melt a stick a butter in the oven at 350 degrees. Layer the shrimp and slices of lemon on the pan. Then, sprinkle dry zesty Italian seasoning mix over the shrimp. Cook for 15 minutes.

{Crock Pot Pork Chops}

This was so easy! I even had my in-laws over for this meal, and they loved it. The pork chops were unbelievably tender, which was great because I’m the world’s worst at over cooking pork. It was great for a Saturday. I just threw it in the crock pot and walked away. It was the mashed potatoes that took the longest, but that basically cooks itself, too.

Note: I didn’t roast my garlic for the potatoes.

{Shrimp and Grits}

O.M.G. This is one of the best meals that I have cooked…. EVER! It takes a lot of ingredients, but it is perfect for having guests over for dinner. That’s what I’m hoping to do with this meal this month. We have friends that are WAY overdue to coming over and enjoying a meal with us. I promise that this is a meal that you will not regret making.

Instead of using his seasoning mix, I used something that I found at the store. I also used Conecuh sausage instead of what was recommended by him.

{Parmesan Garlic Chicken}

This is an overall simple recipe that doesn’t take a lot of time or ingredients. It’s been approved by the husband.

I hope this gives you some ideas for dinner this week. I know that some of these will be on our plates at one time or the other this month.

25 Things

{One}

Colby and I went to the The Vow in the theater the other night. Great movie. Terrible ending. How in the world do you just cut a person off whose been watching the movie for two hours! I didn’t watch the entire movie just to be shown a picture of the real people and two sentences telling me how the story ends. Geez! Even still, I’ll probably buy the movie.

Lovely!

{Two}

Here lately, I’ve been on this kick of buying movies and music. It’s crazy. I rarely ever do such a thing. I’m cheap. I rent movies and listen to Pandora. Apparently not anymore though.

{Three}

I’m in love with the Kindle app. I’ve downloaded like five books in the past month, which is like some kind of record for me since I’ve been working. I never though that I would like to read on a tablet, but it has changed my life. Living in a small town has its perks, but having your choice of books at a bookstore is not one of them. I can download any book I want basically now. It’s lovely.

{Four}

I want to get the ball moving with decorating my house, but I’m at a stand still. Not enough time. Not enough money. I guess I’m just going to have to make time and sit some money aside for some small but big impact projects. Hanging some things on the wall would be a start!

{Five}

While we were at the theater, I saw the preview for The Lucky One. It’s based on a Nicholas Sparks novel. Downloaded it, too. So far, it is terrific. The best part is that it is coming out in April while we will be on vacation. I’m thinking that we will definitely be making time to go see it.

Can’t wait to see!

{Six}

I bought Luke Bryan tickets. It’s the weekend before spring break, and I’m about to explode with excitement! Orange Beach, here we come! I think this will be a great time mark something else off of my 101 list!

{Seven}

We’re less than two months away from spring break and our vacation to the mountains! Hello, relaxation! I’m thinking some hiking, picnicking, photographing, zip-lining, movie-watching, and antiqueing will all be part of the trip. I’m trying to plan out our trip a little better than I did last time. If you have any suggestions on some off the beaten path places to eat or see {or even some that aren’t off the beaten path}, let me know. We’ve gone plenty of times, so I want to try some new-to-us places.

{Eight}

Our dog, Bogie, died. He was part of our family for seven years. It’s always sad to lose a pet, and it seems that deaths of pets always come unexpected and sudden.

{Nine}

We had Dr. Seuss day at school on Friday for Read Across America. I want to send a big thank you to our reader, James Carroll, for reading Horton Hears a Who to my kids. They loved having you, and they really enjoyed getting to ask you questions about being a firefighter since that’s what our story was on this week.

{Ten}

Southern Living has a gorgeous cover this month. It makes me want to paint my front door that color, but I just don’t think it would look so good on my house. I’m not quite as bold either. If you have an iPad and are a Southern Living subscriber, you should download their app. You can get the issue as soon as it is released, and you don’t have to pay a penny more for it.

{Eleven}

I love Boy Meets World Saturdays. I’m not sure what channel it comes on, but I love that it’s on for about four or five hours on Saturdays. I can’t get enough of Cory and Topanga.

{Twelve}

I made these super cute Valentine’s but never got around to sharing them with you. I got the printable from some website that is pinned on Pinterest.

{Thirteen}

Colby’s turning 30 on Saturday. My sister is turning 22 on Friday. Busy week for birthdays! Happy Birthday Week To You Both!

{Fourteen}

I’m probably going to forget to wear green on St. Patrick’s Day. Someone needs to remind me, so I don’t get pinched. Better yet, it’s on a Saturday, so there’s very little chance that anyone will see me anyway.

{Fifteen}

My church is having a singing on March 17th, too. It’s at 7:00 p.m. at May Creek United Methodist Church. Spread the word. We would love to have you.

{Sixteen}

We had a Gideon speaker yesterday. I always look forward to having a Gideon speaker. Their personalities and stories are always different, but it makes a person feel good to know that the Word is being spread like it is just through this one ministry. It’s amazing what they’re capable of doing and who they are able to reach just by simply passing out Bibles. I’m not sure who had {or will have} Mr. McCracken from Brewton, but I feel quite sure that you will enjoy his message. He came to our church last year, and I still haven’t forgotten about him coming. Great speaker!

{Seventeen}

I now limit myself to one carbonated drink a day. This has been a huge step for me, but it’s been way over a month since I started this. I went from drinking more than my share of Cokes a day to only one a day.

{Eighteen}

People are just now discovering who my sister is {or who her sister is}. It’s funny how two people can be sisters but have completely different personalities and looks. I’m the conservative one. She’s the outgoing one. It’s just who we are.

This picture is with our cousin, Chuck.

{Nineteen}

I have a themed baby gift that I’ll be sharing with you soon. So excited for our aide, Erin! I swear you couldn’t be any cuter than her pregnant. I pray that I have the same luck as her.

{Twenty}

Justice has finally been served for the death of Mia Brown, my cousin {Chuck’s} half-sister. After having to endure the trial filled of unsettling details of the last hours of Mia’s life, the jury decided rather quickly that her killer was indeed guilty. They also later decided that he would be sentenced to the death penalty for his cruel actions.

{Twenty-One}

A random dog has shown up in our neighborhood. He’s established himself a home at the neighbor’s house, but he is getting attention from us just like their other dog. Colby calls him Barron and feeds him a treat here a there. I guess we’re welcoming the new watch dog into the neighborhood.

{Twenty-Two}

This weather has been nuts. One minute it is 80 degrees out. The next it is 60 degrees. I’m not sure anymore what clothes to put on in the morning. It’s cold when I leave, hot when I leave school, and cool by nighttime again. It’s definitely spring in the South!

{Twenty-Three}

I’m ready for The Bachelor to be over. It’s down to two girls, one of which I despise. If he picks her, he is only getting what he deserves. I’m ready to move on to The Bachelorette, Emily. That’s a season that will be much more enjoyable. At least then, I won’t have to look at Ben’s butt-crack part in his hair that seriously needs something done to it.

{Twenty-Four}

Classes will be starting again officially next week. The preview of classes begins on Thursday. Maybe, just maybe I’ll get a head start on assignments. Or I might just procrastinate like usual. I guess it will depend on my mood.

{Twenty-Five}

It’s going to be a busy week. Hair appointment. Teacher work day. Report cards are going home. Birthdays. Birmingham Children’s Theatre performance. And the list goes on. I hope you all have a good week.

Hello Life! Oh, how I’ve missed you!

This weekend was the first weekend in basically two months that I have gotten to leave the house and actually go and do something with my husband. For the past two months, I have been camped out on the couch or the bed studying and completing assignments. It was a sad life I was leading, and it wasn’t any fun at all. If my goal wasn’t so close, I might would be tempted to give in, but I’m too close to stop now. Five classes! I can’t believe it! Two classes this next semester and three in the summer!

So, this weekend, Colby and I took a short trip out to the farm to feed the cows. Of course, I packed my camera. It’s been so long since I’ve used it that there was no way I was leaving it behind.

When we got there, we were greeted with thanks from these cows right here. I believe they were hungry and glad to see us since we were the deliverers of great joy {the food}.

The largest cow on the left is my favorite cow of all. I just love her non-traditional coloring {not red or black}. It’s actually quite the family standing there. The one on the left is the mom to the large yellow cow and the baby standing directly beside her. The yellow cow’s baby is standing by her side as well. Apparently, their family stays close together {mom, kids, and great-grandkids}. Funny how that works out!

Those two babies are my favorite of all that I saw hopping and bouncing around yesterday. I just can’t get past their coloring….gorgeous!

This sister here didn’t care for me too much either. I don’t think she liked the fact that I was carrying this mysterious looking thing around my neck that kept getting all in their business. That, or she just liked to see how close she could walk to me before I would start heading for safety. The last thing I wanted was to be ran over by a cow. Colby says she’s the outcast, and that the other cows push her away from the food. I’m not sure if it’s that or if she just doesn’t have it going on upstairs quite like the others do.

We brought her some extra special treat {that is not poop…like it looks}. She just couldn’t get the hint though as we tried to lead her away from the others to give it to her. It’s not like she isn’t used to getting the extra food either. Apparently, my father-in-law feels sorry for her, too. He does it for all the time, but I think I might have kept her from trusting us this time. You snooze, you lose!

The others got hay. You’d think they hadn’t seen hay in days, but there was still plenty strewn across the ground. They wanted what they haven’t been able to get to though…..the hay under the shed. Farmer Langham fired up the tractor to drag them some out anyway.

The cows weren’t the only ones to get fed though. The fish got their own choice of food as well.

Feeding the fish is something that always brings back memories for me. When I was younger, I would go with my grandparents to their farm {which my dad has now}. We would go down to the pond and always feed the fish. I can remember seeing hundreds of fish swim to the top to catch some food. Catfish or bream. They would come to get food. It even got to the point that they would start coming near the bank when my paw paw’s truck got close to the pond. Funny how they catch on like that!

Before we left, Colby gave me a lesson on how to drive a stick shift. Let’s just say that if in an emergency there were others around, you might want to get someone else to drive. I get it. I understand it {some}. However, I don’t see myself EVER buying a vehicle that isn’t an automatic for me to drive. Why in the world someone would want to buy a vehicle that isn’t automatic is beyond me. Now, if it’s a sports car, that’s another thing, but I don’t think I would ever buy a regular vehicle that doesn’t do it all for me. I can’t even stay focused on the road for trying to determine when to shift, how to shift, which direction the stick goes, where my RPMs are, and the list goes on.

So, that was pretty much my weekend. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’m gearing up for another work week. Weekends fly by way too fast!