I was off to Austin this past weekend to throw a shower for Shannon and Jamie. "Party" is a more appropriate name for it though, and I really had to try hard to let it go that I wasn't going to be able to decorate in pink and with flowers and traditional finger foods. That just isn't "Shannon and Jamie" style, you know. But I had to draw the line somewhere and I decided that Jamie would be the one buying the keg, because if I didn't get sweet little flower arrangements then I wasn't buying a keg for sure. Ha. ;)


When I pulled up Friday night this is what greeted me. A mail box with a cute, totally Shannon-style note on it. Ironically, it was about birds. I am seriously starting to wonder if there is some higher calling for me - a bird vet perhaps? It seems to be surrounding me everywhere I go...



The fine, and HOT HOT HOT hostesses pictured here. It was a boiling 100+ degrees all weekend and it was NOT pleasurable. We hit an all time record for the number of bottles of water consumed at a party where beer is present.


This is Melissa (co-hostess) and her fiance Bryant. They'll be tying the knot in August and we can't wait to celebrate with them! They are super sweet and cool people.


Shannon was really pulling for fajitas, but heck if I was going to make fajitas for 40 so we called upon an Austin favorite to cater for us. It was a hit and they were great!! I learned a lot about feeding 40 people that I didn't know before. First of all, that we ordered too much food, which thankfully made for some great late night tacos. Second, that a huge Costco sized sour cream is too much. I swear we only ended using like two table spoons of the stuff. Third, that an even bigger Costco sized bag of cheese is too much. I swear we only ended up using like four tablespoons of the stuff. Fourth, that there is never enough guacamole. And it was the only homemade food there! Next, I learned that if you discourage your friend to buy a huge thing of jalapenos because it's "really not necessary" and she buys it anyway - it will be one of the few things that everyone actually uses. And lastly, of course, that you will forget to buy ice.


Here is the Couple of Honor! They are crazy about each other and will live perfectly happily ever after. The are such a great match. And frankly...it's about time!!


Shannon and Jamie won the gold star prize with supplying the tables and chairs. Jamie's parents had them and graciously let us use them. Unfortunately, since Melissa and I both live out of town, Jamie was in charge of hauling them in and setting them up in the sweltering heat. Luckily his parents also had a huge metal fan that we plugged in outside too.




Take note of the sandy backyard. Shannon had a landscaper come in to help clean up the back yard and he suggested a little sand to even out the ground. She thought it would be a light sprinkling...then come to find out she has a beach out her back door. There was a slight miscommunication. It was very festive!




Here are the proud mamas! Everyone was so happy and we can't wait for the wedding.




These are Jamie's cute as can be nephews. They ran in and out all night and it always adds to the ambiance with little kids running around your legs and hearing their laughter. It reminded me of home!





Sampson had to check out all the gifts. He was pretty weirded out by all the ruckus.


I was glad she decided to open presents there. She didn't want to at first, I think mostly because she didn't think a lot of people would bring gifts. This was my favorite though - Jamie's transformer figurine and Shannon's iron. If that doesn't say his and hers then I don't know what does.

Sunday we had lunch and made a drive out to see the venue. It is an old southern style mansion with a big beautiful lawn. Trees wrapped with twinkle lights, a gazebo, wrap-around porch, huge ferns hanging from the eaves...and lots of peacocks roaming around...the inside was so pretty also with lots of antique wood detailing. I can't wait!! It's going to be so special and just perfect.

Return of the Attack Bird

What is it with my house and birds? Are we somehow sending out "come hither" vibes to these little feathered creatures? The last one tried to get us when it flew down the chimney and now this?

I had just said goodnight and gave kisses to Baby Joe and shut his bedroom door - Josh was still in there to lay him down. It was dusk so there was still sunlight out and I decided to run out front to check out the flowers and grab the mail. By the way, I planted some pink amaryllis from Josh's dad when he was thinning out his landscaping, and they are so pretty! They barely even have any leaves but just days after I planted the bulbs they started to put off long tall blooms. What satisfaction when transplants thrive! So I went to the front door.....turned the lock....opened the door....and *BAM* I was bombarded by those crazy attack birds...AGAIN. They darted in and out of the porch pecking at my eyes and screeching in my face. Apparently they had been sitting on my new pretty moss wreath and when I swung open the door we kinda ran into each other.

You didn't really believe that they were pecking at my eyes, did you? Cause I figured that most of you know better than to believe that but then I thought I better let you know I was just kidding. I did almost get whacked in the head from a fly by, it was really close - I imagine they were pretty scared when that door swung open and knocked their wreath-perch around a bit. So at that point I didn't know what it was but I hit the deck, I kid you not. I don't need nuthing, bird or fly or gnat or whatever, swooshing by my head thankyouverymuch.

I examined the wreath for nests and there wasn't anything, so I guess they were just hanging around for a breather, OR MAYBE stealing some of my lovely soft moss for their nest somewhere. I went about my business tending to the garden, getting a breath of fresh air, and appreciating the beautiful day. I went on back inside and Josh was still in with Joseph so I was all alone. All alone for the next attack. I was so unassuming. So naive. I thought it was all over. WHY couldn't it have been all over?!

I heard fluttering coming from the dinning room. It was pretty darn loud and I knew something wasn't right. Almost crawling on the ground so as to not leave my eyes vulnerable...I slowly peeked around the corner and saw a damn bird in the dinning room. Apparently the fly-by head swipe was a ploy to get his little friend in for the goods. More moss, I assume. Yeah I got their number, the little punks.

I sighed and shook my head, not even in a hurry to figure out what the heck to do. I knew I couldn't make a ruckus since Joseph was almost asleep - so I clearly wouldn't be able to attempt anything that would make me scream and jump and do the "just stepped on a slug" dance, like grabbing the bird then freaking out and screaming and end up dropping it anyway. I did seriously consider trying to grab it after I saw how futile the situation was - but I just didn't think I had it in me. But why?! I've held my brother's old pet bird, Snow White. I've been to a petting zoo before. The ducks down at the pond are some of my most faithful fans....I'm no stranger to a feather or two. Come on! Why so scared, girl?!?

The bird flew to the window - thank god - obviously trying to get out. I made a break for it right then and there! I ran outside and tore off the screen, all the while the poor bird was slamming into the window over and over. I ran back inside and closed the blinds so he was trapped behind them and unlocked the window. By this time he was sitting on the window seal and it couldn't have been more perfect. I slide the window open only a few inches and he was FREE!

Josh comes out, bleary eyed and blinking from entering the bright light after being in Joseph's dark room and I was bursting with pride in my accomplishment. I got to tell the story, play by play, how I went from confusion to fear to victor! Josh was like "...just now...? That happened just now while I was down the hall?" I told him that "Pshhh, it was no biggie...I mean, you were busy and all so I just went ahead and took care of it." My heart was still beating a little faster than normal.

Of course, I got my eye on that wreath. It's still there and I have no intention to take it down yet, but I sure don't appreciate the thanks I get for giving my little feathered friends a roost to chill out on. For the next few days, I sure did open the door slowly and sometimes gave it an extra hard shake to make sure I didn't get it in the face again like before.

A few days later a neighbor came knocking. She had a bird in her hands and said she needed help. Of course. Of course the time would come that I'd have to touch one and face my fear. Now was the time apparently. This bird was found hanging from her patio with string caught around both feet, so I guess when he tried to land the string hooked right on and he couldn't fly off. On one foot it was really tangled and seemed to be pulling back his "thumb" pretty badly. I grabbed my scissors and while she held him tight I started snipping...only having to touch his feet occasionally. I got most of the job done just holding on to the string. It's not like I have a true, rational fear of these little guys...I can only say that I just don't have the experience to make me desensitized to the "wild nature" of it all. Haven't I done enough?! Why am I suddenly the bird whisperer?!

Oh and how about this....we're just now getting around to capping the chimney from when this happened last time, and the guy that came out to give us an estimate said that they are probably black-chimney-swallows (or something like that, I can't remember exactly) and that they are protected by law when they nest in your chimney!! Ha! Doesn't that figure?! You can cap it while they're out and about, you just can't trap or kill them. I guess all I'll have to do is open the back door and they'll fly in the house, then the workmen can hurry up and cap the chimney. Or better yet, I can go stand in the back yard with my arms wide open in an embrace with the sky and I'm sure they'll come in flocks to land on me.

Hopefully this will be the last bird story I get to tell for awhile. Hopefully. Wish me luck.

To blog or not to blog...that is the question. I have been so blase about blogging. I can't let it go now! Not after all these years! I think part of it is the heat of the summer making me crazy. It's SO HOT! I went to the pool today with Kristen and Ethan and it was the worst pool experience ever. I can honestly say the walk to the pool, in 100 degree heat mind you, was better than the "bath" they call a pool. It was just plain nasty in there and I was kinda worried about Joseph being in the heat...since the pool wasn't cooling anyone off. I think the other part of my blase-ness has to do with my 18 month old making me crazy. He is full on ninety miles an hour, either manic or screaming - no in between - and to say he is keeping me on my toes is saying it nicely. He is the biggest character and so full of life. There is definitely a lesson there to 'not sweat the small stuff' and enjoy life like an 18 month old. Such a sweet baby.


We've been watching our budding marigolds in the backyard. They are bright and beautiful and fast becoming some of my favorite flowers. I got these from my sister and always think of her when I look at them. Maybe too, they remind me of our childhood kitchen wallpaper that rocked the 60's like none other. I still have dreams about that orange, yellow and green wallpaper.


O'Neill came to visit one weekend. We got to sit and talk all about her upcoming wedding, but once the computer was busted out to look at the inspiration pictures she had filed away - Josh took immediate action. He thought I looked umcomfortable and needed a few pillows thrown my way. Notice how Shannon doesn't even miss a beat and seems to be pushing forward telling me about her gorgeous invitations. P.S. The venue where she is having her wedding has peacocks!!


Joseph got a new chair that he LOVES! He likes to push it around and sit in all different places around the kitchen and living room and backyard. To see his face pleased as punch with that little chair makes my day.


We also said goodbye to Josh's mom. She left for Georgia to start a new phase in her life. We hope she'll be back soon, but in the mean time her mom and sister will take good care of her! Josh got to help load up the moving truck in the heat of the summer and from her second floor apartment. Let me tell ya, it was loads of fun. ;) While daddy was helping move, Joseph found her hat and since the kitchen was all packed up he had a ball opening the cabinets and playing with the dishwasher.


With Edie moving away, we got to have her piano! Bittersweet, I know. I've always wanted one but we weren't sure about space. We couldn't pass up this opportunity though so we made it fit! I'd like to take lessons again, but I'm afraid I'm setting myself up for failure. I've never been good at reading music so now as an adult I know it will be even harder. Hopefully Joseph will be receptive to lessons someday. That would be so cool!


I'll leave you with Josh's rendering of a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. AKA a big green smiley face with a red bandanna. I love that guy...getting out there with his baby and chalking in the summer. He is the best daddy I know. So good that for Father's Day I made him french toast and mowed the lawn for him so he could fulfill his wish to "do nothing!" I love him more than words but next year, Father's Day or not, HE'S mowing the lawn. That sucked. ;) We finished the day with a dip in the pool and steak on the grill.

I know it must be a busy Summer for you too because I see that everyone is slacking on the blogging! Hope you are doing great though, and stay cool friends!

I borrowed these pictures from Tammy's blog...thanks! We met them at the park today and had such a nice time. This was Heights Park in Richardson and it had been newly remodeled and was awesome! Definitely try it sometime! But don't tell your sister in law, whom you are meeting, directions to the wrong park. Because then you each drive back and forth from park to park trying to find each other...and cross paths but don't know...finally settling on this one because you've given up...even though it ends up being the same one your both at. Oh and don't forget your cell phone because that just really messes things up. Purely hypothetical, of course.

We even bumped into Superman while we were there! Cayden's cape caused a whole gathering of super heroes once the other kids saw it and I saw him and Spiderman shooting webs quite a bit. Now let me tell you, I have never seen a park like this. It had a super cool three story playground with massive twisting slides. Joseph loved those slides and consequently we rode them A LOT. But it was worth every minute of climbing up those ladders, over and over and over...cause I liked it A LOT too. ;)

Joseph loves hugging Cousin Connor nowadays. Connor told Tammy the other day "I wish Joseph was my brother." Now we adults all know better than that, but wasn't that sweet?!

Here he comes twisting down the slide! You should have seen him with his matching hat on, which he actually liked - but the wind kept blowing it off. It was cute!

I can't wait to go back to this park. This was the same one that we met some other friends at early this winter and it was a busted-up, crazy, whacked out park from the 60's. With...*UGH*...gravel. Now it's got trusty ol wood chips. I think I still have a couple pieces of gravel in my knees from 3rd grade. Thank goodness our children of this day and age don't have to deal with that. ;)

Lookie what we learned how to do all by ourselves! The bare feet help...but he is turning into such a climber! We have a fun Summer ahead of us!

Introducing the new handmade kitchen valance! And I didn't even have to use a glue gun! Ha.

This has been months in the making. I bought extra material when we had the fire place hearth cushion made so it would all match. The green material along the bottom is also supposed to be some throw pillows for the couches...but that is the next project. One at a time.

I had a great time making this. I really enjoy sewing! I went to a girls night scrap booking session and at the last minute decided to take my sewing machine and make this instead. A couple hours of uninterrupted sewing was all I knew it would be!

I went all out and sewed in cording too. It was quite the adventure with only minimal stitch ripping. Ha! It got pretty tricky at the edge though and although I didn't bust out the glue gun, I did make good use of some scotch tape. I had no idea how to attempt cording but that was part of the fun. It was like a little mini engineering project! (for someone who didn't know exactly what she was doing, that is)

So I wrapped the cord around the edge and sewed it in place but then...

...it wasn't quite long enough so it started to fray. That's where the tape comes into play. I certainly learned a thing or two. Like that you have to sew the hem along the sides first before the top and bottom...otherwise the rod pocket area can't be hemmed. Oops.

Overall I am happy with it. If I could change it I would have made it longer but the engineer in me didn't take the depth of the rod into account. But on the plus side, I have gotten a lot better at sewing a straight line. It's pretty fun bonding with my little machine. And it's even more fun to know I made it!

18 Months Old

Our little Punkin' turned 18 months old this week! Josh decided a little cake was in order...so of course we had to sing happy birthday too. He's getting such a good vocabulary and I love listening to him talk. Some of his favorites right now are "wa-ter" - with a very pronounced 'T' - and "light". We hear those all day long. Today we ran into Home Depot to buy a switch which was in the fan/light fixture department and I thought he was going to blow a gasket yelling "light" over and over, pointing at all the lights. It was really funny!

He has started getting that "two-year old" personality...if you know what I mean. Everything is "mine" and lots of no's. The little turkey started this run-by turning of the dishwasher switch. It's gotten sorta comical, but still a no-no. He'll be running by full speed and practically skid in his socks to stop and turn the switch real fast, then he'll catch my eye and all wide eyed he'll run off full speed again. He knows I'm gonna get him if he hangs around.

And everything is "hot". He waves his little hand to cool it off and blows, even if it isn't hot. He's got the blowing of candles down pat. We lit this one several times!

Always the little boy, he's gotten so good at climbing and loves to explore. He loves to throw rocks and dig in the dirt. It's a losing battle cleaning under his nails anymore.

He uses his spoon like a champ and can shovel in food with the best of 'em. We're working on swallowing before he starts gaging now. Ha.

Yes sir...our sweetie is one big ball of joy. Most days, that is. Just like anything else we have our rough days and it gives me all the opportunity I need to work on my patience and endurance. I always thought I was a patient gal until Joseph came along. Thank goodness we have it as good as we do. He's healthy and happy and learning so much. And that beaming smile...no one can resist it. If every single person had the chance to capture a glimpse just once, it could change the world. I just know it. :)

Everything is all about making my home a haven these days...I can't stop thinking of the next thing I want to do to make it more comfy, beautiful or organized. Goes hand in hand with staying home I suppose. I see this place alllll day long and have all the time in the world to sit and stew on arrangements for the table, pillows for the couch, wishing for this and that...the nesting bug has bitten me hard this year. Then there is Pottery Barn....stupid, stupid, wonderful, sexy Pottery Barn.

I've found a fun new blog called Buzzings of a Queen Bee that I like to check in on every couple of days or so. She had a post recently about copying the wreath above...and I shamelessly copied her shamelessly copying Pottery Barn. It had been awhile since I'd busted out my bitty glue gun and it was high time!

I grabbed a 14" wreath form from Hobby Lobby and a couple bags of Reindeer Moss (from Norway, apparently...). It took way longer than I thought it would, as do ALL my projects. And any of my time estimates, really. Always waaay off. I'll tell Josh I'll be back in 30 minutes and an hour and a half later I come walking in through the door, apologizing for taking so long. He says 'no big deal' that he knew it would take me three times longer than I said. I get that from my Dad...no denying it. I come by it naturally, what can I say?

My Little Helper got a few pieces to help me out with. He was oh so helpful with his eagle eyes and told me when I missed a spot and helped me with the positioning of it all. He's going to make an excellent decorator...er, I mean Doctor or Professional Wrestler...someday!

That glue gun gets so stinking hot. It's ridiculous. They need to have a warning on there. "Even though you've used this tool a hundred times and you think you know what you are doing, please do not touch the hot glue unless you want to melt the skin off of your precious little fingers...and it really really hurts." I mean, I knew it was hot and it would hurt, but when you're gluing down porous fluffy moss...it's bound to happen.

Uh oh, Little Helper has somehow opened the baby proofed utensil drawer. In about three minutes, he puts every single thing in there on the cabinet in a nice little pile then whacks me with the metal garlic press.

Here we are! I thought it turned out perfect! Perfectly springy and fresh! A little spring for spring! A fresh little wreath for a fresh little mama! ;)

Oh nutso! I didn't do the back side in an effort to save time and materials...didn't consider the window in the door though.
"Oh Heather! What a lovely styrofoam wreath form! I always thought you were supposed to cover those but what an interesting take on it! Bravo!"
Take that Pottery Barn! I bet yours was actually covered all the way around! You think you're so fancy!

But from the front...too cute! I think this is my new favorite thing. I went out and saw it this morning and it was so nice hanging there! Simple, fresh and springy. Happy Spring!

P.S. Josh said it looked Christmassy and weird. Good thing he didn't get a vote on it because it would have been vetoed anyway. What do boys know about fabulous moss wreaths anyway?

The List: Hutch - Check!

One of my top ten "house to-do list" things was checked off recently. Of course the real truth is that the top ten to-do's are constantly changing and moving around "the list" depending on what's important at the time, right?! But "the list" gods were looking down on me one gray stormy day as I sat with the computer to pass the time. I sighed as I decided to pull up CraigsList thinking that I certainly didn't need to be shopping, but as always when I pull up CraigsList, I knew that there were bonafide treasures out there just waiting to be discovered for cheap!

Lo and behold...I had to rub the blurriness out of my eyes when I found this ad to make sure I wasn't missing something. Now, it's not the beaute I've been eyeing from Crate and Barrel for years now...and it's not the gorgeous dark stained, leaded glass, craftsman style one that I've been coveting of Summer's...but this was perfect for us! It matches our table and chairs (immediately to the left in close proximity) and it matches the cabinets (immediately to the right...), and it is lighted inside, it does have the coveted leaded glass...and goodness gracious the price is just right! I felt for sure someone was going to snatch it up before us, but the nice guy and gal who were selling it said they would hold it for us until the weekend on just our word that we wanted it. Probably didn't have much interest in it from others or else I'm betting that it would have been first come first serve. Anyway, we hauled out to Flower Mound that Saturday and it was as perfect in person as in the picture online. Welcome to your new home, sweet little buffet-with-hutch!

Just a side note, Jennifer has started tassel mania around these parts and I've been infected by the bug! Now, if you didn't know...there are a whole mess of serious tassel makers out there. I'm talking huge, themed, tassel-on-steroids. Not your ordinary tassel. And not your ordinary price either. But none the less, on a scavenger hunt for some tassels to hang around I came across the cheap tassel mecca. Tuesday Morning had boxes and boxes and boxes of them. I got a couple which I had priced similar ones at $29.99 for $5.99. Score! And found this perfect one for my new hutch.

The next day was Mother's day...and here is my beautiful Mother's Day gift from Josh and Joseph. It's blue depression glass - but I won't be able to know if it's authentic or a reproduction since it doesn't have any markings. I've read some on the depression glass and they started remaking it in the 60's and 70's when it's popularity grew so much. I've been eying this canister at the Antique Store the past few times I've gone, and lucky for me no one else was...so it was there for me to take home Mother's Day. My Mother's Day wish was to make a family outing of my beloved Antique Mall and have dinner at LaMadelines - and boy did that French Onion Soup hit the spot! It was perfect!

This canister is the "Moon and Stars" pattern. I love blue glass and always have - the cobalt grabs me. I love the blue and white dishware too and I just noticed you can see my blue and white Blue Butterflies dish in the back ground behind the canister - newly found at the Antique Mall. In the background in the picture below are our blue and white Japanese finds from a garage sale years ago.

And here is my favorite blue glass piece because my Grandma gave it to me. I think she saw me eying it so much that she decided if she didn't give it to me, I might just steal it. Just kidding, it was in her garage sale and I decided there was no way that sweet little blue jar was being sold to a stranger so she gave it to me. It used to sit filled with German coins...and once my sister used it in a beautiful painting she did at my Grandma's. I'm going to own a copy of that painting someday. It had one of my most vivid memories of my Grandma's old house painted in it...the vintage red and white plastic covering for the cabinet that sat next to the kitchen table. That and the red and white checkered kitchen curtains are two of my most strong memories of the old house. Aren't memories amazing?!

But anyway, I am so grateful to find our little hutch for some much needed storage for extra platters and other dishes. And of course to display my finds. It fills in the big huge wall perfectly too. Hooray Craigslist!