Monday, January 31, 2011

giveaways, giveaways, i love giveaways.

***update: the fabric giveaway is now closed, but you can still enter the design giveaway until Feb 5th***

Just a few items of note:

You can enter to win at one of TWO giveaways that I have going on right now. Yes, two---Get excited!

The first is to my design shop:



it's a $25 credit to the shop
so you can use it toward exactly what you like--even a custom order if you're in the mood!

Enter here, at the blog Josiah's Nest.




AND/OR  skip to the fabric and make something pretty for yourself:

with a $20 store credit to my fabric shop

Enter to win at: Yellow Songbird's blog


That's all for now!! hope you win :)

roadside weekend

our photo shoot for the day was off the side of the highway somewhere between west texas and the hill country
imperial indigo


saffron and slate

sweet cocoa

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Every military wife needs one...


Vintage Airway Luggage .. Electric Blue

Ben & I have become quite the seasoned movers in the past couple of years, but it seems that every time we move I am still flying by the seat of my pants thinking, "ok, now what did we do last time? how do I make this as painless as possible?..." and the list goes on. 
So in order to alleviate some of the list making going on in my head, I decided to write it down.  Novel idea, I know.  There is something about a written list, though that just feels so good.  It's like all my thoughts are no longer jumbled together, but are neatly separated by periods and lines.  And the crossing off of an item...oh that feels so good!  I passed this list on to a couple of military friends & thought some of you might be interested in it as a resource as well.  :) 

 PCS Moving Checklist

-If living on base, send orders to the base housing office of your gaining unit. Usually can do this 30 days in advance.

-Inventory of personal property, take pictures of valuables.

-Go through old clothes and throw away the “junk” you don’t need.

-Separate husband’s military uniforms, gear, books, etc… from rest of Household goods (not supposed to be weighed by movers or for DITY move)

-Make a list of all organizations/subscriptions that need change of address (will be helpful once you get to your new duty address!):  credit cards, bank accounts, insurance, magazine subscriptions, amazon, paypal, etc…

-Plan out driving route, stops, etc… arrange/reserve hotel stays.  I found a great website:  www.fedrooms.com where you can search for hotels with government rates OR arrange to stay at military bases along the way. 

-Arrange for TLF (Temporary Lodging…not sure what the “F” stands for) with your new base (unless you are able to move straight into your home upon arrival).

-Visit http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/allowances.cfm for per diem rates, DLA, BAH, etc…

-Make a moving budget/track moving expenses (out to eat, lodging, gas, etc…) so you know how much you may have to spend up front before reimbursement.

-Check out with TRICARE office at the med clinic.

-Pick up dental records from dentist (optional) so you don’t have to mess w/ transferring them later.

-Begin moving repairs/cleaning.

-Obtain Power of Attorney for spouse.

-Confirm moving date with TMO (I think this is called something else in the Navy…PPO, maybe?)

-When you know your move date, schedule cancellation of utilities & internet.  Get referrals from each for new utility companies (this will waive deposits on future utilities).

-Research utility/internet companies in new city.

-Get cars checked & oil changed before the drive.

-Designate an area of the house for items you will move yourself (unless doing a DITY move).  Movers will not move flammables (candles, chemicals, etc…) or cleaning supplies/liquids, or foods.

-Schedule walk-thru with property manager if necessary.

-File change of address with post office & arrange for mail to be forwarded (can do this online at www.usps.com).

Week before move:
-Back up computers.
-Pack luggage to take with you in the car/airplane.
-Organize important files that you do not want the movers to pack---(SSN, Passports, banking info, PCS Orders, marriage license, legal docs, etc…)
-Pack a small tool kit for each car, flashlight & extra batteries.
-Snacks for car-ride.
-Final cleaning.
-Food & drinks for movers (if applicable).


Good moving resources:  www.cinchouse.com; www.militaryonesource.com

moving/traveling resource for the mama with a baby: www.byebyewithbaby.com 



**ok, my other seasoned moving friends....what am I missing?  Anything to add?  I am all ears!**

Fabric Giveaway!!!

hello there!

just wanted to let you in on a little somethin' somethin' that's happening over at Yellow Songbird today.


 I am doing a fabric giveaway!!
Go over to Kim's blog & enter to win $20 to My Little Sunshine!

here are just a few of the beautiful fabrics you could choose from  if you win:


so pretty!!


Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Sweet Ruffled Dreams Pillow


I sewed up this little pillow last night for myself and was so pleased with how it turned out I decided to see how it does in my shop.  

 What do you think?

Monday, January 24, 2011

Girls Weekend

Our weekend blessings just keep on coming in & we are receiving them with much gladness! :)

This weekend Ben & I got to host some more of our favorite-est people: the Butler ladies  along with my mamma!

Jeri & my mom have been friends for over 30 years, and not just friends, but the friend who sticks closer than a brother sister type!  Jeri has a beautiful daughter Julian who I have known the better part of my life & who in the past few years has become such a sweet friend & sister to me!

All I can say is:  It's so nice to have girl time.  And I mean real girl time.  I mean, yes, of course we did each other's hair & make-up & watched a romantic comedy (or two), but better than all those things were the girl heart-to-hearts that we had.  We talked about life, the Lord, prayed together, laughed a lot & just enjoyed being in friendship & fellowship.  I don't think I realized how much I needed good. solid. soul-searching. girl-time.  Ahhhhh. thank you Lord! It's a beautiful thing to know that He created us to need those relationships.

And only a real man like Ben could handle the 4:1 ratio.  He is so good & supportive :)

Here's a few pics of the weekend....some of them have random saturations & effects as I was playing around with my camera, learning the ropes, most of the weekend.  

jeri & julian

:)

shopping downtown



mexican food with the whole crew

me attempting to be a photographer

the four girls :)

the mammas!
the daughters!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

weekend high


Ben & I were so blessed this weekend to share so many fun memories with some of our favorite people!  It was especially sweet to do so, knowing that when we leave Texas it won't be quite as easy to have those reunions.

First, Praise Jesus because I passed my DTR exam (which was in San Antonio) to be come a registered, Dietetic Technician. It all went very smoothly & I am sooo thankful to have that under my belt. Why is this important, you ask?  I will tell you.

It gives me qualifications to work in dietary related positions that I did not have before & it is a good little resume builder, as Ben & I still hope that one day I will be able to do an internship & sit for the Registered Dietitian exam.  

As I was already in San Antonio for the weekend because of the exam, Ben decided to join me.  He had a long weekend because of MLK day so it worked out perfectly!  

His grandparents & brother came to spend Saturday with my family in San Antonio---the boys went & looked at airplanes on base while the girls shopped--so everyone was happy ;) AND I love that our families love each other, it's a HUGE blessing!

Then, as if the weekend couldn't get any better.... IT DID!  
Ben & I got to see two of our favorite-est people in the world:  Jacki & Brandon who came all the way to San Antonio from the Azores Islands.  
Of course, that managed to be the only event that I took a picture of the entire weekend...totally failed in that area, but if I only have one picture, I am glad it's of them!  :)

our island friends :)
Following, a fun & ginormous breakfast & a much needed catching up with the Morrises, we headed off to see one of our other favorite-est couples:  The Whitakers! We love them.  And their son.  If I have a  little girl someday I hope she marries Cale.  He is precious.

::This is a picture from Christmas of their adorable son Cale::

He's a keeper, am I right?


Needless to say ((although I think I've said it a million times in this post)) it was a wonderful weekend!

:)  

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Moving On

credit


We have about a month left in San Angelo before we head out to Missouri.

After 3 moves & 4 states in less than 3 years, it only stands to reason that we are getting used to a transient lifestyle.  It's definitely a bittersweet thing.

We have found it difficult in the past 2 1/2 years to have the deep, rooted friendships that we long for & yet,  in looking back at God's sweet timing He always provides them.  The difficulty then is in leaving those friends (at least in the physical sense) and equipping ourselves to go out & do it again.  It can be exhausting & discouraging at times--but always rewarding in the end.  We never look back on our time in a city and regret "putting ourselves out there" when it comes to friendships & fellowship, on the contrary often we even wish we had been more vulnerable.

As I look back on our time in San Angelo---I know there were many things we could have done better or differently, but I am thankful that we still have a month left here to be in the community where God has placed us for the time being.   We are beyond blessed.

I am excited for the new things to come, maybe even a little apprehensive.  It's always a little bit scary moving to a new place & starting the "cycle" again of meeting new people, getting plugged into a church & community, starting friendships, etc..

Pray for us when you think of it.  That we would finish out our time in San Angelo strong & be preparing our hearts for the things to come!

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

A Salad to Share



I don't know if it's the start of a new year or just coincidence, but Ben & I have really been working hard to eat more healthfully the past few weeks.  I know that most of you know that I am already a pretty health conscious girl.  I am not easily tempted by french fries, bacon or cream pie, but it's still so easy to not get enough fruits & veggies in your diet--that's something I have to intentionally work at!

So with that said, one way Ben & I are doing that is by eating more fruits & nuts in the morning.  We buy a variety each week and alternate them throughout the week, serving them with a small bowl of cereal or some whole grain carb.  We learned recently that what you eat in the morning is what you crave more of later in the day.  So when you carb load in the morning with a sugary bowl of fruit loops, you will crave sugary carb loaded foods later in the day.  By eating the fruit & nuts we are trying to train ourselves to crave more of those types of food throughout the day!

Another thing I have been doing, is serving a small side salad with our dinners.  Its a great way to add a variety of veggies & even fruit to your meal!

We tried out a new recipe recently (pictured above) and LOVED it so I thought I would share it with you today.

I threw this together with things in our fridge, so it can easily be changed to your liking!

Pomegranate Spinach Salad (1 serving):

2 handfuls of spinach
2 TBSP pomegranate seeds
2 TBSP blue cheese, crumbled
2 TBSP avocado, diced
handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
a shake of salt & pepper
balsamic vinaigrette dressing, tossed in with the salad

Combine all ingredients & serve!

Monday, January 10, 2011

a lovely new addition




Silk Herringbone Hobo Satchel


I am excited to add this new darling bag to my shop!

It's made from 100% silk, versatile for the winter or spring.  It has a "heavy" look but is actually a fairly light weight but sturdy material.  

My friend Holly already has hers :) check it out for yourself!

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Fun Food for the New Year

Thought I'd share a recipe with you guys that Ben & I have really enjoyed recently.

The idea started with some leftover Christmas ham that I wanted to get creative with--and ended with this recipe that I found in Better Homes & Gardens.  It combines an unusual combination of flavors, but surprisingly, was really tasty!



These yummy little bites are called

Banh Mi Bruschetta


Here's what you'll need:

24 -1/2 in. thick slices from baguette-style French bread
1/3 cup garlic-herb, reduced-fat mayonnaise (my revision)
2 TBSP.  soy sauce
6 oz. thinly sliced ham
1 English cucumber, sliced 
2 carrots, shredded
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
thin jalapeño slices


Preheat broiler.  Spread mayonnaise on one side of each bread slice and arrange, spread side up, on a baking sheet.  Broil 4-5 inches from the heat for 1 minute or just until starting to toast.  Remove from oven; gently brush with soy sauce. Return to oven & broil 1 minute more.  Top bread slices with ham, cucumber, carrots, cilantro & jalapeño slices. Enjoy!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Christmasing

December 2010 was filled with lots of Christmasing---I feel like we have been celebrating non-stop for the past 2.5 weeks.  It has been such a sweet & fun time with family & friends that we may not have the opportunity to see as much when February rolls around (predicted move date).

Here is a little (by no means complete) picture log of our Christmas in TX...

It's always good to start the Christmas season off with a wedding :) 

Celebrating with friends

 Sweet SA friends

Christmas in SA isn't complete without a trip to the Alamo

Christmas eve downtown SA 

Me & my mamacita

Lots of gift giving fun!



Sweet time with family & friends :)

Christmas caroling & holiday singing

 more gifting!





 Kazoos + Christmas carols = festive entertainment

 Beautiful Marble Falls with la familia




It's back to the daily grind for us---Ben will be hitting it hard with his last & most rigorous month & a half of training--and I am busy as a bee filling purse & fabric orders.