Come on Spring!

 

I love my little spring vignette, (E for Miss Em's March birthday), but the kite, well, the wind and the cold...thank you I've had enough I've enjoyed your expression of nature, but it's time to move on...

I've got spray painting to do...LOTS of spray painting, and brush painting, and yard cleaning...sigh.  The weather is just NOT cooperating with my plans!  (Hmmm, I wonder if that's where "I know the plan I have for you" comes in? (Jeremiah 29:11)

It's not like I don't have PLENTY of projects indoors...I made curtains for the sun room this weekend (pictures soon), made a pillow and started on another pillow, and still want to stencil a small hallway and make spring curtains for my living room, so maybe one more week of cold wouldn't be SO bad. 

  

And HEY, if you're stuck inside too, check out my friend Josie's blog and see how to make these:

Paint by Josie

Aren't they gorgeous?  She's so talented!  Check out her blog here!

Hope you're inspired this week!

Faux Design Faux Pas!

I made a mistake, a boo-boo, I messed up!  The earrings I shared with you in the last post were NOT from Anthropologie (sorry Anthro--love you anyway).  They were from lenoradame.com!! I had seen a picture of them on Maggie's blog, saved the picture in my collection and thought I had seen it on Anthro when I went to make them!  So, if you want to BUY them, that's where you go and thanks lenora dame for the inspiration!

Anthropologie Inspired Earrings

I found these earrings on the Anthropologie website

They aren't there anymore, but I think they were over $70!  So, I made my own

It's not a great picture, but they are really cute, and NOT heavy and I made them for about $10! These are the items I used from HOBBY LOBBY...

You can do it too!

IKEA TRIP

I'm so excited about my Cincinnati trip this past weekend.  Now, I know some of you "I've got an IKEA I just down the street" people, don't think IKEA is a big deal, but when you have to drive 3 hours to the closest one, you get excited!

I  found this lovely little mirror...

29.99!  The picture doesn't do it justice, but I swear it looks like something out of a little antique shop---.  I want to put it in a little hallway between my bedroom and bathroom in which I really want to do painted wallpaper

Jones design company

You can find the tutorial HERE!

My sis in law was looking for material for her house.  Most of the material at IKEA is fun and whimsical and since I've already picked out "fun" material for the window treatments in  my sunroom, I was left looking only for the material for my dining room.  I've found lots I like but it's LOTS expensive.  I had no thoughts of finding the right material until I ran upon these...

Now I know you can't tell much by the picture, but it's a sheet!  It's a dark grey and what you CAN'T  see is the lovely sheen it has!  I think with lining and a touch of black velvet ribbon trim (PS ribbon by the roll is 50% off at HL this week!)  they'll be perfect in my black and white dining room.  And the best part, I bought 4 twin flat sheets for a total of $29!  (Yeah, I know, the lining fabric will probably cost more than that, but hey, a deal is a deal!)

Of course, I bought cookies and lingenberries---if you've never eaten there, I personally think it's worth the drive for the cookies, but that's just me! Let me know if you go and what you love there!

Birthday Celebration and Amazing Recipes

The birthday dinner is complete.  Emily chose her favorite pork tenderloin for her birthday dinner.  

 

...and here's what's left of it...and even that poor piece was eaten by the time the table was cleared. Now, I know everyone has the best pork marinade, but I'm telling you, no you don't (bold, I know).  This recipe is from my doll of a cousin, Kathy, who lives outside of Atlanta and I'm just sayin', if it's a pork recipe from the south, well, it's gotta be good.  Plus, it comes with a mustard sauce to serve along side it.  I could bathe in that stuff:

This salad was delish too!  So simple but amazing.  I added bacon and you can also add chopped pecans.  The poppy seed dressing was incredible. Recipe courtesy of my friend Josie.

And here is the sad aftermath...empty plates, full bellies and happy hearts! 

Below are the recipes to both.  I think you'll love them!  Let me know if you do...

Cousin Kathy's Pork Tenderloin with Mustard Sauce

For 1 pork tenderloin combine:

1/2 c soy sauce

2 T grated onion

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 T cider vinegar

1/2 tsp ground red pepper

1 tsp sugar

Marinate pork overnight or all day

Bake at 350 for 1 hour

Mustard sauce

Combine 1/3 c mayo

1/3 c sour cream

1 tsp dry mustard

2 T chopped green onions

dash salt

Poppy Seed Dressing

In a blender combine:

1 c sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp dry mustard

1 1/2 c canola OR grape seed oil

1/2 c apple cider vinegar

2 tsp poppy seed

5 T orange juice

1/2 sweet or yellow onion, chopped

ENJOY!!

Intentional

So I've been MIA for awhile.  I didn't even notice how long it had been.  In my head I had posted about all the things I want to do and need to do, all the recipes I've cataloged and decorating "beginnings" that are cluttering my dining room table, but reality reared it's ugly head and reminded me that I've been too inundated with life to do much creative.  Which leads me to the wonderful teaching I heard this weekend.

A sweet Bible teacher and godly man spoke at a service on Saturday that I was privileged to attend.  He spoke words that landed deep in my spirit... being intentional about our time with Christ...allowing Him to remove the distractions that hinder us from the quiet moments with Him and keep us from that which is eternal.    Let me assure you I was only encouraged by his message. As a result, I've begun to take a little "inventory" of the things I do that really don't mean much (like canceling some of my TIVO recordings and ignoring the calls of Facebook).  I had such a sweet time sitting in my bed just chatting with the girls last night instead of watching my normal Sunday night show.  Intentional...eternal...

 

Speaking of time, my precious, beautiful Miss Em turns 16 tomorrow.  Writing the words brings me to the brink of weeping, but at the same time, inside, my heart stirs, knowing what a beautiful young woman she's becoming and knowing this transformation of life is truly a gift from my precious heavenly Father. 

Hoping you'll find time this week to be intentional too.