Bandwagon Posting

     I’m not generally a bandwagon jumper, but it’s the end of the year, and who doesn’t love a good “Goodbye to the Old, Hello to the New” post?  In January, I posted about some attainable goals…womp womp.  Out of 3 (three!) goals, I accomplished 1.6. 
1.  I am going to spend more time in the Word.  (In SMART words:  I am going to read my Bible three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evening.  I am by no means saying I don’t want to do this more often, but I’m starting with what I know I’ll do.  The more I’ll read, the more I’ll want to read…that’s the real goal.) – Welllllll…I didn’t do so hot on this one.  That’s not to say that I don’t feel like my faith has really grown this year though.  Keith and I have been doing much better about reading together, but as far as the actual goal I set out – .3% accomplished
2.  I am going to get a job in my field. (This one is a little more difficult in SMART words:  I can’t put a time frame on this because I don’t know God’s exact plan for me.  I do know He has a job for me though…I’m just out here looking for it.) – Done and done – 100% accomplished
3.  I’m going to go through my closet (to sort, organize, and donate) three times this year, in April, August, and December. – Bahahaha…I occasionally tossed out things I hadn’t been wearing, but as for whole clean outs? No. Not even a little. – .3% accomplished.
     All that being said, I am not making resolutions for 2014.  Keith and I definitely have some things we want to (and will) accomplish, but not hard and fast resolutions.  What do I want to get done?
1.  Pay off my student loans.  This one should be accomplished by October/November (hopefully earlier).  As exciting as this will be…it’s really just a stair step, but it will free us up to focus on Keith’s student loans.
2.  Take a trip.  We’ll be going to the beach this summer (*sigh*), but we are hoping to get away even for just a few days this spring.
3.  Buy a dresser.  The one we have now, while beautiful, is not terribly functional and is much more suited to being a television stand.
     Thrilling right?  We definitely have more we want to do, but these are the ones that are sort of at the top of my list.  Small victories.  2013 was a huge year for us, but I have a feeling 2014 will be the one to beat it.  We’ll get to celebrate our first anniversary and hopefully a million other things.  Happy New Year, blogosphere…here’s hoping I actually hang out here more this year!
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Keith was pretty pleased with himself here.  He decided to surprise me by coming out dressed all in camouflage before leaving the church.  (I framed this one.)

Bacon Wrapped Everything

     So if I were one of the Seven Dwarves (side note…it’s spelled “Dwarfs” on the cover of Snow White…weird), I would be Cheesy…or Corny…or maybe just Dopey.  Hold on…you’ll see in a minute. 
     Right now my house is Christmas chaos.  One tree down, two to go, and other stuff just half up (or down depending on how optimistic you feel).  As sad as I am to see my first married Christmas go, there is just something so special about this time of year.  I am never happy to take down Christmas, but this time of year always makes me feel so hopeful and optimistic – like anything can happen (I know…Cheesy, Corny, Dopey…I’ll let you know which one I settle on).

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Christmas Chaos…or New Year’s Optimism?

     I am so excited for the upcoming year!  I just know it’s going to be a good one.  Even though I’m not sure how it’ll top this past year, but I’m pretty sure it will.  Keith and I have been busy busy discussing some plans and things we’d like to do this year, and I cannot wait!
     Now that I’ve spent a few minutes looking forward, let’s hit rewind for a quick look at Christmas.  Was yours fabulous?  I hope you got to spend time with your family and eat tons of great food!  Mine was just as wonderful.  Apparently in our house Christmas is “Cover Everything in Bacon Day,” and my first experience making bacon wrapped crackers was a rousing success – so so good.  I kind of want to make more just to eat…alone…and not share.

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via my Instagram (follow me @allycami)

     Have we covered everything?  Optimism bordering on the cheesy – check.  Bacon wrapped everything – check.  Christmas chaos – double check.  I know I’ve said it once, but I hope you’ve had just the best Christmas season and are just as excited for the new year as me.  Maybe 2014 will be the year of my triumphant return to the blogosphere…………………….

Merry Christmas

     I kind of thought I would have a little more time on my hands once I made it to Christmas break, but I have been busier than ever for the past few days.  No complaints here…I LOVE Christmas (obv), but between marathon grocery shopping, house cleaning, present wrapping, cooking, and battling the crowds, I don’t know that I’ve had time to breathe!  In spite of all the crazy, we went to my church’s candlelight service last night, and I was reminded again of just how small everything else is. 


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     That’s it.  That is the only important thing.  I’m excited to spend time with family.  I can’t wait to eat (and eat and eat and eat and eat) delicious food.  I love seeing everyone’s decorations.  BUT…knowing and believing and celebrating the One who loved us enough to leave Heaven, live this life, and die for us surpasses everything else in every way. 

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  Luke 2:19

     Merry Christmas to each of you and your families!  I hope the next few days are just wonderfully filled with food and fun and family and the most important thing of all.

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I just wish you could see the tackiness in it’s entirety…sequin bows!  I love it…I almost want to wear it in real life person all the time!

Hello There

     Remember that one time I said, “I’ll never go another month without blogging…”?  Well…here I am a month from my last post.  Lame.  Apparently there are people in this world who manage to be wives and mothers and workers and bloggers…I am not one of those people.  I’m struggling to manage wife and work.  Naturally, my time on the computer doesn’t generally make the list of top priorities, but don’t be discouraged; I think of you sweeties often (and guiltily).
     For the past month, I have been enjoying life by the light of my Christmas tree.  It technically hasn’t been the whole month, but my decorations have been up since 10th.  All three full-size trees and all three table top trees…plus the nativities!

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No apologies for the blurry phone pictures (except for the one of the white tree…that’s pretty bad).

From top: the main tree (with the most fun, glittery pick things ever at the top), a close up of the best tree skirt ever plus my adorable wrapping paper, my silver tree – LOVE, Keith’s hunting tablescape (don’t be fooled…he may not have even noticed its presence), my fun tree – all brights, only the most fun, gigantic ceramic tree ever (made by my nana)

     IIIIII might be slightly out of control.  My family and I have a shared photo stream that is 90% Christmas décor.  I just realized that I have no pictures of my nativities #sinner…

     In other news, I have been busy busy making (and thinking of) delicious things to eat for Thanksgiving and am pleased to report that my first attempt at making a chess pie was a rousing success.  I’m making another one Saturday…I’ll try to take a picture and possibly consider posting a recipe.  (If you’re holding your breath at this point…I kind of feel sorry for you.)
     I hope each of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving and have full bellies and even fuller hearts!  Enjoy your shopping (if you go for that sort of thing).  I’ll be on the couch with the door locked avoiding the crazies driving all over town.

Wordless-ish

 

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Can I get an amen?

Your prayers matter!
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Posted it before…posting it again.  Saying it all day like a mantra.

Five on Friday

     It’s been a long time since I’ve done a fun linky party, so I’m jumping back in with one I’ve been reading for quite awhile – Five on Friday.

1.  Y’all Christmas is seriously almost here!

Walter Dymond, groundskeeper of Harold Lloyd’s estate, Greenacres, with the Lloyd Christmas tree.  He was responsible for the construction of the Christmas tree from two trees (wiring the branches of one into the other), and placed the ornaments where Mr Lloyd directed.  The tree remained up, all year ‘round. - (1972)
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     I am so ready!  I will be cramming three full-size trees into my not-so-full-size home.  I have my white tree, a silver tree, and I have got to get on the ball and buy an actual Christmas tree.  I also have about five million boxes of décor to unpack…so excited!

2.  Thanksgiving is almost here!

     Thanksgiving is one of my favorites, and I am so excited to hang out with family and cook and eat (and eat and eat and eat).  I haven’t decided what all I’ll be cooking, but I will be sure to share it with you when I do.  I’m thinking maybe corn mush (don’t let the name turn you off it’s divine) and/or paradise salad (also divine) and possibly this casserole that has been haunting my Pinterest.

3.  Why are breaks so much faster than work weeks?!

     I’ve been on fall break all week, and my brain has done a blissful nothing.  Next week will be a rude awakening I’m sure…


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     Switch that to “fall break,” and it’s exactly right.

4.  My Christmas list is looking pretty slim…

     My mother keeps asking me for ideas, and I am so lost…

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     I’m having a tortoise shell love affair right now…I am loving this necklace (and that wildly expensive Michael Kors tortoise shell watch), but other than this cute…my list is pretty bare.  Any ideas?

5.  I’ve been married for four months!

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Photo credit: Sarah Linnea Photography

     …and I still haven’t finished my album.  I’ve been loving looking at all my pictures, but I have got to finish the album.  We’re ordering a lay-flat photo book that I will probably look at fifteen times a day…I’ve got to get on the ball.

Chatting With the Decor

     As per youzh, I was perusing my blogs the other day when I see (…hear?) this conversation between Sherry (we’re on a first name basis)  and Jonathan Adler (who I’m not trendy enough to know that much about).  I think the Young House Lovers are just adorable, so I’m listening along when I’m stopped by this gem,

“Alright, I’m gonna get real here. The #1 thing I would say is come up with three words to describe what you want your house to say. So like a three word brand identify for your house – and work backwards from there." – Jonathan Adler

     It’s been like two hours, and now I’m stuck trying to hear what my house is saying.  I’m looking around, but the décor isn’t especially chatty tonight.  Pinterest is always up for a good heart to heart though…

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     Got it!  Cozy, relaxed, striking.  I want my home to be a home…not just a house I live in.  I should be able to walk around in pajamas and not feel like like my décor is judging me.  Every room should be inviting…like we could just hang out in there.  It should leave an impression on people; not just the stuff but the feel of it all.
     Mind you all my house dreaming is just that…but I like to think the things I collect now will be part of my forever home – like my sassy green chair.  She’s never going anywhere.  In the mean time, I’ll just keep decorating vicariously…that’s what the blogosphere is for.

E-cards and Naps

     I planned to make this sort of a photo dump…until I realized that I haven’t taken a real picture in weeks (other than about 100 of my new niece).  Other than that I’ve just been trying to keep my head above water with this whole being a grown up thing.  It’s not my fave. 
     I really love teaching, and my kids are precious…but I do miss watching the Food Network in the middle of the day and having no responsibilities (aaahhh…college).  I was doing wonderfully (i.e. as well as can be expected for a first year first grade teacher) until this week.  I’ve had three evaluations in the past two days.  Three.  If you are a teacher, or know one, or know what one is, this should just make you tired.  Honestly, I just want to sleep.  On the plus side, all of my formal evaluations are done for this semester – woop woop!

Funny Confession Ecard: I'm going to eat what ever I want tonight because I cried at work today.
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I didn’t cry…but I’m tired, so I’ll use that as an excuse to eat everything in sight.

Funny Workplace Ecard: As soon as this day is over I'm having a nervous breakdown. I've worked for it, I deserve it and no one is going to keep me from it!
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I promise I’m not as emotionally unstable as my e-cards make me look.

     I’ll try to take some pictures this weekend…Keith and I will be reliving our college days (aahh…youth…or aaahhh six months ago) for homecoming.  I’ll be back soon…ish.

Happy Fall, Y’all…and a Crafty

     Happy first day of fall!  In honor of one of my favorite seasons, I’ve got my house all decorated for our first fall holiday – Halloween!  I’ve already introduced you to my first, fun purchase:

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   She’s sitting proudly on the counter (glowing like a creep in the dark).  Anyway…so I’m browsing Twitter this morning when I see this link and fall in absolute love.  Y’all know how I feel about a bargain…and holiday decorations (hello…just take a look at my Pinterest), so first thing after church, I hightailed it to the Dollar Tree and gathered up a few Christmas village pieces and some creepy cloth.

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     They look so sweet…for now.  After stopping for this little photo-op (you’re welcome), I put these on the cardboard and introduced them to their fate (or just a can of black spray paint).  To make sure they were all coated, I turned them upside down and hit them with the paint again…especially on the edges and the trees.  While the glue is still wet it would be so cute to fancy them up with black glitter!

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The finished product nestled among some creepy cloth.

     This was such a fun little project and definitely has me excited to keep decorating my little space!  I also love that this is so versatile.  You could do as much as you want and make it as fancy as you want.  I may keep adding to this throughout the season (or even within the next few years…as long as Dollar Tree keeps stocking the village)! 
     I’m still looking for a fall or Halloween pretty to go on my burlap wreath, but for now, I am pretty satisfied with my décor!  Here’s what else is going on…

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     Coordinating tea towels for the oven handle…every holiday should have them (the one with the words all over it is hanging there now…I’ve got to find a cute place to put the striped one).  The plate is just a little cutie I found at Hobby Lobby years ago.  It’s just been waiting for me to have a house to decorate. 
     I hope you’ve all been decorating up a storm today!  My plan is to keep the Halloween stuff up during October, switch to fall/Thanksgiving the first of November, and then make the big jump to CHRISTMAS (possibly taking advantage of the Dollar Tree village again using this fun post) the day after Thanksgiving…if I can wait that long.  I do have some other fall cuties scattered around so they’ll get their fair share of use too.  Happy fall, y’all! (Let’s keep our fingers crossed for cooler temps!)

Things I Need…and Don’t Need

     Let’s talk about some things I need…and don’t need lately.  Let’s start with the needs.

Fabric leaves. Love!
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1. Fall.  I’m not asking for it to be 50 degrees or anything…but 70 (…dare I say 67?) would be great.  I’m just a little bit done with upper 80s.  Also, I’ve sworn not to wear actual pants until actual fall (and then only weather permitting), and I’m getting a little tired of wearing the same few options in different rotations. 

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2. Halloween.  I am ready to curl up with a blanket and watch Hocus Pocus thirty-seven times in a row.  Plus I found this little (…two foot tall) cutie at TJ Maxx and I’m ready to set her out.  She glows!

3. aaaaaand…fall TV!  I can only watch the same reruns so many times.  Seriously.  I’ve seen every episode of everything…

     Now…some things I don’t need.

1. My neighbor continuing to take up two parking places (one of which is the one I claimed when I moved in…people should know these things).  Now I’m teaching him/her (I haven’t actually seen him/her) a lesson.  I’m just passive-aggressively taking the spot(s) closest.  I refuse to park by the raccoon infested trashcans…move over, neighbor.

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2. People making snide comments about my students.  Oh you’ve never seen a temper tantrum before?  How have you made it so long as a teacher?  And furthermore…ugh. 

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3. To ever see this in real life…I don’t even…no.  Just no.

Break Time

     Today I am not “blogging.”  I am looking at wedding pictures and watching Doomsday Castle.  I know…we’re exciting.

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P.S. I seriously want to wear this veil every day. 

Worship Under the Stars

     Last night my church hosted Worship Under the Stars, a community worship event.  We partnered with several area churches to sing praise and celebrate.

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     We had the best time.  The choir included about 400 people from different churches, and the crowd had about 2,000!  The whole event was held at a local outdoor amphitheater, and I was so encouraged to see (and hear) everyone come together.

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From top left: (1) the crowd picnicking before the concert, (2) just before we started, (3) the choir…the part I could see anyway, (4) the amphitheater, (5 & 6) the final song, “Let the Light Shine,” everyone had glowsticks!

     I wish all of you could have been there!  Before the concert there was a picnic, jumpers for the kids, and a petting zoo.  I know it seems redundant, but I was so excited to watch as the Lord worked everything out for us.  We were blessed with no rain and temperatures that were not quite as hot as they could have been (but still pretty warm). 
     Even though I had been going nonstop all day long, I was so glad to spend the last few hours of my night here.  My heart is so full right now!

     One final thought for today that I have really been mulling over (and loving)…

Your prayers matter!
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Throw Pillows and Laziness

     Boo.  I stink at this whole blogging thing these days.  A whole month without a post…so lame.  Let me at least offer a teeny excuse.  School started (almost a month ago), and I don’t think I’ve stopped moving since.  I am loving my little first graders, but it is honest to goodness the most challenging thing I’ve ever done.  Hello…I’m supposed to be teaching these children to READ and be in big kid elementary schoolNo pressure or anything though. 
     I’m going to ease back into this sharing my life thing…but don’t fret…I have two recipes to share with you soon (please don’t ask me to define “soon”).

IMG_0100I finally have throw pillows!  Y’all, I agonized for weeks (not a dramatization) over what to put on my couch.  I had the little, rectangle pillow for awhile and knew that I needed a little pattern and a little color, but I didn’t want to overwhelm or clash with anything else in the room.  One of these days I’ll have to put all the pieces together and show you the whole room.  I am loving my bird pillow (ironic since I don’t care for birds) and the classy orange to pull it all together.  Bonus?  All of these pillows were on big, fat clearance! Thanks, TJ Maxx!

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Keith doesn’t have the same feelings I do about the pillows.  I have to tear down this wall daily…

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Hello, gallery wall.  I know it’s not super full a la Young House Love’s hallway, but this picture is not doing it justice.  I most love all of the personal details.  Those antlers are from one of Keith’s deer (mounted on one of the leftover wood circles from our wedding), and the little star I bought in Texas.  Everything else (except for the M) is a hand-me-down or straight-up stolen out of family members’ storage.

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I kind of think this angle looks better…

     Now if I could just get my hands on some curtains I would be set for life…or the duration of our lease.  In totally unrelated news, I am almost done organizing my wedding album!  I seriously could look at the pictures all day – in love!

P.S. the next time it looks like I’m going to be gone for a month…please talk me out of it!!