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May 30, 2012

Memorial Day Weekend

Our holiday weekend started Friday evening when we had friends over for dinner.  It was a perfect evening of great food, refreshing drinks, kids playing & adults visiting on the patio!  I made this butter strawberry cake for dessert which is a recipe of Desiree's from Chic Coastal Living.  And not only was it beautiful, but so delicious!




Then on Saturday morning we headed to Lyla's soccer game.





And she won the game medal!!  She was so proud!




Then we raced home for a quick lunch and hit the road for Sargent. 








May 25, 2012

Friday's Happiness Is...

The Beach!  I grew up in Southeast Texas and because the Texas gulf coast was only a short drive away, we went to one of the Texas beaches with my family every summer and I have wonderful memories!  Our current home is in the Houston area, so a 45 min drive will land us on the beach.   My husband and I take our kids every summer too and they just love it!  So here are a couple of pics from our last two trips to Galveston, TX.  We stayed at Point West in a condo with another family and had a great time! 


 drip castle

 flying a kite

 looking for shells

 family pic

 only a short walk from the pool to the beach

 pool & waterfall (they also have a lazy river)

 pool with great view of the ocean

 clean, flat, private beach (with no vehicles)

my boys boogie boarding


We have also stayed at the Galvestonian, and San Luis which are also both great.  We would also like to try staying at the Palisade Palms on one of our future trips as well.

Galveston also has many great restaurants and shopping.  Downtown Galveston is The Strand with historical buildings, shops, restaurants, and ship viewings.   Moody Gardens has a huge aquarium, rain forest, beach area, and theater.  The new Pleasure pier will also be open this summer, which my kids will be excited to check out.   Schlitterbahn Waterpark is also a blast for the kids.  If you're in the area, go check it out!


Hope your Memorial Day Weekend is filled with happiness!





May 24, 2012

Spring Lake Workout

My 4 yr old finished preschool last week, so after we got my son on the bus, she and I went for a bike/run around our neighborhood lake.  She rode her bike and I ran behind her.  Here was my view:




















Felt like I should exercise a little, since the day before she and I whipped up these cookies -- they are so delicious!  I have eaten waaaayyy too many. 
 
Chocolate Pudding Cookies
  • 2 1/4 C. all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 C. margarine or butter, softened
  • 3/4 C. brown sugar
  • 1/4 C. white sugar
  • 1 3.4-oz. package instant vanilla pudding
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 C. chocolate chips
In mixing bowl, cream together sugars, butter, vanilla extract, and vanilla pudding mix. Beat until creamy. Add eggs. Add dry ingredients and stir until well-combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

They were so worth it - ENJOY!!

May 22, 2012

dining room update

Our dining room is far from finished, but I thought I would share a few glimpses of the progress we've made.  We changed out the lighting to this beautiful lantern chandelier from Ballard to mix things up a bit and have more of an impact in the room.  We added this mirror from Home Goods to hang above the buffet we refinished.  The tufted, nailhead dining chairs are from Home Decorators and I love the look of the elegant chairs mixed with the rustic table.  And finally a sneak peak at the table that my husband made from reclaimed lumber {more to come on that project}.






I still need lots of finishing touches like a rug, a table runner, benches, candles, etc, etc.  Follow along to see our progress :)

May 20, 2012

 So honored to be featured on these amazing sites:

Houzz {boxwood christmas mantel}

Apartment Therapy {toy organization ~ wall storage unit}

Apartment Therapy {diy chevron inspiration board}

Design Central  {thankful tablescape}

Houzz {thankful tablescape}

Dwellinggawker {thankful tablescape}

Dwellinggawker {o christmas tree 2013}

Dwellinggawker {fall mantel // gold & watercolor}

Dwellinggawker {organized playroom}

Dwellinggawker {thanksgiving tablescape 2013 // easy diys}

Dwellinggawker {a heart of gold // wall decal in lyla's room}

Poppytalk {a heart of gold // wall decal in lyla's room}

Craftgawker {diy inspiration board}

Craftgawker {diy fiesta centerpiece}

Craftgawker {bookshelf lined with wrapping paper}

A Thoughtful Place {toy organization ~ wall storage unit}

Hi Sugarplum {diy polka dot tray}

Honey We're Home {organized kids' arts and crafts closet}

Cottage and Vine {our mini mudroom}

It's Overflowing {thankful tablescape}

Barns and Noodles {buttermilk blueberry breakfast cake}

Thrifty Decor Chic {toy organization ~ wall storage unit}

Tatertots and Jello {thankful tablescape}

Clean and Scentsible {toy organization ~ wall storage unit}

Sassy Sites {my kids' rooms}

Alderberry Hill {fall tablescape}

Create With Joy {boxwood mantel}

Clean and Scentsible {thankful tablescape}

Irish Italian Blessings {organized kid's arts and crafts closet}

Keep Calm & Link Up {monogram tablescape}

Love of Family & Home {daily organization system}

Love of Family & Home {toy organization ~ wall storage unit}

Dollar Store Mom {organized kids' arts and craft closet}

Chase the Star {mirror makeover}

Mad in Crafts {organized kids' arts and craft closet (see entry # 6)}

House of Rose {sweetheart cake}

Design, Dining + Diapers {mirror makeover}

Clarks Condensed {homemade chicken bacon alfredo pizza}

Clarks Condensed {warm mushroom spread}

The Dedicated House {My Easter Tablescape}

At the Picket Fence {My Easter Tablescape}

Tatertots and Jello {My Easter Tablescape}

From My Front Porch to Yours {My Easter Tablescape}

Cherished Handmade Treasures {My Easter Tablescape}

Houzz {Painting our kitchen cabinets white}

Dollar Store Mom {bathroom storage tower - organization and $1 update}

A Stroll Thru Life {warm cream cheese and bacon dip}

From Overwhelmed to Organized {toy organization ~ wall storage unit}

I Heart Organizing {bath storage tower - organization and $1 update}

Love of Family & Home {individual seven layer dips}

Craftberry Bush {diy chevron inspiration board}

Yellow Bliss Road {diy chevron inspiration board}

DIY & Crafts {organized kids' arts and crafts closet page #42}

Ten June {diy chevron inspiration board}

A Thoughtful Place {daily organization system}

A Thoughtful Place {bath storage tower organization & $1 update}

Tatertots and Jello {diy chevron inspiration board}

Stringtown Home {fall tablescape}

Stringtown Home {simple leaf garland}

Stringtown Home {togetherness mantel}

I Heart Organizing {patio update - new outdoor rug}

Vicki Arnold {daily organization system}

Fave Crafts Blog {diy chevron inspiration board}

Pieced Pastimes {pumpkin roll recipe}

Copy Cake Cook {pumpkin roll recipe}

mom.me {pumpkin roll recipe}

Roadkill Rescue {diy piano transformation}

Fairhope Supply Co. {diy piano transformation}

We Heart It {diy piano transformation}

Cupcakepedia {pumpkin spice cheesecake blossoms}


Thank you all you so much!

 
 

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