The Most Photographed Room In The House

I know you are probably sick of seeing this room, it is just seriously my favorite area of the house. I guess that should tell me to get going on the rest of the place, huh? I have made a few minor tweaks to this room in the last few weeks. I moved the spiral plant to the other side of the couch. Not sure I love it there but I really like it and there is nowhere else to put it, so for now it stays.

A few days ago I was the lucky recipient of this beautiful, antique mirror. It used to belong to my Grandmother and for a while it hung in my house growing up. It's been in storage for a few years and now it's mine. I am so beyond excited to have it in my home. I knew exactly where it was going the minute I got it. I love how it lets more light in the room and makes the space feel bigger. The only thing I dislike about it, is that now when you sit on the couch in the piano room you can see around the corner into the great room. No more keeping the messy part of the house a secret. Shoot.

But I think it will be worth the effort.

Some of the other changes are across the room. I changed out some of the accessories in here.
I found Nate's first set of scriptures from his childhood in a box out in the garage and a hymnal that was my family's when I was a child. I also found a beautiful magnifying glass with a mother of pearl handle at TJ Maxx, love it. I also framed the pressed olive branch my mom and Bob brought me back from the Garden of Gethsemane a couple of years ago.

A couple of weeks ago when I was digging through boxes in the garage I came across this gold leaf picture of the Ogden Temple. My mom made it when I was ten years old. It hung in our house til the day they sold our house. I immediately knew where it belonged.

I then added Nate's mission plaque next to it. I just love adding beautiful, sentimental things to our home. I keep teasing Nate that my inner old lady is really starting to speak her mind. I look around at other thirty-somethings homes and mine is definitely different. I don't mind though. To each their own.


The last change to the room is this little round table. It used to be in the great room, as well as the lamp and some of the accessories. I love the added warmth of another lamp in this space. I think the reason I am loving this room so much is because it has the most layering done to it. I love it.

For some reason there is still something I want to do to this small space. I REALLY want to add a small brass and glass cocktail table. Even though the room is super tiny and I want to keep it as open as possible I can't help thinking that I need something to tie it all together. It just feels like everything is floating and needs an anchor. I don't know, what do you think?

I think if I do, the spiral plant definitely has to find a new spot. But what do I know?

I am linking up to Wow Us Wednesdays

Bringing Home A Bit Of The Islands

The kids were super excited when we brought home some gifts from Hawaii for them.
The boys got shark tooth necklaces and KuiKui beads. The girls got flower lei's with coconut bras and grass skirts.

As you can see they have already been put to great use!

(march 2011)

You're Face Will Freeze Like That!

Flashback Friday: Perfection

Beautiful daughters. Hot out of the oven Triple Chip Zuchinni Muffins. Boys

in the background building lego's and watching March Madness. Perfection.

A Year Ago

A year ago today I took this photo of my little Ladybug. When I came across it again today I couldn't believe how much she has grown since then. She is so stinking cute and I just love her to absolute pieces!

Wordless Wednesday: New Fashion Trends

March 2011

Easter

I hope she enjoys her head start in the egg hunt. Won't be too many more years that they are gonna allow that. Isn't she cute?

I know this photo is all fuzzy but I just love it! She was so giddy with excitement. So much fun!

Ethan got a Lego Harry Potter game. He loves it, I think it's confusing, thus I lose. A Lot. Another reason he loves it.

Ally got Mystery Date. I have never been on more dates with a nerd in all my life. Let's just say it was a HUGE hit in her tween world.

Ryland got Star Wars Guess Who? I have never played that game before, let alone the Star Wars version. Word of advice, you are gonna get schooled if you don't know your Star Wars characters.

Evie got Princess Yahtzee. Let's just say that all these weeks later, it has still not been played with the way it was meant to be played with. Do we really care around here? Not really.

Dash kitty wondering what the big deal is.

Six Dozen, What Was I Thinking?

I was looking forward to coloring eggs this year almost as much as the kids. Evie had never done it and I couldn't wait to watch her experience it for the first time. Then when it came time, she couldn't care less. You'd have thought I was the three year old for how let down I was. Luckily Ally's friend Taylor was willing to stand in for her and color her eggs. My sister and her kids were supposed to come as well but didn't end up being able to. In preparation for the large group I had prepared six dozen hard boiled eggs. Luckily Taylor took home a dozen. Have you ever tried to eat five dozen hard boiled eggs before they went bad? And the smell in the fridge.

Shut. The. Door. Wow!

Bloom Day - May 2011

I have been meaning to join Bloom Day for quite some time now. I always seem to miss it. Well, not today! Even though it was like living in Idaho with the crazy wind we had today, I still went out and took some photos of what's blooming in my garden this 15th day of May. Earlier in the day Nate spied Ethan through the window trying to protect one of our young trees while it was being whipped around in the wind. Isn't he a sweetie?

Just a quick shot of the front of the house. Our yard is still fairly new, I often tell Nate I wish I could just fast forward five or ten years to see what it would look like, just for like 5 minutes. I can hardly wait! So anyhow, here goes shall we? My first Salvia of the year. It was blowing so hard that this one was definitely difficult to shoot.

Sea Thrift, it always makes me think of Dr. Seuss. So fun and whimsical.

Creeping Thyme

So excited to see these Geraniums starting to wake up in my rocks. They never disappoint.

My flowering Almond Bush. What a fast grower, and so pretty. When I planted her she was barely more than a twig. Now two years later she is definitely worthy of the title shrub, can't wait to see her spread out a bit more.

Some more Johnny Jump Ups and some Phlox. Of course I have a lot of different colors of both around the yard.

My luck with Aubrieta has been a little hit and miss. I guess she is just finnicky about what soil she is sitting in. I n some areas she is busting at the seams and others it is just so sad. Oh well, she is a Spring beauty.

I am just terrible tonight, I can hardly remember the names of anything, including this cute little succulent. I planted her last year and she is really earning her keep already this year.

I love the blooms on this little Speedwell. They always remind me of an eye with long eyelashes. So pretty. Although an early bloomer I love her trailing reddish/purple leaves in my rocks the rest of the year.

My Eastern Redbud. I love the blossoms, so glad there are four of these beauties around the back fence.

The wind was so obnoxious. I really had a difficult time getting a shot of my catmint. It's one of my all time favorites. The kitties seem to like it too.

Still have a few tulips hanging around, some more phlox and again I cannot remember the name of the yellow cutie up front. I planted it last year and am so far quite pleased with her.

My Homestead Verbena is just waking up. She always puts on a great show throughout the summer. I'm super excited to see what she has in store for me.

I cannot for the life of me remember the name of this little cutie. She is another great rock wall plant. She is just so sweet to look at every spring.

I love my Candytuft. I planted this one a few years ago. It's now well over 2 feet wide. She has been in bloom since early March. Although she is showing signs of being almost done she is just a lovely evergreen the rest of the year. That's why I have planted like 4 more around the yard.

Last year I decided to try my hand at an Azalea bush. So glad I did. She is just thriving and it is so fun to see her in bloom.

I enjoy seeing this beauty in my rocks every spring. I want to say it is a Speedwell, Veronica? maybe? I'm too tired to recall tonight. Anyhow, I love her and she has two homes in my garden.

I was thrilled when I came home the other day and saw my red crabtree in bloom, I planted it during the summer last year. I had no idea the blossoms were gonna be this dark. I am definitely looking forward to this tree growing and filling in. Yay!

I can't remember the name of this one tonight. I planted it last year in my shade bed. I was excited to see it show up this year.

As I made my way around the yard looking for blossoms I was heartbroken to come upon my bleeding hearts. I was so proud and excited for one of them in particular. It was just huge and beautiful this year. Stupid wind. If I had known she was in such a dangerous situation I would have told Ethan to go protect her for me. So sad.

We took in the fallen branches and tried to save some of the hearts, at least long enough to enjoy them a little longer. They found a happy home with Ally's bouquet Nate and I gave her after her Dance Recital yesterday. They have perked up a lot more since this photo was taken. I tell you what, they are pretty, but they kinda stink. :)

So there you have it. Can't wait to see what else has shown up in June. See ya then!