Back Deck Update: End of Summer

Y'all, we've had so much rain this summer, my back deck is exploding with color!  I thought I'd share, because we've so enjoyed hanging out there these past several weeks.    Just to remind you where we were at the beginning of the summer... Not bad, but now there's this... Amazing what a rug, some colorful pillows, sunshine, rain, and a little fertilizer in the pots can do! I never managed to get my furniture … [Read more...]

Easy Herbal Iced Tea

Ah August.  Probably my least favorite month of the year (no offense, August-lovers!).  I think it's because we're already back in school (too soon), if it's not raining it's so steamy hot you can't do anything outside, and I'm just not quite ready to give up the ghost of summer.   By this time of year, I'm so tired of drinking water... I know I must, I know it's good for me, but it just becomes.... blah. Back in the day in Texas, we used to … [Read more...]

In Case You Missed It {July}:: The Insta-version

August 1??  Oh am I fighting those end of summer blues as we get ready to start school on Monday.  Boo. Even though my July turned out to be on quiet side here on the old blog, I thought in the interest of keeping up I'd go ahead and recap it for you... just in case!   And just for fun, I'm throwing in Instagram photos, because they tell a most accurate story of my month. :) I shared this Waterlogue flag you can print out for your own … [Read more...]

Our Favorite Summer Recipes

TGIF, y'all!  We're going and coming this weekend -- busy but all good stuff.   I don't know about you, but I try to keep summertime meals as simple as possible -- usually something on the grill along with a chilled side.  But we like to munch and entertain and indulge in the summer, too, so I thought I'd round up some of our favorite easy summer recipes. When we've got crowds that are sticking around over night, I like to prep my super … [Read more...]

Family Room Bookshelves: Refreshed

It's the proverbial One Thing Leads to Another, y'all.  Once I repainted my family room and put my summer mantel in place, my built in bookshelves were just crying out for a fresh look, too.  What about MEEEeeeee???  they were saying.  And since a student of mine last year ruined that phrase for me, I had to act.  #donteverwanttohearthatagain If you follow me on Instagram, you got a peek or two at the process.  And it is, indeed, a process.  … [Read more...]

Before & After: ASCP Duck Egg Desk (and Haven-bound!)

Hi friends!  This post-holiday week has gotten away from me -- I hope you all enjoyed a lovely 4th of July weekend!  We spent it with friends in Huntsville, AL, lounging beside their mountain-top pool, eating way too much good food, and loving on their three lively pooches.  I sped home late Saturday so I could send my teen missionary on his way to Marvell, Arkansas.  They're having a fantastic week of doing God's work in that small community and … [Read more...]

An Easy {Free!} Patriotic Watercolor

Somehow I've misplaced my adorable Burlap Flag banner that I made last year, so I needed to come up with a quick 4th of July touch for my mantel.  Waterlogue to the rescue! Surely you've heard of Waterlogue by now... I haven't used it in a while, but this was the perfect easy peasy solution to my needs. A few weeks ago, I snapped this photo while we were up at the lake... Since it was on my phone, I ran it through the Waterlogue app … [Read more...]

In Case You Missed It (June)

This summer is absolutely flying by!  I turned the calendar over to July this morning and it looks to be another busy month of family, a little travel, and hopefully some good projects around the house.  I also looked back over my posts in June and though it was lighter posting schedule there were some goodies in there! I shared some of my favorite catalog finds for outdoors... Still love this stepping stone from Home Decorators … [Read more...]

4th of July Cookie Bites

Happy Friday!  The 4th is only a week away and we're making our 4th of July plans around here.  I've been inspired by all the 4th of July recipes floating around Pinterest these days and decided to come up with something easy, festive, and tasty for our dessert. I've always enjoyed fruit "pizzas" and there are plenty of 4th of July variations on that classic.  But there's something so cute about little  individual desserts, and I just like a … [Read more...]

This ‘n That Thursday

Well, I unintentionally went MIA for a week! There was lots of doings but I couldn't quite sit down to share until now... hope you don't mind! Last week, I was consumed with doing something I have never ever done. At least not for myself. I bought a car. My 14 year old Expedition is on it's last legs, and after about two years of knowing this day was coming, it was time to make a change. And I agonized. Y'all. I did research and drove … [Read more...]