Antique Armoire

I found this cherry wood armoire at a local thrift store on Sunday afternoon during "power hour."  Power hour meant everything in the store was 50% off! WHAT?!#@*&^%?  I had been in search of an armoire that I can antique. And it just so happened it was there in the midst of it all....calling out my name.  Perfect. Not too big. Not too small. And will fit adorably in my little dressing room/spare room. =) 

So I went at it! I went to the store and picked me up some Antique White paint, a couple different sized paint brushes, and some sand paper. I removed all the handles and wiped it down so it was fresh and clean.  Shhh, dont tell anyone but I skipped the whole sand papering first part of this whole gig. I went straight to painting! hehe!

After the second coat, it was a pasty cream color. I went ahead and put the handles back on, but I wasnt done yet!  I was looking more for an antique look. So this is where the sand paper comes in!  And I went to sandin'!

The lighting looks alittle differrent, but its the same pasty cream, with an antique, rugged look to it. I took the sand paper and went along the edges and down the front to put some scratches to it.  Now its just what I wanted! Thats not to say I wont make some tweeks here and there alittle later down the road, but for right now...its perfect!

P.S. Next time, I will sand before hand!  I thought I was being smooth by skipping a step, but really it needed to be done first! Oh well. Something tells me this wont be the first furniture project I take on!

Forgiven

I'm Forgiven by Sanctus Real.

I hear this song all the time and I sing it. 

I sing it to sing.

If Im not singing in the car or when I hear music, something is wrong.

Ive noticed that about me.

When a song comes on...I sing.

When a song comes on and I am upset...I dont sing.

And sometimes I dont even like the song...i just sing.

I like this song by Sanctus Real,

but I havent really listened to the words to truly hear what it was saying.

But they certainly do reflect my thoughts lately.

  One afternoon on my long drive home from work,

this song played and its as if God wanted to grab my attention. 

 My ears opened up and instead of singing along...i listened. 

Sometimes God doesnt want you to talk,

He doesnt want to you think,

He just wants you to listen...

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

I have been MIA from the blog world lately because I have been planning a very important party for a very important love of mine! Erin and I have been friends since 2nd Grade....we are 28 now!!! Wow, thats so long. We went to college together, worked after college together, and it wasnt until I met my handsome beau and married that we were inseparable. This girl is like a sister.
We are opposite chicks,

but we always said if we were the opposite sex, we would marry each other!

And wouldnt you know, our husbands share qualities of eachother. 
Needless to say, I have been planning this event with Erin for as long as we could remember.  So since this party was my party to plan as the matron of honor,I had think outside of the box and make sure it was everything Erin is....

frilly!!

Pink, Girlfriends, Lace, Pink Champagne, oh and did I mention Pink?

This was the Blonde Bride to Be Lingerie Shower/Bachelorette Bash.

I had our college girlfriends fly in from Chicago come for the weekend.

As well as Aunts, Moms, Sisters, etc attend the festivities!

Here are the details:

We started out the evening with a champagne toast.

We then showered her with pretty things to wear on the honeymoon!!

Oh-La-La!

 

And even though its 2 weeks till the BIG day,

we couldnt help but gorge ourselves in this beautiful corset cake!

Then we hit the town dancing in this plush ride!

 However, while walking out of the house, my husband says to me,  "Now you make sure them boys know your a married woman."  Hahaha!

                                                  ......As if boys were going to hit on this group of ladies!

We had a great time...

now were going to the chapel!

Time to Hit the Gym

So my best friend is getting married in less than a month

and you know what that means...

bridesmaid + dress = NEEDS TAN and GYM!!

So since my husband is back in school, I decided to get the spouse membership at the University gym.  Good idea, right?? WRONG!  I am the out of shape, pale, burnette sweating like I just carried a rhinosauris into the gym with me! 

Ridiculous how out of shape I am.  

I am a runner. 

Running is therapy.

I think, pray, and jam out to my selected picks from itunes. 

But laying on a hard bench with an elastic tube secured to my feet while spreading them as far apart as they could possibly go, then proceeding to "pulse"...is not therapy!  

However, I have kept with it this week and I see RESULTS! 

I admit I have slacked lately with my new job and cold weather,

but it feels good to get back in shape. 

It feels good to feel good.

Sweet Day

How sweet it was to start my day off showering my husband with kisses and heart shaped pancakes.

But then, best of all worshiping our Lord in song this morning!!?? 

It was so good to close my eyes and lift my hands to the one who ememplifies love.

To the one who IS love, 

SHOWS love,

and TEACHES us to love like Him. 

It was so romantic!

Thank you Lord for this day!

I almost forget....

Last night, my husband and I broke our streak.

Are you ready for this??

The streak of never EVER going to the movies together! 

In 3+ years of being together,

we never have been to the movies. 

I know its pretty bizare,

but we both arent crazy with the idea of the movie theatre.

 Not to mention, the prices have definitely gone up since I was a kid.

We love movies and watch them often.

But we are more the type to go have dinner/drinks, rent a movie,

 make homemade popcorn or hot chocolate,

 and sit snuggled up on the couch in the comfort of our home.

BUT, last night was the breaking point!

We broke down and went to the movies.

It was fun, but we were reassured why we like the "comfort of our home"

due to the fact the couple next to us were about 12 

and used the "Mom, drop us off at the movies" card as a make out/groaping session!! 

Not cute!

Did we use to do that when we were young???

I dont think I was in that category! Haha!

Anyways, my point was that us going to the movies was a nice change!

Its always good to switch things up in a marriage...keep it interesting!

It was a Sweet Day!  Hope your was too!

Homecookin' Southern Goodness

Brunswick Stew

I thought this might be good on a cold, rainy winter day like we were having last night.  So I whipped up some Southern Brunswick Stew by none other than the Southern Queen herself...Paula Deen!  I expected to be slaving over the stove for hours but it really was quite quick and simple!

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

1 (2 1/2-pound) fryer chicken
Water
1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, sweetened with 1/3 cup sugar
1 (16-ounce) can creamed corn
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon liquid smoke, available in grocery store
1 onion, chopped
1 tablespoon vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Salt and pepper
Celery salt
Cooked rice, as accompaniment

Directions
In a large pot, place the chicken and enough water to cover chicken and bring to a boil. Cook chicken until meat falls off the bone. Drain the chicken and reserve 2 cups of stock. Remove the skin and bones and chop meat.
In a separate pot, mix the chicken and remaining ingredients. Simmer slowly for 30 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking. Add a little bit of the stock if the stew becomes too thick. Serve stew over steamed rice.

and Wha - La!....Southern Goodness!

The One and Only!

I have MY FIRST FOLLOWER!!!

I can't believe it! I have been blogging now for 16 days....16 long days wondering, waiting, wanting someone to follow me.

Just one would be good.

Just one would let me know that Im somewhat interesting,

someone they want to know more about,

someone they might relate to.

And then it happened!!

The One, The Only...How Sweet It Is! 

This is me....

She came to my rescue and saved me from adding to my insecurities in life.

Thank you, Stephanie for daring to be first!