A T T H E P A R K ' S

Tonight, I am so excited to share with you what hubby has been working on for the last few months in his spare time.  Let me preface by saying that we've had our TV hanging on the wall above our fire place since we purchased it about a year ago.  And though I liked it there and it fit well, it wasn't exactly what I had in mind.  You see, while the TV is on and you're sitting on the sofa curled up in a warm blanket drinking hot tea, you can't have the gas fireplace running.  Not only do I use the TV for viewing movies and television shows, but I listen to a lot of music through it.  I love our fireplace but would love it more if I could use it!  So to solve that problem I was on a mission to find a nice TV stand. After searching online and finding a lot of great furniture options, I realized I didn't really want to spend any money.  We had a dresser gifted to my husband years ago that we were planning on selling or donating but I really wanted to find a new u

While perusing pinterest, I came across this idea and knew I had to try this for the new year.  I think it took 4 minutes total to make...and was FREE since I already had everything! What you'll need: a jar with or without a lid chalk a label (I used a chalkboard label from World Market ) writing utensil paper or note cards (I cut up old unused business envelopes) Throughout the year, write down memories that make you smile.  Something funny.  An accomplishment.  A first.  Then, on New Year's Eve, open and re-read all of the good stuff that made the year wonderful.  I have already written one quote from the hubby and documented a life event into the jar!  So excited to see what this year will bring!  Wouldn't this be fun to do with future kiddos every year around a fire with some hot cocoa, yummy snacks and some time to reflect and be thankful!  Let the traditions begin!

Happy Saturday all!  This has been about two months in the making and I am finally getting around to sharing this project with you!  I won't give a tutorial here but you c an check out my photos below.  Please refer to the original tutorial from Amanda on her website here . Notice the chalkboard paint bled underneath the painter's tape?  It's not perfectly smooth but I am satisfied with it.  Oh, and since I painted above the red paint (look above at the original mug), there is a horizontal line where you can see in the first photo (above) where the surface is not even.  Also, notice the where I paint ed the handle and how the line isn't straight.  Nice Julie.   The mug can be hand washed and the paint won't come off, however since I didn't use the porcelain paint, the mug cannot go into the dishwasher or microwave.  To be honest with you, I sort of don't like the end result and I don't have the greatest drawing skills so...this is on

Are YOU r eady to take 2013 by storm ?  I must say that after exploring some of my goals, I am really getting pumped for this coming year!  There is so much to be thankful and grateful for and I am really excited to see what the Lord has in store for our lives this year.  Let me also be clear that I don't just want to say I want to change with out having a plan to make it a habit .  I want to direct my effort on a daily basis to radically change my life.   I also want to document my progress here on the blog to keep myself accountable .  S o without further ado, I'd like to share with you my one main goal that I'd like to focus on this yea r . Healthier L iving . About one month ago I wrote about my  food intolerances and what my health has been like for many years .  My goal is to eliminate gluten, dairy, eggs, bananas , and mushrooms out of my diet.  I want to focus o n con sistently eating real, whole foods .  I purchased this book called Healthy Glut

As you can see, my current kitchen utensil holder is a nice and simple stainless steel crock.  However from time to time I like to mix up my home accessories and wanted to try something new. This old candle holder (below) had been sitting in our guest bathroom for a long time (3 years?) and we never used it once!  So I thought I'd try and find a place for it and put it to use!  Let me clarify that it had been used for some time prior elsewhere and that's why you can see it's all covered in soot. So first off I took out the inside vase and will use that elsewhere in the house.  Time to clean this baby up! Isn't it pretty?  I love the uniqueness of the holder.  Let's just say it adds a little character to the kitchen and I love that!

source Wow, what a year 2012 has been!  Between hubby and I working full time, tackling home projects, traveling to visit family, studying in school, traveling to NYC on a mission's trip, and working on our vintage Mustang, we have been super busy this year!  Hubby has done a lot of work with me in building and updating my office (that is, the "Girl Cave" as I affectionately call it) and I am so grateful for all of his hard work!  I have had some fun trying new DIY projects and am expanding my knowledge of crafting!  Over this last year I have learned a lot about my health and am choosing to change how we eat as a family and cook real, whole foods. In June, Hubby and I celebrated three years of marriage and I can honestly say that I love him more now than on our wedding day.  He is my best friend and I am so excited to see what the Lord has in store for us this next year!  The Lord is sure working in our lives and molding us to be better.  How precious is God&#