Farmhouse Table...

 

I am OVER THE MOON excited for my new Farmhouse Table!

I stumbled across this beauty while searching for chairs for my dining room and VOILA! 

A DREAM TABLE!

We have a hand-me-down...not so great dining table that my mother in law lent us...

which is SO NICE of her to let us have until we get our own...

but, it is no where near my style...

and no wonder I go through chairs like water...

the whole "vibe" that I have been looking for is forever thrown off by the not so perfect table...

Now, Restoration Hardware, Layla Grace, and Pottery Barn have BEAUTIFUL farmhouse, rustic versions for oh...$2000 - $4000or so...

But,

I don't have $4000!

This is a HANDMADE...quality...table by an Amish company about 2 hours from us! They refinish, paint, or distress it any way you want!

This particular one they happen to be asking $650!!!!!!!!!!

for a 7 FT TABLE!!  and (2) 1 foot LEAFS!

I about fell over!

They are also splitting the bench set for me because I only want (1) bench...

I love love love the look of a rustic table...my chandelier above...bench seating on one side...with two faux fur throws placed haphazardly on the seat...and two chairs on the other side...

(yet to decide on Steel Tolix or Victoria Ghost Chairs)...

and anchored off at the end caps by my Craigslist Queen Anne Armchairs slipcovered in Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic White Denim! 

{Love these looks below...}

HOLY MOTHER...am I excited!

We have to drive 2 hours there and 2 hours back...

but, lucky for me...

I have the BEST HUSBAND IN THE WORLD who will use his Saturday to make his wife happy...

(did I mention that I am the luckiest woman ever???)

...I might add that he is going on a golf trip for 4 days with his buddies and not coming home until Mother's Day afternoon...(hmmm.hmmmm...)!

and I don't care a bit because he ROCKS!

Yay!

10 Things...

So...

life can be rocky...right?

it can be frustrating..rewarding...crazy...life is a whirlwind of emotions that can define you...

if you let them...

So...

today, I am going to focus on what I am thankful for...

1.  My belief in God...that I know even though he may not answer me right away...I still am completely unable to give up on Him.  I know without a doubt in my heart that he hears me...and is there for me...even on the days I think he forgot...

2.  My beautiful son...and my wonderful husband (I can't imagine a life without you...) and my really really sweet doggie Harlow (we have come to just adore you...).  I know...I know...I say it all the time...(take a break lady!)...but, it's true.  I say a little prayer EVERY day for these two people in my life.  I couldn't be more blessed.

3.   Lipgloss (took a turn huh...!) honestly...just PERKS me up! 

My hubby was wonderful and bought me 3 tubes of Victoria Secret gloss for Christmas and I am almost out!  AHHHH!

4.  Sunday's...at home with my fam.  I used to not appreciate Sunday...I thought, crap, the weekend is almost over.  Drats.  I like Saturday.  But...now (maybe I am just getting older)..I ADORE Sundays.  There is just something about that day...running errands...cleaning...taking walks...going to the park...grilling in the backyard...sipping some wine.  Nothing compares.

5. Pandora  (nuf said)

6.  Watching Ethan's flag football games with my dear friend...the excitement of the kids playing...the Dad's on the sidelines...and me and my girlfriend Christa sitting in the bleachers with a hot cup of coffee watching our little peanuts "try" to play football!!  LOVE IT!

7.  A freshly mowed lawn...

8.  Homemade Pizza...(I NEVER get sick of it)

9.  That my husband kisses me and tells me he loves me EVERY single night before we go to sleep...and means it.  The comfort in that is something I can't even explain.

10.  That Ethan still let's me hold him...and cuddle him...and smother him with kisses...no matter where or when.  (Heaven...)

What are your favorite things...?    

Such a great saying...



So excited I found this!!!!...

How FABULOUS was that!!!

Can't wait to try this out!!!

http://www.refinery29.com/beauty-tips-eyeliner-video-tape

Reminds me of when I was little...

I have so many great memories...

and I love that my son gets to experience those wonderful memories too..

I was lucky enough to be a helper at Ethan's School Halloween Party and Parade this year!

It was so much stinkin fun!

We helped all the little ones get ready...

watched them walk along the path...shaking their instruments their teacher gave them...

and

just enjoy watching all these kids soo darn happy...

We then went back to their classroom where they had fun at different stations...

decorating cookies...playing pin the tail on the cat...

and making witches brooms out of pretzels and cheese sticks!  (who thinks of these things)!

What these kids will never realize is how much joy they bring to me...

how much my heart fills up watching them play...and laugh...and just enjoy the simple things in life...

I thank God each and every day for this little miracle...

that I can be a part of his life...

because let me tell you...

I DO NOT take it for granted...

I am blessed...

Hope you all had a very happy halloween!

For my future vacation...

So, I know this is TOTALLY pre-mature...

but, we are going on a couples vacation...(the only one I am sure!)

YAY!

Not next Spring...

but, the one after that...

& yes, I know...

that is TOTALLY a ways away...

BUT...

I found "the" dress...

ya know...the one that BEGS to be worn on a tropical vacation...

sipping cocktails with friends...on the beach...at night...under the stars...listening to music...

eating fabulous dinners...and dancing...

ahhhhhh...

anyway...

this is it...

yes, I know...this dress requires months of workouts and eating FABULOUSLY...

but...

if I am going on (probably the only) couples vacation with my wonderful friends and FANTASTIC hubby...

I want to feel GREAT!

Anyway...it's Alexander Wang...and waaaay to expensive...

but, I am currently trying to "figure out a way to get it"

Wish me luck!

 

Enjoying Fall with the little ones...

Sweet and Spicy Pepitas Popcorn Balls

Ingredients

• 3 (3.5-ounce) bags natural microwave popcorn
• 2 cups pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces, plus more for forming
• 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or 1 tsp if you like it spicier)

Directions

Pop the popcorn according to package instructions. While hot, carefully open package and dump into a large bowl.

Toast the pumpkin seeds in a large skillet over medium-high heat, until browned and popping, tossing and stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. (Do this in batches, if needed.) Add to the popcorn.

Make caramel: Warm the cream over low heat and keep warm while you cook the sugar. Put the sugar and corn syrup and in a deep, heavy-bottomed large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves. Stop stirring, raise heat to medium-high, and simmer until the sugar reaches the hard crack stage, or 305 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 7 minutes.

Whisk the butter and salt into the sugar mixture. Gradually pour in the cream and vanilla taking care since the mixture will bubble up. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the sugar reaches soft ball stage, 240 degrees F on the thermometer, about 5 minutes more. Immediately remove from the heat and stir in the cinnamon and cayenne. Cool for about a minute. Pour caramel over the popcorn and stir to evenly coat.

When the popcorn is cool enough to handle, coat your hands with some butter and shape into 4-inch balls. Wrap in waxed paper and tie with a string, if desired. Serve or store covered at room temperature for up to a week.

Copyright 2007 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved