Around here + Guest Suite

These flowers bloomed the exact same day last year. We moved into this little old house a year ago and I remember these flowers welcoming us to our new home.

Since we move so frequently (and will continue to do so), it's hard to take the time and energy to truly settle in a house. We have decided to stay until Andrew's Residency begins and that will make this stay the longest to date for us. The thought of seeing this spring in the same place, and another to follow, brings me joy. I know what to expect. I know when each tree/plant will bloom. I know when the ants and spiders will show up. I know that come July, our yard will be filled with silly chestnut tree droppings (not sure what else to call them). What a relief it is to be in one place for a while longer.

Our office/guest/craft room has had a recent transformation into a guest suite. As I mentioned in my last post, we look forward to family members and out of town friends staying here- especially once baby girl arrives.

I don't have many photos of the room before- but sure wish I did. Just picture a room with 2 cluttered desks (one Andrew's, and one mine for craft/clutter) and a bed. Add in some random boxes on the floor. Below is all that I have of the BEFORE. 

 AFTER

 

Ignore the fact that the mirror needs a good cleaning in the above pic ;/

The furniture was purchased from a friend who is moving and the rest of the decor is simply moved from other rooms in the house. It's convenient to stick with the same color scheme throughout the house in order for items to easily be moved from room to room. I still want to get a few special old-timey family photos printed and framed. A few ideas are floating around in this brain of mine.  We look forward to visitors! The guest bed has also been my favorite napping spot the past few days... it's cozy!

Flowers & Craft Space

Flowers, flowers, flowers... so many flowers in our yard. I'm loving it. Some that we planted in pots, others that we woke up to one morning- they literally just appear and disappear  (planted by past renters). I had no idea that I would enjoy "gardening" of sorts. Never had an interest in it, never the least bit intrigued- until now. And, I love it! I must clarify though; I'm not sure I would call it true gardening. Yes, there's dirt, gloves, shovels- but nothing like my impressive neighbors who seriously work magic in their yards. It's more like a number of potted plants and veggies here and there and some sprinkled wild flower seeds. It's a start!  PS- I found out one of my flowers (Larkspur) is poisonous! Yikes!

'The earth laughs in flowers.'  -Ralph Waldo Emerson

In other news, I constructed a very rudimentary shelf out of a 2x8 piece of wood and L-brackets. It does the job and cost us less than $10! It was created in mind for my little craft wall in our office. Andrew has generously shared his office space with my craft craziness. It's turned out very well as it feels like we are spending time together while working on our own things in the same room. Unanticipated bonus for sure! I anticipate some changes with this wall (I need a "bill" & mail station), but it's a happy space for now and will do!

 When not at work, running errands, with family or friends... this is where you'll find me! Right where I want to be... Home ;)

Outside to Inside

 Remember this little table friend of ours from Ikea? It spruced up our patio over the late spring and summer months and provided for some sweet sunset dinners with my man. Having a few extra folks over for a dinner party last month prompted me to find extra seating space, and voila!

I'm kind of in love with this little breakfast bistro space.. though I'll be honest. I've sat here once. 

Until the sun decides to shine again, it will likely stay and be home to the candle that provides the 'scent of the day.' I sure do love candles; but then again, who doesn't. In other news, Christmas is finally neatly packed away until next year. I'm looking forward to the mister coming home to a clean apartment and timing how long it takes him to realize that the Christmas decor has vanished.

 My next apartment project will be finding a headboard (I know, I know... we still don't have one) and working on our bedroom... it's a complete disaster. I contemplated DIYing a headboard, but without the space and tools to do it, I decided against it. Props to all of you wood/nail/hammer handy folks. Maybe someday I'll have the space/time/tools to be like you!

51 year old dress

I cannot believe that Christmas is just a few short days away. Where has December gone!?!? More on that later, but today I have something very special to share with you. During my recent weekend trip to visit my 2 grandmothers in Texas, we worked on this little project together. I feel so incredibly blessed to have such amazing grandmothers and to have a strong friendship with both of them.

Today would have marked 51 years of marriage between my Grandma Barb and Granddaddy Carl. I'm sure that my Granddaddy took a break from tinkering with old cars today in Heaven to look down and just smile at his beautiful wife. Their life was far from easy. Being an Air Force family, I'm sure that my Grandma felt like a single mom much of the time. But, they persevered and built a life for themselves and their kids... and us grandkids.

I scanned in this photo of my grandma (pregnant) & granddaddy but somehow cut off their heads. I still like it! Artsy!

My sister and I were both honored to wear my Grandmother's wedding dress as our 'going away dress' at our weddings. Grandma thoughtfully wanted to put each of these pictures side by side for display. I simply helped her accomplish it.

 

Started with the originals and made copies in Black and White and Sepia. 

 

Found the right frames.

Assembled the frames and my other grandma (Mamaw) helped write the dates below. A frame for each of us. So special. 

Left to Right: Jenna and Andrew (us!), Uncle Charles and Barb (Grandma and her brother), Uncle Charles and Jordan (My sister). 

Uncle Charles was unable to be at my wedding, but how special to have this memento of each of us sharing in wearing something meaningful on such a special day.

 Thank you Grandma for this precious gift. Love you so very much. 

 Meaningful, special art is my favorite. I'm slowly compiling more meaningful pieces in our home. How about you? Anything extra special displaying in your home? Anything bring back warm, sweet memories when you walk by and see it?

Family Photo Art

While in Texas visiting my family, I had the pleasure of thumbing through tons of old photographs. My grandmother has numerous nicely organized photo boxes full of memories. The treasures I found are just that, treasures. I'm so thankful and I just can't get enough. Here's one way that I'm using these photos: creating photo art to blow up and hang on walls. 

I got to this point by realizing that most of these old photos are out of focus compared to today's standards. So- why not go with it and make "painting-like" art? That's exactly the direction I went. I'm thinking that these pieces would make for great wall art in a little boy's room (I know, I know, the amount I talk about babies and little kiddos, you'd think I was expecting- but I assure you, I'm not).  I still might hang some of my new "art" in the guest room. When I get the art up, I'll post an update!

Each of these are photographs of my father as a little boy. I edited them in photoshop by utilizing a few of the artistic tools. 

Before

After

 ____________________

 Before

 After

____________________

 Before

 After

PS- I'm heading back to Oregon today. Had a great visit in Texas and got my fill of good sweet tea for a while! 

PPS- Please keep praying for baby Hayley. She had an MRI last night to further evaluate for brain damage.