Looking Forward

So we are putting our house on the market to sell this week. It is a lot of work to get ready for an open house with babies to worry about too! 
I'm glad you liked the first picture of our House of Dreams. Of course we have lots of plans for it...
Changing the bright blue paint and red door on the outside is one of them:)
 
Around here I have been taking some pictures for the MLS listing.

Taking photos to sell a house is a lot different than taking photos for a blog. It seems like creating an image showing the space is the key for listing photos, whereas the things in the room are the focus in blogs and magazines.

  I don't think I showed you a picture of the bedroom updated for winter. (Obviously I'm a little behind as it is now spring!) I made the toile blind, I think I will post a tutorial on how to do that if you are interested.
And even though it is spring we woke up to this the other day:

I'm really looking forward to the warm weather... and my new garden.
Although we have not yet seen the garden in bloom it is apparently very old-fashioned - with peonies, lilacs, and hydrangeas, all my favourites. But other than that I'm not really sure what is there, so it will be so exciting to watch everything grow and see what we have.

The backyard in our new house... there will be a lot of blue to paint over!

I have many more pictures of the interior to show you soon.
Have a wonderful weekend:)

You'll Fall in Love With...

You'll fall in love with....







The Polohouse is my newest blog crush!  Her kitchen alone, will make you
sit for hours just staring at all the beautiful details!







French Country Cottage  has such a beautiful bedroom!   I could lay
in this bed forever!!  I love the the touches of red, and that
love seat is to die for!!







Whippycake.  Don't you love saying that name?  Whippycake!
You'll adore her new line of hair accessories and she has the
best tutorials on makeup application and hair styles.
It is addicting!  Beware!







The Lettered Cottage is about to turn this beautiful bedroom
into an office!  I can't wait to see the final product!


Now, go fall in love!

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If you've ever been featured on It's a Wannabe Decorator's Life,
please grab my brand new button!  Have a fabulous weekend!
Blessings,

We Have a Winner!!!

The lucky winner is......











*********  Faith  *********


she said,
"I like the round ones - particularly the white text on black. My parents' house number is 2... so this would be a perfect addition for them. "


                                    


I will be contacting you soon, congrats and thank you for entering!!!


Blessings,

What I Wore Wednesday

It's What I Wore Wednesday and I am linking up with The Pleated Poppy,
No Model Lady and Jewelscapes.







 This outfit was pretty quirky and fun!  I love throwing punches of
unexpected colors in.


Boots ~ Belks
Purple tights ~ Target
Dress ~ Canton First Monday Trade Days
Purple cami ~ The Limited
Necklace ~ Crystal Beutler









I love the detail on this dress














Don't forget to check out all the other bloggers and their
outfits.  Get inspired with your wardrobe!


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Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway! It
ends tonight!


Blessings,




Malone's 1st Birthday!

Last week, my sister gave the sweetest little 1st Birthday party ever!  Little Malone is such a big girl
now and I can hardly believe it!  Check out Megan's post to see where she found all of the cuteness at the party!







The detail on this banner was amazing!







How cute is her little party hat?  Under the high chair the little banner reads
"Lo is 1"
We call her Lo.  Cute little nickname.





















She wasn't quite too sure what to do with her "smash" cake





Megan made sweetened and salty popcorn.  Very yummy!







Here is Kailey holding the birthday girl.  Aren't they too sweet?
Malone loves her big cousin Kailey.  So do Calley and Megan!
She is the perfect age for babysitting!!!


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Don't forget to sign up for my latest giveaway!  Deadline
is tomorrow night!


Blessings,

House of Dreams

Where we love is home,
Home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts.
~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., Homesick in Heaven 


I always dreamed of living in a farmhouse in the country. A pretty, red brick, front porch swing kind of house. At the end of a dirt road, surrounded by cornfields. You know the kind. Of course, the details were somewhat flexible... would it have cherry trees or an apple orchard? Either would be acceptable but it most definitely needed to have room for a tree swing. Would there be a barn? That would be nice if it was pretty. 
I always identified with Anne of Green Gables when she talked about her and Gilbert moving into their "House of Dreams." The house they would raise their children in - children who would one day leave home only to come back and be surrounded by the warmest memories.
And when I met my husband I was delighted that he shared the same vision. And so we planned and dreamed for our future country life. 
And then... several months ago God began to change something in our hearts. At first it was just a whisper... a gentle voice suggesting that maybe our plans were... well just that - our plans. Not God's plan for us. 
And whispers are easy to ignore... especially when a beautiful farmhouse life beckons you from the future. 
But the gentle voice got stronger, and a few months ago I found myself sitting across from my husband, who was saying "I think God is leading us to live in the city." 
My heart sank a little when I heard him say this. What about my clothesline full of freshly washed sheets flapping gently in the summer breeze? 
He pressed on, explaining the call to live where our church is, to serve the people in that area, to live where we would work. Dave reminded me of a quote from a Tim Keller sermon, "God loves people more than trees."   And I couldn't argue with that. 
I let the idea wash over me, and slowly began to let go of my dream of country life. A few more months passed. We were not actively looking for a house in the city, we were content in our current home until the right opportunity came.
And then a friend called and said - "There is this amazing house you should see."
Again I was reluctant - it wasn't a good time, we weren't ready...it didn't fit into my plan. 
Dave showed me the pictures and I admitted it was beautiful... it actually looked a lot like my dream farmhouse... and there were trees... even a cherry tree. 
And then it all fell together - God's plan. Not ours. And now I find myself preparing to sell our little cottage, and planning for our new House of Dreams.

And I'm beginning to realize that God's dreams are so much better than my own. 

***

Thank you all so much for your condolences about my Mother. They were a great comfort to me.

Ramsign Giveaway

Today's giveaway is by Ramsign,  Europe's premium supplier of enamel  signs!
They are giving a sign away, in any shape, to one of you lucky people!
It can only be a single digit.







They come in all kinds of different colors, shapes and sizes.  You can even
pick a different border!





You could get a sign with the number of people in your family







This sign has such a vintage feel to me.  So neat, with your address and family name.
(exclusive signs excluded from giveaway)







This sign is hysterical!!!  You know, you never know where you might need
to hang this one!







Here's what you have to do:


1. Visit Ramsign, and leave me a comment about your favorite item


2. For a second entry, blog or facebook about this giveaway


Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry.  I will choose
a random winner Wednesday night.


Thanks for joining in on the fun and a big thank you to Ramsign!!


Blessings,

What do you think?

I went and did it!!!  I had my blog customized and I love it!!!  The Fairy Blogmother did a fabulous job! 
And I must say, she was so very patient with me and my craziness!  It was such an easy
process and fun at that.  My sister found her first and raved and raved about the process and
what a great price she was!  So, I thought "Why not"  She was so affordable, you almost
can't say no!  I'm not very computer savvy, and there were certain things I've always wanted,
that I knew I couldn't do.  So, poof!!!  Enter My Fairy Blogmother!!  I told her I wanted
simple, fun and whimsy and I think I got all three!  Hope you like it, cause I sure do!!

You'll Fall in Love With...

You'll Fall in Love with everything you're about to see!!!







I'm a sucker for a beautiful plate rack.  Brambly Home and Garden has a stunning one!







If you haven't seen A Country Farmhouse kitchen, you are in for a treat!  The simplicity
is so charming and homey. These days, she and her husband are snuggling newborn twins!







It's always a treat to visit Vignette Design!  The first time I saw her kitchen I was awe struck!  What is
even more impressive, is her extensive collections of linens and dishes!  The tablescapes
she comes up with is beyond words!!


Now, go fall in love!!!


Blessings,

What I Wore Wednesday & a Winner!!

It's What I Wore Wednesday and I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy, No Model Lady and Jewelscapes!







Ballet Flats ~ Target
Skinny Jeans ~ Ann Taylor Loft
Shirt ~ Ann Taylor Loft
Short Sleeve Cardigan ~ Ann Taylor Loft


It's Spring Break here and the kids and I were meeting
friends at a video arcade.  Are they even called that anymore?












I love the touch of black lace across the chest.







Sandals ~ Target
Jeggings ~ Old Navy
Shirt Dress ~ JC Penny
Necklace ~ Crystal Beutler







We were off to my little niece, Malone's, 1st birthday party!







Red Heels ~ Payless
Black Trousers ~ Ann Taylor Loft
Shirt ~ Ann Taylor Loft


Another comfy church outfit!  I seem to wear a lot of black, white and grey to church! 
I need to spark it up with some color!







I love the bow on the front and flouncy sleeves!  Such a girly shirt!


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The winner of the giveaway is ..........


Jazlynn Reighn


she said: "super cute hair yumminess! I love the funky style of it ! Checked out her etsy store, love etsy"
March 15, 2011 9:17 p.m


I will be contacting you soon so you can get your cute headband as soon as possible!!
Thanks to everyone for entering and I've got another giveaway coming soon!




Blessings, 

Just Some Loveliness

Just some loveliness to let you dream of tonight!  Don't forget to sign up for my giveaway!  It ends tomorrow morning! 













































Blessings,