HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM & DAD!

I have listened to a lot of people talk about their parents, some have good stories, some not so good. I can honestly say that I have been blessed with some of the best parents in the world! Thank you for being examples of love and care to your children and grandchildren.

Thank you, Mom, for giving me the "nurture" bug. You have taught me what it means to care for others and to follow through with promises. As a mom, I now realize that my sensitive heart and desire to "be there" was something that I received from you. I think that we are a lot alike (must be the "middle child" thing). You also taught me that simple pleasures can be the best pleasures, and most don't cost a thing. Thank you for always making our house a home. I gain great comfort in knowing that I am loved and safe each time I walk back through the door of my 'home'.

Thank you, Dad, for being an example of hard work and principled living. You always gave it your all in everything you did! Your words of encouragement throughout my life have given me strength through the most difficult times. Thank you for being proud of me. You express that often and it means a great deal to me. You also gave me your sense of humor, which I think is one of the best traits that you could have passed on to me. We are a family that loves to laugh!

Thank you BOTH for praying for me and my family daily. This is the GRANDEST gift that you could ever give me. I know that God has truly blessed our family in a mighty way. I still love how you greet us when we pull in the driveway and how you wave goodbye until we are out of sight. You both have given me a firm grasp of what it means to have self-worth and to believe that I can make a difference. The legacy that you are giving each member of our family is a precious resource...it will continue to captivate and inspire future generations!

You always told us to "Remember Who You Are", and I promise to never forget!

I love you!

Amy

Plates With Pizazz

I thought that it was time for a DIY post. This one is super easy, can be mastered in no time, and will have your guests thinking that you are SUPER creative!

I originally go this idea from the infamous Martha Stewart, but I have done this and it was very simple to do. Here is what you need...
1. White paper plates
2. Colored paper plates (same size as white)
3. Scissors with a scalloped or curved edge. These also are referred to as scrapbook scissors.
4. Hole punch or other decorative punch.

Just cut out your designs on the white plates, then place them on a colored plate (not cut)and voila!

Blessings!
Amy

Bon Voyage!!

Well, my buddy Rachel is off on an Alaskan Cruise this week with her hubby Ken. Make sure to say a prayer for her, she tends to get a little "yuck" on boats, but is well equipped with anti-nausea patches. I just know that they will have a blast and will enjoy the time together. I am sure that she will come back with lots of pictures and stories to share, but wanted to give you a glimpse of just one of the activities that her husband has in mind...
a good old fashioned log rolling competition. I just know that this one is at the top of Rachel's list!! Hilarious!

We will look forward to her posts next week.

Amy

I've been working on my house room by room and have been lingering in the foyer and great room for too long now. Over the summer I commissioned an artist I found down in my old stomping grounds of Jackson, MS. This lady, Joyce Street, and her daughter, Noel, both paint and have a gallery on the square in historic Canton, MS. Their work is very unique and caught my attention the first time I saw it. So after the first painting UPS put a hole in, the second one managed to make it on the wall. It's in my foyer over a black and stained large casepiece. My problem has been what to put between the lamps in the center of the piece? I by no means want to distract from the over-the-top incredibly gorgeous painting(can you tell I LOVE it?) but my foyer is large and very open. I am crying out for ideas, people, so if you can help me out, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do so. I welcome any comments. By the way, these ladies do not have a website(this is very unfortunate, I know). Their place of business is The Gallery in Canton MS.

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These are some photos of some of their art that is hanging in The Gallery. I can't wait to get down there and check out more of their work!

Party For All Ages

I saw this idea in a magazine and thought that it was very creative, but simple! The article focused mainly on using the idea of storytime for a baby shower (colorful and ingenious), but I thought that it could also double for a child's sleepover.
All you would need is a sheet that fits your theme, a pillow for the head of the table, and some bright colored plates and napkins. It would also be cute to use the children's books as a centerpiece or as chargers underneath the plates. There are too many ideas running through my head for a party like this!
I attached a cute picture of a slumber party cake for you to see. I have seen a similar idea using twinkies and vanilla wafers on a flat sheet cake to resemble the bodies in the bed and then covered with fondant.



Enjoy!

Not So Boring Headboards

I thought it might be neat to research some headboard ideas for those of you out there that are looking for a little something different. Headboards can be as extravagant or as simple as the room they belong to. Always remember, though, that the headboard IS inevitably the focal point in any bedroom. With this being said, here's a sampling of ideas for your new headboard...


This headboard is an architectural salvage piece that was cut to size. When searching through salvage be careful not to go too small or too massive in scale. I good idea is to measure out on the wall using a paper template to check size and scale. Architectural pieces are usually heavy so figuring out how to mount to bed frame or wall may be tricky. Just make sure it is very secure!


Head out to the local flea market, antique store, or maybe someones trash to find this next idea...old doors. These make great headboards. You can paint, faux finish, add wallpaper in the panels,etc., to customize your look. You will probably have to cut these to size as well. Doors can be turned sideways for larger beds or stood straight up for smaller ones. Remember when using hard headboards you will need lots of pillows-some hard, some squishy- for sitting up in bed.


Talk about simple...using large pieces of art for a headboard may be the way you want to go. Of course there is an endless amount of art on the market or try your hand at your own work of art.

What little girl wouldn't want this headboard in her room? It's very easy to apply and very
inexpensive. This particular one can be found at walldecorshops.com. To apply, wet the back and slap it on the wall...simple and adorable!


If you are good at painting this one would be a great choice...and very inexpensive. This headboard is painted directly on the wall. Commissioning someone to help might be a better option for those of you who are artistically challenged! Still the outcome is Fantabulous!

So you get my drift...the possibilities are endless. Just because it's in your bedroom doesn't mean it has to be a SNOOZE!

School Ain't So Cool!

Okay...here is a picture of my little man Reed before his first day of preschool. Looks happy, excited, ready to go, right?

Here is his picture when I dropped him off at school.

I was still feeling good and was pumped that he was not pulling my pants off.

Now, here is the rest of the story...

When I went to pick him up, they told me that he had cried all day long!!! I was bummed! Of course, he would NOT tell me why he cried, but I suspect he missed his mommy (or that is what I want to believe;).

So, we tried it again today. We had a little melt down, a little grabbing of the pants, a few desperate cries for mom, but he stayed. I sure hope little buddy has dry eyes when I get there today. I told him if he was big, brave boy, that I would have a surprise for him later. I love BRIBERY!!! Is that wrong??