Sweet Bliss

I'm off to the land where there's a Target and a Caribou on every city block. (That is only a tiny exaggeration of the truth.) I'll miss that man and those kiddos terribly, but, somehow, I think I'll survive... Happy Weekend, one and all!

Bath is Done

The Gift and the Giver

I had a wonderful time yesterday, creating this wall of photos, and doing some other little projects. I think I'll use them for my $M post, since I'll be gone all weekend- so you can look forward to that.

They brought me real joy- down deep. This often happens, when I'm subduing.

You see, I'm a subduer. That's what I love to do. When I'm using my God-given gifts to make order, efficiency, beauty out of anything, really, I know what it is to feel the pleasure of God.

This is why I love decorating- the joy of creating spaces that are beautiful and functional, using things I find in all manner of places. It's the reason I love to cook, taking a pile of most-basic ingredients and in a delicate balance of quantities and techniques, I create a lovely meal- good for the body and the soul. It's why I love to shape the tasks and moments of rest and play in our day- to take X amount of hours we have together and shape the time so there is time for those most necessary tasks, and for the ones we just want to do, and for the free time we need to grow and play and enjoy one another. It's why I love to organize. Anything. It doesn't have to be perfect when I'm done- but to take what was gone astray and bring it back to a place of order, belonging, function, beauty even. These things bring me that joy, down deep.

I was reflecting on this, this morning, as I sat down with my coffee and my Bible, with my quiet time's typical agenda all laid out in my mind. I was sitting, adoring that wall of photos, letting my mind wander where it wanted. I just felt a deep, deep joy. In my wall. But you see, the joy isn't in the thing, it's in the Thing. All contained in this one act of taking the plain wall and making it new. The entire process. I couldn't take my mind or heart off of it to get to the other things I had planned for my time in the early morning light. I felt like God didn't mind. So I just sat, enjoying that wall down deep.

And in my heart I felt certain, His heart was saying to mine,

"You know why you love this so much? Because I gave you that gift, that art of the balance of color and shape. I gave you that love of the nature you've captured in those photos, and the deep love you have for those children, the ones I created and gave to you for this time. You love these things, because I love them. I am the Creator of them, the Author of Life, and no one enjoys creating more than me. I gave those gifts to you, because they are such a part of Me, and I love them, and I love you, and I wanted so much for us to share these things together. It brings me great joy for you to enjoy wholeheartedly the gifts I've given you- and I know my joy brings you joy. I love to see you enjoy Me and the gifts I've given you with one joy- the complete joy of gift and Giver in one."

And then, He reminded me of something that gave me great liberty when He first revealed it to me,

"Don't ever be afraid that enjoyment of things, or activities, or people alone will tear your heart from me. As long as you love those things ultimately because they are good gifts from the Giver who owns and blesses your heart, they will only draw you closer to the One who made them and gave them lovingly to you, For Your Joy!, they will only bring us more intimacy, more mutual joy. And I love to see you enjoy Me, and all the good gifts I've created for and in you. And I love it when your heart's delight in them overflows to words and thoughts of gratitude, gifts to me."

Thank you, thank you, Thank You, Father, for every good and perfect gift.

One Excited Hypocrite

Here I am posing with my friend Miss Beth. She apologizes for being so shiny. My bathroom is not a flattering place for pictures. She and I have had countless cups of coffee together spanning hundreds and hundreds of early mornings through the years- just Beth and me and Jesus, deep in the Word together. And for the very first time, this weekend, I get to see her speak in real life! It's never worked out before, but alas, it finally has. I am thrilled!

Oh, but I'd be remiss not to tell you of my tale of deep, deep hypocrisy. Well, it starts out like this- I know this woman who is totally foolish and insane. She's planning on leaving her family this weekend and meeting up with someone she met online- just a couple of months ago. And they are getting a hotel room together. I know! I can't believe it either. How crazy is that???

Oh, wait, I should tell you- that woman is me! Anne and I, after a chat on Facebook one afternoon, and a Google search, and a brief mention of a free plane ticket to use up, and a quick check to see if the conference is sold out yet and- I AM TOTALLY GOING TO HANG OUT WITH ANNE ALL WEEKEND! Yay! I am so thrilled to hang out, to talk all.weekend.long about all manner of topics, to drink several overpriced caffeinated beverages, and to eat out every meal. Oh, and to make a special trip to Grand Avenue, by way of IKEA, to visit Pottery Barn- who JUST THIS WEEK is debuting it's fall collection, and should also, as a result, have lots of summer clearance. I can.not.wait.

Anne and I are kindred spirits- we've known it since first bloggy-sight. I have no doubt it will be the same in real life. She loves Starbucks, Pottery Barn, CS Lewis, and Jesus. What a jackpot of a friend. Can't wait, Anne!

The part about meeting such a fine Siesta brings me no worry- driving that Siesta around in a city I DEARLY love, but don't know how to drive myself around in very well is bringin' me some serious doubts. Bring your Google maps, Anne, and I'll bring mine.

A weekend, with a good friend I'm just meeting for the first time, and introducing Anne to some good college friends as well- oh, and hangin' with Miss Beth. And coffee. And shopping. Hallelujah, just my kind of time!

147.

That is how many pictures I took last Sunday. A glorious Summer Sunday.

The holy, the profound- these things are found in our every day moments. There are sweet times in life when we find we have stumbled upon a divine appointment. A holy moment of every day when in the most simple of things, we are nearly overcome with the glory of it.

That is what happened on this good day. In the midst of the every day, we found ourselves in the glow of a day our family may never forget- surrounded and covered by the One Who loves us and holds us together, in the presence of the ones with whom we belong. I suppose there are many words I could use to describe it. Many little stories. But you know, I can't do it justice at all. So this preface is all I will leave.

Glory, Glory, Glory in the everyday.

Today's Second Post, This Week's Free Flowers #3, and The Mail I've Been Waiting For

Finally. They opened. Dozens more to come- glory!

Here are some more beautiful and trusty day lilies- in my newest yard sale vase- .50. I love it- orange is perfect in our master bedroom.
Finally! My FAVORITE edition (the debut of the fall/part of winter collections) of the Pottery Barn catalogue arrived today! And right under the new RealSimple! I've been anticipating it for WEEKS! Oh joy. I got them right after the kids went down for their naps, and the only thing that kept me from diving right in- PB first, of course, is that I couldn't wait to share my excitement with YOU! Woo Hoo! If you don't already receive the (free) Pottery Barn catalogues, you should. I almost never (maybe once a year) get something from Pottery Barn. But they are my decorating mentors and muse. I adore Pottery Barn. I'm off! I've got some decorating inspiration and an ice tea waiting on me!

Loaves and Fishes

I am unsure of whether or not I've said enough- enough about the One that I know has helped me grow in any area I've made a gain. The One who gives me much grace daily as I struggle and sin and scrape to figure out how to live this life. The One who is my great joy and peace and hope and strength and comfort as I navigate these crazy days of mine, of ours. The One who is my inspiration and wisdom and light and new thing. Every day.

Have I mentioned enough, how imperfect I am? I wouldn't want to glory in my own self-loathing, but I do want to make a point, that reflecting on my own imperfections would point me and others to the One who is perfection.

Have I mentioned enough, that Jesus is my life? Have I mentioned enough that I can hardly recognize the person I was before He came and took me over? Have I mentioned enough that any gains I've made in this life, any growth of my heart, my soul, my mind or any possible skills I have, are all attributed to the One who is constantly at work in me? And I am dearly in need of that work, I promise.

If I have made gains in how we spend or save our money, it has been through years of need that have born creativity in it's management. If I have made gains in mothering, it is through years of struggle and crying out for wisdom that have born the answers to those prayers- and I hope for much more wisdom to come. No one knows my need for mother-wisdom more than my children, I promise. If I have made gains in the ways that I order this house, it is through years of asking the Lord to show me how to order my days aright.

This summer marks a decade. A decade from the moment I realized how helpless I was, and I handed my life over to the One who fed thousands with just a handful of loaves and fishes.

If I share the moments of our every days with you, but never share my gratitude for the One who is at the center of them, I have missed the mark. If I haven't said it enough, I will say it now, and try to communicate this truth more often. God isn't just a nice thought, He isn't just the One I run to in trouble, He isn't just the thing that I have invented to attempt to create a sense of meaning out of death or pain or trouble. Jesus Christ is my everything, and any good thing in me is Him alone.

Money Monday!

It's a great time of year. For clearance. If you haven't noticed, there's a lot of it. You don't even have to look with "clearance eyes". It's right out there for even the most amateur bargain hunter to find.

Wait. Maybe you just bought a pair of shoes three weeks ago, you go back to the store, and, WHAT?! they're now 50% off. Tough. Right? Wrong. Did you save your receipt? If you did, march your bad self right to the Customer Service desk and sweetly ask for a price adjustment. Read all about them here. Really, take the time to click- I explained it all really well like, a year and a half ago. It's worth a LOT to you to get in on this. Then come on back here.

Did you read it? Great. A note- you don't have to say, "Um, hi. I heard from someone online that I might be able to take in my receipt and get a refund if the stuff I bought went on clearance..." etc. Just take yourself up to the counter, and kindly greet that person working in retail with a smile- because Lord knows, and anyone who's worked in retail knows, they need a smile. Just hand them the receipt and ask for a price adjustment. They'll know exactly what it is. You don't need to explain yourself. If they don't know, it's because they're new. They need to learn. A manager will help them. Look, you've just made them better at their job. Good for you.

In the future, make it a practice to save the receipt when you buy clothes etc. Keep them in a special place in your wallet so you've got 'em if the time is right. You don't want to have to make another special trip back to the store. Sort through them from time to time, of course, and I promise you won't regret taking the time to Adjust.

Happy Monday, to each and every one of you wonderful people.

Wax Philosophical

I love candlelight. Do you?

What about when the night is done, and you're left with burned-down stubs of wax, the wicks all too low to burn again?

If you know you're going to burn new candles all the way down to their used-up ends, you can put a little water in each glass container, and the wax won't stick to the sides- easy clean up after a long night and a great party.

But what if you're like me, and you only burn them a few hours at a time, over and over again? By the time I'm ready to change them, that wax is stuck to the sides all the way down the votive holder- from several nights of just a little burn.

Talk about a waxy situation. How do you clean it up? Easy. I realize many of you already know about this, but, there was a time when I didn't...so maybe you don't- though you're all much sharper than me.

Throw them in your freezer. Let them get chummy with the blueberries and the beef for an hour or so. Let them get reeealy cold.

brrr...

Invert.

KICHOW!
Need I say more?
Now you can save yourself some time and use it for better purposes- like kissin' your husband, chasin' your kids, or cleaning your house.... ahem. Or reading a book.

If you want to be really economical, cheap, or un-wasterly, you can break the wax away from the old wicks, melt it down, and fill it into a glass votive holder and make a whole new candle out of it, instead of throwing it in the trash. You can get more wicks etc. at a craft store. It's really easy. Make sure you pick up yourself some gold star stickers while you're at it, and give yourself one.

I threw my stubs in the trash.

This Week's Free Flowers

These were still goin' strong, so I just added an extra... More beautiful new kinds are about to bloom! Go pick some free stuff outside your house, and bring it on inside! Dandelions, a branch from a tree, anything- it's going to pass away anyway, you might as well get some simple pleasure from it!

Always.

Sometimes you drive me crazy.

Sometimes you will not obey.

Sometimes you act like you don't hear me.

Sometimes you talk to me with extreme disrespect.

Sometimes you will. not. go. to. sleep.



Sometimes you infuriate me.


Sometimes you hurt my feelings.



Sometimes you humiliate me in public.

Sometimes you leave me speechless- for terrible reasons.

Sometimes you just can't stop fighting.

Sometimes you ruin my plans.

Sometimes you ruin my carpet.

Sometimes you ruin my furniture.



Sometimes you question my authority.

Sometimes you make me question my sanity.

Sometimes you say the same thing 75 times in a row.


Sometimes you ask me the same question just as many times, never accepting my answer.

Sometimes, you bring me to tears.
























But you are always loved.

Girls Night Out

Shopping every inch of The Gap and Gap Kids... Trying on some sweet finds- first for Mom, then for G and P... Talking girl talk about how nice we each look every minute of it...

These girls love to shop- every part of it. Getting something is just the icing on the cake.

Patie is doing some serious twirl.
We wore the sweet finds out of the store, and headed out to find a sweet...

But absolutely nothing is sweeter...
than a night out with those little ladies.

The Wall.

I never, never, never am tempted to do something else with my days- this is the only place I want to be, the only job I want to pour my heart into- my husband, my children, my home. This is it. I adore this job, I can't imagine anything better- and I mean that with all my heart. Our days are full of laughter and sweetness and challenges and rewards and learning and loving like you couldn't believe. My heart overflows- I am so blessed.

It's always been a mystery to me, then- How to get over The 5:00 Wall. You know that feeling you get (or used to get) when it's the end of a busy day at work at it's almost time to go home? Yeah. See, I get that every day, except, I am home. And work hasn't even begun to wind down... I'm still goin' strong- with a surge of action at the end of the day as I prepare for dinner and whatever the night holds.

If you could smell this...

I prep my dinner ahead- in the morning when things are easy and the kids are playing downstairs I dice onion, press garlic, measure ingredients, so it's super fast to get all Julia Child-like and throw dinner together as easily as I can. That helps, but, it's tough to get over that wall.

I make sure I use the blessed quiet of the hours between 2 and 4 to rest too- to read and be still, so I'm re-energized for the last sprint of the day. That helps, but, no matter how rested my introverted, I NEED time to myself away from the voices that talk all day long-mind is, I still hit the wall.

The girls have been up from their naps for about an hour, and we've had a snack and read a chapter from our book (Currently The Wind in the Willows), and then they play a little- then I have them clean up and do something at the table. That structure helps them get over their own wall- because by that time of day even after a long nap/quiet time they are absolutely owly and downright crazy, as the excitement of Daddy and dinner approach, and they've had a long day too- they seem to have a hard time holding it together most days. But that structure of table time to draw really, really helps.

I just feel tense- and ready to get outta Dodge- except there's nowhere to go and a lot of people are depending on me... So I crunch a handful of baby carrots, to get some stress out of my body. Those really help, but, there's the wall, and it never seems to fully go away.
Oh, and then, in the midst of it, he calls. So, I keep my phone in my apron. My best friend, the love of my life, the other adult that lives here, the one who will take over as primary caregiver as soon as he crosses the threshold. He calls to say hi, how was your day, and I'm on my way home. It will be 35 minutes before he's here, but all I want to do is talk and talk to him , about all the stories and funnies and screams and fights of the day. But...I gotta cook, and do crowd control for the ones over there at the table. Sometimes I push speaker and talk while the pots bubble and I stir. Most days, I regretfully say an early I love you and goodbye- since real conversation is a challenge- it's hard to talk when I'm busy climbing the wall.

Over the years, I've learned a few good strategies for getting up and over that bad boy without flippin' my lid in the process. I try to do it, by the help of the One within me that gives me access to all the self-control and peace and joy I need, if I'll only receive it from Him instead of trying to muster it up out of my own resources- which are quite depleted by this time of day.

So, I keep climbin'- every single day, that same wall, and I sincerely want to do it with a smile... not a temper. Lord help me...

Money Monday! *Updated*

Hello MOPS leaders across the country! I see you have been somehow directed here, and I wanted to say thank you for visiting this little place for some inspiration. If you have questions about the project, feel free to contact me. If you choose to do this with your own group, please send me pictures! I'll post them on the site.

And also, feel free to read our other posts, and leave a comment to say hello if you will. I'd love to hear from you.

Megan

Extremely low-cost, personalized, creative and beautiful gifts for others...and yourself.

Get thee some etching cream- it has to be the real stuff, not just the white "frosty paint" for glass you may see on the shelf next to it. Get the stuff that's dangerous with chemicals and what not. You can find it at a craft store.
You'll need these.
And some glass cleaner
And some inspiration. Like mine, for all things monogrammed...
You'll need a stencil. They sell some. I think most of them are ugly. Make your own. You can use a punch, like this
And punch out any shape you want on to contact paper- they sell hundreds of those punches.
Know what? They're expensive. I had an original idea one time, out of real desire to not spend any money on my project, and I found that using cardstock stickers works great- for stenciling words or letters, and even shapes. You can use less-nice ones too, but, you'll have to be more careful. Stickers come in hundreds of styles, sizes, and fonts.

Find some stuff to etch. You could go to a store....or your basement. Hmmm... this box looked promising...
Yep. I can use this.
Oh, and I forgot about this...
For this project I cut out a sticker, from a scrap booking sticker sheet (I never use them for scrapping. I use them for this!)
Peel it off.

I want a circle, so I'm saving the negative image (the border.)
I put the positive image back on the paper and I'll use it another time. I save them all in a ziploc bag.
I placed my circle carefully- very carefully making sure every edge is sealed tight.
Then, I placed a letter.
And see? Now I have a negative image I can cut out and use another time.

Place it.
Clean it carefully again to remove all smudges and prints. Important!!
Get some etching cream on a brush- it looks like glue, smells terrible, and is toxic- this is NOT a kid-friendly project. They tell you to wear gloves, but I never do. I've never noticed that it hurts my skin...
Goop it on thick and even, making long strokes, but making sure it's super thick.
They say to let it sit for 5 minutes- In my experience, I think it's nicer if I wait 10.

The moment of truth.... Wash it off.

Ta-Da!

Adore finished product. Use at will. Give away if desired.

I'm giving this one to my very first Blog-Friend, Kim. Until she left a comment on my blog long ago, I didn't realize there was a world of bloggers out there...I just blogged for our memories and my 4 blogging friends in real life. Kim, if it wasn't for you....I wouldn't be here...showing you all how to make cheap stuff. Love ya, Kim. And, you're fabulous, by the way.

There are 1000 uses for a clear glass vessel. I have tons of them in many shapes and sizes. I'll leave some idea-inspiration at the end, but, just even for these stemless wine glasses, which I got for dirt cheap ($1) on clearance at Pier 1 last year, just for the purpose of keeping around for something like this... you could,

Float a candle, or a flower- always great for a low-key decoration when you're entertaining.

Use it as a vase for a bunch of flowers.

Fill it with mini ornaments or pinecones at Christmas

Fill it with candy and give it away

Use it as a pencil cup or for misc desk supplies

Fill it with leaves in the fall

Actually drink out of it

Or even slip a little black and white wallet-sized picture in there.

You know, whatever.

And, by stroke of coincidence, I made another gift today, for a whole other Kimberly, a new, real-life friend who I was thrilled to hang out at the park with the other day, and who has three awesome kids who are being raised well by two awesome parents, who we loved gettting to know better this week. She's not only sweet, but she was nice enough to say she liked how I decorated my house and asked if I'd help her decorate hers. (She was just being nice, but, I made her promise that she really would and wasn't just getting my hopes up for nothing.)
I made some stuff for myself too, of course, you know, while I was at it...


This was one of the first things I ever etched- I didn't wipe off the smudges carefully enough, so it's not perfect, but, I made it with a friend and she has one just like it, but, you know with their monogram, and it's highly sentimental. Have I mentioned my obsession with monograms??? I have to really limit myself when it comes to placing them all over my house... Here's a jKm, if you can't tell.

This is the first thing I ever etched- a set of these for a friend- the same one, actually. It's a long story, but, I made a set too...and I cry every time we use them.... which is only when it snows and we make snow shakes.

Woof on the treat jar... That's another old project.
I really love to etch- and it's so simple and fast and beautiful. I try hard not to etch too many things I own, or I'll be that lady with all the etched glass that the neighbor kids make fun of... But they do make great gifts... Here's that vase from last week. Another monogram...big shock.
More Ideas:

Glasses/Stemware:

• You could make an entire set of customized stemware, or every day glasses- for yourself, or a gift- think weddings! How fun to get some Libby glasses at T or W, then etch them with your own initials, or the newly married couple's new monogram, or names. What a great gift.

Picture Frames:

• Use a dark mat- like black, red, etc in your frame, and etch a pattern around the edges of the glass, or just a name or single initial or monogram or phrase at the bottom- it will show through beautifully. Think of the possibilities for your own home, not to mention Christmas, wedding, and birthday gifts! A homemade, personalized beautiful gift is so precious!
• Etch polka dots, butterflies, anything, all over the glass insert in a frame for a fun kids room project.

Ornaments:

• My friend Jen made AMAZING ornaments last year- using clear glass ornaments from HL, then she painted her baby boy's foot in a thin coat of Elmer's glue, carefully pressed it on the ornament, let it dry, etched over it, washed it all off, and there was his print, right there! SO adorable- she etched Baby's First Christmas around the top. Gorgeous. There are many hints and tips to that project (or you can use the idea for inspiration for something else hand or foot print related.) If you want those tips, I can email them to you.

Containers:

• Buy a large glass canister with a lid at Target or Walmart and etch whatever you want on it, and store stuff in it in your kitchen, bathroom, office, etc.

• Same goes for etching cheap vases from Walmart- you can use them for flowers, anything! Walmart has an amazing selection of cheap clear glass vases! You can make something to rival things Pottery Barn sells for $40.

Mirrors:

• You could get daring and etch a monogram, or border, or something on a mirror at home.

................................

You can add personal touches all over your home, it will be lovely, made by you, and no one else will have something quite like it. And what a special gift! It's so simple- yet looks really, really nice!

Get creative! If this inspires you, send me pictures of your project! Or send me the link if you post them on your own blog- I'd love to see your ideas!

Dog Park Date

Just me and Bebo...

He alternated the entire drive between doing this (and getting very windblown of course)
and coming over to give me tiny excited kisses on my nose (NOT my mouth!) because he was so excited.

He also alternated between making his high-pitched school girl excited whines, with his low sounds-just-like-Astro-from-The Jetson's- sound that he only makes when he really, really can't contain himself.

A detour- they didn't have any treats. What a shame. He'd really been looking forward to one.
At last.
Playing nice
Doggy Fountain.

Freedom

What an incredible privilege- to live in this good country. We are free. With all it's faults, this is a blessed land in which to live.

Today, as we reflect on the birth of this good nation, I am filled with hope in these verses-

Galatians 5:1 NIV

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Luke 4:16-21 NIV
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, "Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

No matter country, race, sex or creed- there is only One who gives true freedom, for every woman and man, who has ever lived, and who has yet to walk this earth. Amen.

For those that asked, and because I like a good bargain...

***Scroll Down to See My Real Life Post for this Week***

This room is all about the clearance.

And yes, it always looks like this. It's just my thing. I can't live in clutter, my brain feels dull and irritated at even the thought of cohabiting with clutter and mess. It's just my thing. And no, I don't work very hard at it. We all just put things away right when we're done with them, so Mommy doesn't get dull and irritated. See? It's all about me. (Not really.) Things are always picked up, but not always "clean". You know? Jim, I'm not too uptight, right?

And anyway...Here's a collection of all my finds over the years that ended up here.This shelf is from Target, but I got it at a liquidator store for $20 new. At the time and for months later, they were still at Target for over $60. It's an exact copy of PB shelf, but the PB one only hangs vertically. This one hangs both ways. Score.
The vase is cheap from Walmart.
The green ball was clearance $2 at Target. A lot, to me, for a ball, but I have a fetish with this color, and it brought the candle from the bathroom's color to this room, and I love it. Good buy.
The white frame was $3 on clearance at Target.
The little red vase was .99 at Hobby Lobby. It has an invisible chip.
The bowl on the top was $2 at TJMax.
The vase next to it is the .25 G sale find. The K is from the package for a Restoration Hardware Ornament.
Total Cost of Shelf: Approx. $30.25
The smart desk and chair were paired together on clearance at Slumberland. Jim found it (thanks dear) when we moved. It's gorgeous, solid wood, with a matching chair, for $196.00. Jim was rightly excited. I can't remember the total price originally- Jim, do you? I remember the chair alone was $100. Only ones left. There's a $3 frame from HL and a $1 clearanced small vase that I use as a pen-holder.
I got this vase with a gift card. The ball was $2. I love the options of the sphere- such a nice touch thrown in with lots of rectangles.
Oh, and this vase in my kitchen is actually a salad bowl, which was clearanced at TJ Max for $7. It's huge and heavy and has 1000 decorating uses.

Our bed, side table, and two dressers were all free, from Jim's grandparents when we got married. We'll probably keep them forever. That mirror was $20 at a garage sale. I love it dearly. My bedding was all half price at Kohls- sheets, comforter, throw, pillows, the whole deal 50% off (sold separately). The bedding cost was a total of $100.
That large hurricane was on clearance at Target for $25. Down from $39.99. I know, because I lovingly looked at it every time I went to T for a year. The bowl with the flowers was $2 at TJM. The candle plate I use to store most-used jewelry was .99 at HL. The candle was $9 half off at BB & B. (a lot, but it smells awesome and again, I spend more for that great color I love.)
The circle on the wall was a clearance .99 place mat at T. The small frame was 1.00.
That is a painting some friends from China sent us. It has some gold in it, and so does that placemat. I love that. A little gold to complement each other. That's a PB wall vase, free with my Real Simple subscription a couple of years ago.

The cost of my bedroom decor: I'm not doing the math, but, not a lot.

The cost of you all saying sweet things about my room to make my day: Priceless

It's Real Life #3: Where the Magic Happens

Welcome to my Master Bedroom. Come on in.



Our office moonlights as our entertainment center, as it's where Jim and I watch movies, Monk and The Office. We watch most things online since we don't watch TV otherwise, and we can't go downstairs, because the girls are asleep. It's nicer in bed anyway :). Oh, and you know how you stay up late watching TV, then you fall asleep on the couch? Problem solved!Lest I forget, this is the boys' bedroom, too.

#1: Under Bed

I couldn't get a good shot under there- way too dark. It's pretty boring- there's the extra leaves for our dining table, and a scrabble game. Use your imagination.

I decided to show you my closet instead, to be fair. Besides, you also need to see:#2: What's In/On Your Dresser

I forgot to take an In, but, here's the top. Some of my stuff, some of Jim's stuff. #3: Night Table

It's got a flashlight and some good books I can pick up if I can't sleep. Here's a vase I etched. Someday, I'll teach you how. Promise. Here's a gigantic stack of Pottery Barns and my decorating binder, still leftover from my needing inspiration days when we moved in. I'll move them. Soon. I don't need them right now. Yes, I save every one.

#4: Decorations

You get the idea around the room. Here's a shelf. There are some favorite love letters (the rest are in the brown box on my dresser) and some miscellaneous stuff.

#5: What I love

My very own bathroom, of course. Our room and our bathroom are sacred! Nobody gets to hang out in here but us, with very rare exceptions! Ours. All Ours.
There's some mismatched towels... Oh, and see those three candles on the windowsill? You can learn about those here.

#6: What I hate

I don't have a picture. I don't think I hate anything about this room. I dislike the color, which it came with, but it's satisfactory. I'm sure I'll get inspired one day, and there's another post for you. I also think it's a little bare, but, that's something that changes over time, finding the right stuff.

#7: What makes it uniquely mine

Wait, I don't have a picture of that either, but, it's a room just for us, for rest and fun and late night snacks and games, for watching the sunset from our bed out the huge window, for having time for ourselves and for... ahem...love. It's our room. I love it.

#8: What I sleep in

Some kind of workout pants, and a shirt, usually a tank top in the summer, long-sleeved T in the winter. I never wear stuff like this out of the house though. Back in college, I sure did!

P.S. I am so basking in the glory of free fresh flowers right outside my door. Thanks, Jim, gardener superman and best friend of mine. P.S.S. Clearly, I am not afraid of looking stupid.

Cookin' to the Beat...

...of this little drummer.

Muffins.

Beginning.
Middle.
End.

Have Some.