{trying out} my green thumb

After having a full year in our house (time flies!) I am now ready to try to tackle the yards.  I had great intentions last year to get the front and back yards in shape, but all the other little projects of first-time home ownership seemed to take precedence.

In the last couple of weeks though I've been motivated to at least make a little dent in the long list of outside projects I want to do on the house.

First one was planting flower in the front garden bed when you walk up to our house. 

 

 

While this may not look like anything spectacular, it has made me so happy to see a little color and smidge more curb appeal when you walk up to our front door.  I'm thinking of adding a few more plants to the flower bed soon, but for now I'm glad I at least have a start! 

 

My second project was to start a veggie garden!  I love veggies!  Ever since we moved into our house I figured I'd have an edible garden, but until 2 weeks ago I hadn't done anything to make that vision happen.   So with just over $20 and a lot of enthusiasm, I set out to get my veggie garden started.

 

 

 

I started several types of veggies both indoors and outdoors in hopes to at least get one or two types of vegetables to start sprouting. 

 

 

 

And after just two weeks, I'm starting to see some great progress!  I can't wait to keep these little guys going and hopefully get some delicious veggies as the season goes on!  

Crossing my fingers that I'll be able to keep this green thumb thing going so I can have a pretty (and edible) garden this year!

It's a green thing

Happy late St. Patrick's day!  I had good intentions of posting this over the weekend, but lost track of time...so better late than never, right?!  

While we didn't have corn beef and cabbage or do any big St Patrick's day celebrating, I did happen to make green rice crispy treats to take to my sweet young women at church and give to our neighbors.  Nothing says "I'm LUCKY to have you" more than food!  

With green things on my mind, I must share my latest thrift store find that I'm excited to put to use soon.  These kelly green and lemon-lime green bowls!  I happen to know a certain lady who loves green and has birthday around the corner, so these might be put to work as part of a table-top spread.  

And last but not least, I have this fun little vintage green book that was another thrift store find several months ago.  I love it and was shocked to find such an awesome vintage book at the thrift store.  Made me think, someone gave away this 1940s Girl Scout book?!  I couldn't pass it up.

Hope you enjoyed your St. Patrick's Day and maybe even found some green things to enjoy {whether it be green treats or green vintage finds!}

"Churched up" chicken

Anytime something is done up to be a little more pretty/dressed up than usual, Clint calls it "churched up".  If there is any food item that can easily be churched up, it's chicken! 

I'm a huge fan of chicken, it's relatively inexpensive, it's an excellent source of lean protein, and it can take on a vast array of flavors. 

Since I am known to make chicken the main dish in our dinners several nights a week, I recently decided I needed to add a new chicken recipe to my repertoire.  

And thus the scrumptious {and surprisingly easy} Chicken Cordon Bleu was tested and approved in my kitchen.  Before making this recipe the only memory I had of chicken cordon bleu was having it as a special dinner for a holiday, but it was pre-packaged and hardly home-made. 

With this simple recipe, home-made chicken cordon bleu can easily become a family favorite to have during holidays or a special celebration...or in our case, as a filling main course for dinner with friends.

 

pounding out the chicken in preparation to be "rolled"



baking in the oven...looks so tasty!



hot and ready to be served

 

 

 

The crispiness of the outside coating along with the creamy cheese is so yummy!  Yeah for chicken dinners with a little bit of dressiness {aka churched up chicken!}

On the job

While I would love to be a blogger, creative designer, or crafter full-time, I do currently have to go to a regular Monday to Friday job to pay the bills {which I am very grateful for!}  :) 

While the daily grind isn't always as exhilarating as finishing a furniture "make-over" project or finding some spectacular at the thrift store, I still try to have little pieces of inspiration at my desk to keep me going. 

 

 

My shelf of inspiration with some decor and several photos.  On the left is a button bouquet my mom and nieces made for me.  Of course a little "initial" addition is needed with my yellow C!  

 

 

And a couple of my favorite wedding photos and family photos are on display.  I love being able to have those to look at. 

 

 

Another board of pictures sits on my desk next to my computer. 

 

 

My pen holder, mug {for oatmeal & hot cocoa} and few other desk items have owls on them.  Most of these were gifts from my mom since I had quite a love for all things owls a couple of years ago.

 

So that is a sneak peak at what I look at during the daily grind.  Well, actually I look at a computer all day, but that's not as fun to share ; )

Giveaway winner and a little Spring fever!

I'm excited to announce that the winner of our first giveaway is...

Ms. Emily Davies! (like my method?  Pulling a name out of a cup!)    

Emily, ahead and email me your address and this fun little burlap banner is yours!!

 

 

Besides the giveaway winner, there appears to be something on my mind...Spring fever!  All sorts of things around me point to my secret desire for the season to officially change to Spring!  I love the colors of the Spring season along with the thought of being outdoors! 

Here's a few of the things that are fueling my enthusiasm for the upcoming season...

These fun measuring spoons were a find at Cost Plus and happen to be the colors I have in my kitchen

 

 

This wrapping paper was a find at Marshall's a while ago, and I'm just now using it for gift wrapping and possibly other projects (yet to be determined!)  I love the pastel colors and nod to Spring the print seems to have!

 

Maybe this Spring I'll get some gardening done!  My mom gave me a copy of this magazine and I'm hoping to get inspired! 

Be mine Valentine

Happy Valentine's Day y'all!  I hope you feel the love from friends, family and your sweetheart! ;) 

Thought I'd share just a couple quick things before I head out the door...

 

The reminder in our home for this month

 

The cute Valetine from my mom to me & Clint

 

Little Valetine goodie bags for my lil sweetheart girls at church

 

Valetine cookies for Clint and my co-workers

 

Well I hope you all have a "love"ly day ;)  Remember you have until Sunday to enter for the giveaway! 

One year blog-iversary and a giveaway!!!

It is officially one year since I embarked on my blogging adventure, well, actually it was one year as of January, but time flew by.  I have loved being able to share my fun finds, craft projects, party planning, cooking successes and so much more on this blog and especially have enjoyed making YOU part of it.  Even if it's only a couple of friends and family that have been following along, having this outlet gives me an excuse to let the creative ideas I day dream of, come to life. 

With the commemoration of my one year blog-iversary, I figured I needed to include you all in on the celebration!  I've decided I wanted to have my first ever giveaway!  This is just a little something that you might be able to include in your next celebration {birthday party, fiesta, holiday}. 

 

 

This party/decorative banner is about six feet long and is made out of oh-so versatile burlap!  You can see my latest party banner {have I told you how much I love party banners?!} that I created, here for ideas of what to do with this pretty little thing if you win it! 

So what do you have to do to win?  Just leave a comment on this post telling me what you're favorite things to decorate {ie: flowers? streamers? etc.} for a party or celebration are.  Don't throw parties or celebrations?  Just tell me the thing you loved seeing at the last party or celebration you went to.  You will then have your name "thrown into the hat" to have a winner pulled for the prize. 

 

I look forward to seeing what you have to share!  Next Sunday, February 17th is the last day to leave a comment and the winner will be posted within the next couple says after that. 

Thanks for following along!