The Nurtured Nest

A "New" Coffee Table

2012-02-10T14:40:00.000-06:00

Hello my Friends!

It's been several months since I've posted and to be quite honest, as good as it was to take a "break", I've been missing it a lot lately! So...here I am! I hope you all had the merriest of Holidays and are feeling refreshed in this New Year. :)

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The hunt for a new coffee table began about 7 months ago when Cole started pulling himself up on furniture and tottering around more. Our old coffee table was one that I found at garage sale for $5 (a steal!) and was rectangular with Queen Anne's legs. It has served us well for several years, but it's amazing how differently you look at things (furniture included) once you have a child! The corners of our coffee table all of a sudden appeared much sharper and with Cole running around more and more, it was time to say goodbye to my $5 find. And to make things that much easier, my style has evolved a little over the last couple of years. As if Cole wasn't motivation enough....that's always motivation! :) Haha! (You girls know what I mean). ;)

So the hunt was on!

I knew I wanted to meet this criteria when finding a table:

*Antique

*Sturdy/heavy

*Well built, would hold it's value

*Oval or rounded corners

*Stained

*Shelf or drawer as an added bonus

I looked at a lot of pictures online to determine what I was looking for (to see if "it" was even out there!) and found one on this blog that matched what I had been looking for exactly. Now if I could only find it's sister!

:) After doing some research I learned that it was an antique empire style library table-turned coffee table from the late 1800's/early1900's. I also found out, they can be very hard to find and a lot of times, very expensive. :( With the odds of finding one heavily stacked against me, I just did what any normal, bargain-hunting, determined person would do: kept on looking. Garage sales, estate sales, antique stores, flea markets, thrift stores, Salvation Army, Ebay, and of course...Craigslist. :)

I wasn't a maniac I promise, but I had my "eye out" when I would be browsing around. Until last week!! Turns out she does have a sister! :) When I read the ad on Craigslist and saw she was listed for a mere $185, I knew she had to be mine.

And here she is in her new home!

The owner said she was from late 1800's. Isn't she a beaut? She isn't perfect
by any means (has a few little chips), but I love it. Maybe sometime down the road
when we're not investing in raising children...I'll invest in a full-blown restoration.
But for now, I'm okay with a few imperfections. ;)

She even has the "bonus drawer" I was hoping for. :)

I love the gentle curve of the legs. Sometimes with antique pieces,
they can seem to be too overly detailed. I love that this piece has detail,
but is not overly fussy. It will work with most any style of room.

And here's our little Cole, perfectly at home around the table's rounded
edges. I thought about putting a vase of flowers in the center for this little photo
shoot, but that's not very realistic cause let's face it, it would just end up on
the floor. Thus is life with little ones! :)

To me, finding this coffee table and having it meet my wants and our needs was an example to me that God really does care about the little things. And that He cares about me!

Even if it is just a piece of imperfect old furniture. ;)

Have a beautiful day,

Gail

P.S. How has God been meeting your little

wants and needs?

Decorating for Christmas

2011-12-09T00:20:00.003-06:00

Have you finished all your decorating for Christmas? I finished up last week (a week long process).....and am now totally in the Christmas spirit! Matthew and I have been listening to the Christmas station all day every day, I baked up Christmas cookies for a party, and I'm pretty sure there's several empty containers of eggnog in our recycling bin. (We LOVE that stuff!...with a little sprinkle of nutmeg, please. :)

Okay now....ready for picture overload??? Brace yourself.

I was excited to decorate our mantel this year because of our newly updated make-shift mantel. I'll just go ahead and say it...I hated the way it used to look with the ugly grapevine fireplace screen that was oh-so-NOT my style. Now I love it!

I made this stocking for Matthew the first year we got married. I made it using a pair of satin pants found at a thrift store, added some fur trim, and the tree was created using decorative pillow fringe in progressive lengths, a few red buttons for ornaments, strings of beads, a gold star button, and embroidery floss to stitch a "trunk" and his name. It was a labor of love...and the best part is...I was able to use a pocket from the pair of pants to create a "secret stash" pocket! In years past I've put a small bottle of wine in it or a chocolate bar. YUM! Go here to see.

I made this sweet little stocking last year for Cole's first Christmas. I'm in the middle of making him a larger stocking made from the same sweater material, but until I finish it (which very well may not be until next year!) this one will stand in its place. I plan to update it though...I think a little wooden "C" hanging from the loop would be cute, or maybe some jingle bells?

And here is my stocking lovingly cross-stitched by my Momma and was mine all growing up. Some day I may make another one but for now, I love the little angels, the soft colors, and the memories that ensue.

For the mantel I kept it simple with fresh greens and pinecones. The candlesticks I bought at hobby lobby several years ago and love the vintage look of them.

Sweet vintage looking Santa.

Simple "NOEL" letters craft using wooden letters, craft glue and silver glitter. Love!

The stonework above the mantel needed a little something, so I fashioned this wreath using fresh greens that I snatched up when we purchased our tree. It's awesome that they let you have as many discards as you want. I think I must have taken almost the entire pile! The turquoise isn't a traditional Christmas color I know, but it matches our home so that's the color I use for Christmas. I looove this ribbon and use it everywhere!

Sleeping Santa ceramic figure on side table. So sweet! I found this at a resale shop for $2.00 and snatched it right up because my family has one that looks exactly like it and it was always such a fun decoration to bring out each year. (I'm so sentimental....this can get me into trouble sometimes though).

And now for the tree! I love the smell of a real tree! In real life the tree seems to take up the whole room but looking at this picture it appears that the wall behind it is enormous and bare. And it looks like I need to get wrapping too! ;)

This year I used vintage Christmas postcards to accent our already growing stash, which is in mostly golds, browns, rosy pinks, silver and turquoise.

Here's a look at a couple up close. I just love the old artwork and greetings!

A new addition...love how sparkly and pretty he is. ;)

I made this little house ornament several years ago when I was inspired by the cardboard houses that were so popular in the 1940's and 50's.

This turquoise ornament is one in a set of eight (some are larger and smooth) that I purchased at Restoration Hardware on sale several years ago and are among my favorites cause the color is perfect!

A look at the tree at night. Just love it!

My vintage sewing machine all outfitted for Christmas. The manger scene is Italian made by Fontanini and is one of my most treasured Christmas decorations. Each piece is hand painted and the figures are made out of a hard plastic material...which means they are kid friendly! Cole enjoyed "helping" me set it up.

At night. I just love walking through the house when it's all dark and only the light of the manger scene is on. The bold letters of the chalkboard seem to pop out too and it's nothing short of beautiful.

The kitchen. Unfortunately our kitchen doesn't have any windows (thus the pictures aren't the greatest), but you'll get an idea of what I've done in here.

I decked out the shelf with some of my pink "Johnson Bros." Christmas dishes, more greenery and pinecones, and some yummy treats in apothecary containers.

Ribbon candy! Makes me think of my Grandma Cole who always has this out in her home at Christmas :)

I love how this little dish mimics a snowflake. Sweet!

I think this tree was the only thing I bought this year. I love it's vintage look and how fluffy and shimmery it is.

The dining room. I made the garland using fresh greenery, ribbon, and twinkle lights. I've never attempted to make a natural garland before this year and now that I have and know how easy it is...there's no going back. Not to mention the fake ones are expensive and this one was free! I really love the affect it gives and how it brings life to the entire room.

Another manger scene set inside a silver-plated dish.

The other side of the dining room...

And lastly, the dining room table. (forgive the poor photo lighting). I kept it simple with vintage sheet music for placemats, a runner of sorts of white crocheted doilies that look like snowflakes, and more of my Christmas dishes atop gold chargers.

And that's all! If you got to the bottom of this post, thanks for taking the time to enjoy my Christmas decorations! And if you were inspired to deck your halls too, write me and tell me about it!

Merry Merry Christmas,

Gail

&

Southern Hospitality

A Wonderful Weekend & a Thankful Tree

2011-11-28T02:01:00.000-06:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend! We were very blessed to be able to spend the entire day enjoying our family, great food, the outdoors, and lots and lots of pie. :) I'd call that a day well spent!

Thanksgiving family photo

"Sisters, sisters...there were never such devoted sisters"

The girls and our Momma :)

Trimming the tree on Saturday night

Me and my little Santa Baby

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I made this "thankful tree" about a month and a half ago and meant to post pics of it right away, but life got really busy all of a sudden and that, along with some sloooow computer issues, and here I am and Thanksgiving's already come and gone. :( Oh well....I still want to write about it cause I just LOVED enjoying it all season. So here it is...late or not! :)

Dining room buffet

The branches I snagged from a neighbor's trash pile
and the moss (which is from Hobby Lobby) I already had
on hand. The pot I already had too so this project was free!

A little bird ornament

Other things listed were: all of our families names, our sweet little
baby angels in heaven, good books, rain, "thumbs", etc!

Now onto the rest of our Christmas decorating!!! Yay!!!

Happy beginning of the Christmas Holidays!!!

Gail

Cole Walking & 1 Year Old

2011-11-16T13:37:00.000-06:00

Today is Cole's 1st Birthday (*sniff sniff*). We started the day with several rounds of the "Happy Birthday" song, ate special applesauce birthday pancakes for breakfast (where he attempted to blow out his first candle), and watched him open a couple of gifts. So far it's been a great day! I don't think he really knows what's going on, but for us, it's a time to reflect on this past year with our sweet boy..and celebrate the most precious gift that God has blessed us with...

Cole Bryan. :)

It's hard to believe it's already been one year. It seems like just yesterday we were at the birthing center, anticipating his birth , then bringing him home where the realization finally started to settle in: we were parents. This was permanent. No going back. He was ours.

It's been such a wonderful year, and though it's been hard at times figuring out this parenting stuff and how to balance our marriage, outside commitments and our sweet baby, it's been a whole lotta fun along the way. He brings more joy to our days than we ever thought possible...and looking back, it's hard to believe there was ever a time when he wasn't in our lives.

We love you sweet Cole! Happy Birthday Darling!

xoxo,
Momma

P.S. In other news, Cole is now starting to walk! Here's a little video I shot the other day for your viewing pleasure!

Simple Fall Mantel

2011-10-28T17:43:00.001-05:00

I thought I'd keep it simple this year with the Fall decorating. I love love LOVE decorating, but sometimes I can be all over the place with it and it doesn't seem to make sense. I think this is in part due to the fact that I haven't really figured out "my style" yet. I like so many different styles!! :) Hey, maybe that's my style?!!

This year I've been inspired by making things a little more simple, and decorating in such a way that allows individual pieces to really shine. Not too fussy...but not sparse either. Just balanced. :) Of course I still have areas of my home that need to reform to this model of thinking!...but I'm in process...and slowly I'm getting there. :)

This is a make-shift mantel I created because the house we are renting didn't have a mantel. (Who would build a fireplace and not put a mantel on it?!). I've been brainstorming for some time how I could make this work (over a year now) but because I was working with painted stone, it's not like I could just hang a shelf above the fireplace...that is, without drilling into the stone. We tossed that idea around but I really didn't want to bother with having to fill in the holes after we left and also, never having worked with stone before and it not being our place and all...it just wasn't going to be worth it. So....here you have it...our make-shift mantel. :)

I really like the way it turned out. I bought the screen at Hobby Lobby on sale and the mantel piece (which is sitting directly on top of the screen) is made from a rough piece of cedar (bought at Home Depot) that I sanded and stained a dark Minwax stain and sealed with a Minwax gloss. I used heavy duty Scotch velcro fasteners for extra security to fasten the screen to the stone and the mantel piece to the screen. It would have been fine without them cause it's not about to fall over or anything, but I wasn't going to chance it with Cole. :) I know it probably seems a little tacky to use the fasteners, but thankfully, they are not even visible. Oh, and for those of you wondering about how to use the fireplace since it's now boxed in? Well folks, it's Texas. We only build a handful of fires each year anyway, at which point I'll just move the screen, turn on the gas, and put it all back. No sweat! :)

For the decor I used an old Fall landscape oil painting that I found at a garage sale awhile back, 2 little pumpkins from the Dollar Tree, some fall leaves I had on hand, and 2 cinnamon-colored candles (from HL) inside 2 of my glass candlesticks.

And this little beauty? This is ~~Cole's~~ my newest vintage love. It was a birthday gift and I do say, he sure is handsome sitting next to the fireplace! And if a "certain little someone" just happens to want to give those ol' rockers a whirl....I guess it'd be alright. :)

Happy Fall Decorating

and Have a Wonderful Weekend!!

Gail

Linking up to:
My Romantic Home
The Shabby Nest

Absolute Cuteness

2011-10-27T23:40:00.000-05:00

Now, I know every mother out there probably thinks that their own little baby must be the cutest baby in the whole world, but I gotta tell you.....

You're all wrong. Okay, just kidding. ;)

But seriously, my little dude just has me head over heels for him. He has the sweetest little expressions that melts my heart like butter and the cutest smiles, features and "isms" that make my heart sigh and all the while I'm thinking, "really? He's all mine? You mean I get to keep him?!!" Ahhh....Motherhood bliss.......... :). How very blessed I am!

Now here's some recent pictures that capture all that cuteness!!!

Note the yellow-ish nose...must be all the
carrots, squash & sweet potatoes he's been eating!

Wearing a sweatshirt that used to be
Daddy's as a baby!

Look who's trying to help
with the dishes!

One of my faves. :) Ohhh...those eyes. :)

Happiness & glee

He loves him some eating!

"Helping" with laundry too!

Walking with Daddy...I love those
chunky little legs!!!

Have a happy day!!

Gail

Decorated Pumpkins

2011-10-12T12:47:00.000-05:00

When I used to work as a floral designer for a company in Dallas several years ago, every year they would make gorgeous dried floral pumpkin arrangements to sell to their high-end clientele. The price of one these pumpkins could cost you a pretty penny too...and in my opinion, they were waaaay overpriced. My solution? Make my own!! All you need are a few materials and some know-how and you're golden. :)

Here's my debut pumpkin I made about 5 years ago:

Not too shabby for my first try. ;) And here's how you can make your own!!....

Materials you'll need:

*Pumpkin
*Green dried moss (can get it at Hobby Lobby or other craft stores)
*Dried grasses or wheat, seed pods, flowers, twigs, acorns, lavender, etc. Whatever suits your fancy (from dried floral section of craft store or from your own yard! :))
*Hot glue gun
*Hot glue sticks (probably about 5-10, depending on how much of a glue monster you are)

First you'll want to start with a good, fat pumpkin. This time around instead of using a traditional orange pumpkin I used a "Cinderella" pumpkin because I like it's shorter, squat-ier, fat shape.

I started by hot gluing the green moss on top to create a "cap" of sorts. This will help all your dried floral to adhere nicely. :)

Next, starting with a section at a time, add your dried floral and other nature finds. Every pumpkin will end up looking different depending on what materials you use, just be creative and let your imagination guide you! Here's what mine ended up looking like:

In this arrangement I used: dried wheat, dried eucalyptus,
3 brown seed pods, dried green hydrangea, dried lavender,
fall leaves, faux yellow floral, twigs from my yard, some
greenery from my yard, and dried roses.

I gave this one to my Momma for her birthday (Happy Birthday again, Mom!!). I'm thinking...since I loved making it so much.....I might just make one for myself too!!

If you end up making one let me know how it turns out!!

Happy Fall Decorating,

Gail

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-08T22:51:00.000-05:00

Hello Dear Ones!

First of all I wanted to thank those of you who commented on my previous post concerning the loss of our sweet baby. Your kind words were beyond encouraging and have lifted me up during this time. And for so many of you who have lifted us up in prayer, called us, visited, etc. the past couple of weeks.....thank you. It means so much!! It reminds me that we aren't suppose to carry our burdens by ourselves, and so by sharing with you this burden and having seen so many come alongside us we have seen the Body of Christ at work...and it's a beautiful thing. xo.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yesterday my two sisters with kids and I set out to the beautiful Dallas Arboretum to explore and enjoy the sights of their Autumn pumpkin displays and flowers. It was SOOO beautiful!! Naturally, being a floral designer and an all-around lover of all things natural, I was in awe the whole time. :) And being there with two of my best friends didn't hurt either! And the kids? Well....they just had a ball (literally, I think a couple of them thought the pumpkins were balls!) in the pumpkin patch! Here are some photos I took to capture the memories of the day:

Cole on the path lined with pumpkins :)

This is his newest thing: he loves to point
at things with his index finger and has the
funniest expression on his face when
doing so!

Just his size ;)

Always a little taste too...

My Little Pumpkin :)

Me & My Baby

Yellow ruffle shoes among heirloom gourds

One of the Pumpkin Houses....there were lots of them!!

Gwen, Gracie & Eli in the pumpkin house
called "Cinderella's Kitchen"

All the pumpkin excitement wore him out!

Goofy little guy :)

Tongue smiles :)

What a fun day it was!!! I hope you enjoyed the pictures and if you

live in the area...let's go again! (I know I plan to!) :)

Happy Start of Autumn Festivities!!!

Gail

P.S. What fun Autumn activities do you enjoy with your family??? Please

share and maybe I'll get some good ideas!!

To My Unborn Baby...

2011-10-03T14:23:00.000-05:00

Inhale.

I mustered up the courage to take a test. Nobody knew but me & God. And as I waited for the results I think, "this is too soon! If this turns out positive, then this is just too soon! I'm not ready to have another....to be the mother of 2....am I? God, what are you doing?"

Exhale.

I look down...it's positive. My stomach jumps into my throat and I feel all anxious and nervous. I live in self-denial for awhile then decide to go back to making dinner and just sort out my feelings and all the while thinking, "this can't be...it just can't be!!"

I tell your big brother, he won't tell....he's only nearly one. But I needed to tell someone!! I waited a little while....a day and a half to be exact...and then I tell your Daddy. Well, your big brother did with a little help from a note attached to his back that read, "I'm going to be a big brother!" Daddy is elated. :) We embrace and share looks of "are we ready to do this again?" all the while knowing....yes, WE ARE.

This is God's plan.

God's surprise!

God's gift.

We head out immediately, big brother in tow, and head straight to Sonic. We share a Sonic Blast and start talking details. Details of you. Details of you and big brother. Details of US....a family of 4.

~~~~~~~~

A couple of weeks go by. All is well. I take my vitamins every day...I exercise, eat well, and take care of big brother & Daddy. Daddy carries in all the heavy grocery bags...and I take a nap every afternoon. You make me so tired! But I'm glad, cause I'm your Momma...and I get to take care of you.

We share the news with family and friends. Everyone is so excited! Stories of siblings born close together are shared, advice given, hugs & grins received and passed around. All is well. All is happy. All is good.

~~~~~~~~

We start planning. We make out a budget for what you might need. Our minds are focused on the future. We talk about where we will live. We talk about you and big brother and the great friends you will be. We talk about you...all the time. I think of you, all the time. Every choice I make is with you in mind. I think, "I can't have that, I can do that, I can't do that, I can have that....." and it's all a joy, because it's all for you.

~~~~~~~~

10 weeks.

Inhale, heavy exhale.

"What's the matter?" I notice some signs. A sign that things might not be going as planned, that you might be having some trouble. I cry.

Your Grammy takes me in for a last-minute appointment. All seems fine. All is explainable. All seems well. But I am not. My heart's a-flutter, my look solemn, my eyes off in a different world. Something does not seem right.

I take blood tests...several times. The results are not good....they are whispers that something is not right. I cry again. And again.

I feel I am losing you. I feel you are going....but I don't lose hope....I NEVER lose hope. My heart won't allow it. Daddy won't allow it either. He is a pillar of strength and encourages me to never lose heart. He never does...he always believed in you. Always.

~~~~~~~~

10 weeks, 6 days.

We go in for an ultrasound to see if we can see you....to see how you are. Our hearts are heavy. A million thoughts and scenarios go through my mind...but I try and push them out...holding out for hope. HOPE.

I lay on the table while the sonographer puts cold jelly on my tummy so we can see you. I don't mind, I just want to see you. My heart pounds so loud I am certain everyone can hear. Daddy holds big brother close by. We wait.

We see you. You're so tiny...but you're there. Daddy says he can see your tiny arms and legs. I see them too. Still, the news is not good.....she can't find your heartbeat. She tries again....Nothing. My worst fears are confirmed and I look across at your Daddy. My heart weeps.

The sonographer leaves the room and I sob. Daddy holds me close and I sob and sob and sob.

They say there is no charge. I frown. :( Like a walking zombie I find my belongings and we walk to the car....then I cry aloud. I am angry! Why!!!??? Why did this have to happen! There are people out there who are aborting their babies and I want mine and can't have it!! I feel like spitting in someone's face! I want someone to feel my pain...to be mad a the world...to slap someone who would dare to hurt a baby. I am angry!

Daddy sees that I am on the verge of doing something irrational and directs me to sit down in the car. I sit. I cry, and I sit.

My thoughts turn to numb as we head to see our midwife. I sit quietly. I stare off. I am very quiet. Daddy wants me to talk to him, but I am all out of words for the moment. I am still. Grave, and still.

We talk to the midwife. There is nothing to be done. She prepares me for the days ahead...tells me what I might experience, and I am sent home to wait for a miscarriage. There's no life, they say. It's all over, they say....and I weep.

~~~~~~~~

I never ever didn't want you. I wanted you from the moment I saw those 2 tiny little pink lines. When my mind cried "how?" my heart cried "yes!" The more I thought of you, the more I imagined our life with you. Your Daddy and I had dreams for you...dreams with you, dreams of you. It just doesn't seem real that you won't be with us.

I am still waiting for you to go...but in my heart I hope it's all a mistake and that you'll never really go. Maybe they are wrong! I feel the signs that you are going, but my heart won't allow me to go there until it's all over.

A few days go by.

I sit quietly and place my hand on my belly. You're still in there and I think, "this is the closest I will ever get to holding you." I cry aloud...deep sobs....and my body can't contain it. I hold my belly, not wanting to let go. I feel closer to you that way. I whisper to you that all will be alright...but you don't hear me...you never will.

A couple more days go by.

We attend a wedding. There are lots and lots of babies there. I hear the message, I see the happy couple, I see the children playing on the grass and I think, "life is precious...each baby...each person...a miracle." I cry again but I am okay. God fills me with peace.

~~~~~~~~

I always loved you and I always will. I know where my Hope lies and in Whom. I know where you really are and that you are safe. I am still waiting for you to go, am pained each day by this slow releasing, but I am okay....cause I know you're okay. You're more than okay...you're in Heaven.

I love you always my Sweet Baby.

Love,

Your Mommy

Summer Salads: Part 2

2011-08-23T20:08:00.000-05:00

I love cooking from what is available seasonally. As much as I sometimes want to grab for that container of strawberries in the middle of Winter, waiting 'til Summer has proven to result in major payback. Not only are fruits and vegetables cheaper when they're bought in-season, but they are OH SO DELICIOUS too. Lately we've been eating lots and lots of watermelon, cherries, and berries. Also squash, peppers, tomatoes & of course- the star of summer: corn on the cob. :)

Tonight I made a very unusual-sounding salad recipe using green beans and strawberries as the base. I wasn't sure how this was going to taste in the end, but I was pleasantly surprised- it was scrumptious! If you decide to give it a try I hope you enjoy it too!

~Strawberry & Green Bean Salad

with Feta, Mint & Pistachios~

Serves 4-6

1 lb. fine green beans

1 lb. strawberries

2-3 Tablespoons pistachios

1 small bunch fresh mint leaves

(I used some from my yard!)

4 oz. feta cheese

salt & pepper

Dressing:

2 Tablespoons raspberry vinegar

2 Tablespoons superfine sugar

1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard

pinch of salt

1/2 cup olive oil

1. To make the dressing, mix the vinegar, sugar, mustard, and salt together in a bowl until smooth. Slowly poor in the oil, whisking constantly until the mixture has emulsified. Cover and refrigerate until required.

2. Blanch the beans in a large saucepan of salted boiling water for 1-2 minutes, so that they retain plenty of crunch. Drain and quickly toss in a large, cool bowl. Hull and halve the strawberries, then add to the beans. Stir in the pistachios and mint leaves. Toss the salad with enough dressing to coat lightly.

3. Break the feta cheese into chunks and scatter over the salad. Add a good grinding of pepper and serve immediately.

Happy & Healthy Food to You,

Gail

Summer Salads

2011-08-23T00:05:00.000-05:00

There's nothing better for dinner on a warm Summer evening than a fresh, cool salad. :) Soups & casseroles have their place no doubt, but a salad made from some of Summer's freshest picks? I'd call that gratitude at it's best.

This week we've practically lived on salad. Just this week I've made:

*Whole wheat pasta salad with olives, feta & fresh spinach
*Baby red skin potato salad
*Waldorf fruit salad with walnuts
*Romaine salad with grilled red peppers & red onion
*Chicken Fiesta salad

Today I thought I'd share the Chicken Fiesta Salad recipe. It's really delicious and sooo easy to prepare too. Matthew and I ate it in two days it was that good, and we usually take three or four days to eat up something in this house when I make a big bowl of it. Not this time! Ha!

My mother made us this salad the week after I gave birth to Cole. I wasn't about to step into a kitchen and start cooking cause I had a longer-than-normal recovery period (at least it felt like forever) and wasn't feeling the greatest (hormones didn't help either!). My mother was an Angel from Heaven who stepped in and took care of everything for us. Thank you, Mom! Making this recipe brought back sweet memories of that week spending time with our newborn baby Cole, moments with Matthew, and sweet conversations with Mom. {I cannot believe 9 months have already passed!!! Time flies!}

~Chicken Fiesta Salad~

{adapted from Better Homes & Gardens cookbook}

4 cups torn romaine lettuce

1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

1 8-ounce can red kidney beans, rinsed & drained, or

1/2 of a 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained

1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken or turkey (I used

a rotisserie chicken)

2 small tomatoes, cut into thin wedges (or cherry tomatoes

cut in half)

1 cup shredded carrot

1/2 cup sliced pitted ripe olives

1 recipe Chile Dressing

3/4 cup crushed tortilla chips

Place the lettuce in a large 2-quart salad bowl. Layer ingredients in the following order: cheese, beans, chicken, tomatoes, carrots, & olives. Spread Chile Dressing evenly over salad, sealing to edge of bowl. Cover salad tightly with plastic wrap. Chill for 4-24 hours. To serve, toss lightly to coat evenly & sprinkle with crushed tortilla chips.

Chile Dressing: In a small bowl stir together 1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing, one 4-ounce can chopped green Chile peppers, 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder, and 1 clove garlic, minced. Makes 3/4 cup.

Note: Chilling the salad for up to 24 hours allows the flavors to blend. Layer the ingredients one evening and have a read-to-serve meal the next.

Prep: 30 minutes Chill: 4-24 hours Makes: 4 main-dish servings

Love Never Fails

2011-08-15T10:43:00.000-05:00

The greatest......is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

Praying 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Heavenly Father, today remind me from Your Word about the most excellent way of love.

If I gurgle and coo and engage my baby in unintelligible conversation but don't love this precious child, then I am only a silly, baby-doting woman (v. 1).

If I know everything about child raising and am looked up to as an "expert" but don't parent with love, then all my knowledge is good for nothing (v. 2).

If I made all kinds of sacrifices for my child but do so out of selfish motives rather than out of God-directed love, then I will gain nothing (v. 3).

Love is patient with babies who won't burp, and it is kind to babies who accidentally bite at breasts. It doesn't envy Mrs. Smith's baby or take too much pride in my baby's attempts to walk at nine months (v. 4).

Love doesn't ignore my baby's cries for help, isn't angered by lost binkies, and doesn't keep track of silk blouses destroyed by spit-up (v. 5). It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres- even through the toughest days and nights (v. 7).

Where there are experts, they will change their opinions; where there are many words, they will run out; where there is certainty, it will rise to doubts. But love...love never fails (v. 8)!

Thank you, Lord of love. Teach me this most excellent way.

I pray in Your name. Amen.

The above was taken entirely from this wonderful book that my

Mother gave me first my first mother's day:

I hope you were encouraged by this beautiful adaptation of the Book of Love. I know I was!

Have a delightful Monday!

Gail

Summer's Heat

2011-08-09T18:43:00.000-05:00

This Summer's heat has been very wearing on me. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. It's just been SOOOO hot in Texas this Summer! I usually look forward to Summer, too. There's lots to look forward to in Summer...

Like...

*Swimming
*Wearing shorts, skirts, sandals & tank tops
*Taking the baby for a stroller ride outside where it's pretty
*Watching your plants grow
*Watching other people's plants grow
*Feeling the warmth of the sun's rays on your face
*Ice cream cones
*Spending time with family & friends
*Vacation
*Pedicures
*Eating a ripe piece of fruit in season- like strawberries, peaches & cherries
*Suntans & freckles
*But mostly... just being OUTSIDE!!!

Unfortunately, being outside isn't something we've done a whole lot of around here...and I'm starting to get major cabin fever! I want to take Cole for a stroll around the neighborhood...but it's waaay too hot. My plants are practically burnt up (even though I water them) and everyone else's grass is pretty much brown and dead. I haven't swam once....not even ONCE!....therefore no tan (which honestly isn't a top priority, but would be nice to be a darker shade of pale) and most of the other things I would love to do during the Summer somehow have just not been gotten to....or can't be done. The thing that gets to me the most though is not being able to be outside. There's only so much indoors I can take! Even Cole seems to be getting cabin fever and he doesn't even know what he's missing out on...haha! I remember Summers when my siblings and I were growing up where we'd play outside all day long, run through the sprinklers, eat ice cream on the back porch, play kick-the-can late into the evening hours with the neighborhood kids and just. have. fun. Either I've gotten really old and crotchety or I was really oblivious back then and too carefree to see what was going on around me. I'm guessing it was the latter...I hope? Hmmm...

So that's my rant for the day. Thanks for listening....

Today I said a little prayer to God that if He should lead Matthew and I to a place where there were 4 seasons a year, where there weren't 111 degree temperatures during the Summer, and where it was pretty all year long and you could actually grow plants in the Summer and your grass didn't burn up....

.....then it's be alright with me. :)

Have a happy & *hot* Tuesday,

Gail

*Now I need to go say another little prayer that God would put in me a content heart and open my eyes to the blessings He already has before me! Dear Lord....HELP!

Today I faced my fear...

2011-08-03T23:55:00.000-05:00

....of car washes!!!

That's right...I've been a bit of a wimp when it comes to going through those big car washes where you put your car in neutral, take your hands off the wheel and brakes, and just let yourself glide through those weeping willow-looking, something-out-of-Sesame-Street, monster sponges & brushes. But I did it. Phew! And I didn't die! I'm not exactly sure why I was afraid to go through it (alone that is, cause I've done it with Matthew and I'm fine)...but I guess you could say I'm a little claustrophobic at times. I also have a wild imagination and imagine myself going through the washing tunnel...then one of my windows breaking and one of the large Woolly Mammoth brushes attacking me! A likely scenario...I know.

Well anyway...now that I've conquered this fear I will probably be frequenting the car wash much more often and our car won't look so dirty all the time! And paying the 6 bucks for a car wash is definitely worth it in comparison to the hour it would take washing it out in the 109 degree weather with all the sponges, towels, water and soap I'd have to drag out and then later wash. They even buffed & dried my car off so there wouldn't be water spots on it later. :) So, I'd definitely say it was a successful day all around!!

What's an irrational fear that you have? Do tell! :) (it'll make me feel better about mine....)

Outdoor Country Party

2011-08-03T00:43:00.000-05:00

Ever since we moved into our little rental I've wanted to host an outdoor party. The patio between our back porch and garage serves as the perfect little place for stringing up some lights and having a party. So finally......after living here a year and a half.....we did just that. :)

Meet my "Little Big Sis", Grace:

She just turned the BIG 3-0,...but you'd never know it. She knows how to rock a 3-inch wedge and could be the cover girl for paper drinking straws. :)

I call her my "Little Big Sis" cause she's shorter (though older) than me....and she calls me her "Big Little Sis" cause I'm taller (though younger) than her. If you ask me, her nickname sounds waaay cooler. I've always been the "tall" one in my family cause all my sisters are just so short!! And I'm not even tall....I'm just an "average" 5'6"!!! :)

{Goofballs :) }

Gracie turning 30 provided the perfect opportunity to use our little patio for the party. It was so fun to put the party together for her (with the help of her family and friends) and to {hopefully} show her just how much she means to all of us.

{Flowers in a canning jar on the food table}

{Little guest at the party-my sweet little nephew, Levi}

{Drinks were served in jam jars}

{The beverage table:

peach tea, lemonade & water}

{Vintage fabric flag banner above the

food table}

{My sister Glenna}

{Sisters Gwen & Glenna with

Cole}

{The seating area. Old quilts were used as tablecloths

to create a more country feel}

{Grace & her husband, Aaron}

{8 years later and still going strong! :) }

{Gracie with her little man, Johnathan}

{My incredibly beautiful sisters,

Glenna & Greta}

{My Dad being, well....Dad :) }

{Gotta hydrate!

Paper straws source here}

{Dad & Cole....with his "deer in headlights"

look}

{Gracie's favorite: Angel Food Cake}

{We made the birthday girl cut her own cake.....

JK.... she wanted to!!}

It was a very casual evening but couldn't have been more fun. After the guests finished eating & drinking, we headed on inside to open gifts and look at old photos of Grace strung all over our living room using jute string & clothes pins. Ooohhh....the memories!

I've known my sister my whole life....so I barely have a memory of my childhood that she isn't also in. We shared a room together, told each other secrets, went through "awkward" phases of our growing up years together, saw each other with braces on, squirted pimples together, had silly sister fights, fought over boys, shared clothes (she wore my hand-me-downs cause I was taller :), and saw each other grow up. When she went to college I bawled my eyes out cause I had lost my best friend. Then she got married to the love of her life and I was her Maid of Honor. Then I went to college and she called me up and told me she was pregnant. We've shared a lot in our years together....marriage stories, unhealthy pregnancies, losses of children, healthy pregnancies & babies, moves, homemaking....and the list goes on. I could write a novel about all the little things I love about my sister....Gracie, are you listening?

I love my sister so much. You know they say, "you don't get to choose the family you are born into". Well....that may be true, but if I DID get to pick out the perfect older sister to "look up" to...

I would have still chosen her. :)

Happy 30th Birthday, Gracie! {again!}

Hugs,

Gail

The Mommy Workout

2011-07-26T14:55:00.027-05:00

{Cole at 8 months}

This little guy keeps me on my toes...and has proven to be the best workout routine I've had to date. :) I'm not much for workout schedules anyhow...I always seem to fail at them. I'll be doing good for a week or two, then slowly but surely I'll give myself too much grace here and there and before you know it.....I haven't put on my running shoes in over a month. So, when I became a mom and my life was forever adjusted to a squirming, crawling, getting into everything, wants to touch everything, needs me for everything baby....I also found a workout routine I couldn't shake or lose at....and if you ask me....

...it suits me pretty well. :)

The Mommy Workout:

*Lifting baby throughout the day =back, shoulders & arms workout

*Lifting & carrying baby in {extremely heavy} carseat to and from car & in and out of grocery carts =back, shoulders, arms but esp....abs workout

*Running after baby before he gets into a "No no" in the house =legs workout

*Getting little to no rest at night =endurance workout

*Waiting to eat my food until the baby has had his =patience workout

*Carrying baby in Baby Hawk =back strengthening workout

*Squatting down to help baby with a toy =calves workout

*Pushing baby stroller =stamina & legs workout

*Bouncing baby on legs for what seems like forever =cardio & arms workout

*Dancing for baby to entertain him =more cardio workout

*Sitting straight up in bed at the sound of his cry at night =abs workout

*Making hand motions to entertain baby (like "itsy, bitsy spider") =fingers workout

*Holding baby on hip while doing housework, vacuuming, cooking,

folding clothes, getting mail, putting on makeup, watering plants, etc =balancing, strength & multi-tasking workout

*Sitting cross-legged on floor with baby to play =stretching workout

So that's my workout these days! :) Since I gave birth I've managed to lose the baby pounds I put on during my pregnancy and feel like I'm in better shape than I've been in for years. I attribute that to the Mommy Workout, but also....to the wonder of breastfeeding! God is so miraculous for creating such a thing. ;) I know in the future I'll need to kick it up a notch with my workout when I'm no longer running after Cole...but who knows...by then I may be running after another little someone! :)

So what's your workout? Do SHARE! :)

Have a wonderful Tuesday,

Gail

Vintage Bridal Shower

2011-07-16T17:49:00.002-05:00

I had the pleasure of hosting a vintage lingerie bridal shower with 3 other maids' of the Bride at our home a few weekends ago. The bride is a very dear friend of mine...and now she's all off and married! Missy & Michael---I couldn't be more happy for the two of you!

Here's some pictures and collages I created to give you an idea of our evening. We chose the colors red, black & turquoise for the shower and tried to use them throughout our decor. (I apologize in advance that some of the photos are of poor quality.)

The Invitation:

Inside it invited guests to an

"Old Lace & New Love"

vintage lingerie bridal shower

My delightful friend, Missy,

playing the part in the "Photo Room"

I created a room where guests could have

fun and be silly by creating their own phrases

on chalkboard painted cardboard quote cut-outs

and an assortment of vintage hats, gloves & purses.

Hostesses & Bride:

One of my favorite details were the drink tags

we made using leftover scrapbook paper from the

invitations. I already have a lot of turquoise in my home

and getting to bring these little goblets out was fun

cause I don't use them that often and they just

happened to work perfectly with our color scheme!

Above: turquoise goblets with scrapbook paper name tag,

coffee filter pom poms, the food table, red velvet cupcakes

with cream cheese frosting & strawberries, red roses.

What my make-shift mantel looked

like before all the presents arrived! I

used the vintage dancer print in the decor

cause the Bride is a dancer (it used to hang in my

room when I was growing up).

More decorations:

Above: tree decorated with coffee filter flowers, vintage

ballet dancer print, coffee table glamour, refurbished

goodwill lamp

My chalkboard adorned with a natural

coffee filter flower & red ribbon chain

If you're interested in making these flowers,

they really are a breeze. All you have to do is crinkle

each filter til they are crumpled and soft, spread them out,

then pinch in the middle of each filter and arrange with your

fingers until you get the look you want. If you want them really

fluffy and layered you can stack several filters. Secure with

a pipe cleaner or ribbon and you're done!

Vintage details:

Above: vintage 1950's Ladies Home Journal Magazine

lingerie ad, vintage paper dolls (I played endlessly with

these when I was younger), vintage silk

robe with tulle that belonged to my great Aunt.

It's hard to see in this photo, but the scrabble letters

read: "MISSY AND MICHAEL SITTING IN A TREE....

FIRST LOVE.....THEN MARRIAGE...

And married they are indeed!!!

~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed the party!

Gail

Cole Playing with His Reflection

2011-07-05T22:22:00.002-05:00

Have a Happy Wednesday!!!

Gail

Three Cheers for the Red, White & Blue!

2011-07-05T13:29:00.012-05:00

Yesterday was a very relaxing day for our little family. We had an extremely busy week last week and barely spent time together, so we decided to set aside time....just us....to celebrate the 4th together. It was just what the doctor ordered!

Our morning started off with festive "Fourth of July Waffles". They were delicious! I may end up making that a tradition each year....we'll see. ;)

I made this wreath from natural coffee filters that I had used to make pom poms with for a bridal shower I hosted (more on that later). It was an easy & fun project that I created while watching Cole play with his toys on the floor. All I did was crinkle each filter so it looked more wrinkled and soft, pinched the center and twisted it a little, then push-pinned it to a styrofoam wreath form. The flag ribbon was some I already had on hand.

Old recital sheet music makes for a good 4th decoration!

Mini flags in white vases gathered from years past sit atop my dining room buffet.

My 3-tiered plate stand displays my small collection of vintage jello molds. They're not just for show though....I do actually use them too!

More vintage patriotic sheet music!

An arrangement I made using some leftover flowers from a wedding I designed for over the weekend. It just so happens that they were patriotic colors! Perfect. I tied some patriotic ribbon on it for a more festive look. The pom poms are made from white coffee filters (also from the bridal shower).

My handsome hubby and Cole letting their patriotism show. ;)

Aren't those sunglasses a riot?! I love 'em! Thank you Gram'ma & Gram'pa!

Me & my precious boy :)

I was so glad to finally purchase a flag this year! I had been looking for one with embroidered stars and individually-pieced stripes for a good price and finally was able to find just what I was looking for! Now we'll be able to proudly display it at the appropriate times and holidays.

It's official! We're Americans!

The rest of our day was spent going out to dinner at "Red Hot & Blue" (yummy ribs & bbq brisket!) and watching some good ol' fireworks while listening to WRR Classical 101's patriotic music. If you ask me, I'd say it was a day well spent!

I hope your day was as equally enjoyable!

Hugs,

Gail

Freedom in Christ! & Fourth of July Waffles

2011-07-04T11:34:00.014-05:00

This Fourth of July I thought I'd share some verses that are good reminders to me of our FREEDOM IN CHRIST!! How grateful I am that we have freedoms here in the USA, but without the freedom that Christ brings....oh my...I would be lost. Thank you, Dear Jesus!!

"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." (Galatians 5:1)

"We are under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us." (2 Corinthians 1:10)

"In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free." (Psalm 118:5)

May those verses resonate through your heart today!

And now onto a delicious waffle recipe! Good for today (though it's a bit late for breakfast now) or any day of the week. Enjoy!!

~Fourth of July Waffles~

Adapted from my mother's recipe of "Popular Waffles & Pancakes"

*Makes 8 7" waffles*

2 free range eggs- beat

beat in remaining ingredients:

2 cups organic buttermilk

2 cups organic whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons coconut oil

Heat waffle iron; cook. Top with a little butter,

your favorite organic berries, & a drizzle of pure

maple syrup. Yummy & healthy!!!

HAPPY FOURTH of JULY!!!

Gail

How to Revamp a Lamp

2011-06-23T18:28:00.004-05:00

I love taking something ugly and turning it into something useful and beautiful. :)

Take this cheap goodwill lamp for instance:

The brass was looking a little tired

and the beige center of the lamp...blah.

But the curves? Ooh la la!! I loved

it's trophy shape look. :)

And here's the ugly shade I bought with it. It was

actually painted maroon and baby blue with

craft paint right on top of the fabric shade.

U-G-L-Y. I paid $10 for the pair

because I could see potential in them.

And here's the after!

After a little oil-rubbed-bronze spray paint

(which I already had), this lamp went

from drab to fab in less than an hour!

All I did was remove all the fabric and glue

from the shade, tape any lamp parts I didn't

want to get spray painted on the lamp base,

and then sprayed 2 coats of the ORB spray paint...

and voila! I realize these photos don't do this

little lady justice, but she seriously looks

like something I bought from Pottery

Barn or Restoration Hardware!

I may end up buying a shade for her in the future, but for now, I'm really loving the exposed lines of the shade. Very chic, don't ya think?

Have a Happy (& Crafty!) Thursday,

Gail

Cole Eating Rice Cereal

2011-05-21T16:31:00.007-05:00

We've been hearing for months not to expect much out of the first "real" feeding experience, cause most babies don't take to it that well and will only eat a tablespoon or so. Sooo....we were happily surprised that he not only took to it right away, but that he was coming back for more! He ate the entire bowl and was as happy as a clam! ;)

If this video doesn't show that we are new and adoring parents, I don't know what will....

He looks so small and cute in his feeding chair. ;)

Messy face!

More more!

Not too happy...

A few tears, but he's alright. :)

Happy Weekend!!!

Gail

Hydrangeas

2011-05-20T10:56:00.004-05:00

The hydrangeas on my patio are in full bloom! I love their pom-pom blooms and light fragrance. To me, they're especially beautiful right after a light rain or sprinkling of the hose when their mop heads are slightly damp.

Each one of my hydrangeas are special to me because they mark a special time in my life. This one (above) was given to me by my Mother when I got engaged. Blue hydrangeas are my favorite flower and I used a lot of them in our wedding, so it was special to receive this from her. It makes me happy that it's lasted this long too! I hope to keep it alive for many years to come. ;)

Did you know that blue hydrangeas can range from light purple to dark blue depending on the acidity of the soil? The more acid {lower pH), the darker the color. Last year I would dump old coffee grounds on them and they were much darker and bluer. I'm enjoying the purple this year though!

This hydrangeas is also from my Mother and was given to me at Easter when we lived in our first apartment. I still have the dried blossoms that it produced that first year. {Thank you, Mom!}

This pretty pink variety was given to me by Matthew right before we moved from our 1st apartment. Moving is always a hard transition, but this little lady helped to soften the change.

Someday I'd love to have an entire hedge of pure hydrangeas in all varieties, but for now, I'm perfectly content with these beauties. ;) They bring gladness to my heart and remind me of The Gardener who does a much better job of taking care of them than I ever will.

Happy gardening to YOU!

Gail

Garage Sale-ing

2011-05-19T10:24:00.008-05:00

On Mother's Day Eve I snagged the opportunity to do some much desired garage sale-ing....all to myself. I'm not sure if I enjoyed the hunt or the time alone the most! It was a perfect day for it, and as fate would have it, I did not come home empty handed. ;)

Here's are few goodies I was able to snatch up:

Cute little wooden stool

I already had the white vases, but

I thought using them would take prettier pictures ;)

$3!

Faux, but surprising real-looking,

Pottery Barn birch bark candles.

Can you believe these were once priced

at $30, $20, and $15? = $65!

I bought all 3 for just $5!

{they look like they've only been used once too!)

Ratan wicker basket organizer- $1

Vintage jewelry tray with ornate detailing

$1!

2 wood frames with glass fronts- $1.50

And last but not least.....

This old symphony book with

awesome wear and tear...

I just love the texture of the worn pages

50 cents!

Total investment: $12.00! I was happy with what I came away with and am looking forward to how I'm going to now USE them! I believe in using everything you own. Of course I have some things just for decorating purposes alone, but to me, that's where they find their use. However, if something is meant to be handled and used and it's just sitting in a closet or on a shelf and is never taken out and used....then you might as well replace it with something you actually use!!

How I'm going to use these items:

Stool- plant stand

Birch candles- coffee table centerpiece

Ratan organizer- in kitchen to hold incoming/outgoing mail, etc.

Jewelry tray- on vanity in Master Bedroom

Frames- will repaint the gold one black and use them on my "studio picture wall" that I'm creating

Symphony book- for decoration

Well, that's all for now folks! If you've been garage sale-ing recently and found some great deals, leave me a comment and tell me about it! ;)

Have a beautiful Thursday!!!

Gail

A Happy Mother's Day & Our {Almost} 6 Month Old

2011-05-10T13:17:00.010-05:00

I hope every mother out there had a most blessed Mother's Day this past weekend. I know I did! :) And while I'll always consider last year to be my first Mother's Day, it sure was special this year getting to spend it with our sweet son, Cole.

Here are some photos of our weekend:

Matthew surprised me on Saturday with pedi's and

shopping with girlfriends while he cared for Cole.

So fun! When I got home I was surprised again

with a lovely dinner he had prepared. :)

He set the table with 4 place settings, each one

honoring each member of our family. He even set

one for "June", our Angel Baby. Oh my...did

the tears flow! I have the best husband. ;)

{Sorry for the dark picture}

Dinner was scrumptious: pan-seared fillet mignon,

wilted savory spinach, seasoned roasted potatoes,

shrimp kabobs wrapped in bacon & cheese...

and the best part----this creme brulee he made

himself! I was absolutely blown away. I'm married

to a chef...I had no idea! Now that the secret's out

I'll have to enlist him to cook more often! Ha!

~Mother's Day~

We spent Mother's Day at the beautiful

Dallas Arboretum gardens. A picnic

and a tour of the gardens made this momma

very happy! Here's my little guy sporting

the gift "he" made for me. :)

Delicious personal cherry & peach pies

made by yours truly. ;)

Me, Cole, and my wonderful Momma.

I love you, Mom!!! Soooo much!!!

4 Generations.

My beastly hubby, Cole, and my sweet

Mother-in-law, Ruthanne. ;)

Sisters & Mom in front of one of the

"flower houses". So pretty!

And now for some baby pics....

Happy Tuesday to all!!

Gail

A Birth Story

2011-04-18T17:37:00.004-05:00

I was being sentimental today, so I made a little video of Cole's birth that I thought I would share with you. Each stage that brought him closer to us is precious to me; memories that will be forever etched into my mind. I think as a new mother the story, our story, of how our Cole was born is so intensely personal, yet at the same time too beautiful and natural not to share. I hope you enjoy this video.

Love & life to you,

Gail

Our 5-Month Old

2011-04-18T12:31:00.007-05:00

Cole reached 5 months old on Saturday. My, how time flies!!! He's changed so much. It seems like just yesterday he and I were taking naps on the couch together, a sweet little bundle of a baby tucked under my arm. Now he's all squirmy, rolls over constantly, laughs and giggles and makes the most adorable baby noises (some pretty loud too...you'd think a bobcat was outside the window!)

Here are Cole's stats to date:

Weighs over 15 lbs. (50%)

Measured 26 1/2 inches long at 4 mo. (95%)

Rolls over (both ways--tummy to back/back to tummy)

Grabs at toys/puts in mouth

Coos/laughs/giggles/smiles

Starting to sit up better (not quite there)

Hold head up and can raise up on arms when on tummy

Looks up when Mommy or Daddy enter room and smiles

"swims" when on tummy

Stands upright (when supported)

ETC!

Here's a little photo shoot I did with him last week:

He's always looking outside

Drooly little smile :)

"Please, Mom. Not a diaper change now!"

I love this sweet face!

Grins and giggles

You talkin' to me?!?

"Hmm....I wonder what's outside.."

How YOU doin'?

You caught me!

Sittin' tall

I've got a secret!

My Sweet Son!

Have a Happy Monday!

*Gail*

Surprised by Kindness

2011-04-06T11:23:00.004-05:00

When our sweet Cole entered our lives, with him came a lot of stuff. It seems like our house is being taken over by baby stuff! Our living room especially....it's now home to a baby swing, toys, books, and baby bouncy jumper, to name a few. I remember thinking before we had a baby, "I am NOT going to be one of those people"....you know...the people whose homes look more like a large toy box when you walk in the front door rather than an actual home. Well....guess what?

I've succumbed.

I won't ever totally give in cause I want our home to be beautiful and appealing to me too, but I'm not going to worry about a few toys or baby things here and there....it just goes to witness that a baby does live here and we don't keep him locked up in his room all the time. Haha!

Another huge change I've had to get used to is the enormous amount of stuff I have to take with me whenever Cole and I venture out of the Toy Box. Let's see.....Baby, carseat (which by the way weighs a million lbs), pacifier (an essential), blankie, diaper bag, stroller, my purse and me! That's a lot to cart around people! I am quite a sight strolling around places or taking him in his carseat to and from a store.

With all the extra things weighing me down, it's made me really aware of how some people can be so oblivious....so unkind. Now, I know that people who are out running errands are in a hurry and aren't always aware of their surroundings (ie: a weighed down baby mama like me) and they certainly aren't out in the world just to help me out, so really...I'm not complaining, it's just an observation I've made. Serious. It's just interesting to me that some people going into a store will move right past a person with a stroller and not offer to open the double doors for them....or even wait while they open the door and juggle keeping the door open while simultaneously pulling the stroller through the door...?? (reminds me of a certain parable...). What gets me most are the young guys. Chivalrous men are a dying breed....and it's sad. Am I the only one that feels this way? I hope not. I find myself more and more surprised when I encounter kindness from others rather than surprised by disrespect. It shouldn't be that way.....

Yesterday was different though. I was on the hunt to find some jeans to fit my newly trimmed down post-pregnancy body (boo hiss...not my favorite kind of shopping trip) and had to go in and out of many stores to find "the ones". As usual, getting around took a little extra time (I now have to think like a handicapped person when I use the stroller), but I was getting along fine. At one time when I was approaching a door and fully prepared to do the juggling act, I heard someone running (yes running) behind me to help me by opening the door so I could pass through with the stroller. Fully expecting it to be an older man or woman, I was surprised to see that it was a young guy who appeared to be in his late teenage or early college years. It totally caught me off guard because it was so obvious that he was making the effort to help me. I mean c'mon....he was running! It really warmed my heart, too. So maybe chivalry isn't dead?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear Lord,

Give me the strength to be an example of someone who is living in Your Spirit by showing kindness to others too...a fruit that can only truly come from living in You. I too often am too busy or distracted as well to see that others are in need. Encourage me to give grace to others who may not be able to extend this fruit because they do not have You living in them. And Lord, prepare me and Matthew that we might be able to raise our son(s) to first know and love You, that they might be an example of extending the fruits of Your spirit to others, too. We love you.

Amen.

I can't BELIEVE my baby.....

2011-04-04T13:20:00.006-05:00

....sister is all grown up!

This past weekend I had the privilege of doing my sister Greta's updo for her school prom. She'll be a Senior next year and it's all starting to hit me....

She's so grown up! And such a lovely, young lady too.

She's 10 years younger than me, so to see her all grown up makes me feel...well...old. But oh well....it is what it is! (or rather, I am what I am...and I'm going to try and embrace it!).

{The updo in process....excuse my very disheveled hair..haha}

{All ready!}

There's so much I love about this girl. She has the kindest and most generous heart in the world....and she's always doing something sweet for someone else.

She's also a true friend to those who know her. She cares about people, even if it means telling them what they need to hear rather than just what they want to hear. I love that about her.

{Where's my date?

{Beautiful smile ;) }

She loves the Lord with all her heart...and I can tell she's growing in Him each day as she looks to Him to guide her. That's a rare trait in a girl her age....so cool.

I love that she's so creative, too. She's such an artsy person and extremely talented beyond her years. I love that we can share creative ideas and concepts and know exactly what the other person is talking about.

We're visionaries. ;)

{Greta and her date, Cole}

Greta also is such a carefree spirit and loves to have fun....loves to dance....loves to be with her friends and family....loves to be outside....to be active...and just loves to be. She's a lovely soul...and her enthusiasm and spirit is infectious. It's just so much fun being around her....and it's easy to be around her because at once you feel comfortable and at ease. You don't have to pretend.

Greta gets me. I have a very corny, silly type of humor that not everybody sees...but I don't care when I'm around Greta. She laughs right along with me....(even if it's after a slight roll of the eyes). She's just cool like that.

The year before my Mom got pregnant with Greta, I remember really wanting my mom to have another baby sister for me. I might have had 4 sisters at the time, but none of them were babies anymore. I was 9.

I remember I would lay the baby blankets out in the nursery crib, situate the stuffed animals and little pillows and then ask my mom, "when are you going to have another baby? How about now?"

{Boutonniere made by yours truly}

By the end of that year, I had my baby sister and I remember thinking "this one's gonna be mine". My older sister, Grace was the favorite older sister at the time....so I think I must have had a little jealousy thing going on...haha..(of course, looking back, it might have had to do with the fact that she had a gumball machine in her room....Grace? Any thoughts on that one? ;))

But really....as much as I truly love all my sisters and brother alike, Greta will always be my baby sister and will hold a special place in my heart.

And Greta...if you're reading this....

I love you, Treb.

XOXO,

Gail

Pumping with Purpose

2011-04-02T10:23:00.012-05:00

When our sweet Cole started sleeping through the night at only 1 1/2 months, I knew I was going to have to do something about my abundant supply of mommy's morning milk. To give it all to Cole was just too much for him...and he'd end up spitting half of it up anyways. Feeding him one breast in the morning was more than enough for his little tummy. :)

So I started pumping. And pumping. And pumping. Every morning.

I was accumulating quite a freezer full of Lansinoh milk bags, and because I rarely feed him a bottle, the freezer was just getting fuller and fuller. I knew something had to be done, so I contacted our birthing instructor Linda (who is also a lactation consultant) to see if there was anything I could do to regulate my milk supply to my baby's new schedule. The answer?

No. I was doing everything right apparently...bummer. So, I guess I'd keep pumping.

What she did ask though, was had I ever thought about donating my milk? What? Who does that? What does that even mean? I started to research more about it and visited the Mother's Milk Bank of North Texas website that she had recommended. Wow. I'm so glad I did. What I found was that healthy mothers like me who were lactating well could donate their extra milk to the milk bank to help critically ill and premature infants in the NICU in area hospitals. Formula is too harsh of a substance to give them because of their fragile state, so human milk is the best for them. Sooo cool. Isn't God awesome? For one reason or another, their own mothers are unable to supply them with their milk (their milk hasn't come in yet, etc) , so donations become invaluable.

Jump ahead about a month (after applying to be a donor mother and having the routine blood tests required before donating) and I am officially a donor mother. I know the concept sounds weird for some people, but for me, it's so rewarding to know that I'm helping other mothers out there nurture their own sweet babies with the blessing of abundant milk that God has given me. My own dear baby is well fed and doing remarkable...and if what I have helps other babies get there too....then that's nothing short of awesome. Only God could have thought of something as cool as this....and in the end, it's His milk anyway. ;)

So yesterday, I packed Cole and my cooler full of 100+ oz. of breastmilk bags in the car and headed to one of the donation drop off sites. On my way out of the donation center, I had a huge smile on my heart. I could have hugged someone walking by! I don't get paid to do this monetarily...but the rewards are great. God has given me life so that I could supply life to someone else. Ahhh.....sigh....(huge smile). :)

And now for some pictures of our own sweet baby....

Love & Blessings,

Gail

A Day {Home} with Baby

2011-03-23T09:40:00.006-05:00

Yesterday Cole and I spent the day at the home I grew up in, surrounded by my parents (Grammy & Papa to him), my delightful sisters and brother, and some very adoring cousins. It was such a wonderful day.

I love everything about the home I grew up in...the smells...the rich, country colors...my mom's homemade quilts....the redbud trees lining the driveway....the fruit orchard......Dad's immaculate garage....and the big kitchen where everything happens.

It's such a peaceful place to go back to. I always love visiting because immediately I feel at home. Annie, our Golden Retriever, is always the first one to greet me. I love that....and someday Matthew and I would like to have a dog for our kids. They're just something about growing up in a house with a dog...

My sister Greta now occupies the room that used to be mine. As soon as I walk through the door I am at once flooded with all the wonderful memories of that room. I grew up playing with my American girl doll Samantha in there (or any dollies for that matter....little dollhouse people and paper dolls, too! I was such a girlie girl...still am ;p). It was my first "big girl" room, and it was all mine. :) I had sleepovers in that room, hid under the covers during thunderstorms in that room, and had my first looooong conversation with my future husband in that room.

In a way, that house will always feel like home. Maybe it's because Matthew and I have only rented thus far that our houses have never truly felt like our home. We're big dreamers though...and someday we hope to be able to stay in one place, fix up a house, and make it a home for our children. Oh how I long for that day....

In the meantime though...it's good for me to be thankful for where the Lord has us right now....and I do love where we are. We've been very blessed...oh so blessed. And if I should ever complain, I ought to be slapped in the face for my ungrateful heart.

I once heard someone say, "home is where you feel loved".

I couldn't say it better myself. I'm very blessed to have a husband that loves and cherishes me....a son that makes each day special....and a loving family that I will always love going back to. So, while I may still dream about a day when Matthew and I will be in our own home...right now....I've got everything I could ever want.

Love & warmth,

Gail

Gypsophilia: a second look

2011-03-21T09:17:00.006-05:00

I guess you could say I'm a bit of a flower snob. As a floral designer who gets to work with so many different varieties of flowers, I tend to turn my nose up to your average "grocery store" bouquet. We're talkin' carnations, daisies, and Baby's Breath, to name a few. It's not that I don't think they're pretty...cause they are...they just wouldn't be what I would choose first. I guess you could say they're inferior in the flower world. Poor little fellows. Now....if I were to receive such inferior flowers from my husband....haha....that'd be a different story. Any flowers from my husband are gems in my opinion....although he is getting a pretty good idea of what I absolutely love.

What I have been struck with lately though, is that when said grocery store flowers are arranged alone in mass, they really do make quite the bold statement. Take gypsophilia (Baby's Breath) for instance:

Absolutely stunning. Tucked here and there in a bouquet and they're only so so, but massed together...WOW. I get to design a table for a baby shower in a month for a friend of mine....and I'm thinkin', gypsophilia may just make a name for itself once again. ;)

Have a beautiful day,

Gail

Cole Jumping

2011-03-17T10:34:00.002-05:00

I finally got around to getting a door jumper for Cole. He's been a little jumper from the beginning....so this is perfect for him, and it gives my arms a rest, too!

As you can see, he's still getting the hang of the "jumping" part...but he sure is cute to watch in it. Now all I need to do is wash the little toys that connect to the outside of the jumper and I'll never have to entertain him again!.... (Major JK) ;)

Love & hugs,

Gail

I {Heart} My Husband

2011-03-16T12:37:00.007-05:00

Sunday night we had an unexpected thing happen. When an asthma inhaler gone wrong incident occurred that sent my husband's heart into irregular palpitations and a rapid heartbeat of 198 bpm, we decided that going to the ER was a good choice. Here we were at 3 in the morning, sleepy baby in tow....heading to the ER. I'm sure we were a sight walking in there...hair going this way and that, morning breath, and confused looks on our faces.

After about 6 hours in the ER with meds given to reduce his heart rate, he was sent to the cardiology floor where they could monitor him. He was diagnosed with having Atrial Fibrillation, which basically means that the top part the heart is fluttering while the bottom part of the heart is beating as normal. This can put someone at risk of forming blood clots in the heart if it persists. Scary!

After awhile, his heart rhythm did return to normal, so he was no longer at risk. Thank you Lord! He did stay overnight so they could run some additional tests and monitor him, but he really was so much better after his heart rate returned to normal. It was such a weird thing though....sort of an out of body experience to see him go through all that. Especially in the ER when he looked so pale and worried. And me, well, I was letting my mind get the better of me and thinking of the worst possible scenario that he was going to die and leave me alone with the baby to raise him on my own. That evening (before it all happened) we had even had a really good talk about parenting, had both said our "I love yous" before going to bed and were totally on the same page. My thought while I was driving us on our way to the ER was, "well if that had to be our last evening together, at least it was a good one." Isn't that awful? Isn't it strange how our brains take over, or really our fears take over to lead us to think such thoughts?

I can't imagine my life without Matthew. I love him so much! We fit together so well, are on the same track about so many things, and are so much apart of eachother. I could never ever ever find anyone else as good for me as he is and I never want to. He's my companion, knows me in and out, and has experienced my life with me. He's in my past, my present, and my future. We've gone through some really tough stuff tough together including losing a baby...and now we're raising our son Cole, together. Nobody knows you like your spouse does except God. And IF, God forbid, something should happen to Matthew before me, then I know God will be there for me in that time. But for now, I don't want to imagine what that would be like.

Now that we're back home now, this little incident has definitely made me appreciate him all the more and not want to take things for granted, not him...or anyone. Each day is a blessing and a gift. Each night that I get to lay next to my husband in bed is a gift. Each day that I get to spend time with our sweet son is a treasure, not to be taken lightly.

I waste a lot of time worrying about things that don't matter, being upset at people that I just need to forgive and love or fussing at Matthew for things that don't matter in the scope of all eternity. Life is precious, time is short, and I want to take advantage of every moment I have.

Please Lord, remind me of this lesson I've learned....every. single. day.

Love,

Gail

{ER}

{This pic is for Glo}

{Sweet, tired baby that never fussed

at all in the ER}

{Finally in a room}

{Feeling better!}

{Our 4 Mo. old Punkin ;0) }

{Vis-a-vis}

If Houses Could Talk...

2011-03-09T17:17:00.008-06:00

Recently I've been on a journey to spruce things up in my home a bit and make it more "me". Truth be told, my home is far from expressing who I am. It's looking a bit drab and worn out. Okay, so maybe I am a little worn out these days...but that's far from what I want to be! Ha!

Also, it's just the same ol' same ol'. Not that I'm complaining (well...maybe a little, sorry)...but some things I've had since forever. Old books, frames and decorating items that I've had since my room growing up. That's a long time, people. The reason for keeping them isn't because I love them so much and they're treasured items (some I do)...but because I, either 1) haven't really noticed that I've had them for forever and that they've been in the same spot for....forever or 2) haven't had the money to replace them. If it was up to me I'd let go of probably 75% of what's in my home and replace it. I know, that's a lot. But it just isn't ME! Maybe it was at one time, but not anymore. I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm complaining....I promise there is a point to all this. ;0)

I don't know why it is so important as a homemaker to create a home that is a reflection of myself....but it is. Is that a desire God gave to women, or is that a man-made thing? Anyone? My thinking is is that what we surround ourselves with says a lot about who we are and what is in our hearts. If your home is a place of beauty, organization and calm (on more days than not...cause there's always exceptions *wink*)...then most likely that's the type of person you are as well. On the other hand, if your home is a constant place of chaos, mess and disorder....that could say a lot about you too. Not necessarily that you're a chaotic person, but that something deeper is going on in your heart. I might be getting a little off-track here, but it all ties together somehow.

So, in an effort to create a home that is a better representation of who I am and what I want the Matthew Gaffin family to portray, I'm making small changes here and there to improve our space. I'm trying to spend very little money and just re-vamp what I do have or put it in a new spot, because getting rid of everything and buying new stuff just isn't an option. I could have chosen new living room furniture, but instead I chose this.....

I wouldn't take back that decision for even a second!! ;0) He brings us more joy in each day than all the beautiful furnishings in the whole world could. True story! Man I love that little guy....

Anywho, back to topic. Last week I took a trip to good ol' Goodwill to try and find some treasures among the trash. There was a lot of sorting through the junk, but I did come home with a few goodies and spent less than $20.00. Yay!

This lamp was one of my finds...

All it needed was a little polishing up and a

shade. Best part is....I already had the shade

on hand from when I decorated the nursery

but I decided to go with another lamp.

I loved the silk shade so much (Walmart..around $10.00)

that I kept it knowing I would find a use for it. ;)

I really love the shape. I can totally see maybe

spray-painting it black or white in the future

if I decide to redo our Master. For now, the

gold really suits the reds, blacks and

teals we have going on now.

Fresh flowers always add something special. ;)

Lamp: $5.99

This Eiffel Tower lamp was what used to be on

our bedside table. I really like the new location

it's in (I'll save that for another post...it's sort

of a funny story).

So there you have it! Sometime soon I'll show you what I've been up to in my dining room. It involves sheet music and it looks awesome! I'm starting to see that it doesn't really take a lot of money to make changes that improve the look of your home. Even the smallest changes can have big impact. Yay! And when it comes down to it, it not about having the most beautiful home on the planet, but that the people who reside here and those who come into our home, the Gaffin home, feel welcomed, encouraged and uplifted. That's really the goal! The "stuff" is just a tool to get there.

Questions for thought: does the "stuff" in your home contribute to or distract from making your home a place that is welcoming, calming and a place of encouragement? How does your home make you feel? What message does your home send to others?

Have a peaceful and beautiful day,

Gail

P.S. I realize I've barely touched the tip of the iceburg on this subject of creating a home, the motives, the implications, how far is too far, how to accomplish this...etc. Please feel free to chime in with your thoughts. I'd love to hear! Thanks! ;0)

{Gail Gaffin Designs} and a Party

2011-03-07T11:06:00.006-06:00

Now that Cole is nearly 4 months old and I'm starting to feel like I've got a handle on things routine-wise, I'm starting to think of getting back in the swing of things for Gail Gaffin Designs. I love flowers and design, and with the weather getting warmer lately, I've got Spring and Summer events on the brain.

This past weekend I went to a fun dinner/cocktail party for a friend of mine. I decided to make something special for the party and this is what I came up with....

{White calla lilies, mauve snapdragons, cherry-colored

roses, pale pink asiatic lilies and ivory gerbera daisies

accented with seeded eucalyptus and curly willow}

It was fun to put together and made me really miss designing! There's just something about being around beauty that totally lifts my mood and gives me perspective. I see God in flowers and nature, so naturally being around them brings me closer to Him. It's awesome. ;)

Here's a few pics from the party as well. Any excuse to get dressed up for an evening is good enough for me!

{Good Friends}

{Delicious raspberry-spinach-almond salad}

{Fun tissue and newspaper pom poms}

Me & the Birthday Girl, Kristen

Have a beautiful Monday,

Gail