2015 Goals

I always like a new year. It always feels like a fresh start...the perfect time to make changes and be the person you want to be. Here are the things that I am going to be working on in 2015.

*I really want to continue to help Sally grow in her relationship with God. We are constantly talking about right/wrong and talking about stories from the bible but I am excited to start these daily devotionals with her.

*I really want to make sure that I put Joe first...even before Sally which is hard to do. I truly believe that your husband should come before your kids...even though its hard sometimes. Think about it, he was the love of your life until your kids came...that shouldn't change. We are going to attempt at least one date night a month and at least 2 small trips...just the two of us.

*I am already planning the next trip to Disney. We are going in September!!

*Learn to shoot the gun...this is something that I really need to do.

*Make an emergency binder and start collection supplies.

*Work on my meal planning

*Get a facial and a blowout...can you believe I have never gone in for a blowout?!

*Get myself to the gym 4-5 times a week

*Learn how to decorate cookies. Although I consider myself to be a really good baker, I want to master the art of cookie decorating. 

*Get our will made

*Continue to work on my sewing skills

*Work on my meal planning. I think it will make weeknights less stressful and more healthy....maybe it will also cut down my daily trips to the grocery store!

What are your goals in 2015?

Deck the Halls: Christmas Home Tour 2014

Christmas has come and gone. It always makes me sad. On one hand, I can't wait to put decorations away so we can get back to "normal". On the other hand, I dread it because I know its OVER. I wanted to document this years decorations before I forget.

In the den we had our mantle decorated with clippings from the tree and my mercury glass collection. It was beautiful. I added an old window and a glitter banner that said "peace". We also had Sally's Little People Nativity set up. She loved playing with Baby Jesus.

On the other wall, we had Sally's advent calendar set up. I snapped this picture before filling all of the buckets. Note to self: buy smaller gifts next year :)

We have a huge den that is divided in the middle by a double fireplace and bookshelf. Here is the bookshelf. I added some vintage elves and blocks and our gingerbread house.

Our pretty tree!

On another shelf I added more elves and a snow globe that Sally and I made this year.

Our new mantle that Joe made.

I have a wooden box that I filled with Christmas pop-up books, Christmas card books for the past several years and our Magic Light Wand.

I always do a "cupcake" themed garland in the area moving into the divided part of the den.

In the entryway, I always love to add a garland to display Christmas cards. I poke a hole in the corner of each one with a push pin and then hang it with a hook.

My entry way table displays my ever growing collection of vintage ornaments.

I also added a garland to the stairs. I think I want to add lights to this next year.

I did the same table in the dining room as last year...burlap, black and white plaid, lantern, pinecones and greenery.

On my buffet, I added mercury glass and my reclaimed wood box filled with ornaments.

I added a boxwood wreath to our vintage greenhouse window.

In this room, we add a real tree. Its a new thing I started last year but I love having a tree in this room. I put it in a vintage galvanized tub that belonged to my great grandfather. 

My theme on this tree is "woodland rustic"....think birds, burlap, owls, wooden stars, mercury glass, etc. I love it!

The bathroom upstairs is the next room on the list for a renovation. Its' your typical old house bathroom.  I tried to make it festive this year. I bought the striped shower curtain off a local resale group for $5.

I added some glass jars full of ornaments and candy canes along with a candle, new soap and hand towels. 

Sally's  room was the same as last year with her sweet little tree and Christmas banner.

Our kitchen was fun too. I kept up the banner from our North Pole breakfast.

I love my new sign that I got from Michaels this year.

Our porch is one of my favorite parts. I made the JOY sign last year. Joe made the star and then I added a little tree and vintage sled and fishing bucket.

Until next year...

Estate Sales and Thrift Shops

Sally goes to MDO two days a week. I use those days for cleaning, running errands....but lots of times, you can find me hitting up my favorite thrift shops or attending Estate Sales. The week before Christmas I hit the jackpot! I hit up a local Estate sale and was one of the first people in line. I knew exactly what I wanted (I had seen preview pics online). I headed straight for the back and my jaw just about hit the floor when I saw all of the vintage holiday goodness!

Check out my finds:

Vintage Halloween decorations. I plan on hanging these up next year! Some of them are a little broken, but that's ok. Im still on the search for vintage Halloween cupcake picks.

 

I also scored a vintage Strawberry Shortcake towel and a whole box of vintage Christmas tags and stickers. I got the vintage Santa mugs and the white Pottery Barn mugs at Goodwill on the same day. The vintage metal elephant toy and old Christmas lights were also a great find!

I love a good vintage BINGO game so I had to snatch this one up. I had also been looking for old Christmas lights that I could put in a jar. This box was perfect!

I loved this box of little vintage ornaments! I got the deer at Goodwill for $2.

These were my favorites...a whole box of vintage reindeer and Santas, a vintage elf and a whole box of vintage ornaments for my collection...LOVE!

I think I spent $15 on everything so I was super excited!

Five on Friday

{one}

Our Christmas cards are mailed!! I LOVE getting the mail in December and seeing everyones cards. I hang them up on a garland.

{two}

Joe and I did the St. Jude 1/2 Marathon a few weeks ago. It wasn't exactly pretty but I finished. This was my third time to do it and I always feel such an accomplishment when I cross the finish line.

After doing 13.1 miles, I was sore...I took a nice hot bath, then a shower and then laid on the couch!

{three}

Joe and I attended A Christmas Story at the Orpheum. It definitely put me in the holiday spirit....such a cute show!

{four}

We are getting an IKEA in Memphis. I am so, so excited about this!! I was sure Nashville would get one before us so this must mean Memphis is moving on up in the world. Now we just need a Trader Joes!

{five}

I made homemade peppermint bark this week and it is delish!

I hosted "Left Right Center" group at my house this week. I had so much fun cooking up some yummy food for everyone and it made me motivated to keep the house clean.

Sally had a class party at Mothers Day Out this week. I made "Reindeer Noses" for all of her classmates. 

We also wrapped up some teacher gifts.

We were in charge of bringing a dessert. Thank you Pinterest for showing me a cute way to make Santas out of Milano cookies :)

I can't believe Christmas is just days away. I am finally done shopping...just waiting for the last gifts to come in the mail so I can wrap them up.