Weekend Finds and Falling Upon the Christmas Spirit

After an INSANE week at work, I could not wait for Saturday. Adam was in Kansas City for the day and I was secretly excited. I couldn't wait to do whatever I wanted.

I slept late, cleaned (which de-stresses me, a good and bad trait), walked the dog, and I was off. Off to do whatever I wanted! I made a stop at Bohemian Modern (a great little store that's sadly closing in North Lawrence) and found some great finds. My mission for the day was: Christmas presents. I did get side tracked, but look what I found!

This little beauty!

complete with retro hardware

quite an improvement from the old dumpster dive find (that black blob on the right)

I usually don't by furniture that impulsively but this store has a way of making me feel like I've just found a real treasure. And it was only $50! I've been in the market for things to spice up our bedroom for a little while now. It's usually easy to decorate the living room and forget about the bedroom.

I made my rounds to other antique stores on Mass St., Blackbird, antique mall, and the antique bazaar. I was in one of those moods, which are sometimes hard to be in, because I had found a some good stuff at my first stop and I was feeling lucky. I found a few great things that I can't reveal because they will become Christmas presents. I was on the search.

I then wondered over to Michael's because I had a coupon. Have you been there lately? Well, if you have you know what it's like. The realization that Christmas was close just overcame me- Christmas music, Christmas cards, Christmas wrapping paper, Christmas bow, Christmas decorations, and Martha Stewart craft kits galore! My great day was turning better by the second! I remained in control, despite everything being on sale, and made a few more great purchases. I came home with my finds and made my first Christmas wreath.

This was complete with a plain wreath ($5), ribbon ($3), and blue and brown berries ($2) all found at Michael's. I just hot glued in the berries and made my very first handcrafted bow:

That's right, it's hanging on our door already because I'm not ashamed of being ready for Christmas.

So when my wonderful husband came home from a very long day of his own:

"Did you see my wreath?!"

"Yeah it looks great. Where did you buy that?"

As I satisfyingly replied "No dear, I made it for 10 bucks!"

How's that for a Saturday?

And Only a Day Later and It's Winter??

So I'm a little shocked that snow is currently falling in Lawrence. I think I like it.

Here's a perfect recipe for this chilly day: Harvest Corn Choup (somewhere between a soup and a chowder)

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 lb potatoes, chopped into sm chunks
• 2 bags frozen corn
• 1 squash
• 1 zucchini
• 1 can blk beans
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 4 - 5 tbsp thyme

• 3 tbsp flour
• 1 container (4 cups) chicken stock
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup parsley
• salt and pepper
• hot sauce to taste
• oyster crackers to serve on top

Fry bacon and chop into smaller pieces. Saute vegetables in a pan with the olive oil. Add spices and chick stock. Let vegetables soften and bring to a boil. Add milk, cream, and sour cream. Add parsley, salt, pepper, and hot sauce to your own personal taste. Top with oyster crackers and enjoy on a chilly day! Make s more than enough for 4 people (or like 3 days of left overs).

This soup will make you happy.

Courtesy of Rachel Ray's "30 Minute Meals" (the best cookbook I have ever owned) with my own slight modifications.

High and Low

My freezing hands signify to me that it is officially autumn.

The last of our leaves have finally fallen off the trees. So quickly this part of the year comes and goes and then I have to start to wonder what to look forward to next. Unfortunately, I think we all have it in us to find something to look forward to. Then time goes by too fast and we are continually wishing for time to pass faster. I'm making it more of a goal to enjoy every single day... but honestly my soul can't wait for Christmas.

I am grateful that Chelsea made me enjoy autumn just a little bit more with this beautiful carmel apple:

My heart is heavy today. You all know the feeling, when something is happening and you feel so helpless. It is so hard to even know the right way to feel. I have much to learn, to have an emotion I can really stand behind.

I am grateful for my own family of Adam and I. I am grateful that we are emotionally tied together. I am grateful that we have overcome many hardships already. I am grateful that we were married in the Temple for eternity.

I am grateful for his amazing pancakes and "girl" (grilled) cheeses.

This is us

Our good friend Mr. Adam Buhler took these pictures for us. We were looking for something to document our lives at this point in time. I love how they turned out.

And check out this stud I'm married to:

I'm thinking that maybe Adam should start modeling to make us some money. Actually maybe I shouldn't mention it, it might go to his head like when he really did model as a kid (this is a true story, but I have yet to see a picture of Adam as a kid, because pictures like this do not exist). That's right, I married a guy without even knowing what my kids are going to look like. I'm pretty pleased at what I see now though, so I'm not too worried.

pictures courtesy of Adam Buhler: www.thecapturedphotos.com

Oh and...

I found a favorite artist. This just makes me happy.

Rex Ray