DIY-ing together

Last night, Caitlyn hosted a girls craft night. It was all things girly and the perfect reason to get together, if you ask me. As the modge podge and embroidery floss flew, so did the shared stories, unexpected connections, and really awesome snacking.

The night saw the creation of everything from yarn wreaths to wrap necklaces to silhouette creations to deck of cards valentines to salt dough jewelry.

I dreamed up a little embroidery project with part of one of D's favorite Bible verses. It was super easy. I used a water and air soluble marker to draw my design and the good ol' back stitch. For future reference, the marker functions much like an disappearing ink pen that you get for selling the most magazines in your class or that comes in a detective toy set. This means that I should not draw the design the night before and expect it to be there 24 hours later. Lesson learned, disappearing marker. Lesson learned.

We ended the night with a little Center Stage. Could it get more [girly and] perfect?

a christmas mantel

I think I'm turning into our resident Buddy the Elf. I literally can't stop with the Christmas decorations. The Hobby Lobby employees would probably respond with, "you again?" by now. I finally ran out of surfaces to Christmasfy. Don't worry, we're having an office decorating contest at the capitol. They should be afraid.

Here's a little glimpse of our beloved fireplace. I don't think Dustin has ever loved a possession more.

You know when you look at a word for so long that you're convinced it must be misspelled? Behold - that can't be right.

My floater frame features my favorite Norman Rockwell Christmas painting, "Christmas Homecoming." All the sweet and emotional details completely melt my heart. Whoa that was a cheesy sentence, even for me.



Our first Friday night of December? Comfort food, yoga pants, A Christmas Carol, gift-wrapping [me], and senior project doing [Dustin]. Praying my wonderful husband through these tough next six days!

By the way. Have you heard of these?! When I realized what they were, I went all Super Market Sweep on them in Target and snatched them as if someone else was going to get to them first. You've out done yourselves, m&m's.

thanksgiving eve

Last Wednesday night, after everyone made it to the McMahone home, we started a new family tradition. My family probably doesn’t realize this, but I’m definitely going to insist on it being an annual event. Maybe twice a year.

We bundled up for grilled hamburgers, sausage, and self-roasted hot dogs and s’mores on the back patio. Yes, that’s a lot of meat. And, yes, that’s the night before Thanksgiving. I can hear your judging me. There must be something about firelight, scarves, and red-checkered tablecloths that make you lose all control of portion sizes.

I vote for a repeat sometime over Christmas. Ok, fam? Ok great.

the honeymoon revisited: part one

After so much wedding enjoyment, it almost seems unfair to get to honeymoon. I'm not complaining or anything. It's just that it was almost too good to be true.

 

We stayed the night at the Baer Inn in Vicksburg, Mississippi. And when I say we stayed the night, that's exactly what I mean. Got there around 12:30 and hit the road 7 hours later. Nevertheless, it comes highly recommended. You know my affinity for comfy beds and good food surrounded by old lovelies!

 

I must admit, I was a little cruise-skeptical. Though I didn't have much time to think about it thanks to the wedding buzz, I wondered if it was going to be over-saturated, cheesy, and filled with crew members trying to persuade me to do karaoke on the lido deck. [Moment of truth - it just took me several tries to spell karaoke before I got it close enough for Google to recognize.] This, of course, would be a pretty big disappointment since I have this selfish wish that the Titanic had never sunk so I could sail on it and experience all its charm. Let me say, the Norwegian Spirit nearly satisfied that desire. From the majesty of the ship itself to the the shiny hardwood features to the walloping windows in the main dining room surrounded by fabric covered walls - it was better than imagined.

 

Boarding could not have been easier. One of the Norwegian employees even told us "congratulations!" without us telling him that we were newlyweds. Good to know that our honeymooners' glow was seriously undeniable. Before our stateroom was ready, we grabbed lunch in that pretty dining room I mentioned earlier. We were obviously cruise novices seeing how we weren't aware that we each get to order a starter and we got up and left before dessert. Crazy look from our waiter. Now we know. Even sans-dessert, it was love at first bite. Steak for lunch seemed like an appropriate way to start this gorging-of-a-trip. Why the heck not?

 

We did break a cardinal cruise rule by skipping lunch one day. But we made up for it by taking advantage of the late night pizza delivery, ordering multiple starters, too-big-to-be-called-a-snack afternoon snacks, and nearly killing ourselves on the Chocoholic Buffet. Dainty little eaters, we were. See, the thing is, eating was just so much fun on the ship! We were seated at tables with crisp, white clothes where they pull comfy chairs out for you, put your napkin in your lap, hand you your menu and remove any tableware you don't require. Charming. Even more than that, your in this atmosphere filled with candlelight, soft music, and that wonderful dish-clanking sound of a great restaurant - every night for seven days!

 

Ok. Don't want to bore with an extensive vacation dialogue. Part One ends now. Of course I blogged about food first. 

 

 

date night

Here's a little documentation of a very fun and much needed date night with D.

Neither having had Indian food before, we gave India's Restaraunt a try. For you BR dwellers, it's on Essen near I-10. And, yes, I just had to check Google maps to make sure that was correct. Lived here for four years. No big deal.

Anyway, it was dee-lish! I don't really know what I ate, but I can tell you that it was goooood. And as a bonus, the people were wonderful - so kind and patient with us when we were too slow to pronounce anything on the menu. I know it's just a local restaraunt, but, as we were sitting there, it reminded me of several things. It reminded me that our God is global. It reminded me that we don't feel called to stay here, and that I need to be intentionally praying for the Lord's direction. The best part of dinner were D's words when thanking God for the yum-o food. When he asked that we may, if it is His will, experience this food in it's native land one day because He has brought us there to love on His people in India. Lord, send us!

After we had our fill of yummy things covered in Indian spices, we wandered around Dillards. Well, it wasn't really wandering. More like scouting. Got to get some ideas before we lauch in to wedding registering! Which, by the way, is just going to be way too much fun.

I was the crazy girl with the camera in the department store. But it was a blast. And now it's back-to-studying for those four test coming up this week. Oh graduation, where are you?