Happy Holidays!

Since we'll be spending the holidays with our family in Brentwood and Lawrenceburg, we celebrated Christmas a few day early at the house!

 Our Christmas Tree in our living room... a little blurry!

 Knox loving his new dog bed from Santa! I think he'll still love mom and dad's bed more!

After exchanging gifts!

My new favorite ornament! Perfect to celebrate our first Christmas in the house! 2011 Held Together with Love... Merry Christmas to everyone!

Master Bathroom Reveal

Small changes really do make a big difference. Our first big project was the master bathroom. We are not completely done but a lot closer. I'll let the pictures do the talking on this one..

Here's what one vanity looked like the day we moved in. 

We started taking down the wallpaper to discover another layer underneath. What a mess! 

Here's what she looks like today with a coat of paint and new mirror.  New countertops one day but worlds better for now. 

Here is the next project. And guess what, double wallpaper again!

Tis the Season!

I love the holidays! It is especially exciting since we are in our new home this year! I couldn't wait to start decorating. It didn't take long to find out that with more than double the space than last year, my Christmas decorations looked a little puny. I've decided to make due with what we have this year and stock up on Christmas Clearance at the end of the season. Here's a little preview of our holiday decor.

Welcome to our home! Will get house lights put up if the weather stays nice this weekend. 

Our living room and tree.

My attempt at being resourceful.

 Cinnamon scented pinecones all over the house. This door hanger is one of my favorites!

A picture of our first Christmas with our new kneeling Santa that I love (Thanks Mimi). 

That's the jest of it...Come see us for the holidays!

Yard Sale Bench and DIY Shelf Coat Rack

It's hard to believe we moved into our house a month ago today! Slowly but surely everything is starting to come together. Last night we completed our entryway. 

 I discovered this antique bench at a yard sale one Saturday for $50. Our entry is the perfect place for it! After some pinterest digging I knew I needed a coat rack shelf to accompany it! I found the perfect tutorial online and put the men in my life to work. 

And here are the two beauties together. Now all I need is pictures in the frames and some new bench pillows.

It's the little things

That are often so exciting in a new place! I find myself giddy when the little projects get done, like hanging everything!

Towel Racks and Pictures are up in the bathroom!

Garden hose on the wall outside (versus an eyesore of a container on the driveway)

Gotta love Spray Paint

Spray paint seems to be my best friend lately! I have been spray painting everything in sight and have loved all the results...

Knobs on our bedroom closets. Originally a lovely brass, now an oil rubbed bronze (despite my poor picture taking ability which makes it look black).

 Before and after of 48 outlets and light switches (only a few rooms left). Makes all the difference in the world. 

A family affair

Our house is starting to feel like a home. This past weekend both mine and Seth's family we're in town to help us with the house. Boy was it a busy and productive weekend. We cannot thank them enough for all of their help with the house and their constant love and support. It's only Monday and I'm ready for them to come back. One of the projects we completed this weekend was the fixture change in the dining room. I was determined to make a DIY drum shade pendant light. But in the end decided anything was an improvement and I was able to find something I liked that required no work at all. 

Our original chandelier. Don't miss it one bit! Couldn't even stand to turn the light on in there before.

Our new light fixture! Changes the room completely. Love it! 

Can't wait to finish off the rest of the room and show it to you! Not too mention all the other projects we completed this past weekend!

It's official!

I know it's been way way too long but trust me, we've had a lot going on. Brief recap...

It's football season, which means craziness at home and the office! We've had several friends in town since August - high school friends, sorority sisters, cousins and family, the list goes on. Lots of tailgating going on here in Knoxville, despite the few wins. Seth and I even got to run through the T before the Cinncinatti game a few weeks ago. Once in a life time experience. AMAZING!

On the field before the game!

At work, we've opened up two new locations (West Virginia and Missouri) and did a big remodel of one of our Knoxville locations! Busy but oh so exciting! But the most exciting (and stressful) thing of all is that Seth and I bought a house! After a flooding crisis and temporary homeless state, we are moved in. Boxes are there that is, unpacking in the midst. 

So the good news for you is that I should have no shortage of things to blog about. Time to do so is another story. But we have several projects vying for our attention. Where to begin? Could it be the green countertops in the kitchen, the two layers of wallpaper in the master bathroom, or the dreadful chandelier in the dining room. Sounds terrible, huh? But let me tell you, we couldn't be more thrilled. More projects, pictures and posts to come! 

Running through the T

I feel a little guilty writing this because I know my husband can do it so much more justice. But recently we had a once in a lifetime opportunity for any Vol fan. We got to run through the T before a football game in Neyland Stadium. As fundraisers for the athletic program, Seth's great aunt and uncle have had the opportunity to participate in pre-game festivities before. When they were offered the chance again this year and couldn't go, they asked us to take their place. Of course!!!

 Before the game we got to spend some time on the field. I was a little nervous about tripping in front of 100,000 people on the field. But everything was wonderful!

Can you spot us? I have turned the corner and Seth is slow trotting, taking it all in and about to round the corner. It's definitely an adrenaline rush and so hard to put into words. It's still hard to believe that we actually got to participate in such a long-standing UT tradition that so few people get to do. Thank you so much Dwight and Ann for allowing us the amazing opportunity!

Rocky Top Wreath

So I realize it's been Football Time in Tennessee for nearly 3 weeks now. But I am just getting around to sharing my UT wreath. Very similar to one of my Christmas wreaths found here. Stocked up on everything to make this at an after Christmas sale last winter. Still in search of some orange and white checkered or gingham ribbon. Now let's go get a W at the swamp this weekend! GO VOLS!

 

Fabric and Feather Boutonneires

Some of you may remember the fabric flower bouquet I recently completed (if you call May recently). I finally finished the boutonnieres to match! The flowers are the same process and the feather and burlap were inspired from some wedding crafts she did herself. I think they turned out quite nicely!

 All of them together!

 Close up! I hope she likes them :)

Knoxy Bear's Birthday!

Tomorrow is my sweet baby Knox's second birthday! Since tomorrow is a Monday we celebrated today, or all weekend rather!

 Seth thinks this piece of cake was a bit too big!

 Knox didn't seem to think so...

 Must have been good. He cleaned the plate!

It's safe to say that Knox had a pretty great birthday already! Looking forward to many more to come!

Peach Trifle Recipe

This past weekend Seth and I made our annual trip to the river with his dad's side of the family. It is such a fun tradition always filled with time on the water, games and great food. Seth's grandmother, Mimi, is well-known amongst our friends for her delicious salsa. It really is the world's greatest! This weekend she made a Peach Trifle. And to no surprise, it was incredible. So incredible that the first day I got back (today) I had to stop on the side of the road for fresh peaches to make this yummy dessert!

I plan on taking this dish to work tomorrow so excuse my lackluster presentation. Normally I would strive to have it look something like this photo below but my trifle dish doesn't transport very well. And frankly, I've come to realize my extra work on presentation rarely alters the taste!

You can use strawberries too. Don't wait to try this out for yourself! It is so easy and peaches are perfect right now.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups cold milk
• 2 packages (1 ounce each) instant sugar-free white chocolate pudding mix
• 1 prepared angel food cake (cut into cubes)
• 3 cups sliced fresh strawberries (or can double up on peaches)
• 2 cups fresh peaches, peeled and sliced
• 1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed

Directions:
Mix pudding and milk until thick.  Spread half of angel food cake cubes in a dish. Top with half of peaches (and strawberries) and spread with half pudding mix. Layer all three again. Top with whipped topping. Enjoy!

My first year at the river 5 years ago!

 All 7 grandkids skiing together... the 10th year!