just the beginning

My little blog has kept the calendar of posts light towards the latter half of 2011. My little holiday from blogging started as a focus on my family and career. And then for reasons I have yet to fully disclose {mainly due to an upcoming secret that will soon be announced), my blog has been revived. Simply put..time is for what and who you love.

Love also allows the freedom to not feel guilty.

Not feel guilty if I only post once a week. Not feel guilty if I don't have pictures, let alone perfect pictures. Not feel guilty if I am posting about what I am feeling rather than what I am doing.

Why love? Because love helps us see clearly & live more beautifully.

Hoping your Christmas holiday was just the beginning of what the next year holds for you and yours.

Cheers~
e

save the last dance for me

7 years ago today I married Mr. B. It was a day just like today here in Louisville, KY. The sun was out shining, it was not too cold at all, and there was a hint of Christmas in the air.

I think we still make the cutest couple.

I carried the most beautiful red roses {that I put together myself}. I walked down the aisle in my Dad's arms in our little country church. We had a big band orchestra at our reception in downtown Louisville that played into the wee hours in the morning. And as a complete suprise...my new husband serenaded me with "Save the Last Dance for Me" while I danced with all his friends and fraternity brothers. Such lovely memories...and even more followed after 7 years.

With our anniversary approaching I find it is so hard to buy gifts for Mr. B, but this year I found something that was perfect. Since the 7th year is copper {at least according to the internet}, I had this stunning cuff from Etsy customized with 7 copper plates. Each plate commemorated something special for each of the years we were married.

And to keep it real..as I re-promised myself to do on this blog...once you pan back, you get the real image of Mr. B in his natural habitat.

No. He had no clue I even took these pictures. After 7 years, I have gotten pretty sneaky.

There is no need to save the last dance for my husband. He has my dance card filled now and forever.

Cheers~

e

the twinkle of Christmas

Amid the hour or 2 of waiting for my dough to rise {I am making Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls}, I thought I would tinker with the settings on my camera to take a twinkling picture of Thurgood trimming the tree (that is..after the cat knocked off an ornament).

Thank you to one of my nestie buddies, Beth, for the tips on creating a memorable Christmas tree photo. You brought that extra twinkle to our family tree...thank you!

Raising the bar..Thurgood placed one ornament much higher away from the swat of Atticus.

Admiring one of his favorites...one that Lola gave him.

The twinkle picture from my eye to yours.

Hmmm...I need to take a few more of our Christmas decor and join all the Open Houses while there is still time. I have a few tins of yummy rolls to make.

Cheers~

Are you there blog? It's me, MeganDVD

taken today in ordinary clothes and in ordinary light

It has been close to 19 weeks since I last posted on my blog. 19 weeks...it has been so long and yet gone by so fast. While I could say I needed a vacation or a break, what I really needed was to refocus myself and my blog. I needed to rediscover my voice because I was not sure who was being the author of this blog anymore.

So...I closed the computer.

And I have had a bit of an awakening.

I guess now the true reason as to why I have been hesitant in coming back is #1 coming to full terms with what I have discovered and #2 it was nice to just relish in living life and not having a "burden" of documenting it.

Life is so much simpler when you do not have to tote a DSLR around. Life is so much more quiet when you do not have to tweet your latest find. And..it is amazing how many minutes are left in the day to focus on the world rather than the virtual one.

Am I leaving my blog? No...I am just realizing where it needs to go and I hope you will come with me.

Cheers~

e

P.S. I smiled when I realized this was my 200th post...it was meant to be.

no socks left behind

I love this idea. I find it so adorable....but I have to be honest. It may be only cute with colorful itty bitty socks. I can only imagine what this would look like with my hubby's rather large and sometimes grey hued white socks or his long black socks on a line.

Either way...this is darling for kiddos.

Cheers~
e

a litte nesting to do

I have about a million projects/crafts started in and about my home.....and none to show you because they are far from being finished. Well, either that or they need a bit more love {aka tweaking} before they make it on here for their debut party. What I have noticed though is that I am completely drawn to DIY necklaces.

And these little necklaces are so sweet and endearing.

for her easy-peasy tutorial

I am head over heels for these little nests. Imagine doing these little nests in the birthstones of your babies. And look! She made a single pearl one for my little man already! I think Miss Sarah has a way of inspiring...all I need is some wire and I can do this.

Yes, I will most likely shamelessly copy this idea. It is just too sweet to not at least try. More importantly maybe I can peer pressure you into trying them too so I won't been alone in being shameless. Who is with me?

Time to take the baked dough (oh..I mean cookies) out of the oven. Thurgood and I have a small addiction to Sunday night baking.

Cheers~

e

the next chapter

My world is spinning. SPINNING. I love my job, but I am more busy now than I have been in quite a while. I am finessing the art of balance from a whole new perspective with this new chapter in my life.

With so much going on, it was kismet that one day I came across a wonderful home for my family that has so much possibility.

As of this moment I have tunnel vision on this home:

Oh how I wish you could see it. Oh wait...you can :)







Thought you might enjoy a glimpse with me. Now..comes the hard part...what to do next.

Cheers~
e

the taste of summer

The days of summer are numbered. Now is the time to savor water balloon fights and lightning bugs...and summer foods.

Abby and Thurgood prepping for a water balloon explosion.

Especially summer fruits...I love fruit and there is something wonderful about in season fruits...it is a small taste of heaven.

One of my best friends, Christine, reminded me of the glousiously unbeatable fruit-sugar-mint combo. She made it for our family get together. Is it possible to have 2 families so close and the best of friends?

Absolutely.

Look at her little girl. She is getting so big. Those big eyes have big ideas just waiting for the world to see.

Christine, I have now made this 4 times this summer and love every bite. Thank you for showing me how to embrace simple sweetness.

Small note if you plan to do this and you should...do this while peaches are still in season, and you’ll hardly need the sugar.

Ingredients:
12 oz Strawberries (throw in a pint of raspberries for an extra burst of goodness)
4 peaches
1/3 cup mint
1 tbsp sugar

Instructions:
Clean and chop strawberries and peaches. Coarsely chop mint. Combine fruit, sugar and mint in a medium bowl and toss to coat. Serve chilled.

There it is...the taste of summer. Now all I need is some sun sweetened iced tea and a water balloon.

Do you have something that tastes of summer?

Cheers~
e

oooh the places you will go

There is something about maps. I find them fascinating and inspiring. And now..I am all about repurposing them. Just take a glimpse at all the cute things you can do with maps.

You can bet your bottom dollar I will be doing this! You know me and how much I adore "prettifying" {yes...I am creating new words too} lamp shades.

Oh...how this mobile would be lovely in an office or playroom

Who needs GPS when you have this as your clutch?

I love garlands...and this is beyond cute.

And of course the whole repurposing of maps with the 3 hearts of: where we met, married, and honeymooned is simply wonderful. If the nest was still around this would be THE thing to make. I guarantee it. :)

all images from etsy

So I think I am going to see if I can spy a few old maps to repurpose...on to the hunt. Do you have anything you are keeping an eye out for?

Cheers~

e

awaiting the august moon

Goodbye July...I am glad you are gone.

In less than the 31 days of this month, I have lost a friend from HS in a tragic car accident, my mother in law had triple bypass surgery, and I had my 1st full code on my unit that ended sadly.

I greet August with much anticipation.

With August comes my boards and all that business with my pharmacy license, but it also brings the last lingering days of summer.

Hello wonderful August....I have been waiting for you.

Cheers~
e

when i have time

I want to make little ties for my little man.

Cut some glass for a bit of magical glow {ahem...someone out there knows my thoughts on this}.

Create delicate ribbons of frosting on a 3 layer cake.

{all images from pinterest that I found during my lunch break}

What little projects do you have in the back of your mind?

Cheers~

e

2nd sunday in july

For me the definition of summer is a good church picnic. Here in Southern Indiana, we have so many, and the season officially starts with my home tri-parish picnic that supports the grade school I went to and the grade school my sister teaches at: the St. Joe Picnic in Corydon, Indiana.

You have not lived till you have been to a church picnic....and mine is extra special. Trust me...after 20+ years of working it and going to other picnics, the St. Joe Picnic is sacred to me. Every sense in your soul comes alive..here is my attempt to capture them for you.

 

The smells & crackling sounds of the Miller family frying the chicken in one of the 4H barns {no doubt the hottest job EVER}. For generations they have been the "top chefs" of the chicken.

 The nostalgic sound of the 80's speakers calling out bingo numbers. The families of the Bierlys and the Babcocks have Bingo down to a science.

The St. Joe Picnic tea is better than any golden arches could ever make. Brewed and then poured into old saurkraut crocks with huge ice chunks floating on top...this tea is pure heaven. To get some, one of the church ladies dips her steel pot into the crocks and pours each pot of liquid goodness into steel pitchers for young children to carry table to table {as I did when I was 9}.

The picnic would not be the picnic without Daddy Don and Rowena (they are my 2nd set of parents and took care of my sister & I growing up.) They made the picnic what it is today. And even though their kids have not been students of St. Joe in over 30+ years..they work every year.

There is something divine about homemade cakes and chicken wire. The two are just meant for each other. Here is my favorite row...the chocolate cakes with white frosting. Yes...they put them in rows by flavors. Each family in the tri-parish makes 2 cakes & 4 pies. I use to make the ones for our family: 2 German Chocolate Cakes & 4 Derby pies.

A craft on the verge of extinction..quilting. My parents have worked in the quilt booth for over 30+ years. My mom is always out and about looking stylish with a hat fit for a Southern belle as she sells quilt chances.  Why did I not get a picture? Argh.

This is the reason people come from Missouri, Ohio,  and the southern parts of Kentucky: the food. Nothing is better. This is just a sampling of the 7..yes, 7 sides that our offered to our guests. I could eat my weight in the dressing {a recipe from my late Aunt Hannah}. And those noodles...they come from Rowena's family. The Bierly women do the noodles and the Bierly men do the Bingo. :) Haha...don't even get me started on the pies. We have everything you could ever imagine.

Hope you enjoyed a glimpse of what makes summer special to me and my family. I cherish this event and will forever anticipate the 2nd Sunday in July.

What makes your summer sacred?

Cheers~

e

self-portrait

Thurgood often asks me if he can play with my phone. He loves the camera function. I have often found multiple self portraits of my child. But today when playing with my phone...he took a picture of me.

When I saw it...it was so pure and raw and so VERY real. I was actually surprised by the shot {afterall..he is 4}.

This is definitely me...hair up and focused.

And what has my attention you ask?

I am studying for my boards.

This is one DIY that I want to perfect....and trust me, I will let you know the pending days of the BIG exams {oh yeah...I have to take 3!}. I need all the positive vibes out there for me. I usually don't have test anxiety, but this is testing that theory.

Cheers~
e

dried hydrangea

I believe I have found her...my kindred style spirit.

for the love of a house

"I was asked to describe my color palette, and I have long described the colors I use in the house as the colors you would see in a dried hydrangea- aged, muted, worn color." - joan

She had me at neutrals...and I love the way she puts it: dried hydranga. Does that not sound heavenly and chic all at once? I think I need to use that phrasing from here out if someone asks me about my color palette....dried hydrangea.

It all started when I came upon this picture....

Everything about this room speaks to me. From the skirt on the farmhouse sink to the high gloss paint on the beadboard ceiling to the touches of green with the wire baskets to the mix of soapstone with marble....this kitchen is me..heck my floors now look like her floors here.

And did I mention she collects: ironstone, mercury glass, vintage hotel silver, AND floraline pottery? Hmm....how have I just now come across her? Yes, I am smitten...and in love. She has such an eye for texture and composition but marries the two so perfectly to create a comfortable "liveable home."

I believe the inspiration from her is only beginning.

Cheers~
e

happy 4th

from this happy little etsy shoppe

I hope you have a delightful day with family and friends. We indulged in hot dogs & hamburgers yesterday {oh and some of my yummy loaded potato salad & bleu cheese slaw} with our neighbors. I have made those 2 sides dishes for every neighborhood event. I would be glad to share if you like.

And if you are in need of a yummy yet festive dessert, I make a version of the strawberry pretzel dessert..but with blueberries in the cream cheese/Cool Whip/marshmallow creme goodness...oh and substituting raspberries for strawberries can be a nice change up too.

Have a wonderful 4th! And oh yes...1776 will be playing at our house. I can find a musical for every holiday.

Cheers~

e

PS Happy Anniversary Miss Christine....you were one of the most lovely brides. And my first ever dabble in wedding flowers.

guess who is coming to dinner?

I think that as I get closer to the idea of moving {whether into a multi-family home or a slightly larger one for my little family}, I am really starting to embrace the new vision for my home. After my love affair with a more airy, crisp look...I could not help but wonder...is that look me?

I love white kitchens and white bedding...I do love white, but I have always been drawn to black or deep rich colored woods.

I decided to reexamine some of my inspiration pics and see if they still "move" me.

When I think of a dining room, I have always wanted something with flair and style, but infused with a "come sit" at me feeling. I want my dining room to be an extension of my family room.

I have had a crush on this table for about 5 years. It is from Red Tree. It comes in so many finishes.It actually comes in one that is almost identical to PB's Mahogany Stain. I do like the dark wood with the black bottom though. I could easily get 6-8 at this table.

One thing that I have known from the start in the dining room is that I will have 3 small chandys above the table. I found these from Arhaus, but I actually saw one that I heart from Red Tree when we were there for our Jaunt. I only wish I had not forgotten to take a pic....grrr. But this pic give you the idea.

Chairs have been my challenge. I really like the idea of having 2 end chairs slipcovered as so.

I have had my eye on these chairs for quite some time. I think they are lovely. I love the shape. I find them feminine but functional. They look fabulous dressed up or au natural.

I have been eyeing these x-back chairs for quite some time.  In fact, when I was 25 (before I was even married) I bought 6 of them. Not at PB, but at Value City for $15 each. They are natural...but a little stain or paint can go a long way.

This image shows you the cabinets I want..and yes, I want 2 of them. I love the idea of having dishes, serveware, glasses all there in the dining room. I have always thought this would be divine for family dinner and for entertaing {and another reason to add to my white serveware collection}.

So...does my vision still have flair? Even more importantly...does it look like me?

Cheers~
e

accessibility

I know that lots of people have seen THIS home. It is blowing up all over blogworld. How can you forget it? How am I just now talking about it?

For me, this home has so many elements that caused me to stop and completely become inspired on how to create a home that embodies a true personality, infuses color with neutrals, and drips with accessible style.

In fact, one of my new blogger buddies from The Mint Juelp Jaunt said it perfectly:

"There are so many pops of color, but it’s balanced with neutrals like whites and beiges."

-Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating

I am definitely smitten.

I would love to have this be my entrance EVERY day.

I love white kitchens....these would only be more perfect with me in it. :)

So many facets I love: the paneling, the repurposed barn wood flooring, the fabrics, the ceiling, the touch of sparkle...{I will stop b/c I could go on and on}.

This room was made for Thurgood.

I could definitely cuddle with "someday" Baby #2 in this room...look at the doorknobs!

Oh...It is like this homeowner knew my love of barn doors.

And yet...they top it off by using stones in Master Bath. Here Mr. B thought I was a nut. How am I not living here?

So where am I going with this? Well...if my little family didn't merge into a big house with my parents, I have been playing with the idea of buying a smaller home {even staying in my subdivision...I LOVE my neighborhood} and indulging in the inspirations found from this home and merging it into my dream home.

I think you can take all the elements here and recreate them on a scale that is accessible without building custom or buying $$$$. I know I have been dreaming about attempting it....and what a divine dream to fall asleep to.

Cheers~
e