home best of FAQs contact

Monday, September 12, 2011

felt flower tutorial

Last fall I made my first yarn and felt flower wreath.
I loved it so much that I made 5, and we use them above the TV in the living room.

(I had already taken down one)  oops. just pretend you see the last one in that hole.


when I made them, I was still new to crafting, and was not very good.
the flowers sucked.  they were weird cone looking things.  
i sewed floral wire to the bottom of them and then pushed them into the styrofoam wreath.
hot glue now solves all of my problems.
but it was my early crafting days.  i was thrilled.


about a month ago, I sat looking at the flowers and really hated them.
so, I started re-making all of the flowers.  
here's how to do it.

First, cut circles out of the color felt you want.  
cut as many circles as you want, in any size.
don't worry if they aren't perfect circles. mine are far from real circles.

then, cut a spiral in your circle.  
you want to have pretty thick "strips" in  your spiral.

once you have your strips cut, you have to "scallop" your felt.
to scallop, first lay out your felt in a circle (like it was before you cut it).  
this makes it easier to find the outside edge.



start at the outside edge, and start cutting scallops along the felt.
you want to make pretty high mountain tops, and pretty low valleys.
scallop the whole circle of felt.

once you have finished scalloping, you need to roll your flower.  Start at the center of the circle, and fold and roll.  Use a dot of hot glue every few turns to secure.

horray! much prettier felt flowers.
now...it looks so much better and so much more ready for fall in my house!







Friday, September 9, 2011

oh, Houston

Because I have been in Houston more than a year (and the cool weather this morning had me all sorts of weepy eyed rememering a year ago), I thought I would share a few of the things I have loved/or not loved about this new city.  I never thought I would find myself living in Houston, but for now, it's perfect!

1. During the time we were engaged and I lived alone in Houston, I would go every Friday night to target to pick out dinner.  I would spend all day looking forward to and planning this momentous event.  all I bought was dinner, yes.  I couldn't afford anything else.  well, maybe I would buy a 1.19 nail polish. maybe. 


2. When I got to Houston, I was bound and determined to learn my way around quickly.  I had the GPS, but I'm pretty sure that thing makes me dumb.  So I used it for a week, and then only took it out in emergencies.  I have a desire to know maps like my dad.  not there  yet.  Houston's a little bigger than Fort Worth.  I still only use GPS in emergencies.

3. I used to be real terrified of my boss.  Like, almost pee your pants scared.  Now, we joke and laugh and argue and bicker and the new employee asks "why are you guys always mad at each other?" to which we laugh.  not mad.  samuel and I went to his house and had dinner with him and his wife Sunday night. we stayed till 2 am.  my boss rocks the socks off your boss.

ummmm....that's enough about Houston. Here are other random thoughts on a Friday.

4. I want bangs.  I want a haircut. but the long hair is staying. I love my long hair, especially more now that pinterest shows me all the fun things I can do with it. like get bangs. 

tell me that's not sexy?

5. Going home this weekend to celebrate.  what? oh you know, Mom and Dad's anniversary, mom's birthday, gran's birthday, papa's 70th birthday.  lots of cake to be eaten.  going to a women's lunchon with mom and gran.  darn my overactive tear ducts, there will by crying.

6. the fall weather and less than 100 degree temps has me all rejuvinated feeling.  so fresh.  so easy to breathe.  so blessed that this change happened. 
7. in my class, the girl that sits next to me is named thaDutchess.  yep.  this is her. I was a real creeper and stood in the back corner of class during break and took a picture.  her hair reminds me of cruella de ville.




happy weekend! I promise to be a better blogger next week.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Bad Blogger

Friends.
I have lost my blogging groove.
Long gone are the days of scheduled posts,
reply's to comments, and link parites.
heck, I didn't even post yesterday

now I stare at the pile of ironing
the chapters of reading
and the lunches that need making

and wonder how it is all going to get done.
do you have weeks like this?
seasons of life like this?

where it seems that it's one thing after another?

 the hubs and I had a spur of the moment date because of a broken water main on Friday. blessing in disguise?

 wore flip flops to work on monday.  working in a lab means closed toed shoes all the time. heck, working anywhere means closed toed shoes.  thankfully, a friend lent me her shoes (3 sizes too big). 
 I made peach raw dessert. perfect "it's all going wrong" food.
and in the midst of this, I finally went where I should have gone all along.  
and James chapter 1" Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

I am looking at these things differently.  Not because of a positive outlook, or because I'm on optimist (because I am not always), but because they are to be counted as joy. 
I'm counting blessings.  Knowing that God is good, knowing that He gives good gifts.  
because He is in the midst of this.  
running, and long runs that cleanse
three day weekends
new recipes to try  
first day of school
time to get things dons  

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

pinterest food

I hope your labor day weekend was wonderful and relaxing.

These are the thoughts that sum up our weekend:
  • Friday night, the water main to our apartment broke.  Thus, we had a much needed break.
  • I went on a long run.
  • too much studying
  • dinner at my bosses house---best thing of the weekend. 
  • we watched a lot of football. UT won.
and I made a lot of food.  A LOT.  Sort of because I now leave Sam alone two nights a week and want to make sure that he has adequate leftovers to eat.   I try.

Pinterest got me all excited to try new recipies.  Here are pics of the things I made (not all in one day...but still too much food).  I'll give you the recipies you should try and tell you what not to waste your time on later.  Just enjoy.






um see. I told you.  and I didn't cook Sunday night.

Friday, September 2, 2011

Friday Football

(skip to the bottom for a coupon if you want)
As a good wife, it's my duty to know when college football season begins.
it began last night.
when I returned from class at 845, a game was on, and the hubs had a smile on his face.
it was good to see a smile on his face.  it was a little bit of normal.

UT has their first football game of the season on Saturday.
and you can bet we will be watching.




happy football season, friends.



to celebrate the long weekend
use the coupon LABORDAY
for 30% off your order in my shop. 
happy three day weekend.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

He still is.

yesterday was a heck of a day.
our aparment got broken into.
I got a call from our apartment manager at 11:52 am.
I didn't know the number, so I let it go to voicemail.
when I saw that the number left a voicemessage, I listened.
and returned the call.
I went home immediately,
nightmares flashing in my eyes.
crying Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.
my flesh was failing.
tears were streaming.
Jesus was all there was.

When I got home, it wasn't as bad as the nightmares I pictured.
I called a friend, and through tear mumbled words she understood and came.
Let me tell you right now, sweet ladies of the Lord are so priceless.
she kept telling me she was sorry that she looked a mess. she said she hadn't showered.
to me, she couldn't have been more beautiful
loving and supporting me like Christ.



and after a while, we put it all back together.
the house looks normal.
some things are gone.
but our souls and salvation remain.
we made a trip to home depot and bought every reinforcement they sold.

It was a heck of a day.
but there are a few things I know that were shown to me.

in those nightmarish moments when I had no strength and knew completlely and totally that Jesus was all there was, i knew.
Jesus is all that there is.
and He still is.

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

129

I can't believe how much this blog has grown since....um May?
I am honored that 129 of you want to hear what I have to say.

here are the things I am loving today.

my first day of class went so well!  I love my teacher, and love the material. 

this quote fits so perfectly in our life right now.  I've mentioned before that we're kind of in an uncomforatble place, and seeing God's provision and the love of my husband in each step has me loving them both more and more.


loving these shelves.  I actually got a pallet from work, and hoping that the husband is up for this project for the three day weekend! 

i love lions. 

have a happy wednesday.


Tuesday, August 30, 2011

the first day of school

today begins the first day in this new journey.
it's my first day of school.
class is from 530-830 tonight, and again on thursday.

i am so excited and pumped to begin.
i am one of those people who loves school, loves learning, and can't wait to return.
i know the Lord has led us to nursing school, and I am truly ready to begin this new adventure.
i am so thankful the Lord gave direction as to where to go back to school and what to pursue.

we had talked about doing a PhD in research, and then the idea of nursing started to come into the picture.  for us, nursing provides more freedom to be able to live where we want.  with research, we are more tied to Houston (and the research that goes on in the med center).  With nursing, we have more flexibility with choosing where to live.  we want to eventually be closer to our families (who are in Austin and Fort Worth).  it's also a much shorter program, and not as intensive.  as much as I love research and where I am now, I am excited to become a nurse.

but sometimes, the fear creeps in.
it is a little intimidating. and I am concerned about learning to balance work and school
and the needs of a husband.
we want to pay our way through, and not borrow. i know the Lord will provide. 
i want to work as long as I can, and I know the Lord will provide.

I'm trusting the Lord. He led us to this decision,
and He will walk with me through each class.through each payment, through each semester.



i have my backpack ready,
new pens and pencils and new notebooks.
i'm going back to school 

maybe i'll post my first day of school picture tomorrow.

Monday, August 29, 2011

we're all in this together

we spent this past weekend in Austin, seeing two of our friends get married.
it was wonderful, and beautiful.  the wedding was Sunday at 11.  I can't think of a better way to go to to church.

during the wedding, I was reminded of how surrounded we are.
by friends, family, and those who love and support us.
not only on the day we promise forever to our spouses.
but in the everyday. the hard days. the I hate my job days.

here in Houston we are separate from our families.
and it's easy to get discouraged when we are alone.
but this weekend was sweet time to know that we have people fighting with us.
praying for us.  knowing our joys and our hurts with us.

we are in a place right now that's uncomfortable.
we are in the midst of a change.
i will share more later, but for know, just know that we appreciate your support and encouragement.

we're all in this together.
and we are clinging to each other.

Friday, August 26, 2011

my favorite things



me: are you still up?
sam: yes
me: do you want some ice cream?  and maybe watch some criminal minds? and camping in the living room?
sam: are you saying that what you want?
me: yes.
sam: okay, come on.

my favorite thing about marriage is not that we can camp in the living room.
but that is fun.
my favorite thing about marriage is that
it's never over.
it's not over on good days at work,
or bad days,
or when we are looking for jobs, or just happy.
or crying in the kitchen over dinner

I will have my best friend on all of the days.
and all of the mornings.
and that's my favorite thing.

Thursday, August 25, 2011

all things new

happy thursday friends!

isn't the new design be-a-u-tiful?

it's perfect.
it's easy to read
it's so me!

I LOVED LOVED LOVED the SWEET friend who did it.she has a heart of gold, and I would love for you to use her for your blog design. If you have been thinking of a re-design, or like me, a design for the first time, USE HER! She is sweet, fast, has GREAT prices. Really. 

She is adopting AND pregnant.  Your cash money goes to helping them pay to bring their new baby home.  you get a blog design, and the baby comes home.  does it get any better? 

this, friends, is Danielle.
she blogs over at take heart
go check her out
let her do your blog.

i'm in love with my new blog.
what do you think?



Wednesday, August 24, 2011

a year of work...

so sorry about yesterday.
we talked all about how to slow time on monday.
and then yesterday time got all crazy, and somehow I never got a post out.

my bad.
looks like I need some more practice.

yesterday was my one year anniversary with work.
I have been an employee of Christus Stehlin Foundation for Cancer Research for a year.

in a year, a lot has happened.

I graduated college.
got a job
moved to houston
got married.
and a week from yesterday I am going back to school!

and today, I am tackling the scary scary task
of asking for a raise.
oh boy.

say a prayer.
i'll let you know how it goes.


and I forgot to announce the winner of the giveaway yesterday.
Hannah!  I will be emailing you this morning!

this was the winning comment:
I hearted you on etsy under hmaphotography
hanner.da.nanner at gmail dot com

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

science had a crazy day today.
missed you friends.

see you tomorrow.

 photo from pinterest.  Is there anywhere else?

Monday, August 22, 2011

how to slow time

"Time is a relentless river. It rages on, a respecter of no one.  And this, this the only way to slow time: When I fully enter time's swift current, enter into the current moment with the weight of all my attention, I slow the torrent with the weight of me all here. I can slow the torrent by being all here."
 
"Giving thanks for one thousand things is ultimately an invitation to slow time down with the weight of full attention."


Maybe your days are slow and relaxing.  But in my neck of the woods, even with just the two of us, all of our moments seem to whirl by at the speed of sound. I have blurred the moments into one unholy smear.  I do it, still do it.  The seconds on the clock keep ticking.

But I hunger for something different.  For more fulfillment in these moments. I don't need more time, but enough time.  To take the moments I have been given and see that the wonder is here.  The beauty of God is here, in these moments of making lunches, and drives to work, and little tubes and research.

When I open my eyes and notice, and give full attention, I see the gifts.  I see the glory; I open wide and receive. 

reasons to celebrate
a year of work and a job I enjoy
football games on tv
the promise of fall
etsy sales
customers
new dawns and new days
a comfy bed
a good nights rest.

my list is growing, my heart is changing
and time is slowing

Friday, August 19, 2011

for all you E lovers

happy friday morning.
today in blogland one of my favorite blogs is having a giveaway.
and it's great.

her name is E, and part of her giveaway includes one of my necklaces.
which, I happen to think is totes adorbs.
if you don't know E, you should head over to E TELLS TALES
and see what I am talking about


or, if you are here from the giveaway
and really eying that necklace
I am here to say that you can just go buy it
with the coupon code
 ETELLSTALES for 20% off.

or, if you aren't here from E's blog,
but still want to use the coupon.
go ahead
i won't tell

there is something fun for everyone here.
it's friday.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

living in the everday

I posted a week or so ago about some books I wanted to read on vacation
I haven't finished it yet, but I couldn't resist posting on 1,000 gifts.
It's a book that really will change your life. 

because it's so easy to get bogged down in the everyday.
whether the days are crazy, or quiet.
if the days are rich, or poor
if the seasons are hot or cold.
if we are overwhelmed or underwhelmed
if we are exhausted, or excited.

there are gifts.
presents from a savior
that we miss.
one of my favorite quotes from the book refelcts on naming the gifts we are given
"In naming that which is right before me, that which I'd otherwise miss, the invisible becomes visible"

So I am posting a few of my gifts. These gifts that are too precious--love gifts from a Savior. and I don't want to miss them.

early morning cuddles
reading on the beach
vacations
sounds of waves crashing
inlaws that are a second set of parents
slow mornings in pjs and coffee
bowls of lemons
compliments at work
I hope you see today some of the gifts, big and small.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

something lovely in the crazy

hi friends.
I am thankful for you guys.
blogging recently seems random
good, but random. crazy even.

(in case you missed it; I made a big announcement on Monday. And no, we are not pregnant.)

so here are some things I love. 
giveaways.  who doesn't love giveaways! 
let's have a lovely giveaway in the middle of the crazy. 

so let's have one. 

here are the deets:

winner gets $10 $15 shop credit to my etsy store.
where you can buy any of these: 




Mandantory entry: 
+ follow Seek first blog

Extra entries:
+ favorite seek first on etsy
+tweet about it (include timestamp in comment)

as always, leave a separate comment for each entry.  
you guys know the drill.

bonus:  If I reach 100 followers during this giveaway, the prize will go up to $15.
because yall are the best.
YOU DID IT....PRIZE IS NOW $15!

giveaway will end on Tuesday, August 23rd at 8am CST.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

beach recap

our three day beach vacation was exactly the kind of rest I had hoped it would be.
relaxing, restful.
i read Heaven is for real.  and got chills many times; it's crazy good.
and started (and am halfway though 1,000 gifts)
that book will get its own post.



have grace on my appearance, friends.  I was a burnt lobster at the beach.

now we are back to reality. 

Monday morning came with a surprise that I will be the head mentor of a college girl from Denmark that is here for two weeks volunteering.
Pray for me friends, I am selfish with my time and don't always want to teach.

Monday, August 15, 2011

i don't know what i'm doing.

sometimes the fear of failure is crippling to me. I don't want to admit that I am trying something new
because if it doesn't work
or go as planned,
then I've failed.

for all of the world to see


but if I just keep it a secret, then I can't be
ashamed
humiliated
embarrassed

when I fail. because nobody will know my little secret.

but when I keep it a secret,
I don't let those around me in.
I don't give them the opportunity to witness what the Lord is doing in my life
I don't let them pray me through it
and I don't let them see the Glory of God all the way through.

this is my little secret. that has been growing in my heart,
and that I am ready to try.

I am going back to school.
for pre-reqs for nursing school.
pre reqs start Aug 30; nursing school next summer.

and I am afraid to fail; but more afraid of not giving all of the Glory to God.
whether I fail or succeed, He deserves all the glory.

Friday, August 12, 2011

insta Friday

good morning.
it's Friday, and I'm not at work.
we're getting ready for our eye dr. appts
and then heading to the beach.
have a great weekend.


Thursday, August 11, 2011

daydreaming the day away...

because tomorrow I will be here.

and call I can think about is:
the sound of the waves as I go to sleep...naptimes, night-time, beach naptime.
I am thinking lots of sleep is in my future.

the laughs and giggles I will have with my two sisters.
I am SO SO happy to finally have sisters. 

the reading!  I have purchased "Heaven is for real"
I know, it's not the books we talked about yesterday.
but it was on sale for the kindle edition.
$5 wins. 
if I finish it over the weekend (it's really really short)
I will go to one of the others.

the time with my family.
they are so sweet, so precious, and so encouraging.
being with them is rest and comfort to my soul.

I may even make a playlist for the drive down.
any music suggestions?
new worship music you are loving?
my tunes need a little spark of something new.

but for the next 8 hours I will try to get through these reports
that my interns left me to do.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

things for the beach

this weekend is our family vacation to Galveston.
my second father (FIL) has rented a beach house with 5 rooms!  5 rooms!
and we will all be joining for some time away, and sweet time together.
i'm calling it battershell beach blast.
because that's cute.
and i'm still in love with my new last name.

I am so excited.  SO SO excited.  I have the day off on Friday,
and since we can't get to the beach house until 3ish anyway,
I have an eye dr appt that morning.
I love the eye dr.
I love the click click noise as they give you option 1 or 2.
I love the smell.
The eye dr is my favorite dr.

So Friday is looking up.  (and this post was not supposed to be about the eye dr, but I will let you see my new glasses when I get them).

this post is supposed to be about beach things.
all the things I am looking forward to doing at the beach.

I am trying to finish HP this week so I can start a new book this weekend. 
don't get me wrong, HP has been awesome.
but I 'm ready to know the ending and move on.

some of the contenders for beach weekend are:


I have heard so much good about both of these. 

a perfect beach weekend is some time outside and a good book.  what do you think? which of these should I read?

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

running in the quiet

I run without music.
yes, yes, yes, all those miles in the silence.

I have been getting a lot of weird looks about this recently.
but running is some of the most peaceful moments my mind has.
my body may be aching, screaming, and altogether throwing a huge hissy fit.

but my mind is quiet.
focused solely on getting one foot in front of the other.
and breathing.

there is no more worry about school
no more worry about where to live
no more thoughts about work

just utter quiet. 
and peace for my soul.

Monday, August 8, 2011

A Summer of Giveaways

I hope your weekend was as good as mine.  Sleeping in, reading, and relishing in days with the husband.
Halfway through book 7 of Harry Potter. 

If you are looking for a fun, easy recipe that feels any family well, check out where I am guest posting.

Elise is my newest bloggy friend, and I hope you will enjoy her as much as I do! 
Elise's pieces is where I am today; and because this summer is so hot and miserable,
it has become the summer of giveaways!

Friday, August 5, 2011

hey, it's okay

a blog friend posted a list like this yesterday, and I couldn't resist doing one myself.  because this week has had lots of things that can make the list.

IT"S OKAY..

...if today is a celebration because all the interns are gone.

...if I put on my pj's as soon as I walk in the door at 5pm.

...if I'm not quite sure of my life plan

....if I'm a tiny bit nervous about classes coming up

....if our dinners this week have been whatever's easiest

...if I have blogger, pinterst, and etsy open all day long

....if family vacation to galveson next week gets me through the day

Thursday, August 4, 2011

information overload

this is my new notepad. 
i think it sums up my life right now pretty well.
SO MUCH TO DO.
which, for a planner and worrier like myself, just turns into 
SO MUCH WORRY

and not near enough trust.

I have a new print in my office from naptime diaries, and the truth in it is calming to my spirit.



"For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it too far off"
There are lots of choices the hubs and I will be making in the near-near distant future
further schooling
jobs
cities to reside in

and it all gets so overwhelming.
but it's not mine to worry about.

for today, I am just focusing on that commandment.
when the worry finds itself seeping back in
I'm turning it over to the Lord
time and time again

Sidebar:  I may have worn my hair the same as yesterday just so I would have time to finish this necklace this morning.  just maybe.
go get yourself one. 

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

heat induced coma

I think the summer heat has put me into a coma.
where I don't want to work, or eat, or anything.
but sit in my a/c and not move.
my brain feels fried from the demands of a summer with two interns.
and I am left dreaming of fall days
and college football

so here are some things I am loving for this fall.
and let's all stay inside and pretend we are not on our 40th day of 100+ degrees

I'm linking up with Jamie again today!



all photos from pinterest

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

545 am runs and a new 1% change

Yes, I woke up at 545 this morning, of my own choosing. and I don't have to be at work until 830.
and NO I do not take that long to get ready in the morning. the hubs and I went running.
because running at 5 and 6 in the evening when it is 100+ degrees outside
is about what I imagine Hell to be like. nd I actually like running.

You may remember my 1% change of getting out there and running more often.
well now, there's a little more modivation behind that

Yes, it's true. I am signed up for a new race. a half marathon
In Flordia. and I get to go to Harry Potter land.
(sidebar: I have 50 pages left in the 6th book, and don't know the ending. If you leave a comment and ruin it for me, I won't be your friend anymore.)

I am excited to be training again. I love training, but after the races I seem to fall off the running bandwagon. my hope for this time around, and with this 1% change is that it will be a life change, and I will be a runner for life, not just runner for this race.
(keep your eye on that little mileage counter down there in the bottom right)
I'm counting on you guys to hold me accountable.

Our 1% change for this week involves our food.

The hubs and I both want to be healthier people. to be around for each other, and kids, grandkids, and great grand kids. so I cleaned out our pantry. and threw out the crap. (which, there was a lot of). we made a huge huge HUGE mistake on Saturday. In a moment of weakness, we ate churches chicken. I felt like silmy greasy regret immediatly after. and I knew all the work it would take to rid that from my body.

and now I am seriously comitteed to seriously looking at the labels of everything we eat. and the goal is that most of it will be fresh--fresh veggies, fruits, and not have labels at all. lots of fiber, lots of grains. We kicked it off on Sunday by eating a raw dessert that I saw on a friend's blog a while back. it was kind of intimidating, but once I made it--super easy. and my body felt good.

I am excited to hear ya'll 1% changes!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Good Morning!

Happy Monday friends. 
The husband is back, so this monday is less scary than others.
 We had a great, refreshing weekend.
That included a 3 hour nap on Saturday.
followed by a date.


 and pinterest helped me have fun hair.
 
and I got back on the bandwagon and got a good run in yesterday with the hubs.
in the 100 degree heat.  

Today I am over at my new friend Hannah's blog.
If you are bummed this Monday because you didn't win anything.
head over there for a sweet surprise!

Go find me at Hannah's place.

and remember to smile today, because soon enough, Monday will be over, and it won't be that bad after all.