NONIE AND PACA'S HOUSE.

We're here! We're in Pennsylvania! We drove into Williamsport last night and we're still trying to figure out where we're going to live... ahhh the hotel life- not as fun as you'd think. ha.ha. I am very grateful for the company Dave is working for. They are really taking care of us (or trying to). There have been a few kinks, but overall I don't have much to complain about. Ethum and Avre did way better than I thought they would (yay for that!). The poor little guys both have a cold now. womp wooomp.

On the drive up, the boys and I stayed at my in-laws house, in Oklahoma City, for two days while Dave finished packing our house in Houston. Here's a few pretty pictures I managed to shoot while we were there...

-Amanda

NANCY'S MAGICAL CHRISTMAS DECOR.

My mother-in-law has some pretty adorable vintage Christmas decor, and lots of it! I couldn't resist sharing more than you probably care to see some photos of it all. It's okay, I totally understand if you think I need to let go of Christmas already. But hey, its the most wonderful tiiiiiime of the year!!!

The rest of the week will be filled with "normal" posts like 'LAST WEEK', a recipe, and maybe even a DIY. Ta-Ta!
-Amanda

CHRISTMAS DECOR- Part Three, etc,etc.



The Wreath.

Vintage Paint-by-Number + Vintage Tinsel Boughs.



The Ever Growing Greeting Card Tree.

Bowl  'O {pink} Shiny Brites.

That's all for the Christmas decor!

On another note, I had my little brother and sister (ages 11 and 12) over here for the past few days. It was the first time they had spent the night since I had Avre. A lot has changed in terms of rhythm since they were here last but it was pretty cool to see what they associated with spending time with me: hot tea at night, homemade brownies and smoothies pops, the park and MAM's Sno Cups, and 'making things' were all on the list of 'can we do's'. I like that.

I am so busy!!! Aren't you??? I am scrambling to finish a dress for my niece's 3rd birthday. I also spent the afternoon mending four dresses for our trip to Oklahoma City at the end of the week. FOUR! ahhh!
After this week, I will be on a tiny hiatus from the blog to spend time with family and friends, whom we hardly ever get to see- can't wait!


-Amanda

CHRISTMAS DECOR- Part Two.

                            

-Amanda

CHRISTMAS DECOR: Part One.

The retro-fied Advent wreath- I made the wreath out of cutting from our tree and tied it together with wire. We searched two stores (with both kids) and could not find purple and pink candles, so we went with plain white 'catholic' candles, like the ones you would find at a dollar store. I used a mixture of new and vintage 'atomic' star ornaments for decoration. In the center I used vintage angel hair and a mason jar filled with icy-blue and silver vintage Shiny Brite ornaments.

The buffet (which is also our desk)- I love switching out little decorations on the typewriter. In this photo I have a little vintage red bird perched on it, as well as a photo of Dave and his brother,Nathan, on Christmas morning in the 80's. Also on the desk I have a trio of tree bark candles, a glass tree, and a vintage serving tray that my mother-in-law gave me. On the wall is this lovely print that my sister, Brandi, gifted me last Christmas and our handmade stockings.

The side table- I have adorned this side table with a stack of classic Christmas books, a pair of vintage slippers, and a sweet little vintage deer. Vintage! Vintage! Vintage! You're probably wondering what isn't vintage. ha. ha.


How do you decorate for Christmas? Do you keep it the same every year or do you switch it up?

-Amanda

HUSBAND'S BIRTHDAY.

Happy birthday husband! Yous a honey bee-





We've been celebrating Dave's birthday for almost a week! We never know when he'll be called out to work so I took every opportunity I could to par-tay. On the first day, he opened gifts. I am so bad at keeping secrets from him (aka I can't help but give the gifts once I have them). I'm a terrible wife, right? On the second day, I made the 'tunnel of fudge' cake from Cook's Illustrated Best Ever issue. The third day, I made a steak dinner with asparagus, homemade hollandaise sauce, and Rebbecca Rather's sweet potato biscuits (we call this a man meal). Day four, ehh... wasn't that exciting but he got to pick out the movie we watched that night. Couch dates are about as good as it gets right now. We don't have a babysitter anymore, as Dave's parents moved back to OKC. And on day five (today), we went to Tacos A-Go-Go for lunch and then we dropped him off at home to catch a few Z's before heading to work for an overnight shift. womp wooomp. It stinks that he has to work tonight but I think we got a lot of celebrating in. 

                      
                            

Dave, you are such a great husband and papa bear. We do love you, so much.  I hope you know how much we appreciate everything you are and everything you do. Smooches! xo

-Amanda

[banner was handmade using pages from a catalog and an exacto knife.]

AUTUMN DECOR.



A vintage paint by number, vintage postcard and Ethum's paper chain.

   


Ethum's watercolor painting.











It seems that a lot of folks are having the same problem.. What everyone really wants to do is just skip Thanksgiving and move right on to trimming the tree. Some of you won't say it, but I know that's what you're really thinkin'. Therefore, the fall decor is struggling. Here's the extent of the autumnal spirit around these parts ;)







 



Pine cones, pumpkin, vintage owl and handmade candles.

A vintage card c/o Dave's mom. Isn't it darlin'?

 I really do love Thanksgiving, but Christmas decor is so much more fun, right? 
-Amanda