Merry Christmas

It has been almost a full year since I have logged into this little space. Time seems be spinning much faster as the kids are growing up and I cannot blog like I used to, but I wanted to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  I hope you and yours take time to slow down this Christmas to think of all the wonderful things the Lord has done for you! 

 

last 5 pins: january edition

 Here are my last 5 pins for January. I thought I would just go ahead and post a few things that have already caught my eye this month. 

1. Sherwin Williams Color of the Year - The color of the year for Sherwin Williams is Evergreen Fog. It is a lovely shade of green. Green is popping up everywhere. Over the past few years, I have added more green into our house with accessories and a wall painted SW Retreat. I may have to incorporate it a little more this year. 

2. Beautiful bedroom reveal - This bedroom reveal is lovely. I think you will enjoy all the details. 

3.  Windowpane sectional -  This windowpane sectional caught my attention. If you scroll through the whole project, you will see that it is piped in blue too. What a stunning piece! 

4. Free Assembly Sweater - Speaking of green, here is a shade of green in a sweater that I may have to check out in person. I have been pleased with the quality of Free Assembly items I have purchased so far. This sweater from Walmart looks very cozy. 

5. Super Bowl bread bowl - The Super Bowl will be here before we know it and let's face it, we pretty much are only into the game for the food.  This looks delicious and perfect for the big game.

new year

Happy New Year! 

I do not know about you, but this time of year tends to be a time to regroup for me. I finally take the time to organize those closets or drawers that have been causing me stress.  I try to find newer and healthier recipes to add to our weekly meals. Lastly, I reflect on goals for the new year. Some of the goals are work and personal goals and some are family goals. 

Over the past two weeks, I have found some tools that have been useful to me as I get pepped up and prepped for the new year. I wanted to share them in case you are also in the prepping stages.  

1.  Chip Ingram's Balancing Life's Demands -The Peace and Power of a Prioritized Life.  Our small group at church has been going through this series. I always like reminders for myself this time of year about keeping my priorities straight and realigning where needed. 

2. A friend introduced me to Jefferson Bethke. I just started reading his book 'Take Back Your Family'.  I like several of the tips and tools on his website. I especially like this Family Scouting Report tool centered around Family Teams. We absolutely plan to sit down and do this for each of our kids. 

3. Simon Sinek motivational podcast. This speech has so many good takeaways to keep in mind for the year! My favorite line of his was "learn to be the last to speak". 

4. Mediterranean dishes - My doctor always tells me to eat more of a Mediterranean diet. There are several delicious recipes here that I plan to try! 

What are you focusing on this year?

Make it a great week! 

~Amber

merriest christmas

 Merry Christmas from our family to yours! 

Georgia (10),  Millie (1) and Graham (7)

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,

    for his compassions never fail.

23 

They are new every morning;

    great is your faithfulness."

Lam. 3:22-23

last 5 pins: November edition

Every year, I begin to love November more and more. The leaves are at their peak and and blowing all around and the temperatures are really starting to cool. What a special time of year it is. 

I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving week with your family and friends. We all have so much to be thankful for. I heard the other day that thankfulness should be the bookends of your day. Start the day by thanking God and end it doing the same. 

Here are my last 5 pins: November edition. Enjoy! 

1. Highlander Mountain House - This House hotel looks adorable. The perfect little mountain escape. 

2. Table top tree - I love a beautiful table top tree. This year I did consider only doing a table top tree because of our puppy, but we are still going to attempt at least a top half decorated tree:) 

3. Soup - 'Tis the season for hearty soups. This one looks like a good one. 

4. Ice Ornament  - This ice ornament looks like a perfect craft to do over Christmas break

5. Maxi Skirt - I love this look for the holidays. 

deck the halls

 I know several people are planning to start decking the halls this weekend. I will most likely hold off until the day after Thanksgiving, but I have been looking through old and new Christmas catalogs and looking for new decorating ideas online. 

I am especially drawn to unexpected places to use greenery to dress up a corner or a piece of furniture. Here are some inspiration photos for you in case you plan on doing some decorating too. 

Images all from Pinterest

Have a wonderful weekend! 

~Amber

last 5 pins: October edition

 Happy Wednesday! November is fast approaching so I wanted to get my 'last 5 pins' for October out to you. Is everyone already Christmas shopping? I know I have had a jump start to my shopping, which makes it feel like fall is passing by so quickly. I do want to get ahead in my shopping, but I also want to savor the beauty of fall. 

Last 5 pins: October edition:

1. Sentimental tablescape - I love this personalized runner to use for many Thanksgivings to come. How special it would be to add everyone's signature to the runner. I need to brush up on my sewing skills now. 

2. Roasted Carrots . These roasted carrots would make a delicious Thanksgiving side dish.

3. Guest bathroom - Now is the time to get your powder room or guest bathroom ready before all the holidays arrive. This guest bathroom is lovely. 

4. Cozy Reading nook - I always love a good window seat. They add so much character to a space. 

5. The shirt jacket - or the shacket:) - I keep seeing these online and in stores. It seems like the perfect fall staple especially here in the Carolinas. 

Have a great rest of your week! 

~ Amber