Best Friend Weekend - part 1

Whew. I am pooped from this weekend. However, it was a BLAST! I am so glad I was able to see my good friend. We were roommates in college and have been best friends since the day we met.

Saturday I woke up early and made the 5 hour trip before lunch.

We went to an awesome Louisiana/ Cajun style restaurant with her boyfriend and his roommate.

Then she showed me the town. They had a pretty sweet library...I mean Elvis was there. How could it not be amazing?

We had a moment. True story. I hope my hubs doesn't get jealous!

Secrets don't make friends in her book...or this book?

We are incredibly dumb when we get together, but I am ok with it.

After the library, we had a little adventure at the train station...a photo shoot ensued. It was just like old times, except not at college...and I have a better camera...and we didn't make stupid faces. Ok, maybe just a few.

After diner, we headed over to a quaint coffee shop to reminisce on all our old adventures via our facebook albums. It's kind of sad that all those dumb times are on the Internet...but I still don't want to erase them, embarrassing though they may be. Doesn't every one else have pictures of themselves dressed up as ninja turtles and very odd looking Siamese twins? (Side note: we actually wore those costumes to class. So silly!)

I came home after church and a bit of shopping the next day. Weekends like that are good for my soul. It's good to have a friend that knows you completely, all your faults, all your secrets and loves you in spite of it all!

I am beyond blessed to have such a true and faithful friend in my life!

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another"

~Proverbs 27:17

Christmas Tree. CHECK!

We put up our first Christmas tree!

I am so excited. I haven't finished the tree skirt yet, but it will come soon!

Here is our dining room Christmas decor. This is probably my favorite room thus far.

More coming soon to a blog near you! (Aka, this one.)

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!

Ideas for Easy Holiday Decorating

First of all, I want to thank everyone who voted for a name for my etsy shop. I can't tell you how much it helped me. If you haven't done so, click HERE to vote. I would greatly appreciate all the input I can get!

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is merely a week away? Wow. I get so excited around this time of year, because it means Christmas is just around the corner! The holidays make me so elated. Since this is our first Christmas together in our home, I plan on decorating every single room. There's just something magical about decking the halls.

The pumpkin door hanger has been taken down and replaced with this latest creation.

(You might see something similar to this on my etsy shop soon!)

It's made from sheet music, ribbon and a cloth flower that I made. It was beyond easy to put together.

This is the current centerpiece, but it will probably change.

I like it much better lit.

Decorating for Christmas doesn't have to be expensive or time-consuming. Here's a few ideas for making your home magical for the holidays: 

1. Put out a little greenery. Just a bit will make a big difference.

2. Hang stockings or wreaths on your bed frame

3. Make a wreath out of anything you have on hand...even old pictures!

4. Play with words. I love the idea of using Scrabble letters to evoke a holiday spirit. The possibilities are endless!

5. Display ornaments in a bowl for an easy centerpiece.

6. Frame a wreath.

7. Grab some branches from outside and arrange them on a mantle or bookshelf

8. Make a Christmas tree from pine cones. If you live in an apartment, this might be a better option that trying to accommodate a huge fir tree in your living room!

I can't wait to use some of these ideas in my own home for Christmas!

Happy decorating!

Winter

My soul has become languid

All passion lies dormant in my soul

Chilly winds have made me cold

Threatening to consume me whole

All growth has come to a halt

Layers of winter cover my heart

I have not kept the fire burning

I have wholly failed to do my part

Complacency has iced over me

And now I cannot leave

Comfort takes the place of sacrifice

I now do whatever I please

My fingers have become too numb

To even lift a finger to turn a page

Warmth and life are at their tips

But instead I choose the grave

But my God is a Consuming Fire

One touch and I am set ablaze

I melt in His glorious presence

My heart burns in His gaze

Now  I feel myself being swept away

Winter’s walls are being burnt down

I can see You clearly once more

My fervor for You again is found

May I not sink back again into winter

Keep the fire alive as I am on my face

Always kindle the ashes of my devotion

For I must not return to that listless place