Friday Favorites-For the Home

I promise that I will not always have such themed blog posts as I have this week. I'm dreaming of sprucing up our apartment, and these are some things I'm loving lately from some of my favorite shops. 

Embroidery Hoop Art from Blossom & Vine

Serving Bowls from Tilly's Touch

Rocky Top Tennessee 8x10 Print by Mandipidy

Psalm 91 Mixed Media Print from Naptime Diaries

 

64 Sunny Day Ln House Pillow Cover from Olive Handmade

Hope you all have a great weekend.  I'll be hanging out with my favorite niece (among other favorite in-laws). 

Thankful on a Monday

Happy Monday!
This past weekend was one of my favorites in a really long time.  This is the first weekend in as long as I can remember where we didn't really have anything planned.  Oh, how wonderful!  Here are some things I'm thankful for on this Monday:

• Rest.  I took a nap on both Saturday and Sunday.  I can't remember the last time I took an afternoon nap.  It was seriously a treat.
• Renewed Inspiration.  While I spent some time sewing some custom order this weekend, I had re-runs of the old TLC show "Take Home Chef" playing.  There was something about people being taught to create yummy meals from scratch that really had my creative mind buzzing.  It's funny to me how watching a cooking show made me dream of pretty fabric pairings.  
• Cheeseburger in Paradise with Nate's parents.  YUMMMMMMM.
• Clean Laundry.  We share a washer and dryer with the three other apartments in our building, so I try to wait to do laundry until I can be home for a large amount of time.  Silly people taking our wet clothes out of the washer.  I was SO thankful to have the weekend at home to wash every single bit of laundry in our apartment.  It's the little things, y'all.  
• Time with Nate Dubs.  Love this guy, seriously.  We watched silly movies, played games, and just enjoyed each other's company.  
• Sunday Morning in the OC.  Our church is partnering with a small church about 40 min away.  Nate preached there on Sunday, and it was such a sweet time.  The people there are SO kind and hospitable.  They actually really remind me of a bunch of sweet Tennessee folk to be honest.  Love them.  
• Nate preaching.  Love it.
• Haircut.  Like at least six inches.  I can get ready for work in like 30 min now and it's awesome!  Also, Nate doesn't have to hear be fuss about my knotted mane. 

What a sweet, wonderful gift of a weekend.  Now, I've GOT to start remembering to take pictures!

Hannah Day (Week) Re-cap

I wanted to write a few things about my birthday this year before I forgot.
I had a sweet time celebrating my golden birthday this year (24 on the 24th).
I'm so thankful for sweet co-workers, friends, and family that made my day extra special.  
Here's the celebration breakdown from last week:

-In-laws took me to lunch on Monday (they were out of town for b-day weekend, and that was the only mealtime we had free last week)
-My boss took me to lunch on Tuesday at our local Mediterranean place-yum!
-Friday night-Nate took me to Chick Fil A and to see The Hunger Games
-Saturday-My parents and sister came into town for a couple days, and sweet friends Mike and Jewel drove over from Louisville for the day.  We went for a fun walk around downtown Newburgh, stopped at the country store for a glass bottle Coke, chatted aplenty, and ate dinner at my new favorite Mexican restaurant.  To end the night, we had cake and ice cream, and I clobbered beat my family in a game of Rummy.

I had a great birthday this year.  I only wish I would have taken pictures!  I must get better at this whole documenting our lives thing.  Good thing a blog is motivation for that.  :)

P.S. Most days I still feel 18 which is good and bad at the same time.

Date Night

Hubs and I have been together since the beginning of 2008, and we have always attempted to treasure time set aside for just the two of us.  It's been a tricky thing to figure out for us, as far as time and finances go.  I know that once we begin to grow our family, we'll have to reassess a few things, but I wanted to share a few date ideas with you.

1. Shoot to have a consistent time for dates.  We've tried weekends before, and that does not work for us, as something usually comes up that we don't really want to miss.  For now, we're sticking with Tuesday nights.  Sometimes our weeks are so slammed, that we might have to miss a week or two, but we both understand that we should try to protect Tuesdays as much as possible. 
2. A date does not have to revolve around a meal.  We have been able to save quite a few pennies by not limiting ourselves to the idea that a date has to include dinner out.  Lately I have been trying to reserve the easiest meal for date night, whether it be a crockpot meal, leftovers, or something I can prep in advance.  It's great to not have to spend the energy cooking, and to not have to spend the money on a meal out.  If food is involved in a date, we usually go for coffee or dessert for a much cheaper outing. 
3. Utilize God's creation.  We love walks together in our neighborhood, and even though it's something we do most days when the weather is nice, a walk is usually incorporated in our date night somehow.  We have found that some of our best conversations have taken place while we are on a walk.  We don't usually take our phones, and it's a great time to talk about life without distractions.  We talk about homes (or dogs) that we see in our neighborhood, and the things that we like about each one. 
4. Check out local universities for concerts, plays, or art exhibits.  I was a music major for a few years in college, so for some of our dates in those days, Nate would go with me to recitals and concerts.  We recently started back this tradition at a local university.  The events are almost always FREE, and we usually feel so very classy when we leave. 
5. Support church members in their hobbies.  Since we work with the teens at out church, we love to support them in activities they are participating in.  We have been to all sorts of sporting events, recitals, concerts, or plays.  Though we usually sit with family members of the students, it still feels like a date of sorts, and we always have fun watching the students in their elements. 

I think I'll stop there, since this is getting fairly long.  Hope some of these tips help!   What are some of your favorite date ideas.  Tonight, we're walking a few blocks to a local restaurant for a $5 french press for two.  Can't wait!

Handmade Black Friday (TONS of sales, HUGE discounts!!)

You can click on any picture to visit the shop. Please be sure to read ALL of the sale information below each ad before making a purchase. Happy shopping! 
  Use code BLACKFRIDAY25 for 25% off. EXPIRES: 12/3 Plus, get a free gift with purchase for orders over $30. SHOP Along for the Ride NOW! 
  Use code BLACKFRIDAY20 for 20% off. EXPIRES: 11/27 SHOP Apearantly Sew NOW!    Use code HOLIDAY for free shipping and a free gift (yoyo pin) with purchase. EXPIRES: 12/17 SHOP Folding Chair Designs NOW!   Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 30% off. EXPIRES: 11/30 SHOP Han Made Things NOW!   Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 25% off. EXPIRES: 11/27 SHOP Kristin's Kreations NOW!   Use code BLACKFRIDAY15 for 15% off. Or get 30% off a purchase of $70 or more! (additional discount refunded via paypal after purchase) EXPIRES: 11/28 SHOP Mandipidy NOW!   Use code HOLIDAYWISHES for 20% off Moonbeam Wishes (stationary shop) Use code SEASONSGREETINGS for free shipping at Dear Moonbeams (embroidery shop) EXPIRES: 12/3 SHOP Moonbeam Wishes NOW! SHOP Dear Moonbeams NOW!   Use code BLACKFRIDAY for free shipping. EXPIRES: 11/29 SHOP Moxie Mandie NOW!  Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 20% off. EXPIRES: 11/27 SHOP Petunia Blooms NOW!   Use code HOLIDAY40 for 40% off. EXPIRES: 11/28 SHOP Pink Lemonade NOW!   Use code BLACKFRIDAY for 20% off. SHOP Pretties By Meg NOW!  Use code HOLIDAY15 for 15% off. Every purchase $45 and over gets a free 5x7 print of choice! (a $14 value! please see rules and regulations below to see if you qualify) EXPIRES: 11/28 RULES and REGULATIONS: To qualify for free 5x7 print of choice the items in your cart must total $45 before shipping fees. If you apply your 15% off coupon code to your purchase then your order must total $45 before shipping fees AND after you apply the 15% off. If purchase is less than $45 after you apply your 15% off then you are not eligible for 5x7 print. Please leave a note in the "notes to the seller" box at check out letting me know which print you would like made into a 5x7. Offer excludes all customizable work (including blog design, logo design and customizable prints) SHOP Yellow Heart Art NOW!   Use code BLACKFRIDAY30 for 30% off. EXPIRES: 11/26 SHOP Yes Teacher NOW!

Find Me Here

So, I'm hanging out with some great sponsors at a handful of blogs this month.  I would love if you stopped by to visit each of these lovely ladies' online homes.  I'm so thankful for the inspiration I find on each of their blogs everyday.  And I have loved advertising to their equally wonderful readers.  Take a look:

The Flash Known as October

Seriously? October is over? I love fall. It's my absolute favorite season. I wish that I had been a little more prepared for October, but it was plenty enjoyable regardless of how prepared I was. Here's a little glimpse at what we have been up to the past month:

We sat, with tears in our eyes, as three of the youth shared with the church about most recent adventures in telling others about Jesus. We are entirely, wonderfully blessed daily by all of the teenagers in our youth group.  We are thankful for the chance to watch the Lord grow in them.

A majority of Nate's job at the seminary we work at is to make connections with people doing ministry in the community.  Every October for the past three years, he has put together a mini-conference to provide encouragement to specifically youth ministers/leaders/volunteers.  I've had the privilege of helping with the registration table every year, and I must say, this year was the best yet.  I love getting the chance to watch Nate in action as he seeks to provide an environment where leaders can be refreshed and grow in friendship with each other as they reach the community.

We went on a rainy night coffee date at the coffee shop inside our grocery store.  They have a cozy little seating section that's hardly ever crowded.  We talked about the future, both distant and near, and dreamed a little.  'Twas a lovely evening.  

 

 

We spent part of a Saturday at an old county store near our apartment.  Nate picked a HUGE pumpkin and I picked a deep maroon mum.

A few other things:

-we, with a group of people from our church, helped with games and snacks at Family Night at our local Y.

-we had our share of car troubles, but the Lord really provided in ways we never could of expected.

-we checked Home Improvement seasons 2-4 out of the library (free-that's wassup) and we've watched those during our lunch hour.  So fun!!

-and I've been spending a great amount of my evening time sewing, sewing, sewing.  You can find a bunch of the new items in the shop.  Today only use code WHATNOVEMBER for 15% off your order. 

I'm not gonna lie, I'm not really a Halloween person, so I'm glad that November is here, even though I'm in shock.  This year has seriously FLOWN by.  I'm really going to take time to savor November, and not think about all the snow that is likely to come in my very near future.  Happy Tuesday, everyone.