Chapin

Gary and I were able to get away for a few days, so we headed down to South Carolina where we got to spend some time with both of our families.  We only had a few days, but we stayed a couple at Gary's house where we spent some much needed time soaking in the rays by the pool. We had a very relaxing time, laid back with no official plans. Hailey and Peyton, our niece and nephew kept us on our toes, we had so much fun with them! They are so sweet and loving! We went to the indoor shooting range with Gary's dad and shot off some hand gun rounds.... they did a little better than I.

We spent the last couple days at my house. Christina and Tom were in town with Landrie, my new niece who I have not blogged about before... she must have been born during one of my many blog dry spells. They are very happy and Landrie is much bigger than I remember her being only a few months ago when I first saw her in Colorado. Before you know it she will be heading off the Clemson to live in Lever!! :) We also got to see many close family friends as well as my Aunt Mary and cousin Lauren from Indianapolis. At my house we had a lot of rain, but on our last day we were able to go on the lake before heading home.

I know it is a lot of pictures, but pictures says 1,000 words... and I just don't have that much time. Love to all who read my blog!

guest bedroom...

Hello,

Gary and I did not paint our bedroom this weekend. We did however, paint out guest bedroom. As indecisive as we are we have still not chosen a specific color for our own room. We are getting closer though. Since we already had some paint for this guest bedroom we went ahead with that.

Our friends from Gary's work came over last night to help us, Aaron and Emily! These are the same friends who helped us to move into the house. We promised them eventually we would have them over and they wouldn't have to work on the house, haha. Anyway, with four people working we got that thing knocked out in no time. Gary wet sanded the spackling (trick courtesy of Randy Spatharos), Aaron trimmed out the top of the walls with paint, and Emily and I painted the baseboards and rolled the walls! It was so fast, Gary and I would have taken over twice as long to get it done ourselves, so we are very grateful to them! While the boys finished up some detail work, Emily and I went downstairs to make dinner.

This morning, Gary and I went to finish up a little more detail painting and then we put everything back in the room. I say "everything" like there was a lot in there. This is not true, basically we put the bed back in. Haha, but while my sisters were here over Christmas break we did pick out some bedding, side tables (or plant holders), lamp shades for some old lamps, and some picture frames. So I was able to put all that out to "finish" the room. Of course, it still needs blinds/curtains and I haven't bought pillows for the shams or cases yet, but I must say it is looking pretty good.

Some of the pictures turned out pretty dark, but the green is actually a light light green called "Belle Grove Valley Fog" by Valspar. It is part of their National trust for Historic Preservation collection. The paint used in the kitchen was from the same collection. Anyway, that is neither here nor their. Hope you enjoy the pictures!


Sorry, no light bulb in the other lamp yet, haha. Lamps courtesy of Brandy McNeillie. Also, in hopes of saving money I bought "plant stands" as bedside tables. $15 vs. $50 (at least)




Gary would like to call this his "mint chocolate chip" room. ^

wine, women and words....

One of the best Christmas gifts I got this year was a cookbook.... and not just your regular kind. The kind made of all the best recipes of all the best women! A while back my mom and her friends formed a book club and a great sisterhood formed as well. This year they put together a book of recipes that have been famous among their own families or famous amongst the whole sisterhood to disperse to daughters, friends, and "those who they love." Lucky am I to receive one!



So, the first recipe I cooked from it was Eggplant Parmesan, a recipe from Marilyn. Delicious! Look for more recipes from the "Wine Women and Words Cookbook."










And now a days, what blog post wouldn't be complete without a picture of Copper :)
I thought this blurry one of Copper chasing Gary was funny... makes him look crazy!









This is a picture of Copper sleeping with his head in his water bowl... don't worry, it was empty so no chances of a drowning.

picture update...

I haven't blogged in quite a while, so I figured the best way to update everyone would be just a picture update. Otherwise this would be a very VERY long blog. So here is what the pictures indicate: our visit from David, our finished stockings, our first kinda big snow (4inches), new carpet installation, baking with my new stand mixer! (buckeyes of course), visit from Amanda and Christina, and baking Gary's birthday cake (late).

he's here, he's here....

Our nephew, Peyton Kyle was born the morning of November 15th. 9lbs 2oz, and 21 inches!! what a monster! :) Needless to say, I'm not sure if the baby cocoon I made for him will be big enough. Maybe it can stretch! haha. We cannot wait to get home next week for Thanksgiving so we can meet him!

Hailey, our niece is already becoming the best big sister!