Author: Kathleen

currently

pleased that I took the time to do a 3+ mile hike with a friend on Saturday.

dreaming of doing family hikes all over Texas starting with some in this book.

craving these bars that Erin posted about on Instagram…so much that I bought all the supplies to make them.

obsessed with the sampler patterns by Little House Needleworks.

planning to make my own holiday minibook this year.

brainstorming more breakfast ideas.

perfecting my Christmas and new baby wish lists.

searching for the perfect thrifted dresser.

realizing that I only have three more months of pregnancy (if I’m lucky) and I have hardly done a single thing to prepare.

cherishing every baby kick.

wondering when I’ll find time to do the 1-hour glucose tolerance test that I’m supposed to “drop by” for.

listening to this audiobook on my commute, which is perfect for October.

looking forward to our hill country getaway happening in two weeks.

missing a few of my best friends.

enjoying new and deepening friendships I’ve found through church.

needing to find a time for daily devotions again.

feeling happy.

October 28, 2013
quick takes

I don’t know how “quick” this will be today as I seem to have a lot on my mind but here we go. (Check out more quick takes here.)

one

This week has been super busy and work has been tough and I know this is true because I have been almost completely absent on social media, and also I have been eating horribly. I mean I don’t usually eat great but this week has been particularly bad. I guess I’m okay for breakfast and lunch, but then I’ve been snacking so much in the afternoons and dinner has just been fast food or nothing (mostly because of time constraints and lack of planning). Anyway, I feel gross and this weekend I am definitely getting back to meal planning.

two

Can someone explain to me how my baby turned into a real child with actual opinions? She doesn’t want to wear that shirt, she wants to wear the shirt with the “balls” (polka dots). She doesn’t want to put on her “boops” (boots) until we get to school. She doesn’t want to wear her “jackee” (jacket), she wants to hold it. She wants to color sitting on the ground, not at the table. She does NOT want you to even THINK about brushing her hair. And no no no – don’t look at her while she’s dancing, why would you do that?

Also, here is a new favorite pastime, “feeding” the dogs:

Usually the food ends up all over the living room. It’s a tradeoff on whether or not I’ll let her do this. I can’t stand the mess, but sometimes it’s worth it to get a few minutes of quiet time.

three

So I am still thinking about and making plans for the Christmas holidays even though it’s not even Halloween yet. Right now my thinking and planning is revolving around what format I want to do my December mini album. I did this for the first time last year following Ali Edwards‘ daily templates, and I loved the finished product but I did not like doing daily updates. This year I know for sure that I want to do a minibook but just fill it as I go, but I can’t decide whether I want to stick with a 4×6 chipboard album that I put together myself (like last year) or whether I want to try something like the Studio Calico handbook that is kind of like a mini Project Life. I’m just not sure if that will be overkill, but it might be easier to keep up with.

four

Speaking of Halloween, last weekend I was in a kids’ consignment store picking up some shoes for Meredith and I saw a ladybug costume and it took me about 5 seconds to snatch it. It’s a size 3T and I haven’t tried it on her yet, but I don’t think it’ll be a problem and I know it’s going to be super cute.

five

Stocking update (the left is what I’ve done, the right is what it should eventually look like):

All of Santa is done! Well, except for his floating left mitten. Right now I’m focusing on getting all the rest of the pieces embroidered and sequined and then I’m going to put them on in order. It’s going really well and I think it will be done in time.

six

I am slowly working my way through the Game of Thrones series (I know it’s not really called that, but that’s what everyone thinks of it as, and I can’t keep the rest of the names straight). It’s taking me forever because it’s super long and I read other books in between. Anyway, right now I’m in book 3 which is most people’s favorite and it’s really good, but I sure wish my favorite characters would quit being killed off.

seven

I am just so glad it’s Friday. This morning I had a new tube of mascara, I stopped at Starbucks for breakfast to treat myself, and I listened to an entire Nickel Creek album on my way to work which was so nice. Tomorrow morning I’m going on a hike with the ladies at church and then hopefully having a nice quiet weekend after that full of family time and crafting.

October 25, 2013
what i read : july to september 2013

I go through phases with my hobbies and right now reading is sort of on the backburner as I’m spending time crafting and fixing up the house, but with audiobooks and reading a little bit every day I still make progress. I have a feeling the last few months of the year will be even lighter on number of books read, but during the third quarter I managed nine. Here they are:

The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. LeGuin: Some really great fantasy here. Enjoyed the old characters and the new. (4 stars)

Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead: Smart and entertaining summery read. The characters are kind of tragic but also hopeful. (3 stars)

Insurgent by Veronica Roth : Liked it, maybe not quite as much as the first, but it’s still one of the better YA dystopian series I’ve read. (audiobook, 3 stars)

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver: Great writing and characterization as usual, but preachy and kind of boring. (2 stars; full review here)

The 7 Experiment by Jen Hatmaker: This was a Bible study and workbook as well, but I mostly just read it. I loved just about everything about it. Jen is funny and self-deprecating and approaches really serious, difficult topics in a completely non-judgmental way. It made me see that there is a lot about my life that I want to change, but it didn’t make me feel guilty because there is so much grace in here as well. I just saw opportunities for progress toward where I want to be when it comes to simplicity and cutting back on excess and being generous. I was inspired and uplifted and I will probably go back and reread it when I am prepared to challenge myself in a similar way that she did. (5 stars)

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin: Still really enjoying this series and am seriously hooked. (4 stars)

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein : Super good the whole way through but it picks up a LOT during the second half when some details are revealed. Portrait of a wartime friendship that was just heartbreaking and lovely. (audiobook, 4 stars)

You Are One Of Them by Elliott Holt: This story seemed straightforward but as it went on became more and more complicated and you realize there are secrets and spies and all kinds of possibilities. It got better in my mind the more I thought about it. (4 stars)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling: Reread this for the first time in nearly ten years and it was even better than I remembered. I definitely cried out of happiness at the end. (audiobook, 5 stars)

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart: A smart and fun YA book that featured a strong and ambitious female character. Enjoyed a great deal. (audiobook, 4 stars)

October 24, 2013
buffet, after

If you will indulge me for another day with more updates on a corner of my home I would appreciate it. :) I finally put just a little bit of effort into this buffet nook and it makes me much happier now when I pass by.

Recall that this is what the area looked like before. The paint improved things a lot but it still needed a change. Eventually I want to paint over all the green (I crave white walls) but that might not happen for a long time so for now this is good.

This area doesn’t get very good light (I had a fern here once before that died practically the next day) so I bought some fake plants and pots from IKEA and I actually think they look great. The wooden plate is something that we got on our honeymoon in Hawaii and the angel figure was a gift from a patient.

I stacked some magazines with a watering can on top, and then I figure this will be another place where I’ll change the decor with the seasons. For now I put some acorns and a candle in a bowl and set out a couple of mini pumpkins. I am a lazy decorator but I still think it’s cute.

I actually organized the upper and lower cabinets too, but they are nothing special. Up top has all of our vases, and below has games and extra kitchen/decor stuff.

Still looove my woven wall hanging.

Thanks for pretending to care and you may now return to your regularly scheduled week. :) Have a good one!

October 22, 2013
fall garland and mantel

I made a fall garland! It was one of my goals this month and I’m happy I pulled it off.

I had several ideas for types of garlands I wanted to make (and I do hope to get to the others eventually) but I knew I wanted it to be easy and I didn’t want to spend much money on it. One day on a walk I came across all these perfect pine cones and my mind was made up.

I already had the twine at home and I only had to pick up some screw eye hooks from Home Depot which were cheap and I have a bunch left over for other stuff now. I ended up using this basic method but I didn’t do the gold leaf. I think the hardest part of the whole project was measuring. I also recommend using garden gloves if your pine cones are prickly like mine were!

So after I hung my garland I wanted to make the whole mantel a little more fall-ish. But because I wanted to use what I have I just put up a couple of soup bowls that look like pumpkins and changed out one of my planters. I will be the first to admit that it is definitely missing something but this is the most fall decorating I have ever done so it is progress for me. :)

Yay! My plan is just to add at least one holiday decoration each year and eventually I will have a festive house for each occasion. So far so good!

October 21, 2013