another project

I meant to take house pictures this weekend to show the progress (and to show the house with our stuff actually in it).  However, that didn't get done.  But I do have a little sneak peak of the dining room.  Currently, the only thing in it is the table I have had since I moved away from home (it was my parents' old kitchen table).  I like the shape and size, hate the color.  I hated the color before, but now I really hate it since it matches the floors.  I need some contrast.  Here's a picture...

I'm wanting to sand the top of the table and stain it a darker color.  I would stain the whole thing, but I think trying to sand those legs is going to be more effort than it's worth.  So, I will probably end up painting them white.  I'm hoping they look like this...

Source

Then there's the chairs.  I originally thought about painting them a bright color or each one a different color.  (Mentioned here.)  However, now I'm thinking about doing that in the kitchen instead.  So, what color to paint the dining chairs?  White? gray? Green? 

I'm planning on taking on the table top first and then going from there.  I figure I'll get a better vision as I go along.  Now if it would just stop raining so I can get started!

p.s. We bought a pint paint sample today to make sure we like the color we picked for the living room/dining area/hallway.  I can't wait!  I know it's going to make such a huge difference.

cookies

Since I got a pretty new stand mixer for Christmas, we decided to put it to work making some cookies.  We bought the Martha Stewart cookie cookbook since I love the cupcake one so much!  Today we made our first batch.  We chose Grammy's Chocolate cookies. (find the recipe here.)  They turned out well.  Although, I had some trouble with the bottom rack burning the cookies. 

I am soo happy about my mixer.  You just turn it on and go!  My arms weren't sore from holding the mixer up, a whole new world has been opened to me.  :)

I'm also so happy that I ended up with the darker yellow.  I stood in the store for about 20 minutes trying to decide which color (we bought a refurbished one, so my color choices were limited) and I love it!

Do you have a stand mixer?  Did it revolutionize your life baking?

a messy pantry

I love our kitchen.  It's a good size and doesn't need any work.  However, one of my complaints is the pantry space.  There isn't much upper cabinet space, so there isn't a lot of places to put glasses, food, spices etc.  So what I'm using as a pantry right now is where the wall oven used to be when the house was built.  It is really deep and tall, but doesn't have any shelves so the space just isn't being used efficiently.  Here is what it looks like right now....

It's so hard for me to reach the things in the back, or even see what's back there!  I've looked a lot of places for organization.  I've thought about adding a shelf, baskets, or sliding drawers.  I've also thought about adding adhesive cork board squares to the doors to keep recipes, lists, etc.  Any suggestions are welcome!  Once I get it together I will try to update with pictures. 

bargain hunting

This weekend Michael and I were quite the bargain hunters.  We were searching for living furniture for cheap.  Since our wedding over 3 and half years ago, the only furniture that we have bought was our bedroom suite.  Other than that we haven't really bought much.  (I take that back, we got a $10 coffee table at a thrift store.)  We went around to come liquidation and resale shops.  We saw some things, but nothing that really screamed BUY ME. However, I started trollng Craigslist and we really lucked out.  First, we found a brown wingback chair for $40!  I have been wanting a wingback chair for a long time.  The trouble is that they are SOO expensive.  This one is barely used.  I woouldn't have picked this color, but I'm going to make it work for a while.  A colorful pillow, different wall color, a new ottoman, and colorful curtains will help it out a lot.  I figured, it's brown, so it's going to match a lot of colors.  Someday I may get it recovered, but for now I'm loving the find!  Here's what it looks like in our living room currently.

We got the chair Saturday.  Then today I happened to get on Craigslist again and found another great buy.  It's a gray-brown sofa!  I had actually already found this exact sofa at a local store and told Michael about it.  It's a great color and comfortable.  The owner bought it about a year ago and then moved in with her boyfriend who already had a couch.  It's barely used as well.  We got it for half price! I'm hoping it looks good with the chair. (If not, we will get creative.... we can also move the chair to another room.) Here's a picture of it from the website.  We won't get it until this weekend, so it's not in the house currently.

Source: roomstogo.com via Michelle on Pinterest

What we still have to buy for the living room:

TV

TV stand

pillows

curtains

wall paint

entry table

wall art

ottoman

Hopefully we can find some deals for those too! 

Ornamental

Warning: this post is waaaaay outdated.

Every year we get a new Lenox ornament.  Since this was our first Christmas in our new home, I bought a personalized "First Christmas in our New Home" ornament.  We didn't have a tree this year, so I'm looking forward to putting it up next year. I didn't get the best picture of it, but you can basically see what it looks like.  This is our 4th Lenox ornament, which means our 4th Christmas as a married couple.

 I also bought Michael a Georgia Tech ornament.  We have several Arkansas ornaments, which go with Christmas colors a little bit more, but I decided we needed a GT one too.  (We'll have to find a special place for it, so that it doesn't stand out too badly on the tree.)

One last ornament I added to the collection this year was one that I made.  It is in honor of our half marathon.  Such an accomplishment deserves a yearly reminder!  I wrote 13.3 with red glitter on one side and then 2011 on the other.

Looking at these ornaments together it looks like my tree would be a total modge-podge, but I swear most of the ornaments are just red and green and look cohesive. 

So I know everyone has already put their decorations away for the season, but did you get any new ornaments?

last day of freedom.

Today is my last day of freedom.  It's back to early mornings and work tomorrow.  ugh!  Michael had to go back to work Monday and I have been running around trying to get everything done that needs to be done in the next couple of months.  I have gotten a haircut (picture to come), checked out of our apartment, cleaned every bit of the house, returned some gifts, bought some things for the house, etc. 

Source: darlingmagazine.org via Michelle on Pinterest

Today I am going to my first power yoga class, eating lunch with a friend, and then doing a little shopping.  I also hope to blog about how the house is coming along and to get some advice on my pantry space!  It should be a great day!  I'm a little nervous that I'm going to die during yoga.  Luckily, a friend is going with me, so I have a little support.

Resoluting in 2012

During our 11 hour drive back from Arkansas Friday I thought about what my 2012 resolutions would be.  I try to make them measurable and attainable (a carry-over from my TFA days).  I know that many people think that resolutions are silly and pointless.  For me, they are a way to keep focused.  I write them in the front pages of my planner and mark them off as the year goes on.  I will share some of my resolutions/goals for 2012, but some I keep to myself (and my planner) because I'm just not ready to share them or want just anyone to read.  2011 was full of activity (moving twice, starting new jobs, buying a car, etc.)  I'm praying that 2012 may be a little more stable and calm.  But, only god knows what this year will have in store for us!

So, here are my goals for the year:

Run a 5k in less than 30 minutes (a carry-over from 2011)

Find a place to volunteer or get more involved in church

read at least 12 books

go to a yoga class every other week (if I like the class I'm going to try out)

take a big vacation (destination-unknown)

sew 6 things

host a party

get our house organized and get rid of clutter

establish a better work/life balance

enjoy this stage of life and try not to stress about getting to another one (this one is not measureable, but I need it as a reminder)
start a garden

I hope your 2012 has started off wonderfully!