What does your real beauty look like?

*Disclaimer this might be the most political I have ever gotten on a subject here in my happy place. 

I struggle with confidence on a daily basis. It is either my hair getting flatter, my pants getting tighter, my cheeks getting fuller, my artistic work just being lost in the masses and not special enough to stand out....blah, blah, blah. Seriously. 

Every. Single. Day.

I am not saying this as a pity party or an invitation for compliments. It isn't about that. It isn't that I don't get complimented. I don't think that is the issue for most of us. It isn't that my husband doesn't tell me I'm beautiful, because he does probably every day. It is just some warped thing in my head that is probably in your head at least part of the time too. 

Am I right? 

That is why this video struck such a chord with me when a friend shared it on Facebook. I am not usually one to share things like this, but it is something I feel everyone, especially women, can relate to in some way. 

Just like everything out there, there are critics [here and here for example] and those that mock this idea or say it was the fault of the "useless" sketch artist. Okay, so maybe most of the women were Caucasian. Honestly I didn't notice because race is not the first thing I notice about a person. Maybe because it doesn't matter? And okay, so maybe most of the things they didn't like about themselves involved weight, and maybe they emphasized "thin as beauty" encouraging the same ideas as our current culture...more blah, blah. So maybe that is true, but isn't that the real issues that real women struggle with? I know I am not an obese cow, but I do feel fat most days [just ask the mister]. I am not saying whose fault it is or that anyone should tell me I'm not, but I do feel like it is silly to criticize this ad for focusing on weight because you have struggled with your own body image. That is the whole point! Everyone does! But I digress...

It isn't the final drawings that impacted me the most in this video. It was the words the ladies used to describe themselves and mostly the way those words obviously made them feel. I know the words that I would have used to describe myself would not have resulted in anything I would want to see. 

What would your words be? 

Yeah, sure Dove is a company, and yeah this is just a marketing tool. But for me this didn't make me want to go out and buy Dove soap. It just made me realize a few truths about myself. A few truths that needed recognizing. I am actually going to try to take this one with me and remember these things when I am criticizing myself. I am going to try a little harder to look at myself as others see me. And maybe, just maybe, the next time my husband tells me I am beautiful...I just might believe him. 

xoxo,

Katie

Dreaming big

Lately I have been doing a lot of dreaming. Don't get me wrong! I have so much to be thankful for! We have a cozy home, and I have a husband who lets me do whatever I want to it [Thank you, mister]. I have a fun job that has taught me new skills and brought me friendships that I never could have imagined. I belong to a wonderful church where I leave uplifted every week. I have a fabulously not-so-fabulous life, and this only makes me more excited to dream about all the future may hold for us. Some of the things I see when dreaming of our future together are:

• making a new-to-us home together in the country-I dream of a big garden and hearing nothing but crickets in our back yard
• chickens in the yard-I really want chickens and fresh eggs...preferably in an adorable coop.  
• kiddos running barefoot-though we aren't quite ready for this step I look forward to dirty little feet and giggles running about
• fresh wildflowers on the table...picked from our backyard 
• my guy having a "9-5:00" kind of job so that we can spend every weeknight and every weekend making memories 
• finding a place with my creative endeavors where I no longer seek the praise of others but am satisfied with myself

Some people might not consider these "big" dreams, but they are mine. Every now and then I think about how I could have chosen a different major and have a "real" job. But then I snap out of it and realize that I am right where I am supposed to be. I am not a "real" job kind of girl. My dreams have never been to have a demanding corporate job. For some time now I have envisioned me staying home to raise a family, and I am so thankful for a husband who is supportive of that dream. I am also thankful for the skills that I developed in college that continue to fuel my creative drive, and I look forward to finding out where this leads me in the future. 

It is dreaming about the future and reminding ourselves of our currents blessings that helps us through the less than desirable seasons in life. As I struggle to get everything done at home, I am thankful for that home and for a gratifying job with a boss whom I love wholeheartedly. When the mister and I are only able to greet each other in passing [our work schedules are often perfect opposites], I am thankful for a hardworking husband who is willing to sacrifice in order to better provide for our future. When I feel overwhelmed I remind myself that my worries are few. We have so much to look forward to, but we also have much to be thankful for in the present. It is easy to get overwhelmed and feel like it is all a waiting game, but [just like we discussed in Sunday school class today], God is at work even in conflict or difficult times. We just don't always see it until the struggle is over. I know He is preparing us for something great, and I am super pumped for it. 

[I made this free printable to share. Just click the image, download, save, and print!]

All this dreaming and waiting and hurrying and trying to be thankful are things I have been dealing with all week, and I am celebrating today that I feel more peaceful about it all than I have in some time. My mister is at work, and I miss him. I still have tons of unfinished projects, and there is dirt in every corner of my house right now. But getting down to basics, we are blessed. The rest is just clutter in our lives, and this week I will try to be thankful for it all. 

Linking up with Rebecca over at Simple As That for Simple Thing Sunday.

xoxo,

Katie

Ashley and Allison: Senior Portrait Session

Some of you might already know that I have not been scheduling regular sessions this year. I have taken a bit of a break from it, and while I do miss being behind the camera, it has been good for my sanity with everything else going on. I still have lots of projects when I get home from work, and I know that there is just no way that I could juggle it all. However, I could not turn down the chance to do a senior portrait session with these fun twins. I took their brother's senior portraits a few years back. Their dad was one of my principals in high school and is now the superintendent. He is such a great guy with a big heart, and you definitely see that in these girls. They were so fun and so sweet. I am thankful for the opportunity to capture the bond between them at such a special time in their lives. 

We had a crazy hectic afternoon, but they were great. I wish these sweet girls the best of luck! 

xoxo,

Katie  

to-do, to-do, to-do

My to-do list is getting a little out of hand. These are some of the things I need to do [not counting laundry, dishes, etc.]. 

finish Mary's graphite drawing

charcoal Twiggy drawing for Marina

Lisa's painting

finish Cassie's two small paintings

Rosemary's painting

prints for Pat

painting for Pat

drawing for Grandma

Emily's photo edits

Green twins' photo edits

What do I want to do? Snuggle on the couch with my mister and watch a movie. Maybe go on a leisurely date that doesn't involve stopping for milk...the kind where we just look at things we don't need and hold hands and talk about the things we didn't finish discussing on our way out the door to our busy days...

We have not done this nearly enough lately, and I am missing my time with him. However, I know all of his hard work will pay off someday. Thankfully that day is getting closer all the time.

Friday night I started to get overwhelmed with all the things we have had going on this week and the growing list of things I have to do. I was doing laundry and working on my to-do list, all while just wanting to go to bed after an 11 hour day at work. Then I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. My guy drove 3 hours to a job interview Thursday. Friday he worked until 10:30 after a full day of classes, and and went back to work Saturday, after doing homework that morning. Okay so, overwhelmed might have been an understatement.

 Then I looked up above my desk and saw this.

This simple reminder calmed my frazzled nerves. I realized that I don't have to compare our burdens. We share the same ones, and we have nothing to worry about. We have so much to be thankful for, and our troubles are few. Sure, we have a lot on our plates right now, but God will reveal his plan for us. I just hope I slow down enough to see it.

If you need me, I will be in the basement painting.

xoxo,
Katie 

Successful Sunday

Tonight there are projects unfinished, shoes in my living room floor, and mugs with only the remnants of hot chocolate. I did not complete my to-do list or even a few things on it, but I went to church, picked what is probably the last of my zinnias, cooked lunch for my husband, and watched a Christmas movie with him. I think this was a successful Sunday. 

These are the simple things I love. 

xoxo,

Katie

Busy week, busy life.

I am bummed that I have not been able to post in a week, but holy smokes it has been so busy! Halloween was crazy at the bakery. We did a rough count, and I know I cut and iced nearly 800 sugar cookies in 3 days! Not to mention the cakes and other things we did. I also helped this little lady put her costume together, and I could not have been more pleased with the way it turned out. I used the wig tutorial from the girls over at A Beautiful Mess, and it worked great! The dress is one of my shirts with a long sleeved shirt underneath, the tights are from WalMart, she already had the apron, and the shoes are just her every day shoes. I added the ribbon to her shoes, and I used pinking shears to cut a wide strip of gingham for the bow at her neck. So easy, and it just might be is definitely my favorite costume ever. I just can't get enough of it.

Thursday night the mister and I handed out candy at the bakery for the Downtown Trick or Treat event, followed by Chinese for dinner and squeezing in as much time together as possible before I headed to AR Friday morning. I made probably the best time ever on my way down, and had time to have a cookie with my favorite baby [who isn't really a baby anymore] before heading out for a senior portrait session. Phew! It was a jam packed day, and I will be sharing more about the senior session [and the adventure that was] in a later post. Overall it was a fun time with gorgeous twin ladies, and I am so thankful for the opportunity to capture such a fun and special time in their lives.

Unfortunately, I was so busy that I didn't get to share my post for Simple Things Sunday. I hope I am not breaking a rule by sharing late.

As for today...after waking early, making the six hour drive back home, doing several loads of laundry and sorting through lots of images for editing...it is time to call it quits. 

xoxo,

Katie

Happy Birthday, Sandy!

Today is the birthday of one of the sweetest women I know, and I am blessed to say that she is my mother-in-law. I am blessed to have such a good relationship with her, and I am so thankful for her.

I had been thinking for weeks about what we could get her for a gift, and I knew she had mentioned wanting to get some tulip bulbs. I also knew that it would be fun for her to pick out the colors she wanted, so the mister decided to just give her money. I am more of a gift giver, not a money giver, but it is his momma. However, I couldn't stand to just stick money in a card.

I had this cute little clip board and notepad that I picked up for her from Michael's earlier. I wish I would have gotten one for myself since I realized when I got home that I had only paid $.75 for it! It worked perfectly for what I had in mind. I gathered the clipboard and notepad, twine, natural "branch" pencil from a previous purchase, the most perfect-for-someone birthday card I have ever found, and some ribbon. I also took the cash that he wanted to insist she use for tulips and made a cute little packet using one of my hand drawn floral designs, some ribbon, and a plastic bag.

Attach the pencil with the twine, stack it all up, tie with a bow...and viola! I thought it turned our pretty darn cute and much more fun than just a card with money in it.

Last night we celebrated a bit with dinner and, of course, cake. She always makes sure that everyone gets a birthday cake for their birthday, and I wanted hers to be extra special. You see, if anyone ever appreciated pretty things as much as I do, it is Sandy. I knew she would appreciate any cake, but if I could spruce it up a little...even better.

Good news. She loved it.

It was a fun time, and I am so glad we had the dinner. While it was nothing special, I could tell it meant a lot to her. It helped to make her birthday weekend special. We had leftover cake today, and she was tickled over her tulip money. She is a special lady, and I am thankful for her. I hope she felt the love behind these simple gestures. I hope she knows how much she means to us all.

Linking up with with Rebecca at Simple as That.

xoxo,

Katie

Free Printable: To-do list

So today while I was working on about a million things with a million other things on my list and another half a million running around in my mind, I decided I should make a new kind of to-do list. I always have a list a mile long, but I thought I would divide it up into sections. Now I have a list of things I need to get to as soon as possible, things that need to be done but are not urgent, and things I would like to accomplish but only if I have time for it. I am thinking this will come in really handy for me and maybe for you too. That is why I want to share it with you!

Just click the word below, and the document will open. Select the down arrow on the top left of the screen to download the file and save it for printing. Click and download them all if you like!

[green]          [orange]           [purple]

I hope this is helpful for you all as well. Let me know if you download. I would love to hear how you are using yours! 

xoxo,

Katie 

[Simple] Lampshade Makeover

It has been a busy week, so I haven't had a lot of time to work on projects around the house. I have several art pieces to work on right now, so personal projects will be put aside for a bit. However, I was browsing some older photos recently, and I came across this project. I wasn't blogging at the time, but it is one of my favorite projects. And the best part...it was so simple! 

Here is the breakdown: I started with a blah, cheap floor lamp from Target [I think]. The shade was loose and terrible. To replace it I used a super lightweight birdcage I had left over from our wedding decor. I removed the shade, and had to elevate the cage so I painted a pencil white and jammed it in the open metal piece where the shade screwed on. [Note: Some sort of rigging or McGyvering is usually involved in my projects] Luckily it fit perfectly, and I drilled a hole [not all the way through] the inside, top of my birdcage. Next I used scrap lace and fabric to weave in and out of the cage, and ta-da! That is it!

Usually I change things a lot around here, but this has remained since I complete the project in April. I don't see it going anywhere soon! Also, I was noticing some of my favorite projects around the house that I never shared so I might have a new weekly post ahead. Stay tuned!

 Happy Sunday! 

 xoxo, 

Katie

Handy Danny

I don't know how many people know this, but my dad is one talented guy. He is my go-to for help on any hardcore projects or when I have a dumb question about a simple project. He built the oak desk that I am sitting at now for me for Christmas years ago, and I will cherish it forever. [I would share a photo, but my office is a disaster zone, and you can barely even see the desk...maybe some other time.] He made Georgie an incredible, cedar toy box for her birthday. He helped with made all my "canvases" for my senior project in college. 

 [December 2012: via instagram]

There are numerous other projects that I could mention, but I feel like you can't even appreciate them unless you understand the time and love he puts into everything he does. Sometimes I tend to want to rush him with shortcuts about things like filling nail holes or one last pass with the sander, but he is a perfectionist. I know this is where I inherited the trait when I am working on a project. 

Last week after he finished making Georgie's toy box he just whipped up some cedar trays [like it is no big deal] for the women in the family. I am torn because I want to keep mine readily accessible so I can use it, but it looks so pretty on display. 

 

Some of my favorite childhood memories with my daddy are of helping him in his shop. He would help my brother and sister and I to make each other homemade Christmas gifts when we were little. Sometimes we would just go out there and hang out while he worked on a project. I would sweep up the sawdust while he worked. He is one handy guy, and I am thankful for every one of his creations and for the lessons he taught me in taking pride in my work. 

xoxo,

Katie

A Caramel Apple First

I love Fall. It is definitely my favorite time of year. I get so excited about all things Fall [except spiders...I HATE spiders]. But you give me pumpkin spice candles, leaves, boots, and sweaters...all stereotypical Fall things, and I am a happy girl. However, one Fall-ish thing I have never done is make caramel apples. I honestly don't know if I have ever even eaten a caramel apple before this year. I know...don't judge. 

I mentioned in this post that my sweet husband heard me casually mention that I would like to give making caramel apples a try and brought home the makings. It was not a cart full of items required to make homemade caramel and all that jazz. Nope. It was a package of 5 caramel discs that you wrap around your apples, insert the included stick, and heat in the oven for 5 minutes. Boom. Caramel apples.

 

 My mister knows me well. I might have big dreams, but committing to making legit caramel apples is not on my to-do list for a Wednesday night when there is a pile of dishes, 4 piles of laundry, and I have been gone for almost a week. 

Despite the question of our caramel apples' legitimacy, we enjoyed making them together. It was just the ticket. We don't have a lot of time at home together right now, but he knew I would want us to have this experience together. I love that guy. 

And while we are on the subject of caramel apples...how do people eat these at fairs and public events? I ate one at my house, and I felt like I needed a shower afterwards. It was the stickiest mess ever. I felt a little justified in my avoidance of them until now...though it was delicious, and I am about to have another one.

Feeling grateful for the simple things such as these and linking up with Simple As That.

xoxo, 

Katie

How to: Natural Fall Wreath

Being a big fan of doing-it-myself, of course I am a big fan of a good tutorial. I am not sure how great this one will be, but I thought I would try to share how I created this cute wreath for my door using things that were just lying around my house and yard.

The possibilities for this wreath are endless, so the supplies can be whatever you have available. This is what I used: styrofoam wreath, fabric scraps, hot glue gun and glue sticks, [actual] sticks, dead hydrangea heads, leaves, cornstalk heads, weedy grass, dead asparagus plant, and ornamental grass.

You could also use a grapevine wreath for an even more rustic look. I already had this one lying around, and I wanted mine to contrast with my door. If you have a white door the grapevine would look great! Other options for natural items are: acorns, pine cones, bark, dried zinnias [or any flower], moss, any kind of leaves, grass or berries. I am going to try to find some feathers to add to mine!

I really only had a very loose plan for mine when I started. I just built it up one layer at a time, arranging it different ways to make sure I was satisfied before gluing. My wreath was already wrapped with strips of a cream-colored fabric, and I just added the green strips to get started. 

First I attached a couple of sticks and some dried leaves as a base. 

Next I gathered my small "bouquets" of some weedy grass, cornstalk heads, and ornamental grass and joined the pieces together with twist ties. This made it much easier to attach rather than attaching each individual piece. Also, when attached individually they don't have that bunched look of a bouquet. 

This must be where I got excited and just went crazy because I stopped taking photos of my progress. Oops. That is why I have never done tutorials for my projects. I don't usually like stopping long enough to document the steps. Basically I attached the small bunches I just mentioned, and then I wrapped the area where the base of the bunches showed with haystring. I wrapped it pretty thick and tied several knots before tucking in some dried hydrangea, adding the bow, and tucking in a few twigs from [believe it or not] my dead asparagus plant.

Ta-Da!

It was a fun, quick, and free project. That equals success in my book! Please share if you make one of your own! 

xoxo, 

Katie

The past week...

I have been pretty absent around here. Mainly because last week I:

• baked upwards of 700 cupcakes
• packed my bags [a bit haphazardly]
• drove 6 hours to AR
• took some Christmas card photos for my sis
• experienced tons of laughs and much needed snuggles with my favorite birthday girl
• helped throw a Barney birthday party: TOTAL SUCCESS
• got to see my best girly friend for the first time in FOREVER 
• accidentally used my mister's toothbrush
• took some rigged [as usual] Christmas card photos of us
• drank way to much diet Dr. Pepper
• drove 6 hours back to MO-felt like 20 hours
• had a near death experience heart attack run-in with a big, nasty spider right outside my back door
• made chili for the first time this fall and got to spend 2 out of 3 nights with my mister [small miracle]  
• start going through all the sweet photos I took of my girl during my visit

Overall, I cannot deny that it was a fantastic week. I am so thankful for my visits with my family, and I am already looking forward to more get-togethers during the upcoming holidays. We spend Thanksgiving in Missouri, where my fantastic mother-in-law makes it feel like home. Then it is another semester down [and just one to go!] followed by our annual Howell girls trip to Branson! So much to look forward to and be thankful for. 

xoxo, 

Katie

Check!

A few days ago I mentioned elaborated on my journey with running. That journey is in the very earliest stage, but I wouldn't even be this far without this handy checklist. Thanks to my mister for whipping this up for me. It has definitely kept me on track with the water drinking part of it. I may miss a glass [or three] every now and then, but this gets me back on track the next day.

With this guy hanging on my refrigerator I will surely meet my goal...which is just to stay on track. So far so good!

xoxo, 

Katie

Simple Things Sunday: Burgers and Snuggles

I try not to whine too much, but my husband is gone a lot. Notice that I try not to whine. I don't want to seem unappreciative of all he does. He works so hard and may just be the busiest guy I know. Yet in all of this he doesn't forget me and my needs/wants. He works 40 hours a week, goes to school, comes home to do homework, and he still makes time for "us" time. Today we had just a couple of hours between church and him leaving for work again, but we made the most of it. He cooked us hamburgers followed by snuggles and last weeks season premiere of NCIS. Simple? Yes. Does it get any better? Nope. 

This is bliss, ya'll. 

It has been a while since I have participated, but I am glad to be linking up with Simple As That for Simple Things Sunday. I love this idea, and I look forward to this little reminder to appreciate the beauty in all the fabulously simple things. Now I just need to work on capturing these moments with my 5D instead of my potato of a phone camera.

xoxo,

Katie

My [super awesome] guy

My guy is great.

He is great on any given day just being sweet, helpful, totally silly, and all the things I love. But in this season of our lives I have found an entirely new appreciation for him. He works hard at his job 40 hours a week, but on top of that he is going to school three days a week in order to better provide for us in the future. He pretty much never complains even though I know he has to be feeling the pressure. If he ever gets a day off from work, he is home doing homework. He usually does the grocery shopping, and all I can do is try to keep him supplied with cupcakes and cookies from the bakery and make sure he has clean socks. I know part his the drive comes from knowing that when he is finished he will finally be doing what he loves. I also know a lot of it is because it is what is right and honorable, and he is just a stand-up guy. Sometimes I feel like whining when I come home from work, and I know he won't be home until midnight. But then I have to remember that he has been at school since 8 a.m. and then straight to work until 11:30 p.m. I only hope that he knows how much I appreciate him and all his sacrifices. 

On top of all that, he does adorable stuff like this. One day this past week I casually mentioned that I might like to make some caramel apples. That's it. I didn't make a big deal about it. I came home from work Thursday to find this [which he bought while out doing the grocery shopping on his day off because he knows I hate doing it].

I love that guy.

xoxo, 

Katie

"Watch your mouth." -love, God

I will be honest and say that I have not had many of those "The Lord has laid it on my heart" moments in my life, but lately He has been making a few things pretty clear. To put it briefly He is saying, "Watch your mouth." In recent weeks I would read a verse here or there that would make me think briefly about how the things coming out of my mouth affect others and blah blah blah...then that was about it, and I was sidetracked doing something else. This past Sunday I was pretty much smacked in the face with it when we read James 3:1-18 in our Sunday School class. This passage basically sums up the warnings and wisdom James gave about the power of the tongue. Every word is truth that needs to be read over and over. I still haven't fully digested it, but this verse in particular really grabbed hold of me.

9 "We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God's likeness with it."

I am often so quick to judge others without knowing their circumstance or intentions. Who am I that I should judge another who is no further down the "totem pole" than me?

Then, someone shared this: 

 Okay, so I am pretty sure I have never cussed anyone out on Facebook. Does that mean I get a free pass? Most definitely not. Maybe I am not guilty of this exact thing, but how is that different than me letting a word slip when I burn my arm on the oven door? What about when I drop half a tray of cookies on the floor at work, curse it, and then invite someone to church?  How is this different than me complaining about someone's snippy comment about our pie prices and then encouraging someone to join a Sunday School class? Real answer? It isn't. 

I had another epiphany today when I commented [without much thought really] that I not only need to control what goes into my mouth but also what comes out of it.  I have been trying so hard to filter what I have been eating lately, but I also need to focus my attention on what comes out of my mouth. After thinking about that verse for a few days I went back to read our lesson from class in more depth. So many things hit me right where it hurts. 

"Words don't kill physically, but they do bring death to another person's joy, peace, confidence, hope, love, or desire." 

When I am quick to speak I don't always realize the impact my words are having on others. I long to possess the ability to examine my words before allowing insults and ignorance to spew from my mouth.

"Words can ruin a reputation and defile our Christian witness." 

I walk around talking about going to church and Sunday School and how great it is, but then I curse when I burn my finger? This behavior only reaffirms the "hypocrite" idea that so many nonbelievers have about Christians. Why should I want to provide further support of that idea?

"The mouth speaks out of the overflow of the heart." 

That last one got me. What comes out of my mouth is not born there. It comes from within me. What comes from my mouth reveals what is in my heart. This tells me that I need to ask God to work on my heart. I want to be slower to judge and rid myself of the desire to articulate those human thoughts that so quickly enter my mind and so easily fall from my lips. I want to change the reaction that follows me stubbing my toe or my ipod not working the way it should [that happened just tonight]. 

So I recognize it. The hard part now is living it. I am praying that I can monitor my words. At first I may not catch the negativity before it comes out, but I don't have to be numb to it. I hope that eventually I can replace each snippy comment, every negative reaction, and every single foul word with words that are uplifting and kind. This will not be easy. Being a natural born "smart mouth" I will fail many times. But I want to make positive changes to be a better friend, a more encouraging sister, and an uplifting wife. Pray for me...it is gonna be a long road. 

xoxo, 

Katie  

Currently...

I came across this questionnaire on Emily's blog, Jones Design Company. At the risk of this feeling like an old Myspace quiz I thought I would share my answers to the questions since I don't have a famous blogger asking me. I will just pretend I do since it will be fun for me to look back and see how my answers have changed. 

Where I live in the summertime means

me being anywhere with an air conditioner. I am so not a Summer kind of girl.

My favorite spot in our house is 

where my husband is. We don't get a lot of time together these day with his busy school and work schedule. I am grateful for every minute he is here with me, and we love spending time together even doing the most mundane of things.

Where I see myself in five years 

is in the country with a big garden, ongoing home and diy projects, and a little one running around.

My favorite late night snack is

usually a bowl of cereal. I can eat cereal any time of day.

Best DIY project I have ever done

This is a hard question because there are sooooo many to choose from. My entire house is a DIY project! I love my hand drawn birch tree wall in our bedroom, the ruffled curtain on the back door, and the shelves we added to either side of our living room fireplace. However, I must say that my favorite diy would have to be my coat rack. I especially love that my mister, my daddy, and I all contributed to it!

When I was little I wanted to be 

a teacher during the school year and a life guard in the Summer...true story.

One thing every room in your house should have is 

something handmade. While I do have several things that I have created myself, some of the items I treasure most are things that have been made by my family members and handed down or gifted to me. I have the hand embroidered pillow cases from my mother-in-law, the crocheted throw from my aunt Patti, the porch swing made by my paternal grandfather 45 years ago, and the doilies made by my great-grandmother, among other things. I treasure these items, and I hold tightly to the concept of handmade hoping that someday my children and grandchildren will hold the same appreciation for these things.

And bunting...every room in the house should probably have bunting too. Just ask my mister.

Well, that was fun. Feel free to share your answers if you want. You can pretend like I am famous and interviewing you if you want. It is more fun that way. 

xoxo, 

Katie