Sarah's House

This show made an MFT list a few months ago. I was so excited to see that season 2 just started on HGTV. I was even more excited to find out that her first episode was about a nursery I have been drooling over since I found it online a while back. I didn't even know it was one of hers. I think it comes on on Saturday nights...all my friends that are as fascinated with ID (interior design) as I am have to check it out!

Here are some of my favorite pics from last season.

FoyerFront Staircase

Living Room

Dining Room

Master Bedroom

Kitchen

Home Office

Girl Room

Child Lounge

Basement Family Room

Family Game Table

Powder Room
Mud Room.
My dream laundry room.

And a sneak peak at this season...THE Nursery.

Pizza Quesadillas

I feel like this is so obvious that I must be the only person in the world who didn't already make these, but yesterday I was trying to find something quick for lunch and decided to make a quesadilla. Except I was in the mood for pizza. Duh! Combine them...so easy!

My version:
flour tortilla
spray butter
pizza sauce
banana peppers
turkey pepperoni
cheese

1. Spray tortilla with butter and put face down in the pan.
2. Layer sauce and toppings on half of the tortilla and fold over.
3. Enjoy.

Homemade Granola

Thanks to Lisa Kaufhold for this great recipe!

2 c oats
3/4 c wheat germ
3/4 c sunflower seeds
2 c peanuts, crushed
2/3 c brown sugar
1/2 c honey
4 Tb honey
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp Kosher salt
8 oz dried fruit

1. Mix peanuts, oats and wheat germ and sunflower seeds in a baking dish with sides.
2. Toast for 10-12 minutes.
3. Prepare a glass with waxed paper lightly sprayed with oil.
4. Bring brown sugar, honey, butter, vanilla, and salt to simmer, stirring constantly.
5. Mix toasted nuts, dried fruit and brown sugar mixture together in a large bowl.
6. Spread out mixture in baking dish. Firmly press it into dish.
7. Cool for 2-3 hours and cut into bars.

*Will keep well in the fridge.

Resolutions for a Happier Life

Can I do it? The jury is still out, but if I tell myself I can...then maybe, just MAYBE...

1) Get healthy. Another year of promises...hopefully not so empty this time around. My mom gave me an elliptical (Thank you, Mom!). It is upstairs in my very own house. I don't even have to brush my teeth to get to it. No excuse can keep me from working out this time around. None. Except laziness. Let's say 30 minutes a day 4-5 days a week. To start.
OBJECTIVE: to get healthy, weight loss will be a bonus.

2) Home Projects.
A) Paint - A room. Any room. I have several on my list, but I am scared of color. Maybe doing one room will take the edge off?
B) Window Treatments - Dining Room, Master Bedroom, Master Bath and Living Room.
C) Hang Family Photos - Hopefully along the staircase.
D) Furniture - Bedroom, Buffet, Chairs for LR and bookcases for our ever growing collection of books and DVD's.
E) Rugs - Living Room and Dining Room.

3) Daily Quiet Time. I fantasize about being the type of person that gets up early in the morning, puts on a fresh pot of coffee, runs 30 minutes on the elliptical, showers, makes her bed and reads her daily devotional all before the rooster crows. But as my poor husband can attest, I am by no means a morning person. By NO means. So if I can just accomplish these things before the days is over I will consider myself on the ball!
MAIN OBJECTIVE: Daily Quiet Time. In the Word and in Prayer.

4) Love. Isn't this what Jesus is asking us to do? I love Him. I really do. But do I love Him enough to love His people? Not the people that are easy to love; i.e. my husband, family and friends. All people. This includes bad drivers, inconsiderate individuals, arrogant folks and even loud eaters...everyone. This is a life long journey. But I plan to be extra aware of this calling this year.

2009 - Year End Review

January

Started the year off on a very sad note. My beautiful cousin, died on New Year's Eve. Today I am remembering the beauty of her smile.

February

Mason Tinsley Smith was born. What a blessing he is! Such a joy to be his aunt.

We decided to build a house! We had no idea what a roller coaster that would be...
March
Started marketing The Paper Nest. More than a hobby now, also a source of income. Yay for more income!
April
Pretty boring month. Spent most of it saving money for our house and trying not to kill any builders along the way.

May

Took a trip to South Carolina to visit the Grizzles. Always good to spend time with them.

June

Closed on our house. Home Sweet Home.Headed to The Ohio State University to watch my Sister graduate. Such a proud moment.


July
Spent the week of Independence Day hosting my parents and sister in our new home. Boy did I make them earn their keep! Yay for handy parents!
Celebrated 2 extremely happy years of marriage to the perfect man for me. I honestly don't know how I got so lucky.

August
Turned 27. Ouch.

Happy to have Mr. & Mrs. Grizzle for a visit. They helped me celebrate my birthday in style.

September
Spent most of the month watching the Tide dominate on the football field, hoping that it would last the rest of the season.

October

Welcomed Madisyn James Faucett into the world. Such a joy to have a niece!

Ben got another year older in Kentucky. The Tide brought him a W at the game that day and we both decided Lexington is a great town.November
Spent Thanksgiving in Ohio with my family. A truly great visit. I couldn't ask for a better family. They mean the world to me.
December
First Christmas in our new home. Enjoyed hosting 2 parties (CORE Group and Supper Club).
Enjoyed my first Christmas with the Grizzles. Had a great time with Steve & Anna and the boys and Bob & Elaine. I am blessed to have married into such a wonderful family.

2009 was a special year for Ben & I. These are just some of the blessings and events from this year. We praise God for all of them and look forward to another year to serve and honor Him.

Merry Christmas

Baking with My Sweet

Preparing for the task.We decided to make 5 different types of cookies.
1) Gingerbread Men (and some gingerbread snaps too)
2) Graham Toffee Crunch Bars
3)Peanut Butter Crackers dipped in Chocolate
4) Sugar Cookies
5) Cranberry & Orange Shortbread

My one and only action shot.

Round 1

PB Ritz Sandwiches dipped in Chocolate

Graham Toffee Crunch (My favorite)

In Round 1 we made batches 1-3 and decide to take a break before attempting batches 4 & 5 and decorating. We were pretty lazy in Round 2 and decided to forego batch 5 (Cranberry & Orange Shortbread) and were pretty lame with the decorating...

These were the only 2 gingerbread men that got any attention...and their decorations are barely worth mentioning.


Another lame attempt on the Sugar Cookies.

After all of the cookies were made/decorated we made goody bags for our co-workers, hair stylist, neighbors and mailman.

I hope our hair stylist and mailman don't take the cookies as an insult instead of a Thank You...