royal wedding brief recap

so besides the love part (which was lovely and seems very genuine)

and the crying (that would be me, thinking of Diana mostly)

and the kissing (which was cute)

and the dress (classic, amazing)

the thing that blew me away the most were those amazing trees in Westminster Abby.

truly breathtaking.

whoever thought of those should be knighted or lady-ed or something equally fab.

random sub-par blogging

 I got a new rug.
I love it. It was inexpesive and it is an indoor/outdoor rug which means easy to clean.
I haven't been home long enough this week to love on it.
Or to worry about the back couch cushions that I need to replace/remake.
The sun hasn't been out long enough to get good pictures of anything so this one will have to do.

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I am obessessed with a piece of country property that includes a house that I am pretty sure would quailfy me to be on an episode of Frontier House.
I am also still in love with this house.
And I can't stop thinking about that one.
Maybe once we drive out there I will see all it's flaws and let it go.
Untill then....
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I love having my sister here and my having my 2 boys and a house full of neighbor kids. It feels right.
I also still get on the foster kid website and fantizise about adopting them all. At once.
There is part of my brain and heart that doesn't understand why I can't. But mostly I do.
 For now.

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I have a wisdom tooth that needs to come out.
It's gonna have to wait.

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I wish I could take the day off to stay home and bask in Royal Wedding Bruhaha.
Yes, I am that girl.
You should have seen the stacks of Princess Di magazines clippings and books I had as a girl.


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My pal Kryan just released her book and is getting great reviews.
I am beyond happy for her.
Cannot wait to read it and love it and hopefully give one away...?? Fingers crossed.

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So much more to tell. First, though I must get my beauty sleep. Or something like it.
Thanks for indulging me these ramblings.

The Weird Sisters {Giveaway}

 Well the time has come for the last of the 5 for 5 Giveaways. This Blogiversary celebration sure has been fun to share with each of you, and I am a little sad to have to pack up the party supplies, blow out the candles and put everything back to normal till this time next year. 

But it is not all over yet! We still have one more FABULOUS giveaway left!

One VERY lucky winner will win an autographed copy of The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

(Photo by: Joe Henson, NYC)
A few weeks ago I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing Eleanor at the Arkansas Literary Festival

Both Eleanor and her book are absolutely wonderful and as 1 of 3 adult sisters I was particularly drawn to to this tale of sisters "love each other, but don't like each other very much." 

(Not that my sisters and I have ever thought such a thing about each other, especially not in our adolescents..ahem). 

Eleanor's book is a raging success and has already been published overseas as shown by these alternate book covers from the UK and the Netherlands.

You can read/listen to excerpts here

and read all sorts of interviews and reviews of Eleanor and her book here

And if you have a book club, I think this would be a great addition to your reading list. There is a lot of material here that would be great fodder for conversation and analysis and what more could a book club want?

Since the Lit Fest, I have been delighted to become Blog pals with Eleanor and she has graciously offered up not just one of her books for a giveaway but an autographed copy straight from her! How lovely is that?

Somehow it makes the book even better to know that the writer is a generous, down to earth, former middle school teacher who is intrigued by birth order as I am and who has taken to her new success with delight and affection and is not the least bit snobby or aloof.

Thanks Eleanor for writing such a lovely book and for sharing it - and yourself- with us at the Lit Fest and now on the blog! You are a peach!!

But wait there is MORE!
 Because every book lover also has an affinity for words and letters, the winner of this giveaway will also get their pick of  a Vintage Typewriter Necklace in the letter of their choice from my good friend Erin's new venture-  
E. Leigh's Handbags and Accessories.

Erin has amazing taste and I am so proud of her for going out on her own and chasing her dream!  I cannot wait till she opens her brick-and-mortar store her locally -I will be a faithful customer for sure.

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To enter to win your very own autographed copy of The Weird Sisters and one of these great necklaces from E. Leighs  you can do these any one or all four of the following things:

1) Leave a comment here on this post (and tell me the last great book you read if you want) and what letter necklace you would choose and why.

2) Tweet or FB about this giveaway (and come back here and leave me a comment letting me know that you did)

3) Follow me here on the blog (and leave me a comment letting me know)

4) Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to share in the comments.

All Giveaways End May 1

Good luck and pass the word!!

(and make sure to enter Giveaway 1, Giveaway 2, Giveaway 3 and Giveaway 4 while there is still time!)

what comes after Easter

We are all cracked. It is a universal truth. But the question is are we brave enough, humble enough, have enough faith or the hope of enough faith to shed these cracked and crumbly layers?  To peel them away a chip at a time, gifting each hard bit the compost pile, never to wear them again. Can we unveil what is underneath, soft and tender, to the light? If we do, then we must also bare the discolored, the disfigured, the strange and the beautiful all at once. These are the things that  make us different and they are what makes us the same.   We all bare the marks of our cracks it is true. But it is also true that  we do not have to remain encased in them, enslaved to holding them together. That much at least is our choice.

Everyday is a Holiday {Giveaway} and Monday's are Lovely

One of the most lovely  gifts that this blog and the blog world have given me is the chance to meet wonderful, sweet, generous and inspiring women. Women who have opened my heart and my world wide open. They have encouraged, challenged, consoled, celebrated and advised me as I have found my way as a blogger, an artist, a writer, a mother, and more. They have also prayed for me, fed me, given me shelter and sent me lovely treats. I could not have imagined 5 years ago the friendships and inspiration I would find here in Blogland.

Today's 5 for 5  5 year Blogiversaery Giveaway is the perfect example of all of these gifts. 

The amazing and talented Jenny "Holiday" (who also has the best hair color EVER) has become a great blog pal and source of inspiration. One of these days I am actually going to get to meet her in person, and I am sure that when I do it will be like meeting a long lost friend - a true kindred spirit, first class.

 Jenny Heid & Aaron Nieradka are amazing artist and some of their fun creations can even be found in mega chain stores nationwide. But despite this recent success Jenny has remained totally down to earth, creative, kind and generous, and a true pink gal pal to all her blog friends.

 A great example of Jenny's lovely giving heart is that both of today's giveaway items come from her shop!

I know you will love each of these items as much as I do and I am so honored to be able to share them as part of of my giveaway celebration!

First up is an 8x10 Cupcake Print that was recently featured in Where Women Cook

I have this print hanging in my kitchen and it is so cute - I just want to gobble each of those cupcakes up, don't you?

In an addition to the print, Jenny has also offered up your choice of one these amazing die cuts.  Each piece is  so cute and yummy looking I am not sure which one I would choose if I was the winner.

If you are not familiar with Jenny and Aaron's creations, please go stop by their shop, 

and take a look around -you will not be disappointed!

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To enter to win these 2 amazing prizes you can do these any one or all four of the following things:

1) Leave a comment here on this post telling me which Die Cut you would pick if you win

2) Tweet or FB about this giveaway (and come back here and leave me a comment letting me know that you did)

3) Follow me here on the blog (and leave me a comment letting me know)

4) Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to share in the comments.

All Giveaways End May 1

Good luck and pass the word!!

And make sure you check out and enter Giveaway 3, Giveaway 2 and Giveaway 1 , there's still time!

;

Easter Sunday

^17-20"Don't fear: I am First, I am Last, I'm Alive. I died, but I came to life, and my life is now forever. See these keys in my hand? They open and lock Death's doors!

Rev 1:18

 ^{Hallelujah, Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed!}

Happy Easter my dear friends,

may our hearts be open to new life, offered every moment of every day. 

Holy Saturday

 

{I am taking a little giveaway blogiversary break to observe & celebrate the remainder of Holy Week and Easter. I will be back with more giveaway fun on Monday! }

Good Friday

 

At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, "Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?" Jesus replied, "Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven. 

Matthew 18:21-211

Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them; they don't know what they're doing.

 Luke 23:34-35

{I am taking a little giveaway blogiversary break to observe & celebrate the remainder of Holy Week and Easter. I will be back with more giveaway fun on Monday! }

Maundy Thursday

 

Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other

 John 13:34-35

{I am taking a little giveaway blogiversary break to observe & celebrate the remainder of Holy Week and Easter. I will be back with more giveaway fun on Monday! }

Etsy Love {Giveaway}

Today we are continuing with my 5 year blogiversary with our Giveaway #3 (out of 5)

Today I have the great pleasure of sharing some Etsy love with one lucky winner (hopefully you!)

 It just seems like yesterday that Etsy burst on the scene and helped crafters and artist all over the world find a profitable (or at least a break-even) way to pawn their wares and see their creative visions come to life.

Today I am so excited to offer 3 treats from some of my favorite Etsy sellers.

The winner for today's Giveaway will receive:

1 Custom Made Camera Strap Colver by Jemimah B.
Check out my sister Jemimah's shoppe  - Making and look thru her current and sold items to see all the great creations she has made. I have 2 of these strap covers and I LOVE them both! Because Jemimah is a professional photographer she knows exactly what makes a great strap cover!
Today's winner will be able to either pick a strap from Jemimah's shoppe OR they can choose from a large selection of fabrics and order a custom cover.
Visit  Making by Jemimah B and her blog to see just how truly creative she is!

Hand Felted Owl
Next up is this adorable creature handmade by the  ubber talented Karin Grow.
Stewart, the wide-awake night owl, is looking for a loving home and today's winner will be just the home he is looking for! Check out Karin's etsy shoppe and all her amazing artwork.
Also make sure to check out her blog where you can see her colorful house and many more projects!

Tiny Easter Basket Making Kit
Last but not least is this amazing collection of Easter basket making goodies!
This basket by Julie Collings may look like it is all about Easter but I would love to win all these goodies ANYTIME! Every little bit and peice in this basket has been chosen with love and could be use for many, many adorable projects - not just for Easter.
Make sure to check out Julie's shop full of eye candy and inspiration and go visit her precious blog - you will not be disappointed!


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To enter to win your these 3 prizes you can do these any one or all four of the following things:

1) Leave a comment here on this post telling me what you like to shop Etsy for the most

2) Tweet or FB about this giveaway (and come back here and leave me a comment letting me know that you did)

3) Follow me here on the blog (and leave me a comment letting me know)

4) Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to share in the comments.

All Giveaways End May 1

Good luck!

(don't forget - there is still time to enter Giveaway 1 and Giveaway 2)

a little break

We interrupt this Giveaway Week to bring you Potter Mittens, the Wonder Hedgehog

His super power is hiding under stuff.

Can you find him in the leaves?

 He is adorable and we love him tons. Like everyone else in our house he is a little eccentric. And not just because he can turn into a complete prickly puff ball.

In this picture he is mad at me because I just picked him up out of a nest of leaves that he was thoroughly enjoying rummaging through. Can't you see the annoyance in his eyes? Pretty sure he is cursing me out under his breath.

Also he is a bit of diva and he didn't feel that his prickles were up to snuff for a photo op. As if.

Silly hedgehog.

Before he goes back  under the leaves Potter wanted me to remind you to enter the 2 previous Giveaways

The Matthew Mead Magazine

and

The Jolly Goode Gal Package

and to come back tomorrow for another giveaway of Etsy proportions!

monday make-do {and a Giveaway!}

Yesterday was the season opener party on the Pink Porch and it was possibly the best party the Pink Porch has ever seen. We gathered to celebrate a very special birthday and some other milestones with some of our  bestest friends. The weather was perfect, the kids happy, the croquet set was broken in and we ate until we couldn't feel our toes.

I was so busy doing a million other things last week (and getting our house in presentable shape - man was it ROUGH!) that I didn't really have time to even think about how I was going to set the tables or a theme for the party. Instead I just rolled with it at the last minute, making-do and using an assortment of tablecloths I had on hand, and creating an extra table out of saw horses and a random board Sweet Man had in the garage.

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The plates, napkins and party hats came out of 50cents bin at a discount store and the mood lighting was pure citronella in aluminum pails. Classy.  I do have to say that over the years, I have found  that the parties that are the most lovely, the most enjoyable, are the ones that are the least pretentious. The ones where I didn't stress out about everything being magazine-perfect, but instead  enjoyed the moment - imperfections and all, where I enjoyed being with the people I love the most - finding more beauty in them than I ever could in any tablescape, and where I enjoyed the grace that I have been given - imperfect as I am- freely and abundantly.

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The {5 for 5} Giveaways Continue today!!
To celebrate my 5 Year Blogiversary I am hosting 5 Giveaways this week.

Here is Giveaway # 2:

(to enter Giveaway # 1 click HERE)

Today's Package features some of my "greatest hits" from over the years, things that I love, that I would never have been able to share/create/experience if it wasn't for this blog:

One luck winner will receive the following items:

 1 Popsicle Garland Kit in Sherbet

A Copy of Cottage Style Magazine {which features my home and the fab pink porch}

 And a Live Brave poster in your choice of color 

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To enter to win your own copy you can do these any one or all four of the following things:

1) Leave a comment here on this post

2) Tweet or FB about this giveaway (and come back here and leave me a comment letting me know that you did)

3) Follow me here on the blog (and leave me a comment letting me know)

4) Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to share in the comments.

All Giveaways End May 1

 

Good luck!

5 for 5 -{Giveaway time!}

April 18th will be my 5 year blogging anniversary. It all started with this itty bitty post. I cannot believe I have been doing this for 5 years and I cannot believe how much our lives have changed - in part because of the blog. I am so very, very grateful for all the experiences that I have had thanks to the blog and I am also extremely grateful for you sweet readers! What fun would all this be if I didn't have you traveling this journey along with me? So to celebrate and to say a HUGE "thank you" I am going to host 5 giveaways to celebrate the 5 years you have stuck with me.

So let's not waste anymore time - let's get started! 

Today's giveaway is a FREE copy of the upcoming Summer Edition of Matthew Mead's Holiday magazine!!

One of the great things that has happened because of the blog is some of the opportunities I have had to be a part of various publications, including the new issue of Holiday, which I get to tell what I love most about Summer!

I cannot wait for this issue because it has Meg's house in it and I just adore her house.

All the projects, homes and inspiration ideas in this magazine will help you create a summer that is as much fun as the ones from your childhood. I simply cannot wait to see my copy land in my mailbox!

To enter to win your own copy you can do these any one or all four of the following things:

1) Leave a comment here telling what your favorite thing about summer is

2) Tweet or FB about this giveaway (and come back here and leave me a comment letting me know that you did)

3) Follow me here on the blog (and leave me a comment letting me know)

4) Blog about this giveaway and leave me a link to share in the comments.

All Giveaways End May 1

Good luck!

(And remember you can always go here to purchase)

homemade yum

 I love it when my friends come over.

And bring homemade pie.

And homemade cake.

And a jar full of homemade sauce to go with it.

Yum.

Easter Decorations Retrospective

The Easter decorating is very minimal this year. Miles was in charge and lots of cute touches like the little chick on top of the hot air balloon lamp.
For whatever reason I haven't snapped many photo's of this years decorations, so I thought it might be fun to go back and look at all the various Easter decorating I have done since I started the blog oh so many years ago (and one before the blog!)

 Hanging Easter Wreath - I still love this project. This was in our old house and at the very beginning of my crafty/decorating phase.

  2003

Early days of the China Hutch and my nest collection.

2008

Egg cup collection takes off - I wish I could find more of those candles!
This tree is no longer pink. It is a weird peachy color and I didn't even get it down this year. Maybe next year I will give it a facelift.

2008

More egg cup love

2009

Happy simple mantle.

2010

So there is a little trip down memory lane. Funny to see what has changed and what hasn't, and to think through everything in our life that has changed. Amazing really.