Headboard

I mentioned a few blog posts ago that one of the main projects I wanted to accomplish while Brian was gone was to design and build a headboard. We have a California king size bed and unfortunately here in the Southeast, stores don't carry or sell many California king size headboards. I also did not want to spend a lot of money and the ones I really liked were between $800 and $1,500. So the solution was to make my own. However, I only wanted to do that if we could make it look like we bought it from a store. I saw too many DIY headboards on the internet that looked homemade. To me, that's pointless. I didn't want a headboard that looked like my 5th grade science project.

Over the last few weeks and with the help of my parents, we created our first headboard! It was hard; much harder than I anticipated, but it was also really fun. I think I would enjoy designing and building furniture for my house in the future if I possessed the necessary tools and knowledge. I don't think I'd mind the work, there is such a strong sense of accomplishment after you finish a project and get to display it in your home.

I absolutely love the way this headboard turned out! And I am especially proud of my very handy father who did most of the "grunt work." Mom and Dad, thank you so much for helping me with this project! So without further ado . . .

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy early Thanksgiving everybody! One thing I really look forward to during the holidays is cooking/baking. Since we celebrate with both sides of our family this year I get to make twice as much food, which I really don't mind doing. I actually enjoy it, especially if I have plenty of time. I wanted to try a new recipe for Pumpkin cream cheese pie, but it looks like time won't allow for that since I have to work the day before and after Thanksgiving. So I'll have to stick to the items below. The thing I love about all of these recipes are the people I got them from

Twice Baked Potatoes - my family has been making them for years but I don't go by a recipe. I just watched my mom make them years ago and copied her. A little butter, sour cream, salt, pepper and lots of cheese on top! What can be bad about that?



Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese - this is a Thanksgiving staple for sure! I think my mom originally discovered the recipe. It is delish!



Reese's Peanut Buttercup Bars - got this one from my friend and former co-worker, Natalie.



Turkey-shaped Sugar Cookies - the recipe I use is from my host mom, Kari, in Fargo, ND (we lived with them for 2 summers)



On a different note, I must say that the thing I'm most thankful for this year is to be pregnant with a healthy baby! While I miss Brian to pieces, I'm also extremely thankful for the job God provided for him in Mexico this fall. Update on that front . . . Brian was pitching very well until he came down with a nasty virus (I'll spare you the details, but suffice it to say we're not talking about a little cold here. We're talkin' hanging out in the bathroom for 48 hours, take every ounce of energy out of you kind of virus.) Thankfully he's been on the mend and feeling much better lately so we're praying that his strength and stamina return in full force. What I know is that my Lord is in full control of the situation and I am thankful He watches over my sweet husband.

The Crib Is Here!!

The nursery is slowly coming together. Colors have been selected, fabrics chosen, and (thanks to my parents) the crib is here and already put together! It is truly a beautiful crib. I really like it! Below is a picture I found of it online. Since we're having a girl, the color scheme (walls and decor) will be different from what you see here, but it's nice to know that the crib looks good against blue walls in case our next baby is a boy.




There are still many things to paint and sew before the project is complete, but we are well on our way! It's so fun to envision our sweet girl in what will hopefully turn out to be a very sweet but sophisticated nursery.

My Fun New Job at . . .

So when I got back to Charlotte this off-season my old job wasn't waiting for me like normal. The big ministry project I have been in charge of every year was (and still is) in danger of not being produced. Long story short, since this project was my main responsibility my boss wasn't sure he'd have enough work for me to do outside of it, and therefore could not commit to re-hiring me right away. Since I need to start making some money to prepare for our little one arriving in early March, I went ahead and pursued other job opportunities. After a few weeks of weighing the possibilities (which weren't many), I am actually very excited about working part-time retail for "HandPicked," a beautiful, yet affordable jewelry store with 3 locations here in Charlotte.

HandPicked began in my home town of Columbia, SC so I've grown up shopping there, and have always loved the store! It's such a fun, classy, yet very hip place! I also used to make jewelry and am so excited about getting back into the world of jewelry design, sales, and repair! I will mainly work at the Arboretum location which is only about 2 minutes from our house! I could literally walk there every day. So come by and see me some time and pick out some gorgeous jewelry for Christmas!!

I was in the store the other day for an interview and saw about 10 pieces I'd love to have. Here is a little preview of some things I like from the store. Many items available in the store are not listed online, so I couldn't include pictures of those. This first necklace is called, "Tree of Life." I love that!