[film] Crown Princess Caribbean Cruise

So... six months later isn't TOO late, right?

I've been fiddling with YouTube and video editing over the past 24 hours and I may be addicted.... Will "vlogs" be a new addition to Everyday with the Jays? Doubtful. BUT maybe! I tried my hand at editing, and although it is highly amateur, I had a good time with it! Enjoy our escapades from our family cruise vacation from the spring:

Anyone else upload videos to YouTube? Do tell!

Happy Monday!

[beauty] Jade and Gold Nails

Does anyone else watch beauty video channels on YouTube? I am addicted!!! Channels like Miss Glamorazzi, Zoella, Eleventh Gorgeous, and Fleur de Force are a few of my favorites. Addicting. 

Now I am not much of a "beauty-buff", but I like to be girly, so these videos have been making me more interested in beauty related items... Like nail polish and painting my nails! I'm a huge fan of pedicures, so I only paint my nails. That has now become my Sunday night ritual: new nail polish night!

This was last week's choice:

 

Let me further explain that I am not a nail technician, so there are plenty of mistakes. Eh well. I then grabbed my gold glitter nail polish (not pictured) and painted over my ring finger nails. It was so cute and TOTALLY out of my comfort zone... I'm usually a red/pink/neutral gal. But tonight I tried to take it off with nail polish remover and geez Louise! I had to get dish soap and scrub my nails and skin to get the greenish color off. Ugh. Most likely will not be using it again for that reason. 

So what about you? What nail colors do you venture out and use?

[chrissy]

[dwell] Fall Home Tour

 

This is a small glimpse of fall at the Johnson's. Yes, yes I know: fall doesn't officially start for another week or so. Doesn't matter to me! September = beginning of fall. 

Onward! 

Candy corn paper banner with mini pumpkins...

Top of entertainment unit all decked out...

Wooden pumpkins from Hobby Lobby displayed on the piano...

Dining room complete with scarecrows, a metal pumpkin, and a vintage sign from an antique show (orange and black can mean fall, right?). 

Who else has decked their... walls... and furniture for fall? I can't be the only one who decorates early, right?!

[chrissy]

[blog] Testing...

Hello, hello! Contrary to the popular belief, no I have not fallen off the planet: after VBS, I was thrown into full school-prep mode and now we have just started our 4th week of school. Crazy! In other news...

 I am BLOGGING from my iPhone. What?! 

This may be old news to some of you, but for the first (to me) time, I am attempting to blog from this instead of my computer. Y'all have got to understand... I am lay-zee. Really. And 9/10 of the pics on the blog are from my iPhone. Sorry, blogging is not my professional job (I already have one of those) so I will not spend extra time uploading, cropping, and/or editing pics unless I have the energy and/or time. End rant. 

SO this is a test to see how this post turns out, appearance-wise. Can you read it? Can you see the photo below of the cutest niece and nephew?

Let a lady know! I hope you all are having a great start to your week! 

[chrissy]

[dwell] Mason Jar Sweetness

Remember the farmhouse table we purchased at a huge antique sale last fall?

No? Click here.

Anyways, it is beautiful and gorgeous and most definitely the focal point of our home, at least one of the major ones. However, it is so hard to create a centerpiece for the table because it's so huge! It seats 8-10. I mean, HUGE.

I decided to add a bit farmhouse to the farmhouse table. With mason jars. And fresh flowers. Who knew that these two things could make me so happy?!

Of course, I began with a burlap runner. They sell rolls of burlap fabric at Hobby Lobby (this wide: I didn't trim it: perfect fit!) and all I had to do was cut it to the appropriate length. Next, I lined up the jars, placing a tall wicker vase thang in the middle, and put fresh flowers in every other jar. The rest of the jars have a tea light in them for when we feel romantic and all. Let's just see how long it takes me to kill these flowers. I do nottt have a green thumb.

What little touches do you add to your home that make you smile? The little things in life...

Happy Monday!

"And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

[make] Book Page Garland

Yesterday, Nate and I went "junkin'" (garage/thrift store/estate sale hunting) with another couple who are friends of ours. We had such a good time rummaging through other people's treasures and making a few our own... we got some GREAT deals that I cannot wait to share with you!

One purchase I made was a hardcover book for $1. It was published in the late '50s and I had no desire to read it, but instead to use its yellowed pages for a craft... I wasn't sure what craft until I perused Pinterest and found Meegan's Book Page Garland... umm yes, I sure did make one too!

Old book. Torn pages. Fan pages into quarters (three folds). Hole punch in the middle and string onto twine. DONE. Super easy, but kind of time consuming. This garland hangs above our mirror in our dining room and it's a little over 100 pages. Not very long, but you can spread them out if you are covering a longer area. The way the pages spin on the twine is fun too!

I start in-service on Friday this week and then next week begins every.day.in-service. I suppose I can say "buh-bye" to summer, but it was a great one! Now to prep for my classroom :) The FUN part!

Have a wonderful week!

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." Psalm 56:3


See where I link up: Monday Made it @ 4th Grade Frolics, What I Whipped Up Wednesday @ Sugar and Dots, Craft-O-Manic Monday @ Craft-O-Manic, Monday Funday @ C.R.A.F.T./Lines Across/Uncommon Designs/That's What {Che} Said/Creatively Living, Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts, Show Me What Ya Got Linky Party @ Not JUST A Housewife, {Wow Me Wednesday} @ Ginger Snap Crafts, Link Party @ Destination: Craft, The Inspiration Exchange @ Clean & Scentsible (and others), Before & After Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick, Weekend Wrap-Up Party @ Tatertots and Jello, What I Wore Wednesday @ The Pleated Poppy

[teach] It's Gettin' Crazy Here...

Y'all. School starts in 3 weeks and 2 days. Where did summer even go?!

One of my summer projects was to organize my Pinterest "School Days" board, the board where I "pin" all of the school ideas I find. As I went through this... wow. I realized I had a bajillion categories to fill! It was a bit tedious/time consuming, but it is so much easier finding what I need/want to make/want to implement in my classroom!

Here's an example... Instead of searching through ONE "School Days" board for that cool art project I want to make with my kiddos, I can go to my "School Days: Art" board and find it in a jif!

If you are interested in getting specific pins, here are the links to my forty-billion School Days boards: enjoy!

School Days: Reading/Phonics

 

 School Days: Math

School Days: Science

School Days: Social Studies

 

 School Days: Writing

School Days: Videos and Brain Breaks [my kiddos LOVE these!]

School Days: Classroom Organization, Helpful Tips, and Decor/Set Up [my favorite section!]

School Days: Documentation/Assessments

School Days: Art

School Days: Centers/Fast Finishers

School Days: Technology

School Days: Holidays and Themes

School Days: Behavior Management

Whew! I know, OVERWHELMING. But isn't it better to identify the specific thing you're looking for instead of having ALL of these ideas in one place?! Yikes. My heart likes organization, thank you very much.

Hope this helps, fellow teachers! And if you're not a teacher, maybe you'll find a fun idea to implement with your kiddies at home? No kids? Maybe your nieces, nephews, or even for you at your own workplace! You never know what you will find on Pinterest :)

Have a good weekend! Sorry for the lack of posting... we have been out of town, and then I have been prepping for our Vacation Bible School (I'm the director) and working in my classroom. Very very VERY busy week! Hopefully I'll have more to share soon, but in the meantime... have fun perusing my Pinterest boards!

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens." Ecclesiastes 3:1

[life] 4th of July Recap

If you follow me on Instagram (chrissydj), you have already seen these pictures :) Get ready!

As many of you know, Nate and I celebrated the 4th with my family in Dallas. Loved spending time with them doing fun things! My brother had to work on the actual 4th of July, so we had a family cook out on the 3rd of July. It's how we roll :)

We had red/white/blue everything! Mom and I went a bit crazy, but everyone loved the little touches and showing of patriotic pride throughout our food and decor... Is that a thing? Okay, okay... our showing of USA love. How about that?

On the actual 4th of July, my mom, Nate, and I headed to the Ballpark in Arlington to watch our beloved Texas Rangers (Major League Baseball, for those of you unaware). We had a BLAST, had awesome seats, the Rangers WON, and there were awesome fireworks afterwards!

Then on Friday, July 5th, my dad, brother, and sister-in-law joined us at ANOTHER Rangers game! This time, they were playing the Astros (also known as the Enemy-ha!). Another great night because the Rangers won again and there were more fireworks!!!

It was a wonderful time with family and celebrating the good ol' US of A. And what a perfect coincidence that the Rangers' colors are red/white/blue. How fitting!

How did you and your family celebrate the 4th? Food? Swimming? Ballpark visits like us? Do tell.

Happy Tuesday!

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." 1 Peter 2:0

[make] Guest Bathroom Inspiration

I am back at home and ready to get back to regularly scheduled posting! I know, you're all on the edge of your seats :)

This week's project inspiration has come from Jesse Kate Designs. Unfortunately, the blog has been removed, so if you know where it was relocated to (or anything about its whereabouts), just let me know in the comments so I can give proper credit to the photo below! 

With all of our traveling this summer, we have acquired quite the tiny toiletry collection. You know, the small shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, bar soap, etc. that hotels leave for you in your room. I actually saw this pin before our trips, so I made a point to collect any and all tiny toiletry items for our guest bath. This is a small upgrade, but it really adds some impact for your guests and their time at your home (I think, anyways)!

[image taken from Pinterest via www.jessekatedesigns.blogspot.com]

This week, I plan to add this plus a couple of other fun touches to our guest bath before, you guessed it, we go out of town again this coming weekend. I just have to remind myself... "Live it up, it's summer!"

Stay tuned! Have a great week!

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10

[celebrate] Happy 4th of July!

We are a blessed nation to have the freedoms we have daily :) Thank you to all who are serving to protect those freedoms: we know that freedom is not free, and you all are a blessing to our country! May God continue to bless our country, our leaders, and our communities!

A few snippets from our 4th of July celebration, which started yesterday on the 3rd! The celebration will continue today as well!

*paper straws from World Market
*red/white/blue action within our silverware
*pretzel sticks and peanuts coated in white chocolate and red/white/blue sprinkles
*red/white/blue daisies from Walmart
*red vines wrapped in red/white/blue ribbon

Have a wonderful day celebrating our country! Remember that TRUE freedom comes through Christ, and it is through Him that we are able to have access to God, our Father in Heaven! Thank you Lord for Your wonderful mercy, love, and grace!

"Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence." Ephesians 3:12

[blog] Moveee Over to Bloglovin', etc.

Hey there! Happy weekend-almost to everyone! Nate and I are visiting family this weekend, which I am completely excited about, but today we are here to talk b.u.s.i.n.e.s.s.

The buzz around the blogosphere is that Google Reader is going away on July 1st. That is five days, y'all. That means if you "follow" my blog to get my posts, you will no longer receive them. Bummer! I guess I will need to replace my 1,000 follower goal on my 30 before 30 list to something different! Anyways, if you want to keep up with Everyday with the Jays, there are a few options for you!

1. Bloglovin': easiest way to keep up with all of your blogs that you currently enjoy. You can even import all of your blogs you already follow! It is EASY. Just go here to get the steps :) Other two sites that Bloglovin' recommends... here and here.

2. Facebook: here is the link to our FB page, where you can "like" us and then you will be updated with each post that goes up here :)

3. Twitter: I'm not much of a Twitter-er, I only post my blog posts... if I remember. Yep, I'm bad. I'm more of a Facebook-er, so you can definitely follow me there, but you won't see much action.

So there you have it! I think your best bet will be to follow through Bloglovin' for all of your blogging needs: I think that's what the majority of bloggers are doing, so at least all of your favorites will be in the same area! So, if you have any questions, visit the Bloglovin' website!

Happy Thursday!

"Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever." Psalm 145: 2

[life] Lake Livin'

If you did not know already, Nate has a boat. Yes... I'm a pastor's wife AND a boater's wife! He adores his "baby" and loves to go out on the water to catch bass. Tonight, we had a mini "date night" and headed to the lake about 30 minutes away from our house for time on the water (me) and time to fish (him). Yes, I don't like to fish.  Who's surprised? I'm not!

[he was going really fast!!! although to him, he wasn't. ha!]

Does your hubby have a man-ish activity that you try to take part of? I'll be honest, I like being on the water, in the sunshine, getting my tan on. However, the fast speeding boat and yucky fish, not my scene. But it was fun to see my hubs in action!

Happy Wednesday! Or see Nate's favorite commercial... it's HUMPPPP DAAAYYY!

"'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.'" Mark 1:17