[make] Farmhouse Wreath

Nate and I have classified our home decor style as "modern farmhouse", whatever that means. We take it as rustic/antique/vintage/shabby chic looking pieces and accessories tossed with fun colors and patterns. Maybe? Yes, no? It is still in MAJOR progress as we continue to update decor, furniture layout, and accessories.

However, I have been a terrible crafter and have not updated a front door wreath since Valentine's day. Well, I kept that wreath up through the end of February, so it's really only been a naked door for three weeks. Yikes. I missed St. Patrick's day, although I still have the adornments I created from last year's wreath. And now that Easter is next Sunday, which would only give me a week for an Easter-y wreath, I decided to update a smaller wreath I had purchased from Target and make it more "farmhouse" so it can be left up until I decide to get festive again.

Here's what I did to create a farmhouse-y wreath: when I think farmhouse, I think burlap. And burlap is as neutral as it gets, so this flower wreath from Target had the neutral colors I needed. Boom.

Supplies: flower wreath already purchased, burlap, sewing pins. The burlap was cut into strips, probably about 12"-16" long and 4" wide. There's no right/wrong way, they were actually pieces left over from another project that bombed. Crafter's life. I folded the burlap strips into little fans that had 3-4 folds in them and then pinned it at the bottom to hold it together, like so:

The wreath was pretty small, maybe only a foot or so in diameter (don't you love how my measurements are so precise? there's a reason I teach Kindergarten :) but again, no right/wrong way, use what ya got!).  I made 8 of these burlap fan thingies, like so:

I flipped the wreath over, which was basically a styrofoam wreath form, and used two more pins to attach the burlap fans to the back of the wreath all the way around.

Ta-da! Now my flower wreath has some farmhouse oomph added to it. It's a very subtle addition, but I like it. A lot.

10 points if you see my awkward face in the first photo and 20 points if you see Nate and Chloe in the second photo: I walked into the house after taking these and Nate was RIGHT there and made me freak out. He said, "Did ya see me in your pictures?!" I said, "Heck no! You scared me just now, I had no idea you were even in here!!!" #stalkers [and I just noticed in these pictures that my wreath hanger is not aligned in the center.... ugh. #decorproblems]

Have you and your hubs decided on a decorative theme on your home? I know, it's weird. Really we just buy what we like and work with it. But having a "theme" or "concept" helps us get the shopping in line so we don't buy a plethora of random decorations. Share your shopping tips and decor themes in the comment section: it's always fun to see what people do in their homes!

Happy weekend!

"They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, 'Hosanna!' 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' 'Blessed is the king of Israel!'" John 12:13

[blog] Bloglovin'

Okay, you can pretty much call me GFC/HTML/blog data illiterate. All I know is posting blog entries, updating my blog, and the number of followers a blog has via that little blue button that says "Follow" or "Join This Site" on the sidebar of a blog, which is through Google Friend Connect.... ? Right, or no? That is the epitome of blog "stardom", right? How many followers you have? I don't know. I aspire to have 1,000 one day. I mean, that is one of my 30 before 30 goals. I'm slowly creeping along, but I'm sure I'll get there someday!

Anyhoo, all that to say that apparently that GFC box is going away this summer... from what I understand. So to follow my blog, I would love for you to click HERE and go to Bloglovin' so you can follow my posts there. I am loving the iPhone app for Bloglovin' as well: it's neat and easy to read (AND TO POST COMMENTS!!!!) from my phone, which is where I read all of your blog posts 9 out of 10 times. I'm a lady on the go... okay, not really. But it is convenient.

So, a short and sweet post for you today. Go HERE. Follow me there. Let me know if you are on there as well so I can keep up with you! I've already added a few of my favorites... but then I got sleepy :)

Happy Wednesday!

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 1:4

***Update: So actually it's the Google Reader going away... I use the Blogger Dashboard to read posts, so I don't know if the change will affect me... Regardless, go follow my blog on Bloglovin', just in case!

[life] Wedding Bells

Last Saturday was the wedding of our friends Sam and Nate. It was such a beautiful day and the reception was SO cute: they did all of the decor themselves! Very vintage inspired, lots of burlap. Love stuff like that! Here are some pictures, enjoy!

Ceremony

Yes, Nate sang during the ceremony (during the unity sand): I'll have to upload the video of his practice during the rehearsal!

Reception

The Grand March: a tradition down here (we had never heard of it or seen it, but this is our first wedding to attend since moving here) that is sort of like a conga/dance line!

Such a sweet day! Every time I go to a wedding, I always reminisce on my own. And my favorite part of any wedding is when the couple leaves to go on their honeymoon and to start their life together: that is the BEST part!

Happy Monday!

"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Matthew 19:6

[life] San Antonio Trip With Friends

Hello there! I am currently in Dallas enjoying a much needed Spring Break vacation: it's been a blast catching up with my brother and sister in law who have been in S. Korea for the past year as English teachers to children. We have missed them like crazy but they are finally back for good in the USA and we are beyond thrilled!

A few weeks ago, Nate and I took a 24 hour mini-vacation to San Antonio, TX where we met our best friends, Sam and Scott. We were in their wedding in November and since then, they have moved from our hometown 5 hours away for his youth ministry job, which is still 4 hours away from us. San Antonio is pretty much the in between stop from our two ministry towns, so we decided to take a mini-vacation there for some good food, fun, and fellowship. We had a blast and wish we could get together more often, but weekend trips are hard when both hubs are in the ministry... so this Friday/Saturday trip was perfect! Here's what we did...

Friday night, we met at our hotel, which was on the Riverwalk (a river that runs through downtown: lots of hotels and restaurants on it, plus a boat ride that goes through it... very fun and festive!) and unpacked/got ready. We shared a room, so that made it more fun as well: don't worry, it was a suite! We had plenty of space. We had dinner at Landry's steakhouse, which was fabulous, then decided to go see "Jack the Giant Slayer" at the IMAX. Surprisingly good! On our way out of the theater and back to the Riverwalk, we happened upon the Alamo at night... so naturally, we stopped for a photo shoot! Rememberrrr the Alamooooo! And Texas' birthday was the next day, March 2, so it was only fitting :) It's nice that there aren't a bajillion people in the pictures either, which is usually the case when you visit during the day.

The next day, we checked out of our hotel and went a little past the Riverwalk to Mi Tierra, one of mine and Nate's favorite restaurants. There's a Mexican market right outside as well, so lots of shopping and entertainment too.

The restaurant is open 24 hours/day and has a bakery in the front with Mexican treats... yumm! It is also decked out for Christmas every day of the year with tinsel and lights and whatnot... I mean it is DECKED. OUT. And the food is delicious!

It was a gorgeous day, so after lunch we headed to the SA Zoo... it is a wonderful zoo! It was crowded, but not annoyingly so, and the weather was perfect for walking around. I took a picture of Sam with her tiger cup :) Gotta love zoo souvenirs!

After the zoo, we went to the mall for a little bit and also got some frozen yogurt, then we parted ways. It was a short trip, but a fun trip nonetheless! And getting to spend time with dear friends is always a wonderful blessing! So do you take weekend trips with friends? Let's hear it!

Happy Friday!

"I thank my God every time I remember you." Philippians 1:3

[faith] Women's Bible Study #8

8. Regularly attend a Bible study with women (also in the works!)
Still ongoing from August to present, woot!

Over the summer, our church women's ministry began meeting to brainstorm a weekly Bible study for women ages 18 and older. I am so thankful for these group of ladies who meet weekly! They are a blessing to my life and it is such an encouragement to hear the wisdom, similar stories and struggles, and Godly insights from some fabulous Christian women. We follow a bible study and have such wonderful discussion on God's truths and lessons for our lives. Love it!

I have been meaning to post this for a while, but since my 30 before 30 says that I would REGULARLY attend a bible study, I wanted to give it some time before I shared. We have just started our third bible study (wow!), so I wanted to share all three studies with you so you know what we've been up to in case you are interested to start up a bible study at your church or with a group of friends!

The first bible study we completed was "Seed" by Priscilla Shirer. This bible study, DVD/workbook based, focused on various concepts and themes, but what I remembered most from the study was Priscilla's 5 P's method on how to study the bible:

• Position yourself to hear from God
• Pore over the passage and Paraphrase the major points
• Pull out the spiritual principles
• Pose the question
• Plan obedience and Pin down a date

It is so easy to skim a passage and not really understand what it is saying, but her 5 P's method definitely made us dig into the Word to truly grasp its meaning!

The next, and longest, study we have completed so far is Beth Moore's "So Long, Insecurity", which is book/workbook/DVD based. This was my favorite! Beth talks to you like you are best friends: her book is easy to read and understand, and her words are true and solid. She is an awesome woman of God and so incredibly wise! This bible study focused on insecurities we can have as women: looks, job status, marriage, anything! She discusses where our insecurities root from: maybe a childhood loss, a family crisis, etc. and teaches that it is God, not the world or others, who gives us our security and we are secure women in HIM. Such powerful words!

I have been insecure before and have felt those emotions creep up: what will happen if...? I'm going to be so embarrassed if....? God has us and we are His, no one can take that from us. When we feel insecure, we are to run to Him and His Word. I'm still finishing up the book (there is a book and a work book for the bible study) and I would highly recommend it to anyone!

 

The bible study we have just started is Lysa TerKeurst's "Unglued". This bible study will focus on our raw emotions and how we react when life happens. Are we on God's side or on the world's side? Do we let our emotions get the best of us, or are we a light for God and show grace when we are ticked off? Lysa is another personable writer/teacher (this series is also book/workbook/DVD based) and makes it simple to follow her Biblical teachings. I'm excited to see where this study leads!

So there you have it! Do you attend a women's bible study at your church? Or do you have a group of fellow women that you can be open and real with as to what God is doing in your life? Moving four hours from home, almost three years ago, it was hard to connect and make friends with strangers when your entire world and all of your relationships were four hours away (SO thankful for Facebook, by the way!). But it was truly God's plan for Nate and I to be thrown out of our comfort zone to establish new relationships here and we are so blessed with the wonderful friends and relationships we have built since moving. God is good y'all, all the time.

Have a great week!

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 
1 Thessalonians 5:11