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Saturday, January 30, 2010

amy

I really love Amy Butler fabrics, so you can only imagine the joy I felt when I discovered that she also makes bath towels. Love them! 

E and I could never use them because for whatever reason we literally bleach everything we have. I'm not talking about using bleach while doing laundry. We can wash our face or dry our hands off and ta-da our towels are now bleached out! They would be pretty in a guest bath or something, but we would have to stay far far away. 







 



Friday, January 29, 2010

sunshine

While this can be fun


I believe I'm ready for these

 

and these

 

and sun kissed skin

a richer look

 

  

  

  

A little wainscoting can make a huge statement. 

I have always wanted add wainscoting similar to the ones in these pictures, but I know that it can be a little pricey to pay a professional. 

I was so excited to see a DIY tutorial in the Spring Edition of Better Homes and Gardens: DIY. I looked everywhere, but I couldn't find any pictures of the tutorial. 

So the best I can do is share with you all an excerpt from the article.

.:. It looks rich, but wainscoting like this is a doable weekend project

Start by covering the desired wall area with 1/4-inch birth plywood (using wood screws), then attach vertical 1x2s every 16 inches

Top the plywood with a 1x6 board adhered flat against the wall, then a cap of 1x2s. Prime and paint .:.

Maybe I will do this project someday when I find a little bit more time. if I do, then I promise to post step-by-step pictures of the tutorial.

and the winner is...

This week's giveaway goes to KATIE! Congrats to you! Don't forget to stop by Bomb Shell Studios... and don't forget to stop back on Monday as there will be another giveaway. This might be your lucky week.

 

  

 

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

hold on tight

while I take you on a trip inside my head.

I am having one of those days where I feel like I have nothing to write about. I've been working on a couple projects, but they're all either top secret or have yet to be photographed.

Since I don't have any photos, DIY, or recipes -- I thought I would just unload some of my thoughts for you & include you in on a few things going on in the Ridd household

{I will edit - I'm sure you don't want to know all the crazy things that go on inside my head}
{feel free to stop reading anytime if you start to feel dreadfully bore}

1.
I have something big coming up tomorrow that I would love prayer for. Unfortunately I cannot share it on here, but I do ask that you pray that I would feel perfectly at peace and in God's will.


2.
Since I graduated last month, I have been reading like crazy. I am on my fifth book {ok, the other four might have been Twlight - don't judge}.


I am currently reading this book:



I do not believe that it is classified as a Christian book, but it does hold some amazing truths that I feel agree with my Christian faith. Oh course, like any book, there are also things that I disagree with. I feel that if you read a book and agree with everything in it, chances are you're not reading critically enough.

I've enjoyed this book because it is so COUNTER CULTURE. We live in a world that screams "you will be happier if you make more and do more things to benefit YOURSELF."

This book paints a beautiful picture of the words of God

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

3.
You all will be proud. Last night, I faced my fears head on! Yes, I am talking about my sewing machine.  Let me go ahead and say that I am not a read the instruction manual type of person. I lack what they call patience.

But ... I did it. It look many attempts (I'm talking about threading the machine here ... don't laugh). At one point I thought I was going to throw the bobbin accross the room. However, I wanted to learn so bad that I was determined not to give up!

After all my blood sweat and tears, I finally got the darn thing threaded.

 

Side note - I successfully threaded the machine several times and when I would start sewing the machine would jam up and make these crazy noises. I almost threw the machine out as well.

My patience endured and I did not throw out the machine. I practiced a little self-talk and said "I am not going to give up" or things like "you can do this Rachel." Again, for all you sewing experts - don't laugh!


And so, around 1:00am last night I finished my first sewing project. Let me just mention that I get up for work around 6:30. I am running on empty today.

4.
Not only did I complete one of my resolutions "sew something," but  E and I also worked towards another resolution last week "get rid of debt."

Last week we paid off our car! No more car payment. I couldn't be more thrilled. I wrestle with God's words about money ... how much should I give? Is it ok to save? I know I need to save so that I don't go into debt ... and so on and so on. Loving and honoring God with my money is something that I still need His Spirit to work and reform my mind and heart about.

All that being said, there is one thing that His word is super clear to me about. Living without debt. AS it says, the borrower is slave to the lender.

Although a lot of the other concepts, ideas, and traditions around money are still full of more questions than answers, God's truth in regard to debt is something that I feel like I get. So if I feel like that truth is clear, then I better be obedient right? We're working on that, and the first step was to pay off the car. There is great freedom in throwing off the weights of debt.

5.
E is a borderline hoarder. He gets it honestly. He comes from a family of hoarders.

He particularly hoards t-shirts.
 

I told you all how last weekend we refinished a dresser.

Well, a couple of nights ago we started to transfer our clothes from the old dresser to the new. E started to get a little possessive about his drawer space. So, I started counting his t-shirts. 61!!!!

The conversation went like this...

E: can I have both of the bottom drawers for my t-shirts?
Me: Yes, if you will promise me that you will never again create piles of t-shirts on our bedroom floor.
E: Promise.
Me: How many t-shirts do you have anyways? {start counting the piles} 1,2,3,4...
E: Will you please just leave me alone?
Me: 59,60, 61. Seriously?
E: Please leave me alone.
Me: Couldn't you just get rid of 1/2. You would still have enough to wear a different one for every day of the month.
E: Why don't I go in the other room and count your shoes?

END OF CONVERSATION. Ohh the joys of marriage ... gotta love them.

6.
  Tonight, I am starting a new bible study with a group of high school girls. We're going to look at various places in the Old Testament where God directly spoke to a single person or group of people. I would love your prayers for these girls' hearts and that God would work through me in mighty ways.






7.
I have a new favorite treat. Iced Passion Tazo tea. Fabulous!

8.
  On Monday night E and I met with a insurance guy / financial guy. He talked to us about life insurance. All I kept thinking about were the words of Francis Chan "in the church we should be each other's life insurance." I want to be responsible, but I don't really know how I feel about it.

9.
I am dreaming / scheming up a little trip. Ok, I guess I should say a big trip.
E's best friend and his family recently moved to Paris. We are desperately wanting to go visit them this Fall. I'd like to go for two weeks. I'd like to spend one week in Paris and the other in Italy. Tuscany, Italy. I even found  the perfect place to stay.

Tuscany for Two. That's what the website says. I don't make these things up. Sounds perfect though, doesn't it?

I have even figured up how much we need to save each month to be able to pay for the trip. I told you I was scheming. Someday I hope to have little Ridd's so there's no better time to go than now ... right?


 

 

 

 





10.
While that trip is still a distant dream, I am actually going on another trip real soon. In March, E and I are going on a mission trip to Costa Rica. Along with other leaders, we're taking a group of high school students.

We took a similar trip a couple of years ago.
It was amazing, and I feel so blessed for the opportunity to return.



I am thinking about hosting a couple of jewelry parities as a way to fund raise for the trip. I feel pretty excited about it. If you're local and interested in hosting a party - let me know!



11. 
I love clementines. I also love the little wooden boxes that they come in.  I have started saving them and using them for storage. 



12.
Don't forget to enter to win the giveaway!
{If you have already entered - ignore #12}

Random I know. You can't say that you were not warned. I'll be back soon with more randomness I'm sure. Thanks to anyone who reads this. I love your comments. You make blogging so much fun.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

that's a spicy meatball

I am almost embarrassed sharing this recipe because it is ridiculously simple. I also thought, maybe this is something everyone already knows how to do. However, I decided to share because it has been such a convenience for me.

My recipe for GIANT ITALIAN MEATBALLS

Here are the things that you will need:

2 lbs of lean ground beef or ground turkey
2 cups seasoned beadcrumbs
3 large eggs
1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
4 garlic cloves
2 T tomato paste
a dash or salt and pepper

Mix all of the ingredients together. Divide and roll into whatever size meatballs you would like. I like to make them real big and just use one meatball per person.


Next, you simply add all the the raw meatball to a large ziplock bag and freeze. And now for the convenient part ... When I want a simple meal. all I do is take two of the meatballs out of the freezer, and add them into a crockpot with my favorite sauce. Easy Peasy {as my friend Lu says}. Let them cook on low all day and after about 8 hours they're ready to go.

Monday, January 25, 2010

vintage laundry basket

This weekend E and I had our first painted furniture experience. I found a long dresser {with fabulous detail & in great shape} on ebay for only $35.00.

This weekend we primed, painted, and polyed {I think I made that word up}. I will share some pictures soon I promise.

I am waiting until I get started complete the chalkboard that I want to hang above the dresser.

My chalkboard inspiration comes from here...



As always, E's first reaction was not very emthuestatic. "It's just not what I pictured ... I thought we'd put up a couple of frames or something." I know that he will grow to love it. He always does. I've already started collecting a variety of love letters, pictures, and other things that I love to hang from the clothespins.

In the middle of the clothespin line I am going to hang this print. I made a little trade on etsy a little while ago and I have been waiting to use it until the dresser was finished. This print is very special to me because I can clearly remember my dad singing this to me as a child.


Now that I have found and completed the dresser ... I am onto another hunt. {Anyone else always have the next upcoming project in their head?}

Right now we have this laundry hamper



Before this weekend, it never really bothered me. Or should I say ... I never paid enough attention for it to bother me. Now that the dresser is finished and the room is starting to shape up ... all of the sudden I hate it!

I desperatly want to replace it with something like this

 

I know that PB currently has knock-off vintage laundry baskets, but they're asking upwards of $100! No way. If I didn't even pay $100 for the dresser, there's no way I could drop that kind of cash on a laundry basket. I would like to find this treasure at a local thrift store for say - $20 or less!

Well ... the hunt is on!


Sunday, January 24, 2010

still intimidated by the sewing machine

I don't really know why, but I am super intimidated by the sewing machine. I can't seem to get it out of the box. I think it's more about threading the machine than actually sewing. Will someone please teach me so that I can accomplish my New Year's resolution and conquer my fears.

I have a couple amazing sewing plans and I really need to brave the machine. I promise that I will make the attempt soon and share with you my creations.

For now, I will share my no-sew pillow. I found this fabric in my attic. Left over from the people who lived in the house before us. Score.

My Envelope Pillow.

Start with any old not cute pillow that desperately needs a makeover.

A few other things that you will need:
Fabric one inch wider and 2 ½ times longer than your pillow’s dimensions
Thread (if you have more skills than me)
Scissors
A sewing machine or stitch witchery






 
 

 

 
ta-da
 

and the winner is...

This week's giveaway goes to Nancy Marie! Congrats to you! Don't forget to stop by Fire Hydrant Press  ... and don't forget to stop back on Monday as there will be another giveaway. This might be your lucky week. Thanks again to all the sponsors and readers for your amazing support.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

i thought the rockies would be a little rockier

A little catch up ...  if you will.

This first pictures have nothing to do with E and I's CO trip. I just thought that it was funny.





 

And now onto some our our vacation pictures.

Steamboat Springs, CO




 

 




 

 

 
 

 

 
pedicures on our toes toes ...
 




 


Live from Red Rocks


 



 

 

 

 

 
Sorry for the lack of words and descriptions. Busy Saturday! But ... a picture is worth a 1,000 words right?

Alright, I'm off to do a couple little projects for my friend's baby shower! For right now they're a secret, but I can't wait to share soon.