sharing thrift inspiration

I'm over at Parsimonia {Second Hand with Style} sharing my thrift mix inspiration.

Be sure to check it out and give Beth some love for her fabulous blog!

14 weeks

So, I'm actually 15 weeks. These are going to be a week behind. I gotta wait til the end of the week to be able to write accurately about what's happened.

And I want to share the sweet letter I mentioned that Rachel wrote letting the church know I'm pregnant - it's definitely one for the baby book. 

        THE TIME IS FULFILLED    Mark 1:15       

The time has come. With these first words, Jesus frames all that has been and all that will be.

There will be many firsts—many firsts for which I will not be, in the literal sense, present. But I will ponder in my heart what were to me first words from the lips of this child’s mother and undoubtedly, years from now, celebrate the grace that flows through beginning chapters.

What was an ordinary hour ended as anything but; one among us is expecting, we learned. It is upon these glad tidings, the Spirit dances.

  

Dear Baby Goodman,

We confess that our first thoughts had more to do with the likelihood of you being the best-looking child on the planet. We accounted for what will be your adorable wardrobe adorning a delightful inner sparkle and could see the herd of advertising scouts heading straight for the ‘burg.

But then we got to thinking about whom and whose you’ll be... and the marvel matured. We realized we wouldn’t have to tell you that Jesus loves you. You, precious child, will be surrounded by people in whom your Lord lives and moves.

You will bear the mark of your parents' discipleship. We just know it. The gracious ways of your mother...your father’s eagerness to enter the game in spite of injury upon injury...our world will be a brighter, bolder place.

You’ll never see the light in her eyes when the reign of God descended upon our library. So let me say this: When Shelby proclaimed with great joy the good news, hearts sung and spirits soared. We remembered that ours is indeed a God of holy moments. For us, as it was for those four by the sea near Capernaum, excitement won the day. And immediately—yes, immediately—we loved you.

                                                                                                                Always, Peakland UMC

My heart is full.

Wanting to see the previous weeks? Look here.

renewed energy

I'm not gonna lie, my shop suffered during the last three months.

Finally, last week I got some renewed energy and listed the piles of stuff sitting in my office.

I couldn't believe how quickly stuff flew out of the shop - you guys are awesome!

Never fear, there's lots of new stuff still there!

And I've also put a bunch of stuff on SALE. So when you're in the shop, be sure to check out the SALE category and see all the steals!

It feels good to be back. 

thank you x 3

I just wanted to be sure to thank all of you for the sweet words of congratulations to us. It is so fun to know so many people are so excited for us as we begin this new adventure! It felt like my birthday x100 on facebook yesterday when I shared the news. Josh came up and hugged me yesterday when he got home from work and said That was fun to share our news with everyone. It really was. Thank you for making us feel special.

I also need to thank my sweet husband. Josh, you have been everything I needed and more during this rough first trimester. You carried our family when I was weak, physically and emotionally. You took on extra work around the house and made sure we had food to eat. You held my hair when I was throwing up and listened patiently through my tears. You helped pray me through anxious hours. You are a wonderful husband and I know our child is going to be blessed to call you Dad.

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I'd also like to thank the following foods for helping me survive the first trimester:

• pizza
• applesauce
• clemintines
• crackers
• ginger ale
• McChicken's
• string cheese
• PB&J's
• cran-grape juice
• all things carbs

this party is bumpin'

It's true. We're gonna have a baby!

We are over the moon excited! And now that I'm officially in the 2nd trimester and morning sickness is (mostly) behind me, I am feeling like my old self again. My apologies for the sporadic posting over the past several months, but morning sickness was no joke in the Goodman household. I was so lucky to have a sweet, caring hubby to take care of me and flexible hours at work so I didn't lose my job.

I'm working on making a digital scrapbook of sorts for this pregnancy with pictures of my growing bump and notes to our little baby about each week. I wanted to take a picture of me each week, but that (along with many other things) didn't happen while I was down and out. But I improvised.

So, if you'd like to get caught up on what's been going on in the bumpin' process, here's a glimpse of the first trimester.

All prayers and words of wisdom welcome for this clueless mama-to-be.

Already, I had no idea it was possible to be so excited/anxious/scared to death all at the same time.

two steps forward

This one simple gift from my husband has allowed me to take two steps forward in my goals for 2012.

It has helped me 1) get organized and motivated me to 2) entertain more.

He built me these shelves to go above the hutch so that I could organize all my serving and entertaining items.

Since our kitchen is lacking is space to store larger pieces, all these pieces had started to overtake the bottom of the hutch and were looking quite cluttered. To see them organized motivates me to use them!

Plus, this gives me my fix for opening shelving which I've always wanted in a kitchen.

Another good step in my goals - a blogger friend sent me a book in the mail to read! I'd say I'm off to a good start this year!

for your tuesday

Just some random, fun things I've run across on the internet lately and thought I'd share. 

The coolest invitation ever.

Words to live by.

There's just something about a huge photograph that I love.

Wouldn't this say Valentines Day like none other?

Probably the most creative proposal I've seen. Her face is hysterical.

Beautiful wallpaper, matching headboard.

Revive old paintbrushes by soaking them in hot vinegar.

I haven't tried this yet, but if it works, I'll be saving a lot of paintbrushes.





Now, that's a crouton I could get used to.


The new Martha Stewart + Avery collaboration. Is there anything Martha doesn't do?



Happy Tuesday!

handmade gifts

So, I know it's after the fact, but I had to wait until all my gifts were distributed before I could share a couple of the handmade Christmas gifts I made this year. So, if you like these ideas, tuck them away for a birthday or for next Christmas!

Coffee Cup Cozy

I made this coffee cup cozy for my friend Katie, a stylish mom-on-the-go who loves coffee and recently got a new keurig. 

First, I cut the sleeve off an old sweater.

Since only one end was nicely finished and the end that I cut was apt to fray, I decided to sew a piece of my favorite vintage fabric onto the unfinished end to help it stay intact. I sewed a straight line down each side.

And then I slipped it onto a white plastic coffee cup. Perfectly personalized for my friend.

Vintage Dish Towel

While thrifting, I found a couple really fun vintage tablecloths for $1. Reason for the low price? They were stained/had holes.

Knowing they still had potential, I snatched them up anyways. So I decided to make several dish towels out of them. First off, I took a dish towel I already had to give me an outline for what size I wanted to make them.

I didn't take any pictures of the sewing process because it's simply ironing over your unfinished edge and then sewing a straight line.

Out of one table cloth, I made 5 dish towels.

I was even able to keep one for myself.

Stained tablecloths are not a lost cause.

Vintage Tin Candles

I know already shared this one, but it was part of the handmade gifts I made this year so I thought I'd include it in the group. Check out this post for the how-to.

Did you attempt any handmade gifts this year? Do tell.

Here's to 2012

Every year, I make mental resolutions of things I want to change or make better for the upcoming year, but I usually forget about them. So, I figured if I write them down and publicize them this year, I'm bound to not forget them at the very least.

Write more letters.

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I have so much beautiful stationary just sitting in my desk. This year, I want to use it up telling my friends and family I'm thinking of them and how much I care about them.

Step out of my hair comfort zone.

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Ever since a haircut gone wrong my freshman year of college, I've been scarred. I've had essentially the same haircut since it grew out. Last year, I gave up dyeing my hair blonde and tried bangs. That was a big deal for me. This year, I'd like to get a semi-dramatic haircut. 

Learn a new skill.

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This year I'd like to expand my skill set. "You know, like nunchuck skills, bow hunting skills, computer hacking skills..."

Truly, I'd love to take a calligraphy course. That's a skill that I could find a use for. I've yet to find a local class though - maybe this year.

Properly name my Photoshop layers.

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More generally, get organized. I've realized that the older I'm getting, the more unorganized I'm getting.

The huge stack of unfiled papers in my office rats me out daily. I'd like to correct this before it's too late. 

Dear iPhone, is there an app for that?

Nail down signature foods.

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When I'm asked to bring something to an event, I flounder. I'd love to nail down some fabulous go-to recipes that I can learn to make by heart and have full confidence in their deliciousness.

Shelby, will you bring that thing that you make so well?

Don't mind if I do.

Go on more dates.

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With my husband. Intentional ones. Where we try new things and see new places.

And cherish good ol' quality time together.

Get a library card.

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I sort of blame college for squelching my love for reading. I don't think I read for fun at all during those 4 years. Then I read the Twilight series. Don't judge me. And I remembered what it was like to devour a 500 page book in a day. To feel like the characters in the book were my friends.  And to get lost in a story. 

This year, I want to read more books. Any suggestions, friends?

Entertain more.

Invite people over. Cultivate friendships. Use every one of my serving platters.

Be generous.

With money. With love. With grace. 

Remember that all my blessings come from the Gracious Hand above. 

I know, I know, where are the eat healthy and exercise resolutions? We'll leave those for 2013.

So, here's to 2012!