Trip to Iowa

Last night we returned from our trip to Iowa to visit Ronnie's grandparents. This was my first trip there and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed it! I loved having snow, getting to know the grandparents better, playing games, and seeing all kinds of new things. We visited several Amish stores, a cheese factory, a delicious bakery, and some adorable antique stores. Ronnie's grandparents were wonderful hosts and fed us lots of Christmas treats, good food, and kept us well entertained! Here are some pictures from the trip (click on the collage to see it larger).

Merry Christmas Eve!

Come on in and see our Christmas decorations! Wish you could really stop by, but sadly most of you don't live near by.

I love seeing the Christmas tree through the window!

Our skinny tree with some holes, but a good tree none the less

We got creative with the window. We were looking for somewhere interesting to put the Reindeer and voila!

The stockings are hung with care, as well as my angel from my Grandmother's angel collection.

The kitchen has to be a part of the holiday fun too...

I think the berry wallpaper adds a nice festive touch, haha!

Hallway

In the china cabinet

You've seen this before recently!

Merry Christmas!

Project: Dining Room Chairs!

Remember these dining room chairs that so desperately needed recovering?

Mission Accomplished!!

Thanks to the help of my crafty mother-in-law and sister-in-law (and Ronnie too, of course), we were able to get all 8 recovered on Saturday.

It's a vast improvement and was pretty easy.

And, for mama, here is the little table you gave me at Thanksgiving.

Its in the hall outside the dining room. Thanks! I love it!

Next project on the agenda is a valance for the dining room. I decided against the shiny curtains.

Thanksgiving!

We spent a fun Thanksgiving with my family at my sister's spacious and sunny house! We had a wonderful time, enjoyed delicious food, and simply enjoyed being together.

View of campus from the front yard.

The table was set with all the finery :)

A pretty fall floral arrangement in the center!

All the boys chowing down at the kids table, complete with butcher paper, crayons, and stickers.

Yummy Food! (I haven't mastered the art of photographing food, hope it looks semi appetizing, because it sure tasted good!)

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever."
Psalm 118:1

We have much to be thankful for! Surely the Lord has been good to us!

(Hopefully a group picture to come; its on someone else's camera)

Tablescape Thursday!

Every Thursday, Between Naps on the Porch hosts an event called Tablescape Thursday. I have never participated before, but I have enjoyed browsing through the posts. I do love dishes and tableware! In honor of my new table, I thought I would contribute a simple autumn setting incorporating some of my favorite things! The color scheme is cream, yellow and my favorite, aqua!



The centerpiece and salt and pepper shakers both incorporate some cute little birds.



The dishes are the pattern Jasper Conran that we registered for when we married. The napkins and glasses are both antique store finds!

Our New Table

Now I just need to order some fabric to recover all the seats!

Yum!

Spice Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting and some leaf sprinkles of course!
(Wish I could claim they were made from scratch, but I don't think our growth group will mind a little Duncan Hines :)

For some really inspiring recipes and photos that will make your mouth water head on over to Pinch My Salt. I tried her Pumpkin Spice Cream Cheese this week and it was yummy. Can't wait to try some more of these!