It’s the weekend before Thanksgiving. One of my very, very favorite times and a weekend I truly look forward to each year! Why? I get to spend part of Saturday and Sunday peeling potatoes, cooking bacon, taking meat of turkey bones and carving ham. Now doesn’t that sound exciting?! Not quite what you were expecting, was it?

How about this? While I’m doing all of the above, I’m surrounded by some of the most wonderful and sweet ladies and we spend the time working and visiting! So here’s how the weekend usually goes…

Jeannette and Connie get to the church early Saturday morning to start the turkeys and ham cooking in the ovens. Then around 1-2 that afternoon, Ronda, myself and others show up, don aprons, start peeling taters and get more prep work done before our Sunday Thanksgiving feast after church. We’re working. Talking. Laughing. And marveling at how Ronda never has had an apron (this year, she emailed me that she’s using her new one!) We’re done by 4 or 5 and ready for the next day.

Sunday morning dawns and there’s lots of activity in the kitchen as I bring in my coconut cream pies and cranberry salad. Delicious salads and yummy desserts start piling up on the kitchen counter and in the fridge. As I’m in the kitchen getting my crockpot of stuffing started cooking before my class starts, Felicity is following me around, wanting to help and ready to go to our classroom as soon as I head out of the kitchen.

After teaching Sunday School, I make my way back to the kitchen, ready to help with the last minute details like cutting desserts, mashing taters and buttering bread that Jeannette needs done. Last year Jeannette put me in charge of making gravy. I remember thinking, “YIKES!” So for those of you who didn’t like last year’s gravy…never fear! The person who made it won’t be there this year. You can eat without fear.

Alan is getting a head count of people in the church service so we have an idea who is staying for the meal. Mark is making tea, counting cups and getting ice ready. Jeannette is making sure all the food is hot. Connie is washing the few spoons and forks used for “taste testing” the food. The rest of us are finding something else that needs done before the people start rushing in. Or looking busy. The church service is wrapping up and we’re quickly setting out salads, uncovering the meat and getting everything out on the table, making sure each dish has it’s own serving utensils.

Then…all our hard work has paid off! There are people coming through the line, the stack of plates is dwindling, the salad bowls are getting emptied and the dessert table is just about deserted. Pastor Kirk comes through the kitchen bringing a slice of coconut cream pie to save for later. Unknown to him, I  already have a couple pieces of that very pie saved back in the fridge–one for him and one for Lydell. Empty dishes are being pulled from the line and stacked at the sink. More desserts are being cut and plated. And refills of coffee, tea and water are coming. All while chatting with people as they are making their way through the line of food.

Pastor Kirk and Terri are going through the almost empty line of food; it must be nearing the end. As the kitchen crew,we grab our plates, take some food, gobble it down (we had some taste testing earlier as things were cooking–after all, we HAVE to make sure the food is hot you know!) and start the cleanup job. Many people chip in to help pick up salt and pepper shakers, wash and fold tablecloths, wash dishes, vacuum and fold up table and chairs.

It’s 2:00. We’re all tired. Our feet hurt (at least mine do!). And we’re ready to go home. It’s been fun. I love the opportunity to serve. I enjoy being surrounded by ladies who know much more than I do and from whom I can gain valuable kitchen advice. It’s been a fun and successful weekend!

And this year, I’m thinking back on the last several years. I can just imagine all the smiles and laughter going on back in that warm kitchen. Thank you Jeannette (and Gordon), for asking me to help work in the kitchen. I’ve loved every minute of it. Thank you Connie, for bring the potato peelers so we didn’t have to peel potatoes with knives. Thank you Rocky and Madonna, for your raisin looking hands after washing piles of dishes. Thank you Mark, for reaching things off of high shelves and pulling out sink drain stops for me.

I’m thinking back and smiling. And wishing I could be there again this weekend. And yes, I am still making two coconut cream pies this year. But for another church Thanksgiving feast in another state. Sorry Pastor Kirk! And, I talked to my Dad. No, he’s not bringing pies. Connie, you can take over the coconut cream pies!

Ladies (and guys), enjoy. Have fun. It’s work, yes, but rewarding. And fulfilling. Being willing and available to serve has it’s own fulfillment that nothing can replace, whether it’s helping in the kitchen for a potluck meal, teaching Sunday School, putting up/away tables and chairs or folding bulletins every week. Jesus Christ put us on this earth to serve and minister to others. And this weekend provides ample opportunity to do just that!

And if I’m ever back in Kansas that weekend before Thanksgiving, can I have my kitchen job back? Please?!

Every wedding is filled with sweet, precious memories, right? What stands out? The wedding gown, the flowers, the cake, the decorations….whatever it is, you want to remember all the wonderful plans made for that day that went exactly as  planned. But we all know, there’s always something unexpected that happens. Those are some of the things that you look back on and remember so well and yet….no one or very few in the audience of attendees knew anything about! You’re successful at hiding it. Sorta. Most of it.

But seriously, you’ve heard of people passing out at weddings, formal attire being duck taped to hold together, people missing or being late and last minute trips to Hobby Lobby. Well, as much as I planned and allowed for every single detail of my wedding, it wasn’t without it’s own mishaps. But to the success of many people behind the scenes, hardly anyone knew of the mishaps of that day.

And when I look back on that day and week, they’re memories. Some I wish I could change, others I just have to think back and smile. And others, I’ve wondered why I didn’t google that to find out that info BEFORE my wedding day! In one of my chats with Erinn, she said, “You need to write all this stuff down. And blog about it.” I may not tell you every single detail, but there’s a few I can’t help but share with you…

Today, it’s my voice, or rather, lack of…

Friday night, during rehearsal, I could tell that I was losing my voice. I had been fighting a cold and it had been a busy week. I start whispering, but much to my dismay, Saturday morning rolled around and my voice still crackled. Just great! How am I going to say my vows so everyone can hear and understand?! But I kept telling myself, “God, you’re in control. Please help my voice to at least stay strong enough through my vows. After that, it doesn’t matter.”

Getting my hair done. Whispering. Talking with my photographers. Whispering. Seeing my flowers for the first time. Whispering with glee to my florist. Asking my wedding coordinators about something. Whispering. Did you know that whispering gets kinda old after a few hours?!

I was flying high! I was running on an excited high all afternoon and still going as the ceremony is getting ready to start. Pastor Kirk comes into pray with my bridesmaids and myself. One of the things I tell him is that I’m losing my voice.

He reassures me, “I’ll just step closer to you so that my mic picks up your voice and you won’t be putting so much strain on it to speak.”

That should work. I should be ok. The ceremony is starting. My flower girls walk down the aisle. Next are the bridesmaids. The doors close and I’m waiting on the foyer, listening for the certain part of the music to start down the aisle. There it is. The doors open. Dad is walking me down the aisle. I’m smiling. It’s perfect! Just as I pictured!

Everything is right on schedule. Just as I planned. The ceremony continues. Luke voices his vows in his strong, voice that sounds so familiar to me. Still going according to plan. No one knows about my voice. Even me. I’ve forgotten about it! I’m just rejoicing in the moment. Then, my turn. And reality hits as I start to speak…

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Pastor Kirk edging closer to me. I’m reminding myself to smile and speak slowly and carefully. It takes work getting out every sentence.  And Pastor Kirk gets closer and closer so I’m just barely above a whisper and yet everyone can still hear! Praise the Lord! I made it! Through the repeated vows. Through the ring exchange. Through my personal vows. Whew!

The ceremony is over and we’re taking a few quick photos before heading into the reception. My voice is no longer, but at this point I didn’t care. I’m talking and visiting with guests and using up what little itty bit of my voice I have left. At this point, to me, it didn’t matter. I got through my vows and they still were heard. And of course, Luke heard them, which is the most important of all. And God knew what I was saying before I even spoke it. That’s what truly counts!

At the reception, I had to laugh! I had so many people tell me that they saw Pastor Kirk inching closer and closer to me and through I was going to faint or fall over! No, really, I was ok. It was only a voice issue.  And so many of my friends thought I was crying and emotional. No, not in that sense. I was emotional excited, joyful! But, it was only my voice. Or rather, lack of it.

I can still think back on that, remembering as I told myself to speak slow and deliberate. And when I watched my wedding video a couple months later? Yes, my words sound slow and deliberate. But it’s a memory of that day. While I would rather have been able to speak more clearly, that’s not what God allowed for that day. But He gave my voice enough strength to get through it.

And after the reception and for part of our honeymoon? I had NO voice at all. That’s ok. Luke just did all the talking. At that point, I didn’t care whether I had a voice or not. I was married. The wedding was beautiful. What could be better than that?!

Photo credit to Heartland Photography

It’s hard to believe it’s been five months since this important date. Time flies! But what a wonderful five months it’s been!

I call them automatic toilet bowl cleaners. Luke calls them pressure sensor toilet bombs. Whatever they are….I have LOTS of them!!

Several weeks ago, I bought this Scrubbing Bubbles One Step Automatic toilet bowl cleaner. It was an excellent sale, so I bought four boxes. I was out of toilet bowl cleaner and needed some anyway. I installed it the next day. It’s a metal can that sits on the floor behind the toilet with a little foot petal. Then a cord runs to the thing that sits inside the rim of the toilet. Press on the foot petal and the cleaning fluid runs up the cord and sprays into the toilet to clean it. Works rather well!

I installed it in one of our three bathrooms and a couple days later Luke comes into the kitchen and asks me, “So….what is the pressure sensor doing in the bathroom???” At first, I looked at him like what in the world are you talking about??? Then it dawned on me!! The toilet bowl cleaner!! And I started laughing! And laughing! And laughing some more!

Then he said, “So it’s triggered to go off if you’re in there too long?” And I started laughing some more and managed to get out a “yes” among all that laughing! Oh my! It was hilarious!

Fast forward about a month. Luke was shopping at Walmart with me and as we passed the Scrubbing Bubbles section, I mentioned that those same kits were going to be free next week and then I would buy some more. And he responded with, “More of those pressure sensor toilet bombs?” I just about died laughing right then and there in the cleaning asile. Little did he realize just HOW many I was planning to buy.

Next week came. And when Luke came home from work Monday afternoon, there were 14 new boxes sitting in the kitchen (I had yet to “hide” them downstairs!). You can imagine the look on his face as he said, “That many of those things?”

And now? Every Monday morning as I’m cleaning the bathrooms, I can’t help but smile when I see that “pressure sensor toilet bomb”. And there will be PLENTY of Monday mornings with those sitting in my bathroom in the future!

Just remember not to panic when you come to my house and visit my bathroom and spot that “bomb” hiding behind the toilet! It’s nothing to worry about. Really.

Oh…..one more thing. Just in case you’re in doubt as how to install and use the thing, there’s a youtube video here explaining just how it works. Honestly? It requires a youtube how-to video? It seems as though there’s a youtube video for ANYTHING and EVERYTHING!

This is how to really get efficient while painting!

We have a tall wall. Yes, TALL!

When we were painting this tall wall, we had a ladder.

But, it wasn’t quite tall enough, so we used my metal sewing table. (that thing is heavy duty!)

But we discovered that we STILL needed more height! (You can see where this is going, right?!)

 So we had to invent some new methods that truly reach new heights of achievement!
A ladder. A metal table. And four kitchen chairs. PERFECT!!!!

Where there’s a will, there’s a way!

Ok, this room has changed colors multiple times in my mind before we actually bought paint for it. What we finally ended up doing I LOVE to pieces, but if you would have told me that’s what I’d end up with, I wouldn’t have guessed it!

In my pre-wedding/pre-home color scheme planning, this was an added room I hadn’t planned on, until of course, we bought this house. So I really didn’t have any ideas for colors or furnishing that room. Red is so, so popular and at first that’s what I was planning. It’s easy to decorate in red and find accent ANYTHING with that color scheme. And the walls are tan, so it would blend well.

But, I painted a swatch of red (believe me, I had paint swatches in many places in this house before I’ve made a decision and we painted over them) and it just wasn’t catching my eye for anything. Knowing that I had purple in the other room and then seeing red…..well, it just wasn’t making much progress in my mind.

So, my mind turned to one of my favorite color schemes–purple and green. Our family room was purple; I’ve used that color. I turned to the color green. Not really an olive green or hunter green, but more of a sage green (kinda like my wedding accent color). And yes, after several color swatches looking for the right color and then playing with different ideas for the right faux technique, it just came together. I was sitting on the stairs, staring at the wall, notebook in hand, drawing out a sketch, and said, “Luke, I’ve got an idea!”

To which he looks at me with this “oh dear, what are you going to make me do next?”

It’s simple. ( I think he starts inwardly groaning when he hears those words! ) A base coat of a light green solid. Then do the faux suede technique in a little darker sage green. This gives it some texture and still allows the light green to show through. Basically creating two colors mixed together. Then (this is the REALLY fun part), stencil branches in three strategically placed ares on the wall. And one step beyond that I even have planned–I want to put three tall, skinny wall frames in the center of the room in stair step fashion (still hunting for those!)

Paint the light green (btw, that tan spot? it’s covering up the red paint swatch! ) And yes, that is green….but it’s a LIGHT green!

Then take the mixed faux sage green paint and do strokes with a brush like this. (During this process, you have to do sections at a time and work FAST to make it look right!)

With bunched up fabric, swirl/swish the paint to make it look like suede fabric!

And it looks like THIS!!! YAY!!! I totally love the results! I would be totally happy with this wall like this, but let’s move on…cause it gets even better!

I ordered a branch stencil and we taped it to the wall for area A. It’s hard to see because it’s clear plastic.

The first branch color is the solid green. At this point, we were both thrilled how it was looking!

Beautiful, huh?!?!?!

Then we painted a tan branch over the green (which we ended up redoing in brown–the tan just looked ugh!). And then did dark brown. Are you seeing it?!?! Green and dark brown?!?!

Luke had to paint with some pressure over the stencil, let it dry and then carefully peel it away from the wall. Then let that dry and move onto the next branch.

But JUST LOOK at the beautifulness!!!!! YAY!!!

Then moving onto the other side of the wall where I wanted a group of two branches in area B and then a group of five branches in area C.

Painting green branches. This wall is SO hard to paint cause of it’s height! Good thing I have a tall husband who’s willing to hang over ledges and paint with one hand!

And see??? It’s wonderful! I think it’s my favorite room we’ve painted as of yet!

Does this color scheme and design remind you of something you’re looking at? Yep, I loved it so much, I designed my blog with the same theme!

Yesterday Luke and I saw Courageous. Totally awesome movie! Sherwood Pictures produced this film; the same makers of Fireproof and Facing the Giants. Their newest movie is just as great as the other two. There are hilarious parts (yep, don’t laugh too hard when you meet the snake gang member! ) and some very sad sections. And then the Biblical viewpoint is so woven throughout the movie that it’s one movie you can’t miss watching.

I LOVED it and can’t wait to see it again!

On my most recent trip back to Kansas, I brought the remainder of my fall and Thanksgiving decorations. And this week everything that spelled FALL was out in my house. Ahhhh….I love fall! The colors, the leaves, the foam veggies, pumpkins and gourds that can decorate ledges, stairs and tabletops!

Back in February, when Luke sent me photos of our house, I took one look at the loft ledge and stairs and thought one thing: DECORATING! And the first time I saw our house in person, my initial thoughts were confirmed! Yep, it’s a perfect seasonal decorating spot! At Dad’s house, the ledge above the fireplace was my favorite spot for displaying all my decorations and my new spot now? Yep, that loft ledge!

And…..toward the end of the fall/Thanksgiving season when all the decorations are discounted, I’m grabbing more haystacks! Yep, definitely need more haystacks….I’ve got some more ideas for next year!

The only sad thing about this new season we’re in is that summer is on it’s way out. That means colder and colder weather. And I have a feeling it’ll be much colder in Colorado than Kansas.

This week, I’m headed home to Kansas for a few days. My main reason? Well, two actually. My hair is in dire need of highlighting and a trim. And I have a dentist appt. I scheduled over a year ago. I know, I know….I have yet to make the switch to Colorado Springs for either one.

The really funny thing about the whole-go-home-to-get-your-hair-done thing? Terri, one of my friends from Dodge, drives to Colorado Springs to get her hair done. And me? I drive from Colorado Springs to Dodge to get my hair done! When we discovered our criss-crossing paths, we just about died laughing! AND decided maybe we should switch salons…you know, since we do live in each other’s cities. Makes sense, huh?

I’m also hoping to fit in some visiting time with Dad, Erinn, Grandma and another one of my friends, Jean Ann. I’m going to be there four days (including travel time); I think I’m trying to squeeze quite a bit in! Plus I plan to do some cooking/baking for Dad while I’m home. Leave him with a week’s supply. The last couple of days, I’ve been cooking/baking to leave Luke with a fridge full of food. Now I’ll take my very same list and do the same for Dad’s fridge.

Then I’ll also have to find some time to find a couple things that I left behind in Kansas (or at least have been unable to find here since I moved). And pack my car full with more of my stuff. Like shipping envelopes and boxes. And teaching/classroom supplies. And like ALL the boxes AND boxes of lights from my wedding! I’m confident that I have enough to cover our house in icicles and half the houses on our street! And those are just icicles. That doesn’t count the 20+some boxes of 400 count single strand lights. Add those in and if we actually turned ALL those on at the same time? Our neighbors I’m sure wouldn’t appreciate the results of an electricity surge and blowout.

Every time I go back home, Luke keeps asking me just how many trips I have of my stuff to bring back with me. In June, I told him just a couple. Since then I’ve been home three times. And I think as of this trip, I’ll just have a couple left. I think I should have moved with two trailer loads instead of one trailer load and half a dozen car trips. Oh well. It will all eventually get here. And now that I’ve moved out, Dad has PLENTY of room to store it til I need it.