A new table for us

Out with the old...

and in with the new!

Our creaky oak kitchen table served its purpose for quite a few years.  We only sanded & re-stained the top once in those 12+ years.  But it was time to find something different.  I was surprised how picky I was...many tables I saw online didn't fit "the bill" & were more expensive than I was expecting.  We got lucky....found the perfect match at really nice furniture consignment store in Austin.  The price had just been reduced & it we got a great deal!   

 

 I love what happens at the kitchen table....times together (eating & talking), Bible Studies, fellowship with the workers, many good laughs & memories to cherish.  Looking forward to many more good times around our new table.

Truffle Shuffle 2015

My running this past month was minimal. I worked out quite a bit, but didn't run as much as I should have.  Between several busy weeks at work, Russell being gone for 5 days, and whatever else prevented me from putting on my running shoes....I didn't feel ready. But time marches on & the 2/14 arrived bright & sunny.  That was the good part....it was a lovely day to run.  So excited to get to run with my sister.  I just followed her steady pace. 

 While Amy & I ran, the kiddos played on the school playground, threw balls & enjoyed the morning.  The Dads didn't seem to mind supervising. 

 Trapped...as I passed the 2 mile mark I was feeling pretty warm.  However I couldn't get out of my jacket as my number was pinned on it!  Thankfully there was a nice breeze.

Truffles after the shuffle!  Finished!!  I ran the 5k in less than 30 minutes.  What a great feeling.

the Snail with the Mail

Russell was our 'snail with the mail' this week.  This term is from the childrens' book series Frog & Toad.  We saw an amazing play last year with our cousins.  Here they are posed with Frog & Toad as well as the 3 birds.  Ever since watching the play, the boys have been singing the song that Snail sings in the play.  I was able to find it on youtube & it is fun!

This will make you smile! 

Here are a few of the cute cards we sent with Russell this weekend to hand deliver to cousins!  We surely wished we could be there too, but it wasn't possible this time. 

For the origami heart box I made for the front of the cards, here is the website:

http://www.papercraftsquare.com/how-to-make-a-heart-box-origami.html

Projects

I'm not particularly crafty.  I really just don't have time for those types of things during this time in my life.  We're settled into our home rather comfortably and don't feel a lot of need for changes/upgrades at this point.  With that said, Benjamin has a dresser in his room that needed a little love.  With the guidance & encouragement of my sister, I painted & distressed it...using black chalk paint.  We thought we'd save some $$ by using a locally made paint product instead of Annie Sloan Chalk Paints.  Oh boy...that was probably a mistake.  It ended up taking a lot longer & requiring more elbow grease than I thought necessary!  Looking back though, it all turned out well.

I'm rather pleased with my first project. 
[Another project in the works:  replacing our squeaky, tired breakfast table]