One Hunk of a Birthday Boy

Today's post is fully dedicated to my main squeeze, and my forever-more Valentine, Spencer. Because...his birthday is tomorrow! Since I don't post on Thursdays, I wanted to take the opportunity today to celebrate him and the 28 years he has under his belt. 

Let's enjoy some pictures from the early days, shall we? (I hope when we have children that they are as adorable as this child - so cute!)

Thankfully, he continued on in a great and fun childhood (which I love hearing stories about), with his warm and caring family I am now blessed to be a part of. He graduated high school, went to college to play soccer, and met me along the way. After a few years of back and forth (you can read that story here), we decided to spend our lives together. And that will always be the best decision I've ever made. 

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing."
1 Corinthians 13:1-3

So to you, my love, on your special day:
Thanks for the love that supports me, comforts me, empowers me, strengthens me, and drives me. Thanks for your hugs, your laughs, your time, your effort, your patience, your serving nature, your generosity, your trust, your compassion, your humbleness, your appreciation, and your belief in me.

You truly are my rock and my best friend.

I love you, and always will.
Happy birthday, babe!

Wedding Dance

Happy Valentine's Week!

During the month of February, there never seems to be a lack of flowers, chocolates, and all things Valentines Day. Personally, I have always been a fan of Valentine's Day, whether or not I was in a relationship. I just think it's a great reminder to do something special for someone you love, and to let those close to you know how much they mean to you. Of course, this should be done year-round, but if we're honest, we just don't let those special people know how dear they are often enough.

In the spirit of February and love, I am using one of Anne's (Love the Here and Now) blogging prompts this morning from this post: What was your wedding song?

The song Spencer and I danced to at our wedding is the Michael Buble version of "Crazy Love." It was short, up-beat, not too sappy, and well known enough to be able to be requested when we are out on the town. We love Michael Buble, his voice and style, so after eliminating some other options, the choice wasn't very hard. We've since requested it at a couple of weddings, and when we were out dancing last New Year's Eve. It's fun to have "a song," and even better when it's a song as timeless as Crazy Love. And besides, Michael Buble is just a stud. 

What songs are special to you, and why?

Kitchen Cabinet Makeover: Part II

I left you on Part I of this project with my father-in-law painting doors in the freezing cold garage (did I mention what a trooper he is?). - If you missed Part I, you can catch up here.

Once the everything had 2 coats of the chalk paint, I went back and sealed everything with one coat of Minwax water-based polycrylic for a few reasons. One, I have experience with it. Two, it is more durable for something that will get a lot of use, like kitchen cabinets, than the wax that is recommended for chalk paint. And third, I went with a water-based rather than an oil-based to avoid the cabinets yellowing.

Once everything was FINALLY painted and sealed, I got to hang it all back up! It was so nice to again hide the mess that is inside of our cabinets (which I begrudgingly shared in Part I - but hey, gotta keep it real). 

For hardware, I went with oil rubbed bronze, which is a current favorite finish of mine. I like the look of pulls for drawers (we got these) mixed with knobs for doors (we got these), so that's what I went for! I ordered online from Lowes.com because my local Lowes didn't have as many as I needed in stock. They finally arrived, and when Spencer had a couple of free nights, he measured and made two templates - one for the drawer pulls and one for the door knobs. Clever, isn't he?

He marked where the holes needed to be drilled with a pen, and went back in and started drilling. I followed behind him putting the knobs and pulls in place. Easy, peasy!

Are you ready to see the final results?



Are you sure?



Are you really sure??



Ok...here we go!

What do you think? Is this a project you would take on?

What DIY projects are on your list?


Until next time - - 

Kitchen Cabinet Makeover: Part I

Update: You can see Part II of the Cabinet Makeover here.

In April 2013, Spencer and I purchased our first house. It's a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom home with a small fenced in yard. The first viewing, we both felt very strongly that it was meant to be our home. One thing I just couldn't get past (which of course didn't keep us from buying, as it was changeable), were the kitchen cabinets. They were your average, builder grade "oak" cabinets. They also had no hardware, which I thought was strange (and after living with them, I would get irritated when I'd open a drawer and it would catch my fingernails). 

And Then There Were Three

Our family has expanded!

No, I didn't have a baby, nor am I expecting. But we did get a puppy! It is my extreme pleasure to introduce you to Piper, the newest member of the Lewis family (please excuse the poor picture quality from my phone)!

Let me start by saying that I have been wanting a puppy since Spencer and I got married in June 2012. He travels quite a bit for work, and I thought a puppy would be great to keep me company. Spencer wasn't sold, though, because of the amount of work and responsibility that comes along with a dog (valid point). Last week, out of the blue, Spencer told me he was not opposed to getting a puppy any longer! Needless to say, exactly one week later I was signing adoption papers for little Piper. Yay!

We adopted Piper through the North Mecklenburg Animal Rescue in Charlotte, NC. I left work early on Friday afternoon to drive up and see her - and to bring her home!

My friend, Alyssa, lives in Charlotte and went with me to see Piper (formerly Delilah at the rescue, and Snowflake in her foster home). She loved her just as much as I did! Here is Alyssa holding her when we got back into the car.

Piper wasn't quite sure what to think, and I can't say she loved the car ride. She cried a bit, and slept a bit. Hopefully she will get accustomed to car rides the more we take them!

It took a day or so, but she seems to be coming out of her shell. Piper loves squeaky toys (thanks to Golden Retriever cousin, Titan, for the squeaky bone toy!) and she loves her Nylabone. I must also brag on her, as she has only had one accident! She pooped on the bathroom floor overnight, but otherwise she potties when we go outside, and she uses the piddle pad quite well! I am so impressed.

You can expect to see Piper from now on throughout the blog. I'll try to keep it to a minimum, but she's just so darn cute. I mean, just look at her and Spencer hanging out watching the Super Bowl in his man room. I'm melting!

I'm just wondering how I will manage to get out the door for work and leave this sweet girl behind. Maybe I can sneak her in my purse. ;) 

Also, congratulations to @erikalynn337, the winner of our $100 Target card via the Instagram giveaway! 

Until next time - - 

Recipe: Leftover Loaf

I've mentioned in other recipe posts that I enjoy playing a game with myself where I will choose an ingredient, and built off of it in an attempt to make an edible meal. This was the case when I made up what I have dubbed "Leftover Loaf." (Thanks to Kristi with the alliterative suggestion!)

The basic concept is to take anything in your pantry or refrigerator and toss it in some ground beef or turkey to make a meatloaf. Sounds easy enough, right? It is.

The basics ingredients:

• Ground beef or turkey
• 2 eggs or equivalent egg whites
• A dry ingredient (bread crumbs, crumbled saltines, stale Cheerios, etc.)

That's it! The rest of the ingredients depend on what you have to use up. Here are some ideas:

• Canned beans
• Leftover cooked vegetables
• Half cut onion
• Unused greens
• Raw carrot (try grating it!)
• The possibilities are endless

Just mix all of your chosen ingredients into a bowl, mix it together (I used a potato masher because, ew). Form it into a loaf shape on a broiler pan (to allow grease to drain) and bake in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for about 45-50 minutes or until it's beginning to brown and is cooked through. Easy-peasy!

Here is what I used to create my Leftover (Turkey) Loaf:

Ground turkey, Italian bread crumbs, the last of a carton of egg whites, minced garlic, 

1/2 red onion, leftover diced jalapeno, and some Parmesan cheese

Mix

Bake

It's ready!

Cut, serve and devour.

I'd love to hear any other ingredients  you would include in your Leftover Loaf! Share them in the comments. I may use your ideas in my next loaf.  :)

Until next time - - 

Recipe: Homemade Pizza Sauce

I love Mondays! Well, I love Monday nights. Now that another season of The Bachelor has started, I'm back to my Monday girls' night. We rotate homes and watch The Bachelor (or Bachelorette), and the host home is in charge of dinner (the others are in charge of wine). Because most of our gal pals have moved away, its just Casey and myself for now. 
(Bonus: I get to take advantage of the weeks she hosts by sneaking in some baby Colin kisses before he goes to bed!)

I hosted this past Monday night, and it dawned on me that I had nothing planned for dinner! I considered picking something up, but she made such a delicious dinner last week, I hated to not put any effort into it. Spying a can of peeled tomatoes in our pantry, I decided to make homemade pizza. (Because that's the natural connection that my brain makes...can of peeled tomatoes...pizza!)

After looking at a few recipes online, I decided I didn't need anything extra in order to make the sauce. I had everything (or a substitute of everything) on hand. Which just helped justify my decision!

Here is the recipe that came out of my efforts. The beauty of making your own sauce is that you can customize it to your own taste. Like garlic? Add more! Like it sweeter? Toss in a little sugar! It's up to you.

And, since you know I love anything that freezes, I split the leftover sauce in half and put 2 bags in the freezer for future meals (spaghetti, another pizza, etc.). Yesssss.

Ingredients:

• 28oz. can of peeled tomatoes
• 4-5 tbsp. of Italian seasoning
• 1/4 cup olive oil (not pictured)
• 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp. of minced garlic
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

• Put all ingredients into a large bowl.
• Mix with an immersion blender (don't be like me and lift it up out of the mixture. It will splatter red all over your freshly painted cabinets). It was actually my first time using it - I got it from Santa Claus and was SO excited when I opened it! I need to find more things to use it for. It's fun!
• Taste the sauce. If it needs more seasoning, add more. More salt? Toss in another pinch. This can be totally customized, so go for it!
• There are no more steps. Move on to your recipe! It's as easy as that :)

Do you have any recipes that I could use my leftover red sauce in? Please share!

Until next time - - 

The Liebster Award!

Happy Monday, friends!

I'm honored to announce that have received my first blog award! Alexis from A Blissful Haven nominated me for the Liebster Award, which is an award for bloggers with less than 200 followers by other bloggers. Thanks, Alexis!

I'm honored that anyone even reads this little 'ol blog, let alone would nominate me for an award! I'm approaching my 4 month "blog-iversary" and am excited to see where I am in 4 more months!

Now for the award rules:

I'll be doing this a little out of the order listed in the rules, but it's all there.



First, I will answer the questions from Alexis...

1.  Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging because I felt I needed some sort of hobby that would allow me to be creative, as well as to find a community of people who had similar interests. The communities I already find myself involved with have been so wonderful! 

2.  If you could be a character from a TV show who would it be?  Why?

Hmm. Probably Lady Mary Crawley from Downton Abbey. I am so intrigued by that time period, and her clothes are beautiful. But I'd like to think I wouldn't make so many mistakes and poor life decisions, haha.

3.  What is your favorite flower?

I love peonies and hydrangeas. I had both in my wedding bouquet and it was beautiful! If only me and my black thumb could grow them.

4.  Where is your favorite place to blog?

My "office" at home. It's basically a sofa table with a chair and a lamp in my living room.

5.  What is your favorite thing to make?

Probably any type of meal. I love to cook!

6.  What is your style and what is your favorite thing to wear?

I'd say my style is pretty classic. I like neutral colors and earth tones, and a good pair of jeans and boots. On a weekend, though, you'll likely find me in leggings and a long cardigan!

7.  If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Definitely Italy...which we are doing this May! I am so, so excited!

8.  Describe the best evening ever.

Ooh, tough one. Since I'm a homebody, I'd have to say a night in with my favorite guy, my husband Spencer. I love when we cook together, so we would make dinner (he would do the dishes, of course), and play a board game with a bottle of red wine. Sounds pretty nice to me!

9.  What is your secret obsession?

Secret obsession? Hmm. For lack of a better, more juicy option (maybe I'm just boring), I'd say "Old Hollywood." Sometimes I will find myself in a Wikipedia rabbit hole, just reading about old celebrities, their romances, and the homes they lived in. One link leads to another and bam, lots of time wasted haha.

10.  What do you do to relax?

I love to read a really good book that I don't have to think too much about. If I can do that in a bubble bath with a glass of wine (is there a wine-theme here?), that's even better! If the weather is nice, I'll also go lay in Spencer's hammock and enjoy the sunshine.

11.  What is your dream career?

I ask myself this all the time - I don't really have an answer! I suppose it would be something that would allow me to be creative, but to also have a flexible schedule, and maybe work at home from time to time. 

________________________________________________

Eleven Random Facts About Me:

1. My birthday is Dec. 28th. I've never minded having a birthday so close to Christmas, except that the rest of the year is a little boring because all of the fun is crammed in at once.
2. I'm the youngest daughter of 6 girls...and I have 2 sisters and 3 step-sisters!
3. My ring size and my shoe size are the same: 6.5
4. I have to sleep with a small fan. Not for the breeze, but for the noise. Mine faces the wall, and is on its last leg!
5. I would rather have a night in with a handful of friends than to go out to a bar. Bar + 5'1" gal = no fun
6. This year I will celebrate my 5 year anniversary at my full-time job. It was my first job out of college, and I can't believe it's already been 5 years!
7. I am horrible about keeping in touch with people. It's not for lack of caring, it's just something I am bad about!
8. My favorite book of all time is Gone With the Wind. If you haven't read it, do it. It's long, but so wonderful.
9. I have more of a "salt-tooth" than I do a "sweet-tooth." Potato chips and popcorn, all day.
10. My biggest fear is losing someone I love in a car accident.
11. I am a grateful to serve a Lord who pours out so much love and forgiveness! I'm a sinner in need of it often.

_____________________________________________

I am excited to nominate the following bloggers for the Liebster Award. If you don't already, you have to go check out their blogs and hook up with them on social media. They're all wonderful, kind people that you will love getting to know!

• Danielle at A Tangible Fiction
• Amanda at The Life of a Gluten Free Mama
• Ann-Marie at Espresso Explorations
• Kristi and Nolan at Love In Difference
• LeeAnn at The Mosaic Life
• Julie at A Hopeful Hood
• Jayme at Simply, Always, Forever
• Tammy at Running is a God Thing
• Elizabeth at Downtown Demure

Ok, nominees - congratulations! Here are your 11 questions. I look forward to reading your answers!

1. Who in your life do you most admire? Why?
2. Name one new skill you'd like to learn.
3. What is your all-time favorite book?
4. Do you have any siblings?
5. Chocolate or Vanilla?
6. If you could meet up with anyone for coffee, living or deceased, who would it be?
7. Describe your perfect Saturday.
8. What was your first email address or screen name?
9. Name one item you carry with you everywhere, all the time.
10. Do you have a guilty pleasure? If so, what?
11. Why do you blog?

Thanks for reading along, and for connecting with these other amazing bloggers. :)

Until next time - -