Leap Day

Well hello there.

Happy Leap Day!

Bits and Pieces

Here's some bits and pieces from my weekend.

 

Surprise flowers from a co-worker/Much-needed encouragement from a student/Loading up on yarn wreath supplies/First-ever bowl of rice noodle soup/Shopping date with mom/Music coming from the Man Cave

Grown Up Lessons

I learned a few grown up lessons today.

1. Even the best of intentions can backfire. 

2. Not everyone interprets information the same way I do.

3. Composure and grace can go a long way. You are more respected if you use it.

4. I should not judge. People most definitely can surprise you in very positive ways.

When you have a hard "Grown Up Lessons" kind of day, this helps a lot:

Boy, did I need to hear that.

Thursday Music Post: Mumford and Sons

I've had a huge band crush on Mumford & Sons for a while now. They're just so folksy and European and wonderful. I try to pace myself listening to their CD "Sigh No More," but it's no use. I listen to it while grading papers, in the car, and even bought the vinyl version for our record player. Every time I listen I find something else that strikes me. I can't WAIT for their next album!

Another reason to love them? They sing one mean hymn. "Come, Thou Fount" is one of my favorites.

Photo Tree Display

As you may have read, I recently bought an Instax instant camera. I wanted a creative way to display the pictures that didn't require a frame so that you can tell they were instant photos. I looked no further than our wedding reception centerpieces for an idea. 

I cut down a limb from a willow tree in my grandparents' backyard (much like the ones used at our wedding) and planted it into an over sized mason jar. The branch was too heavy for the container, so I filled it with all of the loose change Jake and I had sitting around to hold the branch in place. If it wasn't in the middle of winter, I would have probably gone outside to find rocks to fill the jar with.

I had some leftover twine from the wedding as well, so I just tied it to random branches and taped the twine to the back of the pictures.

That's all there is to it!

Columbus Weekend

Jake and I took a little road trip over to Columbus, OH to visit with my very good friend Blair for the weekend. We hit up quite a few vintage-inspired shops and the huge local market in town. She knows me well. :) We had a wonderful time catching up with Blair and seeing the sights of Columbus. Every time I go I like the city a little more. I'd love to take another weekend trip there again soon!

We visited Bodega and Basil on Friday (yum!).

 

We browsed quite a few vintage shops.

We ate our weight in ice cream at Jeni's. Two of my favorite flavors were lavender and salted caramel.

We went to North Market and took in the Fiery Foods Festival (that's Jake tasting the winner of Houston's hottest hot sauce! From his reaction I think the prize was warranted).

...and we did quite a bit of walking on a brisk but nice Saturday afternoon.

 

Weekend well spent!

Band Practice

Since I was off work today, I hung out with Jake and his band while they got in a late practice last night. Kourtney and I even had a little crafting session with Letting Love as our background music. Not a bad night. :)

DIY Leaf Hair Clip

I've had a little bit of a leaf fetish ever since my fall wedding, and it's extended into a lot of the crafts I've done lately. My latest one is leaf hair clips. 

 

 You will need...

felt, scissors, embroidery floss, large needle, glue gun, hair clip

Cut a leaf out of your felt that is the same length as your hair clip

 

 

Sew a line of embroidery floss down the middle of the leaf

 

 

Glue hair clip to the back of the leaf

 Enjoy your hair clips!

You Know What?

I kind of love my husband to pieces.

Valentine's Day

On Valentine's Day...

Jake surprised me with some appetizers when I got home

We had a nice dinner with food from Jungle Jim's

 We ate the best cupcakes of my life (salted caramel chocolate)

 ...and watched quite a bit of this (my Val Day present).

Best Valentine's Day on record, for sure.

Bits and Pieces

 

Quality time with the sister/ Saturday morning/ amazing youth group talk on Captivating/ dinner at Lil' Charlie's/ friend date with Kels and Aud/ baking lots of zucchini bread