The Saturday Six

One.

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Jessica Bruno at Four Generations/One Roof posted about their bathroom renovation...with a hint of blue Christmas. The makeover itself is beautifully astounding. But the subtle Christmas touches are...stunning. Well done, Jessica. Less really can be more.

Two.

On a slightly UNDERSTATED decorating note, I happened upon these cute little magnets when we were grocery shopping last week. They were a dollar each. Who can't use a little R and B on the fridge for a dollar a pop? I just think it's funny that our initials are R and B.

Three.

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I don't know how she does it...that KariAnne...but she has a way of sharing so many gorgeous pictures, while telling a totally unrelated story...and it all WORKS!!! I know Thanksgiving is technically over, but check out this story she told on her blog this week - which actually made me cry - and while you're there, drool over the classy decor pictures.... 

Four.

SkyePuppy and Barb - this one is for you!! My precious cat {insert "look" here} learned many, many years ago how to flush the toilet. I tried many things in vain to get her to quit, and nothing worked - EXCEPT the onion holder. The Tupperware onion holder! We took it off the toilet during our renovations because - well, it's unsightly. And the other night, that girl climbed right up on the toilet and had a flushing party. Onion holder is back.  

Five.

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Oh man. I hate it when I realize I'm missing an ingredient I need. Check out this massive substitution list. You know - for when you're missing things like self-rising flour or buttermilk.  

Six.

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Perhaps I'm feeling sentimental on this weekend that is my first anniversary...but I ran across this blog post with a BRILLIANT idea for an outdoor wedding. What's the one thing you can't have at an outdoor wedding? Center aisle doors. Didn't bother me one bit to NOT experience those doors being thrown wide open, but if if would have...this would have been the perfect solution.  

Thankfulness, Day 30: And as a final bit of thankfulness for this month...what if you thanked someone who gave you permission to...(Fill in the blank.) Permission to feel...to try...to grieve...to do something you needed or wanted to do but wouldn't have without their extra push. Tell them thanks! 

A Pinteresting November

Well after being a Pinterest FAIL in October, I managed to give life to some of the inspirations I found this month! So here you go!

Spicy Sausage Pasta Dish

Found this one on my sister's Pinterest board, and she said everyone in their family loved it. That was good enough for me to try! I made it - it was easy, it was filling, it was flavorful, it was comforting, and it warmed over well. Translation = KEEPER. {Note: we did use regular lowfat milk instead of the heavier cream it called for. Tasted fine.} Here was my Pinspiration. 

White Chicken Chili

I wanted another good soup recipe, so when I stumbled across this white chicken chili recipe, I decided to give it a try. WE LOVED IT. We did make it using Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream and regular lowfat milk in place of the heavier cream. Ryan loved, loved, loved this one. Here was my Pinspiration.  

Christmas Card Photo Shoot

No, you can't see the card yet...but we did use some Pinterest poses as inspirations for our photo shoot!  Here are some of my favorites:

Here was my Pinspiration for the first one:

Here was my Pinspiration for the second one:

Mantel Decoration

I loved this idea for painting on little votive jars. I did mine just slightly differently than she did, but I loved the result just the same. Mine say "Grateful" rather than "thanks." Perfect low-cost, low-stress craft project! Here was my Pinspiration. 

 Thanksgiving, Day 29: Every week when our trash and recycling guys show up, I am VERY THANKFUL for them. I can't imagine facing the extreme hot and cold on the back of the trucks to haul heavy, smelly trash and recycling. And I bet no one ever thanks them - but they probably hear a few complaints when things don't go right. What if we thanked someone who does a thankless job?

Thank You Lord, For Your Blessings on Me

When I thought about what to write for today's post - I kept coming back to a southern gospel song I learned when I was a kid - Thank You, Lord, For Your Blessings on Me.

Sometimes I'm just a really messed up girl. I freak out over stupid stuff, I worry needlessly, and some days I wonder how Ryan - and God - put up with me. But oh how thankful I am that they both do.


So today I'm taking the lyrics of the chorus to that song and offering my thanks for the beautiful, undeserved blessings God has given me.

There's a roof up above me....I've a good place to sleep....

I'm so thankful {though it has nearly been our undoing at times} for our home, which in our eyes is comfortable, cozy, warm, and beautiful. I'm thankful for Ryan and all his hard work to transform so many rooms into something even more functional and more beautiful than they ever were before. I'm thankful, especially in light of last week's tornadoes, that I still have a home that is relatively unaffected by the wind.

Blessed, indeed. Every time I look around the home we've created together. Thank you, Lord.

There's food on my table, and shoes on my feet.

Obviously we do not go hungry, and I know there are many throughout the world who do not have that luxury, so I'm thankful for a life that doesn't cause me to worry about food - but I'm also thankful for more than just mere food on the table. I'm thankful to have a husband to prepare food for. I'm thankful for a husband who also loves to cook and will spend time in the kitchen with me, helping me prepare the food. I'm thankful for the mornings he's brought me breakfast in bed, or stood outside in the cold to grill dinner. I'm thankful for a reason to stand in the kitchen at 6 in the morning and pack lunches for two. I'm thankful for friends who want to come over and share a meal with us, so I can plan and prepare a meal to entertain. I'm thankful for money {and a plethora of gift cards!} that allows us to enjoy dates out on the town and take a break from cooking. God has provided above and beyond....

You gave me Your love, Lord, and a fine family.

How THANKFUL I am for God's love, His grace, His patience, His teaching to my heart, His presence...all of it. This year has been a time of learning, adjustment, and enjoyment, and He's led every step of the way, and I'm so thankful. And I can't NOT talk about my family...the family I was born into has stepped up to support me in ways that just blew me away this past year. They sacrificed to help Ryan and I begin our life together, and I'm so thankful. And I married into a wonderful family, too. I'm thankful for a whole host of new people who have welcomed me warmly. And of course...Ryan. The one God sent to allow me to have a family of my own. The two of us make the family I've always dreamed of having. {Well, and let's not forget Braeya. She's family too.} Thank you, Lord!!

Thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me!




Thankfulness, Day 28: Even though the magic of Facebook and Twitter let us stay in contact with people more than we ever did before...there are still people we end up not talking to forever. Not on purpose. Just happens. Who haven't you talked to in over a year? Let them know today you've not forgotten them and you're THANKFUL for them!!

The {Second} Bathroom Overhaul

Y'all...WE DID IT!! We finished our home renovations prior to our first anniversary! I am so excited, I cannot even stand it. Two nights ago, we put the finishing touches on our second bathroom...and I cannot wait to show you the updates. This was our most drastic renovation since the kitchen.

The second bathroom was not originally part of this house. My uncle added it in the 80's, and he constructed it VERY very well. The structure of the bathroom was great. The decor was...untouched since the 80's. Hence the need for the update.

Don't believe me?

NOW do you believe me? The top half of the wall was covered with a brown and blue floral paneling and the bottom half of the wall had a tile pattern paneling. The counter was really old, and the faucet was...oh! really old. I can't tell you how many times I nearly electrocuted myself whacking into that sconce on the wall, and the medicine cabinet...well...enough said. And it's hard to see in this picture, but that towel rack on the wall was...precarious at best.

A close-up of the counter. White with gold veins...it was...old.

The one nice thing in this picture is the little box on the toilet. Then there is the onion holder covering the handle - because Braeya has a flushing habit...the unsightly towel rack...and the awkward shelf that held a random assortment of...stuff.

 Behind the door was the smashed up robe hook....the strangely placed shelf that held the washcloths...it was just a whole bunch of awkward.

And then there was the carpet....ohhhhhhhhh the carpet. I abhor carpet in a bathroom because between water and hairspray, it is IMPOSSIBLE to keep clean.

So...ready?

You guys...I could just cry. It's like a whole new house!!

We painted the top half of the paneling the same brown we used in Ryan's bathroom {save money!!}, and we used the same paint treatment on the counter that we used in the kitchen. We left the blue tile paneling. It worked out great! Ryan installed a new faucet and towel holder, and we found a mirror for $20 at Hobby Lobby. He installed a new sconce and lighting over the mirror....I LOVE IT!!!!!

He became my own personal rock star when he figured out how to rewire my plug that had been in the medicine cabinet onto the wall...with a switch AND a plug. I'd still be sitting in a heap crying about it. He figured it all out and it works. He's amazing.

I brought in the little lantern left from our wedding...it was the one that sat with the bear representing Angela. Since she used to be my roommate, it seemed appropriate to have part of her memory in this house.

I love how uncluttered the wall looks now!! I brought a collage frame from another room into the bathroom. It holds some of my most favorite pictures from our wedding day. :)

Remember the shelf/towel bar mess over the toilet? Replaced by this!! Ryan put this cabinet together, and I love it. I especially love the Essie collection on the top shelf!!! Glass door forces me to keep things organized!! :)

Ryan replaced a globe light with track lighting so I can see better in the shower!! And I finally found a home for my yet-to-be-finished Voice of Truth wall art. {It's a long-unfinished Pinterest project to help me with my self-esteem issues.}

And best of ALL....check out this new floor. NO MORE CARPET!!

I'm SO thrilled to be done with our renovations...so thrilled to look forward to some REST...and so thrilled to not be doing my hair and makeup in the dining room anymore! Although you wanna know something weird? I already kind of miss sharing a bathroom with Ryan.

I THINK I'M A GROWNUP NOW!!!

Thankfulness, Day 27: I love it when a place of business goes the extra mile to show care or respect for me as a customer. When they do something they don't HAVE to do - but they leave me wanting to come back or recommend them to others because of the little things. If that's happened to you - say thanks {maybe even to a manager??} for the person who did that. I guarantee you they don't hear enough thanks to drown out the complaints!!

Guess What Time It Is?!?!?!?

You got it! It's time for more perfectly useless trivia with the Shaffers!!!

Yes, my friends, today is a day in which I offer you five free bits of information about the two of us that will serve you no EARTHLY purpose except, perhaps, some entertainment.

You're welcome.

1. Do you cut out coupons but never use them?

Bekah: I cut them out with the best of intentions, but do confess that sometimes {aka usually} I end up at the store and can CLEARLY envision them on the counter at home. WHOOPSIE!!!!!

Ryan: I cut out coupons and give them to Bekah. {Please refer to answer above.} Then at the store, I say, "Don't we have a coupon for this? You're the keeper of the coupons." And she smiles and says, "I may or may not have left that coupon at home." {The answer, of course, is may.}

2. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?

Bekah: SERIOUSLY!?!?!? What kind of question is this? I suppose the bees. But if there's any way that NEITHER can be an option in this scenario, I'll take THAT. I was stung once in the armpit by a yellow jacket. I've really never cared for bees since. But I'm certain I'd care for a big bear even less.

Ryan: I'm gonna go with the bear on this one. I feel my chances would be much better one on one than with a swarm. I'm quite wiry. 

3. Do you have freckles?

Bekah: I get some on my cheeks in the summer - and on the top of my shoulders. But nothing like Anne of Green Gables.

Ryan: Yes, I do have freckles. They seem to show up more when I am tan. But they are still nothing like ...you know...someone who has a lot of freckles.

4. Do you always smile for pictures?

Bekah: Yes, unless it's one of those fake out things where I don't know that my picture is being taken. OR unless I'm stuck in traffic. Ryan and I have a LOT of unamused-stuck-in-traffic photos.

Ryan: I smile as long as I can, depending on how long the photographer takes to snap the picture. My face gradually drops and freezes. On the good pictures, I usually blink. 

5. What is your biggest pet peeve?

Bekah: I kind of have a lot of these. Anything to do with gum is a pet peeve. I can't stand seeing it, smelling it, or hearing it snap and pop. People who drive under the speed limit. People who pull into traffic right in front of me and then go slow. Ushers who make you move to the center of the row. Meetings that last longer than they're supposed to. Any sort of text/email abbreviation or misuse of the English language out of pure laziness. Hashtags. People who do not follow the assigned rules of the road in the parking lot and/or grocery store aisle. Just to name a few.

Ryan: Well, nothing comes to mind.


{That was a total lie. He just wanted to make me look like a real whiny girl.}

Ryan, Take 2: Tardiness.Getting behind slow people in the store or on the road. Any job done in a sub-par way. Limp handshakes. Men who sit with their legs crossed {like women}.

Braeya: Food dishes that have even a smidgen of the bottom showing. 

So there you have it!!

Tell me your answers. Especially #5! I need to make sure I don't violate it!


Thankfulness, Days 25 and 26: I FORGOT TO PUT UP A THANKFULNESS PROMPT YESTERDAY!!! So here are two for today: 
* Say thanks to a former co-worker for encouraging you/teaching you/mentoring you/bailing you out {whatever fits}. Even though you don't work together anymore, be thankful for the time you shared then!

* Say thanks to someone you observed feeding life into someone else. You may not even know them - but you have seen them making a difference to someone else. Say thanks. 

The Date that Took Two Days

Ryan and I are pretty insistent upon our date night. We try so hard to protect that night with all our might - because we believe dates are crucial to healthy marriages. It seems like lately, because we're so exhausted from working so hard on our house, our date nights have happened at home. We love at-home date nights, but there's something extra special about getting to GO OUT.

So this past Friday night, we had the perfect date night planned: dinner, a play, and a Starbucks stop on the way home. The whole night was going to be free, thanks to the magic of gift cards and the play itself being free. EVEN BETTER!

The play started at 7, and the day before, I found out the night was sold out, so if we wanted to get a good seat, we should arrive early. Like 45 minutes early.

So there went dinner. We had a snack and headed out to watch a local church's production of A Christmas Carol.

My friend Greg Spangler took these pictures - and I'm borrowing them to share with you.

Scrooge was AMAZING. He was so stinkin' funny!!! And my friend Angi {on the left} and her mom {on the right} totally nailed this scene. One of the best in the whole show.

 I asked Ryan if he could please get jammies just like that.

 The guy on the left is the son of my former boss. I think the last time I saw him, he was about 13. He is now much taller, has a much deeper voice, and is a really good singer. Nicely done!!

 Great performance!!

 

And here's a selfie I took of us. I don't fare well in phone selfies because I always forget where I'm supposed to be looking. 

By the time the play was over, Ryan wasn't feeling well, so we decided to skip dinner AND coffee and go straight home.

So.....

...even though he worked a FULL work day on Saturday, he came home and took me out to dinner to make up for the night before!!! THANK YOU, BABY!!!!!!

We went to B-dubs for dinner...

 The food was SO GOOD!!! And you'll have to ask Ryan about what happened to his water....

We had the most lovely dinner and on the way home, of course, we did what we always do on a good date:

GROCERY SHOPPING!!!

Ryan needed an oil filter for his truck, so I just couldn't resist snapping one more picture of him:

And that is how we took one date and made it stretch over two whole days. Because, you know, we can!