Coffee and Curtains

Have I mentioned that I love Saturdays? Only about 100 times I'm sure. I'm getting a little tired of being stuck inside on the weekends, but I'm trying to make the most out of it by getting things done around the house. Believe me, when it's warmer - you won't find me inside!

Today started out like any normal Saturday. I woke up and got the coffee started.


Then I made orange rolls. I had every intention of making the "Easy Orange Rolls" I blogged about here, but I decided to be lazy and let Pillsbury do the work. The rolls may have come from a can, but they were still delicious!


A week or so ago our tax return came in and I was able to get curtains for our bedroom. Todd was nice enough to spend his Saturday putting them up for me. They look great, babe. :)


Don't look too closely - the curtains need to be steamed, our bed isn't made and the paper blinds are definitely not the look I'm going for, but it's a start! Now for new bedding. Maybe the IRS will give us another tax return?

Happy Saturday!

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See You In A Hundred Years and Another Great Book!

I have been inspired to start reading more and tonight I think Todd got the bug too. I don't remember the last time I bought a new book. I'm a used book girl, but the book I so badly want to read is brand new so I had to give in and go to Border's to pick it up. While I was there I picked up a book for Todd too.

I bought Todd the book Strengths Finder 2.0. I was required to read it for work and it completely changed my relationship with my boss and coworkers. It was eye-opening. I learned a lot about myself, but more importantly, my boss learned a lot about me and how to best use my strengths. I'm now encouraged to do more of the things I do well, rather than working on the areas where I'm weak. Genius, right? I think so. So many people spend their time trying to fix their problem areas instead of letting others that are stronger in those areas help. This book shows how you can be excellent with the talents God has already given you.

If you're a person that is interested in why people act the way they do or how to better relate with others (whether friends, family, or coworkers), I strongly recommend this book.


And just in case you're curious, I listed our top 5 strengths below:

Tara -
1. Significance
2. Individualization
3. Relator
4. Harmony
5. Learner

Todd -
1. Competition
2. Woo
3. Achiever
4. Maximizer
5. Adaptability

You want to know what those mean and what yours are now, huh? Go get this book!

Now, to switch gears, the book I got for myself is "See You In A Hundred Years" by Logan Ward. It's the story of a young couple living in New York who sell their apartment to buy a farmhouse in Virginia so that they can live like people lived in the year 1900. It's a little extreme for me, but I'm really inspired by it. I feel like technology tends to take over (I call Todd's iPhone "the other woman" in our relationship!).

I think about my grandmother who was born in 1919 and how different her life was at 26 compared to mine. She didn't need e-mail - people just came by to talk and tell stories. She didn't need to live close to town because she grew everything in her garden. I used to love picking green beans and strawberries with her. I want to be more like that. Not entirely - I'm not going to give up my cell phone or the internet (I'm not even going to give up the DVR!), but I do want to be able to plant something and keep it alive. I want to hem my own pants and sew my own buttons. I could go on and on, but for now I'm going to sit by the fire and read how the Wards made it by in my new book. It's probably a good thing there is nothing good on TV tonight! :)


More info on this book can be found here.

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Random Finds

I love finding new ways to be creative. I'm not the most creative person. In fact, I'm far from it. I'm much more a follower than a trend-setter. That's why I so appreciate creative people that I can steal ideas from! :)

Last night after Access (our high school youth group), I was winding down by reading my latest copy of Better Homes & Gardens and came across the best salad recipe. It made me ache for Spring! I can't wait for the weather to warm up so I can make this salad and eat it outside!
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I had another great find as I was reading one of my favorite blogs. I'm not ready to have my own babies yet, but you better believe as soon as I am I'm making these adorable onesies.

Want to make them for your own little ones or the new mom's in your life? Get more info here. I think you'll become a lifelong fan of the blog while you're there!

On another note, I'm so looking forward to the weekend. Our awesome friends the Skaliskys have a cabin on a lake near Memphis, so Todd and the guys are going for the weekend. I was thinking, if he's going to be with the guys for the weekend, I'm having a sleepover with my girls! I'm so looking forward to spending the weekend with Christi and Suz. We're just going to be lazy and watch movies, eat junk food, go out for coffee, sleep in late. It's going to be a much needed mini-vacation!

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Happy Valentine's Day!

Todd and I are enjoying the day at home. This morning we had a very "Valentine's Day" breakfast:


The card Todd got me was great. So like him! The front of the card is above, and the inside below:


As crazy busy as this week was, I still found time to get our Valentine's Day cards out to family and friends. I don't know how this tradition got started, but instead of sending Christmas cards each year, we decided to do Valentine's Day cards instead. Who doesn't love getting a Valentine?



*****

Remember the pecan crusted tilapia I wanted to try? See here. We made it and it was awesome. Yay for Valentine's Day!

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Children of the Mountains

I just finished watching "Children of the Mountains" on 20/20 tonight. Not many people know this about me, but the stories of the people in the Appalachian mountains really tug at my heart. I have never felt called to go to Africa or India or other countries overseas. Not that I wouldn't be open to that if God called me there, but I do feel a calling to help those that are so poverty stricken in Eastern Tennessee/Kentucky.

During my freshman year in high school, I was flipping through the channels late one night and the program "Feed the Children" came on. The host was in Eastern Kentucky describing the unbelievable poverty in that area. I was so moved that I called in and donated my allowance. I have never forgotten what I saw that night.

As I watched tonight, I prayed...God, send me. Whether it's my time or resources - I want to do more.

Below is the trailer for 'A Hidden America: Children of the Mountains.'

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