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Monthly Archives: August 2014

soup for you!

thursday was rainy and a bit chilly and it was making me CRAVE a big bowl of soup!
here are 10 soup recipes i found that look amazing!

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Chipotle Chicken Chowder
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5 Ingredient Pesto Chicken Soup

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Lasagna Soup

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Garden Fresh Tomato Basil Soup

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Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup

BBQ Chicken Pizza Soup | recipe at TidyMom.net
BBQ Chicken Pizza Soup

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HEALTHY CROCK POT JALAPENO, CHICKEN & SWEET CORN SOUP

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Stuffed Peppers Soup

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Pork Chili Verde

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Sicilian Chicken Soup

the problem is… which one to start with?!

knowing me i will start with the ones that my kids would be most willing to try.  🙂

Weekend Cheer - […] When Meg does a Pinterest round-up, I immediately repin EVERYTHING. This one is […]

nic - soup is my favorite, forever and always amen.

Jeremie - The BBQ Chicken Pizza Soup is the BEST soup I’ve ever had!!!! You won’t regret making it!!!

Necole@seriouslysassymama - I love soup. The minute it gets out of the high 90s and 100s here in Texas, i will be in soup making mode!

Michelle Whitlow - I was just saying the other day that I was craving some soup now that our temps have turned more fall-ish! That chipotle chicken chowder looks yummy!!! And homemade tomato basil soup is always on our list in chillier months! I especially like to add cheese tortellini to it 🙂

Stephanie - Chilly?! In August?! It’s been so long since I had that experience, I forgot it happens in some lucky locals. Thank you for posting these! I’m trying to save money this grocery day and soup always does it!

Cami - That lasagna soup is my jam! It’s amazing! Am looking forward to trying the soups you’ve posted. Thanks 🙂

Laura H - Drool….
I have a fantastic recipe for Broc Cheddar soup! Just like Panera Bread! And my kids actually like it 🙂 Can’t wait for cooler weather to come this way!

Valerie - YUM! Wow that BBQ Chicken Pizza one looks delish! Soup is heavenly on a nice Fall day 🙂

Danielle - That lasagna soup is begging me to make it this fall! Thanks for sharing all these great soup recipes.

Audrina - Wow, all these look so good! The weather’s getting cooler now, so I’m definitely going to try these out. Thanks for the ideas!

http://www.mindfullyaudrina.blogspot.com

Colleen - Thank you for these and for you blog. that’s all, good nite!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I’ll have one of each.
Also,we have stuffed pepper soup in the regular rotation. Big crowd pleaser. Super simple. And cheap!
I would like to have soup with you. Bye.

Ellese - OOOOOhhhhh I just got hungry. This is perfect, just in time for fall where I only eat soup for lunch (practically). Thanks for sharing!

xo, ellese
http://rockpaperglam.com/

Suzelle - These ALL look SO good !! I want to make ALL of them….if it ever goes below 95*. I am over it !!!

Kristin S - Except for that stuffed peppers, I’m going to make every one of these at least once this winter. I love soup and love new-to-me recipes.

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striped.

friday of a holiday weekend?
the best.
tonight we have HS football and i am hoping the rain stops.

last night on instagram i posted a picture saying that we striped Scott’s helmet.
until last year i had no idea what that meant just like you probably don’t.
photo 1
the helmets are just white and at the beginning of the season the parents all show up in the gym and put new fresh stickers on their son’s helmet.
they are pretty heavy duty stickers.
and you use a hair dryer to kind of melt them to mold a flat sticker onto a curved surface.

i was throwing quite a fit in the car on the way there saying “why can’t the boys just do this themselves?! why do WE have to go? why can’t they just buy helmets with the logo on them? isn’t that a thing? don’t they make those?”
then we get there… and sitting with my husband on the gym floor… working together on our son’s helmet… seeing a gym full of parents  (many of them our friends) working for their kids…. i got a little choked up inside.
it’s actually a pretty cool thing!
it is neat to see your community together.
all these people who are wanting a good season for ALL the boys… not just their son.

and because i am  anti-social (at times…) i would’ve missed out on it.
(but craig duerksen don’t you dare hold that statement over me the next time i try to avoid being with people! 😉

photo 2
school sports are quite different than the travel teams where kids come from all the place to be on a team and play teams from all over too.
that crowd always makes me feel uneasy.
i don’t always trust those crowds with my child… does that make sense?
the parents get CRAZY.  it’s sad and embarrassing to witness.  it makes my Mama Grizzly tendencies flare up.
i don’t trust that they want the best for my son.
but with your school team there is a unity present.  there’s pride in the work the team and coaches are doing together and the adults recognize that.

after the stickers are on,  you write a note to your son, roll it up and put it in their helmet.

that was when i realized i was being a jerk and this was kind of a neat tradition that i was not appreciating.
writing “love” notes just doesn’t happen too much over here.
the teen age years can be hard.
not BAD or awful of course… but still a challenge.
everything is a battle it seems for some kids and parenting through that leaves me not feeling up for writing sweet notes too often.

photo 3
and even though i am a nervous wreck every single game when my basketball loving son  plays football… i am proud.
proud that he is working hard, stuck it out and is having fun out there.
and that his helmet looks soooo good.

(the tape with their name is just so the parents knew which helmet to get…it comes off before the game)  🙂

Sami - Oh my goodness! You’re a Hesston Swather! We always played you guys in sports growing up and I thought your mascot was so fitting for Kansas (I mean after someone explained to me what a swather was.:) We were the Canton-Galva Eagles. Small towns UNITE!! I love the unity created with the sticker party. And the notes you put in the helmets are so precious. If my son plays football, I hope they do that. If not, I might have to start it. 🙂

Lorie - That is such a great tradition and I am so glad you didn’t miss out on it!

Amanda J - I also love your shoes.! Where did you find them?

s - I can’t imagine you as antisocial since you genuinely seem so friendly. I am a total somebody so I would have felt the same as you but it sounds like a wonderful tradition. And sports…brings out the best and worst of people. My kids play for fun….they aren’t the best, don’t have a killer instinct so it sometimes gets difficult to watch and hear the other parents screaming… but I try to just enjoy regardless…it’s all about being part of a team, getting some exercise and learning skills, persistence and dedication. Loved the note in the helmet!

Kristin S - I want your sneakers!

Kerri - That is a very scary looking Swather. Praying all our boys have a safe season without serious injury. I love football, but not too disappointed that my son didn’t play.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - You guys are the sportiest.
Also, yay community!
And yay stripes!

martha - what a great tradition! (especially the note in the helmet) and may I mention your shoes???? loving them!! 🙂

Becca - I am so glad you explained, I thought you meant putting the tape with his name on it. Obviously not a sport family. Cool tradition:)

Liz M - HS football sometimes gets a bad rap, but the traditions– like you described–are so powerful. I love the note tucked in the helmet! Sort of double protection. I miss the Friday Night Lights…enjoy these years!

katie Skiff - That is a fun tradition, but I am the same way. Home. alone. Much better for me. lol…
Tonight was our scrimmage, and I don’t know if I am ready for High School football.

Molly - this is pretty cool!!! i grew up in a small iowa town, so all thee traditions. i get it. they are pretty cool. and your mascot is pretty intense!

Tessa - I LOVE THIS!!! I am forwarding this post to my husband who is a football coach … not sure if they can do the same tradition, but if they can I am totally encouraging it. My son plays 9th grade football this year, and so next year he will be in the high school team. He also has a concussion, and so this would be especially meaningful to pray over his helmet to protect him. Thanks so much for sharing this!

Adrienne - I feel the same way about school sports vs club! Friday night lights is my favorite! I have a senior this year, so it’s a big, BIG deal (to us anyways)!

KWolff - This is such a cool tradition! I hope that your Friday Night Football is fabulous and that the victory bells will ring out for y’all.

ira lee - my oldest is a senior in hs this year and its already been an emotional ride. so i get where you are coming from; the sense of community, pride in your children, the sense of togetherness. maybe its southern football!! lol

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the super hike

we talked about renting canoes or kayaks for this area (Colter Bay) but then decided on taking the boat tour.
that way no one would tip, get soaked or drop oars and much less fighting would occur.
the boat tour was a good choice.

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we saw a bald eagle.  🙂
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hey… who is that?
oh yeah – MOM!
you know one great thing about a vacation where you hike all day and sleep in a “cozy” cabin?
no make up.
i used it once the last night when we went out with friends.  🙂
i like no make up.
a lot.

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reality.
also on a vacation with lots of hiking and cabin-y things… no cell service.
so here we were out on a boat in front of the most gorgeous scenery and suddenly someone noticed that we had service!  i admit that it was even exciting to me.  but this picture of scott cracked me up.
because literally this is him.
all the time.
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talby was the age where life jackets were still required.
she was thrilled about it… just kidding.
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funny  kids.
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“here mom… let me take a picture of you taking a picture”

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we also took the hike down (all paved sidewalk ) to see Mammoth Falls in yellowstone.
CRAZY awesome.
and scary.
i don’t like heights.

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it was so high.  you can’t even grasp it by the picture.
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i like her.

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then we drove farther and went to see where we HAD been.
so to the left of the fall you can see tiny little specs… those are people.
that where the family picture was taken.
SO HIGH!
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our next hike was Cascade Canyons by Jenny Lake.
it blew my mind.
one thing i learned on th boat tour was that Yellowstone and Grand Tetons National Parks have a “let it burn” policy.
so if there is a forest fire… it is left to burn out on it’s own.
and that it is part of nature… killing off certain bugs or plant diseases.
interesting isn’t it?
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so this trail obviously had experienced a forest fire.
but it made it look SO COOL!

i kept saying things like “doesn’t this look fake?”
“this looks like a movie set!”
“this can’t even be real!”
“where are the ewoks?!”
“are we going to find ET?”
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a couple that did not speak english was looking at this chipmunk.
i took the picture and they asked “what do you call this?”
i said “chipmunk”
she repeated “CHIP-MUNK?”
i thought it was so funny.
it’s not but i was laughing to myself all day about it.
and still now i can’t stop smiling.
CHIP-MUNK?
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it was a long hike.
according to google… 3.5 miles each way.
no wonder i was tired!
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he’s a cutie.

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annie was my hiking buddy for most of the time.
the boys were so fast and talby was trying to keep up with the boys.
and craig was keeping up with her.
so annie and i just went as fast as we could.
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“Look Mom!  A huge heart rock!!”

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this was where our hike ended.
we were ready for a break!
the kids all found ways to get in the icy cold water but not fall in.

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then scott decided to take the shortcut back.
oh my.
with his phone in his pocket.IMG_4758
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he made it.
crazy kid.
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then we hiked all the way back down at hyper speed because it was about to pour.
the kids were so far ahead of us that we couldn’t see them.
the trail was almost empty… kind of eery.
i was sure a bear was going to appear in my path and i would be its dinner.
thankfully that didn’t happen.

as soon as we go to the car it did start to rain.
but we were dry!
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and then the vice president and his motorcade drove by!
that isn’t something that happens every day… at least not for me.

on our last night we walked out to catch the last sunset.
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sean said “mom… here’s a rock that looks like africa!”  🙂

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we left Grand Teton National Park and headed to Sheridan, WY to visit some friends for one evening.
(gorgeous drive – oh my word!)
and then on sunday we drove the WHOLE way back to kansas.

to be honest… i was not looking forward to this vacation.
i just couldn’t imagine that it would be fun.
but i knew craig really wanted to go… so i halfway went along with it as he planned.
i wasn’t cheering  him on… but i wasn’t refusing.
and i am so glad i was wrong.

This was a FABULOUS vacation!!
i loved every hike.
i loved being outside.
my kids do so well with physical activity…less fighting when you are hiking.
it was so beautiful every where we went.
i highly recommend Yellowstone & Grand Tetons & colorado.
in case you were on the fence…. go for it.
you will love it.
but book your lodging now for next year because it fills up QUICK.

 

danielle - Looks like so much fun! Hopefully it will not be as crowded if we go later in the year next year 🙂

Shellie - Unreal beautiful!!

Sheridan Eketone - Sheridan is a PLACE?? I never knew that. My mother named me Sheridan after an American friend she made before I was born! Loved all your pics. It looks amazing! Please come to New Zealand & hike here so you can come meet me 😉 xxx

adrienne - my parents used to drag my sister and I to lake Dillon in Colorado, we hated it. looking back, I wish, almost daily, that we could be back there! hiking, horseback riding, going in the cheesey native American stores.. it was the best. dairy queen was our big reward after every hike. dad would make sandwiches on cheese onion bread (gross then, gross now!). just the best.

Leslie - Absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!

Kristin - Love Cascade Canyon Trail!!! But I can’t believe you didn’t talk about how scary the trail to get to Inspiration Point is. Scared the heck out of me! I’m so glad you enjoyed one of my favorite places on earth so much.

Lisa - Beautiful! What a wonderful trip for all of you.

Mindy - What beautiful pictures! Sounds like an amazing family trip.

Jenn - Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing.

Maureen - We live in Chicago suburbs and have driven twice to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons for family vacations. Favorite trips for all of us. Kids now all in college and were just saying that they wished we had gone again this summer but like Lauren all were working. I think that every family should make the effort to go. Nature at its best!!!

Kimberlee Jost - All of it gorgeous.
Even without makeup.
😉

Kimber-Leigh - your pictures are just beautiful. i hope to take our family one day soon! And i giggled about chip-munk…because all my children call them “chick-munks” and i just can’t bring myself to correct them!

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Amazing, Megz! I love it. I want to go now. Your pics were perfection! Good job, God!

Carol S. - AAwesome trip and pics! I planned that trip from Chicago to Yellowstone, rafting in Bozeman, MN, then drive thru Black Hills, to Mt. Rushmore and stayed at national park lodging throughout. Very different active driving vacation, but memorable and fun for all of us. Fun for me to experience things first time with my family. You’ll never forget that trip.

jodie - chip-munk? hehheh

Jenny B. - Beautiful! I am so glad to read that you didn’t want to go but went anyway and had a great time. That’s me. I would never be excited about a trip like this, but I think I would probably love it if I would just do it. 🙂 Also, I am very impressed with Scott’s jumping ability. Good grief! I don’t know how he didn’t fall in. 🙂

Melia - Meg-do you mind sharing what lens you used on your vacation pics? I’m assuming you didn’t haul a whole bad of equipment-I’m looking for an all-around lighter weight one to use for things like that.
Thanks!
Melia

Jen - I’m so envious about this trip. I have the exact photo of the falls that you took but it’s from 1980 when I was last there as a 10 year old kid! I would love to go there with my family but we live in PA so it would be a looooong trip.

stephany - The cell service thing is funny! When we go up to northern idaho to lake pend oreille the best place for cell service is the middle of the lake. My dad and husband have been known to go out on a jet ski to get on conference calls for work when we are there!

Erin - Your pictures are truly breathtaking!!!!

Kristin S - Absolutely beautiful. The scenery and your family!

Lisa - Wow! My Family and I toured Grand Canyon, The Arches and Bryce Canyon this summer. I, too, was a little hesitant (lots of driving; more my sons and husbands dream trip) and (just like you) I was so happy we went! It was stunningly gorgeous. A once in a lifetime trip. And the same is true about forest fires. We saw entire mountains of burned forest. So shocking. There was even a fire burning in Grand Canyon that the Ranger said was a low level burn and they were letting it go. Loved my family’s faces as we toured–pricelessly happy.

Anita - Oh my gosh my family just got back late last Friday from out trip to Yellowstone and Tetons. We did the same boat ride from Colter Bay. It such a beautiful part of the country. I love seeing your puctures.

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ladies night

since we moved to this house and had the coop moved over here, the chickens haven’t been able to roam
(neighborhood dogs… coyotes… golf course… makes for rough free ranging conditions)
i do enjoy the poop free patio though!
and i realize that they are chickens and they are fine not roaming.
but i am also caring too and i like seeing “happy” animals.
soon we will have an area for them to walk around bigger than the coop but this summer was packed and it just hasn’t happened yet.
sometimes when the sun is going down and it’s just before they will naturally go in to roost we will open the coop and let them out for a bit.

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the dogs are always curious…
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this was the first our kitten had seen of the chickens up close.
but was also very interested in the grasshoppers EVERYWHERE.IMG_8434IMG_8436IMG_8438IMG_8442IMG_8445IMG_8448IMG_8455IMG_8451IMG_8467IMG_8468
then last night i was practicing my “caring” and let them out.
but forgot to shut the door later that night when they went back in.
blerg.
so… they all were out again this morning.
my trick did not work to toss them blueberries until they all went back in the coop.
how can their pea brain figure that out?!
so in my jammies… BEFORE coffee…  i had to catch each one.
running.  pouncing.  grabbing.  missing.  grabbing again.

yeah… that will wake you up on a monday morning!
i bet my neighbors enjoyed the show.

THEN i got to have more fun by taking stanley to the vet to get his stitches removed from being neutered 10 days ago.
which required me to hold him down.
and sweat.
and get peed on.

can i start my day over please?

no?

ok… i will just go paint something instead.

KAREN OSBORNE - We have chickens and dogs also and I am amazed at how the chickens do not learn to stay away from dogs. Ours can fly into a fenced area around the coop (that is how they get into the yard) but when the dogs chase them they seem to lose this ability 🙁

CathyC - Too funny. Very pretty birds. The kitten is adorable.

Sue Groff - Unfortunately, I cannot see your pictures and your script because of a “Find New Roads With Your Family” ad from Chevrolet that has your picture on it. I love your blog. Please see if there is a way we, the readers, can remove the ad to view your post. Thank You

Jen - I am in awe of your photography. Stunning. Thank you for sharing your talents!

Jayme - I can completely relate. So we just finished up with our permanent coop for our 5 hens this weekend. The previous coop was smaller and closer to our house, so they became used to that arrangement (they free range during the day). Well we began the transaction to the bigger nicer coop and let’s just say I completely understand how hens do not just follow a trail of treats or allow themselves to be easily caught. Hubby and I were out in the evening for over 2 and a half hours trying to contain the ladies and can I just add that I’m 38 weeks pregnant. Entertainment at its finest if anyone could have seen it!

Janet - I love the photos! The black and white chicken is my favorite, altho the golden one is quite pretty too. The brown one looks a little cranky as if it might just peck that kitten if it came too close.

Jennifer - I love this post and can so relate! My daughter and I were chasing chickens around the yard a few days ago after a stray dog came into the yard and got one of our girls. There were some electricians working in the yard next door to ours, and I’m quite certain they were bent over in laughter at the site of us chasing these silly birds. It’s very easy to fall in love with your flock of feathered ladies. We even have some watermelon out for our girls to snack on right now.

Megan - I have so many animal questions for you, Meg.
How do you keep the dogs from eating the chickens? How do you keep them from eating the cat? How do you keep the cat from destrying your furniture? Do the cats want to eat the chickens? My new farmhouse has mice (eeek!!) and we are considering a cat to help out. But, I’m a dog person and my two big dogs have a high prey drive. I think they’d kill a cat. Perhaps it’s a lost cause for us. I also think they’d kill chickens if we ever got any. They sound vicious but they aren’t at all. Just hunters–birds, rabbits, bats…And I have no clue how to take care of a cat!

Cali Kliewer - This makes me smile. Mostly because we got a new puppy on Friday, and today was the first day I had to deal with a puppy, and two kids, and trying to get myself ready and out the door by 6:30. I may or may not have been seen in my yard, in my jammies, pre-coffee…chasing a puppy and begging him to poop. Only 4 more days until the weekend…

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miracle

did you all see this?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftAoelTlKLs

it’s amazing.
what a HUGE victory!

praising the Lord for this.

Karen Groves - This is amazing. I could not help but cry tears of joy as I watched this. Thank you for keeping us informed on all of this. I will continue to pray. It is powerful to see God’s work in action.

Mindy - Very behind in my blog reading but had to echo your thankfulness for this wonderful miracle!

Melissa - Agreed! I have been following this story. miracle indeed. God is great.

Elizabeth Cannata - I am so grateful for my faith because I know, first hand, that miracles do happen. People often think that if they don’t receive the miracle they pray for, then miracles don’t exist. It isn’t true. God has a plan for each of our lives and it is up to us to follow Him and be faithful to Him. Thank you for sharing this on my Monday morning. What a way to start off the week!

Jennifer - Yes, indeed. Praise the Lord!

jen - Praise the Lord!!!

Sara - Thousands. So thankful to God that Dr. Brantly and Nancy Writebol both recovered and have been released from isolation!! Just so happy and relieved. Thank you for sharing this news clip.

Terri Christian - I prayed for him and our God is AWESOME! Grateful He said yes.

Rebecca - amazing!!

Jenny B. - Wonderful!

miss lynn - beautiful. we serve a MIGHTY GOD!

Valerie - Wow, WHAT a miracle! God is so good!!
I love hearing someone praise God even through the hard times.
“God saved my life.” — what a great testimony!

Andrea in AK - To God be the glory!

Kelly - So incredibly awesome and a wonderful answer to prayer!!!
To God be the Glory indeed!!!!!

Elizabeth Stewart - God hears and answers prayer!

Karen Gerstenberger - Wow – what a gracious, composed and grateful man. I am so happy for him, for his family, and for the other doctor who was brought here for treatment. Their survival is a miracle, and perhaps will lead the way for the experimental drug to be developed further – and used to save more lives in West Africa.

Jenn - What a miracle indeed! We do need to continue to pray for West Africa. Its almost out of control. How is your friend Pam? I think of her often when I hear more news about the outbreak.

kirsten - saw it earlier and immediately thought of you and your friends. praise god!!

beth - Praise Jesus!! So happy he is reunited with his family.

elma - I watched that and his Faith is just so amazing!! So thankful to the Lord to have healed and spared his life!! What a awesome man doing what Gods called him to do. You are so lucky to know him!!!

Julie - Praise the Lord for His healing power!!! So thankful for this.

Heather S. - Was watching the news and heard this story – thought of you! What a great testimony!

Marsha Kern - Yes it is-wonderful news!

Angela - Great news! And so thankful for the way he praised the name of the Lord and thanked Him for His healing!

kelly - Praising God, too!! And still praying for the people of Liberia. Thank you for posting.

sarah - I’m praising the Lord with you.

Are Pam and her family still in Africa? Today I’m reminded to pray for them and those they love and serve.

Beth - Praise Jesus! Amazing that he is standing there today. A miracle.

Barbara - YES, Meg, what a miracle!! To God be the glory! I watched Dr. Brantley give his speech yesterday and how God honoring it was. I enjoyed watching the people behind him, too….you could tell that every person standing there shared in his joy and was so happy for him. Even in the midst of his good news, though, he didn’t forget the people Africa and asked for continued prayers for them.

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color.

1.  i wish i lived in Winnipeg so i could see Kal Barteski’s artwork in real life.
LOOK AT THIS PLACE!
like…. so bad.
this project looks amazing!!!

 

2.  speaking of art…
these paintings of flowers bursting with color are just crazy gorgeous.
my chest kind of aches when i look at them.
what is that about?
why?
i get so emotional when i look at all that color… all those brush strokes mixed up in color making a beautiful scene.
it is amazing isn’t it?

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this artist’s name is Erin Fitzhugh Gregory.
i am in awe.
i want all her paintings and i want to be able to paint like that.
what a dream that would be?!

 

3.  and since i am obviously feeling artsy today….
i want to do this project.
like this very minute!!!

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she’s so right!
colors = emotions = beauty

 

have a colorful day today!

🙂

 

Jennifer @ Ellison Lane Quilts - Oh how I love color too. And I am a huge fan of Erin’s work. We were super lucky to receive one of her beautiful floral paintings for Christmas this year. It’s amazing and makes me happy every time I look at it which is all the time!
To be able to paint like that would be a dream!

Thanks for all that you share with the online community! You inspire me!
🙂
Jennifer

Mindy - I love the watercolor at the bottom. I am a neutral girl who appreciates color – does that even make sense? Part of why I love visiting here is for your happy color : )

daina funk - Kal is amazing. I have met her briefly and she is so kind and I have stood inside the artwork that you have linked and I wish all of your blog followers could experience it. It really is beauty. Buy some of her artwork!!!

Jeanene - Hey, I really love color too! Yours is the only blog that I follow regularly (besides family) because we share the same design taste…I think…anyway. But, I have been thinking of you a lot lately because I have been following the Emory Hospital story and Dr. Brantly. I am so thankful that he is well and back with his family. He is a true and faithful servant and I am so glad he has been blessed with health along with Nancy Writebol. Oh, and your family is beautiful. It reminds me of mine except we have 3 boys and 2 girls. 🙂

Tiffany - Erin Gregory’s artwork is vibrant and beautiful. Sure hope she reopens her etsy shop.

Julie - I love that floral artwork. So many people shy away from using and enjoying colour in their homes – I am glad you are not one of them.

Melodie Schellenberg - I read the first line of your blog today and said….”what now, huhhhh!” I live in Winnipeg! I am going to check art out!

Kerenza - Hi Meg, I’ve been reading your blog for years, and I live in Winnipeg! That’s cool that you mentioned my city!

Linda - Oh my gosh!!! Thanks you for that splash of color it was just what I needed today!!

Julie L - I love color too! With you loving color so much, you should definitely check out my sister’s website http://www.janalamberti.com/. She’s a silk artist–she paints on silk with dye. The last time I visited her I watched her do it, and while I’m definitely biased–I think it’s still pretty awesome.

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s m i l e

my 4 youngest kids started school today.
it feels like we JUST got out for summer break.
i didn’t even get a tan line!
how is summer over?
scott was already at school for an early morning football practice.
i made waffles and we shoved out the door.

photo-72
i picked up the house (a bit) today and painted things.
the internet was out ALL day and i realized i get much more done with no internet…
who knew?!

i am feeling anxious to decorate but the ideas haven’t all hit me yet.

but a couple of ideas….like my sign letters… are making me so happy!
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i found several of the letters at Finding Great on Etsy.
i loved all their choices!
29 pages of sign letters??!!
it is sooooo awesome!
i may still hang them on the wall but i love them leaning here too.
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Finding Great was really easy to work with… they combined shipping for me…sent them right away.
just think of all the words you could spell!
or just an initial?

i love typography.

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back in june i found furniture on craigslist.
a dining room table, 6 chairs, a buffet and a buffet with a hutch on top.
the buffets were identical.
so we painted them gray (Anonymous by Behr) and put them in the inset part of the living room.
it was a perfect fit!
i had exactly 6 pulls left over from the kitchen remodel.
done.
and we had another dresser that i thrifted that the hutch will sit on.
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i know what you are thinking….  “it’s very white”.
but this is just the beginning.
the layer before all the color comes in.

the walls are Sea Shell Gray by Valspar.

there needs to be some height back behind the smile and the cow.
but i don’t know with what just yet.
the cow may not stay here forever… but she was lonely in the closet so she’s hanging out with us now.
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it’s certainly not done in here… there are lots of things i want to hang on the walls, pillows i want to make, etc.
but we are getting there don’t ya think?
these are the couches and chairs we ordered from Ikea.
there were lots of questions about them before.
basically… YES i love them.  the reasons i think it works:
1. this is not our MAIN kid sitting area.
2. it gets used but the boys camp out in the basement not here.
3. and we have forbid food or drink in the living room.
(mom gets to do what she wants because “mom” does the washing of the slipcovers if she spills)

also i found pet alarms to keep the dogs off the furniture when we aren’t home.
they really work!
it sounds like a smoke alarm when you touch it… CRAZY loud.
it beeps only when you are touching it, as soon as you stop touching it the sound stops.
they don’t go anywhere near the couches now.
amazing.
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this room needs curtains.
picking fabric for curtains… ughhhhhh.
i don’t want to do it.
but someday i will be out shopping and i will find “IT”.
and i will know that fabric is the one and the decision will be easy.

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and i don’t know what to put in this corner.
but i do know that it is not this.
those cabinets got put there when we moved in… and haven’t moved yet.

i may hang family pics all over that corner wall.

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and these walls…
and i might even put that shirt away that is on the railing.  (HA!)

remember when i said i cleaned up (a bit)?
this was behind me…IMG_8500
i just cleaned one side of the house.
🙂

the hutch is almost done!
the green is bright but i am digging it.

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i need some way to conceal all those electronics….what could i do?
everything needs to be accessed at least by a remote.
i haven’t come up with a plan there yet.
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and suddenly i am distracted….

zinnias and black eyed susans are pretty dreamy.

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i kind of want to blow up these pictures into gigantic wallpaper!
these colors…..these are ME!
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so the state of our living room?  i think i’d say…she’s coming along!

🙂

do you know what i should do with those electronics on the right buffet?
would you ever get white furniture?

go check out Finding Great and tell me which letters you get for your house!
because i know you will find some great ones!

the Giant G…   the hi….    the transparent O…. i want them all.

 

Jaime ♥ Raising up Rubies - i might sneaky sneak in and steal that lamp with the flower shade when i’m there. also. where is the leg canvas … still waiting.

Kelly - I love how the cow looks like he’s about to eat you flower bouquet 🙂

Jana Harvey - I love the new space. I hope you don’t mind my saying that I think the space could benefit from some unpainted wood…. maybe the coffee table. I love the “smile!!”

Jenna B - You need plants! I think a nice plant shelf would be great in that corner where the old cabinets are!

Michelle Whitlow - Wow, it’s looking great!!! I have an old buffet that I refinished to use as our entertainment center. It has our DVD player, Xbox, games, etc in it. We cut a hole in the back for the cords to run out the back. It has a door on each side like yours & we keep it open when we’re using the electronics. Otherwise it stays shut. Works for us!

http://michellewhitlow.typepad.com/24-olive-street/2014/03/new-entertainment-center-buffet-redo.html

Jenna - I love what raising up rubies made to conceal electronics in her bedroom.
http://raisinguprubies.blogspot.com/2012/05/once-upon-time-master-bedroom-remodel.html

Stefanie - I have 3 kids and I have a white PB sectional, people think I’m crazy…it stays cleaner than any dark couch I’ve ever owned, because we don’t eat or drink on the couch and the kids bath before sitting on it! 🙂

Kristin - Hi Meg,

Your new house is looking great! Thanks for sharing the decorating process, those are some of my favorite posts (next to your inspiring Mom posts!)

I think I might try hanging the Smile letters up, top of letters level with the top of the television. Then under that I would put a simple shelf centered under the Smile letters to hold your electronics. I would make that shelf level with the fireplace (not the top of the mantel, but rather, the main horizontal moulding line below the mantel top-the one that connects the tops of the columns) That will give you a good amount of space on top of the buffet to display things like framed pictures or whatever.

Then for the other buffet, on the right, I would look for a beautiful painting or photograph framed to the same size that the smile letters and electronics shelf on the other wall. That way both sides of the mantel would be balanced. I don’t think your electronics would stand out so much, and I think they blend nicely with the typography. For the artwork, I would stick to these colors: Black, grey, green like the letter M, and white. Something airy and ethereal or abstract, perhaps. I wouldn’t want it to be too bright, to dominate that side. Your photograph 3 down below in your Wyoming post of the mountains, lake, pines and stones would look amazing, I think.

I would trade out the lamp on the buffet for a floor lamp, if you need light in that corner.

Thanks for inviting me to play decorator at your house! I’m sure whatever you do will be absolutely perfect!

Kristin

Rach - You shop for curtain fabric like I shop for slip cover fabric. My kitchen chairs took forever to cover because I just didn’t want to find the “right” fabric. Then one day I did. Granted I only have 2 of them done, but that’s progress!

Lori - That hutch is going to be amazing! Cannot wait to see it all together. My husband has hidden all of our electronics in our coat closet (receiver, dvd/blu ray player and surround sound gadgets)and uses some type of “eye” on the front of the tv that makes each remote “see” the components. I am so not techie, but I could ask him the specifics if you’d like.

Lisa - I have one of those same white ikea slipcovered chairs in white (the ottoman too), and I LOVE it…it washes really well too. Considering the price difference between that furniture and the large slipcovered sectional in my living room that I spent over $4,000. on, I wish I had just bought the Ikea couches. My kids at on it, and it now has stains and cat scratches and the covers are not machine washable like the Ikea slipcovers 🙁 I have lots of white furniture, in fact, all my vintage/antique stuff is painted white..I love being able to change the look of my rooms for the different holidays and the decos don’t clash because of all my white and bits of green. Yours is coming along nicely! Can’t wait to see more…..

Jenn - Just noticed Talby’s hair! She likes color like her mama?! Is really cute!

Laurel - All looks fab! I love the Ektorp sofas-especially the washable slipcovers. For the electronics, you can buy a little speaker looking thing that is like a walkie talkie to all of your electronics in the cupboard. It’s the only thing that has to be out:) and they are small.

the chubby dove - we have those same ikea couches and chairs. we also have two boys and two yorkies. people are amazed that we have white furniture, but washable slipcovers are AWESOME!

Kirsten - I have the same white couch and love seat. I have a love-hate relationship with them. I LOVE that they have brightened up my living room SO much. And I LOVE that they are bleachable (even tho they say they aren’t) – especially when my son throws up all over them. What I don’t love is when I spend all day washing them and then my 2-year-old daughter decides to climb on them after covering herself with bright blue marker. Sigh….

Your house is looking marvelous! I love that you aren’t afraid to try something new. I over think my decorating, which means it NEVER gets done!!

Teri - Love the gray furniture! I have a long dresser with the same scroll – painted the piece red and popped the scrolls off prior – they were plastic. Love you pics!!

Lisa - Your girls are getting so tall – is Talby taller than you now? And Annie is looking older, too. They have such great smiles. Glad that Sean still doesn’t mind having his picture taken with a big smile. My teenage boy has hit the “I don’t want my picture taken so I won’t smile” stage. Happy kids! And BEAUTIFUL flowers!

Andrea - Meg….I love it. would you mind to share your source for the couch alarms……I have a shedder….and won’t buy new family room furniture because she is use to getting on it!!! this might be the answer

thanks

Jill - It is looking good, Meg! I love where you are headed with everything. I’ve been eyeing the ikea couch for our home. Love the white with pops of color.

Kristen - Meg, maybe you can put the large black box (that’s as technical as I get!) behind the cabinet door – the one below where it’s sitting now. You can keep the door open while you watch tv if needed and then close it when you’re done. The top drawer can be put on hinges so the front flips open and you can put the other things in there. And like the door, the drawer can just be used when you’re not using the tv. I haven’t read the other comments to if 20 other people already mentioned this, sorry for the repeat! Love your house 🙂

tracy - Miss Meg,
I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your blog- it is always like a breath of fresh air. you are a true original. It made my day today when you shared the photo of what was behind where you cleaned 🙂 I love the honesty and it helps to know that things aren’t always spotless perfection on blogland.

Laura Oyler - oh my word i’m in love with the buffets!!

Karyn - Meg, we have our electronics hidden behind a cabinet. My hubby bought an infrared extender. It is a little device that allows us to turn on the electronics with a remote even though they are hidden! It works great! Love all the colors!

Jennifer - So I’ve watched your awesomeness for a long time now, but the Finding Great site was my push over the edge to comment. You’re always so inspiring, and I’m so glad you’ve shared that site with us. Beautiful!

jenn - I would look through your photos for all the amazing flower shots in fun bright colors. Then do a whole wall in the corner with canvases of fun flowers. Do you have a piano? That would be a good spot for it if you do! Or a fun little bench/settee/love seat with a lamp for a reading nook? Then I would do a gallery wall of family photos in another spot…down the hallway or the stairs?

Tracy - Well if you don’t make those pics into wallpaper, you should at least add them to your shop!! My kitchen wall looks so great with the collage of photos I purchased from the shop. THANK YOU!!!!! 🙂

Kim - Everything looks great, can’t wait to see how you continue to add your touch and color to the room! I could see some wide floating shelves above the hutches for all sorts of fun color and punch.

I just solved my electronics issue. I had my TV off center for years just for the electronics to sit next to it on our hutch. Then I read about a remove extender and upon researching that I found out about RF remotes…. you can use it thru a wall. Guess what I also found out my Direct TV console had an RF remote the whole time! I promptly drilled holes into the back of our hutch for cords and centered the TV! Best free project ever! Now, if your remotes and devices are not RF already, they have fancy things on amazon that will do that along with extenders (but the RF attachments can be hidden away with the rest of the electronics where the extenders can’t).

Have fun decorating!

Martha - Your home is like a canvas, how exciting right? How about painting the two sides of fireplace you favorite zinnia color or green like your Buffett, or Black-eyed Susan yellow. Or just tell me to shut up and paint my own canvas!

tasha roe - love how it’s coming together!!
What about floating shelves above the flanking buffets? the color looks so good on them and they are just too perfect for that space!
i wish i had an idea for the wires. i have the same problem. rats.

Jenny B. - For the electronics, there’s some sort of radio frequency controller thingy that lets you put them behind closed doors but still be able to operate them. I don’t know much about it, but maybe google RF controller? I’ve been thinking about white slipcovered furniture lately. I’ve read several blog posts about the IKEA sofas, and every person has said they are perfect for families with kids because you can wash them and even bleach them if needed (and full replacement covers are cheap). For your corner, maybe a small round dining table with a couple of wooden chairs and a board game or two? 🙂

Molly - I think wallpaper with your flower photos would actually be fabulous! You can create your own wallpaper on spoonflower.com and it would be so fun in the nooks flanking the fireplace 🙂

Jess Noble - I have been itching to buy those couches for years! I finally just convinced my husband that white couches weren’t insane after reading some reviews about how easy it is to wash those slipcovers. They look awesome! And those gray buffets are just lovely. 🙂

Kerri - Our daughter and SIL just bought their first home and she chose a great sofa from IKEA (but in a dark color because she has a 3-yr-old 🙂 ). I am VERY excited for the IKEA in Merriam, KS to open next month. That’s only an 1-1/2 hours from me. Woo hoo!

Janet - Your home is great, and the zinnias are beautiful. My favorite. Hope your kids have a great year!

Mel - L-o-v-e what you got going on there…and you are a lot better at this decorating thing than me, but I can tell you a couple things we have done to hide electronics. We took off the solid wood panel of our cabinet and replaced it with mesh. This allows for the remote to work and for the components to keep cool. Also, we put my husbands big sub-woofer speaker in an old picnic basket (with a lid) in the corner on the floor. And it still shakes the room! Works just fine. 🙂 I really like your smile!!

Gina - Meg, when I read your blog I come away so inspired!! I just want to go paint something or do something new!! And I live in a mostly white house but you make me want color. 😉 Maybe. 🙂 I am definitely going to look at the letters because I have been wanting a “B” forever but I love the thrill of the hunt so may wait to find it at a flea market or wherever. 🙂 I thought of a crate turned longways also for the electronic stuff. Thanks for sharing your home with us. 🙂

LInda - Hi Meg,

I love watching your progress with your new home; it’s looking beautiful!

We too have our TV over our fireplace and have our electronics concealed inside a cabinet. Right now we have to open the cabinet to use the remotes, but, my husband bought an eye to install outside the cabinet so that the remote will work with the cabinets closed. I’m very excited about this! So…it is possible to conceal all those electronics and still access them by remote. Maybe this could also be an option for you.

FLWendy - You are so creative, Meg! I had that IKEA sofa and the chairs. They are awesome. I washed those slipcovers constantly and they always came out clean and bright. About the electronics, are the areas behind the scroll-work on your cabinets removable? Maybe you could replace them with some sort of screen to make it accessible by remote?

Lori - Can you hinge the drawer fronts a la House*Tweaking for your electronics?!?

http://www.housetweaking.com/2013/09/04/diy-hinged-drawer/

Julie - Wow – you room is looking great – love the white with pops of colour. Especially love those flowers, think I will have to plant zinnias this summer too.

Rebecca W - Put them into an old crate (standing on it’s side) that has slats on its bottom so that the wires can go through. When you don’t feel like looking at it all, turn the crate so it’s bottom faces the wall…if that makes sense :p

Johanna - House is looking great! Your blog is always a decorating inspiration! What color paint is on your walls? It looks like a light grey? Really nice color to add all those color-pops you always have…

Beth - Oh, the electronics! Such a pain when making decorating decisions… Something like this would allow you to hide almost everything inside those cabinets I think!

http://www.amazon.com/Next-Generation-Remote-Control-Extender/dp/B000C1Z0HA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1408426479&sr=8-4&keywords=infrared+remote+sensor

kristen - It looks great! You inspire me!

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