Snow and Smiles

The view out our front window right now.....lovely. There is snow falling-in case you cannot tell from the shot.


The stockings and tree.
This is little Isabelle...whenever I am dressing her she loves to run off without the entire outfit on. I always find it quite amusing....who can resist those little legs!?



I love winter.....totally and completely. And what is more-I love winter in Wheaton, Illinois. People so often complain of the cold and the snow...on and on they go. But I LOVE the cold and the beautiful white snow. It is literally pouring down outside the window as I write this-and I love it. There is something so romantic, childish, relaxing and beautiful about snow...especially when it is falling. Things here have been so wonderful as of late. Isabelle is being my usual delight. Nate is the love of my life and we have a baby on the way. God is pouring out upon us and I am full of thanks!!

Isabelle has developed even more into such a goofball-which is so fun. She has formed very adorable routines or things she loves to do. For example, the girl is in love with music. So much so that almost every time I get her from the church nursery on Sunday they tell me how much she loves music and cannot be separated from it:) The same at home goes for her. We have a boom box on the ground in the kitchen and Isabelle will just either sit herself down next to it or (more often than not) right on top of it. She will boop her little body in beat to the music and be quite content like that for a while. She also loves to remove all the kitchen utensils from the drawer and line them up on the stairs. Once finishing this task she will put them all away again. She loves spaghetti and meatballs-and (just like her mother) will start to get really goofy about halfway through mealtime. I believe this is because she has reached that lovely point of not being hungry anymore and now finding the lovely delight of food. She just sits there and smiles at me...refusing to eat until I let out a laugh at her. Which is never forced mind you-little Belle can always get me to laugh!!You know how people teach their children the game..."How big is Isabelle....soooo big!" And the child then lifts their hands over their head. Well...Nate and I thought we could do something much more creative than that game. Ours is called...."What do you do on a rollacoaster....WEEEEEEE!!" Isabelle is displaying below just what she does:)



Told you she loves music;)
This is often how Isabelle will stand....it is so funny to me....just pop a squat and read a magazine.



I have included these pictures of her being her sweet little self.....but believe me nothing shows her preciousness as being with her. Which, blessing from the Lord, I can be everyday!! My treasure!



Yummy sugar cookies that Nate and I made and frosted one afternoon. This always gets us laughing so hard-probably because our frosting job always ends of being a little off!And what kind of parents would we be if little Isabelle could not sample one of the yummies??

Please tell me why you love this time of year??? If you do that is:)

Share 7 random and/or interesting facts about you / your family

I was tagged on Caitlinesque's blog and asked to answer the titled question. Here goes

1. Nate and I sing to Isabelle every night the song "Edelweiss" from Sounds of Music....using her name rather than the titled one and altering a few of the words

2. Nate and I probably tell each other we love one another over 20 times a day.....and we mean it!!

3. We do not own a television

4. I sometimes get paid to do voice work for different things (books on tape, commercials, radio spots, etc.)

5. Nate and I have not been apart one night since we were married

6. Isabelle loves to sit on our cd player when she is grooving to the beat

7. We often use sounds effects to describe how we feel about things-rather than words....try it, it really is quite effective!!

There you go:) That was quite fun

Typealyzer...I stole:)

Alright...so I was reading on another blog and came across this very fun thing called a Tylealyzer....it looks at your blog and then spits out what it would label your blog's "personality" as. Here is mine.....I guess it is not too far from the truth:) Feel free to do it to your own....it is pretty fun!!

http://www.typealyzer.com/index.php?lang=en

ESFP - The Performers

The entertaining and friendly type. They are especially attuned to pleasure and beauty and like to fill their surroundings with soft fabrics, bright colors and sweet smells. They live in the present moment and don´t like to plan ahead - they are always in risk of exhausting themselves.

The enjoy work that makes them able to help other people in a concrete and visible way. They tend to avoid conflicts and rarely initiate confrontation - qualities that can make it hard for them in management positions.

My Little Chick

Here are the promised photos of my sweet little girl!!!

Hallo Hallo WEEN

Any great ideas for adult costumes??? Nothing sketchy either. I cannot decide whether we should all go house to house....or just stay at our house and let all the cutie dressed up kids come to us. Either way Isabelle will love it...which is the goal.
(this is a little shot of my girl....what a goof)
We have not carved pumpkins yet-but I am thinking tonight might just be the night:) I have rented from the library (the only way to go:)) Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin...something. I forget now-but it seems like that could be the perfect event. Maybe I will invite my parents to come over and play too-who knows:) I really am excited to have pumpkin seeds!! When I was little my dad would take all the pumpkin seeds, clean them off and spread them out on a cookie sheet. Then he would put butter and salt all over them and bake them till they were crispy delicious!! If you have never tried this you should-I hope to myself with our little one.

Please send me pictures of your cute Halloween outfits-it would be so fun to see what everyone is up to. I will do the same.....I promise!!

Happy Autumn to all:) Enjoy the beauty of fall....no crabbing about cold!!
High Point: Painting this afternoon....I really like the one I did today...which is always a nice finish to a painting!
Low Point: Spoiled milk and chicken....the smell of my fridge was horrid!!

People...oh they are fun!!

The best way to start any writing....with my happy little girl....Isabelle....let us all learn from her joy!!! With an empty toilet paper roll no less!


I love people and the many personalities that are found in them. I was doing a voice recording on Tuesday where I encountered a great deal of highly entertaining people. The voice work is simply a recording of either a book on tape, or as in this case a program for the radio that will be aired around Christmas time. Now for me.....this is a sweet blessing from the Lord whenever I am chosen to do voices. The pay is outrageously good (last time I recorded for about 3 hours and made $600!!!) and the work is extremely fun-since I love acting and no longer really engage in it. This fills that theatrical longing I have while making us extra money that is such a gift from the Lord!!

However, whenever I am there I think they do not know what to do with me. They being the other actors. This time was particularly funny....but to be honest almost every time has been equally entertaining. I was the only girl there....yes the only girl among about 10 men. And the men are all usually over 40...minus three who were probably about my age. So, they are all characters in and of themselves....having voices deep and rich and sooooo theatrical in all they say. Everyone is out to prove they know more about theatre...or their agent booked them here...or have you ever worked with so and so. And there I sit. "No, I stay at home with my lovely girl....No, I do not do this full time.....No, I do not have an agent." They do not know what to do with me and I love it!!! What a delight that I get to step into this highly enchanting world of egotistical actors and smile and be glad that I am not having to compete in their world. What a sense of humor our Lord has....He provides the work-I get to use my love of acting....and on top of that I get to admire the people of this "business" and just think of how I am not cut out for that part of it:)

Nate is wonderful. He is such a glorious husband. I said so much about Isabelle in the last post and hardly anything about him.....and he is amazing. So this little chunk of lines is to let you all know that my Nate is the most delightful husband I could have ever wished for. Those of us that are married let us not hold back praise to our spouses!!! They are a blessing!

Now....what else to speak on. Favorite things currently in my life.....
1. napping when Isabelle does at 3.....a delicious deep nap that swallows my whole body and makes me lose my mind in sleep....wonderful!!
2. dancing....I get to help choreograph a dance for this Show Choir ( a swing dance no less) and I love to dance and rarely have as good of an excuse as this to do it!
3. darling friends that sit and pour themselves out to you in such a refreshing honest and humorous way.....i love friends!
4. Isabelle's hilarity and joy in life....truly gripping a pop can makes her happier than most celebrities carrying whatever name brand purses they tote....I love her for making me find such joy in things as well
5. fall clothing...few things are as fun as climbing into a warm cute outfit and facing the colorful leaves head on...i heart fall!!

Alright...now for my high point low points:)
High Point: Egg harbor potatoes and the cheese omelet. It never gets old and oh my how it delights my tongue. Being there with my wonderful mother and charming daughter does not hurt either;)
Low Point: Taking a nap after getting quite sweaty and realizing my hair decided it would fuzz out and freak out during the shut eye.....super cute and worn looking when my husband came home:)

Sleepy Eyes and Marshmallows

Isabelle is almost one....she turns one on October 18th and I cannot wait for her sweet little birthday party. She is the most delightful child that ever was!! Sometime I can hardly wait until she wakes up in the morning because she is so precious looking-those rosy cheeks and the little sleepy eyes. She is wonderful at cuddling and is hysterical. She truly knows how to make me laugh-really hard!! I could not have asked for a better baby girl-she is my little love!!! I had to include some photos of her....if only you could meet her you would know what a doll she is. She just loves people and will flirt with you like no ones business. And now that she is walking everywhere she is even more funny to watch.....oh how I love her!
(I have no idea why it wrote this whole part in green and underlined.....btw) Isabelle also has this thing for climbing inside things. We were at the library the other day and she just kept climbing into the library shelves and sitting. Therefore I have included a picture of her in her "little hutch" in the basement. I store her toys there and she loves to push all her little toys out and climb in....what a goof!!
Ok, I finally did it. I finally made those homemade marshmallows I have been daydreaming about since I do not know when!! They are amazing and delicious and easy breezy to make. I recommend them. My next goal is to make some either chocolate flavored or peppermint flavored. How yummy would that be in some hot cocoa!! Any one out there have some great recipes for treats?? I am always open to them...especially either yummy coffee drinks or something yummy to sip. Any great teas you cannot live without??? (mine would be wild sweet orange-oh yum!)

Etsy.....I love it!

Okay, I love Etsy and here are a few reasons why!!!





http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5002441-Amazing tea-I suggest the sampler because you can pick all the ones that tickle your fancy!!!


http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5043139-The sweetest little leg warmers for babies!! I bought Isabelle two pairs (they are adorable) and function great as tights...without the hassle of tights!



http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13913608-I want this bracelet. It is lovely and creative and will priced....rock on lady!


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11220050-In my dreams I would buy this pattern and make Isabelle this cape....or even myself!!! So dreamy!!


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10850332-Finally a place that sells "pretties" without being pornographic!!!



http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10709558-Again...in a dream world I would make Isabelle these in every color.


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9890994-There is something so classy about this....and beautiful...I want it hanging around my neck!!


http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=13278647-I want to dress Isabelle in this....oh my how cute!!!

Keeping Busy

I have been busy crocheting these past few days away. I love having some good movie on, Isabelle playing at my feet-while I keep my hands content working yarn into something fun!! I love neckwarmers-they are instant gratification (quick to make) and are really so lovely and practical! I also love to make hats for Isabelle. I have posted a few on my Etsy store for sale....because really how many hats can a little girl have?? The other thing I just learned to make yesterday is the sweetest little doll. I have made two so far and have high hopes to make more in the future. I found the pattern at marthastewart.com under the Emily Martin portion (she has a site on etsy called TheBlackApple and I just LOVE her work!! If you like the dolls at all please make one-I struggle with making many things...but for some reason her directions are written precisely how my mind works and it was so fun making them. They will be great baby gifts I am hoping!! Well...that is what is keep me from blogging lately-wanted to let you all know. Show me what has been keeping you lovelies busy!!
High Point: Making my second doll....there is nothing like flipping it right side out to see something you have worked so hard at actually look cute (trust me...it does not usually work like that for me:)
Low Point: Laundry...bluh. Hey at least is always smells good at the end!

Swap-a-ronie!

So Wednesdays are usually absolutely wonderful days-they start off with Women's Bible Study at 9:15.....which is great! Then lunch with my mom, we go straight from Bible Study. Then Isabelle and I play at home before her afternoon nap and then my love comes home around 4:30 and we have HYACKS (high school youth group we both work with) at 7:00. So the day is full of wonderful, spiritually encouraging things and it makes everything go faster and be more enjoyable!! So you find me today in the middle of that process. Isabelle has just gone down for her nap (sweet little cutie pie) and I am enjoying being online:)

What shall I write of today??? Well the thing the most on my mind at this moment is artistic projects. In my basement right now I have things piling up that I have been working on. Little pencil cases (with no zippers because I cannot figure out how to sew them in), hats for babies that I have either knit or crocheted, and random water colored paintings of little ladies. These all are delightful for me to look at, but really starting to take up space. I do not feel that any of them (well maybe a few) are up to par for selling on Etsy.....so here is where you all come in. I would love to do a swap a roo. I know you all have artistic flair and talent (after all we are all created after the greatest Creator of them all) and I would love for us all to share our treasures. So....if you would like something of mine-you must offer me something. Now I do not mean it has to be top notch-more like what I am describing would be perfect or I will feel like you got cheated! Something you have made that you are sorta proud of but not proud enough because it is part of your learning curve:) We will make a swap. If you are interested say what you want and what you have. If enough of you do this we could swap to others too (not just to me) So let me know.

Anyone have a good scone recipe? I know that is a random question but I have small group at my house on Saturday and want to make some. I made Lemon Blueberry ones last time that we great-but I am willing to try something new this time. Thanks!
High Point: There is something so encouraging being surrounded with women that love the Lord and are in the process of pursing Him. I love women's bible study!!
Low Point: I woke up with the worst headache that has now morphed into feeling sick to my stomach!! bluh!

Movies...and fall..my love affair begins!

I love fall with all my heart! That crisp bite in the air....the delicious smell of leaves and burning. It makes me think of the movie You've Got Mail. My favorite part is when he says (tom hanks) that he wishes he could give her (Meg Ryan) a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils! How fun is that!! Something about a freshly sharpened pencil always get me excited!!! While on the subject of that movie let it also be said that there is no better scene than when she is walking through the streets with The Cranberries song playing in the background. I do not know how many times I have gone driving with that music playing....pretending that I am her lost in the beautiful city and going to work at a sweet little bookstore:)

Movies!! What are some wonderful movies I need to see?? I am a true LOVER of movies but I must confess that I have a desire to watch things that are on the clean side of life. Sex scenes are something I would rather not see....and women dressed like they are really trying to be naked is also something I would rather not watch. (besides the fact that Nate and I usually watch the movies together and therefore I do not want to dangle that stuff in front of him...can I hear an amen ladies??) I will start with some movies I think everyone should see in their lifetime. Starting with ones I think people will have seen and then branching into some possibly unknowns. PLEASE SHARE YOURS!
Sense and Sensibility-amazing acting, amazing plot, amazing morals!
Mansfield Park-the newest one...wonderful!!
Stepmom-on my does that make me cry!!
Little Women-in love...want to play Jo in some movie at some time in my life!
While You Were Sleeping-I do not know why but this is one of my favs!

Pirot-this is a murder mystery series...it is amazing!! if you at all like this type of genre please get these from the library to watch!
Midsummer Murders-same as above!
Bleak House-really good, really addicting

Those are mine for now...I truly cannot think of many at this moment-not because there are not tons it is because my brain is not with me. So share yours so Nate and I know what to go pick up from our local library!:)

One more thing....ladies that are living in the wheatonish area...if you read this blog and have any interest in learning how to knit or crocquet please let me know....I would love to have us get together (babies too if you have them) and learn to do that together.
Loves!
High Point:The doctor's appointment today for Isabelle showed that she is high again on her iron count ( I had to come in today because she had been so low they thought they might need to put her on iron supplments if it did not go up...so yeah it did!!!)

Low Point: When they had to prick her little toe to get the blood to sample...poor little love girl was crying mccrying!! Little sweetie!

(sidenote, the day has not really been that much yet-hence the limited high/low points:))

Vacation, Dessert, Fall-could life get better?? Nope

Not the largest catch of the day.....but I must admit it was the norm for me. Small!


I just got back from a wonderful vacation up in Michigan (right by Glen Arbor). We stayed (Nate, Isabelle, Mom, Dad, Ruth-sister, James-brother, Karen-sister in law, Ann-niece) at my uncle Jim's place right on the lake. It was perfection weather!! No joke! I ate (far far far too much...any great tips on working out??) and did all the delicious things one can do while on the water.

We fished many days (enough to eat....however I am just not a fish lover...I tried...I am not), went tubing, went Slolum skiing (not sure how to spell it....the one where you ski on one ski) and did a little shopping. I love love love one specific aspect of vacation. I love that from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep you have people around you that want to have fun and talk. Seriously-that is one thing I miss so so much from collage, and being on vacation just brings it all back!

Me and my little Isabelle:)



I am back now-with a little bit of sun on my face and legs-which makes me want to have more sun on my face and legs. Why oh why do things always look better tan??? Anyone know any good tanning lotions? I sure don't...never really tried any but perhaps that is because I would feel like such a faker if I wore anything. I know that is wierd...it kinda is like the strange fact that I refuse to wear any under garment type things like spanx or corset things....(not because I have a rocking figure....though I do rather like it;)) but because I feel like I am dishonestly portraying my body as something it is not. Isn't that just the funniest/wierdo thing?? Who knows why I am the way I am. I am a wierdo!!
Our family:)


I still have not really gone shopping and gotten those cute clothes we all have talked about. I have been looking for dresses thought ladies, trying indeed! I cannot wait for fall.....clothes are always more fun in fall!! I know the majority of the world LOVES summer...but I am not one of them. I love love love fall and really love winter as well. I love bundling up and being stuck inside....(which I have not yet done with a baby that is moving so we shall see if my tune changes) and I love crisp cold everything. I do. Hate me for it....but you can have your hot sweaty make me feel nasty summers and I will take your cold, freezing make you shake winters! Deal!

I want to know what the best desserts-recipes, resturants/stores, drinks, types are. I will start
Best recipe dessert-my mom's brownies ( no joke )
resturant-White Chocolate Grille-apple thinger or white chocolate brownie
store-Grahmas Chocolates-delicious homemake chocolates!
drinks-carmel macchiato, mcdonalds frappe (tried my first one this vacation and was pleasantly surprised)
types-peanut butter things....yummo!!!

High Point: Getting up on a single ski without ever having done it before:)
Low Point: Driving home yesterday while Isabelle literally screamed so hard that she threw up (yes she scream/cried for 5 hours STRAIGHT!)

I am craving cute clothes...

You know sometimes this feelings strikes me and all I can think is-man I really need some new cute clothes. This feelings usually arises from me wanting to quickly get dressed and rush out of the house for something....only to realize that I have nothing I can throw on to get out of the house fast.

I really want to hit the jackpot with this one. Which a jackpot would look like having really fun/hip/me clothes that were easy to put on and really comfy to wear. I feel like this might be easier with weather getting cooler...but who knows. I want the same thing out of shoes-any suggestions???? What are things you all wear when you go running out of the house-or what are sure fire ways to look put together even if you are not? (ie wearing sunglasses I feel like always makes a person look somehow put together or perhaps even if you are sloppy looking then wearing sunglasses makes you look like a movie star....) you get the idea.

I love to wear skirts because those are easy, and cute and very me. Isabelle is so much easier to dress than myself and I often find myself vicariously living through her in the little girl dress department. You know-funky tights that kids can get away with are a heck of a lot harder once you are past puberty. Anyhow....suggestions is the name of the game. Clothes for me, accessories, clothes for Isabelle....any type of inside on how to be comfy and still look like a regular human.

I found this little overall set (and could even possibly win it) on a blog...tell me this isn't so cute!!?



Apple Orchard Overalls GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!
Some stinkin cute clothes!!

Things that cause inspiration.

All right clearly I am on a kick right now of being inspired. So if you are tired of it...forgive me and humor me:) Below I have pictures of things around my house that inspire me and why they do.....please follow my lead and show me what around you inspires you. I have LOVED the beautiful rooms and colors etc you all have sent my way-Ellie I must confess your pictures were my favorite thus far:) but trust me ladies no one was a disappointment with the beauty they brought. So here goes-pictures of what has inspired me lately....or really better put-things that whenever I see them make me happy:)








This beautiful little teacup is so feminine and delicate....it makes drinking anything far more pleasurable.

I love coffee and the beauty of freshly pulled shots of espresso....our little espresso machine makes me happy when I see it and drink from it. (latte with one splenda and cinnamon sprinkled on top)


This lovely little tackle type box is perfection for storing all my tea-for some reason when things are on display I use them more often...and this one makes me smile upon passing.


My kitchen is full of blue shades...this tray with the glorious gold is wonderful...and I randomly placed this bird hanging thing by them one day to just get it out of the way-I love the silhouettes of the birds showing against the tray...it just might stay there.

Latte bowls in scrumptious colors....why can't eating get even better?!
I was inspired to get a typewriter after Abby Dennis brought hers over and I saw first hand the true vintage beauty of the sound of the keys and the typeography it creates. I had to have one....and so my wonderful husband brought me one home from work (no worries...he paid for it:)) I am having such a blast using it-minus the whole no erasing aspect.

I just bought new watercolor paints and whenever I get new artsy tools I love creating....this being the first work done with the new paint I love it all the more. I want to look normal and cute wearing tights like that-but I think those days are gone....thank goodness for Isabelle:)Anthropologie was having a sale on their rugs when I was there last...this one had to go to my bathroom. The colors are perfection and the design stroked my fancy. (sorry if that sounds a bit inappropriate....it is not meant to)

During this stage when I am using only a diaper bag (no purse) I have had to place the majority of my bags in the laundry room....but they are lovely to see when I am working down there.I love my husband.....he loves computers....I had to paint what was on my mind...which (big shocker) was him:) Sidenote-his legs/hips are not strangely square such as this drawing...that is merely a display of my lack of talent.



Something I typed.....so true and so pretty when typed. I want to type everything!

My basement has a small concrete area behind this door, which is where I do laundry. It is also where I created this fun little sewing nook...so sew so fun;)
Journals are a love affair I have had since high school. Not normal journals full of words-journals full of exactly what I am doing here-inspiration in picture form, poem form, anything and everything. I LOVE to journal like that-if you have never try it!!
I love this little pencil bag I made, the pattern of the bag is so fun and I found it at a nearby resale shop. I love pencil pouches because they make me think of being so little.
Love the colors here and the letter a in the steel.
Got this rug for $2. It is super girly which is not always me, but it has a little personality and that pushed me over the edge of buying.
I love to store Isabelle's toys in different totes all around the house. (easy clean-up) But this one is certainly one of my favorites from a flea market-you can see all the toys and it makes me remember how fun she is and childhood is! or should be!!
A shelf on my bookcase....old books in lovely colors, a bird and what looks to me like a circular (spherical) nest. I love the mix of textures and colors.
I love candle holders....even better when waxing worn candles sit in them. I need to find some fun brass ones.Well that is all of them for now-please show me yours. It really is such a fun exercise! Loves to you all!
High Point: Chicken tortilla soup being the soup of the day at the resturant Nate and I enjoyed lunch at.
Low Point: Sweating so much that I have lines coming through my shirt where my stomach is....and that was only after being outside for 2 minutes:(