The other day I decided it was time for a blog facelift, and I settled on this more minimalist version of a blog look and layout.
This is it. What do you think? If there are any bugs, please let me know!
Now, on to the good stuff.
Here is some progress in our kitchen. It's so close to being done, I can almost smell the waffles cooking now!
But first, just look at the cutest picture of Jeff and Olive just watching the neighborhood bustle.
Adorable!
So, for the kitchen, we've replaced both the windows, finished putting in the final can lights, and are now on to painting the room! The color is Horizon Gray, and is a bit more gray than the pictures show, but I think it's going to look stunning with our white shaker cabinets and gray-white granite.
I know this isn't the best picture, but here's a shot of the granite slab we chose:
Gorgeous, right?? It was fun going to the granite yard and searching the rows and rows of granite slabs to find the one just perfect for us. If you're ever putting in granite, don't miss out on that part of the process!
Here's to the final stretch before we have a kitchen again!
This is it. What do you think? If there are any bugs, please let me know!
Now, on to the good stuff.
Here is some progress in our kitchen. It's so close to being done, I can almost smell the waffles cooking now!
But first, just look at the cutest picture of Jeff and Olive just watching the neighborhood bustle.
Adorable!
So, for the kitchen, we've replaced both the windows, finished putting in the final can lights, and are now on to painting the room! The color is Horizon Gray, and is a bit more gray than the pictures show, but I think it's going to look stunning with our white shaker cabinets and gray-white granite.
I know this isn't the best picture, but here's a shot of the granite slab we chose:
Gorgeous, right?? It was fun going to the granite yard and searching the rows and rows of granite slabs to find the one just perfect for us. If you're ever putting in granite, don't miss out on that part of the process!
Here's to the final stretch before we have a kitchen again!
With all the renovations we’ve been doing inside the house,
we haven’t had much time to focus on the outside. But our new backyard
is pretty sad looking. And I’m just not ok with that.
I mean, just look:
So boring right? Well, I believe this backyard has great potential!
I’ve been hard at work these last few weeks scouring the internet for anything I can find on backyards and gardening in Utah. The vegetable garden part of my backyard will take up its own post, so stay tuned, but I wanted to share some information I've gathered on good flowers to plant in Utah and good combos for the different times of year. This isn't a comprehensive list, just things I've found so far. I'd love tips on Utah gardening if anyone has any!
Any help or tips are much appreciated!
I mean, just look:
So boring right? Well, I believe this backyard has great potential!
I’ve been hard at work these last few weeks scouring the internet for anything I can find on backyards and gardening in Utah. The vegetable garden part of my backyard will take up its own post, so stay tuned, but I wanted to share some information I've gathered on good flowers to plant in Utah and good combos for the different times of year. This isn't a comprehensive list, just things I've found so far. I'd love tips on Utah gardening if anyone has any!
Some flower ideas
(annuals):
·
Fountain grasses
·
Blanket Flowers
·
Globe amaranth
·
Lantana
·
Vinca
·
Rose Moss
·
Strawflower
·
Sweet alyssum
·
Verbena
·
Zinnia
· Gazania
· Begonias
· Impatients
· Geraniums
· Ageratums
· Gazania
· Begonias
· Impatients
· Geraniums
· Ageratums
Some flower ideas (perennials):
·
Fountain grasses
·
Butterfly Bushes
·
Hydrangeas
·
Daisies
·
Lavender
· Bellflower
·
Golden Rod
·
Clematis
· Sweet William
·
October Daphne Sedum
·
Golden Angelina Sedum
·
Hollowed flowers
·
Tall flowers
· Peonies
Flower combo ideas:
Early summer blooming:
Early summer blooming:
Tall– Becky Shasta daisy
Medium– Geranium Rozanne
Short– Cheddar Pinks Dianthus
Mid summer blooming:
Mid summer blooming:
Tall– Jupiter's Beard Centranthus Ruber
Medium– Salvia May Night
Short– Coreopsis Early Sunrise
Late summer blooming:
Late summer blooming:
Tall– Agastache Blue Fortune
Medium– Golden Rod Little Lemon, Solidago
Short– October Daphne Sedum
And I learned from a friend that a good rule for layering is taller shrubs/bushes, medium-sized perennials, and small annuals.
I hope this list is as helpful to you as it is for me. And towards the end of the year, hopefully I'll have some pretty pictures to post when our backyard is transformed from blah to a gorgeous and magical garden. We'll see how things go.
And I learned from a friend that a good rule for layering is taller shrubs/bushes, medium-sized perennials, and small annuals.
I hope this list is as helpful to you as it is for me. And towards the end of the year, hopefully I'll have some pretty pictures to post when our backyard is transformed from blah to a gorgeous and magical garden. We'll see how things go.
Any help or tips are much appreciated!
So a couple weeks ago, I saw a link passing around to a free
online class that would help you become a morning person.
“Why not?” I thought to myself, and signed up.
“Why not?” I thought to myself, and signed up.
The first class
email was sent out, and it had lots of good information on creating a simple,
attainable goal as to why you’re wanting to become a
morning person. The next email was about creating a soothing environment before
you go to bed so you have restful sleep. The following email, and the reason
for this post, was about morning stretches and positive affirmations.
This stretching lesson has been helpful in getting me up earlier, and I’m
going share the stretching secrets!
Step 1: Good Morning
Your alarm goes off. This time, you don’t hit snooze. Instead you activate your body with a good long stretch.
Point your toes and pull your arms back.
Become aware of your body as you stretch. Become aware of all the parts touching the bed.
Hold the stretch and breathe as you count to 10 in your head.
Step 2: Hip Joint Stretch
Pull your knees up towards your chest and hold (you can do one leg at a time) You’ll feel the stretch in your hip joint – where we often hold a lot of discomfort. Become aware of your body. Focus your attention on the areas where you feel the stretch.
When your mind wanders, bring it back to the stretch, notice your body responding. Pull and ease into.
Hold the stretch and breathe as you count to 10 in your head.
Step 3: Spine Stretch
With your shoulders pressed flat on the bed – twist one leg over the other to stretch and awaken the spine and hold for a slow count of 5 for each side.
Step 4: Side Stretch
Ready to get up? You will be!
This is for the side of your torso and up through your arm. Keep your bottom on the bed and gently stretch as far as it feels comfortable – without lifting your sit bones off the bed.
Keep your mind focused on your body – where do you feel the stretch? Ease into it…
Hold the stretch and breathe for a slow count of 5 on each side.
Step 5: Sitting Stretch
It’s time to get out of bed! And you’re already off to great start. Your mind is alert and focused. With one leg folded over the other, feel a great stretch from your backside along your hip and side thigh.
Step 6: Feel Grateful!
It’s the beginning of a new day. You can waste it, or use if for good. Stand up straight and strong.
Take a deep breath and smile – this will actually trigger emotions of happiness. You’re ready to go out there and do something awesome with your day.
I love having family traditions. The most recent one that happened was Christmas tea. We love to go every year! I find traditions connect me with different feelings during different times of the year. I look forward to not only the events, but the feelings I know come with them. It's also fun to talk about things that happened at the last event, a whole year ago! What traditions do you have?
It's never too late to start a tradition, and I'm excited for all the traditions of 2015!
It's never too late to start a tradition, and I'm excited for all the traditions of 2015!
So I kind of dropped the blog-ball the end of 2014, and I want to pick it back up with a few pictures from our trip to California for Thanksgiving! Forever ago, I know. But still fun pictures!
We had a great time having fun with family! It was the pups first car trip, which was for sure an adventure. I'm not too sure how they liked the road trip, but they loved California. It's always so relaxing at my grandparents' house...we can't wait for our next trip out there!
