Jayme Lee's Wedding

We enjoyed a quick trip home for my cousin, Jayme's wedding. It was a beautiful wedding with a fun vintage flare. Jayme and Tim are such a perfect fit! And to top it off- they're going to The Price Is Right on their honeymoon!! I hope they get on!

Cooling Down

Well, I heard it might freeze in Illinois this week. We, on the other hand, are just beginning to enjoy our 6-7 months of fall. Winter never really comes to south Georgia.... and I'm ok with that. It's still fairly warm during the day- but last night there was a cool breeze on the back porch and someone in the neighborhood was burning something- ahhhh....the smell of fall. I even picked up some apple cider. So, when the harsh northern winter has got you down- just remember that you are always welcome to come and sit on our front porch. Direct flights from Bloomington to Atlanta!

Filling a House

Once we moved into our house, we realized we don't really own much furniture! Spreading out our apartment stuff into the house- well- there were just some big empty spaces. So, we've been shopping. Yea! And I really do mean WE. Luke has suggested, approved, or at least commented on each new purchase:) He has been very helpful. So, our latest addition is a new couch for our living room. This is where we listen to records, read, and eventually will cuddle fireside!

Savannah, Ga 2009

Savannah, Ga 2009
Originally uploaded by Mona Leisa

Over Labor Day Weekend, we went to Savannah, Ga. Savannah is my favorite town in Ga- by far! We stayed in a beautiful mansion, toured the Historic Downtown area, browsed through galleries and shops, and ate some good food. The best was our lunch at The Lady and Sons (Paula Deen's Restaurant). I recommend the fried green tomatoes!

Kitty Love

Kitty Love
Originally uploaded by Mona Leisa

This is Autumn- and her kitty. I need to learn kitty's real name- maybe it is kitty. Well, anyway, this is the most loved and tortured kitty I know. But I think kitty loves her torturer.

Oh So Close

When we got back from vacation, some new street signs were put up in our little subdivision. Luke is very disappointed. We are one lot away from living on Beaver Bottom Court. I, on the other hand, am not devastated.

Wildlife in Our Backyard

Well- we've seen a bit more... or maybe just a different sort of wildlife, here in Georgia. The most exciting ones I haven't been able to capture with my camera- like the armadillo and bobcats, of course. Luke has seen 3 bobcats and I've seen 1. I've decided that I could take one- if attacked. Here are two, less frightening, creatures that I was able to get pictures of.

The Dragonflies are huge- and they are everywhere:)

This is one of our turtle friends- the little one. We've got a big one that I think was trying to lay eggs in our yard this weekend- but I'm not exactly sure!

seeing the kiddos

The other highlight of our jaunt home was, of course, being with family. Somehow- only the kiddos ended up getting their photos taken!

A Quick Trip Home

Well, we've almost recovered from our weekend trip to Illinois. We were sad to only be home for 2 days- but so glad we got to see everyone! I also found out that a lot more people were reading this blog than I knew! Leave me some comments! I'm all about stalking other people's blogs!!

So- the purpose of the trip...

Leah & Devon got MARRIED!!

Visitors!

I am pleased to say that I am sitting on my back porch swing, listening to the birds, and writing this post.



A few weeks ago, Daniel and Diane came to visit us from Tucson! YEA! We love company! We had a fairly low key weekend- shopping in Atlanta, playing cards, and doing a few projects around the house. Actually, their trip could not have been more perfectly timed... since I managed to drop my computer the night before they came... and Daniel is my mac doctor! What a life saver:)


The boys got the grill put together... now that we finally live somewhere that allows it! We were also happy to be a much needed pit-stop for Jill, Jon, and company! I didn't manage to get a picture- but Jon, Joel, and Jacob did manage to check out the marsh... and the fire ants. Unfortunately- no bobcat sightings to report!

On The Inside

The Art Studio

The Family Room... a little lonely right now.

The Hall Bathroom

The Kitchen

Ta Da!

Ok- I am finally keeping my promise to upload pictures! I apologize for the delay... let's call it technical difficulties. So, here's the outside- beginning in Oct- until today!

So Close

So- here's the update. Thanks to awesome help from Mark & Cheryl- all of our stuff- except our bed and clothes- is in the garage! Yea! Hopefully I can start moving things INTO the house... today. All we need is a kitchen sink *coming today* and.... cleaning! I'll take pics soon. I promise.

Stone

They are also working on the front porch this week.

A Few More Weeks!!

Ok- so haven't been updating on the house much. It's been paint, paint, paint- for weeks now. And it is done!

Ok- this is the breakfast area and kitchen color- pickled spice










And now they are putting the cabinets in!













The family room is painted fisherman's net.




















And the one and only reject- I can't remember it color name- but now it is a light blue called jack frost. I don't have any pics of our bedroom color which is a slate grey- brown color.

The Killers Concert in Atlanta

The Killers Atlanta 2009
Originally uploaded by atl_alecia

Luke got me tickets to this concert for my birthday- so I've been waiting for it! We had an amazing time at the concert. They really put on a great show- lights, sparks, and they played all of our favorite songs! The crowd was really into it too. Hopefully, it will be the first of many concert trips to Atlanta.

For Mr. Busche- the wainscoting fan

From: The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | Date: 2008 | © The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2008, originally published by Oxford University Press 2008. (Hide copyright information)

wain·scot·ing / ˈwānˌskōting; -ˌskä-/ (also wain·scot·ting) • n. wooden paneling that lines the lower part of the walls of a room. ∎ material for such paneling.

And here is a snippet from This Old House- my personal guide for all that is house stuff. Beadboard is a kind of wainscoting

"Beadboard, which had its origins in 19th-century Victorian and cottage styles, is the classic wall covering for informal spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and back hallways. But you can fancy it up with the addition of a row of flat or raised ­panels. Here, tongue-and-groove beadboard is combined with flat panels for a casual yet polished look that can work in a dining room or bedroom. Keeping the middle and bottom rails flush with the face of the beadboard streamlines the overall appearance."

p.s. this is not a photo of our house :) i wish.

Primed and Ready

This week, all of the trim, wainscoting, and interior doors went in! And they have sprayed a primer coat on all the walls. Hopefully we'll have painted walls... this weekend... or next week for sure!








wainscoting in the entry

















transom in the entry













crown molding

















interior doors

A Day Trip to Tallahassee

We headed to Tallahassee, on Saturday- to drop off my sewing machine at a repair shop & see what there was to see. I, of course, insisted that we go to the beach- which ended up being a great decision. We went to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. It is apparently a destination for- birding- or birdwatching. There were a lot of cool birds and tons of people there with high tech binoculars. Luke actually had his binoculars in the car- usually used at Illini games- so we fit in pretty well!






They have a beautiful lighthouse- but we couldn't go in.















We didn't see any alligators!










We took a walk down the beach and out onto a... sandbar.... but it wasn't sand- it was oyster shells- an oysterbar. The sand on the beach was soo white!

Some Sketches

I met with our "cabinet man" today. I had to show him my... variations on his design. Ahhh- another thing off the list!

Decisions made this week:

shutters- garage only.
stone shape & color- check.
sound system- none.
cabinets throughout- check
irrigation- yep.
gutters- in a few spots

Our Next House

I've been spending a lot of time perusing house magazines, blogs, and everywhere else for ideas on the many decisions to be made. Today I found a whole new house! I'm in love (but I love mine, too). Don't tell Luke.

While We Were Gone

Siding is about half done & we are loving it. They are pretty much finished with insulation and have begun dry wall in the room over the garage. Also- all of the duct work is finished.

Oh yeah- we got the official - 3 more months. No date- but I'll take 3 months for now!