What I Wore Wednesdays

Happy Wednesday! I'd like to say that spring has arrived, but it hasn't really. It's still pretty chilly here in Iowa. I hope it's warmer where you are.

In case you are looking forward to me smiling cheesily into the camera, this is your lucky day!

I was just thinking about something the other day. My husband used to say to me, "Are you going to wear that to the store?" He would say it in a nice, yet concerned voice. Usually it was because my jeans had a hole in them or the hems were raggedy. I would always think to myself, "Who cares?", because, I didn't. I don't know if I was just tired or because I hadn't shopped for clothes in months. Dave is a great husband. He was always encouraging me to shop. I just didn't. (I think I saved him a ton of money now that I think about it.) I would almost have rather done anything than walk around a mall and try on things.

Now with the internet, I still don't have to walk around the mall. It's awesome. I wait for sales online and just shop at T.J. Maxx and the like when I absolutely have to try on something. Hopefully, I still save us a ton of money.

All of the below came from things I already had and please ignore the state of the bathroom behind me. I tend to forget all about that when I'm in the zone, you know. lol

Now that I look at this collage, I can tell you that most of it did come from T.J. Maxx, Old Navy, and ebay. (The coral scarf was something my husband brought back for me while on a ministry trip to the Philippines.)

Enjoy the cheese-y smiles. I always laugh when I'm doing this. It really is helpful, though. Sometimes I'm surprised how really bad something might look on me or be pleasantly surprised. It's always fun, though.

Have a great week! I especially bless all the moms reading. You are wonderful!

Linking up to:  thepleatedpoppy.com  becauseshannasaidso.blogspot.com  stylelixir.com  impartinggrace.com  frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com

A Spring Mantel

I have a confession to make. Up until last Saturday, I still had leftover Christmas greenery on my mantel.  I didn't have a baby Jesus or a Santa Claus up there, though, so I told myself it was my "winter mantel". Ha!  I really loved the green with the contrast of the red amaryllis ( a Pottery Barn Christmas markdown from several years back. I have two on each side of the mantel). There is something about the color red that just makes me happy when I see it. It doesn't look too Christmassy does it? I guess as long as it doesn't scream, "Ho, ho, ho!" it can work.

I finally got with it, though, and brought a trash bag in and took all the greenery down. I looked around the house and placed some new things on the mantel. I found some spring branches at Michael's and put them inside this black urn. Here is the finished product.

I was surprised at how fresh the room felt with this change.


I've also been loving these...

Don't you love fresh flowers? I found these at a flower shop here in town - 2 bunches for $10.

I brought out my Easter bunny, too. (T.J. Maxx purchase from a few years ago)

Now for a few random comments...

I've been looking around and pricing monogrammed pillow shams for our bedroom. This photo isn't our bedroom, but I love the look. (photo courtesy of Traditional Home April 2014). There is just something so crisp and fresh about those shams. It's just a little touch, but it makes a big impact.

I posted this photo of the front of our home on instagram today. I need to blog about how we came to build this home. It is truly a testimony to the kindness of God.

I would love to show you inside!


Finally, even though I said I took down all the "Christmas" greenery, I couldn't quite part with my amaryllis...here they are in the dining room! You can see now how much I really do love the color red.

Have a happy week!

P.S. Thanks go to simpledetailsblog.blogspot.com for mentioning me in her awesome blog. I love her style! Thank you, Pam:)


Linking up to:  momstheword-livingforhim.blogspot.com   frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com  homestoriesatoz.com  savvysouthernstyle.net  myuncommonsliceofsurburbia.com  impartinggrace.com  livelaughrowe.com

5 on Friday!

Good morning!  I'm linking up with A.Liz Adventures for 5 things I'm loving on this Friday.


#1. This photo:) My oldest son (who is an aspiring photographer), took this picture of our youngest son a couple of days ago. Isn't it great? We actually hit 65 degrees that day after a long, hard winter.

#2. This is one of my favorite drinks - Propel Zero in Peach. I'm pretty partial to anything with a peach flavor.

#3.  Laura Geller - Spackle. A little goes a long way!

#4.  This dip. I'm hoping the Greek yogurt qualifies it as a healthy snack.

#5. I'm excited to see this movie again that comes out on dvd soon. I really enjoyed it when I saw it back in December. If you haven't seen it, be sure and check it out. Tom Hanks is fabulous (as always) as are Emma Thompson and Colin Farrell.

Have a wonderful week!

Linking up with:  alizadventures.blogspot.com  northcarolinacharm.com  hellohappinessblog.com

What I Wore Wednesday

I'm linking up today with The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday. Hope your week is going good so far!

Lauren Conrad blazer and top - Kohls
necklace - ebay

I love seeing what you are all wearing!
Have a wonderful rest of your week! - Kathy


Linking up to:  thepleatedpoppy.com  stylelixer.com

About This Blog

Hi! I hope this post finds you all well!

I am writing to share with you that I am a little unsure of what direction to take this blog. I love writing, but haven't had a lot of time to consistently devote to writing.

Sometimes, I know exactly what God wants me to share. There are other times, that I am not sure at all! I want to make this blog count and in some small way, minister to those of you that take the time to read.

This little blog also shows up on our church website (www.heartlandassembly.org)  I think that has made me feel a little stilted in writing. Sometimes I've shared deep things from my heart or hard experiences we have went through, and other times things that are more light and not serious at all. I'm always aware of people looking for a church, coming across our church's website, and perhaps finding my blog. That may sound kind of silly that this would even concern me, but it is always in the back of my mind. I want to represent our church well, but it also makes it harder for me to just write what I might be feeling on any given day.

I'd like to continue highlighting testimonies of people that I know and that I'd like you to know, too. I have also enjoyed these fashion link ups with other bloggers. It's kind of crazy because that has never been "me" in the past. But I have so enjoyed meeting young moms through this. I am a lot older than most moms who link up, but it has been lots of fun meeting them.

I was reading an article this morning about blogging and it posed the question of, "What are you most passionate about?" The article pointed out this this is a good indication of what you should be writing about. I thought about it this morning and then was about to talk with my husband, Dave, about it. I couldn't even get out my first sentence because of all this sudden EMOTION. I cried because in my deepest heart of hearts, I want to encourage other moms - especially those who may be struggling. I want so much to encourage, encourage, encourage them!

I'm not really even sure HOW! But I am willing for God to show me.

Would you pray that God would make it very clear to me as to what He wants me to do and how to even do it? I really would appreciate it.

I bless each one of you reading this today!