They're Here!

Our counters are finally here! We had to wait a month for them, but they are finally here! They are beautiful and make the kitchen look so big!

Terrific Tuesday: MadeByRori

Today's Terrific Tuesday is right up my alley. I love stamps and notebooks so this hits the spot for me. Her name is Rori Harrington and she runs her esty shop called MadeByRori out of Dallas.

Her moleskine notebooks are so practical and she stamps them up to make them super cute! Cute and practical - very me.


Let me share a few of my favorites with you.

All her notebooks are $8 - which is pretty much on par with what you will pay at your local bookstore, but these are stamped with super cute stamps (the whale is by far my favorite!)

Want a chance to win these for free? Follow her on twitter! Just check out @RoriStories, become a follower and you could win your very own hand-stamped moleskine notebook!

Reeve's First Baptism

Reeve had the honor of baptising one of our youth students this weekend. Her name was Hunner and we had been talking to Hunner about getting saved and baptised for a while now. She was absolutely glowing with joy. It was so beautiful (I cried!) and so joyful! The last photo in this set may be one of my favorite photos from this year. Welcome to the family Hunner!

A Day at CenterPointe

I wanted to share a photo stream of pictures that I took yesterday at CenterPointe. I didn't play piano yesterday because I'm on the tech team as well, so I took these photos from the tech booth.

Allergies?

God Bless you! Gesundheit! Salud! Na zdravlje! I Sveikata! Afiyat Bashe!
Got a case of the sneezies and itchy eyes?  I know I do! But those of you who know me know that I will try always try to cure anything with a home remedy before going to the doctor. In my experience it's better to use a home remedy that tackles the root and not just masks the symptoms. If you're like me and are hesistant to run to the drug store, try these tips:

Local Honey

When I first heard of this remedy it made sense. Local honey is made by local bees that use local pollen. Makes perfect sense - kind of like a vaccine. It helps build an immunity. What I didn't expect was for it to work so FAST. Allergies hit me yesterday for the first time and I took two teaspoons last night and one this morning. I haven't sneezed all day! I was amazed. I fully expected it to take at least a week for this to kick in. Buy a jar of local honey and take a little bit each night and morning to build up an immunity to local plants.

Neti Pot

I've never used a Neti Pot but I know so many people who swear by them. They use a saline solution to clear out your sinuses. I keep thinking about using one, but I can't quite get past the idea of running water through my sinuses. (Have you used a Neti Pot? Do you have any feedback?)


Hot Shower

If you've been outside chances are the allergens are on you. Take a hot shower. Get all those icky pollens off your skin and out of your hair. The steam is helpful as well!


Peppermint Tea

Peppermint's benefits extend well beyond its delicious smell; the essential oils acts as a decongestant, and substances in peppermint contain anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial constituents.
To make peppermint tea: Place 1/2 ounce dried peppermint leaves in a 1-quart jar. Fill two-thirds of the jar with boiling water, and steep for five minutes. (You can inhale the steam for added benefit). Let cool, strain, sweeten if desired, and drink. (Care of Discovery Health) Add local honey to your tea for a boosted effect!


Water

Water helps flush your system and keep you clean. We need it more than we realize. Be aware of how much water you consume and drink more during allergy season!

Hope these tips help you! They certainly help me!



Terrific Tuesday: Boojiboo!

I Love love love this shop. I love it. I cannot stress to you how crazy I am about this etsy shop - so I'm sharing it with you!

Today's featured crafter is Boojiboo - apron expert and classical seamstress!
 Boojiboo is a mother and daughter team from La Mirada, California. These three sew the sweetest aprons and sell them in their shop on etsy.  These aprons are not  only super-cute, they are also well-priced.

Let me share with you a few of my favorite aprons:

The BELLA Vintage Inspired Summertime Paisley Full Apron

 

I love Paisley! I always have! It's so feminine and so cute!

Retro Apron Sweetheart Neckline White Spotted Owl - BELLA

 

So Paisley isn't your thing? Check out these adorable owls! The are totally cute and very very unique!

The CHLOE Vintage Inspired Black and White Polka Dot Full Apron

  

 

 If you want somthing a little more classic this apron is your gal! It doesn't get more classic than polka dots! I like this one because it's black and much less likely to be stained by dirty brownie-batter hands!

The MAGGIE Vintage Inspired Cafe Latte Coffee Full Apron

 

 

I love the little coffee cups!!!  It's so...cozy.

Vintage Inspired Louisiana Spicy Gumbo Half Apron

I'm not quite as crazy about this one, but I wanted to feature a half apron since they make those as well.

All of their aprons sell for $28.75 - about what you would pay at any home goods store.  I get the feeling Reeve might even get me one for our next gift giving holiday! Wander around their shop for a while and then maybe go make a batch of cookies...

...or three...

 

 

Mi:1

What's an Ebenezer?

Many of you remember the hymn "Come Thou Fount." We sang it yesterday in church. And if you are very familiar with the hymn you have probably sung the second verse. It goes a little like this:

"Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come.
And I hope by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home..."

Now, I have to admit, I wondered for a while what an Ebenezer is. In fact, if I'm not careful I see a very grumpy old man with no Christmas spirit in a very long sleeping cap. Like this:

Let's ask the Bible what an Ebenezer is:

1 Samuel 7:12-14 says "Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Jeshanah, and named it Ebenezer; for he said, "Thus far the LORD has helped us." So the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel; the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. The towns that the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron to Gath; and Israel recovered their territory from the hand of the Philistines. There was peace also between Israel and the Amorites."

So, more like this

The term Ebenezer means "Stone of help"  and Samuel placed it because he said  "Thus far the LORD has helped us." It makes me want to put an Ebenezer in our yard at home! Maybe one that's a little prettier than the one above...

So somehow, even when things are terrible, even when we have to drive to church not knowing where we are going to get the gas money to get home, we have so much to be thankful for. The rest of the lyrics say:

"Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood."

Will the good shepherd who sought us out and paid for us with his own blood quickly abandon us?  Will the one who sought us as strangers quickly turn his back on us? When we ask for bread will our father give us a stone? (Matthew 7:9)  Or will the loving father supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory? (Philippeans 4:19)  Take heart, friend and know that the Lord has been with you and helped you and will continue to do so.

And that's good cause to raise your ebenezer!

Playin Bass

Hey yall, it's Samantha.

Some of you know I play piano at on the band at church every week. Our music leader asked Reeve to try to learn bass to help out with the band (since he already plays violin and the strings are the same, just reversed.) So Shane loaned Reeve a bass and he's been practicing all week. He's getting pretty good!

Baptism

At our church we keep the baptismal full at all times with the hope that when someone decides to be baptised we will be ready. Usually one of our youth brings her camera and takes pictures for the church website.

This Sunday the Lord prompted me to grab my camera before I left. I put it in Reeve's backpack and thought nothing of it. During second service I was playing piano when I saw Stephanie approach the stage and whisper in Briana's ear. Then Briana announced that we were going to have a baptism!

Brian climbed into the baptismal and asked if anyone had a camera. I leapt off my riser and off the stage and ran over to the baptismal where Reeve was waiting with my camera in hand (that's married team work for you!) I was able to snap these wonderful shots of one of His being baptised. What a blessing an impromptu baptism is! What a joy!

"...for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ." ~ Galatians 3:27

DIY University: Home is where you hang your keys

Reeve here. We are starting a new feature called DIY University, with the hopes that it will teach you how to save money by doing it yourself. Today we will learn the basics of spray paint.

 I know this is a simple project, but sometimes the basics are good to go over.

As you can see here, we have a lovely gift from my mother - the first of many "house-warming gifts" we will receive from her. However, it doesn't really match our decor - so we should paint it.

I'm using Rustoleum Universal in Hammered Copper. Rustoleum tends to be the paint of choice at our house because it's affordable and covers really well.

First, cover the parts you don't want painted with painters tape. It doesn't matter what kind of painters tape you use - the cheapest one from your local home-improvement store will do.

Since I'm a man and have a tendancy to ignore directions (come on, admit it, we all act like we know what we are doing) make sure you do this in a well-ventilated area. I did this project outside (much easier now that we live out in the country.) Also, I placed it in a box to paint so I dont get paint on the concrete and so Samantha doesn't kill me. (A happy wife is a nice wife.)

Apply paint in a side to side motion in an even medium to thick coat. Remember to keep the can at least a foot away from the object you are painting - too close and your paint will drip. (If your paint drips you will have to wait for it to dry, sand it and start over.) Keeping this in mind, you will have to apply multiple coats to get the coverage you want without the drips. I suggest as least three coats - allowing at least 1 hour between coats to dry. Make sure to spray the back and sides as well. This helps get all the "nooks and crannies" without dripping paint.

The back of our key hook has saw teeth that attach it to the wall, but if your don't have those try painting the nail as well so it blends in.

When the paint is dry remove the tape and hang your finished product - and maybe brag a little bit.

Happy Painting.

~ Reeve

Terrific Tuesday: wulfgirl!

Today's Terrific Tuesday features wulfgirl, an artist on Etsy. For starters, this gal's name is Virginia Wulf - which is very cool. Her day job is as an Interpreter for the Deaf- also cool! But the reason she's featured on The Cluttered Table is because she makes gorgeous jewelry!

Just check out some of her beautiful hand-made jewely:

These are the Smokey Brown Blown Glass on Vermeil Hoop Earrings. The detail on these earrings is remarkable and the color is so unique!



Above are the AAA Freshwater Pearl and Ruby Earrings. They are elegant and simple. I have a co-worker who would love them.

And last but not least we have the 20" Strand of Gorgeous Brown-Grey-Green Freshwater Pearls. I love oddly-colored jewely like chocolate diamonds and dark pearls. Gorgeous!

Her jewelry is well-made and crafted with quality stones and beads. Her prices are reasonable and can fit into any budget. Her shipping costs are reasonable and I will definitely be keeping an eye on her shop for a while. I'd highly recommend wandering on over to her shop on Etsy and looking around. These would make great gifts for Valentines Day or Mother's Day or Christmas or an anniversary.

Leave me a comment and let me know which piece of jewelry you like best!



Goodwill

We headed to Goodwill yesterday afternoon to roam around for a

while before going to church and these are my awesome finds:

Yes. It's real. Can you believe it? A Coach bag at Goodwill!

I only paid $3 for this bag. I was so pleased.

Steve Maddens - I'm so serious. Aren't they great?

I have always loved Goodwill.  You should see the piece of original art we found!

It's a print by Steve Armstrong and Clay Wainscott.

I'll post a photo of it as soon as I snap one. It's great.

Share your awesome thrift store finds in the comment section below. 



Kathy's Red Gold