Extreme Makeover: Bathroom Edition

Well this might not be extreme, but it's a makeover. We decided that our small bathroom is too dark. We decided to go with some lighter, brighter colors to bring it back to life. I added in some antique items I found at local flea/antique markets. We plan to add a small window over the top of the shower, that connects with our master bath, to bring some light in one day. 

From Dark to Light...

I also made this pendant to get inspired to start decorating for Fall- my favorite season!

Happy Labor Day! 

 

Long Weekend...Kitchen Catch-Up!

We are experiencing a wonderful, relaxing weekend at the Brown house, thanks to Labor Day! Seth has been glued to the tv now that college football has started. I have to admit it is my favorite time of year and I followed along during my breaks from the kitchen. 

I decided to reorganize our kitchen. When we moved in a year ago I wasn't able to really organize like I wanted it to be. So, after pulling everything out and realizing I had so many things I had forgotten about, I decided to use inspiration from my Pinterest boards to catch up in the kitchen. I made a menu for the weekend and week, that I am really excited about it. (Seth doesn't know what's gotten into me!)

Some dishes are:

Gluten Free Homemade Pancakes

Dark Chocolate Coconut Strawberries

Paleo Breakfast Hash

Glute Free Banana Bread 

Ranch Pork Chops 

Ranch New Potatoes

Lemon Rosemary Carrots 

Brown Sugared Green Beans

Spicy Creole Shrimp

Barbecue Chicken

Teriyaki Chicken

Honey Sweet Potato Fries

Venison and Spinach Tacos

Second Year in Second Grade: Classroom Reveal

I am a little OCD and a planning freak, so yes I did a lot of preparation at the end of last year to make my life so much easier setting up my classroom for the second time. And oh boy! Did it help or what?! This year was a breeze compared to last year. I was able to breathe and enjoy the process a little more, haha. 

Before: 

After:

Our 2nd Anniversary

We spent our second anniversary at the Capital Hotel where our wedding reception was and where we spent our first anniversary. We had a lovely dinner and brown sugar pie that was to die for! I cannot believe two years has already flown by! I guess time flies when you are having fun! Summer is pretty much over for me. I have headed back to the classroom this week, and I get my class list on Friday! So classroom reveal pictures soon! 

California Lovin'

Last week my sister and I spent a wonderful weekend outside of San Francisco.  We relaxed out on the lanai, ate some amazing food, devoured some chocolate, and shopped til we dropped.  Our aunt lives there along with our cousins.  The backyard feels like you are at a relaxation retreat with the beautiful flowers, waterfall, and covered lanai with huge, comfy, oversized chairs.  I was so glad to get away and actually be able to relax. So far this summer I have visited 8 states and I was exhausted, haha! I was so proud, I didn't take one single school thing to do or graduate work to do (and now I am paying for it grad school wise lol). 

Only a month away...

Until I get to meet my new class! I am so excited about the new year that I have started making a few things as summer ends for me. Yes, I am that teacher that works during the summer. I can't help that I love what I do! I made a little canvas for my door, a banner for my clothes line that says, "Welcome to 2nd Grade," and a frame for the first day for student pics.

Have a wonderful week!

Faith

I found this quote on Pinterest of course and wanted to share it. It is my prayer for the day. My beautiful candy cane zinnias bloomed. I planted these with my first group of kiddos in the spring. The flowers make me sad that they are no longer in my class anymore! Have a wonderful, relaxing Sunday!

Long Time No Blog...

So, I guess you could say I have been enjoying my summer because I haven't blogged in a while.  It has been an adventure over the last few weeks of June and a start to my summer.  It is crazy that summer is halfway through already! I have decided to no longer post by reading goals because I am currently bogged down with graduate school books, but if I stumble upon an amazing book I will make sure to post. 

So far this summer I taught Super Summer for a week! It was a very fun experience.  I taught a unit called "Out of This World" all things outer space. It was a ton of fun and nice to be able to do nothing but science experiments and watch awesome space videos.  We created things like balloon rockets, a solar system out of skittles, oreo moon phases, moon sand, and Jupiter juice!

Next, Drew and I went down to Ole Miss in Oxford, MS for a his baseball camp.  It was fun for the two of us to hang out because we haven't in a long time.  Between blaring the music on the way, eating amazing food, and getting to meet Junie B. Jones I was exhausted!

We head down to Fort Walton, Florida tomorrow after my workshop.  I cannot wait! I need a little salt water relaxation. 

P.S. I have joined instagram! Follow me as allybrown31

31 in 31: Week 12

Seth read Happy, Happy, Happy by Phil Robertson from Duck Dynasty. I read two books for graduate school that I am not going to bore you with. I bought this book one day this week, and surprisingly Seth had it read in two days! He is not a big reader, but this book defiantly kept his attention and gained his liking. I cannot wait to read it after all the other men in our family.  We enjoy the show and Si is my favorite. I love how they end every show with family and prayer.

Also, Happy Memorial Day! Spend time with family and friends. 

31 in 31: Week 10 and 11

I have been so busy with the end of the school year, that I have been posting my reading goals every two weeks.  Sorry! I started back with graduate school, so most of my time is filled with reading articles and children's fantasy books.  I am loving my new class!

For week 10, I read Traveling Light by Max Lucado.  I am a huge fan of Max Lucado.  I went to the library to pick up another one of his books, but it was already taken.  So, I grabbed this one instead, and I am glad I did.  It is a focus on Psalms 23.  It talks about how in our lives today we are not suppose to have all the burdens we face; weariness, worry, guilt, discontent, and so on.  We are suppose to trust in God and will according to his will without all the unhealthy stuff. I read two-three chapters a day as my little devotional.  It was a quick, easy read that was a blessing in disguise. 

For week 11, I read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  Now I am a very happy person, but like Lucado's book, this one is about loving life, having more fun, and not worrying about the little things. I actually found this book on Good Reads.  Good Reads is a website that allows you to find books similar to the ones you have already read and enjoyed.  One of my favorites is Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love. So, I typed that in and it gave me this book. I cannot wait to get my hands on her book, Happier at Home.

*I do not own any of the books I read. I get them all at our local library for free.  I do think I will be purchasing The Happiness Project, it is one I would like to read again!

 

 

Have a relaxing weekend!

31 in 31: Weeks 8 and 9

So these past two weeks have been fully filled with many things. Mostly trying to get summer plans in the works, finalize things at school for the year, and enjoy my time without grad school. I only read one book over these two weeks because I was also reading my many magazines, catching up on blogging reading, and skimming books for next year in second grade. I did however read an awesome children's book, The Clockwork Three. It is a children's historical fiction by Matthew J. Kirby. Kirby actually works for the school system and is around children all the time. I am thinking that is where he got a lot of his inspiration.

It is about three children, whom do know each other, and they are brought together by a extraordinary event. I loved this book, and am planning on purchasing it for my classroom. I think it would be a great chapter a day read aloud in my classroom next year.

First Anniversary at 615 West Saline

We have been in our house for 1 year! I can't believe how time has flown by! It was like just yesterday we were out house hunting trying to get out of the apartment. We have enjoyed our second home and have slowly made some changes to make it our own. I just love old houses. I think it's because I don't feel guilty making holes in the walls! Hehe! I'm sure the house will change over the seasons and when we have additions to our family, but for now we are so blessed with what we have. Our house is not a house, it's our home!

Home Away from Home

Mom and I went down to Starkville for a quick, last trip to see Jenny before she heads home for summer break. I love Starkville and after going down there a ton this year and learning about all the local fun I feel like it is my home away from home. Jenny introduced us to Oby's a southern taste of New Orleans kinda place. It was covered inside and out with antiques. Majority of it is dressed in my mother in laws favorite: coca-cola! So Jenny and I had to have a mini photo shoot to send to her! This place was so yummy! You know when they give you sweet tea in a to go cup it is gonna be good! I cannot believe Jenny is almost through with her freshman year of college, and I am almost through with my first year of teaching.

Lara Bars

I have recently fell in love with Lara Bars! They are amazing, healthy, Whole30 approved snack bars. They are primarily made up of dates with other nuts, and other simple pertaining to whatever the bars theme is. My favorite so far is the Coconut Creme Pie! Try it!

31 in 31: Week 7

This week I read It Starts with Food. It is about a 30 day healthy eating program called Whole30. It is about eating things that are natural and fresh, no processed foods, preservatives, etc. I kept seeing these pins on Pinterest about Whole30 and a co-worker was doing it! So I wanted to check it out and read the book. The book was eye opening about a few things and I recommend this habit to everyone!

I love the recipes especially the sweet potato breakfast hash (shown below) and the avocado salad dressing.

There are many benefits to this eating program:
Detox your body of all the harmful toxics, chemicals that are in our everyday food, more energy, clear skin, sleep better, no more headaches, asthma, allergies, lower cholesterol, and so on and so on.

I found this recipe and I am a huge fish lover, so I decided to try! It is Whole 30 approved and amazing! I added shrimp, grilled rosemary and lemon carrots, and squash! I used wild caught fish, shrimp and organic veggies! Props to the hubby who loves to grill!

Motivational Monday

I read this scripture this morning, from Jesus Calling, and thought it was perfect for Monday! I am a control freak, and I like to know how my day is going to pan out. I read here that the unknown is a way to draw closer to God. Have a great Monday and awesome week!

Sunbeams and Magic

I was browsing on Pinterest early this morning and these two quotes from Roald Dahl popped up. I thought they were too sweet not to share. Happy Winds-day as Winnie the Pooh would say!

31 in 31: Week 6

This week was very busy. I finished my second graduate class for my master's degree in curriculum and instruction. Whooo! I had two papers and a huge project to finish, so I ended up reading Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach over the weekend. It was one of my extension readings for my class, so I decided to read it. (You may wonder why I read so many children's chapter book, graduate school is why) I never read it as a child, and wish I would have. I need to start a list of books to read to my children one day. It will defiantly be on the list! It is a very cute story about a miserable, lonely, little boy, James, who lives with his two mean aunts. One day he loses some magic beans and a giant peach grows. I definantly recommend reading it. It is a very vivid, quick read, and a great children's classic.

I have never seen the movie. I look forward to renting it soon. ***I never watch the movie before reading. When I read, I like to have my own characters from my imagination, haha!