Sweet Gatherings

Last week was a busy one at the Richie's house, not only do the fall activities typically start this week, but for us, this week is dotted with birthday celebrations!!

On Sunday night (the 6th), Jaysen had a handful of friends come to spend the night and celebrate his 14th birthday on Monday.

14-17 year old guys aren't hard to please; pizza, soda, Double-Stuff Oreos and M&M's was about all it took to satisfy!!

Wednesday night we kicked off fall with our youth group friends at a black Light party packed with games and Rita's water ice.

Thursday morning was the Ladies Tea at church; it's always so fun to come up with a decorating plan for the ladies!  They love to see what we've come up with!!  This time we celebrated Fall and I knew that my plaid blankets were going to be perfect, coupled with my vintage thermos collection and a few other rustic things, I think it turned out just right!!

Thursday was also my son Jon's 24th birthday!!  We had soccer practice, then it was cancelled and we had to run to the nearest wholesale shop to pick up everything we needed for the biggest celebration of the week coming Sunday.  He and his girlfriend went out to dinner and we all met back up at the house later and celebrated at 10:00!!!!  #livingtherichielife has come into play.  We are a busy family but not too busy to celebrate one another -even if it is at 10 pm!!  lol

Little pockets of time throughout the week were spent preparing for a larger gathering to come on Sunday the 13th.  But before that, Julia had her first soccer game of the season on Saturday, the 12th, which also happened to be Jessica's 19th birthday!!!!  I'm exhausted just typing this!!  It was a busy, busy week - but filled with such wonderful things!!!

Bill and I are the coaches for her team, which actually means Bill is the coach, Joe helps coach at practice and my name is on the roster as assistant coach! lol  I like to think of myself more like the team mom.  My girl killed it in goal for the entire game!!!  The girls played a GREAT game and won 3-2!!  

Jessica came home from college on Saturday night around 10:00 and we were in full party prep for the next day.  Using left over cake mix, Julia made a cake for Jessica in, yes, a metal bowl and presented it to her at MIDNIGHT!!!!!  You thought 10:00 was bad?!?  Remember #livintherichielife?  Yep, it's just how we do!!  

Sunday morning came quickly and there were still lots of things to accomplish before our last celebration of the week!!  There are so many pictures that I'd love to share from Sunday, but I'll spare you!

We had the honor of throwing Jon and Cali a baby shower for Oliver Lee, due to join us in November!! Here are just a few shots.

 

 

They got so many great gifts and Oliver is so very loved already!! The rain held off, the sun came out, friends and family gathered, children ran and laughed, the dogs loved being outside all day and my heart was overflowing with gratitude!! 

To top off an incredible day (and week), after the last gift was opened, Jon took a knee and asked his love if she would marry him!!!!  "Calaine Ann Graham, will you marry me?"  After a few moments and some tears, he stood up and proclaimed, "SHE SAID YES!!!!!"  It was such a sweet moment!!  My momma heart was bursting!!!

It's already Thursday, almost a week has passed by since the celebrations.  There is still residue from all of the celebrating.  It's so easy to get under the mess and feel miserable, but the mess is a reminder of all that is good and celebration worthy!  There is still celebrating to be done in the midst of cleaning up the mess!  Small mundane moments are moments worth celebrating if we choose to do so.

What moments, big or small, are you celebrating this month?  I'd love to hear from you!!

God Bless <3
Lorraine

Spring Fling

Happy Spring Friends!!  I don't know about you, but I am so ready for spring to begin!  Although there is more snow in our forecast, I'm looking forward to warmer temps, new life sprouting all around, the promise and hope of new beginnings and so much more!  

Since I can't depend on the seasonal change to take place and stay put, I've decided to have a Spring Fling inside my home!  The heavy, darker elements of winter have been packed away and the bright, refreshing colors of spring are making their appearance!

Being a part of the Ladies Tea Ministry at my church has helped with this endeavor.  We celebrated the first day of Spring yesterday and I wanted to make sure that Spring was felt in that room!  In my mind, I ran through the props that I have from previous tea's and decided that I wanted a clean, fresh look this time around.  Fresh flowers was the way to go and I knew that I wanted to use my blue Ball Mason jars to hold them.  .

After that, I decided to bring in my white pitcher collection and some of my antique glass cake plates.
I saw a theme developing before my eyes and I knew that blue and white was the base color palate with pinks and yellows coming in from the flowers.  I immediately began to gather items from around my home to see how they all worked together. It was so much fun!!!  I seriously could create and decorate every day of my life!! 

 The nest print came from whatever, the candle is Spring from Bath & Body Works

 

The tea came together beautifully and it's always a treat for me to spend the morning with my church staff , the girls who help put this together, and these wonderful ladies.  The women always have such wonderful stories to share from their childhood and I love how it keeps me connected to the past.

The next time I'm bringing something to create a backdrop.  The dry erase board and tv hanging aren't very pretty! lol

Blackberry, Strawberry and Apricot Thumbprints

As I was setting up for the tea I realized that I could use these elements on my mantle at home.  I always struggle to find something fresh for the mantle and now that our television is up there, it seems to be more of a struggle!  Obviously I couldn't set my mantle the exact same way as the tea, but I could use some of the same pieces to create the same overall feel!  I figured I had to unpack when I got home anyway, so I might as well change up the mantle.....it was about time!

I like to create interest by grouping similar things and using various heights.  Also by making sure that both ends of the mantle tie into one another, not that it has to be exact, but there has to be a common thread. 

I'm not sure about the hoop that is hanging.  There is only one screw in the brick so I can't hang more easily.  But when I take it down, it seems like something is missing.  I don't know, still need to tweak things a bit!  It's always a work in progress!!

The "Choose Happy" print is from Pinterest

I'm not a professional by any means nor do I claim to know all of the "rules" but I know what works for me and I know where to find inspiration.  If I were to offer a few starting points for you this is what I would say:

1. know what you like - who wants to surround themselves with things that they don't like -I know, that seems like a no brainer, but trust me, I'm sure someone out there either has things that they don't particularly care for or they've settled for nothing at all.

2. know the first rule of decorating - there really are no rules- I'm sure that you can find plenty who disagree but toss them aside and do what you love!  Does it make you smile, come to life, bring memories and positive feelings flooding in?  Then do it!

3.  have fun - if its not fun, don't do it!  Maybe you need to wait until you're "feeling" it.  I know I do.  If my creative mojo isn't flowing, I leave it alone.  When it hits, I know it and I move on it!!

4. find inspiration - inspiration is not seeing something and feeling like you have to have everything exactly the same.  It's not feeling overwhelmed and unable to attain.  Inspiration is something that moves you in a certain direction.

5. don't feel like you have to go out and spend money - you don't!  Shop your house first!  Then maybe shop your friends homes. (okay, just window shop there, but it's a good place to start!!)  I used to feel that way, and if I'm being honest, there are times that I do still feel that way.  I try to curb that desire but if I can't, I try to shop clearance or thrift stores and I always use nature -its free!

If you don't know where to look for inspiration check Pinterest or check out some bloggers!  For decorating inspiration I go to Lemonade Makin' Mama, Flower Patch Farmgirl, Meg Deurkson at whatever and quite a few more!! (side note: you get so much more than decorating with these gals, part of why I love them so much!!) 

The three of these ladies cover simplicity, quirkiness and color in their design.  It's fun trying to infuse each of their styles into one that I can call my own.  I'm not there yet and I may never be, but it sure is fun trying!!  Another one of my inspirations is my dear friend Shawn.  She has a beautifully restored farmhouse around the corner from me and I pull the beauty of the past from her.  Her home is warm, inviting and full of wonderful collections.

My Physical Therapy - Part Two

Hey welcome back!!!!  I was really hopeful through the week that I would feel good enough to shower, get dressed and fixed up and make it youth group.  That didn't happen.  Then I was excited at the thought of getting dressed up on Friday and maybe heading out with my man to do some birthday shopping (see this post).  I have been going mentally crazy thinking about Target and how long it's been since I've been there and I had myself all built up for this incredible night of feeling like a member of the functioning human race, getting out of the house, spending time with the hubs and doing a little shopping.  But as it's been for weeks now, my body doesn't match my mind and I was too tired and empty to make any of that happen. I am trying sooooooo hard to rest and rest in Him.  Trusting in His plan even in this time of sickness and recovery isn't very easy. 

Well that's enough about me, you came to see the house so here's the family room (aka the room in which I spend all of my waking hours).

 

This is my keeping it real shot!!  Julia is laying on the couch because she's not feeling well.  There are things all over the ottomans/tray, but hey, this is life!!!  This at least gives you the set up of the room.  The couch is a little big to be in this position, but I like that it's facing the fireplace and it makes the space feel nice and cozy!!  Some day I'd love to remove the panel and paint.  It's a dark,  errr warm room and I'd love to see how much bigger it feels to brighten it up a bit!!

I was previously using this spool as an end table and since there isn't much room on either end of the couch for a table, I would have either had to pack it away orrrrrr get creative!! 

 

This fireplace is ginormous!!  On one hand it's great, because I can decorate it like crazy.  On the other hand, I don't know how to keep it simple.  Which would be fine except that I'm really craving simplicity. 

I tried a few different configurations and over the course of  a few weeks, I stripped it all down again and took a completely different approach.  I always shop the house first!  I happen to have a small door and few wooden boxes and drawers at my disposal.  I like the old books, it adds fall color and some height to display my jar of mini gourds and pumpkins.  (they're not real so I can use them year after year)

I kept the yellow candle stick from my summer mantle and thought it'd be a great perch for a fun faux pumpkin!!  I added an old camera for some fun and few fall fabric balls that I made years ago.  On the right side, I used a few birch rounds (from our birch trees in the back yard), a frame from summer that I picked up from Hobby Lobby, and an old berry crate.  There's also a little fall garland that I made with string and scrapbook paper and a glue stick.  Easy Peasy!

 

The bushel basket of pinecones and birch logs have been here all summer and I just added a small chalkboard with a seasonal quote "Autumn is a second spring" (where every leaf is a flower).  I decided to stack my old kettles, which I should have emptied first, right Jessica? :)  I also added an old mustard shutter to the back to break up the old brick and just add another layer of interest.

 

On the other side of the fireplace, I decided to bring down a few of my picnic baskets.  I love the red plaid one, it conjurs up all kinds of fun images of great fall picnics under beautiful maple trees bursting with color, warm wool blankets and hot apple cider in a thermos!!  Like the little one on top!  I'm still getting gorgeous roses in the garden and figured I'd better take advantage of that gift before they're done. 

 

Once the roses started to wilt and die, we resused them for a wonderful foot soak!!  Julia had the idea of letting me soak my feet and relax. She's such a sweetheart!!

 

We added some fresh lavendar too.  I soaked for a long time and my feet felt wonderul afterward!!  This is something that I'm going to have to do more regularly!!

 

I haven't done anything to speak of in the kitchen, most of it's a mess honestly.  It's the most used room in the house, so I have to catch it in its rare state of spotless!! lol  So this may or may not be the end of the fall tour.  We'll have to see!!   I'm taking each moment as it comes and can't make any plans. 

 

I hope you've enjoyed the small tour.  I pray that your home is a place of warmth and comfort as we head into the cooler seasons (cooler, ha!  It's 82 degrees here today)  Have a blessed week!!

 

<3 Lorraine

 

 

My Physical Therapy

We've already established that I've completely missed the month of September and I've been stuck on the couch doing nothing.  If you know me, you know that that doesn't fly for very long at all.  Eventually I'm gonna crack and have to CHANGE something!!  I love decorating my home for fall and I was so afraid that I was going to miss the opportunity entirely!!  Not happy.  I had my kids bring down my fall boxes from the attic and I vowed to go through little by little and take my time.  I figured that it would be good physical therapy and decorational therapy (is that even a word?)!!  It would get my creativity flowing and also get my muscles moving.  So, although I didn't get to link up with any of the amazing fall home tours, I decided to do one of my own.  Come on in and have a look around!! 

Welcome to our home!!  I haven't done anything on the front step besides hanging this wreath.  I don't really feel like dealing with spiders and cobwebs but hey, if we did celebrate Halloween, I could consider my front step finished!

I am keeping it rrrreal simple in the foyer.  I moved out my small table and mirror that used to occupy this corner and instead just went with my old basket hanger and a few signs of the season.  Don't mind my purse hanging there, feel free to hang yours there as well, or maybe your sweater!!

 

This little cabinet joined the foyer a few months ago.  The girls had it in there room for a long time and it housed Julia's little knick-knacks.  In a simplifying effort by Jessica, I ended up with it!  SCORE!!  One day I think I will end up painting the inset portion of the door with chalkboard paint.  It's a cute place to leave little notes for guests or just sweet reminders for us as we pass by this way throughout the day.

 

The inside isn't very fun but it is functional.  Instead of a drawer full of spare keys and sunglasses, they now reside here!  All of the spare keys are in the little brown crock.  I want to hang a few hooks in here to rest our functional keys on, but we'll see. 

 

Off to your right is our dining room.  I can always feel God's presence in this room in the way the light streams across the table and the hutch, in the two large windows that lead to a beautiful view of the fields and trees across the street, so colorful this time of year.

 

I am on a constant quest for simplicity in my home.  I have a lot of furniture and even more things to decorate with and after a while it starts getting to me.  I love everything that I have and it's hard to know what to get rid of, so that usually keeps me from truly moving forward.  But I started the simplifying process in the foyer and dining room and I hope that I can continue that throughout the house.

 

Come back to see the family room, and prayerfully the rest of the downstairs space.  Like I said I'm taking this slow, so it may be Christmas before we finish here!!  Kidding!!!  It better not take that long.  My patience is wearing thin already!!  

 

Have a blessed weekend!!  Thanks for stopping by!!  See you next time!!

 

<3 Lorraine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mid Summer Check In

Happy July!!!!  I can't believe how quickly summer is flying by!!!  Sadly I've only made it into our pool once!!  ONCE??!!  That's awful.  We've had tons of other things going on around here though.  Jessica and I have been on a decorating kick.  My mantel has been driving me nuts ever since we moved in.  The family room in general is dull and dark and it's hard creating a fun mantel when all of your supplies are dark and drab too :/

I woke up one Monday knowing that it was the day to hit Hobby Lobby.  It felt right in my soul, it was to be the day of the deal.  I would come home with great finds and spend little cash, and as a result have the perfect mantel...full of color and fun!!!

The kids were game and we were off!!!  We hit an 80% off sale and the cart was packed (they're small, it doesn't take much).  We had just rounded the first corner of the store and suddenly the lights went out!!!!!  Uuuuuuuuummmmmmm.  The employees asked for all of the customers to head to the front of the store until they could determine what the problem was.  I'm thinking "crap, I better not lose my stuff"!!  Next a fire alarm starts ringing throughout the store and we are asked to leave the store!!!  Leave. The. Store.  Buuuut, my stuff???  What about my stuff??

I hesitantly left my cart by the front of the store and promised to return to it before long.  Those delicious items would find a new home with me no matter what!!!!!!  Luckily there was another crazy customer who felt the same exact way that I did!!!  So, what did we do???  Well, we did what any devoted, task driven, sale lovin', sane minded customer would do.......we sat on the sidewalk and waited!!!  I'm totally not kidding!!!!

 

There we are....waiting it out!!  It took the better part of two hours, we deterred many an eager customer and had to break a LOT of hobby lobby hearts.  It was sad, but we had no choice.  I wish I would have taken a picture of my friend, Gale.  She's the crazy customer that waited it out with us.  She was a blast!!  We hit it off and I think she easily could have been my aunt.  She would have fit right in!!!

 

So, the lights came on and we headed back in.  Customer Satisfaction was top priority and we all went home with our beloved treasures!!!!  Some of the employees joked about us sitting out there for so long and said they would make us "I survived the Hobby Lobby Blackout" t-shirts!!  I would totally wear one...no lie!!

 

 

Well we made it home and had fun setting things up and decorating.  I'm sure the mantle will change every other week!  In fact, I've already added something new to it!!

 

 

I'm sorry that the pictures are small. Apparently I have a crappy phone camera and they're all fuzzy when I enlarge them. I picked up the "Grace" print at 50% off!!! The turquoise orb, the yellow flower pot, yellow metal candle stick and the small plate.  The yellow star was previously natural wood colored and I hit that with some spray paint.  The cabinet door and window frame were pieces that I already had.  They may be getting a makeover someday soon. 

 

 

I also grabbed a fun yellow pillow.  It was on clearance for $4.00!!!! FOUR DOLLARS FOR A THROW PILLOW!!!!!!! I should have bought more!!! Jessica grabbed a few fun pillows (that I don't have any pictures of) and a fun bicycle print for $2.00!! We are both glad that we sat it out and the day turned out to be a success!!!! 

 

 

More recently we hit Michaels and Jessica got a few fun frames for her bedroom and is currently working on a fun, colorful photo/frame collage for Julia's side of the room!!! 

 

 

 

"Whatever" print from http://megduerksen.typepad.com/

 

I've already changed the mantel a bit.  Things don't stay the same around here for very long, in case you haven't picked up on that yet!!

 

"Nest" print also from http://megduerksen.typepad.com/

 

I found the white frame at Wal-Mart, although it wasn't white when I bought it.  I took a can of white spray paint and liked it much better!  Well, that's it for now!!  I have to run some friends home and head to youth group!!!

 

Hope you're staying dry and cool and having a great summer!!!!  I'll check back in soon and fill you in on my cookie progress!!!

Happy Summer and God Bless
<3 Lorraine