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Our Memorial Day Weekend

Jen — May 31, 2011 — 3 Comments

Two lessons from our holiday weekend:

1. You can make a game out of anything.

Sometimes I’m a total girl. There are times when I don’t feel like getting my hair wet or playing in the dirt, but then there are times when I’m just as competitive as my husband. These times usually come during ridiculous games that take no athletic ability and I think I actually have a chance to beat him. Example? Let’s stand on the side of the pool while someone throws us a ball and we try to catch it for points. Or let’s take a golf tee to the bottom of the pool and jump on it when it floats to the top. For points, of course. I still rarely win, but the trophy is tantalizingly close. And so we play.

2. Road trips, even short ones, provide the best conversation.

I know part of it is the fact that we don’t have as much technology at hand while driving, but it also helps that neither of us has the chance to wander off or be distracted by anything else. I’ve decided over the last year that if you’re feeling distant from your spouse, it’s probably time for a road trip. No radio, no phones, just you. And whatever conversation comes up.

What did you do for the holiday weekend?

In Stuff We Love, Trips

A Travel Companion

Jen — May 19, 2011 — 2 Comments

This weekend, thanks to a very gracious and thoughtful friend, I’m flying to California to spend four days reading and lounging and taking in the salty-aired world that is Laguna Beach. I’ve used the same overnight bag now for nearly five years, and the zipper has reached it’s last zipper leg. I still use it for car trips, but having all my personals fall out on other passengers during flight sounds less than appealing. So what else is there to do but dream of having new luggage?

Unlike the husband, I have the uncanny ability to store about 3-4 nights worth of goodies into one overnight bag. Here, some I would purchase if I had the extra money saved.

From JCrew

Two things: 1) I’ve been very into navy and white lately. Such classic colors. And 2) who knew JCrew carried luggage? Yes, please.

Hartmann Wings

This one is on sale for only $475, but I’m totally in love with the design here.

Gucci "Wholesale"

And a final one with the tacky plastic still on its handles from an online “wholesaler” website. Because let’s be honest- none of us are buying the real thing. If you are I’m not judging you, but the fakes look just as great.

Happy travels to all- where are you traveling this month?

In Stuff We Love

Three Pictures from the Weekend

Jen — May 16, 2011 — 1 Comment

Babies, babies everywhere. I think we probably know about 25 people who are set to give birth this year, and this weekend produced two babies within our circles. This one I get to post because we’re related, whether he likes it or not. He belongs to my cousin and his beautiful wife- I can’t wait to meet him and whisper in his ear that he’s got it really good and to enjoy life while he can. That’s my favorite thing to do with babies. Welcome to the world, little Logan David. Being alive is hard sometimes, but we’re cheering for you.

This weekend, I sewed a dress. It had pockets and sleeves and it almost has a zipper, which makes me so giddy I can hardly stand up straight. I’m on the last page of instructions, and while the pieces don’t match up the way they should, I will not be deterred. I had only two goals in mind when starting this project: 1) Don’t spill anything on it and 2) finish. So far, so good.

Last night we had a smorgasbord of raw and roasted veggies for dinner including our favorite summer snack: salsa. It’s a very secret recipe that’s only secret because it changes every time we make it. Last night we used tomatoes, carrots, bell pepper, jalapeno, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salt and pepper. Chop, chop, chop. I see this in our future every day until all the vegetables dry up for the winter.

What’s a moment from the weekend you wish you would have captured in film?

In Crafty, Recipes, Stuff We Love

Honesty = Best Policy

Kyle — May 10, 2011 — 1 Comment

Can I revel in a moment of transparency right now?

Well you can’t really stop me so here goes…I was supposed to write the post today. I was supposed to come up with something witty or enlightening or maybe spiritual and post it for all our readers to sift through.

Jen and I usually trade off (or try to trade off) doing the posts every other day and today was my day.

But I got distracted last night and woke up really late this morning. I was watching the Thunder and “I’ll write the post after this shot” turned into “my gosh it’s 1 AM and I’m completely exhausted” and well…here we are.

So I apologize for those of you coming today for something deep and to those of you who are coming for the first time wondering “who is this joker who won’t stop pontificating about the post he should have written in the time he could have actually completed a real post.” I apologize.

And as reparations for my misdeeds I offer you this, the culmination of my ~~Monday night~~ Tuesday morning.

In Stuff We Love

Farmers Market Trip

Jen — May 2, 2011 — 3 Comments

The last few days in Dallas have been particularly rainy and dreary. In order to combat this, we’ve been taking part in things that bring sunshine to the soul. Project one: Dallas Farmers Market. This is something I’ve been wanting to do since we moved to Dallas almost a year ago, but no worries; we went twice this weekend to make up for it.

Initially, I wasn’t sure about all the tropical fruits, knowing you can’t grow pineapples in Texas. But after some looking around, we found the local farmer section. The husband and I purchased some new potatoes and green beans, along with some non-local pears and tangelos. We had a great time just walking around and felt like we’d eaten a meal when we left thanks to all the generous vendors with samples aplenty.

Now we just can’t wait to cook and eat all our new finds. I’m already excited about their list of April and May classes. What did you do this weekend? Have you ever visited the farmers market in your area?

In Stuff We Love, Trips

A Royal Morning

Jen — April 28, 2011 — 4 Comments

Tomorrow is a rather normal day in the Porter home, we’re both off work, will probably go on a walk, maybe to a few thrift stores, have lunch. Oh, and we’re both definitely waking up at 4:30am to watch the royal wedding.

That’s right, ladies and gentlemen, we’re probably affecting our sleep schedules for the next 3 days to partake via technology in the “Wedding o’ the Century.” I’m still trying to convince Kyle that it should include mimosas to pry me out of bed, but he says it’s too early. However, I’m doing my best to find other reasons to get excited.

I am fascinated with fascinators. A term which has escaped me for far too long, the fascinator is what all the British wear to any fancy occasion. A trend I’m dying to bring back to America. Here are some of my favorites off Etsy. I’m thinking of making my own, though I can’t decide what colors would go best with my sweatpants.

via bridalcouture on etsy

via theheadbandshoppe on etsy

via bridalcouture on etsy

If your wedding is coming up and you’ve invited us, don’t be surprised to see me in a fancy black hat like the one above. I’ll sit in the back so everyone can see. Oh, and if you’re not feeling the hype, go back and read this post with a British accent. It’s much more festive. Darling.

Will you be watching the Royal Wedding?

In Stuff We Love, The Web

I Am What I Am

Jen — April 27, 2011 — 1 Comment

If you are what you eat, then I am a giant vat of kettle corn. Ask me on any given day, and I am usually a large container of chips and salsa, but we recently discovered a recipe for homemade kettle corn. This stovetop popper is the best wedding gift we received (thanks to everyone who gave us Bed, Bath, and Beyond gift cards) and we use it more than anything else. The sugary salty crunchy goodness has become part of my life; the recipe, part of my brain.

2 T oil
1/2 c kernels
1/4 c sugar
1/2 t salt
Stir, stir, stir. Yum, yum, yum.

If you are what you read, I am a middle aged black woman working for a white woman in Jackson, Mississippi in 1962. I don’t know much about what civil rights are, I just do as I’m told, use what I’m supposed to use, and keep their houses clean, their kids raised. Until I have the chance to tell my story, in a book no less. Three cheers for Kathryn Stockett on this one, and three cheers for Becca for letting me borrow it.

And if you are who you hang out with, I am an 18 month old little girl with lots of personality and the ability to entertain myself with almost anything I can get my hands on. My favorite words are “go go,” “nacks,” and, of course, “no.” I love going to the park, watching Yo Gabba Gabba, and eating fruit. Life is really good, even though I don’t know it yet.

What are you surrounding yourself with this week?

In Stuff We Love

Some Friday Web Inspiration

Jen — April 22, 2011 — 1 Comment

Today I’m offering up some of my favorite recent posts from around the web. Enjoy, and if you aren’t ready to have your heart swooned in any one category, just skip it. Trust me.

These make me ready to have littles:

via oh, hello friend blog

Family Writing Club
How to Make Playdough

These make me wish I didn’t have to work and could spend all day crafting. And also wish that I had a greater attention span.

via design sponge blog

Rosette Necklaces
Rag Crochet Pillows
Spool Hooks

These make me want to redo lots of things in our house.

via design is mine blog

Build me up, Buttercup
Decorating with Wallpaper

And these, more than anything, make me want to throw a summer party. Who’s coming over?

via the coterie blog

Pretty sparkle ideas
Rooftop Dinner

What’s been inspiring you from around the web this week?

In Crafty, Stuff We Love

Saturday Morning Creativity (on a Tuesday!)

Kyle — April 12, 2011 — 1 Comment

This is a very strange Asian commercial that’s also one of the most soothing things I’ve listened to in a while. Make sure you watch with the volume up.

In Stuff We Love

Where We’ll Live

Jen — March 21, 2011 — 7 Comments

In the last few weeks, we’ve been talking about the future, where we want to be in 2 or 3 years, and where we think we’ll live. It’s very difficult to see a long life in a city you’ve just moved to, though we try not to discount the Lord and all his plans for us. After much imagining, these are our options. I dream of each almost daily.

1. Use the tiny space we have to carve out more creative nooks and store small children.

We’re doing pretty well with the small space we have, but I love the idea of having at least two littles while we still live here, mostly because people think we couldn’t.

Jordan Ferney‘s little boys sleep in a closet. She gets reamed for it daily, but I just adore it.

I’m dying for a space like this, or anything that’s a tiny version of what’s seen below. Right now, the only option for a sewing nook is our bedroom or the dining room, which leaves Kyle without sleep or both of us without dinners like adults at a table. Dilemmas.

2. Buy a house somewhere and have lots of space for writing, running around, and creating.

I would have a whole room full of color and Kyle would have a man cave with many televisions and Blue Moon on tap. We’d hardly remember the other existed if we had walls between us, which, for a few hours a day, might be hugely beneficial to the state of our marriage.

3. Buy an Airstream and travel the country, living wherever the seasons take us.

This might be my favorite option so far, and I love the idea of living minimally while seeing the country as Kyle blogs and I sell crafties to whoever will buy them. I found a 23-foot long Airstream online yesterday and I almost bought it. Except that I have limited access to our funds and my craft budget simply wouldn’t cover it.