Seeing The Everyday.

My nesting phase has gone a little crazy this week and I'm afraid today I'll be paying for it. I'm moving very slowly and plan on taking it as easy as I can. One consolation is that I will have plenty of time to sit back and really absorb this lovely magazine. Have you heard of Seeing The Everyday? It's a stunning publication full of thought provoking, inspiring articles. Not to mention the photography is gorgeous and there isn't a single ad to be seen. What makes this even more special to me is that my subscription was a very kind and thoughtful gift from a dear friend. Thank you, friend. I love it. If you are interested in a subscription for yourself, go here.

A Boy + A Sandwich.

For as long as I can remember Mr. Owen has refused to eat a sandwich. When I did happen to make him one, he would consume the insides [usually ham and cheese] and leave the bread. On Valentine's Day I whipped up a bunch of little heart sandwich's for the children. Easton and Abby got the sweet surprises in their lunchboxes and Owen and I enjoyed ours together. Guess what? He actually ate it. Bread and all. Everyday since then his lunch request is "a heart sandwich, please. Make sure it's cut into a heart"

And that's one demand I'm more than happy to accommodate.

Whimsy Love.

This morning, Audrey and I were lucky enough to meet up with Nikki of Whimsy Love at a charming little coffee shop just across the river. We talked "shop" and laughed about the wackiest things in our purses. [For some reason I had a spoon and Mrs. Whimsy Love had herself a handful of balloons just waiting to be blown up.] It was great fun and something I look forward to doing again in the near future.

Here is Nikki posing with her state of the art camera. Also notice the pretty ring on her finger. She made it and sells lots more in her darling etsy shop.

Nikki was also kind enough to gift Miss Audrey Mae and I this little owlie in which she is quite famous for. You can buy one of her little owls or a ring or two here.

And if you're in the mood to read a little about how we work chores and tasks and allowance 'round these parts, hop on over to We Chirp. I posted all about it.

We Chirp.

The very kind Mavis and Dove have asked me to guest post this week on their sweet new blog We Chirp. There have already been great things happening in their little corner of the Internet. This post about the book "In Defense of Food" had me wanting to run to the library at midnight to snag a copy. And these two about texting had this novice laughing and learning. Oh, and make sure you enter this giveaway while you're visiting. You might just want to go ahead and subscribe to We Chirp. I have a feeling there are many great things to come.

Nursery Lamp.

One of Ryan's projects: this lamp's silver tone was driving me nuts with the oil rubbed bronze hardware already happening in the baby's room. So, he painted it to match everything else we've got going on. Now it's perfect and puts off just the right glow for middle of the night diaper changes.

Checklist.

With so much to do before baby arrives, Ryan requested a to do list. See, he loves checking things off as much as I do. Wanna know what's even more fun than checking things off a paper list? Learning how to strikethrough blog lists. My sweet friend Kami did a great post about some helpful blogger tips. Go here to get the sccop.

1. Touch up baby's room trim
2. Add a shelf in hall closet [two?]
3. Paint trim in downstairs bathroom
4. Add transition flooring pieces to boy's room, bathroom
5. Paint trim by hall closet
6. Wash windows [inside + out]
7. Connect TV in bedroom
8. Install exterior house numbers
9. Fix weather striping on front door
10. Paint baby's lamp
11. Add closet rod in boy's room
12. Fix Easton's bed
13. Order blinds for baby's room

Hope you all have a productive fun weekend.

Parenting 101.

Poor Owen watched an illegal amount of television on Tuesday. He started with Wall-E after lunch and then moved onto PBS kids shortly thereafter. The tube was still on when the children got home from school. I think that totals 3 1/2 hours in one sitting. All while I was laid up on the couch. A stuffy nose, sore throat, and insomnia had finally caught up with me and I took advantage of Audrey's 4 hour afternoon nap. To make up for the neglect, yesterday was a no TV, staying out of the basement, enjoying the sunshine kind of day. We printed off tracing pages from here and colored and played.

His letter writing skills are improving and I couldn't be more proud.

I pray that days like this are what he remembers about being home with mommy and days like Tuesday are quickly forgotten. Fingers crossed.

Progressing.

Chuggin' right along.

Nesting.

Thanks to some mighty men that were born this month, the children are home from school and are already happily running around outside. My hope is that they will spend the majority of their day out among the tall pines shaking off the winter funk that has set in over the last couple of months. You know what I'm talking about. The inactivity that comes along with uber cold temperatures, runny noses, and snow.

While they are out in the yard, I plan to check some to do's off my list. I have worked up a honey do list for Ryan and a checklist for myself. All things I want accomplished before this babe makes his grand entrance. Silly stuff like wash the inside and outside of the windows, add two more shelves to the hall closet, touch up the paint in the basement bathroom. All things that this babe could care nothing about , but his nesting mama is losing sleep over. Weird.

I also want to spread the word about a benefit sale happening right now on Etsy. This sweet little girl lost her battle with cancer just a few short weeks after receiving the diagnosis. Her parents have set up a fund to build Cora's Playground in memory of their darling daughter. Go here to see all of the lovely items that have been donated and here for a list of the participating Etsy shops. I didn't get my act together in time to donate an item, but I plan on finding some pretty things to buy to support this worthy cause and possibly spruce up our nest. I encourage you all to do what you can and if you are so inclined, pray for Cora's family. I'm sure they would appreciate that most of all.

A letter to a friend.

Dear Kristin,

I have been thinking about the last 6 years and the changes our friendship has seen. When we met we each had 2 children. Soon, there will be NINE between us. I've moved twice. You've gone to New York! We've made jewelry. Enjoyed the "ocean trip" four years running. Seen Michael Buble from the second row. My first trip to Texas was with you. We've shopped in Seattle. Talked about the similarities between you and Ryan to no end. I've leaned on you through challenges. Sought your advice on mothering. And hoped everyday to become a little more like you. Thank you for being my friend. For the person you are and for all of the good times yet to come.

Have a lovely birthday, most dear friend!

Kisses,
Dandee

Crazy Inspired.

After waking up this morning to snow on the ground, I needed a little craft to lift my spirits. Don't get me wrong, I love snow. But for some reason lately I have been longing for the sunshine. The warmth. The green. These little treat bags did the trick. Wouldn't you know as soon as I finished stuffing the last bag, the sun peered through the clouds and has been beckoning me upstairs to soak it all in.

I was inspired to make these bags by the new to me blog Inchmark. {Thank you Jenny!} You can make some too by following these simple instructions.

While we're on the subject of inspiring blogs, I wanted to leave you with a little link love today. Some of these sites are old favorites, and some of them are new. All of them have my heart going pitter patter when my google reader shows they have a new post. Enjoy, friends. I wish you all a little sunshine this cold February morning.

Making It Lovely- So much design inspiration is one spot. Check out the before and after shots of her home. Amazing!

d. Sharp Journal- Browse through the "bestow" posts. Best packaging ideas EVER!

Simplesong- Suann finds the prettiest things to share.

Twig & Thistle- Have you seen Kathleen's DIY Valentine crafts? Hurry, go check them out!

Inside A Black Apple- Emily's cinnamon roll post had me drooling...

Drawer Organization Success!

A huge THANK YOU to all of you dears for your helpful tips, tricks, and ideas about the little mess we had hiding in our children's dressers. We started by editing a lot of what was stuffed inside. Then we took Lyndsay's advice and bought these drawer organizers. Oh happy day, I think we may have found our solution!

The following pictures were taken this morning after a week and a half of the new system being in place. I did not straighten at all before I started shooting.

Aren't you proud? I have to admit, I'm proud too. Of Abby that is. That sweet girl has been very diligent about keeping her clothes nice and neat.

We bought these fab drawer organizers for everyone in the house. The new baby even has some. The boys are also doing a great job, although I have to say Mr. Owen still needs a little help "remembering" that we no longer stuff all of our clothes into one drawer. What do you expect...the little guys only 4.

The Nursery.

Last week sorta slipped through my fingers. We are in the throws of getting ready for baby. The nesting phase has officially set in and every nook and cranny of the cozy brick house is being scrubbed, organized, re-purposed and decorated. The "big boys" have moved their room into the basement. After some paint, new beds, and artwork [still on the way] they are as happy as clams. I can't even begin to tell you the work that went into creating their new home. Unfortunately the bedroom we chose to move them into was our storage room just a week ago. And store it did. Completely stuffed to the brim of food storage, "someday I'll have a yard sale" junk, and "I'm going to sell this on eBay" clothes, have all been cleared out, moved and donated. Our over sized laundry room is now the laundry/storage room and Easton and Owen are basking in their new pad. With them downstairs this new little one, who will be making his appearance in 5 weeks [gasp!] now has his very own space right next to mom and dad. His dresser and crib have been assembled. The white trim has been touched up [thanks boys]. And now my friends, I need your help! Here are the few things I have so far:

Miss Audrey is still in the crib we already own so we purchased this smaller number from Ikea. The quality is surprisingly great and I actually like it better than the more expensive variety that is currently residing the the girl's room.

This dresser is also from Ikea. I opted for the larger version because the closet in the nursery is terribly small and I like the option of storing Audrey's clothes in it as well if necessary. It will also double as a changing table because the height is perfect.

This print caught my eye right away. I can't wait for it to come.

This sweet little owl arrived this weekend and is patiently waiting on the top of the dresser for a more permanent home somewhere on the wall.

I am wishing for these:

This mobile for over the crib.

And this Eames style rocker had me at hello. I'm dreaming about it at night. Seriously.

I have been searching hi and low for bedding and a rug, but am having zero luck. All of the bedding I've found isn't right. I don't need a bumper, just a flat sheet with some color/pattern, preferably orange and some kind of blanket/quilt. I would love for the rug to be plush and colorful. Something in the scheme I already have going. Or maybe a neutral would be better? I'm so confused. Any ideas?

Coming tomorrow: Drawer Organization revisited.

The More Love Giveaway.

Love is in the air. Can you feel it? I sure can. Ryan whisked me over the mountains and through the woods for a couple of romantic, happy, carefree, amazing days away to celebrate our anniversary. We ate and shopped and planned and laughed and looked all googly eyed. It was pure bliss and exactly what I needed to gear up for these last six weeks of pregnancy.

The shop has also been feeling the love and for that I thank all of you. A HUGE thanks to you dears who have posted about the update and some of the goodies on your blogs. You know who you are.

To kick off February and all of the butterflies that come along with it {and to thank you all for being so kind to me as of late} I donated some treats to Lovely By M's week of giveaways. Hurry over and enter today for a chance at winning some happy valentine goodness from the shop. If you are the lucky winner, I promise that you will feel some Dandee love when your happy mail arrives. You all know how much I love happy mail, right? Go here to enter.