Friday, July 6, 2012

Home Tips

Do you love the taste of fresh cilantro or parsley? I sure do! But if I don't use the whole bunch within a week it tends to go bad. Ever had that happen? Well, never worry about that again!

After washing your cilantro and patting it dry, split into 3 or 4 smaller bunches, and then put in freezer bags. Freeze until needed. Your cilantro or parsley will be a snap to chop and it will taste as fresh as ever!


Thursday, July 5, 2012

More Recent

For more recent posts check www.keepingupwiththejoneses67.wordpress.com

Sunday, January 8, 2012

a newbie to marriage

At the beginning of my marriage to Adam I realized how selfish I was: single, only having to look out for myself.
My wants. 
My needs. 
My money. 
My time. 
Mine. 
Mine.
Mine.

I've had to change my mindset to "us" with all of those things.

Today I realized how selfish I still am even after almost 6 months of marriage. Sure I've changed my basic thought process since getting married but I'm still consumed with me, myself and I.

I have put MY life as the focus of my life. I've forgotten, neglected, shamed my first Love. I've put my physical life before Christ. It wasn't hard for my own desires to give birth to sin as the Book of James warns.
Thankfully, I have a Savior Who loves me and desires LIFE more abundantly for me.

My struggles:
Change. I hate change. I've been working with the Lord to overcome this fear.

No family. No job. No friends....all huge changes.all very hard.
New town, new state, new people, new job, new church....all new.all different.all changes. 

Adam is constantly telling me to affect change where I can.

So I've been pursuing friendships. I have been making the first move. This is hard for me because I tend to be very shy at the beginning of a friendship.
But.I.Love.Coffee. And having coffee dates takes pressure off of me because I feel like if someone comes to my house it needs to be the perfect little American home. And I am far from perfect.

I pray that the Lord will continue to convict me as I strive to live for Christ. I also ask for prayer that I will keep Christ first. That I will put Adam above myself. I ask for prayer as I figure out how to enhance Adam's life and not turn it upside down because of changes I want (but don't always need).

I'm a newbie to marriage and need prayers.

Monday, January 2, 2012

2012 - Welcome

2012. Thank you for coming. Some of my favorite memories from 2011:

February: Adam sent me my first ever Valentine's Day flowers. A dozen red roses. 
March: Adam proposed on the 17th, St. Patrick's Day. I picked out my wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses, and created my registries.
July: Adam took me to Upstate (Western) New York and also to Niagara Falls.
August: I got married and took an incredible honeymoon to the State of Washington. 
October: My amazing nephew Madden was born and I also carved my first pumpkin.
November: I cooked my first turkey (and it didn't cook all the way) and also served my In-Laws Thanksgiving Dinner (I cooked everything but the gravy).
December: First Christmas as a married woman and also away from home. Also went to my first Bowl Game (Music City Bowl). And I also saw the inside of the Opryland Hotel.

My last moments in 2011 and my first moments in 2012 were spent listening to the Avett Brothers live in concert. 

It's been a good year. I'm very thankful for Adam and I love that he desires to take me places I've never been. I am sooo looking forward to the new adventures 2012 will bring my way!

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wedding Photography - Susan Whitley

Susan Whitley is the sweetest photographer you'll ever work with! I hate having my picture taken but with Susan I believe I could have taken pictures all day! She made the picture taking process a breeze!

I made and decorated my wedding cake. The topper we bought from Amazon and since we had a photo booth for our guests enjoyment we decided it would be cute to take a picture just like our cake topper.

 Adam and I chose to have a "First Look" session. I got the idea from Jasmine Star (read this and this) and, I admit, convinced Adam it was the best idea! And it was! It was so special to be able to see Adam before things got super crazy! I even forgot Josh and Susan were in the room. I was excited about him seeing my dress, and to just see him. He started crying. Heavens, he has such a tender heart.

 Adam holding all the bouquets! My dress and all of my bridesmaids dresses were bought from Treasures in Atlanta. The lovely Williams ladies were so sweet and helpful in helping me choose the dress of my dreams!
 

The groomsmen spelling out my name "L.Y.D.I.A" :)
 

My precious Flower Girl. She gave me "thumbs-up" throughout the entire wedding ceremony. Her dress is from Etsy.


The bridesmaids bouquets (I bought the bouquets from Micheal's and then wrapped the stems with black ribbon and tied a shimmering silver blow at the top).


My gorgeous dress from Treasures 

 
 



Per Adam's request we took "football" pictures! It was a lot of fun!


 Moments before the wedding ceremony starts.
 
The reception was a blast! Everyone dancing and taking goofy pictures in the photo booth and eating incredibly good cake! Best day ever. 


Our first dance as a married couple during which I convinced Adam it was time to leave. ;)


My wedding day was incredible. I cannot thank Susan and Josh enough for coming South to give me such beautiful memories.

Wedding Pictures - Josh Jack Carl

I had the best photographers ever. I realize everyone thinks that but really I did have the best. My sister recommended Josh Jack Carl to me and we connected over Twitter. I asked him if he knew a female photographer who would be interested in working with him and he said he'd ask a friend and that's how I got Susan Whitley!

Here are a few of Jack's pictures. Adam loved working with him. He said Josh made everyone feel relaxed and comfortable and the guys just had fun! We appreciate everything Josh did for us and we LOVE all of his pictures!









A huge THANK YOU to Josh for taking such amazing pictures! 



I'll post another blog with some of Susan's pictures.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Poll TIME!

If you are a married female and someone hosted a wedding shower for you, please do me a huge favor and complete my survey!

Click here to take survey

I'd appreciate it soo much! Please also share with other married ladies you know!