Boring Table No More

Because I have this inherent need to update every piece of furniture I come across, I've painted another table, yet again. The table below is intended to be the matching buffet to our dining room table. Since I have a hutch I decided to use this table on a blank wall in the living room.

Although it is perfect for the space I haven't been loving the table because it seemed so blah. That was remedied with a quick trip to Home Depot for some paint.

Good-bye boring and hello color!! To blend the color in with the rest of the living room I am going to ditch the red accent pillows on the couch and find some similar to this robin's egg blue.

Do you see that black and white picture to the left? It's one of mine and Beau's preschool class at the Arkansas Capitol Building. Yeah we go that far back (never dated until after college.) I also need to put a fishing picture of Beau in that empty frame. My goal is to do that soon and not have an empty frame sitting there for two years.

Dirty Puppy Snatcher

Last night I was in our garage painting a table (pictures to come upon completion.) Because it is so unbearably hot I had the door open, forcing me to battle June Bugs. Apparently they love Martha Stewart paint. So anyway, I heard something come running towards me and looked up to see the sweetest beagle mix who thought she and I were instant best friends, and we were really. I called, nay, squealed for Beau. When he opened the door I said, "God sent us a puppy!!" I really believed this was our Moses. Beau was least convinced, "This is someone's dog." I tried to argue because she didn't have a collar. I got her water and a peanut butter sandwich (Beau thought it odd for me to make a sandwich for a dog - If I had time I would have cut the sandwich in the shape of a heart.) She turned her nose up to both giving more credibility to Beau's belief that she belonged to a neighbor. I, still, was not convinced and tried to come up with a million reasons to keep the dog. Following every excuse Beau would say, "I'm fine with rescuing this dog but I'm positive she already has a home."

Right before I picked the dog up to go inside for a bath we heard a faint, "Mollie!! Come here girl!!!" I reluctantly took her back to her rightful owners. When I got back home Beau looked at me and said, "You're nothing but a dirty puppy snatcher."

Not-So-New Table

Try not to be shocked but I found a cheap piece of furniture at Goodwill. This sad little table was $4. I realize that the table looks halfway decent in this picture but trust me when I say it was not cute.

It's amazing what a few coats of paint will do...

Originally I thought I would use it as a bedside table but it worked perfectly for the hallway.

This is the best part. I got this knob at Hobby Lobby. It's amazing how much of a difference small things like decorative knobs make.

Here is the table a little less naked. Yes, that is an Emily Post Etiquette book. Every girl needs one. In fact, I have two - one at home and one in my office. There are several editions and each one has something different. I swear I would be happy getting a different edition every Christmas (hint, hint, Mom). I really do refer to the book every couple of weeks.

Also, I got my massage and facial today (b-day present from Beau) and was in heaven!! Seriously, go make an appointment for a facial today. The esthetician (yeah, I had to Google that one) told me that I have very minimal sun damage. Most sun damage happens in people's teens and early twenties so I was happy to hear it. If you know how much of a sunscreen pusher I am you would understand how that made my day. It's the simple things......

Happy rest of the weekend!!

Eggplant, It's What's For Dinner.

If you think your reaction is bad you should have seen Beau's when he called on his way home from work to ask what I was cooking. Technically I didn't get to see his face but the dead silence on the other end was enough of an indicator.

I made a veggie and mozzarella sandwich with fried eggplant as the bread. I got the recipe from Real Simple magazine. The sandwich was very good. Beau even approved once he tried it.

You have to admit that it looks pretty good...

The Recipe:

Sliced Eggplant

Oil

Flour

2 Eggs

Bread Crumbs

Salt (I used sea salt)

Sliced mozzarella

Lettuce

Tomato

Batter eggplant in flour, then egg, then bread crumbs. Fry until golden. Put lettuce, tomato and mozzarella in between two slices of eggplant and enjoy!!

Easy!!

In other news....

Surely you've heard by now but the longest tennis match in the history of the sport finally ended today, 11 long hours and 5 minutes after it started, with John Isner defeating Nicolas Mahut.

I too hold a tennis world record from a match I played in high school. It's for the shortest match in history. I played against a girl who went on to be the number 1 ranked player for the Florida Gators. I think the whole match lasted 5 minutes. True story.

The Beginning

Since my last posts have been sappy I thought I would stick with the same theme. Just one more, I swear.

Yesterday, June 22, marked the anniversary of when Beau and I started dating (circa 2006.) We have never made a big deal out the day. I know some couples mark every monthly anniversary, yearly, etc. but that is just not us. In fact, if the date didn't fall the day after my birthday I don't think I would remember it. However, I have been thinking about it a lot the last few days because, really, it is an important date.

I think Beau and I knew immediately we would get married. We really were (and are) a great match. After two and a half years of marriage I am still so thankful that God put him in my life.

One of my favorite qualities about our relationship is that we amuse one another. Together we laugh, play and have countless inside jokes. No one else may find us remotely interesting but we think we're a riot!

And because I am still feeling cheesy I will share a few chronological photos.

The early days

My favorite engagement picture

Wedding; January 26, 2008

Now

P.S. This face is what I like to call "The Joker". Sometimes, in an effort to look skinnier, I stick my face up and out (I read it in a magazine once.) I always end up overdoing to where my neck and face look strained making me look unnatural and Joker-like. I'm posting because I've embraced it. That and it shows up in an overwhelming amount of pictures. My friend Meredith, who took our engagement and wedding photos knows this look all to well. When I would hear her say, "You're doing IT again," I knew to revert back to the natural smile.

Thanks again for enduring the last several cheese posts. I'm sure by tomorrow I will have some recipe (I'm trying a new one tonight) or the latest installment of "Look What I Found for $1".

Two. Six.

Yesterday was my 26th birthday. I had an amazing day! First, I had the day off of work. To start the day, I went for a morning jog making me realize why I go at night. Then I had an iced latte and petite vanilla scones from Starbucks. Haven't tried them? Trust me, good stuff. I was hoping the girl who took my order magically knew it was my birthday and give me a scone with a candle.

Later my best friend Courtney picked me up and took me for lunch and shopping. We ended up going to Conway for the huge T.J. Maxx so we ate lunch at Oak Street Bistro. A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. Seriously. We both ordered a cup of their house soup, cream of dill. No description would do the soup justice. I will say that if they had a house soup in heaven, this soup would be it. Courtney had grilled Salmon and said it was delicious. I took her word since I do not like Salmon. I ordered shrimp and grits and once again was blown away. Soooooo good!

After lunch we shopped in Conway and had no luck. Because this was simply unacceptable we went the mall in Little Rock where we met Irish, my other BFF growing up. I love, love, love these girls. We had the best time together, as always. The only thing that would have made it better would have been if my best friend from college, Laura could have been there. God has blessed me with amazing friends; true friends.

By the time I got home, Beau had come in from work so we left for dinner. Before we ate my husband, knowing me all too well, gave me a card that said I was going to get a massage and facial from a local spa in Benton!! I think it will be this weekend.

It was a great birthday with the people I love. Doesn't get any better than that!

Shout Out to the Dads

Beau and I are blessed with amazing dads. Both men have set amazing examples for us and have shaped who we are.

The role of a father is so important in a child's life but one that so many men, unfortunately, do not take seriously.

I don't even know where to begin to thank our dads; the sacrifices, the Godly examples, the encouragement and the support. I'm even thankful that our dads were so strict on us growing up. They had great expectations and accepted zero excuses. I remember being in junior high and making a bad grade on a test. When my parents found out they were ticked. I told my dad that everyone else in the class did poorly as well, thinking it would give me at least a reprieve. Dad didn't buy it and responded with, "I don't care how anyone else in the class does. I want and expect you to do well." I know that almost every kid hears that statement in their life but it really did stick with me along with many other lectures and rules. I grew from wanting to meet my father's (and mom's) high expectations to having high expectations for myself. I realize that this is no amazing psychological discovery but my point is that much of my drive, work ethic and values were instilled by Dad. These things don't just happen like a growth spurt.


Thanks to all you great dads out there!!

Our Weekend

We had a great weekend with family. My aunt, uncle and cousins came from Texas and Colorado for a visit so we all got together and had a small reunion at my parents' church. I got some pictures but not a lot because we were chasing kids and playing games. Beau killed me in ping pong (I am a good tennis player but stink in ping pong. Go figure.) I did proove myself as a tough air hockey competitor.

Here are a few of the pictures:

This is one is too cute. Carson and his BFF, "Hunka Beau".

Sweet Hudson

Someone became quite the ham in the presence of a microphone. After one of the kids got the mic back I heard, "Eeeew! It's wet!!" I wonder why...

Dad and Uncle "Duff"

Team Thornton. Please note the difference in color.

We also went to the lake with Beau's parents.

I'm thinking Christmas card....


Angler Beau with the catch of the day.

My In-laws.

My husband's tan line. Back off ladies, this one is mine!



So Beautiful!

They're With Jesus Now

You know how I said something about having a green thumb? Forget I ever mentioned it.

The New 'Do'

Ta-Dah!!! I took this before I went jogging so excuse the attire.

It took about 6 inches off! It has been a while since I've had a short cut and I love it! Beau does too. He has always been a fan of short hair which is surprising since men tend to like long hair. I told him that and he said, "Why would men like longer hair? You can have so many more styles with short hair." And this, my friends, is one of a million reasons why I love him.

Although the 'do' is short, I can still get it in a pony tail (note above picture.) Beau calls it the "deer tail." I really posted this picture to show off my skirt. I bought it several years ago and it is always a summer favorite. This is the ghetto office bathroom, by the way. It really makes the flowers in my skirt pop, don't you think?

My Two New Loves

First being Sonic's Sparkling Lemonade. Every time I take a sip I hear a choir of angels. As much as I would like to get one everyday, (Who am I kidding? I'd like to get three everyday!) I am limiting myself to special occasions because of the amount of sugar in the drink. FYI: if you find something you love from a fast food establishment, never ever look up the nutritional value online.

Today I am drinking the diet sparkling lemonade; no singing angels. :(

Next on my love list is this fabric. It was 30% off at Hobby Lobby. I am going to use to upholster the seat of an old wooden chair I have and use it in our office. I might consider using it for curtains but I am waiting on the fabric to go on sale for 50% off.

I also chopped my hair off. I really like it. I'll post a picture soon!

And We're Back

I am running behind on blogging this week but I've been traveling with work.

In case you are curious, the sleepover with Carson went very well. We actually did pretty good with the schedule but there was a small interruption; we rescued a bird. When Carson and I got home I saw a bird flopping around in the bushes. I thought "Oh no!! He has a broken wing!" When Beau got home we checked it out to find the bird had gotten caught in some type of netting. I have no idea where he got into at but he ended up in our front yard. It was so pitiful because he had the net wrapped around his wings, legs and neck.

Being the animal lover that I am I grabbed gloves and scissors and Team Thornton proceeded to rescue the little guy. This whole process was so easy as Carson wanted to be in the middle of it. I kept telling him to get on the porch and watch from there but he found it far more interesting to stand practically on top of us and ask, "Is that bird gonna bite Hunka Beau?" The bird actually did nip Beau at one point, actually. I'm sure it gave Carson a healthy respect for wildlife.

After about ten minutes of unwrapping and cutting the net off of the bird he was free. He was perfectly fine but his heart is probably still racing after literally being manhandled.

After the dramatic rescue we made ice cream (big hit, by the way) and then made a fort. Here is a picture of Carson and "Hunka Beau" in it.

This is where we slept for the night too. As Carson was lying beside Beau he said, "Hunka Beau, we had a pretty good day, huh?" If that doesn't melt your heart this next statement will. "Hunka Beau, I like you. I'm gonna miss you." Beau ate it up. We will have to make Carson sleepovers a regular from now on.