Refilling My Soul

Oh dear friends, it has been a long time.  Something in my hectic life had to give and this little here blog was the thing that did the giving.  I'm glad it's patient with me because I do love this space and the outlet it gives me to "talk" with many of you.

If you've never had a baby, or if it's been awhile, let me just tell you that something changes in your brain when that little life is placed in your arms and it takes you at least a year to start to truly be you again.  I'm still 4 months away from "normal" but I'm starting to see the surface as if rising from the bottom of a deep lake.  Things are still a bit distorted but I can make out colors and shapes.

We traveled west this summer for a month.  I often flee the oppressive heat of the Midwest mostly for my sanity and this year it proved to be good on so many levels, but mostly good for my soul.  I came back rejuvenated and feeling very very loved.  A well that had been running close to dry was refilled and I am so thankful for it.

I realized on this summer excursion, how very much I have been blessed by amazing people, and more importantly amazing women, in my life.  The number of women I can look back over my life and say they have positively impacted me is countless.  To associate with women who I can pick up with even though I haven't seen them for years and feel safe and loved by them is a true miracle.  

This adventure has made me rethink the purpose and direction of this blog.  I have tons of ideas swirling in my brain and places I want to go with these ideas.  I'm still trying to find that sweet spot to jump from.  It will come.

So for now, enjoy the pictures of those I will call my "soul fillers".  Each one is dear to me and each will hopefully contribute to this blog at some point.  The amazing thing is that they are just the tip of the iceberg.  There were so many I didn't see that I wish I could have.  Time is always too short.  

Hugs to all!

Here are my amazing parents who give selflessly and never seem to age.  On the right are my friends Kim and Jeremy.  They both lived in New Jersey during my growing up years and I am grateful for the rekindled friendship.  Kim is a saint and Jeremy is a clown.  They compliment each other well.  When are we going on a couples vacation?

Sweet, sweet Yvonne and two of her three adorable children (where was Isaac?).  She recently lost her mom and I have ached for her as she's expressed how much she misses her.  I don't think anyone will ever be old enough to lose their mom.  Her ability to keep smiling through the pain is an example I am grateful for.  I know it isn't easy.

Beautiful Brittany!  I admire this woman so much and gain strength from her testimony.  She is a valiant daughter of God and an amazing mother.  I will always want to "grow up" to be like her.

The ageless Shaner Family.  Russ was such a strength to me when I was a new missionary in a 

foreign country.  His letters are priceless to me.  I will never forget seeing Emilie and her brother Dallin get up in sacrament meeting soon after they moved to our ward in New Jersey as they sung a

 children's hymn in Norwegian.  It is forever in my memories.  And gorgeous Dory, who gave me courage to fight my own battles with depression and anxiety as she so freely spoke of hers in a time 

when it wasn't so popular to do so.  She was the last person I would have thought struggled 

in that way because I have never seen a more smiley person in my life. 

More of the Shaners and the rest of the crew

The larger than life Allen family.  The last time I saw Jeni and Tyler they had two kids and we had none!  My how things can change in 10 years!  We picked up where we had left off and I left their home with a happy happy heart!!  I think anyone who know them would say that is their trademark - happiness.  It truly is contagious!

My "sisters" Megan and Marisa.  These were some of my all time besties in college and I am so glad they remain friends to this day!  They are valiant and beautiful in so many ways.  Their friendship shaped me into who I am today and I consider them some of my greatest blessings!

My Em.  How I love this girl!  Don't let her height throw you off.  She is full of spunk and is an amazing example to me of always moving forward.  She shared some of the best years of college with me and I cried when I knew being roomies with her had ended.  

Fancying Up the Kitchen

It was a 4 day weekend around our house and I'm happy to report it went much better then I had anticipated.  My kids got along (for the most part), were super helpful and worked hard at their chores, and were just fun to be with.  We were busy yesterday so I didn't get a chance to post, so you get one today.  I hope you enjoy it and it helps you be inspired to "fanc-i-fi" your kitchen or some other areas in your home.

If your house if anything like mine, the kitchen is it's workhorse.  I spend most of my time in this room and it is the room most used by every member of our family.  Therefore, it can get cluttered and dirty in the blink of an eye.  I have instituted a new cleaning schedule to try and keep the clutter/dirt at a minimum.  It is working great and has allowed me to see a few things I needed to change as well as a few that I'm glad I have already done.

Function is the number one thing we should all strive for in our kitchens but I don't think you have to sacrifice beauty for functions sake.  Here are just a few things you can try doing to add beauty and fun to your kitchen.

A Pretty Catch Dish

I use olive oil everyday in my cooking so I like to have a bottle of it close and easily accessible so I have it on my countertop.  Every now and then a little oil will run down the outside of the bottle, so to keep it from getting on my counter I put a paper towel underneath.  It wasn't the most attractive option so one day I finally realized I could put a nice dish underneath instead and accomplish the same thing but with style.  I went into my pantry and found a dish given to me by my dad from one of his trips to Europe when he was still flying.  I rarely ever use it but like it so now it graces my countertop, allows me to see if everyday, and has a purpose.  

Soap Dispenser & A Brush Holder

I don't know about you, but I think the bottles dish soap comes in are ugly so I don't want it visible but I want the soap accessible because I use it so much that I want it easy to grab.  So awhile back I turned to a bottle meant for oil and added dish soap instead.  It has worked out great and doesn't make me cringe when I look at my counters.  Recently I was getting frustrated with the scrub brushes laying around and looking cluttered behind my sink.  It finally dawned on me that if I put them in a glass it kept them upright, allowing them to dry better, as well as looking so much more pleasing to the eye.

Not Just Cook Books

My mom and I are Ina Garten fans.  She is an amazing cook and you really can't go wrong with any of her recipes.  Her cookbooks are not only filled with yummy recipes but are also beautiful works of art.  She has done such a good job in organizing them and allowing the pictures to capture the beauty of the food one can prepare.  I don't buy cookbooks that don't have pictures.  Food should not only taste good but look good too - but that 's another post. 

Over the years I have collected all of Ina's cookbooks.  Since I don't really have a great place to put them right now I have them on my counter to add color as well as serve as the base for a hot pot trivet, a few clay figurines my kids made at school, as well as a cool bottle that once held vinegar from Italy a friend brought back for me after one of her trips there.

I love using things that are intended for one purpose, for a totally different one.  These are a few of my "secondhand" functions I have used in my kitchen to make it just a little nicer and a more inviting place in my home.  What are some creative things you have allowed to serve a "secondhand" function?  I'd love to see them.

Happiest of Tuesdays!!