What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday: Crepe Myrtles

I just love Crepe Myrtles!  I find that their unique blooms and various brilliant colors are so full of energy and attractive!  The trunk is delicate yet strong.  We have these all around our house, and I just love it when Phil picks them for me :-)

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The first four pictures I selected from online, but the next three I took of the trees right outside of our front door.  See, they really are gorgeous!

Love God, Love People

The theme for Share-a-thon 2011 was Love God, Love People and it was amazing!  What is share-a-thon?  It is the annual fund-raiser for the Houston Christian radio station.  The station is a non-profit organization, so in order for it to remain on the air and touching lives, it has to raise money.  While the station is located in Houston, it is global.  I listen to this station all the time, and love starting each day praising the Lord.  I play it at my house, in the car, and have it playing in the background of my office, even (especially) when students come to meet with me.  I want students to know that I adore the Lord, and I don't just care about their education, but I care about them as individuals and more importantly, their salvation.  

This was the second year that I volunteered for the 3-day fund-raiser.  I served as a greeter and helped train people on how to take donations over the phone.  I always have so much fun and love giving of my time to promote His kingdom.  The money raised this year will help:

· being a listening ear for listeners 24/7

· getting the word out about KSBJ so more people can experience life changing music and ministry

· strengthening our community through more prayer stations and an even more intentional in-person and on-line prayer outreach

· expanding NGEN radio to reach more in the NOW generation with today’s hit music

· upgrading and replacing aging equipment so that it’s more efficient and helps reach a wider audience

· presenting even more concerts for families and communities that share the Good News

· expanding the international educational outreach through mentoring, training, and provision of equipment

· providing YOU with ways to be a part of something bigger than yourself by powering a world of good

If you live in Houston (or even if you don’t) and want to donate to the radio station, you still can online.  If you don’t live near Houston, I encourage you to find your local stations and see how you can help.  The radio is a great way to reach out to people.

“Together, by going back to the basics of loving God and loving people, our prayer is that lives will be changed for Christ… and our Christian family will continue to grow to serve those we love, live and laugh with.” KSBJ

Puppy Portraits

No! We absolutely did not pay money for a photographer to take Tomlin’s picture- unless you consider yours truly a photographer ;-)  However, if money grew on trees we totally would because she is that spoiled.  Instead, I’ve been playing with my camera and all the settings to get more acquainted with it, and Tomlin has turned into my favorite model these days.  I just can’t help myself :-)

Here are the best of the ba-zillion pictures I took

The best model ever, right?

Window Flowers

When my sister was visiting Houston from Virginia in early June, I introduced her to the wonderful world of Hobby Lobby.  IT WAS FANTASTIC!  We spent hours in the store and had a blast coming up with some new ideas for projects.  Since I had been looking to updated the window above our kitchen sink, I took advantage of her input while she was in town. 

I purchased a small container and 4 hydrangeas (one of my current favorite flowers).  The total cost for the project was $5.00!

On each stem, I pushed the leaves to the top and snuggled them right underneath the flower.

I cut off the end of the stem and bent the remaining piece of the stem to a little more than a 45 degree angle.  The angle of the stem held the flowers in place within the container; therefore, no glue was required and I can change up the flowers whenever I want.  I put two flowers on each side of the planter. 

Here are my hydrangeas in the kitchen window, with my milk jug in the background.  My kitchen is in blue and white and I was going for a fresh countryside look.  What do you think?

Back to the Beach

Phil and I love to escape reality the heat and head to the beach as much as possible during the summer.  So when we got Tomlin we wanted to introduce her to the beach as soon as possible.  This past weekend was her first trip to the beach, and it was gorgeous!Tomlin is not the biggest fan of water yet, but she did do some sun bathing, beach-boy watching , and lots of sleeping :-)   I wonder who taught her all those beach activities?!

We hope that with each trip back, she will get more used to the water and sand.  We’re already looking forward to the next trip!

What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday: Tinted Moisturizer

In the summer I just hate “caking” makeup on my face.  I really don’t even see the point, since in Houston it melts right off your face before you even get to the car in the morning. Yuck!

While I don’t like to paint my face, I don’t feel comfortable without something there.  So in the summer I switch out my foundation that I use during the winter, and flock to my tinted moisturizer.

This step combines so many important steps for your skin care regime, so not only is it effective, but it’s also quick.  The moisturizer:

Covers and conceals blemishes

Increases hydration (obviously since it is a moisturizer)

Contains an SPF of 20, so it protects you from the sun

Noncomedogenic- meaning that it wont clog pores.  This is super important to me since the heat can cause glistening and I don’t want my face to look like I’m still going through puberty. Yes, I said “glistening” because southern ladies don’t sweat ;-)

Comes in 6 great shades

I love that this moisturizer provides me with color without having to pack on my makeup, only to have it melt off, and without clogging my pores!!! I wear this all summer, to the beach and the pool, and it never melts off! 

On a personal note, I highly recommend this product.  If you’re looking for someone to order from or interested in learning more about the product, I know just the person…..she has my same email address ;-) 

First Day

Despite the temperatures being considered "summer" since March, today is the first real day of summer.  

Welcome to summer!

What is your favorite summer activity?  

This is mine....watching the sun set on the beach while I'm reading a captivating book.

This is what a sunset in Brazil looks like...isn't it gorgeous?! Can't wait to get back :-)

Happy Summer!

Packing Paper

I ordered some Pampered Chef knives a couple weeks ago.  When they arrived, someone decided to “redecorate” our dining room with the packing paper.

Hmmmmmm…..I wonder who that could have been?

Guess Where We Are

The Hawleys are chilaxin’ this weekend.

Did I just say “chilaxin”?!

I must be VERY relaxed!

I’ll post more pictures later next week of Tomlin’s first trip to the beach :-)

Have a great weekend!

She’s Got Mail

Miss Tomlin got her first package last weekend!  She is SO lucky and blessed to have so many people that love her already!!!  WE are so blessed to have such wonderful and supporting friends.  Thank you Smith family!!!  Tomlin loves her toys, and we love her chewing on them- and not the furniture ;-)

“Thank you Stoney, Penelope, and Lawson. I woof you!”

What I’m Lovin’ Wednesday: Milk Jugs

I am truly a creature of habit.  When I find my favorite menu item, I order it every time I visit the restaurant.  I just like what I like.  So while I’m moving away from Anthropology this week, I clearly don’t go that far….I am basically mirroring last week with a milk jug.  A few months ago I bought these milk jugs, the small and large sizes, from Crate & Barrel.  I have used these all over my house this spring and summer, for everything from vases for spring flowers, to sitting on the mantle as a spring decoration. 

Next to a mason jar holding flowers….. irresistible, right?

I think they offer such a great shabby chic flare to our home, don’t you?

Fathers Day Idea

***Spoiler Alert***

If' you’re Darby’s dad, you should NOT read this post!

I’m not kidding Dad!  Click the ‘X’ and get outta here for a while ;-)

What do you give a man that has two amazing daughters everything?! I don’t know if anyone else has this trouble, but every year I am stumped on what to get my dad to show him my appreciation for being my dad. 

To make it more of a challenge, whenever I give a gift, I try to hand make it.  To me, it always means more when I receive a gift that someone has thought about and has really invested their time in.  I try to do this for others every chance I get.  This year was no different.  I wanted to make my dad something that was special, from my heart….and a little bit silly. 

I purchased a tin, chalkboard paint, and some chalk from the best store in the world, Hobby Lobby.

Even though the package instructed that only 2 coats of paint were needed, I found that I needed about 7 coats of chalkboard paint for the lid of the tin.  Maybe because of the material?  I don’t know, but it was no big deal to paint a few more coats since it dries so quickly.

While the lid was drying, I made a treat that my dad loves.  He loves my homemade granola.  Yum-o! 

When the paint was dry, I used the chalk to write “Nuts and Bolts” on the top of the tin.  I thought this was pretty clever since my dad is a wonderful carpenter (among many other things) and granola should be a staple food group ;-)

I safely packaged the granola in the tin and sent it off to Virginia.  I hope he likes it.  Happy Father’s Day to the best dad a daughter could ask for :-)