books.

I don't love to read books.  I think I read too much in college and now I am good.  Yep.  I find much more satisfaction reading home magazines with pictures :)
I just got back from the most amazing trip ever to market for work.  I think I was on cloud nine for four straight days even with working eleven hour days and terribly achy feet and legs.  Words cannot describe it...Showroom, after showroom, of the most amazing displays of home decor, accessories and gifts EVER. I was tickled pink the entire time....oh, except when we missed our flight coming home....all seven of us....and got in at midnight instead of seven p.m. and hundreds of dollars later.  We all learned a good lesson.  Might be good for at least one person to check their actual itinerary and don't pass on getting on the subway train that has arrived because it is too full and you think there is another one coming soon.  There isn't.  And you will miss your flight.  Especially if no one knows what time the flight is leaving.  And, no, Delta doesn't care.  Aside from that, it was amazing and I was in heaven the whole time.  I was really inspired by all of the showrooms that used old book pages in their displays and wanted to do something in my house.  So I gave my window above my fireplace a facelift for Spring.

before 

 Book pages also make for cute wrapping paper for smaller gifts.  

Fa-la-la-la-la....

....la-la-la-lah... You know something is wrong with you when you go to blog Christmas pictures and cannot find one with people in it...but I have my tree!  Ha. I will have to track down some family pics that other people took with actual people in them.  (And one of these days I will get around to blogging our wedding, honeymoon, Lake Powell, etc.  I promise we really did get married!  There are just like a bazillion pictures and everytime I go to do it, I get impatient and move on to something else)  For now, here is a picture of Brock's and my Christmas tree.  I loved the little white birds in it.  

pillows.

pillows for your head...pillows for your bed...pillows in just about every color, including red.

happy halloween!

A couple of nights ago I mentioned to Brock that I wanted to start a Halloween tradition...something homeade and delicious that we make every year on Halloween.  I remember growing up my friend's mom would always make homeade doughnuts for all of the neighbor kids and they were delicious!  My mom would often make homeade chili or chicken noodle soup and there was a family in our neighborhood that would have a big hot chocolate stand for all of the kids and parents....Saturday night I came home to homeade White Chicken Chili in bread bowls.  I have the best husband ever.  It was the most delicious chili I have ever had!  It will definitely be our Halloween tradition!

Creamy White Chili

Mels Kitchen Cafe



1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon oil
2 cans (15 1/2 ounces each) Great Northern Beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies (if you like less kick, add just one can)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream



In a large saucepan, saute chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and cream. Garnish with fresh cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately. This is especially good served with tortilla chips. Makes about 6 servings.
*Brock shredded the chicken because that is how we love it and I think next time I will use half and half instead of whipping cream so it is a little lighter

mr. and mrs.

more to come soon...

Ashlee Raubach Photography

engaged!

Friday night was quite a surprise when a package I expected to have a shirt from Forever 21 in it turned out to be a diamond ring! Surprise!...and a lovely one at that! Exciting times for Brock and I ahead! Can't wait......

delightful find....

I stumbled across this beautiful, old dresser drawer and instantly fell in love. I loved the color, the worn paint and the adorable hardware and key hole. I knew right away what I wanted to do with it....

My laundry closet....yes, just a closet....is my favorite now.