How to tie a knot...

You could do one of these...

Or you could just get one of these...

Yep, that's right... I'M GETTING MARRIED!!

My bum is on the Swedish...

I've become obsessed with Sweden. The land, the lakes, the forests, the HOUSES! I just can't get enough.

I need this house. It costs roughly $59,000.

The town, Trehörningsjö, has a pub, grocery store and kindergarten. What more do you need?

I'm in love.

Happy Howlidays

Last weekend, my good friend Mandy took pictures of us for Christmas. It was her first photo shoot. I think they turned out great!!

Pallet Bed!

My sweet love, Justin, made a pallet bed for the spare bedroom. Just a pallet and a twin matress. It freed up so much space!! We put it on casters so it can easily be moved.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... at work

Over the past week we have been busy decorating the office. While everyone else has went over the top, I tried to keep my space classy.

Since I work for Coca-Cola, I thought my tree was very fitting.

Create!

I'm starting a business!

Here are a couple of yarn wreathes that I have made. I've sold all of them. Time to start working on an online store. Any ideas for my store name?

Christmas Ornament Exchange

I'm super excited to be participating in Simply Sunshine and Daisies Christmas Ornament Exchange.

There's just a few requirements to join in on the fun:
Join her site!
The swap will cost about 15 dollars MINIMUM.
Send an ornament or two to your partner plus a lovely holiday Christmas themed surprise.
You have until Nov. 18th to sign up.
Your ornament must be mailed out by Dec. 1st
Please email Liv to sign up... simplysunshineanddaisys.livkit@gmail.com
Comment letting everyone know your preferance on the ornament itself.
 

I LOVE Christmas. Justin and I do our tree in traditional green and red. I let him pick out all of the decorations last year because it was the first time he has EVER got to decorate a tree.

Here's a couple of pictures from our tree last Christmas

I can't wait to participate and see what cute ornaments I can add to our tree this year.

27.

Image thanks to http://smallfryandco.blogspot.com/

Halloween Candy Corn Rice Krispie Treats

Ingredients:

4 cups Miniature Marshmellows

6 cups Rice Krispies Cereal

1 bag chopped Candy Corn

3 tablespoons butter

Directions:

First, butter or spray a 9×13″ pan.

After buttering the pan I always measure out 4 cups of mini marshmallows or 40 large marshmallows and 6 cups of Rice Krispies before I start melting the marshmallows.

Coarsely chop one bag of candy corn. By no means does it have to be perfect.

Mix candy corn and cereal today

Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a heavy pot, stirring so it doesn’t brown.

When the butter is almost all the way melted, add 4 cups of fresh marshmallows and stir!

Add the 6 cups of Rice Krispies and fold into the marshmallow. I’ve found that foling the cereal gives me better coverage than stirring in circles.

While the marshmallow/cereal mixture is still warm, turn it out into your buttered pan. Now you’ll have to work fairly quickly, before it cools too much.

Cut into pieces and enjoy!

Last week was a mess.

Monday - Got up at 3:30 am. Went with Mamaw to the hospital for a heart cath. Found out she had 70% blockage in her main artery going to the left side of her heart. Doctor told me and mom she would need open heart surgery. Mamaw decided to stay at the hospital and go ahead with surgery. The doctor would need to take an artery from her arm and one from her chest to bypass the blockage... double bypass.

Mom and Mamaw

Tuesday - Couldn't focus at work and my heart hurt. Left early and spent the evening with my Mamaw. I just keep thinking how strong she is.

Wednesday - Surgery day. I knew this was going to be a very long day. I tried to make light of the day by telling jokes, but my heart was aching on the inside. Mamaw was the second surgery of the day, it could take up to 6 hours. She went in for preop at noon. Surgery started at 2. At 6 pm, our pagers went off and Dr. Pavlina came out. He said she did wonderful. We finally got to go into see her at 8:30.

My brother, Jon, pretending to be the doctor.

Thursday - My Aunt Debbie died. She was my Uncle Ron's crutch; the love of his life. She was such a wonderful and giving person.

Friday, Saturday, Sunday - one big jumbled up blur. Mamaw is up walking on her own, breathing on her own, eating on her own. I can tell the loss of Debbie is overwhelming though.  

Mamaw said Homesick by Mercy Me repeats in her head.

You're in a better place, I've heard a thousand times

And at least a thousand times I've rejoiced for you

But the reason why I'm broken, the reason why I cry

Is how long must I wait to be with you

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Help me Lord cause I don't understand your ways

The reason why I wonder if I'll ever know

But, even if you showed me, the hurt would be the same

Cause I'm still here so far away from home

I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

In Christ, there are no goodbye

And in Christ, there is no end

So I'll hold onto Jesus with all that I have

To see you again

To see you again

And I close my eyes and I see your face

If home's where my heart is then I'm out of place

Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

Won't you give me strength to make it through somehow

I've never been more homesick than now

Hensel Christmas

Yesterday we celebrated Christmas... in October. Justin's grandparents leave for Florida in November and instead of sending us gifts, we just get them a little early. Justin's grandma got all of us girls leopard print snuggies. We laughed until we cried.

Wanted: HTML Nerds

My blog needs help. A revamping if you will. I want something simple but cute. I wants tabs and links and other super sweet things. Where can I purchase a new blog layout on the cheap??

Small Town Fall

Just a couple of my favorite fall decorations

Justin bought me these super cute pumpkins from Today's Harvest in New Paris, OH.

(He's so good to me) They all had super long stems, but broke on the car ride home. 

I absolutely love this flag! I bought it at Sweet Annie's Cabin in Greenville, OH.

Dollar General find!! I couldn't resist.

Birthday.

In a little over two weeks, I'll turn the big 2-7. As the years pass, I find myself wanting less gifts and asking to spend more time with the ones I love. Don't get me wrong, I love a big bow on a sparkly package, but I'd much rather just have dinner with my family. Each year, my brother and I... and now Justin, get to pick where we want to eat for birthday dinner. It can be anywhere. Last year I picked the Cheesecake Factory, the year before I picked the Cheesecake Factory and this year I'm going to pick... Quaker Steak and Lube. Ha! I'm not so predictable after all. I'm actually doing it so I can see my brother cry after eating the Atomic Wings. Since he's 16 now, he feels like he's man enough for the challenge.

My mom did make me put together a small list of things I wanted.

These super cute snow boots from Target

Hydraulic Jeans from Maurices

&

A gift certificate to this awesome store!

Sometimes we just need to look up.

I love typography.

This is my first shot at typography. Not too shabby if you ask me.

the A to Z of me

I saw this post on a couple friends pages and thought, what the hay!

A. Age: 26 for another 3 weeks, sigh

B. Bed size: Queen

C. Chore that you hate: Doing dishes

D. Dogs: Trip

E. Essential start to your day: Shower

F. Favorite color: Green

G. Gold or Silver: Silver, though I'm starting to like gold

H. Height: 5’7"

I. Instruments you play(ed): Clarinet

J. Job title: Distribution Center Administrator

K. Kids: None, unless you count my fur babies

L. Live: Eaton, OH

M. Mother’s name: Gidget

N. Nicknames: Sis, Vubs

O. Overnight hospital stays: When I was two, I broke my femur

P. Pet peeves: Fibbers, the habitually late, turning without using a turn signal!

Q. Quote from a movie: "Chip, I'm all jacked up on Mountain Dew!"- Talladega Nights

R. Right or left handed: Right

S. Siblings: Younger brother, Jon

T. Time you wake up: 5:30 am

U. Underwear: Always

V. Vegetable you hate: Onions

W. What makes you run late: Bad hair days

X. X-Rays you’ve had: Leg, ankle, wrist, nose

Y. Yummy food that you make: Chili

Z. Zoo animal: Giraffes and elephants, unless dolphins count!

Happy Fall Y'all

There's nothing better than wearing colored tights with boots, picking pumpkins and sipping on apple cider. Cool, crisp air in the morning and sunshine during the day. I love all things fall.

I found this adorable computer wallpaper thanks to http://alittleofthisandthat-april.blogspot.com/. Feel free to copy and use!

Bad, Bad Britney

I have failed you friends. Life just gets a little too hectic sometimes, leaving little time for blogging. I promise that I will be back soon.

Beautiful Northwest

Hard to believe that one year ago I was in Washington. Every morning I woke up to a view of Mt. Ranier. Every day I got a glimpse of the Pugent Sound. The trees were tall and went for miles. Coffee shops were within walking distance. It was the most beautiful place I've ever seen.

One of my favorite places in Washington was Sumner; a cozy little town with lots of antiques, bakeries and charming shops.

If you go, you must visit these stores!

Folk Art Gatherings

A Picket Fence

Today's Country Store

(My absolute favorite store)

Berry Land Cafe

(Oh, sweet rhubarb pie!)

If I ever had to start my life over, I know exactly where I'd want to be.