wall picture

I have so been enjoying making our first house, an actual home.  I was in no rush to unpack all the boxes that Todd and I had.  (In fact my parents all still holding quite a bit of my belongings in the room that I grew up in.  Thank you!)

One of my first projects was to hang up a homemade sign that was given to us by my Aunt and Uncle.  I absolutely enjoy looking at pictures and remembering the memories that are adjoined to particular photos.  Especially my wedding day!  So I though what better way to enjoy, but by creating a collage of pictures on our wall.

I get my inspiration from pinterest (seriously addicted to this, if only I had all the time and money to try every recipe, decorating or project idea!)  and I looked at various templates to create my final product.

 First I gathered all of my pictures, my sign and any other items I thought might work with what I was envisioning.  I had some words, that I thought I would use, but instead it was too much and didn't really fit with my theme.

 Once I had laid it all out on the floor, I drew a (not to scale) diagram of how I wanted to hang them up.  I took the time to measure the distance between the frames, so that when it was going up on the wall it would be easy for my awesome wonderful hubby to hang them up.

My AWESOME Hubby!

I found this letter "B" at Michael's, and it was the perfect size and had a nice easy way to hang on the wall.  The only problem, it wasn't quite the color I was envisioned.  The hubs taught me which sandpaper I would want to use and one night while watching NCIS (we started at the beginning with renting the first season from the library!) episodes (I think it took me 2 or 3) I sanded the white paint off.

The next step was to spray paint the now wooden letter, black.  This was my first experience with spray paint.  Note to self the white "stopper' where the paint comes out,  is actually a nozzle.  So, after discovering that I needed to find the little white piece, it became much easier. 


The Finished Project!!! 

i heart fall

Etsy

I HEART fall!  I HEART my Wednesdays off.  Today I embraced the both of them fully.

Because fall means football.  It also means pumpkin spice lattes = )

 Yup, I played with my cricut, while drinking my coffee.  I was up SUPER early this morning (I know, my day off), because I certain someone, is a dead sleeper and can't hear his alarm go off.  I finally hooked my cricut up to the computer, and ohhhh man is it AWESOME!!!

 I attempted to make soup for lunches this week.  You can find the recipe here .  It was another pinterest find.  It lacks the amount of liquid needed for 'soup', but it was still delicious just the same.  Next time, I might add some beef broth to the recipe.

 I rounded out the rest of my day with baking Nana's Banana Bread.  I thought I had all my ingredients, but realized I was missing the crisco (terrible for you I know, but it soooo GOOD!! And I don't want a new recipe because this is my Nana's).  But anyway, I decided to literally run my errands, and so I ran to the store for LARD!!!  Something about this just seems wrong.

Todd and I then met up with some friends for a mid-week dinner at a fun new (to us any way) restaurant. 

Ahhh, how I love my Wednesdays.  Ahhh, how I love fall and the baking, and yummy comfort food, and the cruddy weather which lets me feel not so guilty about being inside.

Welcome to the Bush's: DIY

After taking a continuing education class this weekend, I wanted to unwind and enjoy my home.  I am in the process of converting one of our two extra bedrooms into a place where I can have my projects out.

This entry way wreath project was inspired by a find on Pinterest.  It was quick, easy and inexpensive to create, and a fool proof project for those without a crafty bone in their body.

Supplies Needed:
1. Wood Letter
2. Paint brush
3. Paint (hopefully complementing the flowers you've chosen)
4. Flowers
5. Wreath ( I chose to use the grapevine variety)
6. Glue gun and glue

The first step was to pain the "B".  I chose my husband's favorite color blue, this is Martha Stewarts, Deep Sea in a satin finish.

After letting the paint dry over night, I set out for the final steps.  Using a hot glue gun, I glued it to the wreath. 

 The third step was to cut the hydrangea flower from the stem, glued the ends and stuck them into the wreath.  I filled in the area as I saw fit, and asked Todd for his opinion as well.

 Here it is all hung up on our front porch, Welcome to our home!  Love, Todd and Amy

Cost Breakdown of the Project: (all items purchased at Michael's)
Letter B - $1.50
Grapevine Wreath - $5.00
Paint - $2.00
Glue Gun - $3.00
Glue Sticks: $4.00
Hydrangea - $3.50 ( I bought 2, but only used part of 1)
Paint Brush - Had on Hand
Total Cost of Project: $19.00

Glamping

Lake Chelan (view from the city park)

Glamping: Going camping, but with glamor. A combination of the two words. It's like regular camping , but with nicer things than usual, being warmer, and more comfortable. Glamping isn't done by usual outdoor types who climb mountains.   (urbandictionary.com)

This weekend Todd and I headed out of town to the great outdoors of Eastern Washington.  When we arrived at Chelan City Park, it was dark out and Todd had been sleeping.  (Side note - usually Todd does the driving, and I do the sleeping.)

We quickly set up the tent and our air mattress (yes, we were those campers who make all the ruckus while everyone else is asleep).

The next morning we awoke to SUNSHINE!  and warmth!!  We crawled out of our tent to a nice manicured lawn, the main highway outside our door, and the comforts of electricity and water.  Which is when Todd told me, this wasn't camping.  Not enough dirt around him.  And here is when I learned a key difference between boys and girls.  = )  

But he was thankful to have his coffee.

By the Lake

We spent some of the day by the lake, some of the time playing games, part of it listening to the UW game (die hard fan here), 

Listening to the game; complete party with UW plates and napkins

LakeView drive in

and taking a walking break to the Lakeview drive in for Bubble gum ice cream. (LakeView is a most try for anybody who wants to take in the complete Chelan experience)



All in all it was a fabulous weekend retreat away and enjoying nature at it's finest.

Couches

FINALLY!  After 2 months in our new home (which in all reality isn't that much time at all)

We have a place to rest in our home!

rest: (noun) 1. the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep 2. refreshing ease or inactivity after exertion or labor

(courtesy of dictionary.com)

The couches were delivered from Macy's today!  The 'sofa' proved to be a bit tricky to get into the house because of the size.  Our entryway had to many twists and turns, and the garage has quite a height to it. 

Our previous "couches"

We went with Macy's because of the Labor day sale and an extra 10% for registering with them.  It was too good of a deal to pass up.  We had been once before, and had decided on black, leather reclining couches.  But then, no sales reps were available to help us, and we wandered around a bit.



We left the store a little later with these beauties being delivered 1.5 weeks later.




There here! There here!!! I snapped this one quickly, so the quality isn't so great.  These two guys were awesome, moving our couches in the 80 + deg heat!

Here the couches are in our family room...








I am enjoying making our house into our first home together.

Portland for the weekend!

This past weekend we spent some time in Portland to visit my dearest sister.  Earlier when Jenna and I were planning the trip I joked with her that I wanted to eat my way through the town.  Well, my trip was a success! 

We got to PDX at 11:00 pm, so we went to Henry's.  The only place that serves Mac-n-Jack.  What a sweet sis to find a place for the hubs to enjoy. 

Foot twin!

The next afternoon we went to the Portland Saturday Farmer's Market and wandered around a bit.  I discovered that Jenna is my foot twin!  Jenna and Todd enjoyed gyro's.

Bartini's Happy Hour

Bartini's Happy Hour: The Hubs and I

Fresh made ice cream with local ingredients

After waiting roughly 30 minutes in line

Seahawks WIN!

The weekend was topped with yummy breakfast of cinnamon rolls and mimosas at Jenna's apartment!  And it was made even sweeter with the Seahawks winning the opening game!

Sounders

We took in our first Seattle Sounder's game last week.  What a blast it was, from the fireworks to begin and end the game.  The flames that ignite with each goal.  The crazy fans, especially the ones across from us at the opposite end zone.  Our AWESOME seats thanks to one of my bosses.


I think Seattle fans are quite unusually loud (except maybe the Mariner fans).

The loud crazy fans, that started all the chants

It was quite fun to take Todd to the "C-Link".

Todd in front of the C-Link

The Sky and all its colors

The sky was gorgeous last night, and I tried my best to capture the colors.  Thank goodness we went last night, because the BIG storm was to roll in today.  I'm still waiting for all the rain, the thunder and the lightening that the weatherman promised, but it appears we are out of the path of the storm.

retake montlake

Once I decided that I was going to be moving from California back to Washington, I made it clear that I wanted to attend the first UW home football game, complete in the new stadium!!  I have vague memories of going to a game with dad when I was around 5 years old.  In the past few years I was able to catch games at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and the Colosseum in L.A.

So good to be home!  In DAWG country!

I am one lucky lady, and Uncle Karim shared two of his tickets with Todd and I.




He has season tickets, and we went with Deedee and Karim. As well as Dad (accompanied Joshua, because Paul was moving Matthew to college) and Josh, who sat a few rows behind us.

Getting ready for the game!  (No day is complete without Vitamin M)







Look at all this PURPLE and GOLD!!  The send off crew!

Our ride

Josh and I

Did I mention how exciting it was to enter into the Dawg House!!!


A few pictures from inside the stadium.  

Birthday Cupcakes in the Stadium

Playing around with my new camera, and the panoramic view.


There was SO MUCH ENERGY in the stadium, and true to Seattle form it was LOUD!  Every time the Huskies scored, I was unable to hear the siren that usually sounds with every touchdown.

The FINAL score Dawgs 38 - Boise St. 6

THANK YOU Uncle Karim for the fun experience, and for a dream come true!

birthday bash week

Because both Todd and I have birthday's at the end of the month we decided to take advantage of coupons and gift cards.  (We are three days apart, but I won't say who is older!)

Tuesday took us to dinner and a movie.  It was soooo fun to be 'spontaneous' and go out on a school out.  We went to "The Butler", which I highly recommend. 


The next day was my birthday, of which sadly, I have NO pictures!!!  I had a nice day off, Grandpa, Nana and Herbie came to visit and see our new place.  Then it was followed by dinner in Everett at Anthony's.

We had planned to go walking around Green Lake, but the weather wrecked havoc.  Guess we will have to save it for another day.  We did however purchase our couches!  But that will be another days story.

The Birthday Boy!

It was then followed by Todd's Birthday!!  It started off with red velvet pancakes and the birthday hat.

The Traveling Smurf!  

This is from Aunt Melanie, and is a new tradition starting this year.  It will travel from family member to family member on their birthdays.  I hope Todd takes good care of it until the next birthday!

Mac-N-Jack Brewery Tour

We wrapped up the birthday day at UW football stadium.

Our last day of birthday celebrations was up to Bellingham.  We went hiking up to Fragrance Lake

Taylor Dock

Followed the hike, with massages at the Chrysalis Spa (thank you Clim and Lisa!) and dinner at Boundary Bay!

What a birthday week of celebrating!!!  Todd and I sure had fun, and aren't sure how we are going to top it off next year.