Pumpkinfest Recap & Help!

Hey friends! Hope everyone is having a great start to the week. This past weekend was Franklin's Pumpkinfest and Ordinary Hero had a booth where trick-or-treaters had a chance to make a Halloween bracelet for themselves AND one for a sweet orphan in Africa!

Also, a group of ordinary volunteers signed up to pick up a big group of mamas and their precious kiddos from the Nashville Rescue Mission. They brought the kids donated costumes, dressed them and headed to Franklin for some fun! The moms got a little break and were able to check out all the fun booths while their babies were paired up with a volunteer to hang out for the day. It was SO much fun! Check out this video recap of Saturday:

Clay and I were both truly touched by the Rescue Mission moms. Just hearing their stories was heartbreaking. So we have vowed to each other to spend as much time as we can visiting the moms or watching their SO SWEET kids to give them a little break.

Here are some pictures I stole from Kelly Putty, the Founder of Ordinary Hero

{what an unbelievable woman, I tell ya!}

{HELP!}

One afternoon during the week of Thanksgiving (November 21-23), I am going to bake my little heart away to bring to these awesome moms providing for their kids to the best of their ability, lots and lots of goodies! I know all of you can bake SOMETHING: cookies, brownies, muffins, cupcakes... I'm asking for your help to either come with me to share the fun treats or to help out and bring over some of the baked goods for us to take. Please email me if you are interested! I would so appreciate it!

Keep in mind that no matter if your traveling across the world for a mission trip to serve or helping a friend in need in your town, never forget that the Lord has created you to help others and share His word whenever you have the opportunity.

1 Peter 4:10 "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."

Have a great week friends!!!!!!

Master Bedroom Inspiration

When you think of a master bedroom several things come to mind: safe haven, love, serenity, peace, calming-- Am I right?

With that said, I am so so excited about getting to decorate our master bedroom come March. My inspiration is from Pottery Barn and we just about registered for everything included in the design down to the furniture. Wishful thinking right?! ;) Let me know what you think about the design and any advice to make it better! We all know I could use any help I can get.

Grace Duvet Cover & Standard Shams; Pottery Barn

Peyton Grommet Drapes in Oatmeal; Pottery Barn

Wood Gallery Frames and Holman Shelving in Espresso; Pottery Barn

Antique Mercury Glass Bedside Lamp; Pottery Barn

I think the center of our design will be our bedding and work from that. So, what is your favorite part of your master bedroom-- Is it your bedding, a fun rug that is the focus of your design, a one of a kind lamp? I hope everyone has a fabulous week!

Next Design Blog Post? Guest Bedroom #1!

Hello Monday!

Hello sweet friends! I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend. Mine was spent on the recovering side as I have been battling the "stink" since Wednesday; sore throat, nasty cough, runny nose- you know, the whole nine yards! Needless to say; I was USELESS!

I am so going to be that wife and one day, that mother, that decorates the house and dresses my kiddos in holiday attire. Halloween is a super fun time to decorate orange and black everywhere and go to fun Halloween parties. And of course, bake anything that looks Halloween-ish. Here are some cute ideas!

October also means the start of fall. Who doesn't LOVE sweaters, scarves, & tall boots? I know I do. This is most definitely the look I will be going for on the weekends. Can we say comfortable adorable?!?

I hope everyone has a wonderful week!

Wedding Wednesday

Although 143 days sounds like a long way away, it really isn't when you have lots of details that remain to be finalized for the BIG day!

Since my blogging has started after many big decisions have already been set in stone, let me give you all a quick recap on my accomplishments so far:

Our ceremony site:

Franklin Cumberland Presbyterian Church

Wow this place is a beauty! It was built in 1853 and many of the original elements remain today. Imagine; tall vaulted ceilings, beautiful stained glass windows, a bell that rings throughout all of downtown Franklin before the bride (me!) walks down the aisle, *swooooon*

The Reception Spot:

Building 8 at the Factory

Literally, an old factory turned into shops, restaurants, and event venues. If you personally know me, you know this decision was made WAY before Clay and I even got engaged :)

The Photographer:

Sara Gibbs

This was an easy decision! Clay's good family friend, Sara Gibbs, is an UUUH-mazing photographer that we were lucky enough to snag for our big day.

The Wedding Coordinator:

Beth Anne Holden

This was another easy decision. Beth Anne coordinated my sisters wedding back in July 2009 and did a fabulous job. Not only will Beth Anne be our "go-to" gal, she is also doing our flowers and cakes. A lifesaver I tell ya!

In addition, we have our caterer, wedding party transportation and DJ set to go as well. So, not so bad right?!

Clay is in charge of our honeymoon, much to my dismay, I am not getting to find out where we're going until the day we're leaving for this tropical, far away destination. To my knowledge, it is completely booked as well =)

Some tasks I'd like to tackle in the month of October:

• Flower Girl dress
• My wedding shoes
• BM shoes
• Order monogrammed stickers and labels for out-of-town gift bags
• Hostess gifts for my first bridal shower in November (yay!)
• Work on Wedding Invitations

All seem simple enough, right? Honestly, this has been SUCH a fun process. I am so ready for the day to be here, but I have to admit, I'm going to be a bit sad when I don't have anymore fun wedding planning to do. Poor Clay!

I hope everyone has a fabulous Wednesday! After-all we are working our way towards the weekend folks.

Check Out Our Wedding Website!

Decor, Decor, Decor

I am totally looking forward to March for so many reasons. Of course, number one on that list is the wedding, BUT I am completely stoked about moving to Franklin. In June, Clay purchased a fabulous fixer-upper house and after the wedding we'll get to really hit the renovations hard. Some of the BIG projects include:

• Remodeling the kitchen- new floors, paint the cabinets, replace countertops, add fun backsplash, new sink.. You get the picture! The whole kit-and-caboodle. I have to admit, this project is the one I am looking forward to the most.

• Updating the master bath- again, new floors, replace shower doors, new double sink-vanity, and a fun new paint color. It will be great!

So what has your favorite home renovation been? If your a DIYer like Clay and I (plus lots of help from family & friends) plan to be for these fun projects, you know they take patience, creativity and lots of energy to finish. Any tips on keeping expenses low? Words of advice? What a fun process we have to look forward to. God is good and I am so thankful for everything that is going on in my life!

A Must-Try EASY Dinner Recipe

Every other Wednesday I have off which is fabulous because I get lots of "me" errands done. Yesterday, was my off Wednesday and boy was it great! I got my hair cut and colored, treated myself to a pedicure and headed to Franklin to cook dinner for Clay and Mindy before church.

The recipe of choice was Pizza Casserole that I came across on the wonderful Pinterest. It was fairly inexpensive to cook, incredibly easy to prepare and most importantly-- it was delicious! So I just have to share this yum-o Italian dish with my sweet friends.

Ingredients:

1 lb Bow Tie Pasta

1 lb Italian Sausage

1 lb Ground Beef

1 Large Onion, Chopped

2 (26 oz) Jars Spaghetti Sauce

1/2 lb Sliced Pepperoni

2 (8 oz) bags of shredded mozzarella cheese

2 tablespoons Chopped Garlic

1 teaspoon Dried Oregano

Directions:

1. Cook Pasta

2. Cook sausage, ground beef, garlic and oregano with onions

3. Pour a small amount of sauce covering the bottom of a 9x13x13 pan.

4. Layer ingredients as followed: pasta, sauce, mozzarella cheese, remaining pasta, remaining sauce, sausage/beef mix, remaining mozzarella cheese, and top with pepperoni

5. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.

TA-DA!

Next Recipe on the list? Creamy Artichoke Lasagna!

Numero Uno!

So HERE it is. My very first blog post. I have battled the decision on and off for months whether or not to do this; will anyone read it? what will I even say? how in the heck do you figure this out? BUT here I am! Woo hoo! Bare with me as I am working hard to make my blog beautiful =)

With life being as crazy busy as it has been, I think this is the absolute best way to let everyone know what is going on during this fun time in our lives. So here is a look into my crazy filled, wedding planning-consumed life! I so look forward to getting advice, tips and hopefully sharing a smile with some old and new friends!

Cheers!