Carefree Days of Kindergarten

I miss the carefree days of my kids in Kindergarten....

There was more excitement to go to school, to catch the bus in the morning. 

Coming home early in the day.

The extra time we had in the afternoon to play.

To go on spontaneous outings to take pictures and enjoy the outdoors. 

I miss all that time...

We don't get as much now. 

There's not a lot of time anymore to just play or run out somewhere to capture some great photos. 

Our days are filled with more homework,

rushed afternoons with some lessons,

and cranky mornings because she's so tired. 

It is definitely an adjustment getting used to 1st grade and going to school all day. 

Here are some of the moments I don't want to forget....

Photographer Highlight

(from wishful thinking photography FB page)

I know I've blogged about her before and you see some her beautiful pictures up on my header, but I wanted to highlight her blog again.  My fabulous photographer friend and mentor, Heidi Lawson is having some really great giveaways to celebrate her 1 yr. mark and I would love all she's offering!  Check out her site wishful thinking photography for everything!

(Heidi Lawson - Facebook)

We absolutely love all the recent pics she took of Tyler and Maddie!

To all my Utah family and friends... if you're interested in having her shoot some family pics for you, contact her here.  I know she goes down a couple times a year!

She has taught me a lot about photography and editing tips and has even let me join her on a few photo shoots -- what fun!!  We collaberated together in styling these tutu shoots and it was a blast!

(wishful thinking photography FB page)

Thanks Heidi for being a great friend and teacher and good luck this year with your business!

Now go check out all the great giveaways she has going on here!!

Warming up your Home for Winter

I know there are a LOT of great ideas out there in the creative world of blogland on this topic lately, but I've been putting this one together in my mind for the past few weeks.  It all started out with this incredibly soft blanket/throw we got for Christmas from Grandma and Bumpa LaPerle which now everyone in our household fights over!

I love decorating for Christmas and have a whole slew of pictures I took of our house all decked out for the holidays that I still need to post, but now the holidays are over and things are looking kind of bare and cold.  I thought I'd share a few ideas of ways to warm up your home for winter -- by using whites, layering, adding texture and incorporating greenery where you can.

(Source: Ideal Home UK)

People deal with the weather by throwing on extra layers of clothing. The same trick works around your home-add extra layers to your slipcovers, couches, chairs, tablecloths and beds.

(Source: Pottery Barn)

Mmm, makes me just want to cuddle up and read!

(Source: Country Living)

Set cozy, warm throws near chairs and sofa for not only a punch of pattern and color into the space, but they will also be close at hand to snuggle with. They are a wonderful addition to any reading nook, living room or bedroom.

(Source: Pottery Barn)

I love the warmth of velvets, chenilles and wool throws this time of year, since January is for cuddling up and staying warm.

 

(Source: Pottery Barn)

Throw warm afghans, quilts or down throws over chairs and sofas to invite cuddling. The layering of fabrics adds richness and texture to the room.

(Source: Pottery Barn)

(Source: West Elm)

Make a pillow cover out of an old sweater.  

(Source: Brassy Apple)

Check out this fun tutorial here!

That actually looks like a fun project!

With all the bright holiday colors put away, January is a good time to add more white.  I love the calm look of "winter whites". 

(Source: A Rosy Note)

What a calm look she has created here... Notice the layering on the dining table, and the blanket on the ladder. Simple but nice touches.  She also incorporates greenery in such a beautiful way.

(Source: A Rosy Note)

 I love the look of her room!

(Source: wadeblackmon)

(Source: Real Simple)

I also love the look of paperwhites but after numerous years of growing them inside, we just can't take their aroma anymore... the smell is always mistaken for dirty diapers!

I scored on an after Christmas clearance for these artificial paperwhites at Pottery Barn last year.  I love the look, and can now enjoy them without the pungent aroma.

(Source: Country Living)

Another beautiful way of adding some green to your decor by using hyacinths... now these do have a heavenly aroma and they have them already at Home Depot and Lowes.

These white amaryllis flowers I found at Target and are from my Christmas decor, but I decided to leave them out through January as well.

(Source: The Nesting Place)

Check out The Nesting Place for more great ideas on decorating your home after Christmas and adding more greenery into your decor.

So there you have it... my long post!  Layer everything, add yummy textured throws and pillows, throw in more accents of white in your decor, and bring in flowers and greenery to create a warm and calming feel to your home for winter.

Beauty of Snow

I know all of you that deal with this on a regular basis, are probably sick of it... but we are just enthralled everytime it snows here... I know I already mentioned this. 

We also seem to get quite a bit more in our little pocket of town.  Yesterday, I thought for sure that church would be canceled, but in driving just 2 miles down the hill, there wasn't that much snow!

(images - 3: tidymom, 4: georgianalane, 5: flickr)

I've had way too much fun creating collages of beautiful images in the snow.

Today, school was on a normal schedule but the roads by Maddie's school were still a bit icy.  I probably should have just walked with her instead of driven.  It's so beautiful outside, and they (of course, the weathermen, whose words we just live on :) are saying we should get another big snowstrom this week.  The kids are really crossing their fingers for another school cancelled snow day! 

(images - 1: georgianalane, 3: flickr)

We will see!