visual virtual real home

Let's start off with the tangible and real:

These real design moments (or furniture pieces, accessories, or art) come few and far between and are a long grueling, tedious, thought provoking, indecisive labor of creative effort for me.

This year has been like our home's jackpot year. -after nine happy (and contented) years of marriage and eating supper on our couch (which is still our preferred spot honestly) we decided it was high time we search out and purchase our first dining room table. And with the above stated 'ado' we finally found [had it made by an Amish craftsman] our gorgeous walnut table that expands to seat 12-14! YAY! Bring on family gatherings and friends! (ps, I'm really bad at planning these sorts of things, so you'll just need to invite yourself over).  It was a huge relief to have that added to our home.

note the bareness of the floor and seating

Charlie and I have very similar taste, and we both care quite a bit about our home and it's visual feel, and functionality. I adore having a husband with a great eye for nice lines and classic, solid construction. So we both spent many a weekend perusing our local Room and Board outlet (where we have bought all of our furniture) for our upstairs living area. (this is tricky with a Little)

After months of searching, wa-lah! All in one weekend we found our stuff! A great mid-century modern neutral, tufted couch and an walnut coffee table. Then we scored vintage tufted black club chair on craig's list. SO happy.

Still needs to be styled a lot, and edited, but you get the point. we love the bones.

Add in 5 more months of searching for dining chairs- finding ones we liked was not the problem- finding ones we wanted to afford was the problem. But just in time to save the day, World Market through open their doors to the Twin Cities once again and there, on sale, plus a grand opening special, were sitting our new chairs. Six little ones just so happy to join their other new friends in our dining room.

Any idea's for a center piece?

Also getting an honorable mention is our wool rug. It's a navy/royal blue color and is big and beautiful and grounding. On a 75% off sale, with an extra 10% off on top of that. -major sweet. We were a little nervous about rug shopping online, but it was worth the risk, for sure.

Let me look around did I miss anything else?....  hummm. don't think so. Our big comfy brown couch found a new area in our downstairs family room, and is quite happy there it seems.

My next gigantic task is to edit a little more then accessorize. I feel like this is harder than you think. I dislike clutter, but there have to be some key, beloved items that help tell the story of us, our family and our interests sprinkled throughout our home. That helps to make it ours, and is much more cozy.

Oh yes, I know what I forgot- Asher's new big boy bed and all the fixings. well that can be a post of it's own at some point.

As for the imaginary and intangible:
I have had so much fun on pinterest designing, dreaming and planning all sorts of homes, each that in some way describe more parts of me. I discovered I'm rather classic eclectic. For me, pinterest has been such a useful tool. It has allowed me to explore my taste more. I can "commit" (by pinning) without committing (not buying). I "live with it" for a few months and revisit that board and suddenly discover I adore this look and very much dislike another. It's helped me refine my style.

I often wish I could have a stylist come and redo my home. If I could choose anyone, it'd have to be Candice Olson, she nails it for her clients nearly every time.  But since she's not an option, I have some excellent friends who have been gifted with an eye for design. Some who's rooms you may have seen on pinterest here and there. Get yourself a friend or two you can bounce idea's off of, and make sure they shoot it to ya straight. They have saved me from many a disaster, or got me to make the leap. Love them.

So here's your unsolicited design advice from me:
1. Don't buy they first thing you lay eyes on and stop looking
2. Don't buy the cheapest thing out there. It is SO worth waiting for the right financial time to buy those big pieces.
3. Give yourself a few years, especially if you're young-ish, or just starting your design journey. Our style has evolved (and will always be, I suppose) into what it is today. But I can say with confidence that if you wait to buy what you REALLY want, in a timeless style, and in an excellent build it will serve you well. Year after year after year. And will likely not be hard to freshen up with various accent items.  So wait for it.
4. Keep looking. Days, weeks, months, years... eventually you will find The One that makes your heart sing. Don't give up. It's worth the wait.
5. Don't get too caught up in one particular style. Mix it up. Be brave and do the unexpected. *now this last point is what i'm really working on* (it's really hard for a perfectionist to not follow the rules, but my home has to be me (us), not a rule book).

That's all for today.
If you have tips on helping with my space, I'm VERY grateful for the input!


Links to the shops I mentioned:
room and board for quality furniture in many modern/classic styles.
rugsusa for great quality rugs at insanely low prices. -i think they have a 75% off sale every national holiday, july 4th, labor day, etc... keep your eye out on those days.
world market  if you just wanna play with a style for a reasonable price or need some culture in your life
Craig's list is awesome, and if you live in the cities, you're just not allowed to look there and steal stuff from me! LOL!  ;-) I love a good deal, I get SUCH a adrenaline rush!

Where are your favorite spots?

now or never

ready. set. go.
hands up.
flying leap.

There.
That wasn't so bad. I've had this persistent itch to jump back into writing here on my little lost blog.
I've had so many great boring interesting things to write about.
This is how my 11- - - ELEVEN - - -  (wow. that's a long time) month dead zone got out of hand:
(please read "excuses for having NOT blogged"):

1. Asher turned 11 months. YAY! But along with the awesome consistency in sleeping and eating age brings, it also brought along walking and talking, more teething, more independence and general full-time busyness. Mom's, I know you've got my back on this one. Let's just say my free & alone time seemed to shrink because during his awesome afternoon naps I either needed to cling to God in study or prayer, sleep, clean, make supper, blah, blah blah.

OK, you get the point: Asher grew up more, I had to figure out my new normal.

2. I did figure out my new normal. YAY! Now it is February-ish I'd suppose. I promise I revisited the idea of blogging again.

Looking back at the host of posts in the past two years has been fun and good. This place is totally just my decompressing, processing, remembering, thinking (out loud), release, honesty-spouting, sharing SPOT. And along the way I had to write down what my Abba was teaching and showing me, what He was walking me through (often kicking and screaming, but sometimes quietly and enjoying the gift of now).

Being the introvert that I am. -Well I'm a weird one probably- It's true I'm introverted now for sure; yet I do have this completely open side of me, and I have no qualm sharing my entire (please read: 'cervical lengths', 'absurd horizontal living', 'misgivings', 'crazy thoughts', -lol!) life, in excruciating detail, with the world. So anyway being the mixed introvert that I am, I like to process internally, alone, and it takes me a while. Probably because when I talk, I can't always find the words I'm really thinking or feeling. And this is an excellent place for slow, thoughtful (well sometimes-not always) expression of the real me. I'm not a good writer, I simply write as I talk for the most part. Nothing fancy.

So anyway, as I revisited I found myself dreadfully behind, and the perfectionist in me was going absolutely, completely, frantically, CRAYZY-NUTZ.  So as I said, the story of our past few years has become quite centered around our family. pre and post. what a journey it's been, so consuming. And the blog had also become a baby book of sorts. -That's the nice part, 'cuz I would forget a lot of it otherwise.

But now.  Oh boy. By February I was 5 months behind on pictures and details and thoughts, which I could have caught up on, but seriously- who (in the general public) really wants to know Asher had his first (of hundreds) scrape or had zucchini for first time, etc.  OK OK OK, I know Grandma and Gigi cared a lot, but other than that? what? no hands wildly waiving? No one?  No?....   ..... really?!  LOL!  Thought so.   I was feeling guilty for subjecting my faithful few to the posting torture of routine family life. (I first realized my little blog was going this direction in july 2010, see this post. OH DEAR!)

My solution? I opened Asher's very own little privet blog. There are still one or two months I've missed somewhere in there. But there is less pressure to make it anything more than it is: a record of my son's irresistible cuteness and remarkable smartness.  I'm not at all bias. It's just the facts.  If you really wanna see more pics, and stories of our daily "family" life, I can hook you up.  Or just check my facebook or instagram.

OK. I'm throwing a picture in here so I don't loose ya. It's an older one, from March I think.
I'm just about done.

3. The blog needs to be worth your time (well at least kinda worth it, because I know post after post week after week can easily become boring).  I had a dry, very non-creative, and VERY uninteresting spell. I think this is a really normal part of life for me. I had nothing but the daily life to report or share. In many ways, I'm still there. But I'm really going to try to dig down deep and rediscover some of my interests and passions and amusements once again. Perhaps you'll join me, perhaps you'll pop in for a visit every now and then, or just say in your head 'good for you' and move along. All three are perfect options.

The point: if you're taking the time to read, I want you to leave encouraged in some way.

Another one so you don't leave yet.  ;-)

4. I'm still trying to get over the fact that there is no possible way of writing you a bridge from last november until now. But alas, there is not. breathe amanda. breathe. Get over it. Nobody cares. LOL!
I'll try to post silly little updates here and there, cuz who wants an impersonal no-picture page to drudge through? Yup, not me. Life IS my inspiration after all.

______
This summer was very low maintenance. Hours of pool and park time. Lots of playing cars and balls, and basketball and chasing my fantastic and happy Little Mr.  Charlie has been pretty busy at work and has been trying to squeeze in time for his hobby's.  I've been enjoying the ride, the goodness and fun-ness in the now. (When I'm NOT pulling my hair out, or scraping dried cheese and peas off the floor). You get my drift.

Hugs to you guys. 

Cheers to many more.

Thanks for letting me process with you.

Holy cow, that was a wordy way of telling you I'm gonna try blogging out again! HA!

my lovelies and littles

This week has been just like "July in Minnesota is supposed to be".  Or so the radio announcers said today. Supposed to be or not- I agree with this lovely less humid, yet hot weather. It promotes fun days with my dearest friends, at local parks, nestled by lakes, grassy hills, sun-kissed cheeks, laughter, hugs, and bonding.  -Did I mention I LOVE SUMMER!!!?!

Anne, Jaime, Andrea & Erica w/the littles

 See that tiny Little Hat-Covered Dot head'n for the hills? (or rather, truck'n down the hill and toward bath house...).  That would be my child. No second look back, no 'mom, is this ok?' look, only one small break to look about and make sure he was on HIS track...Yup....dooo-ti-deety-ti-doo-doo. He was on his own little adventure, until I retrieved him. Which apparently wasn't entirely disagreeable either; -judging from his high-in-the-air tossed giggles and kissed up, smiling cheeks.

My Lovelies.  

This happened to be Erica's last picnic with us before they enter the next chapter of the lives in a different state. I (we) will miss this woman of god and her humble depth, inner joy and peace, and real transparency.  HUGS TO YOU ERICA! Fare better than well!

a fresh modern look

home -the before time

We love our home. We like the structure and lines in the roof, the tower, etc. It's not so cookie cutter. 

But what we were not fans of at all was the paint- that had faded into this lovely peachy/tan/pink color, and it looked worse in the winter against the white.

Before. Also note the tired door.

So we decided to bite the bullet and get it painted. It was fabulous decision and the only thing it really hurt was our billfold. LOL!  ;-)

During. The painters were amazing! Happy, friendly, careful, clean, sing-y, laugh-y, and precise.

What a change and new fresh look a few coats of paint can accomplish!  We are quite pleased with the color, it's so different and as Charlie said, "it's not yesterday's color".  I agree. And the colors make the brick look great!

After. (All the colors in person are better)

...and our happy little after

home sweet home

perspective-my week in review

My last week in review. (5.30-6.6.11)
(the positive spin version)

Monday: Truly a wonderful day, where Charlie, Asher and I spent some amazing quality time at the park playing bocci ball and hanging out. Asher sat on a blanket and watched, we were at our favorite park on Lake Minnetonka.

Tuesday: The drive to Des Moines went safely, Asher didn't cry the WHOLE time! I got to pick up my little Sister Anna, and have lunch with my other sister Cally before she left for Guatemala on a missions trip. Our nephew didn't have a virus that caused him to throw up, and have a fever higher than 100 degrees! Charlie and I discovered (again) that we are truly and happily dependent on each other; we find it hard to function without the other by our side. We think it's a good thing that the Lord knit our hearts together so closely.

Asher has started making this face when we pull out the camera

Lando and Aunty Nan

Wednesday: I got to sleep a FEW hours. I woke to hear Asher start saying Dadada... (too bad Chaz wasn't there, after his many months of practice!). Nobody got hurt, lost, barfed, or went hungry while Anna and I continued to stay in Des Moines watching our nephew. We got to take Lando and Asher on several walks, and neither of their 'sunburns' were TOO bad.  Everyone went to bed without a qualm. Jesus met my every need emotionally.

Lando playing outside

Thursday: Again I'm thankful for the couple of hours of sleep I DID get- and a 35 minute nap! WE got to enjoy slightly better spirited boys after a fever broke (Landon) and two front teeth popped (Asher). We got to spend time playing outside. We got to see my sister in law, Liz and my adorable and busy nieces and nephews and we all had a pizza party. Both boys were very happy during bath time and easily went to bed.  I got to take a shower! And I even though I fell asleep right before I was to leave to go pick up my sister Bridget and Zach from the airport late that night....I got up in time to make it there and not keep them waiting for me. And upon arriving home hear my Little Asher man giggle and squeal in his sleep and say daddada... like he was dreaming Dada was tickling him. SO CUTE. And precious to witness how happy Landon was to see HIS daddy and mommy arrive home (even at 12:30 at night!)

Landon was positively STUCK to Anna, he adores her

Friday: I got to spend time with my sisters Bridget and Anna and the two little boys. We drove to Waterloo and Asher took a morning nap. And upon arriving there we got to SEE and BE WITH our Chaz (Dada)!!! YAY! We thought it may have been longer, but the way God ended working out this week was different than what we planned.  In any case we were very thankful to be together again. After naps we enjoyed a late afternoon swim at The Falls in Cedar Falls IA. IT was Asher's first time swimming... he really liked it.  IT was around 95 degrees that day and very windy-so we were thankful to be at the pool. Great Grandma Bohlen met us there and Grammy swam with us. We came home and enjoyed pizza with Papa Reed and the fam.  I actually slept REALLY well that night.  :o)

Excited to try swimming for the first time!

Asher and his Grammy and Great Grandma

Starting off small with daddy

Asher loved swishing around in the big pool

Aunty Nan and Aunty Bird and Cousin Lando, Grammy and Ash.

THIS IS SO MUCH FUN!

I could get used to this swimming stuff!

Saturday:  No fevers- (for either Boy!). Asher got to enjoy swining with Grandpa Johnson on the front porch. We enjoyed home-made pull-apart's my mom made (just like my Grandma Reed used to make). And Bird and I got to sip coffee and chat all morning! OUr little family got to go see Great Grandpa Mulligan at Friendship Village Nursing Home, and chat with him there a while. We got to go to Golden China with Great Grandma Mulligan and Grandpa and Grandma Johnson. We got to see Ashley and Ryan and hang out for a bit; while there, I was encouraged and reminded that we get to see our two precious babies in heaven again one day! I'm thankful for family that trusts and loves God! We enjoyed a good old hot summer cookout with the Johnson's; and chatted around the dinner table just like old times. Charlie and I got to play with and giggle with Asher while he took a bath before bed. And then treat of all treats---- we got to go to Four Queens! :-) (my favorite orange and vanilla swirl cone ANYWHERE!)!

Swing'n with Grandpa on the front porch

Grandpa, Grandma, Great Grandpa M, Charlie and Asher

Sunday: We got to see an old friend at church. We got to have a cookout with Aunty Glenda and Grammy and Aunty Anna. Charlie and I got to (sneak) in another trip to Four Queens (this time the Waterloo one-shhhhhh). And bought a cover for my babes 240sx and we chilled and watched ESPN while Shmuvs (Asher) slept. Ahhhhhh- relaxing.  Had a nice evening with my family. So thankful for family and especially for my Little Anna and all her amazing love and extra help. Asher got to "swim" and take a "bath" outside.

2nd time in less than 24 hours

Monday: Got up early enough (because I didn't actually have to wake... a-hemmm.  :-P  ) to get Anna to Clear Lake for Water Work Week at her camp. Asher and I got to enjoy sitting by Clear Lake for a bit before heading further north. Called my Babe and decided to meet for a quick lunch near his work. I'm thankful for my husband, and that even if keys get locked in the car on a 95 degree, muggy day, and he has to walk back to his office, with poop on his sleeve (from a baby whose diaper bag is locked in the car), and drives all the way back to Plymouth to get the other set of keys, over his lunch break (which was to be our date time) and saves the (my) day---never said an angry condemning word to me, just smiles and hands me the key and made sure I was going to be OK. I'm thankful for the oddly placed Somali daycare place, and even though they didn't have air were still so understanding and kind gave me a diaper and wipes to fix my baby's bottom problem.  I'm thankful for a shaded chair at Panchero's where Ash and I could wait. I'm thankful that when we got home- Asher was sooooo relieved, happy and content to be there- and is now napping peacefully while I sip on a glass of wine before I delve into the unpacking.  So thankful to be back in my home.

Clear Lake's State Park Beach front where I sat with Asher.

We (I) survived. Thank you Jesus!
Such a good and blessed week!

golf balls and clouds

It was a great evening to get out and hit balls. So all three of us packed up and headed to the driving range. Asher was most fascinated by the grass. And he would smile at the occasional passer by.


Then, on 5.10 we were on the edge of a crazy storm. We hardly got anything at all, but the after party was awesome. I've only seen clouds like this once before. Pretty neat.

mommy's day

What a wonderful Mother's Day it was. It started with a leisurely out to eat breakfast (see top rleft picture of Asher sitting in his Bumbo on the table- he smiled at everyone around-it was busy that day). Then home with my boys to chill and relax. Dada helped Little Mr deliver a really cute corner-chewed-slobbered Mother's Day card to me. And my in-law's sent me a beautiful bouquet of gerbera daisies to help me celebrate.

I've been blessed to be a mom for two mother's day's before this one -(2009 with Ruttigar in heaven and Bennet inside; 2010 Little Mr. Asher still growing inside-before he tried to get out at 19 weeks). I won't forget the mixed feelings of sadness and joy those two years; sadness for my own self and my own loss mostly.  Those two day's were very different than today. I knew I was a mommy already, but oh what a joy it is to be able to HOLD the gift of Happiness in Asher cradled in my arms! What a BLESSING Asher Clark is to me (us).

God has upheld us through low valley's and he has indeed been faithful. He is always good. All the time.

Lamentations 3:21-23 (NIV)
"Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

(The Message)
"I'll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes, the poison I've swallowed. I remember it all—oh, how well I remember—the feeling of hitting the bottom. But there's one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God's loyal love couldn't have run out, his merciful love couldn't have dried up. They're created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I'm sticking with God (I say it over and over). He's all I've got left. " (emphasis mine)
(thanks Charity).

first swing ride

Dear Park,
We plan to visit you often this spring and summer. Thank you for allowing us to create wonderful memories with you. Cheers to many more relaxing evenings at your place!
Best,
The Johnson Family

Asher went to the park down the street from us for the first time on Easter evening.  Daddy gave him his first real swing ride- and Asher loved it. Daddy and Mommy were so happy to make YOU so happy buddy. That's a funny thing that happens to parents.  They become filled with joy and satisfaction when their precious little one giggles with delight and smiles from ear to ear as a result of anything they've done for them.

Ahhhhhh.  We're so thankful Spring has arrived!

yes, white does get old

The white that gets old is pictured above.

Snow.

ON APRIL 20th!!!!


Seriously.  It came on November what?...16th-ish 2010? -and wasn't gone until Around April 23, 2011.  That's a plenty long winter for our family, thank you.  Charlie says it's El Niño. I say, whatever it is: Enough already!

Asher actually thought it was pretty neat to watch. It was coming down in huge flakes.

zoo-riffic

Asher and I went on a little date this morning, and some sweet friends met us there. It's absolutely perfect weather for a slow stroll down the paths (although I'm positive that Asher had no clue where we were... and would have been equally as happy at a local park). But it was fun for me to get out and see friends and the cool and unusual animals. It's about 70 degree's out and a very slight breeze. Amazing.

I wish for many more days like today. And I wish for many more moments like this with my precious Little Mr. :

Asher and I with the camels.

 Meg and her to sweetie's and Anne and her little sir enjoyed the sunshiny stroll with us. 

Asher did notice the goats, and spent time checking them out.

He also noticed the big cows.

And I just thought that this was a cool "puff-head" chicken.

 The end.

I heart my men

I'm so very thankful for these two. My amazing, loving, forgiving, hunky husband. And my chunky, happy, precious Littlest Man.

Happy Valentine's Day!