Blog Make-over

Well if you can't tell (then you must need to get your eyes checked or you've never been here before today) I've gotten a Fabulous blog make-over!  I was so thrilled when Janey over at Taingamala *she's an amazing blogger/Army wife that I totally wish I could know in real life and you will wish for the same thing I'm sure* contacted me asking if she could try out her design skills on my little blog, I'll let you in on a little secret I am no good at html or computer stuff or designing anything but I've been wanting to do something different to this little space of mine for so long but couldn't justify spending money on it *husband Just got a job we live in a one room place and are expecting our first little one* so of course I said Yes *more like screamed it but my poor computer got that part of it* this was like an answer to a prayer for me!  Lately things have been knocking me down and I've been getting a little blue and I must say giving her free reign and being utterly floored by her beautiful design just picked me right back up again!  I wasn't hesitant at all about letting her do what she wanted, she's so cute & classy and on top of that has a lovely sense of style!  I really could've cried when I saw my blog it felt so right and was pretty much everything I've wanted my blog to be but never though it could!  If Janey does decide to go into the blog design business *and lucky for you people I think she does!* then that means you could have a fabulous looking blog as well!

So just want to give a great big THANK  YOU to Jane!  You did an Amazing job I couldn't be happier!

My Pen Pal...♥

So I am SUPER late with this!  But better late than never right?  Or even Fashionably Late?  Take your pick!  About a month ago I was over at Amira's blog Shades of Gray *which is amazing and adorable and any other complimentary words you can think of!* and she was having a penpal match up!  I love writing, I love making friends, but since I don't have facebook, and live in the middle of nowhere...well a penpal just sounded awesome!

And what do you know...I got an awesome penpal!  Her name is Elizabeth, and she is simply Lovely!  A navy wife with a hilarious blog!  How could I resist?  I am emberassed to admit how bad I've been about writing her but we've both sent at least one thing!  Better than nothing?  I think so, and besides it's quality not quantity.  I just wanted to do my first 'follow up' post and tell Amira what an awesome idea, and tell Elizabeth how glad I am to be her penpal and hope that we can get to know each other a lot better!  So far I've only been able to send letters but am working on a little package for her *Elizabeth if you're reading this forget that you read that* but she is super awesome and creative and giving and just all around thoughtful!  And she sent me this...

Some awesome candy! *not much left my husband has been bogarting it*, two amazingly scented body cleansers, and a sweet letter on the prettiest paper! Even the package she sent all this is was cute...*in case you were wondering I pretty much felt like the worst person ever for only sending a letter and not even on pretty paper!*

So yeah, my penpal is super thoughtful!  And creative, OH... did I already mention that she has an Absolutely Hilarious Blog? or a really great Etsy Shop?

♥...Because she does.  Click either of the above links and see for yourself...♥ 

♥...And of course don't forget to check out Amira's blog for a little everyday piece of Wonderful!...♥

So to sum it all up Elizabeth, Thank you!  And I promise to be a better penpal, I also hope that we can really get to know each other and become better friends I could really use a friend and you seem like such an awesome person!

And Amira thank you for having such a great idea and having such a sweet blog!

 

Well Hello There Old Friend

It's a clear, chilly night here in Northern California.  Beautiful, crystal clear and ice cold.  My favorite candles are glowing atop the desk and bookshelf the flames dancing delicately against the light blue and grey of the walls while their sweet perfume fills the air, steam is still rising from my mug of green tea while I take a sip and feel the hot and aromatic liquid pour down my throat and warm me from the inside out, I feel more relaxed already.  There is nothing like a clean and warm room, filled with sweet scents on a cold night like this.  My movie is starting to play it's a favorite...a Beatrix Potter Classic the kind of quaint, quiet, calm cartoon that has me dreaming of water colors, misty afternoons, irish flutes, classic books and favorite  W.B. Yates poems, and of course countless cups of tea...this seemed like the perfect time to write y'all a quick little note apologizing for my absence lately but you see I have a perfectly wonderful excuse, you see my husband is home and he's home for good!

( if you follow me here, or here, or on instagram mrslester21 ...you probably already knew that )

 and well we've just been keeping ourselves busy learning about each other, just adjusting, loving, and soaking up every minute together.  And figuring out our very own Normal it's been an amazingly interesting and beautful few weeks since he's been home and I would not trade one kiss, one argument, one ounce of Us for anything in the world!  But I just wanted to let y'all know that I have Not forgotten about my blog or the fun I have sharing pictures, projects, and anecdotes of my own...or reading about Yours!  So keep an eye out for my much needed updates coming soon

...And Remember You're Beautiful

this is also a Note that I woke up to on our chalk board a few days after the husband was home isn't he sweet!

Love, Marie

A Few of My Favorite Things: 11 Facts and 11 Questions

A Few of My Favorite Things: 11 Facts and 11 Questions

I was tagged by the wonderful Janey! From what I know of her she's really cool, super nice, loves her man, is an awesome military wife (even if she doesn't have a fried chicken recipe to share ;) and is quite the crafter!

The Rules

1. You must post the rules. (and link up who tagged you)

2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself on the blog post.

3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you've tagged.

4. Tag however many people you want

5. Let them know you've tagged them!

Eleven Facts About Me

1. I work the best under stress

2. My husband loves how I've embraced his southern-ness and my southern roots and am working it into our lives and it will be present in our children's as well (makes him feel at home ;)

3. I love to write short stories but I can only write them when I'm feeling a lot of emotion.

4. My middle name is 'Sunshine'

5. I am a pathological picture taker

6. I cannot resist someone in need no matter how much I dislike the person

7. When I'm in the kitchen my husband makes very loving attila the hun analogies

8. I'm a hard core conservative that used to have purple hair

9. cooking is my passion

10. My anger had a two second rebound rate

11. I was a virgin when I got married (dare to be different lmfao ;)

Eleven Questions:

1. What's your favorite beauty product? Clinique Cover up

2. Most romantic memory with your spouse/significant other? He asked me to marry him in Arkansas by the river when the moon was out on a perfect warm night

3. What's the best advice your mom ever gave you? Never have a headache
4. Favorite ice cream flavor? cookie dough
5. Would you rather be deserted on a desert island alone or with someone that could hinder your survival? Someone that could hinder my survival, if I get lucky I'll die and just go straight up to heaven and it wouldn't even have to be suicide!
6. When you were 6, what did you want to be when you grew up?A Baker like my great-aunt Pat
7. What's your favorite holiday and why? Christmas, EVERYTHING
8. If you could change anything about your spouse what would it be? His driving! bless his heart!
9. Are you a dreamer or a realist? Realist!
10. What is your favorite part of blogging? Feeling like I'm connecting to people
11. If money was no object, what would you want to do with the rest of your life?

 I'd open my own wedding planning buisness

Eleven New Questions

1. What's your favorite food?

2. If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

3. What's your favorite show?

4. Who do you talk to on the phone the most?

5. What is your fondest memory of an adult growing up?

6. What's your favorite hobby?

7. Do you like to DIY or hire others?

8. Do you enjoy cooking?

9. What is one major (but attainable) thing you want to change about yourself in 2012?

10. Do you really NEED facebook?

11. Are you usually the one that needs encouragment or the one who gives it?

I'm Tagging

Jasmine @ The Zickefoose Family

Sarah @ Each Day is a gift

Lisa @ Never Let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game

Janet @ Tattered 'n Worn