simply lovely

I am certain by now that you have also fallen quickly and madly in love with Pinterest.  I know I have.  I love the ORGANIZATION and the EASE and the COLLECTION of my ideas in ONE place.  Simply Lovely.

There is, however, one itty bitty problem.  I am not doing anything with all my valuable finds.  That's right.  They are just sitting on their pretty little destined board.  Looking all cute next to their friends.  It's almost like they are BEGGING for me to create, make, bake, or buy them.  I actually believe they are desperate for me.  As I am for them.  

So, what's a girl to do?  Begin.  That's right.  I am not going to resolve to make 2 a week, or even 1 a month.  Instead, I resolve to begin with one item and to see it through to the end.  Will I choose baking? crafting? perhaps art?  I can't wait to see....

Happy Creating

xoxo,

Erin

Here for an update?

If you are looking for updates on our mission trip to Africa, please go to our family blog at 

www.wiensies.blogspot.com

THANK YOU!

Lovely Kitchens

I think I am slightly obsessed with kitchens.  The decorating part.... (I really, really work on the cooking obsession, but honestly - would rather decorate than cook!) and I have been loving these ideas from Pottery Barn.

Check out this Farmhouse style Dining Room

and this Cottage Dining Room

This Coastal style...

and I absolutely heart this Jar Pendant light - it is at the top of my wish list!

Hey, a girl can dream, right?

Mozambique Update

If you are here looking for an update on our Mozambique, Africa missions trip, please check out our family blog at

www.wiensies.blogspot.com

This is where you'll be able to follow us on our journey....

Love,

Erin

Mozambique

Mozambique

Jon and I are BEYOND THRILLED to announce that we have been given the amazing opportunity to be on the leadership team heading into the country of Mozambique, Africa. 

This will be our very first missions work together and we can't wait to see the many ways God will use us in Africa.

We will be providing our services by building latrines (outhouses) and assisting in other village building projects.  I (Erin) have the amazing opportunity to co-lead a VBS style children's ministry program to the children of the village!!  

Alongside our friends, we will bond together to build....

faith. love. and hope.

 Amongst the people of Africa.

Please take a moment to watch this video from the previous Mozambique missions trip.  

Here

Donations are Tax Deductible.

Payable to Radiant Church with an indication that the money is to go towards our account.

Jon and Erin Wiens

15433 W. Cottonwood Cir.

Surprise, AZ  85374

jwiens03@gmail.com and ewiens13@gmail.com

We appreciate your prayers and support as we embark upon this new journey!!

Must Reads...

You must run (not walk) over to meet my dear friend, Carey, with http://cravingstheblog.blogspot.com/.

 

I am also loving the new series by my other dear friend, Ginger, with http://www.gingerciminello.com/

Today, Carey is featured on Ginger's blog with her new series, "Hindsight".  Check out today's post
 http://www.gingerciminello.com/2011/06/21/dear-carey/

I promise you will LOVE what you find...

Chug a Chug a Choo Choo!

Am I the only one who lets life get away from them...?  

I realize that's a rhetorical question, but honestly, sometimes I feel that I just let the busyness of my day to day activities fly by me like a freight train while I desperately try to hang on to the bumper of the caboose.  Once I feel like I get a handle on one area of my life, I sadly look at the other areas that have fallen behind.  

Lately, I have been on a Clean Sweep/Organization Mania frenzy.  While this is probably the most beneficial focus I could have, it has caused me to let the fun areas of my life slide by.  Blogging, crafting, decorating research, treasure hunting... it's all gone to the wayside.  I keep telling myself, "don't worry, self, once the house has been completely organized, the upkeep will be minimal and I will be able to focus on the fun stuff!  Well, naturally, i struggle with balance and with priorities... and am realizing I need to focus on the "beneficial" AND "fun" stuff.  

So, here's to organizing/cleaning AND fun :)

Tips Welcomed...

Life Sometimes

Life Sometimes:

- urges me to turn off the tv during my favorite tv show's season finale just to watch my 3 year old dance around the room like a ballerina, repeating, "Mommy, watch me!"

- gives me the stress and headache of cleaning up self made messes: flooding the laundry room because I "forgot" to turn the plugged sink faucet off.

- causes me to stop what I am doing, and make the choice to live life creating happiness instead of pursuing it

- punches me in the gut with constant issues with my children, my home and my life

- moves in me the desire to make my home beautiful for my family

- motivates me to change old habits to simplify new one's

- exhausts me

- excites me with new challenges

- provides me close friendships that I could not imagine life without

- brings moments that cause me to laugh hysterically

- stirs in me the need to do something different

- shows me not my direction, but God's

- interrupts blog writing because a certain 3 year needs attention

- very clearly says, "GO"

- and I need to listen

- Missions. 2011.

The "Motherload" of Giveaways for this Mother's Day!

Friends!  Don't miss out on this exciting GIVEAWAY!!  So much FUN stuff!!

ENTER HERE!

Kitchen Makeover

A few of the projects I would like to accomplish in my kitchen are 

1. Lighting 

2. Cabinet Knobs / Drawer Pulls 

3. Stools

Here are some amazingly heart throb kitchens...

Here

Here

Here

Here

Maybe one day....

My Sweet Alexandria Rose

For you...

Sweet Alexandria Rose

Now that my sweet Lexie is 3 1/2, it is time for her to have a "big girl" bedroom.  We parted ways with her crib and added a touch here and there.  Of course there is still more work to do, but this is what it looks like today...

The bedding is Target's Simply Shabby Chic collection

This dresser was my Grandmother's and is over 150 years old.  I replaced four of the knobs with some vintage glass knobs I picked up at an Antique store, but am still on the hunt for two more!

The framed picture hung in my home as a child.  The three ladies were representative of myself and my two sisters.  This picture has always been special to my Mom, so we made a place for it in our home.

I found the chandelier at a Yard Sale for $10! A little paint and the purchase of some crystals and Perfection!

This room's theme is a Vintage Garden - love me some birdhouses and roses...

This board holds some of my beloved daughter's art and pictures

I am in love with this sweet pillow.  I picked it up at an Estate Sale for $2 - Score!

Here is my Sweet Alexandria Rose - her first time in her big girl bed

After a few more little touches, her room will be complete!

House Guests = Motivation

I am beyond thrilled and elated for the arrival of my dear sister in law and sweet niece, Katy and Nya. They are escaping the winter cold of Iowa to join us in the perfect Arizona springtime. I have just three short weeks to get my home in order! I heart this kind of motivation.... It is what I thrive off of.

I have a long list of "To Do's", a few of which are: redecorate the front entryway, redecorate the "kids"/"guest" bathroom, organize, organize, organize, and finally helping them feel "at home".

I am turning the current "Animal Kingdom" bathroom into a vintage "heavenly" feel. My challenge is to create a space in which my son (age (almost) 10) feels comfortable in, AKA - "not girly".

My vision for the front porch includes topiaries placed in tall urn style planters on either side of the front door, accompanied by a black, stylish door mat.

Of course organizing is almost always on the top 5 of my list, and sometimes it comes easy, other times forced....

Here's to tomorrow's work... Stay tuned for before pictures :)

my friend, Carey.

my friend Carey,
is a gift.

what started out as a work relationship,
grew into a sincerely close friendship.  
she is my mentor.
she is my "tell all".
she is one of my best friends.

...and I heart her.

my friend Carey has a heart and passion for writing.
take that a step further...
she has a heart and passion for reaching women
with outstretched arms.
she desires to challenge, motivate, build, and grow...
every woman's relationship with
Jesus,
their spouse
and their children.  

Carey is gifted. 

Carey...
is about to launch her heart's work.

Carey...
is about to affect hundreds...
thousands...
of women everywhere.

...with her gift.

CRAVINGS

read more about my friend, Carey, here...

withjoycarey

New Challenge

Toni with A bowl full of lemons is at it again!  

This time she has created a new challenge -  

Weekly Challenges: 

The first challenge is to create a "Home Management Binder"

I created my binder about 6 months ago, and honestly - I only open it up about once a month. So, I hope to take this challenge and give my "Home Management Binder" a fresh new look, add a few tabs, and make it USER FRIENDLY!!  

As soon as I get my notebook organized, I will post pictures :)

Wish me luck!

"you, improved"

An article from the January 2010 edition of "Real Simple" has been hanging on my fridge ever since my dear friend, Ginger, gave me the magazine.  

I am tired at just staring at these beneficial facts.  

This year, we resolve to implement them into our diet.  

Maybe one of these ultra nutrients will take a spot in your home, as well...

"you, improved"

SHITAKE MUSHROOMS:

recent studies have found that beta-glucan, a sugar molecule in the edible fungus, helps boost the immune system and prevents the growth of cancer cells.

eat: 3-4 ounces, cooked

BRAZIL NUTS:

Their high level of selenium, which may ward off colon, lung, and prostate cancer, comes from the soil the tree grows in.

eat: 2 to 3

HORSERADISH:

This plant contains glucosinate, a compound that has been shown to increase the liver's ability to fight carcinogens and suppress the growth of cancerous tumors.  Horseradish also has antibacterial properties that may help treat urinary-tract infections.

eat: 1 tsp. spread on a sandwich

WALNUTS:

Studies show that alpha linolenic acid, a plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids found in the nuts, can help reduce cholesterol levels and the inflammation that may lead to high blood pressure and heart disease.

eat: 12-14 halves

BLACK RASPBERRIES:

Anthocyanins, the antioxidants that give these berries their bold coloring, may retard the growth of precancerous cells, especially those associated with oral and esophageal cancers.

eat: 10-12

healthy choices... healthy living

A Sweet Shoppe Birthday Party

 Our sweet Lexie Rose turned 3!  

We celebrated with a Sweet Shoppe Party

The Candy Buffet

These amazing Cake Pops were made by Eva and the sweet signs were lovingly created by the amazing Carey.  Aren't they so cute?

I had made these Dum Dum Trees for her 2nd birthday party and was able to re-use them!

The amazing Carey made these poms!

Treat Bags for the guests

These super cute dipped oreo's were so easy to make!  And they were delicious!

The Birthday Girl - wearing a shirt gifted by Carey, purchased from lilshabebe

Party printables purchased from TomKat - I love this "Lollipop" collection!

Guests were greeted by these super-easy-to-make giant lollipops lining the walkway.  

Happy Birthday little Miss. Lexie!