~ welcome summer vacation ~

country living

today was our first day of summer vacation!

i was sad about it yesterday but today i was enjoying the relaxing schedule!

i am looking forward to doing some fun learning with my kids, eating lighter, and just plain enjoying life!

these are top on my list to try this summer!

pineapple cooler with fresh lavender!

i just purchased some potted lavender!

she smells so good!

enjoy!

*julie

~ meg ryans beach house ~

meg ryan is one of my favorites!

she just seems so sweet, silly, and a little quirky in a good way!

well, thats how she is portrayed on screen!

and i would hope she would be a little like that in person!

her beach house in marthas vineyard is in the recent issue of elle decor!

and its beautiful!

its soft and peaceful!

and you should see the view!

enjoy!

*julie

~ paper dogwood blooms ~

remember when i was complaining about being in a funk!

well, God heard me and blessed me with a busy month of creativity!

the month of april was a busy one! every weekend was filled with decorating for some sort of event! noahs birthday party, marriage weekend at my church, a may day luncheon at church and a custom frame order!

i was going to use real flowers but then i saw these and decided i would make them instead!

these were the centerpieces on each table for the dinner at the marriage weekend!

then i changed them up with some faux green moss covered rocks for the may day luncheon!

and this is a much bigger version!

these were set on the dessert tables!

i even added some on tiny boxes filled with a piece of chocolate!

i think they turned out so simple and pretty!

they would be perfect for a baby shower, wedding shower, even a wedding!

all you need is card stock, scissors, and the template!

they were so easy, inexpensive, and beautiful!

enjoy!

*julie

i joined in at kimbas final diy day and funky junks saturday night special! go look around!

~ fundraising ideas? ~

source: weheartit

hey friends! i need some input!

have you done or participated in a great fundraiser?

i am the head of our parents group at the kiddos school again and we are wanting to try to come up with some fresh ideas for next year!

i would love to hear what you have to say!

thanks!

*julie

~ bruschetta ~

~ ingredients ~

9 roma tomatoes

5 garlic cloves

3/4 cup toasted pine nuts

2 sprigs of fresh basil leaves

10 tablespoons olive oil

salt & pepper to taste

toasted baguette rounds

shredded asiago cheese

~ recipe ~

chop the tomatoes in small bite size pieces.

mince garlic and basil.

gently toss tomatoes, garlic, basil, pine nuts, and olive oil until well blended.

top each baguette round with a heaping spoonful of mixture.

sprinkle asaigo cheese on top.

yum!!!

this bruschetta has such a wonderful fresh taste!

what a great way to use those tomato and herb gardens!

an easy summertime appetizer, snack, or even dinner!

enjoy!

*julie

i joined the fun at under the table and dreaming and the final diy day with kimba!

~ some of my favorites from sunday ~

ahhhh! i am still thinking about that "day"!

here are a few of my favorite pictures!

some are taken by me and some are taken by my sweet boy!

who knew he liked taken pictures!

and he is great at it too!

if you ever visit the beaches in jacksonville, this place is a must see!

that is if you want some wonderful scenery, peace, fun, and

oh ya, great food!

enjoy!

*julie

~ where i spent mothers day ~

lunching under the tree!

with this amazing view!

with my cuties!

i hope you had a wonderful day too!

by the way, more pictures to come!

*julie

~ baptism frame ~

a friend of a friend recently had a sweet baby boy!

who is going to be baptized!

she asked me to create a frame for each godparent!

i am so honored she did!

i think they turned out sweet!

enjoy!

*julie

~ happy cinco de mayo ~

dewindesigns

i cant let cinco de mayo pass by without celebrating a little!

this is part of my heritage!

and i am proud of it!

these gorgeous canvases were created by my talented sister! she went with my parents to the yucatan peninsula of mexico where my father is from and took these wonderful pictures! one is of a small church, one of an old palace, and one of the mayan ruins! i have been there too with my father! its amazing! and the food! so good, i miss it!

so here is to celebrating cinco de mayo!

*julie

ps. you really should stop by my sisters shop! she has a great eye for beauty!

~ her very first field trip ~

this was her very first field trip!

a day on the farm!

she loves animals!

i think she wants to be a cowgirl!

and a princess!

i told her she can be both!

*julie

shared at tuesdays unwrapped!