MY LITTLE FAMILY

Becca moved into our spare room. She didn't want to pay for a full semester contract when she'll be leaving in a few months for her New Jersey internship.

Look! There is Becca now...wondering why the heck I'm taking pictures when I could be helping her carry her stuff in.

After her internship, she'll takes off to grad school somewhere...or take a job in a big time publishing company on the opposite side of the country...
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It's all very vexing.

But in the meantime, she's content to hang with me...staying up entirely too late watching Jane Austen movies.
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I haven't been to bed on time once since her arrival.

We were cleaning house on Saturday when I came across this image of Andrew in his manly work clothes, unaware of being watched, and mopping the kitchen floor.
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It makes my heart very happy.

Once he realized I was pointing a camera in his direction, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to strike this dramatic pose...with an exclamation of: "See how you make me slave away?!"

He's the most adorable kitchen slave I've ever seen.

TUTORIAL TUESDAY--frames

I found three matching wood frames at a local thrift store for a couple bucks. I liked their fun, curvy edges, but by themselves, they were battered and outdated.

Luckily, I had a vision. 

To begin, I painted over the wood with white paint...one coat obviously not enough. 

Three to four layers was about right. But it wasn't finished yet!

Plain, white paint looks...flat...and boring. 

To give it some rustic charm, I roughed it up with sandpaper. 

Ahh..much better. 

There's no rhyme or reason to his phase. Just randomly sand through the paint enough for the pretty wood color to peek through. 

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I could have hung them together on a wall somewhere. Small pictures arranged together look more complete. 

It makes my eye twitch to see one little picture in the middle of a big, blank wall. 

But instead, I ended up arranging them on my decorative kitchen shelves. Without pictures. 


I must have been feeling rebellious and dare-devilish at the time. Andrew tells me it's weird...but I kinda like it. You'll have to tell me what you think.  

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In my defense, I have seen empty frames all over the Internet. 

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Each frame different in size and shape... 

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 ...Unified by their similar colors.

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All the cool kids are doing it. 

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So there you have it. My thoughts on some cheap, funky, decorating ideas. 

Maybe pictures will end up in those frames one day. But for now, I'm satisfied to let my radical side win out. 

SPRING BREAK IN THE TETONS

Driving through miles of potato fields, and were it not for fences, there would be no way to tell where earth ended and sky began. Everything around us was white, white, white.

The falling, blowing snow made driving slightly difficult on this lonely highway.

We soon came across a little car that had slid off the road and gotten stuck in a snowbank. Its occupants were attempting to dig themselves out with snowboards. 

We pulled them out only to realize their car was too damaged from the accident to drive. We left them in the hands of a tow truck. 

See the sign peeking out of the top of the pile? I thought this might give you an idea how much snow there was once we reached the mountains. 

After an hour drive, we reached the Grand Targhee Ski Resort in...er...Wydaho, U.S.A.

Being the first day of my spring break, Andrew got work off for some half-price snowboarding. 

I ask, what could be better than combining snowboarding with half-price? I know not. 

We enjoyed thirty inches worth of new powder...on deserted slopes. People must have assumed the snow would be lousy this late in the season. 
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Boy, were they wrong. 

Most snowboarders lead with their left foot. We discovered I should be leading with my right, and changed my bindings accordingly. A a result, my progress was exponential! I keep dreaming about going back as soon as humanly possible. 

We came across some folks who preferred an alternative way of enjoying the snowfall. 

This gal, moments after taking the picture, rolled around in a fresh snow-pile before jumping back in the pool. 

Driving home at the end of the day, we came across others who weren't deterred by the spring storm. 

Spud farmers, up to their ankles in mud, prepare for the fast-approaching planting season. 

As we descended back into Rexburg, I couldn't help think of those celebrating a wild spring break on beaches in Florida. And here I was, perfectly content to enjoy the effects of a snowstorm on spud fields with my love, from the middle seat of a Dodge pick-up...ha!

CHECK ME OUT.

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Hello, blog buds!

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You may remember me mentioning 

PLAYING HOUSE 

as one of my all-time favorite blogs:

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I hope those of you who took my advice to have a looksy have enjoyed the glimpses into Rachel Meynder's adorable life. If you haven't had the privilege yet, go say hello!

Are you ready for the exciting news? 
I, Rachel Ashmore, was honored to contribute a guest post on this most beloved of blogs! Hooray! I spent a day with camera in hand, documenting my small-town life for a popular "Typical Tuesday" feature. It was. so. fun.

Click HERE to see for yourself! Totally worth your time, I promise.

SILHOUETTES

I was up early on a Saturday morning when I walked by the kitchen window and saw our tree full to the brim with fluffy little birds.

There was something about their silhouettes against the lightening horizon that captured my creative fancy...

...their feathers puffed up in an attempt at warmth in the bitter, Idaho cold.

I spent the next hour sitting cross-legged on the dining room table, aiming my camera at the pretty things.

I couldn't get enough of the ever-changing colors of the morning sky.

I did a delighted dance after capturing the light through those wings in flight. Rather dramatic don't you think?

Spring is on the rise, my friends.

FOCAL POINT FRIDAY--purple, silky bra

The focal points of the week...best and worst...

WORST:

Tuesday
*(7:30 a.m.) I catapult out of bed at about the time I am supposed to be arriving at work.

*(10:15 a.m.) A few minutes before the superintendent and the entire school board parade through my classroom, I spill my berry breakfast smoothie down the front of my blouse and favorite pair of pants.

*(2:35p.m.) I walk exhausted into the restroom where I catch sight of myself in the mirror. I am stained, looking exceptionally tired...and in the early morning rush...obviously forgot to apply makeup.

BEST:

Friday
*Driving home from work today, Erickson's GMC electronic sign flashed a beautiful 67 degree  temperature.

boo-yah.

Especially since it snowed just a few days ago...




Ummm....So-So

Today
Anyone missing a purple silky bra? About a size C cup?

I found it. On the flagpole at the elementary school this morning.

Yes, your joke was very funny. But it had to be removed before my two little flag bearers arrived and became scarred for life.

My students lead a very sheltered, Rexburgian existence, you know.

SPRING SUBWAY ART PRINTABLE--freebie!

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eighteen25 came out with their Easter version of my favorite subway printable!

It's already helping to make my living room look a little spring-y-er. =)

You can get it HERE.