Blog Feature: Live the Home Life

Our friends, Eric & Cara, have an amazing home blog, Live the Home Life, that I just adore! I am actually quite envious of their Rehabilitation Station make overs and secretly wish they were my ideas and my fabulous projects to show off, but sigh...alas, they are not! But they are, in fact, inspiring to say the least! Check out a couple of my favorite before and after shots:You like? Well, I need your help fellow bloggers! This Christmas let's show a little love to Eric & Cara. Help me out by heading over to their blog, checking it out and leaving them some love. THEN, don't stop there! Head on over to Apartment Therapy's Homies blog and leave them some love. That's right folks, Eric & Cara have been nominated for Apartment Therapy's The Homies Blog Awards! Let's help them make it all the way! Good Luck, Eric & Cara! Click here to meet the Wilkersons.

Santa Came to Town

Since we will be traveling Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, my husband and I exchanged gifts a little early. We like to get things unwrapped, cleaned up and put away so we can start the packing process with a (somewhat) clean house. So my husband went a little overboard this year but what I'm most excited about are these things:

my Pottery Barn jewelry box that I have been coveting for oh so long! If you will recall, I've had it on my wish list for quite some time. It is gorgeous in person, even more so than in the catalog! :) I especially love the fact that it has a lock and key (with a little tassel hanging off the key). It is special to me that I will fill this jewelry box with jewelry belonging to my grandmother and it is even more special to me that my husband gave it to me. I LOVE IT!

• My first casmere item: a Christmas red scarf with the initial 'B' on it. So sweet. (I'll take pictures of it later)


• a breadmaker so I can make yummy gluten free bread for my sandwiches
  
• a Garmin because I always get lost. ;)

Also, he bought us a couple gift - an HD pocket video camera (Woo hoo) ... Wait for it.... to use on our trip to Colorado! This is the first time EVER my husband has planned, booked and paid for a trip without my knowing anything at all about it! I'm so proud and so surprised! We will be going to a Golf and Spa Resort with a couple friend Caleb and Lisa. The trip isn't until June, but this gives me more time to save and plan and (lose weight) before we go! :) One thing that we didn't do on our honeymoon (that I sort of regret) is get a couple's massage, so we are DEFINITELY doing that on this trip!

I'm so blessed to have a thoughtful husband who puts time and effort in to our Christmas to make it meaningful each year. We are blessed to even have Christmas gifts this year during this economic recession. The Lord is good! I sincerely hope that you, too, have a blessed Christmas, not necessarily blessed with material things but blessed with family and friends around you this holiday season.

Weekend Review

This weekend was so fun! I have a close knit group of girl friends and each Christmas we try to get together to do something fun. Last year we TRIED to plan a trip but failed miserably, but we at least try to get together and just sit and talk and without a doubt there is ALWAYS eating involved. This year was no different. My friend Jessica made a wonderful baked chicken marinated in spices and honey. Oh my gosh! It was so good! I wanted to swim in it!~

We used to draw names for each other to decide who we would buy presents for but then a couple of years ago we decided to pick an angel tree kid instead. This year our kid is 10 years old and his name is Issac. He asked for clothes, a coat, toys, you know the normal 10-year old stuff but he also asked for a bike! Well, we were determined to get this kid a bike so we pooled our money and bought him a bike! If only we could see his face on Christmas morning we he saw his very own bike and probably his very FIRST bike!

This year our girl's Christmas was extra special because Whitney got us all a unique gift. She hand painted us each our very own ornament with these words on it, "Will you be a Bridesmaid 10-16-2010?" Isn't that such a cool way to ask? We were all there together and all opened our presents at the same time. To read more about it from Whitney's perspective, skip on over to her blog.

It's about that time!

This Christmas is new and different for us in a lot of ways. We are in a new house that we have thoroughly enjoyed decorating. Although, I didn't get much decorating help from B this year, I still enjoyed having more space to spread out all of my Christmas goodies that have been past down to me from generations before me. I will cherish them for years to come! I told him next year to GET READY! We are going all out on the decorations on the outside of the house. :) I might even make him climb up on the roof!

This year we are also enjoying a new town. Although we only live 20 minutes away from our former place we called home, we are still finding that this city has many perks of its own. Tomorrow night we plan to drive around the square and see the lights!

This Christmas we have yet another addition to our family, Scooter. We will enjoy filling his stocking with goodies and seeing him enjoy his first Christmas as a Buie. We also have another *new* surprise this Christmas but I can't post about it until AFTER Christmas. So check back! :)

And here a shout out to my college roommate, Becca! It's her 27th birthday! Happy Birthday, Becca! Love you lots!

I really love this picture, especially Becca's clown costume! I have it framed in my house and it just makes me happy everytime I see it! This was taken before RUSH one night. We were doing 50's night and her sorority were obviously doing clowns. :)

Decorating is for the Dogs

*Disclaimer: This is yet another blog post about dogs. If you are annoyed, to say the least, at all of my posts about dogs, please skip this one and possibly the next 20 or so following. * While, perusing the Internet, I came across this photo article about decorating with things you love - "Whatever your passion is ... put it in your house." We all know we love dogs in the Buie household. Check out these ideas of how to incorporate dogs into your home decor.
images found on Midwest Living

My Weekend To Do List:

I've had several people ask me today what my plans are for this weekend and I hadn't really thought about it until now. Since we are STILL a one car family (going on WEEK THREE now) I will be without a car on Saturday - I am looking forward to getting a lot of things accomplished around the house. The first things on the list is piling up quite high...
1. Laundry - I wish my laundry room looked like this, although the color is quite similar... 2. Make Christmas Cookies for friends and neighbors- We moved into our house in April and I haven't really had a good opportunity to visit with my neighbors much. I thought I would make them a goodie basket this weekend and bring it over. Got any good recipes I should try? 3. Finish Addressing my Christmas cards - We were very please with our pictures this year taken by Grant Harrison. Check out his blog here. 4. Start wrapping presents- I'm really not looking forward to this process but it does feel good when it's all said and done. 5. Find a home for Mr. Huckleberry- A lady from my work is going to stop by to see Huckleberry. Hopefully they will find him as irresistable as I do and want to bring him home! :)
What do you have planned for this weekend?

Wish List: UPDATED!

*Updated*
It's that time! Get out your catalogs and sharpie markers and start circling because it's time for your Christmas Wish List! This is mainly for my parents, brothers, in-laws, and husband who keep on asking, "what do you want for Christmas?" If only EVERYONE did this then there would be a lot less exchanging and returning on December 26th.

Chirp Clock

The Kelly Moore Bag
-a photographer's bag


Paper Towel Holder
from Ballard Designs - This would look great in our kitchen and come in handy!

Jewelry Box:

I've had my eye on this jewelry box for a while. I actually purchased it over the phone about a year ago, gave them my credit card number and waited... it never came. So naturally I called Pottery Barn and the jewelry box was SOLD OUT so they never charged my card and just forgot to call me. I was so excited to see that they brought it back this Christmas season. I just hope I get one before they sell out again.

Kitchen Aid Mixer:

This one has been on my list for a while. We registered for it for Christmas and received many fabulous gifts...but not a Kitchen Aid Mixer. I'm unsure as to the color I want although this color would look great in our kitchen.

I'm your Huckleberry!

Hi, my name is Cara Beth and I'm an addict. That's right, I'm addicted to dogs. You may think two dogs is not that many but if you only knew the amount of will power that is displayed in our family each and every day that I drive by the Humane Society or C.A.R.E. or every time I see an puppy on the side of the road or every time I see a sign that says "Adoption Day." Sigh... I seriously wish I could adopt them all.

You will recall that we became foster parents this summer. Our very first foster dog, we adopted, which put us in the category of foster flunkies. Well, it took us almost six months to gain enough confidence to try again. This is our second foster dog we are ATTEMPTING to foster. Notice I said ATTEMPT. This is seriously the hardest thing we have ever done. Why? Because we simply want to keep all of them. I mean, why just foster them when you can KEEP them, right? ;)

So meet foster dog number 2 - Huckleberry.

Our first night with Huckleberry was great! He was a perfect angel. He is house broken and so polite. He is a bit shy and may have been mistreated in the past, but that doesn't keep him from being extra lovey. :) He loves to lift his paw and shake like he is doing in the picture above. When he gets excited, he wags his tags and does a little dance. He gets along well with both of our other dogs and cats. We would love for Huckleberry to find a nice loving home and SOON, otherwise it will be harder to say good-bye. We are quickly getting attached to this little guy. Will you bring Huckleberry home with you this Christmas?

click here to see Huckleberry's bio on the C.A.R.E. page.

Birthday Boys!

Tonight we celebrated B's 32nd birthday and our baby Conner's 3rd birthday! I am so thankful for such a wonderful husband. I am truly blessed!

Two and a half years ago when we got Conner, the former owner told us he was born sometime in December. Since we weren't sure exactly when his birthday was, we thought it would be fun to celebrate Conner's birthday on the same day as B's birthday which is also Pearl Harbor day - December 7th. So this weekend we had dinner with friends (stupid me forgot my camera) on Friday night at Catina Laredo. Yum! Tonight, their actual birthdays, we ate a steak dinner (Yes, even Conner had a little bit of steak) and B had a red velvet cake for dessert. I picked up some yummy Christmas treats for the boys in celebration on Conner's third birthday! They were in heaven - steak AND doggie biscuits!I got B a new Arkansas sweatshirt for one of his presents this year.The birthday boys!
I love these guys so much! And I thank God for my wonderful husband everyday! Happy Birthday, B!

Blog Feature: Fresh Entity

Fresh Entity - a fresh new design in 2010 calendars, window decals and stationery!

This 2010 calendar printed on watercolor paper can be used as a desk calendar or a wall calendar. It comes with a silver clip and bow for a cute but simple hanging over a nail. Or it also fits any 5x7 frame for those of you who would enjoy it in your workspace. Each calendar has a unique design and encouragement from Scripture. It would be a great gift to share…especially with coworkers, your child’s teacher, or let’s be honest…anyone! Your calendar will come packaged with clip and bow. Each calendar is $15.00.Please visit www.freshentity.com for other special order items available for those in the area.

I just placed 4 calendar orders and I really really want this window decal, too! :)

Any of these items would make great gifts for Christmas, birthday or a "Just Because" gift. Head on over to www.freshentity.com and order yours today!

Holiday House Tour

This weekend was spent finishing up some Christmas decorations and Christmas shopping! I'm so exhausted! I don't understand how decorating and shopping can be draining and satisfying all at the same time! I have come to the conclusion that four hours is my limit for both. Four hours of decorating or shopping is about all I can take in a day but when you do both in one day that's EIGHT hours of Christmas madness! Last year we were in a tiny condo and kept Christmas pretty simple. Everything was handed down to me from my great grandmother, my grandmother and my mom. I have been very blessed to have their Christmas hand-me-downs. And I am lucky I LOVE all things vintage! Like this handmade ornament (below) handed down from my great grandmother on my mother's side. She was a true artist! She painted Easter eggs in the Springs, made Christmas ornaments in the winter and painted ceramic dolls all year round. I like to think that I have some of her artistic genes in me.

Here is another ornaments hand painted by my "NaNa." She made one of these for everyone in the family one year. It is one of my favorite ornaments. It used to play a little Christmas song but I don't think it works anymore.

I love these old carolers that I got from my grandmother. I remember these would be displayed every year on her mantel with many more. When we cleaned out my grandparents house, we divided up the carolers among the girls in the family. I got six but I really want some more. I found some more at the Crown Shop so I will soon add more to my collection! Can't wait! They remind me of the Charles Dickens movie, "A Christmas Carol."

This banner was rolled up in an old trunk of my grandparents. Isn't it gorgeous!

And of course I had to drag back out the LSU/ARK ornaments that I picked up in New Orleans a couple of years ago. This year LSU hangs a little higher on the tree next to Arkansas. GEAUX TIGERS!

Even my kitchen is decked out in red and green with green whisks and red spatulas. :)

I like to keep my tree simple. I've never been a fan of piling on the ribbon and colored mesh. Although, those trees are super gorgeous, it's just not really my taste. I prefer simple. I fill the tree with my favorite ornaments from years past and maybe a couple of new ones I picked up this past year. I usually do white lights, although I've toyed with going multi colored in keeping with the vintage theme... maybe next year.

Of course, there are stockings. Four for the animals

And two for us, hung on the mantel with my new fleur de lis hangers.

Also, I tried something new this year and hung some ornaments in my dining room window. It just gives the room a little something extra, don't you think?

I had to hang them high enough so the cats won't play with them. :)

That's certainly not all of my decorations but that is just a little taste. I love looking at other people's decorations and getting ideas!