Birthdays, Graduations, Vera Bradley, and a New House

It has been over a week since my last blog entry and let me tell you, A LOT has happened with the Anderson fam. Much more than ordinary happenings in a standard 7 days.

Since my last post...

• Pat, Matt's little brother graduated from college
• My April 30th birthday came and went
• Matt and I who were on vacation all last week, took a much needed getaway to Indiana (doesn't sound like much of a get away, but when the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale is in Fort Wayne it makes the trip purposeful.)
• I did some SERIOUS damage at the Vera Bradley Outlet Sale (Thanks to everyone who gave me money for my birthday, I couldn't have done it without you!)
• We officially closed on our house Friday morning
• We officially moved into said house Friday Afternoon (Thanks Derek and Mom and Dad, we really couldn't have done it without you!)
  
• We didn't have t.v. or internet so we rented Mario Kart for the Wii, which came out at the end of April some time, this made the time go much faster...
• And as we speak, we are getting our dish installed and tonight the seller is supposed to re-grade our yard

Talk about a busy week.

The week in photographs....

Pat couldn't have done it without these two (Yey for supportive parents!)

Aww look at those handsome Anderson brothers!

A few favorite photos from Indianapolis and Fort Wayne

Matty at a pizza joint in IndyIf Matt would let me... I would paint my walls like this at homeOn the Canal Walk in IndyMore Canal Walk
A tree on the Canal WalkJust some of my loot from Vera Bradley!:)

The house is most definitely a work in progress. But this is what we've got so far.

KitchenLiving RoomMaster BedroomThe new duvet in the guest bedroom

Va-Ca-Tion and Weekend Update

Although my birthday isn't until Wednesday, the birthday festivities have already started and will continue through the end of the week. Matt and I got to visit Springfield this weekend and spend time with some family including my fabulous nephew, Kellen. He's been trying out a new smile... if that is what you want to call it.Like usual the visit was much too short. We did get to try out a new Italian joint called Bella Milanos, which was quite delish. My mom and dad surprised me with a traveling gardening box and some gardening tools, which I am pumped to use and my beloved sis got me a teacup planter and some Gerber Daisies! Can't wait to put them to use!
Tomorrow Matt and I will be heading down to St. Louis for Pat's graduation and Wednesday we will be on our way to Vera Bradley!!! (I am sure there will be plenty of stories and pictures at a later date).

On another note, Matt and I are officially closing on the house on Friday and will hopefully be all moved in by Saturday. What a birthday present!!! Can't wait. I have continued to document our apartment and the move. Here are some photos to add to the last set. Remember it's in the details.

Head Start...

And so the packing process begins.

About a week ago Matt and I got a phone call from our landlord informing us of a potential tenant interested in our apartment. Because she needed somewhere to live as of June 1st, our apt. was one of the only ones available. Needless to say Matt and I were stoked (we cleaned the apt from top to bottom)! Thank Jesus that a few days later our landlord contacted us saying that the girl was going to take it!!!! This meant that Matt and I could get into the house a couple weeks earlier than we originally thought and it would save us a whole lot of money as well. WOO HOO!! With a projected date as early as next Friday, this means it's packing time! YUCK! However, as of tonight...the guest bathroom and bedroom are completely packed, cleaned, and labeled in appropriate piles (if you look closely you will see my sticky notes). It feels good to get started. I hope the rest of the packing goes just as smoothly.

p.s. Our landlord has not received a signed contract from said "potential tenant" so let's pray that it all works out!

Happy Earth Day!

An ode to Earth Day and Martha Stewart:

I know all of us would love to be more eco-friendly, especially now that more green opportunities are available. However much we'd like to, Matt and I could never afford to overhaul our new kitchen and fill it with Energy Star appliances, bamboo floors, and recycled glass counter tops. All the same, over the past few weeks I have started making subtle changes that can make a big difference.

• By carrying a cloth bag to the grocery store and having the baggers fill it with as much as they can, I have saved more than a few plastic bags from ending up in landfills.
• Lately I have noticed that most grocery stores have stopped providing paper bags as an alternative to plastic. Thank goodness the Tolono IGA still carries them. When I stop in, which isn't terribly often, I opt for paper. Not only is it environmentally friendly but it gives me an excuse to make puppy chow!
  
• Some time ago Matt and I made the switch from regular light bulbs to the energy-saver kind. Aside from a slight warm-up time and a strange buzzing noise they have been quite effective. Matt hardly notices the noise anymore.
  
• Since we are forced to fork out the dough for a washer and dryer for the new house we have considered purchasing a set of Energy Star. However, they might be far too expensive for our shoe string budget.
  

What are YOU doing to save the planet, I would love to know??

On another note, I frequently visit Martha Stewart's website for her organizing tip of the day. For the last couple of weeks the tips have been eco-friendly. There are some really great ideas on how to use things you already have for reorganizing. You should check them out.

If you know me at all you would know that I love tea! Sipping hot tea with a friend is one of my favorite things. My love for tea certainly does not stop at the liquid. I love everything to do with the stuff including tea-art, tea kettles, and of course teacups! I have a special Christmas tree that I keep in my kitchen that is adorned with small antique teacups. In fact I have started quite the collection. Along with the many antique cups I have received as gifts I have vowed to buy a tea cup everywhere I go. So far I have handmade ones from South Africa and Costa Rica.

I ran across these teacup candles on Martha's website today and I think I will soon give this eco-friendly craft a try. I have seen these many times before and actually thought about making some for the center pieces at Matt and I's wedding. They would have complemented the mix of antique plates nicely. But time was one thing I didn't have. You can even melt down your old candles and use the wax to fill the teacup. What a fun, environmentally friendly craft. If any friends are interested let me know!!!

Shadow and LIght

Although this weekend has been extremely busy for the Anderson fam I found some time to shoot images of the ole' apartment. Because the natural light is so limited in this apt. photo opportunities are hard to come by. However, I have made a vow to myself that I would fully document the apt. before we pack up and move out. I am rediscovering my love for light and shadow and this evening the light was just perfect. I am surely NOT going to miss the white walls and awful vertical blinds but I have to admit they photograph well.

Don't mind the old nicked furniture. This one desperately needs a new coat of paint.Goodbye vertical blinds!

Golf Buddies

Since it has been semi-warm the last couple of days... Matt's been itching to be outside. Last night we decided to take advantage of the golf course that we live on and hit up the driving range. All in all it was pretty fun minus the big blister I got on my left hand. This was probably caused by my gripping the club to tight and swinging to hard. Matt had to constantly remind me to keep my head down, to not swing so hard, and to not pull up. I have to admit I am improving...



I am pretty sure I wiffed this one. I did this quite a bit...

Although the rain came...

Photographs of yet another eventful weekend.

After a night on the town Friday evening Matt and I headed to L & B's for the weekly Saturday morning pancake-breakfast. It is the perfect opportunity to hang out with the kiddos since we hardly get to see them when we visit on the week nights, plus morning kids are so much better than night ones. For an added bonus, Lance's parents were visiting, which was quite the treat. Thanks to Betsy for cooking up some phenomenal pancakes and thanks to Baby Josh who left some for the rest of us! (photos: the adorable Baby Josh)

At the urging of L & B we traveled to nearby Tuscola for a little furniture shopping and a light lunch. They suggested we eat at the cutest local candy shoppe/restaurant that remained nameless. We soon discovered it was called Flessors Candy Kitchen. You can read the chocolaty-rich history on their website. The homemade ice cream shakes were to die for and my BLT was quite appetizing. If you are in the area we suggest you check it out. (Photo: Matt flipping through the menu)During lunch I left my camera on the table. One of the waitresses noticed and casually mentioned that I could take photos of the candy-dippers in the back. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. However, only a few pictures in my camera battery called it quits. Needless to say I was crushed. Hopefully I will get another opportunity some day. (Photos: the candy-dippers) Today on our weekly trip to the grocery store I decided I was craving something sweet and homemade. We all know Matt is ordinarily a chocolate person and to be honest I am as well, but today I was in the mood for strawberries. Since my Mom and Dad were on their way home from a weekend spent in Nashville with Morgan and Luke I could only get the basic ingredients for my mom's delish strawberry pie. The search for the measurements lead to a delightful phone call to Grandma and Grandad D.. Man I love those two. Anyway thanks to Grandma the pie turned out fabulous and Matt actually ate a piece. (Photos: the making of a strawberry pie)