i decided to cook?

I came home today and notice this...the snowman remains: a wilted baby carrot, wet scarf, and dirty hat.  The snow is officially gone...
In other news...Tuesday and it's already been a full week!  Love that.
Went Shopping with Mom this weekend [go figure].  We visited Pier1 - a personal fav.  Anyway, this lamp is like the epitome of my taste! I was totally inspired and yes- I would expect to see something along the lines of this shade in my home asap [via homemade design]. Isn't it gorgeous?

Anyway- I want to share with you this Daniel Fast inspired recipe I tried tonight that turned out pretty wonderful [considering it lacked dairy and meat].  Def worth the extra effort in making dinner happen.

 Pizza Sauce

1 6 oz. can tomato paste

3 tablespoons minced garlic, jar ok

3 tablespoons Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon fennel seed [I used Rosemary]

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup water

1 pinch salt

Instructions:

 Whole Grain Pizza Crust

2 cups whole grain, whole wheat flour (I used Spelt flour)

1/3 cup olive oil

1 cup water

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon fennel seed (I used Rosemary instead)

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon olive oil for pan

Use some freedom as you pick the toppings for your pizza.
I used the following:
1/2 red bell pepper [diced]
Spinach
Red onion
3 oz Mushrooms
Sun Dried Tomatoes

Bake for about 30 min [or until crust is crispy] at 375 degrees.  I rubbed the bottom of the pan with some extra virgin olive oil to prevent stick.

Welp.  Thats about all the inspiration I have for ya today.  Enjoy your pizza!
Chao.
-Sar

winter wonderland.

somehow, this week is already coming to a close.  I enjoyed the snow day with the rest of the south on Monday while being lazy, catching up on my Lifetime movies and getting some quality roommate time.
Luckily, I had found this little gem at the local Goodwill over the weekend ready for some tlc.

$6

Decided I could use some remaining fabric from my recovered ottoman to give the chair a new life.  Considered painting the chair...then couldn't decide on a color.  So. Natural it is!

Not bad for a little afternoon project, huh?
So. After fun Monday. It was back to work.  1 1/2 day behind. But had to gear up for Wednesday night church returning.  Made over 100 of these suckers....

[so great except i'm not eating sweets.  aka torture].  I had some wonderful friends help decorate the kids room like a crazy [somewhat tacky] child's party. Streamers and balloons galore.  And let me tell you. Though the night was major hectic [take that as a dropped hint to a need for volunteers!!], it was a blast.  Total success.

So now. I'm sitting back, enjoying some Grey's Anatomy- excited for the weekend!  If you're reading this and a Creeker- take a moment to consider joining us for morning prayer!  7am during the week and 9am on Saturdays for the next 2 weeks.  It has made my week beyond productive and focused.
Well. hope you're week ends perfectly.
Cheers.
-Sar

be inspired.

I sat down at my computer this perfect Saturday morning with my cup of coffee hoping to crank out a wonderful blog update for all of you steady followers.  But of course, I got started down my blog roll and got engrossed in all the beautiful posts from designers out in blog land.  So.  Why not share my two favorites of the day.

Jenny at Little Green Notebook

I may even go as far to stay that Jenny got me started on it all. I discovered her blog [who knows how] back in July and have been faithfully following ever since.  All throughout the home renovation- I sought inspiration from her DIY projects and awesome flea market finds.

Laurel- Dawn at Abode Love

I discover this blog today through another one that I follow.  She uses this subtle glamor that just makes my heart melt.  Def adding her to my blog roll immediately after this post.

This week, in one of our staff meetings at Stevens Creek Church, we listed to a sermon by Bill Hybels called "Whatever you do, Inspire Me!". I find myself continuing to refer to some of his major points.  It was the perfect new years talk: motivation.  Don't we all search for that one way or another from time to time?  So- I am going to include the 10 points he shared on how to stay in an inspired state:
1.  Stay crystal clear on your calling from God.
2. Make sure you leverage spiritual gifts the way God wants
- He has entrusted us with a mission that He wants us to see through
3. Make sure the players on your teams are inspiring people
- find people that give a positive emotional jolt
4.  Read Books - people who commit themselves to good works and push through
5. Make it a point hang out with exceptionally inspiring people
6. Take the time to participate in exceptionally inspiring events
7.  Paying attention to physical disciplines (20% energy gain when you're physically active)
8. Pay attention to your working environment
- work space can add or subtract from motivation
- lift spirits so you can do your absolute best work day to day
- take responsibility of motivation
9. Having an inspiring recreation outside your work world
- recreates energy inside - gets ya pumped
10.  Practicing daily spiritual disciplines to keep spirit fresh.


So.  Be inspired today! Be motivated to go do something creative.
With love,
Sar

lifetime.

I have a few words to sum up the last weekend of my life.  Lifetime Christmas movies.  They have reeled me in and got me hooked!  And I've certainly enjoyed every second.  Top runner? Sunday's at Tiffanys.  Oh it just got me giddy inside while filling my head with big dreams of fairytale type love. Aside from that, I got this new recliner....well actually the prior owner of my home left the recliner when she moved.  And then we left it in the middle of the house while we renovated...through ceiling scraping, wall paintings, new drywall, and then of course new floors.  So you can imagine, the chair has history.  Lots of history.  Well, I stuck it in a spare bedroom and finally decided, what the hey, lets test the sucker.  So, now, it's planted in the living room adorned in a bedsheet "slip cover" and now I find myself adorning the recliner as well.  It. is. perfect. If you have yet to consider a recliner for your living room, oh boy are you missing out.

All this being said, I've been busy with work [believe it or not]. It's a good thing I love it.  Come to think of it, I believe the work makes me giddy inside like the love stories on tv.  Its an incredible peace to be doing what you love.

While I'm on the "current obsessions" bandwagon, I'll go ahead and add some other favorites....
1.  Words with Friends [somehow- I am significantly better at this game than Scrabble]

2.  Oatmeal [flavored. any brand. mostly "lower sugar". it sure warms the soul]
3.  Revlon Plum Night nail polish

4.  And yes...I gotta add....jeggings.
5.  Tacky Christmas outfits.

Ok, I'm done now.
Though I realize this post is major lacking photos & major substance, I'm gonna leave you with what's been heavy on my heart lately.  Dream big.
xoxo

Saturday unwind...

Lovin' this Saturday of nothing that has to be done. 
Unfortunately, I've had several techinical difficulties, limiting my photos to share, so I guess I will just consoladate what I wanted to share with you guys...

 So for starters-  my family had the honor of visiting the home in Augusta that was built this week by Extreme Home Makeover.  It was incredible.  I mean, you think you cry at home watching the episode [or is it just me??], try visiting the house as you learn about this family in need.  It was heartwarming and motivating and simply wonderful.  We showed up around 7pm and it was freezing freezing.  The builder of this home is a Creeker and old time friend of my family and he offered to show us around.  Now, I wasn't really allowed to take pics of the home [you'll have to watch for it to show up on tv in Feb-March], but I'll share what I got...

Sammy and I suited up

Dad and Mom... also ready for the cold

Our builder friend, Mr. Beazley

 

The exterior of the home... they did an incredble job of keeping maintaining the same style of the surrounding homes



You can see they spared no expense... because of limitation from the county, they had to work with approx 2000 sq feet [which was incredible compared to the prior 600 sq ft].  From the floating stair case to the specail tile in the master bedroom, I loved every second.  But I must say, the volunteers were truly overwhelming.  Someone was in every corner- offering any kind of assistance.  It was moving..

I'm gonna leave you with this [more on Christmas parties when technology decides to cooperate]... I changed up some of my orgnazation in my room this week... Found these wonderful little bowls at Pier1 for about $1 a piece and lined my vanity drawers...I'm loving how easy it is.



rapid recap.

Loving me some Christmas season!  Not loving how busy I'm staying...
Running 90 miles a minute at the new job [of course- its all fun].
So lets do a rapid catch up. 

Christmas decor! 

First off..the kitchen center piece.  Branches I grabbed when buying my fresh tree + Christmas balls galore and some berries for a punch of color.  Love love...
Then comes craft time... Mom said, Hey Sarah, I have an old Styrofoam tree I've never used...want it?  And of course I can't turn down free...

So I bought craft supplies... and tried to get creative....

hours and hours later......[yes hours!!] here is the end result....



Then the tree...[which I mentioned came from Gay's Christmas Tree Farm].  At the risk of being made fun of for my excessive use of the word, I am obsessed with how it turned out.

I think that's it in the decor department.  I'll keep you update as I get some fun pics from parties to share. 
Aside from that- I'm excited about the newest addition to my home.  I was given this beautiful hutch from a wonderful lady in my church....

Mom kept telling my I needed to be patient while filling my house with special pieces- that the right ones would come along.  I doubted her and then low and behold, this lovely one landed right in my lap!  The shape and size are just right!! Sure it needs a little TLC, but it wouldn't be my style if it didn't.  I'll keep you updated with the progress.

Honestly, I feel like I have so much more to say. But. My camera chord is at my old office [still] and I feel like pictures are worth 1000000 words and so we all just need to practice patience [once again]. I sure hope your Thursday turns out perfect.

Cheers.

christmas time!!

yet again, an incredible amount of time has passed since gracing your guys with my words.  my sincere apology. 
I guess a lot has happened... I mean- thanksgiving. 
I enjoyed some time in Cleveland, TN with the family...

I even put an apron on and joined the ladies in the kitchen...

Then, some crazy idea came over Emily and I.  To go to Target when it opened.  So, I give you my Friday AM---4am that is.  Yes. It is cold and rainy in this pick and the front door is finally in sight.  This experience was truly like nothing else.  Evidently, people had been in line since 5pm Thursday. 



Emily and I picked out a few purchases....



Black Friday managed to still be a success though.  Mom and I shopped til we dropped. The woke up Saturday and shopped some more... 

Moving on. I was so glad to return home to my Augusta friends and new home and church family.  Sunday morning flew by in a rush [as my first Sunday on the job] and I enjoyed a lovely lunch with my typcial lunch crew.  love it.  And then, convince Emily [different Em] and Dusty to go pick out a Christmas tree with me.  We went to Gay's Christmas Tree farm on Tobacco road and picked out this beauty....

And sweet Dustin chopped it down for me...

Next step.  Decorating.  Tomorrow night!  No worries, there will be pictures.