Memorial Day

Thanks to the men and women who have ever served in the military. Thank you for your sacrifice each and every day. For your families that prayerfully live alongside your journey. To the men and women whom I have met, have known during college or through church, or have never met.....Thank you so much for your selflessness to be willing to serve in the military. I am so grateful to your dedication, bravery, and willingness to be put in the face of danger. For those who have been lost- we miss you, honor you, and remember you today. Thank you for paying the ultimate price for our freedom.

To My Dad who for 21 faithful years served in the US Army. I remember as a kid when you went for Desert Storm and how happy we were for you to come home. I am very proud to be your daughter and for having the experience of growing up an Army brat. I love you.

To My Grandpa who served during WWII in the US Navy. He spent time being away from his family for months at a time. I loved hearing your stories, and I really miss you telling them. Love you always.

Graduation Party {Food & Friends}

Mark wanted a Low Country Boil and Oyster Roast for his Graduation Party. It's a Southern Tradition- 

and a South Carolina one at that.

"There are two kinds of social gatherings in coastal GA and SC that revolve around shellfish. One is very much like a Louisiana boil, that involves shrimp, corn on the cob, sausage, and red potatoes and is considered part of Lowcountry cuisine. Known variously as Frogmore Stew, Beaufort Stew/Boil, Tidewater boil, or a Lowcountry Boil, they tend to be milder than the Cajun and Creole cousins (Wikipedia)."

    

The Master Chef at work.....

Matt was in charge of cooking all the food! & he did a marvelous job (as usual)!!! :)

 

MMM! So good!

Time to Dig in......

Peel n Eat Shrimp, Corn on the cob, Red potatoes, & Kielbasa sausage

and an Oyster Bar

Paul, Brandon, & Lauren enjoying the oysters

Sandy's first experience with eating oysters

How To:

1. Shuck the shell off with your handy dandy knife

2. Add some chopped onions and a shot of Tabasco (optional)

3. Lemon wedge squeeze of juice on top

4. Tilt your head back and let it slide OR scrape it off the shell

Chocolate cupcakes with Buttercream frosting

Orange cake made by Mama Pepin- she makes the BEST!!!

The College Graduates with their parents

 (Pepins are in black & Haydens are in blue)

Congratulations Mark & Sandy! 

Graduation Party {Decor}

I was put in charge of/wanted to make the decorations for my brother-in-law Mark's Graduation Party. He and his girlfriend graduated from Clemson University, so naturally, I used the colors Orange and Purple! I didn't want it to be too girly, so I decided that paper airplanes (made out of maps) and pinwheels would be fun. 

The cake and cupcakes were made by Mama Pepin

Using Ribbon and Mini Clothespins, pictures were placed all around the house

Orange & Purple straws to sip your Sweet Tea with 

and Pinwheel stakes were placed in the yard and flower pots

Gift Table & a Graduation Hat Card Box

Aren't these so fun?! 

A Clemson Tiger- hehe

Overall, I think that the decor was whimsical and fun. Both the pinwheels and airplanes require air to move and "travel"......Mark graduated with an Engineering degree and is moving to California at the end of June for grad school!!! :) Can't wait to go and visit!

Dishtowel Knock-Off {Anthropologie}

I saw this -----> 

Country Clothesline Dishtowel

on the Anthro website and loved it, but not it's price tag ($24)!!

So, I decided to make it myself!

What I used:

White flour sackcloth dishtowel (Dollar Tree = $1),

Embroidery Thread (Michaels 36 color pack= $5.99) + 40% off coupon

Embroidery Hoop for centering the design (Michaels= $1.89) 

Fabric scraps for the leaves, bird, & clothes

Scissors

Needle

I just free-handed the design.....& since I only used 9 colors of thread (.10 each), the cost for this project was only $3.80!!

 

 

sorry this one is sideways....

*This dishtowel is being sold for Adding Anna Carson's adoption :)

[See the full list of where I link up] 

Easter Love

[Yeah..... these are quite late]

We had quite a nice Easter at home with both of our families together. Our home group from church also came over and we had a large potluck meal. Here are some pictures from the lovely day :)

Tulips- my fav

Grandma & Grandpa H with Mark & Sandy

 

Matt and I

New life

Lucy likes to take over the doghouse

"B" family 

The Pepin family

Boomer pup

Loved making these Peep and jellybeans centerpieces

                                                                             

My siblings