This week.

Ohhhhhhh, this week.

Lordamercy, it's been a doozy. Not bad, really, but just weird. Busy, frazzled, funny, odd, ridiculous, and then some. But filled with some really good things. 

October twenty-first through the twenty-sixth has been brought to you by....

The 2 Bridges 5k with my girls, Peyton and Lindsey. We pretty much rocked it (Peyton's first race!) and I have big plans for making a little movie out of all the pictures and videos I took while we ran/walked.

Visiting Ketner's Mill for the first time and enjoying freshly made apple fritters. YES.

My most ambitious crafty endeavor yet and a time honored tradition in my personal Halloween costume history. Jason's request which just makes me all sorts of giddy and happy like a schoolgirl in love.

Breathtaking views from work that make up for what a pain in the keister it is to get up here some mornings.

A Thursday night filled with all sorts of my favorite people. 

One more Halloween sneak peek. I am only an overachiever when it comes to crafting.

I'm told that the weekend ahead holds good things. 

I believe it. 

Happy Friday, y'all!

Heeding the call to silence

No, I haven't already flaked on this whole blogging thing. Just taking a day or two to be silent and let things percolate. Back with something other than pictures tomorrow, promise!

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{Nothing says Sunday afternoon for me like a trip to Jo-Ann's for crafty supplies.} 

{October Photo a Day, 14 - Finding photos that my best friends took while I was away from the table definitely make me laugh.} 

{I took today off since the college kids are on Fall Break. I slept through Jason leaving, but I adore his style of a love note.} 

{October Photo a Day, 15 - Miracle of miracles, two weeks in a row of actually having a plan for dinnertime at The Petree House.} 

Haven

At the end of a not-really-bad-but-just-kind-of-off-in-a-weird-way work day, it was really good to come home and give in to my craving to create as much autumn goodness as possible.

 October Photo a Day, 10 - Watching the emotion of "You've Got Mail" while I made Pumpkin Spice Latte Cupcakes.

 All ready for cream cheese icing and drizzled caramel ...

 The mantle I've been dreaming of for over a year.

Candles everywhere are making everything cozy and happy for me these days.

Bliss.

A few short notes

Dear Chattanooga Drivers,

A.) The left lane is for passing, not the right.
B.) Turn signals. USE THEM.
c.) That game of chicken you're playing where you try to force me out of my lane? I'll win every dang time and your insurance will pay. I'm looking at you, snotty lady in the Range Rover in St. Elmo.

Kisses,
Tawanda

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Dear Old Navy Pop-Color Rockstar Cords,

You are delightful. That is all.

xoxo,
Leslie

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Dear Seven Cans of Pumpkin in my Cupboard,

Don't get too comfy. Jason's thrown down the challenge and I've got all manner of plans for you. Cookies, bread, cupcakes, lattes...oh, it's on.

Polishing my Kitchen Aid,
Leslie Ruth

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Dear Readers,

Looking for a yummy Autumn meal that's ready when you get home from work? You should make this.

Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup

1 can of Rotel
1 can of Corn
1 can of Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
2 frozen Chicken Breasts
8 oz. block of Cream Cheese
1 packet dry Ranch dressing (I used taco seasoning packet & that worked well, too)
1 Tablespoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Chili Powder

Put all the ingredients in your crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. 
Take out the chicken and use two forks to gently shred it. Toss that back in, stir & enjoy!

*I doubled the recipe (but only used one seasoning packet) and it was enough for the both of us, with leftovers to freeze and some to eat later this week.*

It's creamy, spicy, and totally delicious. Now I'm wishing I'd tossed some fresh avocado on the top of mine. Next time, definitely.

Just looking out for your taste buds,
LRP

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Dear Jo-Ann's Fabrics,

Thanks to you, I'm having a lovely little love affair with the gorgeous autumn colored felt you sell.  My crafty genes offer a hearty, "Well done, you!"

{October Photo a Day, 8 - A forest of angles while I get my crafty on.}

Can't stop cutting out felt flowers,
Leslie Lu

Ooooooh...pretty!

Let's see, we've taken care of my birthday, I stayed in my pj's and makeup-less all through Thanksgiving (girls only weekend, remember? so there's no way you're getting pictures of that) so that must mean....

It's time for a Christmas giveaway!

When Jason and I moved to Abilene, TX, I started going to a women's Bible study hosted by First Baptist Church. It was my first experience with a Beth Moore study (more about that here) and it was such a helpful place to meet some other women and make new friends. One evening we randomly exchanged prayer cards with someone in the group and my person was Abby. Out of that random card swap, I found a kindred spirit out in Texas and my friendship with her has been a HUGE blessing ever since. We've seen each other through the newlywed season, family drama, pop culture events, What I Wore Wednesdays (she's the one who got me started on that) and so much more.

(Abby and I at her wedding in 2008)

Abby is all sorts of creative, crafty and talented. She's done multiple blog designs for me, including my current one. It has been so much fun to watch her take her talent and creative gifts and make them available to the folks in Abilene and beyond. She's recently opened up an etsy shop and is offering a variety of prints, of which I want them all! I bugged and nagged politely asked if she would design a print around Jeremiah 29:11 and girlfriend did not disappoint. 

What I love about Abby's designs are how bright, crisp and colorful they are. Having these powerful words in front of me as I work in my little crafting spot is a joy and sweet reminder of the One who knows and loves me best.

This week, YOU have the chance to win the 5x7 print of your choice from Abby's shop.

All you have to do is head over to her shop and take a look at all the gorgeous and fun prints she has listed. 'Cause you're going to find beauties like this...

...and this...

...and this (which I'm pretty sure I need at my house, pronto).

Come back over here, leave me a comment letting me know which print you just have to have and you're entered to win! Want more than one entry? You can do any of the following to get extra entries, just make sure you leave me a separate comment each time you complete one of them:

- Become a follower of my blog (or let me know that you already follow SDQ)
- Post about and include a link to this giveaway in Facebook
- Tweet about and include a link to this giveaway on Twitter

Can't wait to see which prints you love! I'll keep comments open until Sunday, December 11th at midnight (EST) and I'll announce the winner on Monday, December 12th. Good luck!

Oh, hi!

That's what my sweet niece, Moriah, says when she sees someone she loves. No matter if you've been gone for five minutes or a week, she looks up with a bright smile and wide eyes to greet you with those two words.

Only, truly, it sounds more like, "Ohhhh, hiiiiii!"

After being on a few extended trips with her and her family, you can't help but adopt the saying yourself. All of us Petrees do it now. And I think, like Moriah, what we're really saying is "I am so happy to see you! You really matter to me and I'm glad you're here."

So. Two months later.

Oh, hi!

It's December, my friends. December! That means Christmas! I love me some Christmas and I feel all bear-huggy about this one. Yup, bear-huggy.

I kicked it off down in Macon where I spent Thanksgiving with Mom and Allie. Jason was supposed to be there too, but God love 'im, he ended up sick and we decided he should just stay put. So, a girls only Thanksgiving it was! I basically stayed in my pj's the entire time and it was GLORIOUS. However, I did make my 2nd Annual Black Friday Jo-Ann Fabrics Trip and came away loaded with all the supplies I need to make this another Crafty Christmas.

Oh, yes, it needs to be capitalized. Crafty. Christmas. Bring it.

Jason surprised me this week with a date night, free dinner at Outback Steakhouse (thanks generous homeowner clients!) and then our annual picking of the Christmas tree. Kickoff to Christmas Date Night? Don't mind if I do! We ran into a handsome fellow at Lowe's...

...then it was on to peruse our options.

{Seriously, how cute is my husband? Totes adorbs. Be still my heart....}

Y'all, no joke, we ended up with the very first tree Jason picked up. It was everything you want in a Christmas tree. Tall, destined to be full but not too full, a perfect gap here and there for those larger ornaments, a nice tall topper for the angel...divine. Climb into the back of the truck, tree! You're coming home with us.

And it did.

I shocked Jason by not decorating the tree that very night, but I just wasn't feeling it. What's this? A break from Christmas decorum? Yes, but I plan to give that tree all sorts of Christmas accessories this weekend so it ends up looking a little something like this...

Don't you worry, darling tree. You're going to be gorgeous and loved and admired by all who enter here. I give you my solemn word as the Queen of Christmas.*

More December Delights were to be found this week in the form of OH MY WORD, I WON FREE CONCERT TICKETS FROM A FACEBOOK CONTEST. There's a new music venue in Chattanooga called Track 29 that is bringing in some of the major artists that cities like Nashville and Atlanta tend to attract. Jars of Clay and Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors are playing their Christmas show there tonight and Track 29 was giving away a pair of tickets every day this week.

Um, hello? Social media competition with minimal entries? Oh, I am ALL over this. So I liked the status, made the poster my profile pic, commented and shared it on my wall. I may or may not have even kept track of all the given entries on a day so that I could figure out what percentage would be mine. But that would be weird, right? Well, weird sometimes pays off because my friend Lexi and I will be singing along at the show tonight!

Live Christmas music + Christmas craftiness + Yuletide decorating = my delightful weekend to come.

And stay tuned! Next week, I'll be hosting a giveaway for a fabulous print created by one of my dearest friends in Texas. Her shop is going to help you with your Christmas shopping list, I promise.

In the meantime, please do remember that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loudly for all to hear. So go do it. What are you waiting for? It's December!

*I've found that giving yourself a title for holidays increases your seasonal joy tenfold. Won't you make yourself a queen or king or duke or duchess today? You won't regret it.

Movin' On Up

Literally, y'all.

I have moved on up to my new job on Lookout Mountain just across the state line in Georgia. It's a gorgeous commute (more on that later), the campus is stunning, and the people that work there are fantastic.

(Carter Hall, where I work) 

(The Great Hall. Could you just die? I love this place.)

I've been there for about a month and have been blown away at how friendly and welcoming everyone has been. I've found several kindred spirits in some girls who are seriously stylish and love the crafty as much as I do. This transition has been incredibly healing after the last year and I am beyond thrilled to be a part of this community.

I work in an office that is directly across from the mail room, which means I am in prime people watching/stop by and say hello/everyone walks by at some point realty space. There hasn't been an administrative assistant in the office for about a year, so it was in need of a little love. Some sprucing, if you will.

And I'm sure you will.

So, enter moi.

A little before and after, for your viewing pleasure.

BEFORE:

(Entering the office)

(Looking left)

(The view from my desk)

AFTER:

(I've yet to make the bulletin board calendar that's going on that back wall.)

(The lamp was $4 at a thrift store. I adore spray paint.)

(My plan is for the students to supply the photos that will be pinned in the picture frames.)

(Remember the Monet print behind my desk? I repurposed it into a bulletin board.)

It was ridiculous amounts of fun to work on this space. I can't wait for students to arrive in a few weeks and make this place feel even more lived in!

Just call me Pepe le Tres Southern

Here you go. Me, in video form. I’m not going to lie- my accent? Pretty dang proud of it. Jason and others tell me it gets even stronger when talking to my aunts. Frightening or awesome? I’ll let y’all decide.

Also, yes, I have some sun damage on my upper lip hence the fact that you might think I’m sporting a pencil thin mustache. It’s truly humiliating and if you have any remedies, please feel free to share in the comments. I’m not too proud to beg.

Ok, back to making my classroom come alive. Enjoy!

{If you love my super cute t-shirt with a darling flower on it like I do, you need to head right on over to my friend Tiffany’s website and Etsy shop to get you one.

Seriously, go.

You won’t regret it.}

And then the whole toilet seat thing never becomes an issue.

Before Jason and I got married, I had all these romantic notions of how we would learn to share everything. Living space, closets, bathrooms, household chores…it was all part of this picture of How Real Married People Should Live.

During our engagement, the topic of bathrooms came up as we discussed our future living arrangements in Jason’s current apartment.The apartment had two full baths and Jason’s philosophy, much to my idealistic bride-to-be’s dismay, was that he would use the “guest bath” and I could have full use of the one in our bedroom.

But, but, but…how would we ever really learn to live together if we didn’t share a bathroom?! Surely, this was a drastic first step for our fledgling marriage. If we didn’t share everything, we must not be doing it right!

Oh, the innocence of the newlywed.

Four moves later, I have come to appreciate my husband’s separate bathroom philosophy. No arguments over where the towels hang, no guilt in spreading my beauty products over the entire counter space, no fighting over who gets to shower first….it’s pretty genius actually.

After sharing a bathroom at The Country House (successfully, I might add, but with no significant positive effect on our marriage, who knew?), moving into The Mountain House once again gave us the opportunity to implement our tried and true practice of separate bathrooms.

Since November, I have made use of this:

What’s that you say? You want a closer look at the oh so modern wallpaper border? Happy to oblige…

 

A few weeks ago I decided that showering while flocks of sheep and 1800’s townspeople looked down on me wasn’t working anymore. A bathroom redo was in order but times being what they are, I knew a strict budget was necessary. So for less than $20, I give you my bathroom makeover…

First, that hideous wallpaper needed to come down. And if you are currently employing wallpaper border in your home (and it’s not a nursery) I’m sorry to offend but consider this the intervention your friends should have staged sometime after 1992.

Let’s take a closer look at Paint Jobs of the Past…

I can’t even…it’s too hideous to discuss. Next, the new paint color went on ($3.75 for a 1/2 gallon).

I picked a soft blue (some might even call it a Carolina blue) to complement my current shower curtain…And voila! The finished product…

Where there had been two rusty towel rings by the sink, I covered some cork board in fabric ($4) so that I could post odds and ends.

Another perk of separate bathrooms? Sweet notes left on my mirror…

I found a few cards with inspiring quotes, spray painted frames from The Dollar Tree and hung them by the shower ($10).

Some more inspiration (another Dollar Tree frame and a quote by Angie printed on my own printer)…what can I say? I think a lot while I’m getting ready.

And perhaps the most appropriate accessory of them all…

So there it is! My wonderfully light (and sheep free!) new bathroom for less than twenty bucks. Here’s to cheap and crafty endeavors of your own…