TA DA!!!

Before and after of my kitchen!!

I started Friday night and finished the next night. Katie and sweet Nathan came over and helped. I appreciate the company more than the actual work! But I'll still take! Thanks again Katie! Hope you like the outcome!

I suppose this awful plaid wallpaper used to be in the kitchen! I am so glad I didn't have to deal with taking that off!!

Before:

After:

The frame above my stove is a cover of a Donut Friar box. The Donut Friar is a place in the Village of Gatlinburg and is a family favorite!! I just cut the logo off the box and put it in a frame! Talk about cheap decor!! And it means so much to me and I love to see it everyday and think of good memories! I think I'll do that more often!! Especially in the kitchen! So if you are ever in Gatlinburg make sure you check it out! It's right behind the Pancake Pantry, which is another favorite place of ours!

I made a last minute decision this past Saturday to make a trip to Nashville. The reason being...my brother was having a private cd-release home show. I have wanted to go and be a part of it ever since he told me about it, but I really didn't want to make that trip alone. But the more I thought about it the more I wanted to go and be there to support Patrick's music and represent his family! Plus I had Monday off of work for a MLK day, so I just decided to DO IT! I left at 6:30 am on Saturday and made it there in GREAT time!! Oh...and did I tell you that Patrick had NO CLUE I was coming?!?!

So Erin and I had been talking all morning and trying to make it so he would answer the door, so I knocked on the back door and sure enough he answered! He was so so so excited and so confused! But he couldn't stop laughing and asking questions! He loved it! And his reaction was just priceless! You're the best Patrick!! Love you!

Here's the sun rising over the mountains:

Erin singing with Patrick on a few songs and Deidre the amazing celloist who plays with Patrick as well

Check out Patrick's website http://www.prattleonrick.com/

You can purchase his new EP, Communion Bread for $5.

This cd has really excited me lately, and not just because he's my brother, but the songs have made me really think about my life as a journey and what I'm going to do with that journey. I really believe in his music and his talent and I want people to know about it. Seriously....go check it out. BUY it. $5!!!! My favorite is Lately. He is on itunes too! So put it on your ipod people!! And for my Nashville friends he is always playing in and around the area, so look at his concerts.

Happy January everyone!! This post is mostly to show some of my favorite "spots" in my house! I have lived here for 6 months now?! And improvements still need to be made, I just need to set aside the time to make some changes, mostly painting...which I DREAD!

Here's the guest room:

Where several guests have already slept! Like Katie Beth, Sarah Branch, Patrick and Erin...and many more to come!

My staircase...

Entryway:

Living Room sitting area:

(This MAY be my favorite!)

Part of my kitchen counter with my new/fun, under-the-counter paper towel holder!!! And my Moravian serving plate!

AND this little cutie pie is not in my house, but I did get to spend the afternoon and evening with him and his parents (well mostly Katie http://kornrumpf.blogspot.com/ ). He was very smiley and I had to take some pictures. So SO SOSOSOSOSO cute!!! He was ready to go out in to the 20 degree weather! I love this little guy and love watching him become a little man!!!