It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: Etsy finds!

As I’m sure you all know, Etsy one of the greatest places to find handmade gifts, decorations, accents, etc.  I turned to Etsy this year for some Christmas decorating help as Mr. Fancy Pants and I wanted a “handmade” and “natural” look to our Christmas decor–as much as possible at least.  Mr. Fancy Pants has an aversion to any Christmas decorations that include glitter, sparkles, or anything “cutesy”.  In my opinion, Christmas is the ONLY time of year it’s ok to have a little glitter and sparkle around so some does appear in 601 Nelray here and there but I’ve tried to keep that under wraps for our Mr. Fancy Pants as it’s only our first Christmas together and I have many more years to break him of his “cutesy” Christmas decoration dislike.  Ha!

One of my sweet friends, Brooke, made her own Christmas tree skirt that is incredibly creative and awesome which is what I wish I could’ve done, but unfortunately I had to make the choice between making our stockings or our tree skirt, and seeing as the stockings STILL aren’t finished, good thing we’re not holding our breath for both!  So I turned to Etsy’s creative pool to find something handmade and spectacular.  Enter prettyswank.  I LOVE the tree skirt that I purchased from them.  Just catch a load of the awesome description they have of them on their profile:

“We’re five sisters that like to make neat things (we also have two brothers, but unfortunately their coolness quotient cannot be bought or sold, which leaves the shopkeeping to the womenfolk). Among us we’ve got one that likes to treasure hunt and make jewelry, one that sews, one that makes movies, one that sings, and one that makes art. Now we’re not so little anymore–no sharing bedrooms or fighting about clothes–but we still like to see what each other’s up to. Come peek inside!“

I’m up for grabbing a handmade treasure from people with that kind of description!!  Take a look at the beautiful Christmas tree skirt the Fancy Pants’ are sporting underneath our tree!

Christmas tree skirt from prettyswank on Etsy

Christmas tree skirt from prettyswank on Etsy

Christmas tree skirt one more time!

I also needed a Christmas tree topper for my little Christmas tree that would hold all of my angel ornaments.  My grandmother has always called me “Sally Angel” and for as long as I can remember has given me countless decorations, knick knacks, ornaments, etc. with angels on them.  They are some of my most precious possessions.  When I got to college, I pledged the same sorority that she was in when she was at the University of Alabama.  Our sorority’s symbol is the angel so that only increased my collection.  Lately, she’s given me many angels that were hers that are of particular importance to her–of course these have quickly become my favorites.  I decided it only appropriate to have a little Christmas tree dedicated to only my angel ornaments, because believe me, I have enough to fill a whole tree! I needed a tree topper for such a special tree though and after months of looking…enter sugar and spice!

I loved the angel tree toppers that they have for sale.  They are beautifully crafted and wonderfully handmade.  The one I picked has poinsettias on her dress and brown spriggy hair. She’s completely perfect.

Angel Christmas tree topper by Sugar and Spice from Etsy

Angel Christmas tree

Ornaments from my angel tree

More angel ornaments from my tree

Berkley Illustration

Taking a break from the Christmas decorating–don’t worry those posts are returning soon–I’m really excited to share about mine and Mr. Fancy Pants’ new decorations for our bedroom.  We got the most awesome bedding from my aunt and uncle for our wedding and Christmas gift last year from Anthropologie.  I absolutely loved it.  Sadly, it began falling apart on us.  All of the seams were breaking and coming apart, and I can say that honestly only one of the holes in the comforter was our cat Avey’s fault!

My mom had suggested taking it back to the store and having them replace it for several months but I never did.  She came to visit us last weekend and brought the original receipt with her and we went up to Anthropologie with my beautiful, damaged bedding to see what they could do.  In a glimmer of hope, we thought that they had found the same bedding at a store in Florida but it was a mistake in their system, after she waited on hold with them for 12 minutes.  Side note, I was glad to know that someone else had to deal with being put on hold on the phone all day at work because I feel like that composes about 65% of my day–and let me tell you, about 99% of companies don’t put too much thought into their hold music, mine especially.  It’s absolutely terrible!  Back to my story, they couldn’t find my original bedding so we had to pick out something new and I am very pleased with our selection.

New bedding from Anthropologie

My mom and I took our existing Euro pillows and made new shams for them, and by we I mean she did.  Ha!  I love to sew and could definitely have made them myself, but I am sure all of you will understand there’s just something about a mother’s touch.  I am convinced that her’s look 10 times better than mine ever could have!  I am hoping that is something that comes with either age or motherhood because I am still missing that attribute!

New pillow shams courtesy of mom!

The most exciting part of all of this is we have finally decided on art to put above our bed!  We have been looking and waiting for almost 11 months now for the perfect artwork for our bedroom and with our new bedding we’ve finally found something perfect!  Mr. Fancy Pants had actually suggested this a few months ago and I just couldn’t see the whole picture–here in lies my creative side falling just a hair short once again.  I think the bedding will look so much better when it’s not crammed into a 9.5′ ft. x 9.5′ ft. room on a borrowed (and broken) queen bed with a dresser, desk, and trunk and can really shine–but for the time being I think is looking great and will be finished off by the 9 pieces of Berkley illustration we’ve picked out.

He combines characters, animals, creatures, people, etc. into the most hilarious and beautiful pieces of art.  The ones we chose all have an animals head with a human body.  My favorite part is their clothes and accessories that range in style and time period.  For some reason they remind me of the symbolism and irony from Animal Farm which leads me to believe that all of the characters have a name, plot line, and reference to a historic figure.  I’m sure once they’re all hanging above my bed I’ll overhear their conversations at night when they think we’re asleep and I’ll have a LOT more exciting stories to blog about!

Here are the ones we’ve picked.  Mr. Fancy Pants put them all together in Photoshop for us to decide how we want to hang them.

Collection of Berkley Illustrations for Mr. and Mrs. Fancy Pants

My favorite is the elephant in the lower left-hand corner.  Maybe it draws from my going to school at the University of Alabama and that’s our mascot but I just love all his wrinkles!  Each one is so detailed and full of character.  I cannot wait to get them in the mail–I think they’re supposed to be part of my Christmas present but I’m hoping Mr. Fancy Pants wants them hung as badly as me and we’ll get to put them up sooner.  We’re framing each of them in a Ribba frame from IKEA.  I can’t wait to have the finished product even though it’s in a tiny, smooshed bedroom!

To see all of Berkley’s Illustrations, check out their Etsy:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/berkleyillustration

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: Christmas Tree!

Mr. Fancy Pants and I got our very first Christmas tree a few weekends ago.  I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.  More Christmas decorating pictures to come!  Enjoy!

Me in my happy place--amongst a sea of Christmas trees. It smelled amazing!

How do these look Mrs. Fancy Pants?

This one is juuuust right! Welcome to our family little Bryant Christmas tree.

The tree getting a fresh cut off of the stem

Getting ready to go! They pushed the tree through some netting to keep it all good and tight for the trip home.

About to make our way to 601 Nelray!

And we're up! Sturdy and straight! Mr. Fancy Pants is good with tree stands. Let's just pray that Avey doesn't decide to climb the tree!

And we have lights! Only had to make one last minute trip to Hobby Lobby for one last strand of lights!

Mr. Fancy Pants' first ornament. I will give him one every year! My Mimi used to tell me I'd have to kiss a lot of frogs before I found my prince. Luckily I found mine on the first try!

The First Bryant Christmas tree! Isn't it beautiful!?

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: Nativity

The Nativity scene puzzle my grandfather made William and I for our first Christmas together

The Nativity scene set up

Sometimes I find it humorous how uncreative I am when I am surrounded by so many that are–especially in my own family! We all know that my husband, the infamous Mr. Fancy Pants, is talented beyond words.  However, the person I’ll be sharing with you today is my paternal grandfather, James Bernard Sarrett.  He is a carpenter.  All my life I’ve watched the things that he’s made come out of his shop, that he also built, behind their home in Camden, AR.  Composed of three buildings that overlook what used to be a massive vegetable garden (still a garden just much smaller) sits we affectionately call J.B.’s Ranchstyle.  I am thoroughly convinced that my Papa can make anything. Case in point.  Early last summer I told him that I wanted him to make me a rocking chair.  He gave me his classic J.B. grunt, which for the life of me I wish could be expressed in words because it’s one of the funniest and most wonderful things about him.  He’d never made a rocking chair and didn’t think he’d be able to do it.  ”Sally baby, I’m just not real sure about all that.  I wouldn’t even know where to start.”  He wouldn’t know where to start my foot.  About a month later he’d completed 5 rocking chairs in 3 different sizes. One of which proudly sits in 601 Nelray Blvd. for Mr. Fancy Pants and I to enjoy everyday.  I’m telling you, this man is so talented.

Introductions out of the way, I can tell you that one of the things that fascinates me the most about him is his ability to create.  Granted, I gave him a picture of the rocking chair that I liked for him to go by when he made mine, but this nativity scene is my favorite thing that’s ever come out of J.B.’s Ranchstyle.  I’m not even sure when he started making them but I remember having one when I was little so it had to have been 20+ years ago.  I told him forever ago that when I had my first home I wanted one of my own and he came through for me yet again.

Sheet that comes with the nativity to help put it back together and suggestion on how to set the nativity up

Last Christmas at my ‘Christmas wedding shower’ my Papa gave me this beautiful nativity scene that is also a puzzle.  I love it so much.  Not only do I think it’s beautiful but it’s things like this that take my imagination captive.  I’ve never been one for deep symbolism but how appropriate for a scene depicting the birth of Christ be as simple, natural, honest, and beautiful as my Papa’s creation?  I’ve always said I’ve never met a man more Christlike than him and that image of him started at a really young age for me. Long before any confusion, doubt, trials, stumbles, successes, etc. ever were a factor in my spiritual life, Christianity was the simple belief in the Son of God.  A man who, the Bible tells us, was a carpenter, much like my grandfather.  In my child’s mind it made the two men even more alike.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that Christianity has changed from the time I was 5 until now, I just think it’s easier for us to see the purity in something like the birth, life, and death of Christ with blind faith and without a need for reason before life and ourselves get in the way.

Three Wise Men, Camel, Cow, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus

I figure I am going to spend my entire Christmas holiday picking up this nativity because Mr. Fancy Pants and my cat, Avey, is going to knock it over approximately 500 times…a week.  But I think it’s all worth it.  I think it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the holidays and forget why we’re having them in the first place.  I know I cannot speak for everyone, but for Mr. Fancy Pants and I it’s a time to celebrate the meaning of our faith and spend time with those that we love the most.  It’s amazing how something as simplistic as a wooden manger scene can remind me of that fact when so often I lose sight of what’s really important.  I hope you all have something meaningful that reminds you of your reason for celebrating this Christmas–put it in a special place that you’ll walk by everyday, I have, so that it’ll be a constant reminder.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas: Stockings

Stocking template

Get excited readers!  My Christmas fever is in full swing!!!  I’m going to be posting all sorts of Christmas recipes, activities, decorations, etc. in the next few weeks.  My first project is to make stockings for Mr. Fancy Pants and I for our first Christmas together.  We both have stockings at our parents’ houses, but I wanted us to have our own.  My mom and dad made their stockings when they first got married.  My dad was in medical school and the stitching was good practice for his surgery rotations.  Mr. Fancy Pants and I don’t have quite the same situation, although Mr. Fancy Pants can sew on a button, so I assumed the job of stocking creator.

I found this stocking template on a blog that I love to follow, Twig & Thistle. Her post was featuring another blogger who created the stocking template above–Maggie Makes.  My mom and paternal grandmother taught me to sew when I was a little girl.  I am not a seamstress by any means, however, I can work my sewing machine, a graduation present from my parents, make a button hole, thread a bobbin, and follow directions.  And let me tell you…that’s all you need to make these stockings.  I looked into making stockings several months ago and the patterns I looked at at Hobby Lobby seemed entirely too complicated for such a simple project.  This pattern is wonderful and leaves room for deviations and creativity if you want to add your own personal touch!

Fabric squares and directions at the start of my stocking project

For our stockings, I chose these two ‘Christmasy’ plaids.  One is the majority red with gold and green accents and the other is mainly green with red and gold detail. I wanted our stockings to be different but compliment each other at the same time.  The hardest part of all of this was picking out the fabric to use.  If any of you know Mr. Fancy Pants, you know he’s not your typical guy without an opinion when it comes to decorating, fashion sense, etc.  I knew he’d have on opinion when it came to the fabric I chose so I walked around Hobby Lobby for about an hour trying to pick something tasteful, cool, and not cheesy.  Let me tell you, it was a feat.  I was there so long the normally unfriendly woman in the fabric section (surprise, surprise…I go to Hobby Lobby a lot and yes I can recognize most of the people that work there) came over and said, “Hunny, whatever you’re trying to make can’t be that big of a deal.  Can I help you make up your mind?!”  I thought it was hilarious.  And yes, I laughed at her.

Mr. Fancy Pants can frequently be found strutting around the Public School wearing one of two plaid shirts that look exactly the same (red/black and teal/black) that he bought at the Buffalo Exchange so I thought that going with a plaid fabric was a pretty good option!  I also got solid red and green fabric to put on the toe and heel where I’m going to have our names monogramed.  Cheesy, yes I know.

Me hunched over my sewing machine--my back very quickly begins to hate me

First section of squares sewn together. There will be two more like this that will make the whole piece. I will trace the stocking pattern on and cut out the shape from there.

At the top of the stockings, I will have a solid stripe of red or green about 4″ tall.  I was planning on putting our names there until I saw this great idea on Martha Stewart’s website.  And quickly our first Christmas stockings have turned into a big hodge podge of ideas because I had to include these felt evergreen trees too!  I am using three different colors of felt and different colored buttons for the ‘ornaments’.  I’ll just have one row of them unlike this picture but I think it’ll be a cool, creative touch at the top!  I had Mr. Fancy Pants draw them all for me so all I have to do is cut them out.  Everyday I think his creativity rubs off on me a little more.  I have always had a ton of innovative ideas–I think it was the only child part of me.  What I’ve lacked is the desire to do anything with my creative urges.  That’s what Mr. Fancy Pants is bringing out in me.  However, I don’t care how creative, talented, or extraordinary he is…he’ll never be able to change the fact that I couldn’t draw a stick person to save my life so he gracefully pitched in his part on our stocking project.  Thanks Mr. Fancy Pants!

Martha Stewart evergreen felt stocking idea

My own felt evergreen trees in progress

Hey Good Lookin’, Whatcha Got Cookin’?: Taco Soup

Taco Soup Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs. of ground chuck or chicken breast cooked
• 1 large onion
• 2 cans of black beans (drained and rinsed)
• 2 cans of kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
• 2 cans of cream corn
• 2 cans of whole tomatoes (cut into bite sized pieces)
• 2 cans of original Rotel tomatoes
• 2 packages of taco seasoning
• 2 packages of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix

Directions:

Simmer the soup for hours and hours and hours over very low heat.  The longer it sits, the better.  Garnish and serve with sour cream, cheddar cheese, and fresh cilantro!

Taco Soup Ingredients

After all ingredients have been mixed in

Let soup simmer for hours and hours!

Update on my Growing Obsession

New planter--Lets all keep our fingers crossed it doesn't come crashing down out of the ceiling!

How great is this planter!?  A gift from my mother, I got this planter about two weeks ago and I have been obsessed with it for even longer!  Some friends of ours have a neighbor that has a planter very similar to this one that I have had my eye on since we met them in February. I have been so intrigued by it and thought it the most clever way to display their plants! Mom and I spotted one in Ellis Pottery when we were shopping for Texas mums and I had to take it home with me.  They have the hanging variety (which was my choice) and they also make a stand that sits on the ground and essentially does the same thing. I’m not going to lie to you.  I am a little scared that this first go around might have a disastrous fate as it’s heavy as lead and even though the hook it’s hanging on appears to be holding the weight just fine, I am a little apprehensious.

With the help of my new friend, Katie who works at Shoal Creek Nursery here in Austin, I decided to go with a “silvery” theme with my selections for my new planter. I’m afraid I’m going to lose most of these with the weather changing however, I will remember this combination because I love the way it looks right now!  Let’s hope they make it through the harsh Texas winter–ha!  I’ll give you the run down on each of these in case you’re interested in trying out your green thumb, however, to be honest with you, mostly it’s just so that I’ll remember when to water each one!

Silver Falls

A Mature Silver Falls (what mine will eventually look like)

My top pot contains three Silver Falls.  Silver Falls is easiest to grow when warm, dry growing conditions are available. This is where this planter gets interesting–each one of these suckers has a different watering schedule!  If you like the Silver Falls and want to get one for yourself, let the crop dry out well before watering this one again.  They like full or partial sun and are ideal for hanging baskets, containers, or ground cover.

Aztec Grass

The second pot from the top contains Aztec Grass.  These grasses also like full or partial shade (which is key with this planter–they all need to like the same amount of sunlight). They are in their peak in the late spring/early summer however, I am told this one might last through the winter and that it’s real growth spurt will pick up in the spring.  Aztec Grass need regular watering though it’s important not to over water.

Dusty Miller

Mature Dusty Miller (after it's been planted into the ground)

The Dusty Miller is my favorite and unfortunately I know I’m going to lose this one pretty soon.  They will begin to die when the temperature is consistently below 50 at night.  The Dusty Miller grows best in sandy soil and exposed to full sun.  Until the roots are established, it needs water every day.  After the roots have a while to take hold, it can tolerate a little more drought and watering can be cut back.

Artemisia 'Powis Castle'

The last pot has an Artemisia planted in it–this was the first one that I picked out and the basis of my “silvery” theme. Atremisia can survive in arid and semi-arid conditions and have feathery foliage that I just love.  Atremisia ‘Powis Castle’ which is the variety that I have, smells like a cross between a fir tree and lemon, which only reminds me of Christmas so I couldn’t help but love it.  Most Artemisia are frost hardy and prefer well-drained soil and a sunny location.  This one has a relatively regular watering schedule as well but can withstand drier soil.

I love that I am finally learning about plants, gardening, growing, etc. with some pretty significant success!  So far (knock on wood), nothing I have is dying which is a huge feat for me.  My dear friend Julia has a love for plants (and can grow anything, I’m convinced) and is the one who encouraged me to take my sparked interest and turn it into a hobby.  Since I am still learning, I am constantly asking for advice which I’m sure drives her crazy.  Nothing like taking over a friend’s hobby–hopefully it will always be a love that we can share because I owe it all to her!  You gave me the green thumb bug Julia!

Hey Good Lookin’, Whatcha Got Cookin’?: Pumpkin Bread

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups shredded fresh pumpkin
• 1 cup toasted pumpkin seeds

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Sift the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together.

In a separate bowl, mix the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla. Combine both mixtures and fold in the shredded pumpkin and pumpkin seeds. Once the ingredients are all incorporated separate the ingredients and pour into two non- stick 9 by 5 by 3-inch loaf pans. If your pan is not non- stick coat it with butter and flour.

Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes. At this point a knife inserted into the middle of the loaf should come out clean. Cool for 15 minutes and turn out onto a cooling rack. Cool completely. For muffins temperature should also be 325 degrees F., but bake for 30 minutes.

Pumpkin Bread Ingredients

Mix in the toasted pumpkin seeds to the dough

Finished Pumpkin Bread

So a week or so ago, I went to William Sonoma to buy some new cookbooks, and like most other stores I love, the displays, smells, new merchandise, etc. worked their magic on me and I begin to believe that I need to buy something other than what I went in for.  Throw in a convincing sales person who can rattle off all of the bells and whistles of how great the product is and I’m sold.  It’s a dangerous hold these stores have on me…scary.  Anyway, this is what I left with.

New Emile Henry Artisan Loaf Pan

My new loaf pan, that I love and do not in the least bit regret buying, then spurred on a desire to make pumpkin bread–thus the recipe above.  I learned several things from my first encounter with pumpkin bread.  One, you don’t have to toast pumpkin seeds very long–they will burn.  Two, pumpkin bread rises.  The recipe above originally called to be put in one loaf pan and I have altered the recipe to be baked in two pans.  The inside of my oven is a disaster after the bread rose, began to bake onto and around the rack above it, dripped over the side, and began to burn on the bottom of the oven.  And three, Iwould suggest two loaf pans, moving the bottom rack to the lowest notch it can go to, placing a cookie sheet on that rack to catch any overflow, and keeping your fingers crossed!

My first experience with this recipe left me with a pretty significant burn on my left thigh, a horribly dirty oven, sheets of paper towel on fire (don’t ask), and one REALLY good loaf of pumpkin bread.  Heed my advise–your experience will be much better if you just use two loaf pans!

Sunday Afternoon Adventure

Sledd Nursery, Austin, TX

Mr. Fancy Pants and I had quite the adventure on Sunday afternoon.  We discovered some great places in Austin that we’d never been before!  That’s one of the things that I have grown to love about Austin, or big cities I guess, is how you can live here for years and never see it all.  I feel like there is always a new leaf to uncover if I feel the need for an adventure.

The first stop on our little afternoon journey was Sledd Nursery on West Lynn.  This dive is in a great neighborhood in town that we also just wandered into called Clarksville.  Their selection was wonderful. The man that was working was as nice as he could be.  I love nurseries where you can tell that the people working there know what they’re talking about–because let’s be honest.  We all know I don’t!  This little corner of West Lynn was precious.  There are several other great places over there that I can’t wait to visit–Caffe Medici, the Galaxy Cafe, Cipollina, and Jeffery’s Restaurant and Bar.

Sledd Nursery

Plant selection at Sledd Plants

We then made a stop at the HOPE Farmers Market.  We actually just happened upon it–driving by we saw people going into what looked like an outdoor market and decided to check it out.

“The Sunday HOPE Farmers Market is a weekly community gathering space where local farmers, artisans, community groups, families, and urban consumers can find fresh foods, community programs, artistic creations, agricultural education and wellness workshops. This unique weekly gathering space will be a platform to introduce local artists and Austin residents to surrounding area farms, healthy lifestyle companies, education in the arts and local community volunteer programs.”

Hope Farmers Market

Metal Sculpture outside of the HOPE Farmers Market

Turns out this was the first week of the HOPE Farmers Market.  It’s still small but you can tell it has huge potential.  Things like that–markets, festivals, etc.–do so well here in Austin.  Everything there was locally grown or made and was an awesome representation of Austin.  We talked with a local farmer who has a nursery here in town for a while; there was definitely an exciting energy about the place.  I think that’s one of the things that draws me to gardening.  I’m always in awe of those who are able to make something with their hands, Mr. Fancy Pants for example.  I’ve never been very creative and am envious of the pride others are able to take in something they’ve invested themselves into.  There were people there today with herbs, vegetables, jewelry, plants, compost, art, and all sorts of other knick knacks all so excited to share their talents with the likes of someone like me!

HOPE Farmers Market

Lastly, we made a stop at The Great Outdoors (another nursery, Mr. Fancy Pants was thrilled).  I will say, I am pretty attached to a few nurseries in town for various and sundry reasons and will continue to give them my business as long as I live in Austin.  However, this place may have won my heart.  It is a gardening mecca and everywhere you turn there is a knowledgeable staff member there to help you out. They have all of their plants very well organized by annuals, perennials, fall blooms, citrus, herbs, etc., as well as pamphlets on how to plant and maintain each kind of plant in every area.

The Great Outdoors

The Great Outdoors

I was so overwhelmed walking around.  I was also really impressed at how healthy all of the plants that they had looked–and they’re reasonability priced which makes it so much better!  The actual space is beautiful as well with huge oak trees growing all of their property (which is something I really miss from East Texas). They had the biggest set of wind chimes I’ve ever seen hanging in one tree whose limbs were like a canopy over the entire back corner of the property.  Overall, very, very impressive.  They made a customer out of me!

Mr. Fancy Pants trying out the hats at The Great Outdoors

Here were my purchases from The Great Outdoors–four black terra cotta pots for my herbs.  I had seen an article in one of the recent editions of Martha Stewart Living about all of Martha’s outdoor potted plants at her house.  She has all of her pottery made especially for her by Guy Wolff of Wakefield Studio.  Guy and his son Ben use traditional methods to make garden pottery in the spirit of craftsmen from the 18th and 19th century.  Guy Wolff Garden Pottery is hand thrown on a potters wheel, and their pottery is finished in two different manners: a unique terra cotta moss finish is applied by hand before firing, and then fired to nearly 2000 degrees Fahrenheit for lasting durability.

Some pretty 'Fancy' plants--Rosemary, Chive, Variegated Lemon Thyme, and Basil

Channelling my inner Martha, I fell in love with the idea of having all of my pots be or look the same.  All of the pots made for Martha are stamped with the name of our estate which I find particularly cool. Granted, I cannot afford for someone to personally make me pottery, however, I have been on a search lately for some pottery for my herbs that was simple yet rustic.  The Great Outdoors had just the thing!  Now onto my next project!!  Next Sunday’s quest: finding a vintage table or plant stand for my newly coordinated herbs!

My 'Fancy' Herbs

High School Flashback and Texas State Fair

Hello all!  Life has gotten in the way lately and I had taken a hiatus from my little blog but I am back with much to share!  Thanks for you patience and check back for lots of exciting posts this week!

25 Years of Pleasant Grove High School Showstoppers

Two weekends ago, Mr. Fancy Pants and I made the trip to Texarkana, TX (our hometown) to attend the first football game in our high school alma mater’s new football stadium.  Exciting stuff you guys!

William was ready to “suit up” the whole game, and we just knew they were going to need his expertise that have only been perfected after 4 years of intramural college football…there would be a cry from the sidelines and they’d play “Put Me in Coach, I’m Ready to Play” on the loud speaker as Mr. Fancy Pants came running down the bleachers onto the field–to a standing ovation obviously.  Sadly, this was not the case and we were left in the bleachers reminiscing about high school days trying to decide if we missed them or not.

Former Captain, Director, Neighbor, Mentor, and Friend--Jenny Bearden and I at the new Hawk Stadium

While Mr. Fancy Pants spent his time playing football and basketball at Pleasant Grove High School, I spent my time on the dance team.  This weekend, the Pleasant Grove High School Showstoppers celebrated their 25th year reunion which was my incentive to go home this weekend–that and the hopes that Mr. Fancy Pants would go sprinting down from the stands onto the field and back into his “glory days”.  Instead, of preparing for his big debut under the Friday night lights, Mr. Fancy Pants spent his Friday afternoon with me and a bunch of other woman setting up for the reunion reception–his job was to dress one of the mannequins with an old uniform.  He played along for a few minutes before he told us how wrong it felt and informed us that we has done with that job!

Sweet Friends from high school (Anna, Me, Rachel, April, and Heather)

Old Showstopper Memorabilia

Current Showstopper Uniform

It was really good to see old friends and see how far the dance team has come.  10 years after the team began, the Showstoppers won their first National Championship and has held their title of National Champions for the past 15 years consecutively.  I am proud to have been a part of the team from 2001-2005, serving as captain my senior year.    Like everyone, I have many unpleasant memories from high school, however, my time with the Showstoppers made each awkward, miserable, dramatic experience in high school worth it.  Watching the current team dance at the football game, my friends and I watched wondering and hoping their experience means as much to them now as it did to us then.

State Fair of Texas

On our way back to Austin yesterday we stopped to see my wonderful in-laws, the infamous parents of Mr. Fancy Pants, and we went to the last day of the Texas State Fair.  Good times were had by all!  Strangely enough, Mr. Fancy Pants and I several conversations this past week about memories from when we were little and whether it was truly the experience or the time lapsed with the memory that gave us such a good, nostalgic feeling about them.

The restaurant we chose for my birthday dinner for example, I loved as a child and we decided to go on my birthday considering I hadn’t been in years.  Bad choice and definitely one of those memories that had to have gotten better with time because the reality definitely got worse.  The food was no where near what I remembered and there was a rat in the restaurant!  Thankfully the company was beyond perfect and it made for a really funny story.  But that said, Mr. Fancy Pants was very excited about getting a funnel cone at the fair but was a little nervous that his new experience might ruin all of his memories if it wasn’t up to par.  Thankfully for his sake, fried dough and powered sugar is good no matter how old you are!

Mr. and Mrs. Fancy Pants at the Texas State Fair

Texas Star ferris wheel

Ariel view of the fair from the Texas Star

Ariel view of the fair from the Texas Star

Growing up, the county fair used to come to the Four States Fair Grounds in Texarkana, AR every year.  I would beg my mother to take me.  Pulling up to Fair Park yesterday afternoon, I wondered how different or the same it would be from the memories from my childhood.  Maybe I shouldn’t even try to compare the two, but the State Fair was so much better than my memories!  Granted there were thousands of people all over the place but where else in the Western Hemisphere can you ride a ferris wheel 212 feet tall?!  No where is the answer.  Mr. Fancy Pants and I took a ride in the Texas Star, the tallest ferris wheel in the Western Hemisphere.  Not going to lie to you I was a little nervous when they stopped us at the top, but definitely an experience well worth the 24 coupons it took to get us on the ride!  I’m not sure when they stopped taking cash at the fair–maybe it’s my small town mentality–but my sweet father-in-law made about 5 trips to the “coupon” stand so that we could get our fill of fair food and such.  I guess we missed the memo that Coupons are now the “official” fair currency!  So thanks to the Bryants for a GREAT day at the fair!!!!  William and I will always cherish that afternoon!

Mr. Fancy Pants and his parents--Steve and Dorene!

My mother-in-law was right, these are the ONLY corny dogs you should get at the fair! They're the best!

Me with my corny dog.

With all of the blasts from the past I seem to be experiencing lately, it seems It’s an interesting thought to me how much something change while most things stay the same.  Mr. Fancy Pants made a good point in a conversation we had the other day that most things in life come full circle–fashion, politics, theories, fads, etc.  To pay tribute to my flashback weekend, I think it’s good for all of us to remember and learn from our past experiences.  Where I think we go wrong, myself included, is when we’re upset about the present and spend time complaining about how much things have changed when it seems to me that the only thing that seems to change is us and our point of view.  I know mine has bent and shifted and seems to be coming full circle.  I have knowledge now that sure would’ve been useful in high school.  I think we’re all changing just as much as the world around us, whether we realize it or not.  Just a thought to ponder. Have a good day all!