{ blog-cation }

I saw a quote once [forgive me for not knowing the source] and it said, "Life:  It's what happens when you're not on Facebook."  Funny, kinda true, and also sort of sad.  But, since life's been busy lately, I've made up a new term called "blog-cation."  A vacation from blogging.  Blogging isn't a chore, in fact I wish life wasn't so busy so I could blog more.  But, then what would I blog about without a busy life?!  Anyways, here's a little of what we've been up to lately...

We took a trip to San Diego then came home and it was my turn to host bunco...

This candle (below) is heavenly - it's lavendar scent and it's a soy candle.  It's almost always lit. The little cream and sugar holder I found at Goodwill right before bunco - they're handmade and so cute.

 We celebrated my birthday and my hubby did an awesome job keeping our 8 nieces & nephews entertained.  He got them each their own balloon and big bag full of candy.  He also got them their own cupcakes - It was wild, crazy, hyper fun! This is very typical of our family get togethers and it's always a blast to get all the kids together.

Here's my mom with my oldest niece and nephew:  Luke & Bella.  It makes me sad they're getting SO big! Our newest nephew will be coming late November though and we can't wait to have another tiny baby in the family!

 Here we're celebrating my little brother-in-law's b-day.  We went to an authentic Moroccan restaurant that had awesome food and such a fun setting, complete with a belly dancer! 

The birthday celebration continued with a girls night!  Between our two families, our nieces and nephews, and our friends we almost always have a Birthday celebration!

Here's a wreath I put together super fast.  The R is from TJMaxx, the wreath was $3 at Wal-mart and the ribbon was on clearance at wal-mart.  I painted the R (it was black) and tied it all together.  I can't believe it's already time for a fall wreath now...I might just skip right to a christmas wreath next !

Been trying to get caught up on all my magazines!  Plus I just started a new Bible Study.  There's not enough hours in the day !

Here's a couple pics of my office - I've been slowly getting it all re-done.  I'll do a separate blogpost on that once it's finished.

This chalkboard frame in my office is inspired by my best friend in San Diego's daughter's nursery (did you track all that?!).  She told me about this spray paint from Home Depot that's the perfect shade of Orange.  Now I think of little Ruth (her daughter) whenever I see it.

 We FINALLY are getting our dining room in order.  For the longest time it was just an empty, white room.  We painted the walls, hung the chandelier my hubby got me last Christmas, finally had our dining room table delivered AND, my family got me this awesome mirror for my birthday!  We still don't have the right chairs (long story) but I don't even care - at least we have a place to sit and eat now :)  AND, we both have big families we can now put the 2 leaves in and host family get-togethers.

So friends, that's a very small taste of what we've been up to.  I promise to be a better blogger (or at least try to post more often).  Then again, as I sit here blogging I'm feeling an overwhelming pressure and sense of urgency because I still have a ton of laundry to do, I need to give my husband a haircut, get groceries for the week, finish a craft I started (that's taking up half my kitchen), and the list goes on and on...is the weekend really already over?!  Anyways, I hope you're all enjoying a cozy fall!  

Love,

The Reeds 

{ girls night out : good company + great music }

A couple weeks ago I went with my Sister Beth & friend Kristen to sushi & a concert.  We went to listen to Beth's friend & neighbor, Joy, perform at the Ike Box downtown.  This girl has an amazing voice & we had so much fun. 

You have to listen to this song, here. 

This is the type of song that gets stuck in your head & you are suddenly addicted to it, listening to it on repeat, singing it in the shower, etc.  She reminds me a lot of Regina Spektor...only better.  AND she writes her own lyrics. 
Need I say more? 

Here are a couple pics of our girls night.



 { Joy is the one singing, in the middle }



 { Kristen & Beth }



Here's the link again in case you missed it:

"Yours" by joy quarles

Listen to it!  You'll be glad you did.  Turns out, she's also hilarious, & a great writer.

Check out her blog here & prepare for a gut wrenching good laugh.

There's no cd to purchase (hoping this changes!) but you can be sure I'll update you all if she does come out with a cd.

 { Also until then, you can enjoy my not-so-good-singing Joy's songs in the shower, honey ;) }