Blogs I'm Reading...

I have been on a search over the last several weeks for blogs - ones that could potentially be great places for The English Pea to advertise. Thanks to Dana over at Plum Tree Studio I now have a little list I have begun following - which has resulted in more blogs I have found.

Now if you know me, the above dress could describe me to a tee - I truly feel it screams my style and I am in LOVE with it. This precious little dress was featured on one of my very new favorite blogs called Grosgrain. Oh, is she the crafty momma and this wonderful dress is part of a segment she calls "Frock by Friday."

Being the crafter that I am the thought of being able to put this dress together in a matter of afternoons makes me want to run out to Joann's Fabrics tomorrow and find something beautiful to sew. This is just one wonderfully fun thing on her blog. She also has FABULOUS giveaways and just fun projects - for the sewer and crafter a like. And for all you local ATL folks, she is in our neighborhood, so you will recognize things from time to time.

So, I hope you enjoy browsing one of my new faves. Check it out here. Happy Friday!

Graduation Party

The graduate, Doug, with me and the kids after dinner.


Charlotte and Paxton


Charlotte


My father-in-law with Douglass Charles


Douglass Charles and myself


Me, Suzie, and Amy

A month ago a little group of us got together to celebrate Doug's graduation. Originally I had planned dinner and drinks sans children, but this happened and that and it was just easier to get everyone together with their kiddos. We had a couple of friends who weren't able to make it due to illness or prior engagements, but we had a wonderful time celebrating Doug's completion of his masters.

Doug's parents, sister, and brother-in-law came over for the event (I know where are the family pictures, tisk, tisk). Thanks to the wonderful Suzie for these great photos and to Meg for the family picture.

We had a good time just hanging out and celebrating with friends and family. If a specialist or doctorate is down the road I think we will leave the kiddos at home next time. :)

Hooray! Hooray!

Polka dots are one of the winners ideas for her custom party package. :)

... for Meg Barge for winning my Custom Party Package Giveaway! Congratulations! I will be in touch about specifics.

Thanks to all who entered. Hope you all know I would give you one if I could.

Going Home

I wrote this one afternoon while the children were napping. Leaving my hometown is always hard everytime I visit and tears were present again as I pulled away from my parent's home. But as you will see from this post, places just become places when the people you love are not there.

I was struck this visit to my hometown with a good bit of nostalgia. Maybe it was the drive out into the country revisiting some of the lone roads I would venture down - flying with the radio blaring, or the overwhelming beauty of acres and acres of corn and wheat growing on the farms around. Maybe it was just the house, the church, the places that were my life for so long. No matter what it was, this trip had me remembering.

We always love to drive down the roads - which literally can take about twenty minutes - of our friends, places we would frequent, to see what has changed. I always have to go to McRae Street to view the house where I grew up, drive by the church - First Pres - where I was also married, drive down Main, Pensacola and Kimberly.

The wonderful thing about a small town is not much does change, so the memories can linger on.

Sadly, though, every time I go back since my parents have left it feels less and less like home. Oh, I LOVE seeing the people that have been my parents friends and it is always comforting to enter the doors of my old church, walk into David's Catfish and stuff myself to the gills with popcorn shrimp, but it just isn't the same.

I miss my home, but I am understanding more and more as I get older that home is not necessarily a place, it is about the people that make a place home. Without my parents being there, it really changes my perspective of what home is. And I also realize that maybe it is just time to start viewing my life, my hubby, and my children as the place that ultimately is and will be home.

{133}

133 may not seem like a special number, and in reality it isn't. But to me, this thirty-something-mom-of-two, it is a number I have remembered since the day I got married. Yes, 133 is how much I weighed when I walked down the isle.

I am guessing I am not unlike most women in remembering the weight I was when I got married. My mother can still share her gloriously, small weight on her wedding day over thirty years ago.

Sadly, despite diet and exercise I have not seen my wedding weight since pretty much that day. I remember my doctor telling me three months after my marriage not to worry about the ten pound weight gain - it was just happy weight. Well, ladies, I like being happy, but no one likes to carry ten extra pounds.

My weight continued to increase and before I got pregnant with Charlotte I had kissed 133 goodbye - resolved to never see her again.

Until Tuesday... I have been a little under the weather and paid a visit to my doctor. I stepped on the scales before entering the exam room and the nurse said "133." WHAT? Seriously?!? I was so excited.

I knew my weight had changed, but my wedding weight? Who knew chasing toddlers would finally shave off all those pesky pounds that I had resigned myself to living with. So... here's to wedding weight and the toddler diet and exercise plan!

Happy Friday!

Senior PGA

While we were away we visited Doug's parents over in Birmingham for the Regions Classic. This Senior PGA tournament is held every year at the golf course in their neighborhood and we have made it an annual event. As you can see by these pictures the kids and myself spent our time at the pool and let the guys enjoy the golf.

My inlaw's neighborhood has such a wonderful pool and the kids' favorite part was the fountain area. Honestly, it was mine too because I could keep a better eye on them both.

Thankfully I didn't have to venture to the pool all alone and I always had plenty of hands to help me. I did discover, though, that pool time was not something I wanted to do alone. With two toddlers in tow I was constantly running in different directions - my relaxing days by the pool are obviously over for a few years. Seriously, how did my mother do it with six?

Regardless, we had a WONDERFUL time with Doug's family and we look forward to another trip later this summer. :)

Happy Birthday ...

to The English Pea! Yes, we turn one today. It is hard to believe that I started selling my little designs a year ago today. It has been quite the ride, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it as well as the friendships I have made through it.

And as a thanks to those of you who have kept me in business I want to show my appreciation by offering you these three things!
1. A custom Party package worth $150.00. This means if you win you get 24 invitations, 24 party favor stickers, and 24 return address labels in addition to your own custom design - that's right, you dream it, I make it. I do charge a pretty penny for this service, so I am thrilled to offer you an opportunity to get just want you want for your special party (this can be a grown up party as well as a children's party).

2. Receive a free set of small, round return address labels with any purchase now through June 15th!

3. Also, if you have ordered with The English Pea in the last year receive 25% off your next order now through June 15th - just my way of saying "thanks" for your support.

To enter the giveaway:
1. post a comment stating what your party theme idea would be
2. become a follower of this blog or "like" us on facebook (or mention that you already are/do)
3. Subscribe to The English Pea Chatter (or state that you already do)
4. Blog or post a comment on twitter or facebook about our celebration
(do all four and you increase your chances of winning!)
I will announce the winner next Monday so happy posting!