Kitchen Dreams

       Lately my mind has been spinning and twirling with DIY ideas. Most of the homes we have looked at and considered all need some form of upgrade and several projects would be required.
    Kitchens are one of the bigger endeavors you can tackle in a home upgrade. So many connecting elements that need to flow and compliment as well as being practical and usable. For most families the kitchen is the heart of their living, laughing, and memory making.  
    First order would be to figure out the layout you want/ or have to work with, and then what elements can you keep, reuse, or need to replace. 
     For now I am left to dream about all the possibilities and wait till I have an actual kitchen to work with. When we get into a home I'll post all our improvements we tackle in hopes some of my leg work, mistakes, and ideas will make it easier on someone else trying to do the same. 

.... I'll leave you with some images that inspire me.... 

SINCERELY,

The Golden State

           We have been in Cali going on seven weeks now and living in our second airbnb. Our first 10 days my parents come out with us, my Dad driving with Greg, and the ladies flew. Driving from Sc to Tx with a two year old was enough for me flying the second leg of the trip was a life saver! We were able to snag a quaint cottage in Oceanside, Ca about a block over from the beach. 
    Despite having our house hunting hats on and being laser focused we were still able to relaxing to the sound of the waves and enjoy the ocean breezes. It was such a blessing to have my parents for the time that we did. As a mom I define luxury so differently now, while my mom was with us she made me coffee in the morning and breakfast! WHAT!!! it was like a warm blanket and on par with an uninterrupted great nights sleep. 

   Our time in Oceanside seems like a life time ago, but it was sweet and filled with wonderful memories. When we were not house hunting we ate at several great restaurants and the farmers market on Thursday morning is worth a stroll through. 

We were also able to go to Birch aquarium and La Jolla beach to see the seals


   
   





SINCERELY,

The journey is half the fun!

South Carolina > Texas 

      I tend to just want to rush through the journey and hurry up and get to the destination. Even though that is my default setting I have learned, multiple times, that some of the sweetest experiences, best memories, and ah-ha moments happen during the journey. 

     This particular PCS began in early May going from Beaufort to Texas where we spent most of the month of May with family. 

    We were blessed to spend some time in Dallas with the Whites!! dear military friends who were stationed with us in Japan... and fellow Texans. It was such a sweet time and good for the soul. 

Mr. Jack being a gentleman and driving the lady around 

.... AND who am I kidding of course we went from Dallas to San Antonio via Waco... 

  

 Our little gal turned 2 when we were in TX so we got a rare opportunity to celebrate with both sides of the family and Paytons' birthday got extended over 2 weeks .... she did not mind especially if she got double the cup cakes. 

      Also, its soooo nice to be around family especially when you get to go out on a real date! like not an anniversary, birthday date like a real, just cuz, date. We went to Whiskey Cake in San Antonio, recommended by the sis-in-law, it was amazing! totally recommend. 

     Get the whiskey cake! it was life changing... or maybe just eating a wonderful dessert with out a toddler was amazing. Either way it was divine.

Also, found this recipe on Pinterest for a copy whiskey cake recipe so once we settle down
I will attempt to make it and let ya'll know how it is. 

        Sadly I did not take nearly as many pictures of all the time we spend with grandparents,Uncles & Aunts, and cousins. But we loved every moment! and miss being with everyone and seeing them daily. Come visit!!!  

SINCERELY,