February Creative Goal Complete~ Book Nook

Hello Friends! The first Monday of February I posted a post called One Simple Thing at a Time. I shared my goals and simplified them into ONE simple thing to do per certain areas in my life. I got my pantry done!! Woohoo!! Plus, some more decluttering because I was inspired!!!

One thing I wanted to do this month was FINALLY finish my Book Nook kit that I have been working on for months. These things are so fun and so neat. BUT they are tedious. I honestly, could have completed this months ago but I really just had LIFE and put it on the back burner. I have other things I want to create but I want to finish the unfinished before moving on to new things. 

So....Welcome into this precious little bookstore....

Wait... hold on.... let's start from some of the construction I began Monday to finish this. I pulled all my stuff out on Monday and completed it. It only took me 45 minutes. I didn't realize I was so close to finishing this. It has been a while since I had all of it out (like October) and I am glad it is complete. I love it.

Yes! Yes!! Every little book.... LIKE EVERY SINGLE ONE.... I put together and put sticker wraps on and let me tell you.... it was TEDIOUS! Tweezers are such a good companion for this. :) 

Every single shelf, every little detail, all the wiring was constructed. Nothing comes ready in these Book Nook kits. This shelf you see was completely constructed by me. 

All the little details on the shelves like the lamps, the cash register and books... EVERYTHING....was put in place and built. Whew!!! 

So here we are again!!!!! All lit up and ready for us to take a look inside this tiny magical book nook world.

Look at that cute little shopping bag added by the register!!! It is just precious. I even love the little doorknob I added!

I got this kit off Amazon for my birthday this past summer. Yes, THIS PAST SUMMER. I started it a month later then I was busy with Hiking season and then life happened and I would work on it here and there over the months. 

I love it!! I can't wait to make more! But.... I will work on some of the other things I have first and then get me another one!! I have created a favorites list of ones I like on Amazon!!

Today (Tuesday) I had the best of intentions unfortunately my stomach didn't agree and I have been feeling a little sick since Sunday and today was pretty bad. I didn't get some of the things I had planned but that is okay. I got the most important. :) I had to get out no matter what and go to the store and library. Which turned out to be a VERY QUICK outing because I felt so bad. 

I did grab two books from library! 

I have been reading a lot lately on my kindle but I wanted a book to hold. I know... sorry... I am just like that every now and then. :) 

I started The Girls with No Names, but I just had to stop because I felt so bad and really it seemed like it may be deep and I needed FLUFF so I will come back to it but I may pass on it for a bit and read the cute little Patchwork Mysteries Book. It is Cute FLUFF. These kinds of books always make me smile and feel cozy without putting much brain capacity and emotion into it and every now and then I need that. :) 

I made chicken and dumplings tonight for the family. I didn't each much as I was scared I would get sick. So, we will have plenty of leftovers for tomorrow too! YAY! Derrick (hubby) had a meeting, so he didn't eat. 

Well, I hope you have a lovely day! Thanks for hanging in there with my ramblings....

With Love,

Chrissy T

Tuesday's Tea~ Ross Mansion Valentine's Tea

Hello Friends!!! I am so excited to share my past Tea experience with you. This past Saturday my "Tea Friend" and I traveled to Hattiesburg, MS, to Ross Mansion Bed & Breakfast for their annual Valentine's Tea. We had such a lovely time. THE FOOD was FANTASTIC!!! So.... hold on because we have A LOT of pictures!!! Here we goooo....

I can't imagine what this lovely place will look like in the spring. It has a carriage house and gardens. We didn't really look around because it was pretty cold and truly it was all barren. 

                     They used the same sign to greet us as last year, but I love it and it is so welcoming!

My friend and I before we headed indoors. Now, you will notice in a lot of my pictures on my blog I am wearing sunglasses. FOR one.... they are a part of my wardrobe. :) Two- I have extremely sensitive eyes! (Fun Fact)

My sweet cup of the day!!! This is one of my favorite parts.... seeing what teacup will be at my setting. 

I actually own one of these cups in the pattern. 

Our table for two!!! There were around 25 people at this Tea throughout the many rooms of the house. All random strangers to us. This time our tables were all separate, we didn't get to mingle this time.

Our napkins were made into a "Valentine" and sealed. Inside of it was a vintage postcard for a gift. I loved this!!!!!

Okay!!! Let's talk food! It was the BEST food we have had a Tea. Last year's food was very good too. But they topped their game this year. 

The scones were the best I have had in a very long time. Everything was delicious. I chose Indigo Punch Tea and I love this tea as it has such a neat color with a fruity twist. My friend chose Lady Grey.

And before we wrap up, you will notice I always have the same dress on in a lot of my "Tea Experiences" that is because I bought this dress just for these occasions. I love having a special dress that I get multiple wears out of for just Tea Experiences. 

We enjoyed lovely singing off and on during our time. Ivy is the singers name, and she is a lovely person.

                     

                      To be honest, I wasn't feeling the best. I still chose to go and made the best of it. 

 It really was the best time! I am thankful to have a friend that loves to do this with me!!!! We are planning our next venture for next month!!!!!

I hope you all have a lovely day! Thanks for popping in!! See you tomorrow!!!

With Love,

Chrissy T

Ladies Crockpot Recipe Swap~ Fun Hostess Idea

Hello Friends!!! I have had a BUSY but BLESSED weekend. Saturday my Tea friend (Jen) and I traveled for a Valentine's Themed Tea at a mansion a couple of hours away! It was splendid! I will share tomorrow for Tuesday Tea.

BUT the BIG FUN event of the weekend was held on Sunday. Myself along with my Ladies Ministry Event assistant hosted a fun small group Ladies Crockpot Recipe Swap! It was wonderful and probably one of the best fun ideas we have hosted in a long time for our church ladies. 

We did have a smaller turn out due to the Superbowl (US thing) and sickness, but it was perfectly lovely and I actually really enjoyed the cozy group!

We called it a Crockpot Night of Comfort and Cozy!!! We had asked each lady to bring their favorite comforting crockpot (slow cooker) dish along with the recipe written or typed out. We provided recipe cards for people to sample each dish and then choose to write recipes of the dishes they liked. It was so awesome and the food was all so delicious. 

I made Pizza Dip THAT WAS SOOO GOOD!!! Here is the recipe!!! It was so easy, cheap and a hit!! I also made a crockpot dessert called Heaven in a Crockpot.....my friends...... IT WAS SO INCREDIBLY GOOD, EASY, AND CHEAP!! It was a hit. Recipe is here!

We encouraged each lady that they CAN do all things THROUGH Christ and that He comforts us as we do whatever we are led to do!!! We gave a practical but fun little "happy!" A can of veggies to add to a comforting meal later on with a reminder that WE CAN!!!

Here are some other set ups of the tables and things we did! We had such a fun time. We did a race to complete a word search puzzle on all Cozy words. We did a Get to Know You Bingo (it was a hit) and we put up posters asking people to share a comforting thought of encouragement for all of us to read throughout the night as well as share how Jesus has comforted us. 

Do you see me???? These are some wonderful sweet ladies!! I laugh so much with them!!!  OF COURSE, we had some door prizes!!! Comfy blankets and chocolate!!!

My sweet assistant and MENTOR!!! I love this sweet lady so much. Her name is Cindy!! Cindy is a "retired" pastor's wife and now I am her Pastor's wife. We work so well together and treasure this lady of grace, class, and wisdom.

We had such a wonderful evening!!!! If you are looking for a neat hostess idea for church ladies or an idea to do with family and friends, this was a HIT!!!

I will be honest I slept in today (Monday) and I have had to really pace myself after last week's productivity and the weekend. This is actually a smidge of what was done because I had to host a speaker and family for lunch and clean the church before Sunday. But I will spare you all that. :) My weekends are usually a normal persons Monday-Thursday packed into two days as a Pastor's wife. Mondays tend to be a little lower key for me. I do a little reset of the home and then catch up on laundry and rest and read a lot more on this day.

I can't wait to have you POP IN TOMORROW for TUESDAY TEA!!!!

I am also adding this to Sweet Tea & Friends monthly Link Up! Visit here. 

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Scripture and a Snapshot~ February 8th

 

Psalm 113:3

"From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord is to be praised!"

Hello!!! I am linking up with Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee for Scripture and a Snapshot today!!! 

Psalm 113 is a call to Praise the Lord!!! Check out this short chapter today! Take some time to Praise Him!

Please go check out other photos that give glory to God at A Fresh Cup of Coffee!

With Love, 

Chrissy T

Decluttering One Thing at a Time~ Junk Drawer

 Hello friends!! This week I am on a roll. I organized our pantry, freezer and fridge on Monday. On Wednesday I organized our little office supply cabinet and today I tackled the JUNK DRAWER! 

Tell me I am not the only one that has one!! I know I am not!!  Even the most organized people have one spot that just happens to junk up occasionally.

I do not know why I put this off as it only took me 7 minutes to clean out and take things to their real home or trash items as needed. 

All better....

I showed our pantry before and after on Tuesday. Here is the fridge & freezer I did as well on Monday.

And the after below of the fridge and freezer! Yes, I have stocked up after this picture. We do actually have food! :) 

 We also have a deep freezer. But it actually was cleaned out in January. I will spare you! 😏

Friday was a slow day for me. I intentionally planned it that way. I worked pretty good in the home this week as well as did a lot of church to do's and met up for a lot of mentoring this week. I met with a total of 4 women/young ladies and also had Bible study on Monday night and a ministry class on Tuesday night. So....my tank was running low and I am all talked out to be honest. I do have a super social weekend ahead which meant that I really needed to plan my Friday carefully. 

After I did a lot of puttering in the home and tackled the drawer, I went walking at our local nature trail. 

 The sun was out in all of its glory!!! It was actually warmish and I got a little warm on my nature walk in my sweatshirt. It was 70 degrees today.

I love taking up close and personal nature photos. This trunk of a tree was so pretty. 

These two trees fell a few years ago over the trail and it adds character!!! I love them. 

Nothing like a trail to me!!!!! I love getting out!!!!

And who doesn't like moss covered trails, trees, and ground?! I do. I LOVE THE POP of color it shares and its layers!!!

This is the cute little trail sign for the nature center. I am so thankful to have a tiny spot in the middle of the city to enjoy a little nature. I usually have to travel off for all my hikes and nature walks most of the time. It is nice to have a little spot in a pinch when I don't want to travel.

I am heading to a Valentine's Tea at a beautiful bed and breakfast with a friend today. I can't wait to show those pictures for Tea Tuesday!

With Love,

Chrissy T