tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35216076717326369532024-02-19T03:55:27.310-06:00julianne grayAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-71280930024817952132016-02-19T15:56:00.001-06:002016-02-19T18:18:06.800-06:00Ready or not...Well, today just did not go as planned. I had planned to have everything
ready and spiffy with a nice introductory post to the new blog, but
then Young Mister Gray woke up last night at 10 p.m. throwing up. While I had him
in the tub cleaning him up, I noticed some green goop in the corners of
his eyes. Great. I washed it off with a wash cloth and prayed it would
be better in the morning. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-45021565680564857252016-02-18T11:52:00.000-06:002016-02-18T11:52:22.534-06:00Pre-Spring Cleaning
We have been doing some pre-spring cleaning around our house lately. Vacuuming the rugs front and back, pruning bushes in the yard, decluttering the nightstands, bookshelves and dressers--you know, those places where things tend to gather and then collect dust. It is so nice to accomplish these tasks, and then to just revel in a newly decluttered space. My mind is somehow more at ease and Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-69612964388862084102016-02-08T08:27:00.000-06:002016-02-08T08:35:02.362-06:00Thinking outside the Valentine's boxSo, confession, I am not really all that into Valentine's Day. I can't remember a time that I really was. Jeremy and I do not celebrate the holiday and up until this year, I've had no reason to decorate a shoebox and buy a package of valentines for Young Master Gray. As you might guess, I was not exactly thrilled to have this task this year. I did come up with a cute idea for the valentine's box,Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-87434988902820986702016-02-07T13:59:00.001-06:002016-02-07T14:02:01.436-06:00Fools on Parade {Downtown Fayetteville}Yesterday was a bright and beautiful day. The weather was chilly unless you were standing in the sun, and then it was just right. The perfect day for a parade.
The annual Fayetteville Fat Saturday Parade of Fools was a taste of mardi gras with an Arkansas twist. It was our first time to go and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was very family friendly. They talked the laissez bon Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-68883547008021770302016-02-05T07:25:00.001-06:002016-02-05T07:30:29.832-06:00Galentine's, Gilmore Girls & a Giveaway....and Ghiradelli. There will be Josh Cellars wine as well, but it just didn't fit with the alliteration. As Paris Gellar said, "Never underestimate the power of alliteration, my friend."
This post is sponsored by Ghirardelli Chocolate and Josh Cellars wine in conjunction with their #asweetpairing campaign. All words (except a smattering of Gilmore Girls quotes) and opinions are my own.
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-44264132716232444212016-01-27T09:00:00.000-06:002016-01-27T09:04:20.545-06:00Winter Getaway in Eureka Springs
This post is sponsored by Eureka Springs Main Street | ESDN and LetsTravelSmall.com. All words and opinions are my own.
Winter may not be the first season you think of when you imagine a trip to the mountain town of Eureka Springs, especially not after the magic of the holidays has faded. However, that is exactly when we decided to go. We discovered winter in Eureka Springs has its own Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-17793816952899707592016-01-22T10:06:00.000-06:002016-01-22T10:25:13.083-06:00How to make a black sink shine {Friday Refresh}This sink. It wooed me when we first looked at our house. It was intriguing. I had never seen a black sink before, or at least I had never noticed them. Never knew to desire one. All I had known were stainless sinks and white farmhouse sinks. After we moved in, I simply did not understand why I couldn't make it shine. I knew just how to care for a stainless sink. I could make it shine with bakingAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-55438497090558586282016-01-18T17:17:00.000-06:002016-01-18T17:17:03.182-06:00Eureka Springs, here we comeJeremy and I are headed to Eureka Springs for a little anniversary getaway. This is significant not only because we are leaving Young Master Gray for more than one night for the first time, but also because we had originally hoped to be married in Eureka Springs nine years ago. More than hoped. We had the Thorncrown Chapel booked and a reception site all picked out. Our date changed and then the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-13398424140052460912016-01-08T11:35:00.000-06:002016-01-14T10:43:18.072-06:00One Little Word {Happy 2016}
Every house that Jeremy and I have owned has been older and in need of a lot of renovation. Each one has taken a little bit longer than the last to "finish," with most of the work getting done once it's time to move and therefore, get ready to sell. This time around, a good chunk on the work was done before we moved in. However, the rest of it (and there is still quite a bit) is progressing Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-25776629090521736782015-12-11T12:15:00.000-06:002015-12-11T13:01:50.620-06:00Kindness Elves with a Toddler {Friday Refresh}
Have you heard of the the Kindness Elves? They came about when Anna Ransom, the mom behind the blog The Imagination Tree, was looking for an alternative to the Elf on the Shelf. From what I understand, the Elf on the Shelf watches you and reports back to Santa on your behavior--a very creepy twist on the naughty and nice list aspect of the Santa myth. I have always enjoyed seeing the Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-10201019388976782362015-12-04T11:58:00.003-06:002015-12-04T11:58:49.098-06:00Christmas Train Fun in Northwest ArkansasTomorrow morning, downtown Springdale will be full of excitement and wonder as the Children's Christmas Train departs on a magical 30-minute excursion to Johnson and back. Those aboard the cozy 1940s era train will enjoy storytelling, Christmas carols, and a visit with the man in red. More fun is in store once the train returns to the Emma Street Train Depot, including rides on ponies Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-57072266726187084852015-11-23T07:00:00.000-06:002015-11-23T07:00:07.149-06:00Make Your Own Pumpkin Puree {And what to do with it}If all you're doing with your pumpkins is carving them, you're doing yourself a disservice! Making your own pumpkin puree is super simple and saves you from using the BPA-lined cans of puree (for convenience sake while still staying safe, there are a few brands who make boxed puree, check out this one and this one).
We went to the pumpkin patch in October to pick out our pumpkins and came home Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-55947614397166148172015-11-19T12:33:00.001-06:002015-11-19T12:33:51.657-06:00Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be sexistI have never really considered myself a leader. Yes, I have gone out for and won leadership roles at various times in my life, but I never felt a strong call to lead. The moment I became a mom, that changed. Now my days are full of leadership. A heavy burden, and one that I do not take lightly. My son is only two and at this point in his life he believes that the world is all about him (it's alsoAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-81655991459352583592015-11-13T07:12:00.001-06:002015-12-11T13:08:25.051-06:00{Friday Refresh} Fill Your CupWhen you are a mom (or a busy creative and/or professional or just a human being) it can be hard to find the time take care of yourself. Not only that, but sometimes it feels like an indulgence to do the things you need to do to make yourself feel more human. At least that's true for me. I feel guilty taking the time away from my family, writing, household tasks, etc. to do something simple that Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-8027652298960699282015-11-03T14:01:00.000-06:002015-11-03T14:01:29.423-06:00Imagine: A Child's Adventureworld {Giveaway}
This post was compensated by Imagine: A Child's Adventureworld. All thoughts are honest and my own.
Imagine a place where you can take your child on a playdate and sit chatting with other moms while still being able to watch your children play. Now imagine that place as a bright, fun, engaging play space with predominantly wooden toys separated by half walls into areas that let their Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-78764832741305850452015-10-23T12:51:00.000-05:002015-12-11T13:08:55.035-06:00{Friday Refresh} A new beginningI posted the first Friday ReFresh post almost one year ago with the intention of showing updates of our home remodel. Then our remodel kind of stalled, or at least it is going much slower than I had anticipated or hoped. It turns out that having a toddler in the house is not very conducive to things like redoing floors, painting, or completely gutting the only bathroom with a bathtub. Luckily we Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-49997980118139881122015-10-16T14:50:00.000-05:002015-10-16T14:51:46.865-05:00Fall Adventures {So Far}
There is a lot to be said for fall in the Ozarks. I would go as far as to say that the Ozarks are never as beautiful as they are in the fall. It's already well established that fall is my favorite, but I think that many would agree that we hit the jackpot when fall comes to the Ozarks. Cool, crisp weather, bright blue skies, and a rush of color that hits you in the face and makes you hold yourAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-2805299544356701552015-10-12T20:40:00.002-05:002015-10-18T19:35:27.826-05:00Autumn in everything
As I walked this morning the wind spoke so many truths to me. I watched the trees bending and giving way to the wind's touch. They relinquished their dead leaves without a fight. I found myself wanting to let go of my dead leaves, too. Turn over a new leaf, I suppose. Too many leaf references? I think not (hey, at least I didn't say anything about the "winds of change"). I remember reading a Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-61302211371818507172015-10-05T09:43:00.001-05:002015-10-05T09:54:25.090-05:0010 Myths about Domestic Violence
This month’s #NWARKCares cause is a tough one to talk about.
It’s tough because in 2015, I feel like domestic violence should be a thing of
the past. But it’s not. It’s hard because it’s not something that people want
to talk about, which is exactly why the topic needs to be broached. It’s hard
because people close to me have been victims of domestic abuse. Three out of
four Americans know Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-66091986708411734092015-09-25T15:37:00.001-05:002015-10-04T13:16:04.184-05:00BookishAn infographic of "Surprising Book Facts" has popped up in my Facebook newsfeed a few times during this National Literacy Month. Included with statistics showing a decline in literacy among the impoverished, imprisoned, and those over 8 years old, is this gem: "Reading for one hour per day in your chosen field will make you an international expert in 7 years." Of course, the other statistics are Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-43736885067812678642015-06-14T20:44:00.000-05:002015-06-14T20:56:05.230-05:00Chicken Salad with a KickNot too long ago I read a story about a woman who stabbed her boyfriend after he ate all of their salsa. I'm just going to say, while I don't condone her violent actions, I could definitely feel some empathy for the woman. My love for salsa started as a toddler living in Texas. I'm told that I would eat chip after salsa-dipped chip regardless of the tears streaming down my face. That is Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-31866164192633102172015-05-19T17:18:00.000-05:002015-05-19T17:18:24.077-05:00Lost & Found
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-66514112049594858262015-05-15T09:22:00.001-05:002015-05-15T09:22:27.472-05:00Natural Birth in the Natural State
"I remember the day you appeared on this earth
With eyes like the ocean, got blood on my shirt
From my camera angle it looked like it hurt
But your mama had a big ol' smile."
-Conor Oberst
My iTunes playlist shuffles to "You are Your Mother's Child" by Conor Oberst and I'm instantly transported to July 4, 2013, a divine turning point in my life--the day I became a mother. I know Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-14030511886690001562015-05-07T10:34:00.000-05:002015-05-15T09:52:13.432-05:00Jenn's Woodland Baby ShowerHave you noticed the increasingly clever and cute ways parents-to-be are announcing that a little bundle is on the way? Search "pregnancy announcement" on Pinterest and you'll find photos of tiny shoes tucked in between two larger pairs of shoes with text reading, "Our family is growing by two feet," among other examples ranging from cute to stomach-turning (the latter usually feature a toilet inAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3521607671732636953.post-88160864824023518882014-12-09T09:00:00.000-06:002015-05-15T10:49:46.077-05:00A Visit with Santa at Northwest Arkansas Mall
I have been compensated for this
post by Northwest Arkansas Mall. All thoughts and opinions are my own
or, in this case, Young Master Gray's (with his explicit permission, of
course).
My little elf wants to tell you about his trip to see Santa Claus at Northwest Arkansas Mall in Fayetteville. I hope you enjoy his tale.
‘Twas two weeks before Christmas, when one and all
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16096192672131208656noreply@blogger.com1