Happy Easter

My husband just installed my new lights that he gave me for my birthday this week! We are enjoying this beautiful spring weather and a long weekend!  My Jasmine has started to creep over my arbor so that makes me happy too!    
 One principle that the resurrection teaches us is that God will always finish what He started. No matter how dark it looks, no matter how long it's been, no matter how many people are trying to push you down; if you will stay in faith, God will always take you from Friday to Sunday. He will always complete what He started in you!
Happy Easter to you all!

Hand written notes - do they still exist?

I have to say that I really miss a hand written note.  They seem very rare these days with the electronic way we communicate with each other because of convenience.  It seems that  more often "I love you" and "thank you" as well as other words of affection are usually communicated via text or e-mail.  Even Happy Birthday is usually a "Facebook" wall post!
Source - Love these hand painted cards from Etsy. 
Tomorrow is my birthday so this past weekend my husband and I celebrated together with family. 
His birthday was last week so we usually celebrate together.
I have to tell you that I really enjoyed my Birthday cards because of the heartfelt notes that were hand written in them. My husband received some beautiful handmade cards from our girls and they really meant so much to him and they melted my heart too. 
  It made me think about how I miss a personal handwritten note and how it makes you feel.  For some reason it's more meaningful when it's written in their handwriting.  Do you know what I mean?
As a matter of fact, I don't hear my friends voices as much anymore either. 
I also rarely get a dinner invitation in the mail.  It usually comes to my inbox via evite.  Is this how you usually get invites now?
It did make me happy yesterday, as I drove out of the driveway, I saw my daughter putting a letter in the mailbox. 
I asked her what she was doing and she said that she and her cousin had decided to write letters to each other and mail them the "old fashioned" way.  It made me smile that she at least knows how to address an envelope, stamp it and mail it.  Really, has it become old fashioned?
Is it just me, or are you feeling the same way?  Am I the only one that loves a hand written note?  Are we losing personal contact with each other because of technology or am I just getting old?
I have no problem with technology and use it to the fullest myself.  I'm just wondering if my feelings are valid?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Kitchen Renovation Sneak Peak

Today I finished up my part of a kitchen remodel that we have been working on for the last 5 weeks.  My team has been working hard to get it completed so my client can get back to regular family life in her kitchen.  Here are some up close shots of the details.  I'll be posting before and after pictures of the whole room soon.
I loved this picture of this turquoise vase on her new counter top.  I happen to set my camera down and came back later and caught a glimpse of this capture on my screen.  I'm glad I decided  to take this shot because it's my favorite.    The textures are so beautiful and represent all the colors we used in this kitchen.  Her laundry room that adjoins her kitchen is going to be painted this wonderful turquoise in Phase II of this project.
We painted the walls Sherman Williams "Brandy Wine" including the ceilings, making the room feel incredibly warm and inviting.  Yeah, no more popcorn ceilings.  Wait until you see the lighting in this new kitchen!!!!
The new back splash has tumbled stone, granite and glass tiles that make a huge statement when you enter the room.
We had a cabinet custom built for her new double oven.
The black counter tops are the jewel in the room!  The light ceramic floor tile has opened the room and makes this galley kitchen feel more open and airy.  The thin grout lines were a big part of making this tile look so fabulous!
The cabinets got a fresh new coat of paint (yeah, no more pickled wood) and now have an old world finish that looks stunning with the back splash!
Can't wait to show you the rest of it!
If you would like to see more of my work, visit my website  DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio.
(All above photo's taken by Ruthie Staalsen)

Bluebonnets "Their Glory Never Fades"

I love spring time here in Texas for lots of reasons but one of them is because all the Bluebonnets start blooming.
It's crazy cool how all of a sudden they start appearing and they are everywhere!  Especially along the Texas Highways!  Seriously, they do look this vibrant and beautiful.
We always know that it means Easter is around the corner when we start to see signs of the Bluebonnets.  We drove to Arkansas for Spring Break this year and when we entered into Texas on our way home, the highway banks were filled with color.
It's fun to see all the families pouring out of their cars with camera's in hand. 
Some little cuties can't resist the urge to run....
It's a Texas tradition to stop on Easter Sunday when the family is all dressed up in their cute sundresses and hats!  I know we had to do it when we were teenagers and first arrived here in Texas from overseas.  My mom still has those pictures hanging on her stairway wall.
How cute is this family with their 7 kids!  Love the Longhorns in the background.
Texas Boots and Bluebonnets!
Brides and Bluebonnets.
Horses and Bluebonnets.
Even bunnies.
They are mostly seen in these two colors.
They are only around for a few weeks and then like a flash, they are gone and then we know the Texas HEAT begins!
This painting is called "The Glory Never Fades" and is so very beautiful and peaceful.
If you would like to find out more about the history of the Bluebonnet, visit this website here.
Happy spring time to you all!
Most of the above photo's are from Google Images and Pinterest.
 
Visit my website  DecRenew Interiors to see my design portfolio.
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Spring Break 2012 Camping Trip

(Photo by Ruthie Staalsen)
Everybody needs rest and relaxation.  That's why they call it Spring BREAK!
(by Ruthie Staalsen)
 
This Spring Break we loaded our RV's and our families all went to Arkansas to camp with the kids and grandparents.
(by Ruthie Staalsen)
It was an incredible time!  Our first stop was Dardandelle State Park. 
(my toes)
 I hung in my hammock for hours and enjoyed the scenery and the quiet!  However, I did fall asleep and woke up with raccoon eyes from my sunglasses :)
Our campsite was right on the Arkansas River and it was gorgeous!
(by Kaarin Staalsen)
The Marina setting was beautiful too.
The kids had fun with sidewalk chalk.  I thought this family tree was so much fun!  They even blended the colors and used some shading.  You know I'm all about the details...the details!
Yes, teens still love to play with sidewalk chalk!
The kids also enjoyed making these tie dye shirts with sharpies thanks to their Auntie Trish for bringing all the supplies and teaching them how to do it!  You can find detailed instructions on how they created them by going to my "craft" board on Pinterest, they are adorable and EASY to make.
(by Ruthie Staalsen)
We had beautiful sunsets.....

(by Tricia Staalsen)
Breathtaking!
We took many naps, thanks to my husband who kept the clomping teens out of the RV while I slept :)
Our second stop was Ft. Smith State Park. 
We did some hiking and really enjoyed this waterfall.
(by Terri Anstice)
Check out these pictures that Nana took of these butterflies.
We rented a Pontoon boat and had fun fishing, exploring the lake and especially enjoyed the sunshine! I think I evened out my Raccoon eyes, ha!  The kids had a ball exploring this cave!  If they had brought their sleeping bags I'm sure they would have loved to spend the night :)
(by Ruthie Staalsen)
We took lots of walks with our morning coffee.
Sat around roaring fires and told stories.  Oh my goodness, laughter is the best medicine!
Played scrabble and cards by lantern light.

What's a camping trip without incredible food, especially an omelet for breakfat!.  The best part is that we used paper goods all week so I didn't have to do dishes!

The brothers played slingshot golf while we girls watched!  Very competitive these two are!

We had a tour of Wiedekehr's winery and had fun tasting all their sweet Swiss wines.

Enjoyed the countryside.
Had a picnic at the top of Mt Nebo.  What a great view and the girls had fun being silly!
All of the above is why we camp (RV style).  Getting away from it all, taking time to enjoy those you love, stepping away from the roles we play while living every day life and taking time to BE STILL.
This is how I am refreshed! God's creation is so inspiring and I'm blessed that I have the opportunity to be out in nature so I can enjoy it to the fullest.
 I'm ready to get back to my kitchen remodel (my client was away for Spring Break too) and am starting a bathroom remodel next. 
Hope your Spring Break was wonderful or is wonderful!

Visit my website at DecRenew Interiors to see my Design Portfolio.
Follow my Design Boards on Pinterest for Design Inspiration for your home.