Thursday, August 27, 2015

Back to Blogging!


 Needless to say, I never intended for so much time to pass before posting again!  My break was wonderful and needful, but I really did miss this blog and all of you!  The days have been busy (the main reason I felt like I needed to take a break), but we've had many special moments too.  


 When I thought back over the past few months, we've had a lot of fun times... our annual trip to the beach, special time with family, precious time with friends.  All packing it in between the full days of work, school and chores. 


 During this time both of our girls had birthdays.  Rosetta turned four and Jillian turned seven.  They are ever so sweet and I try my best to soak in every moment as I know this time will pass quickly and I want to enjoy every stage.


You may remember from last year that my mom and I have a little flower business during the growing season.  We sell our bouquets from a roadside stand on the honor system (and also do some events).  This year has been a blast, since we have been even busier than last and we love every moment in the flower garden.  You just can't keep from feeling happy when you're surrounded by gorgeous blooms, butterflies and sunshine!  I'll do a separate post on some of our flower happenings so far!   


My vegetable garden was a little smaller this year.  I wasn't able to put anything away for the winter months, but it was completely stress free and we had plenty of veggies for the summer months.  As hard as this can be for me, I've tried to let some things go, or at least do them on a smaller scale... :-)


 I felt like I would be remiss if I didn't do a little update on house projects!  This past spring we had a lot of updates to our house, but many of them were more functional than pretty!  The main two updates were for efficiency reasons; we upgraded our HVAC unit (clearly nothing exciting to blog about) and purchased a new front door to replace the original (I know you're cringing here, and I totally understand, but I'll try to do a separate post on that!). 

As you can see from the picture above, we are nearly finished with our upstairs bathroom!  It's actually been at a standstill for a while... all that is left is a little bit of trim work and paint but we've happily been using it for several months now.We all love having another bathroom, as you can imagine!  And we are so happy with how it is turning out. 


 I cringe every time I remember grouting this subway tile with Justus, but love it so much that it might have been worth the pain! 


 I promise to do a separate post all about the bathroom once it's completely finished.  I knew I had to snap a couple quick photos though for this post since it has been so long!  As you can see from the photo above, I've been too busy lazy to finish painting, but I hope to find the motivation soon.  ;-)




   In other news, I did somehow succumb to signing up for Instagram in the meanwhile, and if you have it, you can find me there posting about little random things.  :-)  (Here's the link.)

Thank you for all your sweet comments and emails while I was away.  

Justus asked me frequently (especially lately) when I was going to blog again and I would usually respond teasingly with something like, "Well, when you give me some ideas of what to blog about!"  I think I'm inserting this because while it may not make for very exciting blog posts, I have a feeling my posts from now on may be a lot more of "daily life" than anything else.  I hope you don't mind... As the girls are growing older, I find the days are much fuller, but I do know that I miss writing here and don't want to say goodbye.  But if you feel like you'd like to chime in with some ideas, I am all ears!!  ;-)

Also, please tell me how you are and how your summer has been!  I have missed talking to you!  


45 comments:

  1. I'm so happy to see you back! I check on you from time to time hoping to see a new post as I did tonight! Yay! I'm looking forward to your future post. ♥

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yay! You are back! Missed you!
    Kathy L.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Yea! - you are back! Been checking twice a day recently & hoping it would be soon! Love the bathroom & seeing the beautiful ( & bigger ) babies - they remind me of my grandbabies!

    ReplyDelete
  4. So thrilled to see a post from you tonight!! I've missed your lovely blog. :) I was a tad concerned and even popped over to your mom's blog to check on you. ;) Beautiful flowers and girls !! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a treat! Happy to see you back posting. Yes, life can get very busy, especially with little girls. I've been helping a neighbor with little ones myself and boy howdy, they keep me on on my toes, but loving it! Your mom posted about your flower business and the shelter the husbands built for shade. Have a wonderful weekend Andrea, Kathleen in Az

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am glad to have you back. There is always something lovely in each post. This time I am especially noticing the dish cloths. They're beautiful and functional, perfect. What a great idea! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's wonderful to have you back, Andrea. I always enjoy reading anything you post about as well as viewing your gorgeous photography. Your girls look adorable and you're so right about the time passing way too quickly. We took a trip to Europe this summer so that was our big event.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy to see a new post from you! Beautiful pictures as always.
    We were able to spend 2 weeks in Florida with our family; our grandsons are the same ages as your girls, what a fun time we had! It will be fun looking at your Instagram photos now!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Happy to see a new post from you! Beautiful pictures as always.
    We were able to spend 2 weeks in Florida with our family; our grandsons are the same ages as your girls, what a fun time we had! It will be fun looking at your Instagram photos now!

    ReplyDelete
  10. HALLELUJAH!!! 😀😀😀
    Johanne from Utah

    ReplyDelete
  11. So good to hear from you, though I do not comment much, I always read your posts. The girls grew as much as the garden did this year! Love your posts and I would love to read what flowers held up the best for cutting etc. Also, how you prepare them as they look so beautiful and perky. Enjoy the last few days before school starts up gain. Patty/NS

    ReplyDelete
  12. Welcome Back... this post was lovely, and simple daily life is such a beautiful way to share in the blog world.. I am only a reader, but so enjoy your blog.. loved the photos, your girls and flowers are beautiful..
    Excited to read more... Have a wonderful day...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Missed your posts and thankful you are back at your blog. Darling daughters. If I lived near you, I would ever so be buying your beautiful bouquets.

    ReplyDelete
  14. So glad you are back! Missed your posts, they are so wonderful with your daily life with your family! The bathroom looks great! marsha@tubbslanefarm.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. YES!! So happy to see your back Andrea. I'd just found your blog and was already hooked when you stopped to take a break...so I'm happy to see you back at it. Simple daily living is lovely...we'll enjoy whatever you share. You have a wonderful gift with your photography and writings and we're glad you are willing to share! Looking forward to more.....
    Your Montana friend...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Welcome back, we missed you so much! Love to read about your family and all you share about your home and garden! You and Justus have accomplished so many projects in that lovely old home of yours.

    Esther

    ReplyDelete
  17. Even if you only posted your photos I'd be happy! You are so talented. I love your idea of throwing the retro table cloth on the sand as a beach cover! I live near Cocoa Beach, FL and guess what I'm using on my next trip over? Take care and thank you for sharing bits of your life.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It was nice to see you in my inbox again! Your girls have grown so much, and if your vegetables are a slacker version of gardening, well...I'm not sure what's below "slacker" but it would be me. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. It's just been absolutely wonderful to see you back and in the blog feed. So enjoy - anything and everything you choose to write about. ALWAYS a blessing and quite refreshing. I'm so glad you had a wonderful blog break... but even better - just to hear from you again is even more wonderful. You've been missed. :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Thank you all for your sweet comments! I'm so happy to be back. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  21. So glad to see your back! I selfishly missed your posts; your blog is one of my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
  22. So great to have you back; yours was the first blog I read so has a special place in my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I've missed your inspiration for simple living and look forward to you posting more recipes. I've enjoyed making your biscuits and strawberry jam with honey. I was even motivated to put in a garden this summer, and made your mother's jalapeno salsa recipe. What beautiful beach did you visit this summer? How are the chickens? Glad to have you back!!! Amy from NC

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Amy. We typically always visit Destin, FL and we went there again this summer - my favorite beach. :-) The chickens are doing great!

      Delete
  24. I'm so glad to see you back! I have checked periodically, and was so excited when I saw your post! The beautiful thing about your blog (which is rare in the blog world) is that I love hearing about your every day life as much as I do about special things you are doing. You are inspiring and a breath of fresh air in this hectic world. I so appreciate every moment I can sit and enjoy your posts. Keep them coming! :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yay- so happy you are back! I kept checking and was delighted to see your most recent post. Please keep posting. Love everything you write about- it's so genuine. Can't wait for details on the bathroom (sneak peak looks spectacular)! Would also appreciate more recipes- my family loves your taco salad, biscuits, sweet potatoes, slow cook chicken- all are so delicious. So so happy to see your updates!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad to hear you enjoy the recipes! :-) I will try to post more!

      Delete
  26. So happy you are back! I have missed you :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Smile when I saw this post...welcome back! I can related, I feel my posts are just the daily life. yours is much more then that very inspiring...wonderful photography.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Yay your back! Always loved your posts on simple living! Girls are growing up fast!
    Patty

    ReplyDelete
  29. Good to see you posting again. Everyday life posts are great, and combined with your beautiful photography, we'll all enjoy them thoroughly. I have to comment about the first photo of that giant yellow dahlia. This year we grew that same type of dahlia, in the same color. I just love that variety! I've been cutting them all summer to enjoy in the house. I'll be sad when dahlia season is over!
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  30. So happy to see your blog post. I enjoy all your posts, whether they are DIY or just daily happenings. Your beautiful girls have grown so much this summer. Hope you have a wonderful fall!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Yay, you're back, and I'm so glad! :-) I love to read your blog no matter what your posts are about.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Glad to hear all is well and Welcome Back!!! Your Blog is the bright spot in my hectic days! Looking forward to sitting down with you in the afternoons! Take Good Care :)
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  33. Not sure if I commented before or not, but have to tell you how much I missed your blog. WELCOME BACK!!!! linda r (phila burbs)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Yay Andrea!! I'm SO excited you're back!
    As soon as I saw your email I couldn't wait to read it and catch up! You have been missed!
    Our little family, well part of us, just took a train from Edinburgh, Scotland to London, England (where we are now). My dear mother-in-law wants to make memories with her grandchildren while she still can and says these are the sweet memories she'll have when she can't do these things anymore. Precious right?! Anyway, my two sons chose these two destinations, & I'm blessed to accompany them. ;)
    Once again, I'm so excited and thankful you're back!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Glad to see your post pop up and especially your lovely photos! Your bathroom looks great - look forward to reading future posts. Have a great week! Monica

    ReplyDelete
  36. Welcome back:) I'm looking forward to checking in again.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Oh Wonderful! You're back. It was so nice to open up this morning and find you and the family are doing great. I've kept up with your Mama's blog all summer, so I've seen some of the flowers and garden. Beautiful. Glad your back! Marty in Texas

    ReplyDelete
  38. Welcome back and thanks for the update on how you and your family are doing!! I am looking forward to reading your posts once again. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  39. So good to see you're back, Andrea! I've missed you :)
    Deni

    ReplyDelete
  40. So glad to see that you are back....Looking forward to many of your beautiful posts!

    ReplyDelete
  41. So happy you are back to blogging. I enjoy reading your post.
    The other day I stopped by a road side stand of a local farmer who sells flowers and he uses the honor system. When I saw that I thought of you, your mother and your flower cart. I don't know why, but it gave me such joy buying my flowers from him. I can't wait to go back and buy more.
    Looking forward to reading more post.

    ReplyDelete

I always look forward to reading your comments... thank you for taking the time to leave one!

Copyright @ Keeping It Cozy. Blog Design by KotrynaBassDesign