Country Living fair

What an adventure! Have you ever heard of the magazine called 'Country Living'? It's kind of a big deal for this county-at-heart chick. Anyways, about three years ago I saw an ad in their magazine promoting the 'Country Living fair' I was all like "what?! no way! I.MUST.GO" well... that year I got pregnant. Long story short, three years later and that dream was just no longer financially possible and the idea of a road trip with a baby made me want to pull my hair out.
Well, folks, it happened! This year it happened! I wish I had more dough to burn but all in all, it was everything I wanted it to be and more and next year, God willing, I will save more to spend and bring a trailer :P.  Here's a little snippet of our country living fair road trip!

 of course, my beautiful mother joined us.

and here is what we brought home.

 this is a project. One I hope to put lots of love into. It is a vintage, queen size quilt.... one side. My mother is going to help me stitch it the "proper" way a quilt is stitched. Since it was not a finished product, I got it for $40! Most vintage finished quilts go for $100, on the cheap side and NEVER this large for that cheap! This was a steal for sure and I feel like, in a way, I get to bring back the love that someone once put into them and never had the time to finish. It is not perfect, it has one small ink blot on a corner of it but I love that about it.

The other thing I got was a vintage apron.

Something about putting on an apron each morning gets me motivated. I feel like, in a way, it's my uniform and helps me get going.
So that is a little tidbit from our fun road trip. 

Try the World{ a box at a time}

A few weeks ago we got a box in the mail.

It wasn't that big of a box but it felt and looks "shiny" and exciting... so we opened it up!
Inside was a little taste of a once unknown county (to us); and an abundance of bright orange confetti.

We began our trip with a verbal tour through Marrakesh. Venturing forward with a home cooked Marrakesh meal of Kefta breaded, fried sardines atop couscous and tajini and of course, green tea, we danced our way through the kitchen buzzing with Moroccan music and sensual smells.

Over dinner, I found I was quite fond of sardines and we read and discuss the traditional Marrakesh poem which was given by our "tour guide".

As the night ended Darling and I found ourselves snuggled up watching 'Casablanca' and nibbling away on sweet orange cookies

Thank you 'Try the World' for the "trip" and bringing the fire I once had for travel back in my heart and for the adventurous date.




disclaimer: I was in no way paid, bribed, or given products to try for this company. I spent my OWN money to try this product out and created this review only because I like to share information and great products I like. This company has NO IDEA I wrote this. I feel product reviews are more honest this way.
if you are interested in the product you can find out more at Try the Worlds website.

A Day of Play

Some days we just need to play.

We had one of those days not too long ago when the cherry trees were just starting to green and the blossoms were falling all around.

This was one of those rare time when Darling was willing to take hold of the camera and capture a few sweet moments with me and my darling son.

I can not even put into words how beautiful these photos are to me. Yes, they both have their flaws but there is just something so special about being able to see me with my Button in my arms.

Of course, frolicking through the fields was also a must of such a sunny spring day full of play and fun; but one can never forget to stop and smell the flowers.

When our play was done it was time to go home, hand in hand; like father like son. But the memories will last forever.

It is the small, playful, simple days like these that are so often overlooked. Thank goodness I remembered to stop and take it in as I so frequently forget to do. thank goodness I had this time to share with them, to capture days where all we do is play in the fresh sunshine and breath in the floral fragrant filled air.

Cotton Candy and Ice cream

This weekend was so memorable. Since we are counting the months until we save enough to move, our time we get to spend with family that lives nearby is so precious to us. So when my parents suggested to come up and see the cherry blossoms at the capital with us, of course, we had to say yes!

Most of the blossoms were still white but we did manage to spot about four really nice pink ones! They remind me of big fluffy balls of cotton candy on a stick. They are Gods cotton candy and they make me so warm inside.

After walking around the tidal basin we made our way to the Thomas Jefferson memorial...

with Button leading the way!

Of course, "Masa" wasn't far behind, since, after all, she's his best friend. 

After our long walk it was time to sit down and relax; so "Masa and Babu" treated us all to ice cream! 

And I mean all of us. ha

It was definitely one of those days you just want to slow down, capture, and never let go of. We are truly honored to be a part of such a beautiful world full of people who love us so dearly and earnestly.

Making It Work

Spring is finally in the air here and even though we only have a balcony now, we are totally taking advantage of every inch of that baby!

Here is a little peak into what we have going on out there. (please excuse the ugly tubs... we are going to be setting them into a built-in bench we have yet to get to).

1. tomatoes
2. cucumber
3. celery
4. bell pepper
5. cabbage
and in the right corner we have a tulip... because, why not.

6. radish
next to the radish are green beans I forgot to label
7. tulip
8. blackberries

9. thyme
10. basil
11. more cabbage
12. lettuce
13. collard
14. swiss chard (rainbow)

15. cilantro
16. rosemary
17. sage
18. parsley
19. tarragon

then we have two hanging baskets. This one has spinach in it.

and this one has more lettuce

There are also two railing planters with flowers and strawberries in them (which are already starting to make fruit!).
Inside I have carrots, chives, and onions that are sprouting before we transplant them into another pot. As things get bigger we might have to do some transplanting and moving around with them as they grow. Luckily, a lot of the herbs are from last year so I know they will do fine in those pots... for now; same with my blackberries and flowers in the railing planters (minus the strawberries I added in) .

Once more of the outdoor space is cleaned up and put together more I will have to show it off again; especially since I just got two chairs similar to this, which run $19 a pop at Ikea, I got for FREE.... by (not in) our dumpster!

So there you have it... how we are making apartment living work and not giving up on our homesteading dreams. I see a whole lot of pickle and jam making in the near future!

What have you all been up to now that the weather is starting to warm up?

A Sweet Treat

Someone is deeply, deeply loved.

and when I say someone, I mean everyone in the Blanton household. My mother-in-law sent us a little sweet care package.

Button (and mommy) were so excited to dig into these.... even before "daddy" got home. ha.

He is just so well behaved. he wasn't sure if he was allowed to just take one or not.

After mommy gave the "okay" it was game on! He picked out the perfect one and dug right in!

Look at that chocolate face.  But of course, that wasn't it.

She also sent an amazing amount of stickers! Because this kid is obsessed with anything with an engine and anything that is a sticker. ha.

So that is what we are doing this valentines day week, playing with stickers and eating WAY too much chocolate all at once. (yeah... between the three of us they didn't have a change.... they are indeed gone... already *cue the sad orchestra music*).
what are you guys doing this holiday? any date nights? kid projects?

Be Blessed

We are moved. Goodbye DC and my lovely garden and hello tinny house living/ apartment living in VA. (for now) I will have to share photos of the place as it is and as it changes during this short visit here. We are adjusting to the massive downsize from a three bedroom two bath with basement and yard to a one bedroom one bath with a toddler and no yard. I had to give up a lot (even though I know this is a temporary move) but I know I will be able to live such a more abundant life in the near future. We are still working towards moving to TX within the next year. That will be a crazy move! I really had nothing super sage or really productive to share, just that we are still alive, I'm still here, just super busy with unpacking, photo editing, switching over services, potty training a little man, picking out paint chips, and being a generally awesome housewife. ha. There are a few things I want to post about but I feel they deserve their own time and post. Until then, stay beautiful, warm, and be blessed. <3