How Pinteresting...

Inspired by the dreamy images in yesterday's post? They're from Pinterest, and in case you have been living under a rock don't know, it's a virtual inspiration pinboard!

via

Be warned, though.

via

It's addicting....

via

Wanna join in on the madness fun? I have six instant invites to giveaway! Just leave a comment with your email address and I'll send your personal invitation. It's sure to be pinteresting...

Lauren

Dream a Big Dream

Welcome to my dream home... Come on in!

Let me show you where you'll be staying so you can put your things down. Just make yourself at home...

And here's your bathroom. You should have everything you need.  

Now follow me into the kitchen; let's fix you a drink...

Take a seat there, it'll just be a minute.



Would you like to sit out on the back porch?



Or out front on the swings?

Oh! Have you seen my new craft room? No? Well come on inside for a tour...

Isn't it lovely? And Matt's office is just down the hall...

Our master is on this side of the house....

And I never have to do the "seasonal switch" ever again!

There are a few more bedrooms down the hall...

Well there's the tour! Just have a seat in the den while I bring dinner out...

We're ready! Everything is waiting in the butler's pantry ready to be served...

Shall we take a seat?

This day has been too lovely to end so soon! Let's head out back for dessert and drinks...

I'm so glad you were able to make it. Let's do this again soon!

xoxo,
Lauren

*All images found on Pinterest!

Stir Fry Tacos

This recipe was just too good to keep to myself. I had the itch for a little something new and different for dinner last night, so I just made something up... not to brag but...|

oh.em.gee.

If I could have given myself a fist-pound, I would have.

Matt loved it and I actually ate two of these, even though I don't normally have much of an appetite at night. I am hesitant, however, to even call this a "recipe". I inherited my grandmother's keen sense of "a dash" and "a tad" and "to taste", so forgive the vague instructions!

Stir Fry Tacos

-Chicken tenderloins
-assorted "stir fry" veggies (snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, peppers, broccoli, etc)
-jasmine rice
-tortillas
-ginger
-cilantro
-soy sauce
-fresh lime
-garlic powder or salt
-red chili powder

Season chicken with lime juice, garlic (or garlic salt), ginger, and a sprinkle of chili powder. Cook on medium heat until center is no longer pink. Cut into smaller slices or pieces.

In the meantime, create "sticky rice", by bringing 1.5 cups rice and 1.75 cups water to a boil. (Do not follow the package directions; we're using less water for a reason) Once at a boil, reduce heat to lowest setting, cover, and simmer for 20 mins, stirring occasionally.

Saute veggies in soy sauce, ginger, lime juice, and fresh cilantro. Garlic to taste. My rule of thumb is to cook these veggies until the snap peas snap. (which justifies a taste test... yum!)

Wrap tortillas in moist papertowels for 25 seconds in the microwave.

Prepare by spreading a layer of "sticky rice" on the tortilla, top with sliced chicken and veggies, and drizzle with lime juice.

Enjoy! Prepare yourself for lots of mumbling "omigoshs" spoken through mouths full of food, finger-licking second helpings, and high-fives across the table.

Lauren

Linking up at Remodelaholic!

one million fifty one thousand two hundred minutes

Tomorrow marks two years since we said "I Do".... 

In some ways it feels like yesterday, and in other ways, an eternity ago. 

Our prayer on that day, and every day since, has been....



"May today be the day that we love each other the least."

There are days that we have accomplished that... Overflowing with newly expanded love and adoration for each other. 



And days that we fell short... instead learning to be kind and to "fight fair" and to put another person's needs before our own. 



It's the beauty of marriage...

The give and take.

The delicate dance of love and sacrifice. 

The way that the good always far outweighs the bad. 

Happy anniversary to a man who has loved me and made me laugh for over 730 days now.

That's one million fifty one thousand two hundred minutes. 

Love love love. Forever more than yesterday.

Lauren

Oh say can you see...

One of my favorite (long) weekends of the entire year... The high temperatures are just setting in and the sun  begins working its magic on your sallow skin... The lake is teeming with jovial parties on boat decks and the smell of charcoal fills the air. It's the kickoff to summer! This year's memorial day did not disappoint!

We kissed sweet babies...

Basked in the warmth of the sun...

Watched the sun set from the best seat in the house...

With the person I love most in this whole wide world.

We reminisced about a special day, three years ago when I said "yes!" on this very same body of water...

And (clearly) made this guy the luckiest man in the world!

Spent some quality time with our favorite Grady boo...

Watched these big blue eyes discover the world around him...

And spent time with my crazy mother in law...

Broke out the fishing rods and tried (very unsuccessfully) to reel in the prized catch of the day...

Sat back and let this little guy entertain us with his ever-growing personality...

And then came home and celebrated this baby girl's 2nd birthday! 

What did I say? 

It was magical. 

xo, 

Lauren

Embrace the Camera: Memorial Day Edition

We spent Memorial Day weekend at my in-laws' lake house.... It was such a lovely weekend. Recap coming soon!

Matt and I snapped a quick pic on our way out to ride the jet ski... may I add that we got that puppy up to neck-breaking speed? We hit a stretch of glassy water, crouched down and made ourselves as aerodynamic as possible (dorks), and hit 70 mph. Yeah baby.  

xo, 
Lauren