It's a good thing I wrote down some thoughts about perspective a few days ago... my daughter currently has croup and I was awake at 5-am before an all-day roadtrip because my dog ate another pup's food at family dinner yesterday... let's just say I'm going to be spending my Christmas money to get our … Continue reading 12 Days of Blogmas: I’ll Be Home for Christmas
I took a pause from all things Christmas this past weekend to surprise my husband for his birthday! We spent a fun, relaxing weekend in downtown Nashville surrounded by some of our closest friends and family; he was very surprised, and we felt so blessed (and completely spoiled!) for three days. It was wonderful. I'm … Continue reading 12 Days of Blogmas: Dinner Party Inspiration
Is it really Christmas if 1) no one gets socks in their stocking, and 2) if you don't swap a few recipes? One of the most beloved recipes in my husband's family comes from his beloved aunt LB! Since Christmas is all about the decadent recipe roll, I could not skip over this one... Boiled … Continue reading 12 Days of Blogmas: Boiled Custard
It is the first Monday of the first week of December, and that sounds like the PERFECT day to kick off the TWELVE Days of Blogmas this year on Refining Cotten! Twelve days filled with gift guides, family recipes, holiday activities, decorating ideas, and all of the holiday spirit you can stand! I hope you're excited … Continue reading 12 Days of Blogmas: Family Traditions
Oh man, where has the time gone?! It has been a busy month+, and I feel like we need a round of catch-up! I'm going to let the pictures do the talking! We are still tinkering with the renovations! Most recently Andrew finished our main staircase. Per usual, I dreamt it up and he made … Continue reading Fall Updates!
The days are long. The years are short. The days are too short and this year has flown by. Wait, this day is taking forever. Actually, what day is it? Where are my children? Why is your brother sister not wearing pants? Am I even wearing pants? Welcome to my stream of consciousness where most … Continue reading Updates: House, Family, & Thrift!
Don't you love recipes that remind you of people you love? Your grandmother's chocolate cake... Your mom's spaghetti... Or in this case, my aunt's tuna steak! Aunt Shirley lives in the Cayman Islands and we have loved each other since I was born. To know her is to love her. Although we are not technically … Continue reading Aunt Shirley’s Tuna Steak
Happy almost Valentine's Day! (Whatever that means to you... I know some people live and breathe for the romance while other people would rather kiss a frog than look at a red roses.) Mom and I just got back from California, and I wanted to share our trip with you! I have recipes and house … Continue reading Recap: Palm Springs + Joshua Tree, California
As someone who does a weekly meal plan, I'm always glad to see what others are cooking. I pull recipe ideas from all over and am the queen of using what I've got in the fridge. While I can't classify my cooking as paleo, vegan, 100% clean, etc... I am relatively mindful when it comes … Continue reading Recipe Roundup
One of the highlights of my December has become hosting my best friends and their kids for a sugar cookie extravaganza! Before the main event of decorating cookies, the kids destroy the playroom while we drink coffee and munch in the kitchen... This year even included a Jingle Bells sing-a-long at the piano! It is … Continue reading Christmas Sugar Cookie Brunch
