Building a Temporary Pond (While We Wait for the Bigger One)

Good afternoon, friends!

We’ve spent the last five days out here at Holiday House and this blog may or may not just be all about our life out here from now on. Kidding, but only sort of. Would you get tired of nothing but stories and pictures of the kids roaming the land and PJ building/working on something new? I know I wouldn’t.

We love our life out here. We love how we feel waking up here. We love what it feels like spending more time outside than inside (when weather permits). We love how much freedom our animals have. We just love being here so much. So hopefully you don’t get tired of me ranting about it!

You know how I mentioned we’re in the process of building a big pond on our property? Well PJ has been working on a temporary “pond” of his own for the kiddos to swim in now that it’s getting warmer. Last night, just before the sun went down, we walked down to where the mountain run-off creates a little stream and PJ started digging and the kiddos helped by stacking every rock we could find (sidetone: we have a ton of them near the stream and hope to use them in some way on a future house one day) to create a dam to contain the temporary pond. It only took about an hour and it was actually really fun for everyone! The kids have been getting into helping us on the land lately, which is so rewarding to see.

Hopefully they don’t grow out of that desire to help too quickly.

It’s so peaceful hearing the water fall down over the rocks and hearing the frogs croak as the sun is setting. I know it’s only temporary, and all of it will have to be dug up and replaced when we build our actual (much bigger) pond, but it’s nice to have it while we do.

PJ has these ideas of what he knows something can be and then he just does it and (at the risk of sounding cheesy and sappy) I am always left in amazement when he’s finished. I swear, y’all, there’s nothing that man can’t build/do when he puts his mind to it.

We’re off to go swim in the water for a bit while we have a few days of sunny, warm weather! Happy Monday y’all!!

A Cold and Misty Morning

We woke up at Holiday House to gray skies and light, mist-like rain the other morning and, even though the weather said it was supposed to be a beautiful sunny day, we still absolutely loved it. I’ve talked about our love for overcast weather out here before, and this was the creme de la creme of cozy sweater weather. There’s a special kind of magic to cloudy weather, isn’t there? Weather has the power to alter our moods, and while I can’t imagine liking rainy, drab weather every single day, we both enjoy it (especially at HH) from time to time.

With the pine trees and the rainy skies, we both agreed it reminded us a little of being in the PNW. We went to Seattle with my brother back in 2016 and fell in love with it. Hoping to go back one day!!

I love this time of year for so many reasons, but right now I’m loving it the most for the sense of renewal it’s bringing to our family. Being at Holiday House and roaming the land while it’s warm and sunny is a new experience for us, one that we wake up and look forward to every day.

We haven’t ran out of trees to climb or paths to wander just yet. It’s all new and exciting and hopefully just the beginning of many days spent out here.

It’s finally been sunny the last few days after almost a week-straight of rain, which, to be honest, we’ve needed. The grass is so green here and our house in town actually has a few blades of grass growing in the back yard, which is amazing because normally it’s just a big mud pit.

Speaking of mud pit, we have a GIGANTIC one on our land right now. We’re in the process of having ponds built on our property and it’s created so. much. mud. Which, of course, the kids love to play in and get dirty, and we’re doing our best to let them do that. Not every day, but on the days they do get muddy, we plan for it and bring a change of clothes and towels.

Though it’s fun to splash in the water and the mud, we both can’t wait for the day when it’s just green and lush and fresh(er) water for us all to enjoy. Hoping at least by the end of the year, if not sooner!!

We love a cold and misty morning, but right now all five of our animals are outside on the hill and the kids are running around playing and and the sun is shining and the wind is blowing and it’s 70 degrees and maybe this is what heaven looks like? Who knows? But it’s nice. And it’s good.

And it’s so, so welcome. 

6 Tips to Actually Get a Good Night’s Sleep+

This post is sponsored by Natrol®, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Ever since we became parents to our three foster kiddos almost two years ago (!), we understand now (more than ever probably!) the importance of a good night’s sleep. If we don’t get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night, our entire day seems off: we feel lethargic, we get headaches, we just feel…blah. Do you know what I mean?

The key to getting a good night’s sleep is creating a sleep routine, and part of having a successful sleep routine is a regulated circadian rhythm, which is the body’s internal clock that manages that delicate balance between sleep and wakefulness. Your body’s natural melatonin production regulates part of the circadian rhythm, but when life gets in the way (and by life I mean work, family, friends, deadlines, etc.), our melatonin cycles can be thrown off. We’ve been trying to train our bodies to sleep better through the night, but how?

March is Sleep Awareness Month and Daylight Saving Time begins on March 14, so we thought it would be fun to share some tips and solutions from Natrol® for how you can get a better night’s sleep and create your own sleep routine.

1. Create a Sleep Routine: Establishing a consistent sleep-wake schedule helps regulate your circadian rhythms and increases the quality of sleep.

2. Avoid Bright Screens 60 Minutes Before Bedtime: Exposure to bright LED lights such as smartphones, laptops and TV screens before bed can interfere with your body’s natural release of melatonin.

3. Consider Taking a Melatonin Supplement: When you need a little extra help, Natrol Melatonin can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer so you wake up rested.†

4. Create a Calm, Dark Bedroom Oasis: A noise-free and dark bedroom environment can help you sleep better throughout the night. Mask noise pollution with calming sounds or ear plugs (PJ’s fave) and block out disruptive light with darkening curtains or a sleep mask.

5. If You Have a Partner, Switch Sides of the Bed Every Few Months: It’s true! PJ and I started doing this a couple of years back and it’s been so beneficial. Sometimes a small change like that makes all the difference.

6. Exercise Daily: Walking as little as 10 minutes a day can help improve sleep quality.

Dr. Mike Dow and Jason Tartick partnered with Natrol to share their personalized “Hit the Sack” pack  (how sweet is that?!) that was filled with a bunch of helpful sleep products and tips, including Natrol Melatonin, to help us and our family create a sleep routine since we’re losing an hour of sleep beginning March 14! Right now I am obsessed with the Deep Sleep Pillow Spray they gave us and these Natrol-branded purple socks because yes, they are as comfortable as they look. And how cool is the night reading light (still reading and loving this book)? Oh, and I can’t forget the Fitbit! I have wanted one for years, and I’m so excited to finally try it out!

Sometimes we just need a little extra help going to sleep and staying asleep. We talk about it all the time with each other - how our minds are constantly racing right before bed with questions like, “Did older brother drink enough water today” or “If little sis spit out all of her vegetables at dinner tonight, how many will she have to eat tomorrow to make up for it?” along with never-ending thoughts on what we have to do the next day, what materials PJ needs for the house he’s renovating, and so much more. I’m getting exhausted just thinking about all of this, tbh. So, in short, we need help sometimes, which is why we feel so confident taking Natrol Melatonin as a natural, drug-free sleep products.

Ever since we’ve been taking Natrol Melatonin adult gummies, we’ve been falling asleep faster and staying asleep longer.† We don’t really have trouble falling asleep anymore. The importance and impact of a good night’s sleep can not be overstated enough. You’d be surprised by how much better you’ll feel during the day when you create and stick to a healthy sleep routine.

When describing the product, they say that:

“Natrol® Melatonin is the #1 drug-free sleep aid brand in America^ and produces a special nighttime sleep aid that assists with occasional sleeplessness.† It helps to establish normal sleep patterns to give you a more restful sleep.† Natrol Melatonin Fast Dissolve comes in strawberry flavor that tastes great and can be taken anytime, anywhere, no water needed. It’s fast-acting and helps those that have a hard time with swallowing vitamins and supplements. Additionally, Natrol Melatonin comes in great tasting, strawberry flavored Melatonin gummies. Natrol Melatonin Gummies are non-GMO, gelatin-free, and vegetarian.”

Natrol Melatonin and Kids Melatonin are available at local drug stores, select grocers, warehouse clubs and online retailers. Click here for an exclusive $2.50 off any one Natrol Melatonin product through March 21!

†These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.

*Melatonin is a solution for occasional sleeplessness

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A huge thank you to Natrol® for sponsoring today’s blog post, and thank you for supporting the brands that support our small business. 

Yay or Nay: Coffee at Night

For the last few months, we’ve been getting into the habit of…

Having a cup of coffee at night after the kids go to bed. Do you do that, too? I was only averaging one to two cups of coffee a day last year, but here lately I’m always exhausted at the end of the day (imagine that). The only problem is, there’s always more work to do, and when the kiddos are asleep, that’s usually the most opportune time to get it done.

Both of our moms always look at us like we’re crazy if the topic comes up, telling us they wouldn’t be able to fall asleep at all if they had coffee at 9p. I don’t know how, but we both agree we almost sleep better when we have a cup before bed. For me, it gives me just the right amount of energy I need to accomplish what I have left on my to do list (fold clothes, clean the kitchen, write and edit posts, watch an episode or two on Netflix) and then when it’s time for bed, usually a few hours later, I’m all set.

There’s something ritualistic about it, too. I love the idea of, as I do in the mornings, sipping on something warm while working. I’m actually doing that right now as I write this post while the birds are chirping (soooo good to hear them again!) and it’s still dark outside. It’s a comforting feeling, and I think we could all use a bit more comfort in our lives, however we can get it.

The reason for last night’s coffee was because it was 9p and I was borderline too tired to relax on the couch with PJ and watch “The One” on Netflix (so good- have you seen it?). We relish this time together at the end of the day when it’s just the two of us, and I really need that “us” time, so on the coffee maker went and the warm, familiar smell of coffee beans filled the kitchen until the “beep, beep, beep” let me know it was time to sip, enjoy, and relax.

So that’s that on that. Do you drink coffee at night, too? Or would you be up for hours?

Is This Where We're Headed?

Good afternoon!

I think it’s safe to say we’ve stayed at Holiday House more in the last few weeks than at our actual house in town. Is this how it’s going to be from now on? Will this house one day be a more permanent stay for us? Is this where we’re headed? I don’t think any of us would mind if it was. We all love it out there, maybe even more than we thought we would (though I would argue PJ has always known what time out here would mean for our family).

We wake up in the mornings to the sun coming over the mountain and shining through our windows. Our bedroom, the kids’ bedroom, and our living room are all east-facing rooms, so they get blinded with light in the first part of the day, which we’re taking into account as we renovate Holiday House. We love how waking up every day out there feels new, fresh, relaxing.

We spend our days exploring the land, climbing trees, playing in mud puddles, walking (and running) over the hills. PJ has been working so hard every day mowing and clearing overgrown brush, cutting dead limbs down, planting trees, and SO MUCH MORE. I can’t even begin to tell you what all he’s doing out there because it’s honestly too much for me to keep up with. That man, y’all. He’s the hardest worker I know.

Our animals love it out there, too. They have the freedom to run around and get the fresh air and space they just don’t get in town. I tell PJ all the time how much I love to watch our dogs run all over, especially our big dogs. Alyster is getting adjusted to the house as well. We don’t really let him outside there like we do at our house in town (in fear the big dogs might actually eat him), but he is settling in to the house and I think is finally starting to feel more comfortable. And I think that’s what we both want for every member of our family, both big and little: for them to feel comfortable.

Happy Tuesday, friends. xo

We Finished Painting the Exterior of The Downtown Cottage!

This post is sponsored by our friends at Benjamin Moore. All opinions are our own.

Before we begin, you can enter code MYSAVE10 during check out to save 10% on Benjamin Moore color samples, paint and supplies now through April 15, 2021 in the US only.  Terms & Conditions apply. Head to the Benjamin Moore Online Store for more info!

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Y’all. This is not a drill. WE FINISHED PAINTING THE EXTERIOR OF THE DOWNTOWN COTTAGE. And we’re in love.

If you remember, when we bought the cottage two years ago, it looked like this:

The green color with that funky front addition and the off-center windows gave us nightmares. PJ always knew he wanted to rework the front and knew that ripping off the entry and coming up with a new color scheme was the winning recipe to completely transform this little house. He worked on the front all last summer, but stopped when it started getting wet, cold, and rainy during the winter months. This is what it looked like right before he took a break:

You can see he tore off that weird 1960’s front addition that ate up almost the entire front porch, added brand new windows, and framed in the new porch. And he did it all by himself (!). The kiddos and I had fun coming over to the cottage and seeing the progress and updates he was making every day. And I really mean every day. PJ is so fast when he works, even after 11 years of being together, it still blows my mind.

Anyway, now that spring has just about officially sprung here in Tennessee, it was time to resume work and get this thing finished. We’re simultaneously so close yet still have so much more to go, so right now it’s in that in-between phase, which can sometimes weirdly be the most fun.

When Benjamin Moore reached out to collaborate, we almost couldn’t believe it. We have been using their paint for years on our projects. Remember when we painted the guest bathroom at our old house Hale Navy HC-154? And all of the bathrooms, our kitchen, and now our living room in our home are all painted White Dove OC-17 (our absolute most favorite white ever). So when it came to their beautiful paint colors and this cottage, it’s safe to say we jumped at the opportunity to work with them, a company we’ve known and loved for many years.

Since this cottage is located in the heart of downtown, PJ really envisioned a sort of Americana theme when it came to the colors he wanted to use for the exterior. We had initially considered going with more of an earthy color scheme (similar to our home), but it ultimately didn’t feel right for this house. It’s so charming and cute and almost storybook-like, so an ode to the colors of our flag just made sense to him.

We used the Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio™ App to visualize what the exterior colors would look like together in real time. It’s seriously so cool! You take a picture in the app (or upload one you’ve already taken directly to the app) and then choose the Benjamin Moore paint color you want and “paint” it onto the picture with the “magic wand”. It’s surprisingly accurate and is an incredible way to play around with different colors until you land on the one that’s right for you and your overall vision.

We chose the Aura Exterior Paint in a Satin finish, which is formulated with proprietary Color Lock® Technology for rich colors that provide a beautiful finish and durability after repeated washings, so we knew it would not only look great, but it would hold up for many years.

Our starting point was choosing a color for the siding. We knew a white house would not only stand out on the street, it would be a classic choice that you would (hopefully) never get tired of coming home to. We debated on going with a different white than we normally do, like BM Chantilly Lace, or BM Cloud White (both gorgeous colors), but in the end, we settled on our tried and true favorite: White Dove OC-17. It’s such a versatile white: creamy, but not yellow; white, but not stark. It’s welcoming, and we knew it would be the perfect color for the downtown cottage.

Next came the shutters. Like I said, PJ really wanted an Americana, red, white and blue theme, so it was a no-brainer to do a navy on them. Call us creatures of habit, but we really loved the way our bathroom at our last house turned out, so we went with Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy HC-154. It’s a deep, rich, true navy that couldn’t be more perfect if it tried. The way it pops against the White Dove siding gives us heart eyes. PJ made the shutters himself and I love how cottagey they make the house feel, especially painted Hale Navy.

After the shutters, it was time to make a statement with the door, and considering the only color of the flag we hadn’t used yet was red, we immediately knew what we had to do. Only, do you know how hard it is to find the perfect red? We poured through all of Benjamin Moore’s choices and thought we had settled on one (Raspberry Truffle), but right after we picked up a gallon of it, PJ found another color he liked even more at the last second. We ended up going with Benjamin Moore’s Caliente AF-290 and y’all. I can’t even. It’s so gorgeous. In person I find myself unable to stop staring at it, like a moth to a flame I am drawn in. We’re both smitten. So you heard it here, folks: if you’re looking for a gorgeous red that’ll stop you in your tracks, look no further than Benjamin Moore’s Caliente.

The last color choice we found on Benjamin Moore’s Color Portfolio App was for the front porch. Because the color scheme of red, white and blue was so obvious and bold, we wanted a quieter color as to not overshadow our three core colors. We went with Benjamin Moore’s Gray Huskie 1473, which is a really soft, neutral gray. We both love the way it doesn’t compete with the other colors; it stands on its own as a welcoming shade of gray that begs you to come on in (when it’s safe to visit others, of course).

Now that we’re finished painting the exterior of the cottage, we still have to install the front porch lights (they’re picked out, we just have to get around to putting them up) and landscape the yard, and then we can focus full time on finishing up the interior. PJ picked out all of the finishes and colors for the interior and I am SO excited to see it come together. I have a feeling we’re both going to wish we were living in this little cottage when we’re finished with it. 

We want to give a huge thank you to Benjamin Moore for partnering with us for this post. We feel so grateful to work with a company who not only inspires people to get creative (and also provides the tools to do so), but who we have admired and loved and actually used for so long. They make getting paint so easy, with both online or in-store pickup and delivery options. Just visit the website to order online or find a retailer near you. It’s truly been a dream come true for us to work with them, but stay tuned for more updates in the coming months as we finish out The Downtown Cottage for good!

Before we go, how about one more before & after?

Before:

And after:

So, so good.

House of Gucci

Beyond excited about this!! Adam Driver and Lady GaGa in the same film? Yes, please.

(pic via here)

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

The other day, my mom told me about the most beautiful, touching book.

She couldn’t stop talking about it, going on and on about how she read it cover to cover twice and how much she thought I would love it. It’s called The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse; have you read it? I was immediately drawn to the beautiful illustrations, but the heartfelt words and lessons are what really make this book a must read.

She let me borrow the book for a night and this past weekend at Holiday House, after the kiddos went to bed and PJ passed out early on the couch, I popped some popcorn, poured some wine, and read it in just a few minutes. It’s pretty short, but it’s also one of those books that you don’t want to put down. The introduction points out that you can start at the end, in the middle, or in the beginning; the messages will come through all the same.

It’s filled with uplifting life lessons that are important to know and remember know matter how old (or young) you are and no matter where you’re at in life. If you’re going through a rough patch, may you find comfort in exchanges between the characters, like:

“Sometimes I worry you’ll all realize I'm ordinary,” said the boy.

“Love doesn’t need you to be extraordinary.” said the mole.

How beautiful (and true) is that? The author, Charlie Macksey, is also the illustrator, and “began as a cartoonist for The Spectator and a book illustrator for Oxford University Press before being taken on by galleries” according to his website. Elizabeth Gilbert gushes, “The world that I am required to inhabit is this one. But the world that I long to inhabit is the one that Charlie Mackesy has created.” Can’t say I disagree with her.

This book would make a great gift for any occasion, even if just to let someone know you’re thinking of them. My 30th birthday is coming up (!) and my mom said if I’m lucky, I might just get it for a birthday present. You’re never too old to receive birthday presents from your mom, right?