The Living is Easy

Following the entryway, you now step into the living room.  This is definitely the area where we spend most of our time.

My top priority was to make it cozy and inviting.  We've been so blessed and we want to be a blessing to others and use our place to make others feel welcome and safe.

As you can see we have a rather large mirror that takes up a whole wall.  Jordan loves to use it as a dry erase board.  Here he is planning out the last block of classes he's teaching.  You'll also notice a fan on the left.  Fans are a must here!  There is no running AC, so fans run constantly.

I was so excited to hang this cuckoo clock.  My Dad told me he had a clock for me that He and my Mom had purchased for my Great Granny and when she passed away it was returned to them to keep.   And as he opened it and showed it to me, it just seemed perfectly built for us.  I couldn't be more proud to have it in our home now.  My Great Granny was a stellar lady!

Hanging across this rocking chair we have an afghan we received from Jordan's Grandparents home.  I've had the pleasure of meeting them a few times.  Both in their late 90's they are still alive and reside in Iowa.  Whenever we were with them I noticed many things, but I think what stood out to me the most was their since of family, and the love they had for each other.  I could sit and listen to their stories all day!

Our wedding invitation and one of my favorite pictures of us framed.  Which hangs above one of my pieces from my Senior Art Show.  My Family Tree.

On of the things that made putting our house together so easy, was that I actually got to see it and stay in it when we came over to visit back in February.  One of our teammates was living in it then, but lucky for me as their family was expanding they were needing a different place and we now get to call it home.  I fell in love with it then and I love it even more now!

My wedding bouquet as well as birds from the top of our cake.  And some little "home" houses Jordan's Mom gave me that I loved when I saw them in her house.

A teacup from our wedding, and an old picture of Jordan's Dad's family.  A vase my Brother made in high school, and a bowl my favorite potter Dave Williams, my college professor, made and gave to us as a wedding present.  As well as an owl music box from Jordan's Grandparents home.

Old pictures of My Mom's family, covering another Dave Williams piece.  A butterfly gifted to me by my dear friend Amanda.  Shells and driftwood collected from our travels, and some antique finds.

On of my most treasured pieces of art from Salvation Mountain in Niland, California.  When I lived in California my friends introduced me to this place knowing I would love it.  And love it I did.  When Jordan and I traveled out to California on deputation, I visited a third time and had to show him the magic that was there.  Leonard is this nicest guy and he toured us around and gave us some memorabilia to take home.  And this little gem was one of them.

 Now it's into the dining room.

Still a mismatch of colors and things to fill the space.  I just love the little bows on the cushions.  There just one more thing before we get to my most used and favorite room of the house...

Our little coffee cart.

Jordan says I'm a coffee addict.  I blame that on the influence of several people in my life...namely my Mother! ;)  But whether you prefer it with sugar and cream, a little flavor, or just black...we have it all here!

Our magnet board.  We keep our weekly menu, and shopping list on here.

And all my aprons hung in a row!

So there you have it.  Our big room with multi-functional space.

Come over some time and I'll make you dinner, then will sit and swap stories over a cup o' joe!

You're always welcome!
Nikki

Day 9

Technology is awesome! I've been able to keep in touch with my family pretty easily via the Internet and my iPhone. Makes me feel not so far away! I love my family and miss them dearly.

She:

and Him:
Jordan's been pretty busy preparing for class. The big day is tomorrow. I feel like a sad and joyful parent sending him off!


More house tour pics coming up next!


Nikki

Day 8

It was good to be at church today, even if I only understood some of the message. But hopefully that won't be the case forever since we start studying the language with a tutor tomorrow!

She:
and Him:
Jordan starts teaching this week in the final block of the school year. He's been working hard to make sure he's all ready!

Day 7

Spent the morning with Luke, Kelly and Scott, some of our teammates, getting a few family photos before baby number two comes, and planning a few art projects for their nursery.  But my favorite picture came when we took a break to get a snack, and Scott got ahold of the peanut butter jar.  His entire right arm was in the jar.  Needless to say, I passed on the peanut butter.

She:

and Him:

Jordan's picture is a view from Community Baptist Church Pasig after the Saturday night Youth Jam service.

Hope enjoy your Saturday.

Nikki

Day 6

Not only do you get a picture from me, you also get a recipe to follow!  My breakfast.

She:

and Him:

Another peak into Jordan's office.  He's quite the fan.



RECIPE:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola
(from here with a few add ins.)


Preheat oven to 300

Then whisk together:
3/4 cup sucanat
1/2 cup dutch cocoa
1/2 soy milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 packet Starbucks VIA
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. almond extract

Then add:
5 cups rolled oats
1/2 wheat germ
1 cup chopped walnuts

Stir it all together and then spread it out in a single layer on two *prepared cookie sheets (*greased, silpat, or parchment).  The cook for 30 minutes, rotating cookie sheets half-way through.  Allow the granola to cool completely, then break into pieces and store in an air-tight container.  Makes about 8 cups.

Come in & Stay Awhile

I'm so excited to share pictures of our home with you!  I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful place that I love to call home.  Honestly, we wouldn't have this home without all of the people who have supported us along the way in getting us here, so thank you!  I owe you so much and I'm glad to have little pieces of my friends and family throughout our home, as well as treasures I found all throughout or travels.  So come on in and stay a while!

This is what you see when you enter our place. We're starting out here, and I'll show you the details of the entryway, as well as my little artist nook on the other side there, but you'll have to wait till next time to see the rest.  Here's a view from the other side:

This is a needlepoint picture I picked up in Hutch as well as the wooden frame around it.  So I guess it holds double meaning for us.  And the little clay America box was done by another budding artist in the family, Jordan!  He wanted me to point out that the emphasis is on the state of Kansas with the handle.  He's Kansas blood through and through.

Then there's some artwork I did a while back that we put up for us to remember the Seasons, since there are really only two here: hot and hotter. ;)

And back on the left side, some Randy Bacon Photography (love) and one of my favorite things I picked up, this bird mirror.

The living room would then be on your right, but we're not ready for that yet...still on our way down the wall to the artist nook.

This next piece is also a favorite of mine that crossed my path just before we shipped out.  We had a garage sale through our church in Hutch and someone donated this owl lamp for us to sell, but I snagged it for myself.  It now graces my home here in Manila and I LOVE IT!

**I took this picture at night, so you could get the full effect of its awesomeness!
And now to:

I love this cozy little corner but if you've ever seen me work, you know it will actually be a challenge for me to stay in this space; I like to spread out!  ** pardon the ugly cardboard blocking the whole in our wall.  We haven't gotten around to remedying that yet.**  But the view is quite inspirational!  So much sunshine!

I'll definitely have plenty to keep me busy with, and this space will definitely serve it's purpose in all of my planning and creating!  I even have some of my favorite things above me:

My favorite poem and painting: The Lady of Shalott by Lord Alfred Tennyson
                                                   The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse
**you should definitely check out more of the works of both of these fine men.  So magical.  So romantic.
Some more RB Photography of me and my darling husband.
A butterfly poster.
And a Dry Erase Board I made from an old window.

And that concludes the first part of our tour.  But be sure to stick around for the rest.  I have lots more to show you!  Ta-ta for now!

Nikki

Day 5

Nothing too exciting to share today...I spent the whole day cleaning the house.  But that does mean I'm ready to start showing it off.  So expect a "Home Tour" post very soon!

She:

And Him:

A glimpse into Jordan's office/the man cave.  He sure does love his books.  And ole honest Abe!  But who doesn't?

And once again Jordan and I seem to be on point in taking the same kind of photos.  I promise we don't talk about it.  I guess that's why we're just perfect for each other.

Keep an eye out for that home tour post.  It's in the near future!

Nikki