the Projects

Hi everyone. I hope y'all are enjoying this beautiful fall weather and all the activities that go along with that. I'm enjoying pumpkins, golden Mums, scary movies with the hubs, apple cider, fall candles and decorations, running and making lots of soup! Life seems to be moving pretty quickly, although nothing too big has been going on. Although, we are trying to buy our first house (and land!). I'm excited and nervous, but trying not to daydream about it too much until it actually happens.

I've been wanting to make different posts about all of the different things we've been doing around the house, but none of them seem to be blog worthy. So, I saved them all up to share today!

 My sweet husband and step dad built a pergola for our back patio. Look how awesome that is! I'm one lucky lady. I'm hoping to grow pretty vines on it to provide shade and bring pretty flowers.

 A quilt for baby Caroline. Our friends Drew and Katie will be welcoming her in a few months. I made the quilt partially with materials that I used to make decorations for our wedding.

 I also made dry laundry detergent (thanks for the idea/inspiration Maranda!). After seeing how much detergent can be made from spending so little, I don't think I will be going back to Tide. I actually really enjoyed the process of making the detergent. All of the ingredients can be found at Wally World.

I learned how to make my Aunt Arlene's Wow Wow Chow Chow. If you've ever gathered around for dinner in the Nelson house, you've probably eaten or seen this beautiful food. Traditionally, you eat this with beans and cornbread, salmon patties, hot water bread, etc.. I eat it out of the jar or however else I can get it. It was such a special experience making this Chow Chow and learning how to can with my Granny. I always enjoy our time together, but when we were making this Chow Chow, I kind of felt like she was passing on a legacy. I'm so glad she is patient enough to put up with all of my questions and mess ups in the learning process! I will be canning some jams and preserves next month. I'm looking forward to teaching my kids and grandkids how to can!

 So, I started a book club! I was inspired by my Aunt Margret, who is involved with several book clubs in New Orleans. She was telling me about her groups and about all of the books they're reading and I decided that I wanted to do the same. These are the books we are reading, if anyone is interested in reading along:

1. Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
2. The Casual Vacancy by J. K. Rowling
3. The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman
4. A House in the Sky: A Memoir by Amanda Lindhout
5. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton
6. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

  I signed up to be a Stampin Up! demonstrator in May (I think), but with all the hustle and bustle of wedding stuff and working full time I could not keep up. Now that things have settled down a little bit, I am going to become active again. I am hoping to have a booth at the River Market in Monroe to help boost my business. My plan is to sell thank you cards, get well soon, birthday and also birthday/shower invitations.

I hope y'all have a fabulous fall Saturday!

Emily