Life is good. Since we have been back from our Europe trip I have loved having a schedule. I am back on track at the gym (yes, I love step aerobics, and yes I may be the only non-soccer-mom in there) and work has been busy. At my firm,
Open Air Design we just finished a Master Plan for Briarwood Lutheran Retreat Center just outside of Dallas. This project is the reason I was hired back in May and I am glad to see it wrap up. It was fun to work with the Design Development team and help them with their vision for the growth of Briarwood. I have also been busy helping my friends Paul and Michelle design a new bedroom to go in above their garage. A few years ago I would have never imagined I could take on a project such as this on my own. Its been crazy, but as I truck ahead I figure out that I sort of kind of somewhat know what to do (or at least am figuring it out along the way!). Last fall I helped with the drawings for a renovation on their porch. Check it out:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgII8tebJXGGawLMD_pnOoa6KHIbLZUxoxleVbi2QM4W4tAf2KIr1_vbhv8f6gfzg7Q-mV0QGLYz-FnWdp6LgMtflCZh8UGfrkSXzAo7diaxS_yjFdJhXYbE6oraX9PPX8wmH1Tib2P_YBW/s640/Before+and+after.jpg)
In my free time (yess..without school I finally have free time!!) I have been busy crafting. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I have had so much fun exercising creativity in the kitchen, on the sewing machine and with glitter. My recent theme has been Christmas (clearly). So far I have made a tree skirt, glittery bird ornaments, Christmas photos and cards, knit and sewed gifts and made a few homemade recipes at Thanksgiving that will be repeated at Christmas. Some of these adventures include:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69x3b_uAk554LFnQlnRGnWCkUFtMRbUzvGN70qR7jCVFzJO26iJX5YZuX1cWziWK-iWuT4acQ4Se3Zr0zRHEXxKqfv1n0Q-GF378M-pOeUEAIcqZKDx85UO-R8qkfwyHwumTC_BT1Xv2u/s640/DSC_0027.JPG) |
Knitting with tea |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspdQAQSYGnWItSZqAL4U-86ALjSW9rZUJ5geApmUtKbXqnRPXMAKjuc3MacibLUjCYLH8Xn921GlMpzibpqPk3LvgvFKk6tNMPSa3tV-yitSoP8PVfPbYdvJYO5rjfENM_BgQvs6qazMV/s640/DSC_0029.JPG) |
Homemade pumpkin pie from a real pumpkin..so good! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyYDvOOyVFvB3Zrs3mgMV_EN4sBtFCv668A8AtOnzJn8vSjG2TZZULsChdGJGfAx385hqUDTVuJTCo8k5-e2g4GkvJr5jksYqM8PSmZjh9dYOSuowpwgS3PeGLJnWn45Bt93ghDfe13WM/s640/Thanksgiving%2521+001.JPG) |
The beginnings of homemade cranberry sauce |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglOWMritVzdoD0nmy0Jfm98lZGfw6ZRqoiJLm5vD3kVJoeRcg16F4ZuMnli2GjY-e3LixQ1B_HYe2ENd4K1QC5hiDWg_CTnlWcG5YQCEvsWKCFlawpuZQpjjCHgVrl76FsjGrHuV6F8Ey/s640/Thanksgiving%2521+010.JPG) |
Amazing wheat rolls, recipe here: |
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/light-wheat-rolls/
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EAGVq4wZyiJm0_e5gcgTS7SnM7stQAzcuac2rAUVbnr5sqgiOpKl_cKVeBNwvaMeU9inBvUVqNoOPfSyMbkrhDFvliM971OU9uKYz5R5OzM9d02u-eaDe0-CpP0iP8XMOZAab2db6_81/s640/Thanksgiving%2521+009.JPG) |
Making glitter ornaments |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoB-_penYuy1S9WnYU-csCF1RfmRxImjUvwTOJXDkjcnSbjjBsoep4oL8fhNjj8OJ7NxGu-zn1X1fZ2hAzXgziyBl6Uh-R5mlPmKbCgMgqvQfBdZik9OJEtoRyH4kcCwE_ADOsBp5fIWwX/s640/Thanksgiving%2521+013.JPG) |
The final glitter ornaments |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV4N-EkRQxq59-5ZNIF8YkQZpG2sKYyiPKh45vnqptrtWHkXO3pbGL3T-ZiU0tpvmVBDY_S4zw-7ZwLribHMXwiWRyi7s8_JoAtRTcC2rar8NkPKjRcv-P2z34ncwxi6nDjOoQ0BpF6qe/s640/nuttings-28.jpg) |
My awesome photographer friend Laura took a few photos for our Christmas card |