Nago Cherry Blossom Festival

by Jessica // January 29, 2015 // No Comments

Hello friends, hope you all are having a wonderful week. I must say it feels like spring here, and with all the flowers blooming it definitely looks it, too!

This blog post is about a little road trip we took last weekend to the northern part of the island that is known for its lovely cherry tree-lined road that takes you up Mt.Nago. The 53rd Nago Cherry Blossom Festival is from January 31st to February 1st, but the trees have already started to bloom. The cherry trees require cold temperatures to come into bloom, the pink blanket created by the trees moves slowly south from the northern mountains in one or two weeks. It is believed that the blooms represent the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It was a great day out with the kiddos, and I look forward to visiting again next year.

They had food vendors along the way selling traditional dishes and a few American favorites for the kiddos.

Yummy french fries and hot dogs!

This was soup or soba with pigs feet and what appears to be an esophagus, I’m glad Cole chose the other bowl, I don’t think I could watch him eat that.

On the way to the top of Mt. Nago there was a rest area with a shrine and locals selling oranges.

The Festival at Mt.Nago this weekend is expected to attract 200,000 visitors, with parades, street dances, and stage entertainment. It’s worth the drive this weekend if you haven’t already checked it out.

A little Japanese translation for fun.

Cherry Blossoms – Sakura

Cherry Blossom Viewing – Hanami

Mountain Cherry Tree – Yamazakura

I hope you have enjoyed this blog post, and thank you for your support. My little blog is starting to grow little by little, and I couldn’t do it without your subscriptions.

Take care and have a wonderful weekend!

Jessica

The Local Antique Shop

by Jessica // January 14, 2015 // No Comments

Hello friends, hope you all are well and enjoying the new year.

Today’s blog post features pictures from a local Chinese antique store, The Oriental Place, that a friend and I visited last week. This local shop has been in business since 1999, and offers original antiques from China. The prices were reasonable, they carry anything from one of a kind porcelain, small unique gifts, up to large furniture pieces. For the ladies stationed on the island they will open their shop for coffees or business meetings, and offer information about their beautiful Chinese antiques.

Hope you enjoyed taking a look at this lovely Antique store, all the intricate carving and colorful painted furniture are amazing. The brushes you saw in a few pictures that look like old shaving cream brushes are caligraphy brushes, they are a great affordable gift idea, I’d never seen these until moving here. If you are in the area it’s definitely worth checking out. They also offer gift cards, perfect for a friend or family member, they are available starting at $25. Their website is www.orientalplaceokinawa.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/orientalplaceokinawa.

Thank-you for stopping by! Have a great weekend!

Jessica

Our First Christmas in Japan

by Jessica // January 6, 2015 // No Comments

Our first Christmas in Japan was nice and quiet, we shared a wonderful dinner with new friends. Thank-you family and friends for all the cards and packages sent our way, it helped ease the sadness of being away from my family. It’s always exciting to go to the post office this time of year, you never know what Santa might bring. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years with loved ones.

This post I just wanted to share a little trip we made the day after Christmas to Itoman, for the 16th Annual Itoman Peaceful Illumination, to see their beautiful light display. Itoman is about an hour from our house, on the southern tip of Okinawa. They had thousands of twinkling lights in various colors decorating the entire facility. There were many food and game vendors to enjoy, much like a fair back home. The aroma of fried foods made it hard to resist, but Cole and went with a cabbage and vegetable omelet, it was quiet tasty. They even had fresh made donuts and cotton candy to satisfy your sweet tooth.

My silly bunch, never a dull moment!

Fresh donuts with a variety of toppings, yum!

I didn’t get all of this in the picture, but it said “PEACEFULL”, I’m sure it made all the Americans smile.

The meltdown has begun, see the joy on Ava’s face, must have been all the sugar.

The people here are very polite and helpful, which makes it easier when ordering food or trying to get directions. It’s a great learning experience for the kiddos, we’re soaking up as much of the culture as we can while we are here. We enjoyed our trip to Itoman and hope to make it back again next year.

Happy New Year to you all!

Jessica

Traditional Christmas Decor

by Jessica // December 17, 2014 // No Comments

Happy Holidays friends! Just a little more than a week until Christmas. Cole gets home this week from Guam and the kiddos finish up school on Friday. I hope you all have completed your shopping and are enjoying your holiday parties and time with family.

Last week my blog post was about using gold Christmas decor, this week I wanted to show you a few of my favorite traditional red and green decor picks.

via www.southernliving.com This wreath is a lovely way to greet your guests for the holidays.

via www.pinterest.com/pin/76420524900985729/ In keeping with the holly theme, this is a simple arrangement but when in an oversized container in a group of three it’s a show stopper!

via www.tginteriors.blogspot.jp If you aren’t able to get your hands on any holly, cedar or pine trimmings are a beautiful festive option to add to your Christmas decor.

via www.countryliving.com Branches with ornaments for those of you who may not have the space or access to a Christmas tree.

via www.southernliving.com Cranberries and magnolia leaves, a beautiful combination.
via www.marthastewart.com A cute alternative to displaying your Christmas cards.

via www.atlantahomesmag.com This trio is also a lovely welcome for guests, made of pinecones, blue spruce and a deep green velvet ribbon.

via www.southernliving.com

via http://room-galleries.myhomeideas.com

via http://room-galleries.myhomeideas.com A beautiful entrance to this home using fruit, boxwood and blue spruce trimmings, accented with touches of red.

via www.laurengeiger.blogspot

via www.megduerksen.typepad.com Click this picture for more details. I love the vintage Christmas ornaments and crystal mixed with the silver trees.

via www.auntpeaches.com Another simple and affordable idea for your chandelier.

via www.ext.homedepot.com If you don’t have a chandelier, create your own focal point. This wreath hung with ribbon is a beautiful alternative.

via www.rainydays-snowynights.tumblr.com

via www.potterybarn.com/ Nostalgic Christmas Tree

via www.traditionalhome.com This is my favorite tree mixed all types of ornaments, no specific theme.

via www.marthastewart.com Keep your holiday cards organized and on display. Click the picture for step-by-step instructions.

via www.southernliving.com For all my friends who have these hanging in their living rooms, sure to put a smile on your guests face.

via www.bhg.com Pomegranate and holly berries.

via www.traditionalhome.com

Hope you enjoyed taking a look at a few of my favorite Christmas decor ideas. Click the pictures for sources and more information. Enjoy your holiday and remember the reason for the season!

Take Care,

Jessica

Golden Christmas

by Jessica // December 7, 2014 // No Comments

Hope you all have had a wonderful weekend. We are doing well in Okinawa, we’ve had a few cooler evenings, it’s finally feeling like fall. Just got our last package mailed off, my Christmas shopping is almost complete, now I’m ready to enjoy the season.

This post is about choosing your Christmas decor. The options are endless, if you are looking to change it up a bit this year I have found a few options that are affordable DIY projects. Other than traditional red and green, gold would be my choice for Christmas decor. The gold tones will go well with any color home decor and has a bit more of a formal look. With all the wonderful metallic paints available this look is easy to accomplish. No worries if you’ve already got your Christmas decor up for the season, plan ahead for next year, hit the after Christmas sales and stock up on all things gold. Check out a few of the lovely trees and DIY projects below for a little inspiration.

via www.potterybarn.com Love this tree topper.

via www.MarthaStewart.com

via www.bhg.com

via www.countryliving.com

via www.maureenstevens.com Branches sprayed with metallic paint, these could be used as a tree topper or as an arrangement.

via www.thesweetestoccasion.com Check out this site for step-by-step instruction on how to make this beautiful garland. Drape this from your mantel or around your tree.

via www.MarthaStewart.com Click the picture for step-by-step instructions on to create these lovely gilded pinecones.

via www.homedit.com Artificial greenery come to life with gold metallic spray paint, add candles for a beautiful glow. Live greenery also works great, I’ve used this to help the tree look fuller, it looks beautiful with the lights reflecting off the gold.

via www.weheartit.com Use artificial fruit from the dollar store and glitter to create a centerpiece or add to your tree.

via www.anightowlblog.com Another option for your artificial fruit.

via www.williamsburgmarketplace.com Bay leaves, magnolia leaves, or even a pine wreath completely covered or just adding a light coat of metallic paint. This would look great on your front door or above your mantel.

via www.yournestdesign.blogspot This combination is beautiful.

via www.pinterest.com Simple magnolia leaf wreath with gold ribbon.

via www.marthastewart.com Click the picture for more Christmas wreath ideas from MarthaStewart.com. The wide satin ribbon tied in a loose knot make the wreath.

via www.MarthaStewart.com Gold magnolia leaf garland draped with wide satin ribbon. Click the picture for how-to instructions.

via www.lowes.com I have used Rustoleum for several of my projects and have read several reviews, this seems to be the top choice.

via www.krylon.com This spray comes in a rainbow of colors, much easier than the glue and glitter technique from back in the day.

via www.pinterest.com If you decide to go with the gold theme or another of your favorite metallic tones don’t forget the gift wrap.

via www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com

All the pictures above have clickable links for more info.

Hope you have enjoyed this post, happy decorating! Next post, traditional red and green decor. Don’t forget to subscribe and please share with your friends. Have a wonderful week and take time to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!

Jessica

Thanksgiving Table

by Jessica // November 18, 2014 // No Comments

Hello friends, Thanksgiving is fast approaching and it’s time to start thinking about setting your table for family and friends, which can often be a daunting task. I like the simple, timeless approach, try to avoid buying trendy items that you may look back and say, “What was I thinking?”

This season there are many affordable options, depending where you live and what you have access to. I’ve seen beautiful arrangements this season using cotton, pheasant feathers, wheat, just to name a few. The colors I’m loving this fall are plum and burgundy, an easy option is always fruit and fall foliage.

Click the pictures below for the link and more info.

via www.boho-weddings.com This is the color scheme my pick this fall, check out more amazing pics. on Boho-weddings.com.

via www.weddingchicks.com How beautiful is this linen napkin, pheasant feather, and brass napkin ring combination?

via www.blog.birdsparty.com More of the beautiful plum color, mixed with magnolia leaves and persimmons.

via www.vignettedesign.net Beautiful color combination.

via www.bridalguide.com This is a beautiful combination with the pine cones, pomegranates, and orchids.

via www.blog.xoxobride.com Another simple, yet beautiful option for using pomegranates.

via www.stylemepretty.com This is another amazing arrangement, if you have access to fresh cut cotton.

via www.findinghomeonline.com Black and white gingham, striped tea towel, and a small twig of lavender.

via www.potterybarn.com These lovely ikat napkins would be perfect on any Thanksgiving table, priced at $16.00 for a set of four.

via www.pinterest.com Accorns and lavender.

via www.intimateweddings.com Another great look if you have access to fresh-cut wheat.

via www.southernliving.com Fall foliage and miniature pumpkins, pop against the white table linens and dinnerware.

via www.hgtv.com This is a great idea for your guests or kiddos, write what your thankful, a beautiful keepsake.

via www.eastcoastcreativeblog.com Lovely craft idea for the kiddos, also another option for guests to share what they are thankful for.

via www.eastcoastcreativeblog.com Creative artwork idea for the kiddos, using dry magnolia leaves.

Hope you’ve enjoyed taking a look at a few of my favorite picks for our Thanksgiving table and it’s helped get the creative juices flowing.

Thank-you for reading my blog! Don’t forget to subscribe and share with your friends.

Have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

Jessica

Welcome to Okinawa

by Jessica // November 12, 2014 // No Comments

Konichiwa, or good evening from Japan! We have been here for two weeks now and adjusting to the time difference, kids are in school, we have a home and are meeting some wonderful people.

Our first trip off base, we decided to check out a popular site, American Village. You would be amazed by the shops and restaurants: Red Lobster, Sbarro, A&W just to name a few. My favorite shop was American Depot, a used clothing store, basically an American thrift store. This store had everything from flannels, afghan, cowboy boots, to used Birkenstocks, you name it they had it, all made in the USA.

Our first stop, American Depot.

Used Happy Meal toys for 280 yen, approximately $2.80.

Used Birkenstocks, anyone?

They had rows and rows of old leather jackets and US military fatigues.

The drink machines have quite the variety of beverages, some are more elaborate with noodles and food selections not seen in the states.

Not bad for a cold coffee, but definitely not Starbucks.

What is first thing you order when dining out in Japan, cheeseburgers, of course!

Toes in the sand with my precious family.We finished our day at the Kadena Marina a few miles from our house. The weather was beautiful, not a bad way to end our day of exploring Okinawa.

Thank-you for following my blog. I hope to start posting more now that I have gotten most of the boxes out of the house. Take care and have a wonderful week.

Jessica

Brookgreen Gardens

by Jessica // October 23, 2014 // No Comments

Hello friends, hope you all are well. We are now on our way to Japan, with several days of travel behind and ahead of us. I thought I would post a few pictures of the beautiful Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC, just a few miles from Myrtle Beach. Cole got home a few weeks ago and we decided to check out their fall festival. The kids and I enjoyed the grounds and fall festivities. Hope enjoy the pictures and if you are ever in the area it’s definitely worth checking out.

These kiddos were glad to have their daddy back!

Next post will be from Okinawa, Japan! Have a wonderful weekend!

Jessica

Halloween Treats for All

by Jessica // October 16, 2014 // No Comments

Halloween is only a few weeks away, it’s time for parties and gatherings with friends and family. This season the options are endless for goolish, tasty treats that the kiddos are sure to enjoy, and a few for mom, too! Here are a few of my favorites picks, sure to be tasty and not too difficult to prepare. The pictures have clickable links to the source for recipes and step-by-step instructions.

via www.southernliving.com Try using pumpkins to add interesting height to your buffet this Halloween.

via www.dixiecrystals.com This yummy treat has only six ingredients, Chocolate Pumpkin Truffles.

via www.erinsfoodfiles.com Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles, another pumpkin truffle option, they look delish!

via www.marthastewart.com Marshmallow skulls top madeleines shrouded in bittersweet chocolate.

via www.notquitenigella.com How about brains, grotesque with a blood clot hidden inside the cupcake?

via www.cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com Love this simple vampire bite cupcake, it is vanilla cake with bloody jam centre and bloodied fang marks.

via www.karaspartyideas.com This is a cute idea for a fall party, using mini Oreos and Reese’s pieces.

via www.tasteofhome.com Adorable ghosts, a simple way to decorate your juicy strawberries.

via www.annies-eats.com If you need a chocolate fix, this colorful Halloween bark is a good balance of sweet and salty.

via www.katherinemariephotography.com This is an easy idea for the kids to help prepare.

via www.craftberrybush.com This is definitely the cutest idea for older kids and adults, how can you resist a candy apple bar? Bite size is perfect and you can try them all. Check out Lucy’s blog for recipes and more cute ideas.

via www.pinterest.com/pin/68724549731 Beautiful presentation of a candied apple bar.

via www.mylitter.com Here is another great option for candied apples, great for little hands. Be sure to read the helpful tips, under the recipe on www.mylitter.com.

via www.life-in-the-lofthouse.com If you are not into candied apples, how about a little caramel apple dip? This recipe also looks delicious.

via www.shewearsmanyhats.com Here’s a simple recipe for your pumpkin seeds after carving your jack-o-lantern , this one has only five ingredients.

via www.dearcrissy.com This is another simple recipe, only six ingredients, most are already in your pantry. This with your morning coffee, yes, please!

via www.marthastewart.com I had to add this jack-o-lattern pick, made me smile.

Hope you enjoyed this post and are hungry now! Dont’t forget to subscribe and share with your friends. Have wonderful day!

Jessica

Custom Built Home Tour

by Jessica // October 10, 2014 // No Comments

Hello all, hope this blog post finds you doing well and enjoying the beautiful October weather.

I’ve been in South Carolina now for about two months waiting on my husband to finish up his training in Oregon. While here I’ve enjoyed checking out a few sites in the area. It’s no surprise, Charleston is still my favorite, the city is full of historic homes and sites. If you’ve never been you need to add Charleston to your list of things to do.

While checking out the area I found a building company owned by Richard Jackson. The company is Jackson Built Custom Homes it’s based in Daniel Island, South Carolina. This builder has amazing taste, the homes are beautiful down to the smallest detail. Their website has home tours that leave you wanting to see more. I am not affiliated with this company in any way, but just thought I would share one of their house tours. Click on the pictures for more details and contact information.

This screened in porch with fireplace has to be my favorite along with the kitchen. A great room for watching a little Alabama football.

I think most women have a dream kitchen, this one is pretty close to mine. The white cabinetry with Carrara marble and three windows centered over the sink, overlooking the back yard are amazing. The copper hood, the cabinetry, the ceiling details, the beams, all show what wonderful craftsmanship this company puts into their homes.

This butler’s pantry has an abundant amount of storage that will eliminate any clutter in your kitchen.