{organized chaos}

 

Since moving to our new house I've yet to unpack everything...and so those pretty pocket doors lead to a very formal dining room complete with a full wall mural of Italy...and antique chandelier and a four and a half foot wall of boxes and tubs that need to be put away....it's just that every time I open the doors I get a little overwhelmed and freak out then I quickly shut the doors and pretend that room doesn't exist just yet. Funnily, I actually had a vision of myself the other day imagining my surprise when I am actually able to get that room squared away....I imagined myself like one of those home-owners on HGTV's show "Buying & Selling" (the one with the two hot twin brothers) ...who comes home to find their space has been added on to and beautified!...I mean it'll be like a I gain a whole new room! How exciting!! (yes.. I'm a bit of a delusional dreamer...and I'm ok with that).

 

So we couldn't find the iron...and ... well, you know being adults and all we should probably have access to that. I went in with the purpose of locating the iron and came out a few minutes later with a huge tub filled to the brim of old photographs... LIKE REAL photographs.  An entire journey in that box.  It holds photos from when Mr. Quinn and I were young and dating....our wedding...births, birthdays, and milestones of our two Indians...all the way up to about four years ago. I had assumed with all the moving we had undergone in the past years that the box had fallen off a truck or gotten accidentally thrown out and here it was! I quickly jumped over the four foot wall of China (er..boxes)...bumped my head on the antique chandelier...and ran right out of Italy...slammed the pocket doors shut tight and then, me and my tribe sat in the living room floor gazing, laughing, and having precious bittersweet floods of memories. After about and hour... and several little yawns later I was snapped back to the present time and realized it was an hour past bedtime on a school night!! I promised to leave the neat, tidy stacks of photos on the floor and we could continue our tour the next day....

 

 

FAST FORWARD to the next eve (last night)... while cooking dinner I could hear the belly laughs....the "oohs & ahh's" and "ohhh! LOOK!"...coming from the living room and new they were pilfering through the piles of photos.. they would even bring me one occasionally and ask "who's this chubby baby?"

 

When the call to dinner came... they shut the pocket doors to the living room, washed up , and we sat down and ate. That was followed by our regular scheduled evening marathon of homework, showers, and what seems like a three hours of  me proclaiming "go back -to bed!!"

 

THIS MORNING.....after the kids were off to school I danced through the house doing my morning ritual of opening up the blinds and doors in all the rooms...allowing the space and the light to greet and kiss...when I opened the living room doors...I almost fell over!

..............................................................................................

 

 

 

those little rascal's sure did have fun though... and as I replayed the giggles and chuckles I heard coming from this same room the night before.....

 

I just decided...that I was ok with that..(but darn-it i never did find that iron!)

Source: etsy.com via Dejah on Pinterest

xoxo
Dejah

{the road I'm travelin'...}

 


the road I'm travelin'......






 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: breakfastattimpanis-quotes.xanga.com via Dejah on Pinterest

 

 

 

 

Source: middlechildcomplex.tumblr.com via Dejah on Pinterest

 

January always throws me into spirals.... Perhaps it's the cold, dreary weather...or the contrast of the pace from what a whirlwind December is...either way I am always grateful for another January --a privilege , I realize , is denied to many....but I am also always a little happy to see her go.

February always brings calm, quiet, clarity and beauty. My mind flourishes with dreams and goals. I feel my course changing this 2013... the road I'm on looks different and I am so excited to explore and find where it takes me.

 

a lovely old photo of my great grandma (Granny's mom) Pearl Amelia and some of my great uncles

 

 

xoxo,

 

 

 

 

 

Dejah

{tipsy tuesday}

Tipsy Tuesday!

1) don't throw out those brown bananas.......instead... carefully peel them and then chop into inch sized slices...store in freezer bags and freeze.... They are perfect for quick breakfast smoothies...and since they are frozen....no need for ice! (this tip is from my friend andrea marie)
( p.s. you can do this for all fruits and veggies that are just getting a bit too ripe....please don't throw them out!!!)

2) keep stored potatoes from budding those nasty poisonous roots by placing an apple in the bag/basket with the potatoes.

3) have left over wine from your latest girls night-out? hmm ..take- it from me...it's just not gonna taste as good later after it oxygenates... but come-on...don't throw out all that leftover wine, Instead...when the party is over remember to pour it into ice trays and freeze.... you can use it later in your cooking for sauces etc.

4) buy garlic by the bag instead of by the clove..it's cheaper and it only takes a few more minutes to dice it up .... then store in freezer bag and freeze it.... now you have fresh garlic to throw on all your dishes.....Love me some garlic!

5) cooking Rolls? ....beat some egg whites and brush them over your crescent rolls before baking.this makes a beautiful glossy, crust. (this tip is courtesy of my mother -in-law aka: BOSSY)

6) put a tablespoon of dry rice into your coffee grinder and turn-it-on- to clean it!

7) Spoon your favorite flavored yogurt into a plastic baggie... snip the end... then squeeze  nickel sized drops onto a cookie sheet..... FREEZE... makes an amazing and healthy snack! (p.s. my kids LOVE them...and they don't know they aren't candy... so please don't tell them!
source: pinterest)

8) baked potatoes in the CROCK POT!!!.... WUUUT!? ( in the morning)
use a knife or fork to pierce the potatoes all over... then wrap completely in foil....place in the crock pot and cook on low for about 8 hrs... or high for about 4 hrs...and DONE! :)
(p.s..on busy work days I stop off on my way home at my local BBQ joint and pick-up chopped beef ...for a loaded spud dinner-- top them off with shredded cheese and sour cream... & it's a family favorite! YUMMY! )

9) store your already chopped lettuce in left-over wax paper bags (from the kiddos emptied cereal) to make it last even longer!

10) got a rug that just won't stay put?
 flip it over an apply a few lines of acrylic-latex caulk with the hubby's caulk gun....about every 4-6 inches should do it.. let dry and viola!

11)  did your SWIFFER wet-jet run out mid-stream?..simply place the solution bottle... cap down  in  a few inches of boiling water and hold it down. be sure to protect your hand with an oven mitt.... after a few minutes...when the bottle starts to really bloat... carefully , use another mitt to twist off the cap ....then refill with your own cleaning solution. :)

12) refill your bathroom/kitchen anti-bacterial foaming soap dispensers by simply filling them with water and just a  teaspoon of antibacterial dish soap!

13) take just a few minutes to cover your refrigerator shelves with plastic/saran wrap....no one will ever know it's there yet... makes cleaning almost effortless when your littles make grape juice spills etc..

14)  got fine silver? if  you place a piece of chalk into a bag with your fine silver... it will draw out all the moisture and prevent tarnish! swanky huh!?

15) have a favorite pair of shoes that bite??....fill two plastic sandwich bags 1/4 way with water....lightly spray the outsides of bags with Pam or other cooking spray to avoid sticking... place the bags into your shoes... then the shoes into your freezer...once the water is completely frozen remove.... when the water starts to melt  and the bags sweat,  remove the baggies and wipe down your shoes..let them sit for a day and then try them on for size!


hope that helps
xoxo
 Dejah



 

 

{motivation Monday}

Monday... Happy...get-up-and-get-going Monday!! Freaky, Squeaky, cleaning Monday!!

Are you motivated yet? ...if not watch this...

The Girls With Glasses "Clean Happy" Song

and you might want to check out their blog HERE

Happy Monday y'all!

xoxo
Dejah

{a song for Sunday}

here's you a sweet lil' song that's been ricocheting around my little head all week...

this weeks beautiful  song for Sunday is by:

Sarah Reeves



Here at the altar of the broken things
I'm finally throwing down this mirror of me
when Ive done all I can do and there's nothing left to prove
and I just need you

I'm totally completely dependant upon you
I'm totally completely dependant upon you

Here at the place of empty vessels
I'm pouring out this heart of selfish ambition
When theres no more options left  
and im nothing but a mess well
that's when you' re best

when there's no words left to say
and there's nothing to pray
I just wait

Oh I wait on you Lord

I'm trusting in your word, yeah

Oh cause you' re totally completely faithful to me
You're totally completely faithful to me

{finally friday}

It's finally Friday!!

 

....and tonight we are going to do a little relaxing ...

and a lot of cuddling....
because tomorrow we go hard on home renovations! ahh!  I hope you have a lovely relaxing eve. I'll try and remember to take some before and after pics. :)

 

xoxo

Dejah

{who what WEAR wednesday}

 

 

{who what WEAR wednesday}

this weeks wardrobe was pretty simple, yet sleek and functional. I wore this to work at the studio and I was completely comfortable building displays...and then on to lunch with the girls..followed up by carpooling the kiddies...then toting them around to errands, dance, etc. and I still got complements from Mr. Quinn when he arrived home!  This is a function ensemble with a bit of flare and some kick....WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK!


THE LOOK.....

 

and it's kind-of cute too eh?

(photos by my sweet, dear, son age 9)

 

 

vintage flannel... uhhh....

 I might have mis-spelled flannel in the photo caption above--- just overlook it mmm-kay?  because REALLY?...how many times do you actually spell flannel in your life ..pretty sure I NEVER had such a word in school spelling lists....plus it's really late as I type this...everyone one in my house-hold  has been in bed for hours including the dog..... the dishwasher is humming me  a sweet little lullaby, the washer and dryer are joining in with strings and percussion.... while I still have work to do --- my computer hardrive insists on singing harmony....SO back to the:

shirt (local thrift shop men's section) $1.00

(similar HERE

&  HERE)

 

.....but I really recommend checking out the men's section at your local thrift shops... or even sneaking into your dads, brothers, cousins? grandfathers closets!!! lol

 

sequin tank (target clearance) $4.54

similar --not quite as cheap but--maybe even cuter one shown HERE

old navy jeans $29.50 (used a Christmas gift card from the GAP = FREE

 HERE

 

 

My sweet sis-in-law hand-knit me these boot cuffs as a gift for Christmas ( I PUFFY HEART handmade gifts!--THEY ARE THE BEST!)

 These boots are an old Christmas gift (I begged for) from Mr. Quinn-- and that was at least 12 years ago.  Let me say: first off: I'm not getting paid to say this--and secondly-- I'm a bit of a Steve Madden fan.

I am on my feet all day and I'm kinda in love that he makes practical-yet stylish shoes because otherwise I'd be in my tennis shoes or UGGS all day everyday.
(obviously  my splurge is footwear...but us busy gals just can't get things done when your feet hurt am I right?)

Because my boots here are so old...yet in great shape...it's also an awesome testament to how well Mr Madden's shoes hold up!

I couldn't find my boot style available any longer...but you can find similar ones HERE  & HERE

...and now to a minor (yet major) detail......

 

xoxo
Dejah

{tipsy tuesday}

HOLY Vinegar!!

I know my great grandmothers are likely rolling on heaven's floor laughing that it took me 35 years to figure out how amazing this stuff is!

Vinegar (which basically means "sour wine" in french) was discovered accidentally when a cask of wine gone past it's prime was put to use instead of thrown out...and so... a versatile new product was found! Vinegar is naturally green, antibacterial, disinfectant, non-toxic...and really has SO MANY uses.

From cleaning almost any household surface...to using in the lawn/garden...as pest control...even cooking...and taking internally for health benefits... There's just not much you can't do with it! Today, I'm going to share one of the ways I use vinegar on a weekly basis. In the shower!! My OCD tendencies arise if I am taking a shower and spot anything unclean in the shower/tub.....and I just can't feel clean if I'm showering in a dirty space...and sometimes a shower can be clean but just look old or nasty because of soap scum, hard water spots and/or calcium deposits. By using this quick and easy method once a week... my shower looks brand new and I can bathe in peace ;) AND most importantly I am not subjecting myself or my family to a ton of toxic chemicals that I can't even pronounce.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
-white distilled vinegar
-dawn dish soap concentrated (or off brand - as long as the ingredients are the same)
-large squirt bottle

-Mix equal parts concentrated dish soap and vinegar in squirt bottle and shake well ( I make a full squirt bottle batch and do all bathrooms at once)

-Spray the entire shower surface down very well (the solution comes out like a gel and sticks well)

-Leave solution on for an hour...it will begin to spread and thicken a bit...
-After an hour take a wet sponge and just quickly wipe down all surfaces...(no need to scrub).
-Let sit for about 15-20 more min. then rinse away with hot water.

Your shower will sparkle like new!!

Want more info on ALL the wonderful uses for vinegar!?

visit these links:

http://www.versatilevinegar.org/usesandtips.html

http://www.motherearthliving.com/healthy-home/natural-cleaning/versatile-vinegar-zmhz13jfzmel.aspx

http://cupcakeapothecary.blogspot.com/2012/02/130-uses-for-vinegar.html


xoxo
Dejah

{the runaway...& the rambler}

{the runaway...& the rambler}




....uh...tap...tap...tap...is  this thing on?


I don't even know where to start...or if even anyone is still around...reading this...but if you are Oh My Goodness! BLESS YOUR HEART (in my East Texas accent)...and I love you!!!!!

Remember THIS POST ABOUT MY BEGINNING?  this blog?? It still pertains.... I'm still very much in that mindset ...in fact...I haven't read that post since I posted it then...til' today......crazy huh?

Really though...... it made me think...
so much has has changed...so much remains...

My Granny & Papaw moved away from Rambling Lane..they moved into a retirement community...and got it ready to sell...my heart broke a little... I couldn't imagine that little plot of home belonging to anyone outside my family...In the meanwhile...my cousin Renee' lived and loved in the Rambling house...for nearly two years until she got married...And then to my surprise...Granny and Papaw decided to move home!! 

2012 was a crazy year...and 2013 has so many possibilities... that's a post for another day...

I'll leave you with a photo of The little House on Rambling lane.

Love,
the runaway and the rambler