Filling an Empty Space

Ever since we've moved into our house, there's been one spot in particular that I did not know what to do with. Next to the fireplace was a big empty wall. Should I fill it with pictures, get a book shelf, etc? Nothing seemed to even out the wall when looking at the whole thing. (I like things to be even/balanced).

My solution: A wall decal.
Easily applied, lasts years, and can be removed at any time.

The Nursery: A Work in Progress

Spicin' up the Bedroom

Ever since we had our bedroom furniture delivered, I've been debating what to do with the huge empty space above the bed. In our previous house we hung a caricature of Nick and I drawn in 2005 at a music festival. Unfortunately it looks too small in such a wide open space; so we've moved it to a different wall of the room.

I spy a sleepy puppy

I did a lot of research for different things we could use to decorate the room and the space above the bed....I kept returning to something I found on Amazon; a wall decal. Whimsical and unique.

Surprisingly, it only took about 30 minutes to apply. It's guaranteed to last. It is removable, but not re-usable. Totally happy with my purchase :-)

Post Holiday Slumber

After being on the go for what feels like forever, it will be nice to finally have a weekend to sit around and do nothing. New Years will most likely be spent at home, or somewhere with in an hour's drive.

Thank goodness for three day weekends! I am looking forward to sleeping in and doing whatever I feel is necessary...maybe some laundry, since i've been "washerless" for a few days; Awaiting the delivery of the new one today. What a bummer when unexpected expenses arise, but awesome to gain NEW replacements!

Boathouse Row

Please enjoy the above picture. One of the many beautiful attractions Philadelphia has to offer. At some point in the near future, we will be purchasing a panoramic picture to hang in our house; OR when I finally get an upgraded digital SLR camera, I'll be taking my own pictures.

Going "Green", Going "Real"

Last weekend, was the weekend. With some family here, Nick and I decided it was time to go get our Christmas tree; and just when I think I know everything about Nick, I keep learning more. Nick has never had a real tree for Christmas (sometimes Nick doesn't have a good memory, so if he's wrong, feel free to call him out)

The entire time we've been together, we've always had a fake tree; with renting at first, then having a new dog, a fake tree was more ideal for the safety of our pets. This year, I put my foot down. With the exception of the past 7 years living on my own, my family and I have always had a real tree. I think its the excitement of going to the tree farm, walking around the field of trees, finding the perfect tree to fit our house, cutting it down, and making it OUR Christmas tree that year; that gives me the feeling of Christmas uniqueness.


Absolutely no offense to those who have "fake-ies," for as much as they can be absolutely beautiful, it's just not the same to me. I love to walk into the house and smell the fresh scent of pine, to water the tree and try to prevent as many pine needles as possible from falling off; it's like a game to me; and making a non perfect, non symmetrical, charlie brown tree.....well....PERFECT.

Scheer tradition continued:

 Find a tree you want; put a glove on top of it so no one else can claim it, while you go tell the sellers you've picked one out.

Blue Spruces are my favorite

Insta-tree!

Brasky is so ready to open his presents!

Unbe"leaf"able!

Give a huge round of applause to Nick and the kitties, for finally moving in on saturday!!! This is the second night with them home, and it only feels like a weekend tease; it'll set in that their here for good, when they never "leaf" me alone! ha ha.

After some unpacking, we spent some time outside raking up the leaves in the front and back yards. Who knew that there was so much! Only bagged the front yard piles, and accumulated six bags. We saved bagging the backyard for another day.

Nick was the leaf masher. Those old hockey gloves came in handy!

Brasky supervised the labor.

A hard day's work yields lots of snugly time.

Upgrades

Yesterday, we had our Fios internet installed, and already Nick has been completing his daily downloads. So nice to have faster internet, that makes my hubby happy. Thank you though, to whoever I have been borrowing internet service from for the last 2 weeks.

Bedroom furniture was also delivered yesterday! I'm happy :-) After sleeping on the guest bedroom mattress on the floor since we moved in, it was extra special to finally sleep on our mattress last night. I slept like a rock.

I think we've gone above and beyond our quota for upgrades this year, so while we're at this plateau, I'm going to bask in the great feeling of "newness."

Master bedroom before...

...and after.

Even Brasky is satisfied with the upgrades

Becoming the Hinman Household

Each day that passes, I slowly attempt to add one decoration to a room or two so our house starts to feel a little more like home. Recently I have added few personalized gifts that we received for the wedding.

Hand made bench from my dad and Carrie; in the dining room

Cross stitch made by my grandma; hung in the dining room

Cross stitch made by  my mom, currently on the fireplace mantle...awaiting relocation

The Hinman Coat of Arms, passed down from Mom and Dad Hinman; hanging in the foyer

We are well on our way to becoming The Hinman Household.... we're just missing the main Hinman. (Come on Nick! Hurry up and get your bottom down here!)

Nick is currently awaiting a phone call about a job he had 3 interviews for. Keep your fingers crossed!