New Blog: Leona Lane

Hey guys! Jenn and I have finally launched our new blog "Leona Lane"! It has been a fun little joint effort we started at the beginning of November. I'll be posting over there from now on. See you over there!

Instagram + Project Life

I have a self confessed instagram obsession - absolutely love it! When I'm rounding up my pictures of the week for Project Life, I always look back over my instagrams too. I love incorporating them into my album because they are so representative of the day-by-day for me. Sometimes, I re-size them to fit in the usual pockets. This week I had so many photos in addition to my "grams" that I decided to print them as mini pics and make a special insert for them.  

To make something similar, you will want to print your pictures out as 2x2s. I do this in Picasa, first select six photos, then click "create" in the toolbar at the top and select "picture collage". For the collage settings, use 4x6 for the canvas size and grid layout. This should place all six of your photos side by side. Save the image and print as a 4x6. Next is the fun part! Cut them up and play with your paper until you make something fabulous! For journaling, I just wrote the the original captions underneath. Happy crafting! 

Winter Weekend

I love snow! In my opinion it is one of the best things about winter. If the weather is going to be cold, it might as well be pretty and sparkly too! Snow transforms all the dull grays and browns into a winter wonderland, its magic. It started snowing here on Thursday evening, snowed through the night and stuck around for most of the weekend. Then it snowed again last night! I love waking up and seeing a fresh coating of snow everywhere, so untouched and quiet. I love being outside early, before all the boot prints and tire tracks muck things up, just a few cute kitty footprints around. I love not having to scrape your windshield - brushing snow off is so much easier! 

We had a lovely wintery weekend. Pete & Hannah came to visit from Seattle. We hung out, drank awesome coffee, visited a bookstore, I cleaned the house (which felt great!), had more friends over for dinner, drank lots of warm beverages, made a fire and kept the house toasty, baked some pecan pies, wore thick sweaters and I busted out my down slippers, read books, played quirkle and listened to oldies on Pandora. Such a nice, relaxing weekend!  (until the part where an uninsured drunk driver smashed into Pete's parked car, which then smashed into our car... just another chance to remember to turn to the Lord!)

Hope everyone else had a wonderful weekend too!

Local Spots: Mexican Food

Mexican food is the best! If I had to pick my favorite type of food, I'm pretty sure this would be it. Today, I thought I would share some of my favorite spots here in town with you locals! Or if you are ever passing through Spokane, stop and check one out. However, if you are craving fish tacos, you will have to come over to our place, cause Joe makes the best in town ;)

El Que is a fun little hole-in-the-wall in Brown's Addition (behind the Elk). This is a fun place to go if you are looking for something unique with a cool atmosphere  I love their outdoor seating in the summer! They have terrific sangria (pictured below) and margarita's. My cousin says it reminds her of Mexico! They have the best tamales in town and their tacos are pretty great too! Probably not the most kid friendly though (half of the seating is in the bar).

Atilanos is my favorite place for fast food and/or drive through. They are downtown on 3rd, and I've heard they are also opening a new place up north. Quick service, cheap food, but man is it delicious!! Their carne asada tacos (pictured below) and carne asada tortas are my favorite! They also serve horchata and have a salsa bar inside. We love this place, don't be surprised if you see our car at the drive through window...

Pueblo Amigo is our favorite family style restaurant. They are located on West Francis, in between Wall and Monroe. The staff is always friendly and welcoming and are able to accommodate larger parties than El Que. The steak fajitas here are to die for - they are absolutely incredible! I have trouble ordering anything else when we go here. The tacos al carbon are another favorite though (pictured below). And if you're in the mood for a drink, the margaritas are tasty and very reasonably priced.

Things I'm Loving

Fall around here has been a little on the gloomy side. These are all little pick-me-ups that are making fall a little more cheerful at our house. Some are birthday presents and a few are old favorites. 

Sources: 1. Desert Bloom Mug from Anthropologie (now discontinued).  2. Serving Set from Anthropologie. 3. Mulling Spices from Williams & Sonoma.  4. Amy Tangerine Date Stamp from Impress.  5. Attack Cat Rug from Urban Outfitters. 6. Teal Polka Dot Washi Tape from Freckled Fawn.  7. Faux Foil Pie Plate from Crate & Barrel (unfortunately has been discontinued, different yellow pie plate here).  8. His & Hers Stamps made by Elise Blaha Cripe.  9. Le Creuset Classic Teakettle in Dune from Casa.com. Other. Rag Rug in the background is also from Urban Outfitters.

And of coarse, not everything nice comes in a brown box from the UPS guy. I'm also loving...

... spending time with family & friends

... soup, particularly posole

... surprisingly, the color orange - its a new favorite

... listening to my "Jack Johnson" pandora station

... drinking red wine in the evening with Joe

... baking & eating pumpkin pie, and really, any other kind of pie

... getting into the Word at our Bible study

... catching up with project life. I'm so stinkin close!

... thick wool socks & warm sweatshirts

... laughing at the cat's antics & giving him lots of hugs

... drinking hot beverages of all varieties

... the smell of my "leaves" candle. seriously, its the best.

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend!