Brian's Ottoman

As I'm working on accessorizing the bonus room, Brian let me know that he needed a "foot rest" when he sits on the couch. I told him that it would have to fit the overall look of the room. The room isn't very big, so we got this cube style ottoman. It has wheels on the bottom so it can be wheeled over to a corner when it isn't in use. It is leather which Brian really likes. He even invited me to take his picture while he was watching his game. So cute!:)

Bonus Room Progress

I got this new sofa in the bonus room and am working to accessorize the room. I love the striped pillow. Today I got the throw and am contemplating how they all go together. I have several more square pillows on order to pick up the red and the yellow. I have to bring things home to get the visual.

Snow Days

We are in the middle of another southern snowstorm. In fact, they have already cancelled all church services at our church for tomorrow. I can't believe it! I think this is the first church that I have ever attended where they have cancelled the entire day of services--only in the South!:)

We did get out for a few hours today and did a little shopping. I have this ottoman in the living room that needs a little spicing up. I have taken pictures of two options using different throws. I told my parents that I would be posting these pics for their opinion as to which one looks better. Feel free to let me know your opinion.

Option #1 -- Throw with purple, gold, green, etc.

This is a small sofa that I got a slip cover for. I wrote more about it at the end.

Option #2 for the ottoman is a simple but elegant tan throw

We have had the small sofa in our bonus room for a long time. The tapestry fabric has faded with sunlight and wasn't really fitting in any where any more. So with a Pottery Barn slipcover we have transformed it to fit into our bedroom. I got one pillow cover and the other two are on back order. (One will be floral and the big one will be a color called "Tumbleweed") I'm so excited that we can still use the sofa. It is still comfy!

A Magical Cutlan Christmas

After spending a delightful Christmas day with the Walkers, we headed to Atlanta to fly to Minneapolis. We arrived just in time to head to Greg and Becky's in Stillwater. They have a beautiful home and they had a wonderful evening planned for us.

Here I am with my special cousins and sister-in-law. They are all my "sisters" and very dear to me. Dana, Ali and I have always been the only girls on the Cutlan side and so we are so glad to have Jen join us.


We had a lovely dinner in the loft of the "carriage house" which houses the Porshe. Jen shows off the classy wheels.

Upstairs in the loft there was an adorable little doll house that Mom and I had to examine. There were many delightful things to examine and "ooh" and "aah" over.

Brian and I had a cozy moment by the Christmas trees in the loft.

What a wonderful evening we had with our loved ones.

Christmas Pictures

We have had a wonderful Christmas season. Here are a few more pictures from when my parents were with us before they headed north. We sure enjoyed having them in our neck of the woods!

Mom and I were both sick over the weekend. So even though we have matching smiles, we weren't quite our perky selves. We did manage to shop a little on Monday and that brought definite healing!

Carlson Christmas!

We are so thrilled to have Mom and Pop Carlson with us for a few days! They arrived on Saturday after skirting the North and South Carolina snowstorms. After getting unloaded and giving them the tour of the house Christmas decorations, we headed out for pizza at our favorite pizza parlor, Lupis. Once we had finished our delicious meal and got up to leave my parents ran into Dennis and Angie Albee who were in their youth group in Normal. I tell them they know people everywhere they go!

We took a tour of the Christmas lights in some nearby neighborhoods and then went home to open our presents. What a fun time of laughter and love!

Today Pop taught Brian's Sunday School class and gave a wonderful lesson on patience in James 5 using the Biblical example of Job. What a wonderful reminder that God is in control and through Job's sufferings he received patience. Sometimes it isn't about the bad or good circumstances we face, but the work it is doing in our lives. Our pastor also had an outstanding Christmas message which we all received a blessing from. Then for lunch I made our traditional Christmas Eve beef stroganof. Again we enjoyed the food and fellowship. Mom and I took long Sunday afternoon naps. She and I had to stay home tonight because we both have been under the weather. Pop and Brian went to the evening service together and now are watching the Vikings/Carolina game. Of course, my dad has always been a Vikings fan, but he is especially proud at the present of his boy, Brett Farve! I guess we'll see if he pulls it out for them tonight. Will post more of our festivities this week!

Ten days ago I was the birthday girl.

Thank you to so many who sent cards, Facebook messages, texts, phone calls, etc. I am so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.

It is hard to believe that I celebrated another birthday. When someone actually asked me my age and I admitted it:), they said, "Oh, my, you don't look that old." I was always the youngest in my class and started teaching when I was 21. How is that now I'm "old"? That's OK, I'm enjoying every stage and I would not want to go back to 21, that's for sure!!

Brian gave me the sweater and scarf--very warm and cozy! Mom and Pop got me a Dooney and Bourke purse -- love it!!