movin' on up..

to the South sideeeee! To that deluxe restored home in the ghettoooo... Ok, I kinda lost the tune to the song, but - we are A MOVIN! moving in July that is! and every time I think about it my legs start jigging - shoulders start rolling back in a rapid way - finger point down to the ground in one fluid dance motion.. For you visual people it looks something like this..

a rainbow really does appear too! it's crazy..


Our new home is 2 bedroom and 1 bath - fireplace - front porch - huge kitchen - a DINING ROOM (halleluiah! - now we don't have to eat at the bar or the coffee table!) a big ol back yard for the puppies! .. I mean pup - but need I make it public via the blog that Blake did promise we could upgrade to 2 dogs once we moved into a house!! look out!


We are going to be near jogging trails, which, everytime I mention this to Dakota she looks back at me like this - with ears straight up and eyes full of intrigue. "we'll be near what?!?!" "are you serious, ma??" "I can't wait to lose those couple pounds the vet has been buggin' me about!!"



we're both thrilled - considering my summer to-do list here is to run outside - a lot!


So, my next idea, later this summer that is, is to do a "house tour" - I've seen them on other blogs, and I just LOOOVVVEEE looking at other people's homes and styles and decor and ideas! I thought it would be fun to give it a whirl! Maybe this can be the start of my own Interior Decorating consulting gig I eventually want to do!


Here's the photo of the outside that was on the realtor's website.. It's a gem! Though I'm not madly in love with the house colors (a rusty orange-red) they chose - we're renting - so it will have to do.





I'm seeing tons of beautiful happy flowers in those beds in front of the window!



Here's Dakota's oasis. Look at all that yard! Here's to adventures in lawn keeping! Blake will have quite the job :)



oh, and did I mention we're down the street from the Bishop Arts District?? We drove down there on a Saturday - and I canNOT wait to explore once we're locals! I saw Zumba classes, ice cream shops, diners, and a million porches to enjoy a nice ice tea on - or a marg. either works!

Easter.

apologies that this is so late, but, this was Easter for us this year. My first Easter as a Johnson. I was sad to not see the Baker family, but the weekend and celebrations were so fun! Eventually I'll get used to this switching-off holiday thing.

Easter Sunday started at the Ratcliff's home for pictures, followed by a church service, then an egg hunt and lunch.






We had a LOT of good laughs. I enjoy every minute I get to spend with Blake and his family. His mom, dad, brother, all the great cousins, his aunts and uncles, grandmas and grandpas. I think you get my point here. I just adore Blake's family, they've always been so warm and loving towards me since day one.






Something new that I got to witness, the church service. I just loved the whole picture of the entire family on the porch, singing worship to our God and joining in communion together. What a beautiful picture of the church and community.




I love seeing God in different ways - I can't think of the word I want to use - but it makes my heart feel at peace, warm and big. My heart feels big? I don't know - but that's the feeling. Knowing that at that time, there are people all over Friendswood, all over Texas, all over the world doing the exact same thing we're doing. Singing praise to God. It gives me chills writing it down. We are such a small part of this - but even in that I can feel Him right there.




Now, I wish I could explain the festivities that make up the Easter egg hunt - but I just think everyone will get confused. I'll leave it as one of those things you just have to witness. (I'm so sad I had to embark on it this year without guidance and wisdom from Reagan and Kacey) But, I learned quickly... got all my eggs and picked good numbers for the fireplace gift!



I can't wait to look back in 15 years at this picture as our first Easter together. We'll probably laugh at our clothes and hair, but I just cannot wait. I can't wait to see the progression of just Blake and I, to Blake and I pregnant, to Blake and I with 7 kids.. oh yes!

weekend in photographs

Friday.

Friday night FIREWORKS!! At the Ballpark

Saturday - no pictures, but we did enjoy our complex's pool and a tottie!

Sunday.

Dallas Farmer's Market.

My picks.

baking adventures.

I love sweets. More specifically, I love chocolate. It's no surprise that brownies will always take the cake. :) I. Love. Sweets.

With one great idea and a little encouragement from friends in our "home-group," last night I embarked on some new baking territory. I'll tell you - I was a tad nervous, the idea sounded crazy and the thought of ruining a good batch of dessert made my heart hurt, but I decided to run with it. If it worked out - hey! I'd have a new technique and new recipe to add to my files!

pictured below: your typical brownie mix and the special ingredient, a coke.

here we go - no turning back now! Instead of the eggs, oil and water (did I mention everything?) you just pour in a coke - or diet coke in my house! Not the entire can - just enough that it looks like normal brownie dough.

When I first heard of this I was speechless. How was this even going to work?

Well, here is what we got. Blake thinks they look like dinosaur poop. I will tell you, they taste just delicious. Tastes like a brownie, smells like a brownie, kinda looks like a brownie... IT'S CRAZY how a coke can take the place of the egg and oil! Given, I had to bake them way longer than normal and they still came out all gooey, but it'd be a lyin' if I said I don't like it when my brownie falls apart from gooey-ness as I eat it.

In conclusion, I'd try it again, definitely. Has anyone else heard of this?? Apparently it's in line with Jenny Craig or another one of those dieting programs, which is again, crazy!

Also I was told - Mountain Dew and Fanta are used for yellow cakes. Blake's inquiry.

design.

"Surround yourself with stuff you LOVE. If you would marry it, buy it and bring it home!" -Jane Coslick (designer out of Georgia)

I love this. It's just so dang true. I have a few pieces that I think I could actually marry. Sorry Blake :)