Birdie Pearl

Christmas House Tour 2013 - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 16:00:00 +0000

Christmas is a week away! I am ready but my how time flies.The older two mini-pearls have finals this week. Is that supposed to make them appreciate the break that much more or make them so tired they don't care? Either way, they are working hard and Sweet Pea has two basketball games and we won't talk about trying to have some semblance of a social life.

Yesterday, I made good on a promise. We only have big blow-out birthday parties for the mini-pearls every other year now that they are all a bit older. Don't worry, a big deal is made of their days and they are properly feted and loved on, but not the all out ~~beating~~, I mean, party with all of their peers. Mr. Pearl and I took ten, ten year old boys to play laser tag and brought them back to the house for pizza and cake. I promised Sport that we would celebrate his October birthday before the end of the year. I barely got that one in! For those of you not feeling like "mother of the year" that should make you feel better. Two months late is better than never, right? Hallelujah! Pass the Tylenol!

My pictures from this year's holiday decor aren't that great, but you can get the point and maybe imagine yourself with a cup of tea and some conversation with yours truly and then they seem much better! The house is festive though, but I keep fighting the urge to head to the store for more ribbons and garland. The mantle isn't just right and the tree is missing something. At least, that is what the voice in my head is saying. I am going to keep fighting that urge. The reason for the season isn't ribbons and garlands, it is the birth of our Savior and I am so blessed to be able to freely celebrate it! My wish for each of you is that you too remember why we have Christmas and that you are surrounded by those you hold dear and full of love!

I wanted to add a shot of Sweet Pea. Don't tell her you saw this, but since she won't let me take any pics of her, I am sneaking this one in! Her school did their annual presentation of A Dicken's of a Christmas. Sweet Pea played the part of the Ghost of Christmas Past. She was quite good and (pardon my momma moment) quite lovely on the stage. The shot below is of her and Scrooge.

Bravo Sweet Pea!

Now for the tour, I used my good camera for these pictures, but my small lens is broken, so everything is a little up close and personal. This is our big tree in the family room; full of the kiddos homemade ornaments, my childhood ornaments, the children's annual ornaments that I will gift to them one day and lots of love.

The living room is a little more formal with a smaller tree and a few pieces of our Christmas village nestled beneath it, a feather tree and our Nativities.

This festive bowl is really saving ornaments from the ornament graveyard. These are broken but still spreading Christmas cheer!

The kitchen really shines at Christmas. The citrus green is so festive! Here is our hot cocoa station.

Love came down at Christmas

Love all lovely, love divine

Love was born at Christmas

Stars and angels gave the sign

Worship we the Godhead

Love incarnate, love divine

Worship we our Jesus

But wherewith for sacred sign?

Love shall be our token

Love shall be yours and love be mine

Love to God and to all men

Love for plea and gift and sign

-Traditional

Merry!

Krissy

Christmas House Tour 2013 - part 1

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 19:45:00 +0000

Merry,Merry All! We are thawing out from Icemageddon 2013 and I am finally going to post pictures of our home dressed in her holiday finery. Looking at all of the blogs out there, I feel a little inadequate at times, as I don't change my decor each year and don't tell my children, but I don't even pull out all of my decorations anymore. I like to call it "mixing it up", that way things seem new after a break of a year or two! I hope that I can be an encouragement to someone. It is okay to scale down on the decor and do less and concentrate on the true meaning of the season. You and your family will all be better for it! I would also like to add that my decorations would not have been possible without the help of my amazing elf - Mr. Pearl! He never complains about bringing down countless boxes from the attic, even if I only use one item in the box!

I can't make a post and not put in a few ICE pics! Growing-up in Texas, these are few and far between!

Don't ask me why Sport had his fake gun out. It was too precious not to show!

Ok, where is Sweet Pea you ask? Apparently it isn't cool to be photographed by your mom in the ice when you are in 7th grade, so, no pics of the princess. And that's all I have to say about that!

Stay warm my friends!

Krissy

Frost on Your Pumpkins

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Thu, 14 Nov 2013 12:00:00 +0000

We had our first freeze here in Texas! I love this time of year!

via

Have a cozy day!

Krissy

A Room Fit For A Tween

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Mon, 11 Nov 2013 15:14:00 +0000

Howdy strangers! I have been busy lately, but haven't we all? One of my projects has been to put the finishing touches on Sweet Pea's room. Those of you with a middle school tween/almost teen girl will know how difficult a task it is to navigate minute by minute fluctuating hormones, daily middle school drama, the fact that as a mom of said tween/almost teen, I have absolutely zero taste or knowledge of what it is like to be a tween/almost teen girl and I don't understand anything (really?), and well, quite frankly, navigating through a mine field is easier than dealing with a girl this age, but I did it! Even more exciting, she is happy with the results and so am I. A miracle. Those of you without the pleasure and blessing of having a tween/almost teen girl in your home... count your blessings!

Sweet Pea and I made some compromises along the way. She really wanted some chevrons on her wall. So, momma painted her some chevrons. I thought they might be too much, but they work and I then got my way with the drapery fabric. I chose something more neutral than she wanted but I feel it will go with any changes made to her room in the future. The selection? A lovely beige linen with a pink and beige linen greek key trim, highlighted by a little green and white. So, drum roll please, Sweet Pea's room...

Before chevrons and curtains

And after...

Happy Monday!

Krissy

Funky Weekend Wishes

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Hello lovelies! This has been one crazy fall at the Pearl house! I have good intentions of staying in touch, but life just seems to happen. Thanks for sticking with me. I am off with Sweet Pea and her friends to a volleyball tournament this weekend and my boys will be home to hold down the fort. I hope you all are enjoying some fall fun! Here is a fun and funky space to brighten your weekend.

Au Revoir!

Krissy

photo via Pinterest

Cozy, Autumn Interiors

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Tue, 08 Oct 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I love these wonderful, cozy spaces from my Pinterest posts. Each of them say "Autumn" to me in their own way. Hope you are enjoying cooler weather where you are!

xoxo,

Krissy

photos via Pinterest

A Decade of Sporty

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Sun, 06 Oct 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Today is bittersweet for me. My "momma heart" is full of joy and sadness. Joy that I am celebrating the birth of an incredible kid, but sadness in the fact that this kid is my baby boy and he is turning ten; double digits! I can't do anything to stop time and keep him as my snuggle boy! This is my baby! I will readily admit that I do "baby" my baby. "Hello, my name is Krissy, and I treat my youngest child like he is the youngest child." Go ahead, judge me. I love all three of my children, and turning ten was hard each time, but this is my baby! This is my child that wears his heart on his sleeve. He does everything with gusto: sports, school, playing and even getting hurt. He loves to laugh and does so often. It is contagious! He is compassionate about others. He fights to keep the peace in our home and cannot stand any discord. He is an authority on World War 2. He thinks he is an authority on most everything else, as well. He loves to play soccer and football. He still loves to play with trains and army men and doesn't care what others think! He asks for "snuggle movie nights" and he still hugs me in front of his friends. He has the craziest head of hair you have ever seen and he loves that it is different!

Happy 10th Birthday Sporty!

May this year bring you as much joy as you bring to the world!

Love,

Mom

Happy October

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Fri, 04 Oct 2013 14:21:00 +0000

Cooler weather is in store for the weekend! Time to pumpkin shop!

Krissy

image via Pinterest

Nothing Says Fall Like...

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Nothing says fall like antlers in your decor. You know: sheds, mounts, horn thingies, antlers! My kiddos are fortunate in that we have some family property to take them to. It gives my city kids a chance to get in touch with their inner country side and go back to their roots. One of our favorite past times is to collect deer sheds. This serves a two-fold purpose. One, the sheds are pretty to use in decor. I have a wooden bread bowl full of them. Two, it is about safety. Sport has blown a tire on the Kubota by running over a shed. Those spikes hurt! Sheds are a completely humane way to get a little nature in your decor. No animals are harmed in the process! Mounts, the lovely, impressive, wall sized things, are a bit different. Guns may or may not be involved but the end result is never good for the animal. This concludes the educational part of this post. The rest, well, I will let you decide. I love the rustic, sculptural quality of antlers and the way they can dress up and down.

So, antlers or no?

via

Happy Hunting!

Krissy

Warm, Autumn Interiors

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Tue, 17 Sep 2013 11:00:00 +0000

The temperature is still in the nineties with a million percent humidity here in Texas, but autumn is in the air. It has to be! Every year, I get the feeling that fall will never arrive and just when I think that I cannot take the heat any longer and start to question why I live in this inferno of a state, fall does arrive. Autumn in Texas...to my northern friends, it feels like their summer but I will take temps in the seventies any day! I put together a few pictures of warm and cozy interiors. These rooms make me think of fall. So, grab a pumpkin spice latte and enjoy!

via

Happy Fall Y'all!

Krissy

Master Bedroom Update

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Sun, 15 Sep 2013 19:30:00 +0000

Wow! Is it really September 15 already? School started and bam! Here we are. Mom's taxi service is back in business. I had such grandiose visions of all that I could accomplish with the mini-pearls back at school. What I forgot to factor in was just how fast the time goes by between morning and afternoon carpool! That is two different drop-offs and three different pick-up times. I never thought I would see the day when I actually want Fisherman to get his license. I don't want him to be sixteen and grown-up, just be able to taxi himself to all of the activities on his very full schedule. Although, I treasure the time I have with him when it is just the two of us in the car. I'm a sucker for a captive audience. I will miss that. Oh, I digress. What was I supposed to talk about? Yes, my master bedroom.

I did manage to find time to put a little "spice" in my master. It is not a major overhaul, mind you. Just a little sparkle and romance to an otherwise unremarkable room. Our room is pretty small and I have filled it with some pretty ginormous furniture. Most designers would cringe and just say that I have put lipstick on a pig, but I actually love my room and it's coziness.

All I did was add some yummy curtains and a sparkly chandy. The curtains are white linen from Pottery Barn. The chandelier is vintage from a wonderful, local store; Old Home Supply. This store carries old lighting, plumbing fixtures and fittings, door hardware, doors, windows, ceiling tiles and architectural odds and ends from old homes and buildings that are being torn down or remodeled. Hey, one man's trash... Needless to say, I love that store. That little chandelier was just waiting for me to take it home!

That's all I added to the room. Even Mr. Pearl has commented on how much it has changed the feeling of the space. He really likes it. That, my friends, is a good thing. He never asked how much it all cost! Seriously though, a little spice and romance never hurt anyone. So, my take away from this? Bring a little spice into your bedroom. You can take that any way you want to.

Master bedroom before curtains and chandelier...

And after...

xoxo,

Krissy

Friday Fabulous

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 14:28:00 +0000

I just had to share these fabulous Traditional Home photos of a home

in Rosemary Beach to kick-off your weekend.

The calendar says it is still August, but we have high school football, soccer practice and a volleyball party on tap for the weekend. That sounds like fall to me. Oh please Mr. Temperature, get the message that cooler weather is needed!

Happy Friday everyone!

Krissy

Photos via

Master Bedroom Spice

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Tue, 20 Aug 2013 18:27:00 +0000

Hello Lovelies! Now that all of my kiddos are back in school, and I have two weeks until I go back to school (I teach preschool two days a week. I know, hard times.), it is time for mama to get some projects done! Today, I had the carpets cleaned. Side note: we have been in our home for a year and a half. You would think that we are pigs and our home is surrounded by mud and slop to look at our carpets. Anyone else? Or is my family really a bunch of pigs? The carpet looks so much better! Okay, back to the point at hand. Projects! I finally got around to purchasing some chandeliers. I could not find what I wanted during our remodel and the budget just wouldn't stretch, so I have some dark rooms. No more! Installation coming soon! One of those little lovelies is going in the master. It just needs some polish, so that is my next project.

I love my bedroom. It is a cozy space and I have it crammed with an enormous bed and large furniture that would make most designers cringe, but, I love it! I love the fact that I have to make a running jump to get on my bed. I love the love seat at the foot of the bed that is great for reading and snuggling with my family. I love my bedding. I splurged on Leontine Linens several years ago and I am still happy with it. So what is wrong? No curtains and a lack of polish to the room. We live in a 1960's ranch and still have the 1960's windows in this part of the house. You know, the lovely windows that start four feet off of the floor. Not. pretty. at. all. Again, the budget that wouldn't stretch comes into play. Someday, maybe, new windows will be on the agenda. In the meantime, curtains!

Here are my inspirations from Pinterest.

I love the color in this room.

This is more color than I will have, but I love the coziness of the space, the bedside tables and the framed pin board in the corner.

This is sexy!

Designer Hillary Thomas - love

Color!

This is the master of Edie from Life In Grace. I adore this!

xoxo,

Krissy

All photos via Pinterest

Milestones

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Tue, 13 Aug 2013 15:14:00 +0000

Yesterday, we hit a big milestone at the Pearl household. Fisherman started high school. High school! How can that be? I remember his first day of Kindergarten like it was yesterday. When did he learn to tie his shoes and say his alphabet, learn his times tables and read books without pictures? When did he stop having me walk him into school and do his homework on his own? I am so excited for him and this new chapter, but you wouldn't know it by the way I boohooed as he drove away with Mr. Pearl yesterday morning. I made it worse by thinking that because of his late spring birthday (and assuming he stays out of trouble), this will be the last time one of his parents drives him to school!

Kindergarten Fisherman

First day of high school - ninth grade

Today was a bit better, no tears. Sweet Pea and Sport start school tomorrow morning. I will be driving them to school and walking them in and maybe hanging around more than I should, but I don't care. Time is going too fast and I am going to savor these moments. Good luck to other moms out there! It's okay to cry!

xoxo,

Krissy

Oh No!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Thu, 08 Aug 2013 23:11:00 +0000

School starts next week! The summer is over, but it just began! Be still my heart. I am so not ready for ninth, seventh and fourth grade. If I hide under my covers, will it just not happen? Oh, if it were that easy. I feel as though I have been registering for college all over again preparing Fisherman for high school. Whoa! High school is NOT what it used to be. Thank the good Lord that I have a wonderful, smart boy that can navigate the road through high school without his momma holding him back.

Good luck to everyone else in the same boat and

HAPPY END OF SUMMER!

Krissy

photos via Pinterest

Summer Cocktails - Fish Camp Glam

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Wed, 31 Jul 2013 11:00:00 +0000

I guess I have fishing on the brain, as it has occupied a great deal of my summer plans. I have collected quite a few of these minnow buckets and use them as decor in Fisherman's room and even a light. When I ran across this pic, I couldn't help but chuckle at how this set-up would "glam-up" fish camp. I will definitely bring all the provisions on our next trip or maybe just use it for cocktails this weekend!

Cheers!

Krissy

photo via

Climb Every Mountain, Ford Every Stream

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 21:55:00 +0000

Sweet Pea in Telluride

I have heard the Reverend Mother from the Sound of Music singing this song in my head as the soundtrack of my summer. Does anyone else do that? Play a constant soundtrack of your life in your head? Well, I have never claimed to be normal. This summer was supposed to be one that we would lay-low and stay close to home. Boy was that ever a wrong assumption!

I got out of my comfort zone and had some great adventures with the mini-pearls and Mr. P. My comfort zone that consists of carefully planning vacations and mapping-out our calendar to a "t." So, accepting an invitation to leave town for a week with all three kiddos with less than twenty-four hours to prepare - way out of that zone! But, I did it and had a marvelous time with a precious friend and her boys in the mountains.

Me and the Mini-pearls overlooking Ralph Lauren's ranch

The whole gang!

Sport started a rock collection on the trip

Fisherman and his fly rod

Mr. P and I sent Sweet Pea and Sporty to two different camps for two weeks each. Two different camps, on two different schedules, with only one week of overlapping time. That is two drop-offs and two pick-ups - a logistical nightmare. However, Baby Girl wanted horses and SCUBA lessons at camp this summer. These were not available at the camp she previously attended with Sport. The things we do for our children. What about Fisherman, you ask? In spite of the fact that he is our "outdoorsman" and one would think that camp would be heaven for him, it is not. The boy has given it the old college try, more than once, at some of the best camps in Texas and well, camp just isn't for him. Therefore, a fishing trip was in order.

Sweet Pea and her camp buddy

For anyone who says that Texas isn't beautiful, this is a picture of the river valley where Sport is in camp. Sweet Pea's was just over the hills in the distance....beautiful!

Dropping Sport off at camp

Mr. P decided to take Fisherman bay fishing on the coast. I was invited to tag along on the boys' trip. Here again, I left my comfort zone to stay in a fish camp cabin with two of my boys. I ate barbecue and cheese and peanut butter crackers, got up before dawn and yes ladies, I held my own! I out-fished the boys the first day (my son was not pleased). I stayed in a place where the only food was fried and the nearest vegetable was the wilted lettuce garnish on my fish plate. I caught a shark and I held it and had the opportunity of a lifetime to make memories with my oldest son and husband.

The Boys' Fishing Trip

Mr. P and I did sneak in a quick trip away for a few days and now, here we are. It's the end of July and school starts in two short weeks! Football and homework and carpools - oh my! Sporty is still at camp this week, so I have my two oldest at home. What a summer!

Enjoy these last few says of summertime and step out of your comfort zone!

Krissy

It's A BOY!

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 20:31:00 +0000

After much anticipation, the world has a royal baby boy to celebrate! I hung my Union Jack on the front door and am celebrating with a spot of tea. Now we can all anxiously await the naming of this little lad! This has been a crazy summer, and I will catch you up when I can. In the meantime, Cheers!

xoxo,

Krissy

Happy Birthday Sweet Pea

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 11:00:00 +0000

My baby girl turns twelve today!

Happy Birthday to my smart, beautiful, compassionate, determined, athletic, creative daughter.

We love you and the joy you bring to our lives each day. May this next year be the best one ever!

We love you!

God Bless America

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Thu, 04 Jul 2013 11:00:00 +0000

here

Happy Birthday America!

Krissy

Every Heart Beats True

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 14:56:00 +0000

for the red, white and blue!

Happy Fourth of July week everyone! I love this holiday. We plan on attending our neighborhood parade, swimming with friends and then off to another family of precious friends and their annual dinner and fireworks extravaganza! We have been blessed with temperatures in the 80's this week and no humidity. (That is unheard of here in July) So, being outside is actually pleasant and adds to the fun of the week. I hope you will be celebrating with those you love!

Here is some red, white and blue inspiration.

here

This is my own dining room table!

here

Happy Birthday America!

Krissy

This Little Piggy...

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

is from World Market. I love that place! I went in to purchase a chair for Sport's room and left with a little friend. Well, Fisherman and Sweet Pea left with a little pig. It is just the cutest thing. It is a tiny grill and makes the best s'mores. It is too cute on our back patio.

They have named him Mr. Piggy. You too can have one here and it also comes in an elephant!

Happy Summer!

Krissy

Not Your Mama's Camp Trunk

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Tue, 25 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Southern women love to monogram and personalize everything. My husband has said that if it will sit still, I will monogram it. I cannot confirm or deny this. One of my favorite projects to work on are camp trunks. Camp is a big deal here in Texas. I don't know who loves it more: the kiddos or the parents. One camp essential is the camp trunk. You have to pack your camper with all the things they will need for one week and for some, four weeks. No fear, the trunk can take it!

I have ordered our trunks from Everything Summer Camp. I am not getting paid to advertise for them. I just love their products and recommend them to all my friends! At many camps, the trunk sits at the foot of the camper's bed and is their way to personalize their little chunk of space. So, personalization is a must! Here are a few of the trunks that I have painted through the years. For some reason, I have not photographed the trunks for boys. They are more "tame" than the girls. My boys like to put stickers on theirs. I have also used sports team pennants, camo, hunting and extreme sports for themes.

The inside lid of the trunk is a great place to tape a family photo and a sweet note to your camper. I also put a packing list there, so that we hopefully we will return home with most of our things, and I include my number one rule of camp (after having the greatest time ever) "No wet things in your trunk!" Large ziplock bags are a camper mom's best friend. I pack theme night clothing and special outfits in them and label them accordingly.

A well-packed trunk makes me feel as though I can still take care of my babies when they are away from me. I envision them opening their trunks each day and feeling my love through the sweet note and the easy to find, well-labeled clothing. I know that the labels that I ironed on their undies will make their camp experience even better. This is what I tell myself, so that when we pick Sport up and get him home from two weeks of camp heaven and I open his trunk and find pretty much everything still clean and in the bags that I packed them in I won't go crazy. Yes, that has happened. When asked why only two pairs of socks seem to be the only ones worn for two weeks - "I didn't want to ruin them all." was the reply. When asked why only one set of sheets was dirty, "We didn't have time to change them. They feel kind of sandy though." Uugghh! In his defense, underwear was changed, showers were taken and more than one shirt was worn. Not sure about the toothbrush and I don't want to know. Sweet Pea usually does use everything. She would want me to say that.

Happy camping!

Krissy

Summer At Our House

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Sun, 23 Jun 2013 17:08:00 +0000

Hello darlings! It's summertime! I am a summer girl. I love hot days and warm nights, no bedtimes, snow cones, sun-kissed faces, pool time, lake time, anywhere around the water time, having a house and a car full of excited kiddos and the general fun spirit of summer. This summer is a little different from the rest. Fisherman has Driver's Ed and football workouts, so that boy has a full schedule that requires us to stay pretty close to home for a good chunk of our summer. The boy is not happy. Seven a.m. is a time that is not on a teenage boy's clock, so getting up each day for practice is a challenge: and that's all I have to say about that.

Never fear, we are having fun though! I have been painting camp trunks for some sweet campers and I will share those with you and I have had time to do some house-tweaking - always fun!

A trip to the new drive-in movie in town...

Swimming with precious neighbors. Sport is really good with little ones.

A wonderful get-away to Horseshoe Bay. Fisherman was in his element, not only does he get his Driver's Learning permit this summer, but he got his Boater's license as well. We are not safe on land or water!

Fishing in the dark!

Dinner at a family convention for Mr. Pearl's job.

You might be a redneck if.....

You set-up a slip-n-slide in your front yard.

We had so much fun though!

Our summer has been really "bright" so far. Hope yours is, too!

Soakin' up the sun,

Krissy

Summer On My Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Birdie Pearl) — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:00:00 +0000

The school year ends a week from Friday. I am ready. I need Summer vacation. I need to not have a schedule (although that may not be possible). I need warm sunshine, trips to the pool, the smell of Hawaiian Tropic, snow cones and late nights under the stars. I took up the cow hide rugs in my family room this weekend. I already feel more summery. Sweet Pea even commented on the difference in the way the room feels. I put out some of my collection of shells around the house and the front porch. A little bit of the beach always feels like summer. Bring it on!

Are you ready for Summer?

Krissy

all photos via Pinterest