The coolest thing on our wall-2

The night of my birthday my mother got out a box of old hankys that she had and we laid them out with the ones that (John got for me for my birthday.)  They all fit perfectly together.  
 Some of them belonged to my great great Aunt Annelle and some belonged to Zede, an old family friend.  My mother gave any of them to me that I wanted.  I had BIG PLANS for these guys. Big plans.

My mother also gave me my Great-great Grandmother's earrings for my birthday.  Her name was Ula Minta.  Rumor has it, she killed off like 7 husbands.  Sassy lady.  I also got my great grandmother's old sewing scissors.  Treasures.

The next morning my mother ironed each hanky for me and we went on a walk together.  On our walk we looked down and mom noticed that our shadows were completely identical.  It gave us a good laugh but to be honest, I am so grateful to look just like her.

Then we met up with my sister to go shopping with all of my BIRTHDAY $$$.

(a little pre-shopping pic)

In charming Charlie's.

(My beautiful, beautiful sister, in a headband she would never buy but I think she looks rather stunning.  Are you smeyezing?)

On the other hand, she bought this one right away.

Then I got these...

and my sister bought me these..

and I got this sweater and necklace.

After John got out of his interpreters course we went home and I got to do my Hanky project!

Earlier that day mom and I had gone around and procured several album art square frames.  We placed the ironed hankys in the frames and decided which order to hang them in.  It was quite strategic.

(The layout)

The finished product.  I love it when dreams become reality.

I cannot WAIT for that wall paper to be gone.  They said they would remove it sometime this month. Then we will finally have walls that don't look like jail cells.  

We spent the rest of the evening pretending to be drunk off of blueberry juice and rolling each other up in an exercise mat and taking turns driving the other person caaarraaazzzaaayyyyyy.  Perfect birthday weekend.

Vintage tablecloths, Handkerchiefs, and Birthdays-1

This weekend I enjoyed quite the birthday celebration.  I have been out "partying" so please forgive the lack. of. posts. 2 days, big deal right?

Friday I was not feeling so hot so my dear friend Meaghan came and relieved me from my babysitting job. (Thanks Meg!)

My hubs was home Friday so he was able to be with me on the day honoring my birth.  So, he took me to Fresh 2 Order and we had a yummy birth DAY lunch.

(I dig these mustard plates)

Then we had these incredibly moist and chocolaty birthday cupcakes from F2O.  The only thing missing was a candle.

Then hubs took me to see Toy Story 3 at the dollar theater.  I laughed, I cried, I really wanted to be a child again and go home and play with my Baby Lissy and Maryanne.  It was the perfect movie for a birthday,  I felt surprisingly reflective about my life and nostalgic for my childhood.

Then John took me one more place for my last birthday gift.  We went to Antiques and Interiors in Sandy Springs and he bought me a vintage tablecloth and 3 old handkerchiefs.  I had really been wanting some colorful hankys to hang on my wall (much more to come on this later, our dining room now looks incredibly wonderful), so like he always does, he fulfilled my wish.

Then we went home to Mom and Dad's and they planned a special dinner for me.

(Apparently, I made everyone stand on my right.)

We had...

and...

Daddy bought me sunflowers.

My mother, once again, did not disappoint.  She lit torches on the porch and we ate by firelight and the moon and stars.  The night bugs were making their sounds and we kept our family tradition and my parents told me about how I was born.  I really love hearing that story.  It was a magical moment.

I learned that birthdays are much better with husbands to share them with, particularly mine.

 I only have 363 more days til the next birthday.  I wonder what life will be like then...

Jammin' at the Murphy's

A few weeks ago we had a jam sesh with a big group of friends. It was perfection.  


Each jam sesh is completely different.  Sometimes we all play songs we know and sometimes we just improv. No matter what we are doing be assured that the lights are low and there are candles in the fireplace and on the tables.  


We made:


Caramel Apple Pork Chops with a Pecan Glaze Sauce (absolutely a hit and a perfect fall dinner!)
Steamed Broccoli
Squash with Onions and Parmesan
Homemade Bread (which is becoming a staple in our house)
and
Homemade Strawberry Jam (also a staple)


My only complaint about our perfect little apartment is the lack of counter space.  Its so bad that when I am cooking in there I have to open up the dishwasher to get more space.  Its ok, it does the trick.  
Smaller kitchen= less space to have to clean.

the prep...

I used the picture frame that eventually became my (earring holder) as a center piece to hold all of our condiments, gravy, salt, and pepper. (and a couple of teacups and candles just for looks)

(these beautiful floral napkins came from my one and only Lisa who is serving her mission in Finland.  She sent two different packs of them to John and I as a wedding gift.)

Those in attendance:

Me- uke and vocals

Husband- guitar

Belen- rocking it on the drums

Jenna- keyboard

Lina- on her mac

Brandy- the most fierce egg shaker we know

Clark & Monique- the "just marrieds" & our new neighbors! Tambourine and Xylophone

Here is a little taste of what we like to do.  Sometimes things come out great and other times its a flop, but we all liked this one a lot.  I like it when Jenna shakes her hiney in front of the camera in the end.  No one knew I was recording this.  Clark is quite the rapper, wish you could hear what he is saying better.  Listen...

We all had a really fun time.  Everyone left...

(goodbye friends!)

...and then I got to be with this guy.

And we got to do these together.  

It looked like a dishware massacre in there.  But it was nothing a little love and elbow grease couldn't take care of.  We love knowing that these dishes belong to us.  We love that this is our mess and we are the only ones who can clean it up.  If we don't do it, it doesn't get done.  We are big kids now and get to take care of all our own things.  

Growing up is fun.  

I turn 23 tomorrow.

I feel old.

And the winner is....

 Thank you SO much to everyone who entered! We received some really amazing recipes that we can't wait to try out!  Keep checking back to see when we will feature your recipe (because we are going to try all of them!) We loved hearing everyone's favorite things about fall too. It really put us in the falliday mood.

Now to see who the winner is...watch this.

Dear Winner, please email us at tunesandspoons@gmail.com and give us your information so we can send you your prize.

Thanks again to EVERYONE and stay tuned for a next giveaway in a few weeks!

We are off to eat dinner with our friends and have a jam sesh tonight. Hope you have a great night too!

Love, Us

Game of Life

Would you rather play this...

...or do these?

Thank goodness for lingering wedding gifts.  Last night we went to the Girl House and found that there was a package that had been there for us for a while.  It was a wedding gift that we never got!  It was such a nice surprise.  Getting hundreds of gifts all at once makes it hard to properly appreciate each one of them in the moment.  So, this one got here at the perfect time.  (Thank you Paige Hood!)

We went over to the Girl House to have cake with Jenna and a group of friends for her birthday.  I don't even know what this cake was but it was pretty good and it looked gorgeous!  The Girl House is a place that I started about 4 years ago.

It is a precious little place that has been the home to almost 20 wonderfully different and beautiful girls. Let's see, can I name them all...

Rachel (me)

Jenna S.

Lyndel

Stephanie

Lauren

Mallory

Amanda

Michele

Liz

Lina

Jessica S.

Alissa

Britmur

Jenna K.

Monique

Beth

Jessica D.

Holly

Maxine

I don't think I missed anyone. Wow, what a list!  That house has certainly held so many memories for me.  It is a very special place and I loved living with so many wonderful women.  John and I had a blast going back to the house where it was that we dated.  I lived there for a little over 3 years.  I can't imagine how many times the walls have been painted different colors.  Twas great to be back.

(I finally got to wear my new mustard obsession!  I love it even though my husband thinks I look like curious George...)

Then John and I came home and we got out our new toy!  The dishes were taunting me and I really wanted to do them but playing "Life" with John seemed like much more fun.  They waited 14 more hours and then I did them this morning.

We both had little girls.  The little people didn't stick in to the cars too well so it was like we were having car accidents every time we would move!

I'd like to make $300,000 for discovering Uranium.

We had so much fun.  Our 'Life' is the best.

We will announce our GIVEAWAY WINNER tonight! Probably sometime between 7 and 8.  So, you have until then to (enter)!!!

8 Glorious Things

Bussiness first:  ONE MORE DAY TO (ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY!)  You know you want some cute new earrings!  We will announce it sometime in the evening after I am done babysitting : )

I need to share a few reasons why we have one of the happiest marriages EVER! (But don't a lot of us?  And isn't it the best feeling in the world to feel like you are the only couple in the world that happy?)

1. John will jump out of the shower and warm a towel up for me in the dryer. As soon as I turn the water off he runs to get it out of the dryer and then throws it on to me.  It feels like a big warm hug. (Sometimes I will do the same for him.)
2. We laugh together everyday. Hard.
3. He plays me love songs on the guitar while I fall asleep.
4. He loves absolutely everything I cook, and makes great faces to convince me of it.
5. We like to go antiquing together.  We find cool things like this...

(someday I want a drawer full of mismatched silverware.  who said uniformity was cool??  We found these on the way back home from our trip to The Ranch.  It was Sunday so we didn't buy them but they were any 10 pieces for $6! :( )

(oh mustard chairs, get in my house)

(we want one of these over our bed)

continuing on now...

6. We pray together every single night.  He says one then I say one.  It is wonderful to hear what the other one needs and is grateful for. (Thanks for the suggestion Pres. J.)

7. We have gchat conversations like this:

me:  hola
i cant seem to ever get to the laundry

i really just want to curl up and watch a movie with you tonight, thats all.

 jmurph34:  ME TOO!!!!

OH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE!!

i need that!!

 me:  me too!!!  imagine that soft blanket...me on your chest

sounds like heaven

 jmurph34:  can we drink hot chocolate?!

 me:  hmmm...yes!!!!  lucky you i bought chocolate chips today!

 jmurph34:  yea!!


So, last night I found Alton Brown's Hot Chocolate recipe and made this:

Now we have homemade hot cocoa to keep throughout the falliday season. (thanks for the word e.day!)

I have to be honest...not Alton's best work.  I'm not going to pretend that was the best thing I have ever tasted. That hot chocolate left a funny aftertaste in our mouths.  It was super smooth but not sweet enough.  We like sweet and we're not ashamed.

So, this cocoa needs some tweaking. At least it looks cute with our falliday decor.

And lastly...

8. We are both happier than we have ever been and it just keeps getting better.  So happy in fact that NOTHING gets us down.  Ever. Although many may try, we don't even care.  We never knew life could be so sweet and it's the honest truth.

A Sad Day.

I suppose this post is more for me than anyone else.

Saturday was a very hard day.  I have not been exposed to death many times. I still have three grandparents and my Papa died when I was 4 so I didn't really remember the emotional pain of that loss.


Let me first say, loss is loss.  No matter what or who you loose, it still hurts, there is still shock and sadness, and grief to be felt.

Saturday morning John left early to do his Spanish/English Leagal Interpreter Certificate course. He will do that every Saturday this month. My mom came and woke me up at 9 and asked me to go on a walk with her. I felt a 'prompting' and knew I needed to go with her. We took our dog Honey. Honey is my mother's life.  She is her companion. She has said to me on several occasions , "if anything happened to Honey, it would kill me.". They are so attached, we have had her for 10 years. She is the most humble, sweet, and precious dog.

So, we set off on our walk and mom and I shared some great conversation about what John and I would name our babies, we talked about John's mission, and we talked about how seasons of life are much like the seasons of the year. 


Mom said she had never seen honey so excited to go on a walk before.  She was pouncing like a kitten through the fields.  She was absolutely elated.  I've never seen a little dog so happy. On our way back we were picking flowers to go in the house.  The sun shone right down on Honey and it was the most beautiful I had ever seen her. Her soft fur shone like gold in the sunlight.  I picked her up as two cars passed slowly (we do not put her on a leash because we live on a small country road). I felt her little heart beat in my arms so strong as she had just finished running through the field.  As the two cars passed I put her down and immediately a teenager in a huge SUV came barreling down the small country road at about 55 mph. Honey ran over to the other side and we were nervous and called her name to come to us. The speed was far too much and as she came towards us, the car did not slow at all and ran her over as she almost made it to the other side.

It was the most traumatic and horrible thing I have ever experienced. I was screaming and crying and my mother went over and rubbed her as she died. She went very quickly.  I am glad she did not have to suffer too much. My heart broke as I looked in to the eyes of my mother as she watched her little companion die.  We cleaned her up off of the road and the girl gave us a plastic box to take her home in.  The girl drove us to our house and dropped us off. 


My mother and I grabbed two shovels and went deep in to our woods to burry her. I thought of how the pioneers must have felt when burying their deceased children on their journeys west.  I cried as I shoveled the dirt to make her grave.  We talked about how grateful we were that we were safe but how sad it was to loose her. When John came home we all went out to where my mom and i had buried her and John said a very comforting prayer.


I cried all day Saturday. I didn't shower. My face was swollen and John still kissed me and loved on me as unattractive as I was. I hope we will see her again. She brought us so much love and happiness.

Dear little girl, we hope you are happy and running in the fields of heaven.  We hope you are doing the funny little things you always did.  We hope you know we loved you so much and feel better for having had you in our lives.  We hope we can follow your example of following your master and in turn follow our Master, Jesus Christ. We hope to follow your perfect happy childlike example. We will miss you.

First Official Tunes and Spoons GIVEAWAY!

Today I went and bought something for you, yes YOU!  This is our thank you to you for reading our little stories and sharing our lives with us.

We are having our first official GIVEAWAY!  We love hearing from you guys and for that we have something special for one of our readers!  We will randomly select one winner from a hat.

Here is what was so carefully picked out at the City Antique store next to our house this morning.

A beautiful pair of vintage mustard yellow earrings.  we will also include a beautiful pack of recipe cards just like this...

I cried a little that I will be giving these away because of my obsession with this color and vintage earrings.  However, it's a special find and I want YOU to have them!  If you don't have your ears pierced, no worries, these are clip ons, its just how they wore them in the good Ole days.

(they kind of look like breakfast eggs here huh?)

(beautiful details on the sides)

In order to be eligible, here is what you need to do:

1.  Become a follower of our blog.  Write us a comment letting us know that you are a follower and if you already are then let us know that too.

2. Leave us a comment about your TOP 3 FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT FALL. Mmmm..fall.

3.  Send us a recipe at tunesandspoons@gmail.com and write us a comment letting us know you left us a recipe. (we might even feature your recipe!!)

4.  Grab our button and paste it in to your HTML on to your blog.  Leave us a comment letting us know you did that too!

5.  I suppose you could blog/or facebook about it oo but it's not required.

So potentially you can leave us 5 different comments.  Just do the ones that apply to you, if you don't have a blog and cant get our button, we totally get that.  We are so excited to see who all is out there.  We love our readers and would love to get to know you all more!  So, tell us you are reading, we think its cool to blog stalk.

We will announce the winner on Wednesday October 6th!

Good luck Spooners!