This is the only Valentine’s Day decor I own, but it sure is a good one!  I love boxwood wreaths.  Paint it pink and I’ll obviously buy it.  This is from Martin’s Nursery several years ago.  Please excuse my sad pots.  They need to be fluffed badly.

This post is heavy on home improvements.  We’ve recently started a major project and I’m already loving the early results!  Our washer and dryer were located in a room by our garage entry when we purchased this house seven and a half years ago.  I didn’t love the setup since all of our bedrooms are upstairs.  I was always hauling baskets up and down the stairs, plus I felt like I was basically in the garage when doing laundry.  And I’m ALWAYS doing laundry.  A few months ago, while shopping for a new washer and dryer, hubs had an “aha” moment and suggested we move the washer and dryer to a large closet upstairs, which is conveniently located directly above the downstairs washer and dryer hookups.  The closet really only housed our sheets and pool towels, which could easily be relocated, so I called a contractor and he had the water and electrical and vents done lickety split!  To improve access to the washer and dryer, we removed the folding closet doors.  And I think we’re going to end up cutting into the drywall and widening the door frame, but more on that when (if) it actually happens.  At any rate, I want my new laundry room to be GORGEOUS since it will be visible all the time from the hallway.  I set up an appointment with my brilliant decorator, Mayme Baker, and she came up with an amazing plan for not only the laundry room, but one of the guest bedrooms AND the former laundry room downstairs, which will become a mudroom.  Whew!  That’s confusing.  I’ll post pictures when everything is finished, but here’s where we’re starting:

Hunter thoroughly inspected the closet once the wire shelves and carpet were yanked out.  He also checked the wires in the new dryer outlet.  Fried pussycat!

Below are pictures of the long, skinny room off the garage that will one day be a bright, sunny mud room.  I don’t think anything in this room is staying.  We’ll be tearing up the tile, ripping cabinets off the wall, getting rid of the desk, and replacing the sink.  Cubbies will be added to the long wall opposite the windows.   I really don’t have a timeline for this as we’re still in the design process, but I’m hopeful to have everything done by summer.

The washer and dryer were moved upstairs as soon as the new tile was set, and I am already amazed at how much quicker I get the laundry put away!  I can’t wait for it to be all glam and fabulous, but I’m thrilled as it is.

Here’s a glimpse of all the fun Mayme has planned for my house.  Keep in mind some of these swatches are for the guest room that’s pretty blah.  White walls and my childhood furniture are the current scheme.  Not for long!

Emery and I received our DNA results from Ancestry.com the other day.  I feel like the results are pretty much spot on.  Emery thought this was so much fun, and I did, too.  Bodie and hubs still haven’t even submitted their samples.  Men!

No surprise that Great Britain dominated the results.

To conclude this random post, I’ll leave you with a family favorite recipe that we jokingly call “New Baby Casserole.”  My dear friend first brought me this dish when Bodie was a newborn and I loved it.  I got the recipe from her and now make this whenever anyone has a new baby or is just in need of a meal (sick, bereavement, moving, etc.)  The official name is Chicken and Rice Casserole.

3 cups shredded, cooked chicken

1 small onion, diced

1 8 oz can diced water chestnuts, drained

1 28 oz can french style green beans, drained

1 4 oz jar diced pimentos, drained

1 can cream of chicken soup

3/4 cup mayo (Duke’s)

1 6 oz box long grain wild rice, cooked according to package

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Mix all ingredients and pour into 3 quart casserole dish.  Sprinkle with cheese and bake for thirty minutes.  Enjoy!  This makes enough for my family to eat for two nights.  The leftovers are just as good.  I served with sliced apples and carrot sticks.

We’ve almost made it to the weekend!