Masthead header

the truck | oklahoma adventures

We did a quick trip back to Oklahoma for a college graduation, an Eagle Scout ceremony, and Mother’s Day! It was the first time since we got married that we were around to celebrate our mother’s (and Anthony’s aunts + grandmothers too!). The rain decided to follow us from New Jersey back to Oklahoma, so we had the muggy, humid, wet weather before, during and upon our return back to NJ. Luckily the sun came out in honor of all the mother’s on Sunday. Which is perfect since my mom has wanted to get photos of my nephews by this truck for years now. Both Randon and Rylan are at an age to listen better and can climb over fences, so as a mother’s day present (even though she is known as Sassy these days), we did photos!

You can see the wheels turning in Rylan’s mind in this first photo – he didn’t want to hold Randon’s hand (similar to this past Christmas when neither wanted to be in a photo together). He is so so ornery, and gives everyone a run for their money. He also knows how to work the charm and will be uber sweet, giving hugs too. Sweet and sour that little guy is!


Boom! They are finally holding hands!

The best photo of Mark and his boys that I’ve been able to get! (also after telling Rylan to not choke daddy).

Randon wanted nothing to do with the truck anymore, as it’s *dirty*. He is very much like his pop-pop, and doesn’t like dirty things!

My iPhone is cooler than anyone else’s because it’s a treat! Only once or twice a year, that’s how rare it is. Before we went back last Christmas, I found a free app, Hair Xmas. Randon loves it and could play it for hours. You shave, blowdry, cut and do all sorts of things to Santa’s hair/beard along with a Christmas tree. The minute we arrived, he asked to play with my ipone (no h is necessary for him!), he started up the app. I’m glad I was able to capture the two of them with my pone (and not fighting!!!), playing such a simple, silly app!

June 5, 2012 - 7:29 am

robin w - These are great Kim! Thanks so much for sharing. The boys have grown sooooo much! God Bless them both and their dad.

home sweet new home

We have official moved 100% completely out of our old apartment, finally turned our keys back in this week. Princeton has now been “home” to us longer than any other place as a married couple (we will be celebrating 7 years on the 11th – time sure has flown by!!!) and we lived in that apartment the longest of any other place. It had a lot of quirks, downfalls and overall not-so-pleasant things, but we truly made it home. I do miss it. The living room was uber spacious, we had walls painted (including the yellow wall), and everything just “fit”. It’s taken some adjusting, selling items, purging much to get the new place just right. The only thing we are currently holding out on is a smaller dining room table. The one we currently have has worked in our previous 3 homes, but unfortunately not this one.

The absolute best parts of the new place is first and foremost, it’s a brand new place. We are the very first people to live in it!! We also have a huge kitchen, two bathrooms (that are not PINK!!), and full-size stacked washer and dryer!! I am no longer a slave to laundry or making sure I have quarters on me (though my mindset is still the same to hold on to every quarter possible, and get as many back when I pay with cash!).

DISCLAIMER: these photos were all taken in a rush the morning we flew out to OK. many items were moved around to make it seem like we had it together one week after moving in! excuse color balance issues too!

We shall start at the door (two different perspectives, and yes that is supposedly my desk that is right next to the door!)

Our dining room that doesn’t look much different today than it did two weeks ago! Once we get a smaller table, we will hang photos on the invisible wall to the left of the photo. I don’t like them all on the buffet table!

Part of the old camera collection. Anthony thought it would be a great idea to display them more prominently this go round. I’ve added another to the collection since these were taking too – thanks to a friend who found one while we were in OK!

One of my favorite spots in the home! It’s in the hallway between the kitchen and the bathroom.

Once again we had to get creative – not a huge fan of all my books being so close to the kitchen but it works! LOVE the baskets that hold my glass jar collection (that my husband thinks I hoard, but I beg to differ!). I found these two at an antique mall up the road from us.

Oh how much I love this kitchen! I believe I have 95% of my kitchen stuff in the actual kitchen. It’s a true miracle, but also goes to show how *much* kitchen stuff I have! We even got rid of a ton too.

Seriously my favorite thing about the place is the washer/dryer!

Our bedroom, though it doesn’t look like this much anymore. Curtains and frames are still up (though it looks like I will need to make new curtains considering these are too short!), but we got a new bed that’s way too high and we changed our bedspread.

and this is going to be home for the next year. thanks for looking!!!

June 5, 2012 - 11:11 am

Kelly Gorney - WOW! Kim, it looks so amazing!!!! You must be so excited to actually be moved in! Great job on making it look like a home!

visiting north carolina

It seems to be conference season for the scholarly world! Anthony steered the way at the bicentennial conference at the seminary the week of March 19th, then we loaded up the car Wednesday night to drive down to Asheville, North Carolina. Anthony would be presenting at 3:30 Thursday at another conference. We decided to make a mini-vacation out of it, considering the 3 years we lived in Nashville, we never drove to NC together!

Downtown Asheville is heaven on earth for this earthy/crunchy heart of mine. I spent time wondering around while Anthony was conferencing it up, finding some incredible cafes (The Green Sage and Over Easy Cafe in particular) that offer local, organic items. I knew that I’d be visiting them when meal time came around. We also discovered that Asheville is famous for their microbreweries. Yes and yes!! Thursday night we had pizza and beer at Asheville Brewing Co. and then walked to Lexington Ave Brewery for another round. Incredible night life was to be found, no matter what block or area of town!

Friday afternoon we went to the famous 8,000 acre 250 room Biltmore Estate. Talk about extravagance to the 10th degree – they have one of the first private two-lane bowling alleys + an indoor heated pool. And seriously what home needs 250 rooms?!?!?! The estate is really astonishing and breathtaking!

One of the many spectacular views!

This is one massive tree trunk – wrapped around a pole actually!

While I was taking photos of all the beautiful flowers, Anthony found a bench to rest his legs.

I am so glad I remembered to bring my macro lens – the flowers were stunning!

I will leave you with this photo of the pond. It took us about 20 minutes (or more really) to drive from the parking lot at the house to the exit gate. Luckily the property allows for stop-offs. This is one of those instances I knew I had to stop. Although looking at the colors you may think it was fall!

April 12, 2012 - 1:55 pm

Rebecca Jeanne - SO pretty!!!! I love those orchids!

sewing projects | it’s been way too long!

Last time I did a sewing update post, it was July! That was a wild time, with Anthony and the whole e.coli illness. Then it turned into the fall craziness, holidays, travel, etc.

Now that my nephew Randon is in pre-kindergarten, he has gotten into art. Santa brought him an IKEA easel with all amazing supplies. As our Christmas present to both Randon + Rylan, I made these art smocks. I didn’t want cotton fabric, but vinyl of some sort. Easy to wipe off without having to throw in the washing machine often. I ordered fabric online but some reason they canceled the order. Most fabric stores are now carrying the stuff I got – you can make cloth diapers covers, bags and more for babies! They turned out pretty cute, but I don’t think I made them big enough. Oops!

I’m not sure how often they use the smocks but it was a big hit from Christmas morning until we left a week later!!

My incredible friend and fellow photographer Kelly asked me to make her some pillows for her living room. She found inspiration on pinterest, bought the fabric and sent it over to me! They really change the entire feel of her room – don’t you think?

I’m currently working on my first true garment making project as we speak – it’s a little girls dress that will be very soon featured on the blog! Cannot wait for everyone to see.

April 2, 2012 - 2:33 pm

Kelly Gorney - Kim! I am so excited to see my living room on here. You did an INCREDIBLE job on my pillows!!! I am so grateful to you for transforming my room. The pillows are flawless! I am also in love with R & R’s smocks. Way to go! You are amazing!

April 2, 2012 - 2:34 pm

Kelly Lucas Gorney via Facebook - YAY! Thank you again…you rock!

April 2, 2012 - 2:53 pm

robin - Have to agree with Kelly… you are amazing!

golden nugget | central jersey photographer

A few months ago, I went to the Golden Nugget Antique Market off Route 29 in Lambertville, NJ with my neighbor Katrina. We didn’t necessarily need anything but I wanted to see if I could find some old cameras along with a few items for our photo shoot with Bernadette. I love that the Golden Nugget is open year round and people are willing to bargain with you if you know how to do it right. I came home with two cameras, one being a Yashica twin-lens reflex. I haven’t bought film for it yet but one day soon I will get out to shoot with it. And who knows, one day I may shoot an entire session with it!