Hello All,
I have moved my posting to the new site, nutshellortwo.com
You can expect many more posts. Thank you for visiting!
Exploring the History and Natural Beauty of San Antonio
Here are some interesting things to do in San Antonio for a weekend if you love history and nature.
Earlier this month was our 2nd wedding anniversary! We had been trying to figure out what to do to celebrate and decided to have a weekend away in San Antonio. Here are some of the neat things I recommend trying out in SA.
1. San Antonio Missions
It is probable that when you think of San Antonio, one of the first things that comes to mind is the Alamo. Did you know that the Alamo, which served as a Spanish mission in the 1700s is just one of several missions still standing in the area?
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is a fun and informative experience for both children and adults. The visitor center is located next to Mission San José and offers a gift shop, restrooms, and plenty of parking. This is the best place to begin if you are planning to see all the missions. Guided tours are offered at the visitor center but are not necessary. It is important to note that the park is not located near the Alamo or River Walk and the missions are in separate locations that are not walking distance apart.
Mission San José
Here you can see the faint pattern of some of the original Spanish tiles that once covered the building.
We looked inside the visitor center then headed to the adjacent Mission San José. I was surprised by the beauty and serenity of the place. The wall that surrounds the complex still remains and encloses the grounds like you are stepping into a unique little world. I pictured what life might have been like living in this mission in the late 18th Century. This mission provided me with an improved understanding and appreciation of Texas history.
After touring Mission San José, we drove a couple miles down the road to see Mission Concepción. This Mission has a smaller visitor center and far less parking. Mission Concepción is located on a smaller area of land, but it still holds its grandeur. I thought that the inside of the chapel was particularly beautiful.
Mission Concepción
We noticed how tiny some of the doorways were!
The thing that surprised me most about the missions was that I didn't realize they are still operating Catholic Churches. For some reason, I thought they were just historic buildings, but they still hold regular services. When we first arrived at the park, the chapel of Mission San José was closed for a wedding. Luckily, we came at the tail end of the ceremony and were able to look inside within minutes. It was such a pleasant day and a very special spot for a ceremony despite having a few tourists around.
I hope everyone would do this automatically, but please note that it is important to be quiet and respectful at the missions and please stay out of the way of those praying in the chapels. It makes the experience more special for everyone! Also, the missions are free to visit, but it is recommended that you make a donation to help with the preservation and maintenance of the park.
2. The Alamo, River Walk, Main Tourist Things
My advice is do not try to do these things during spring break or a holiday weekend. I tried going over spring break years ago and stood in a line 50 people deep to walk inside the Alamo. This time, we tried going during the last weekend of April and there was no line at all! We enjoyed brushing up on our Texas history! The grounds of the Alamo have a nice timeline on display outside. Inside, the shrine area serves as a small museum. The downside of the Alamo is that it's popularity makes it a louder and more crowded place than the missions, but it also has a rich history making it an emblem of Texas.
Over a century old oak tree at the grounds of the Alamo
The Alamo is conveniently located near the river walk and plenty of shopping and restaurants. It was nice to just walk around and check things out. We really enjoyed Zinc Bistro & Bar, which had excellent bar food like burgers and mac and cheese, but there are tons of other great places to eat. I don't want to go into too much detail on the river walk since there's already so much information available about it online.
3. Natural Bridge Caverns and Wildlife Ranch
The next day we drove about 30 minutes north of SA to the Natural Bridge Caverns. We arrived at about 10am on a cool Sunday morning and were lucky to have no line. To enter the caverns, you first must go inside the visitor building and purchase a ticket for a tour. There are various types of tours offered, the most common ones start at $22 for adults and $14 for children. The visitor area also has a full indoor concession stand and gift shop. When leaving the visitor center, you walk down a hill which leads you past a maze, ropes course, and an ice cream parlor . There are well-marked signs that lead you to the beginning of the cave tour. We waited for our guide and entered the caverns!
The caverns are humid and dark, but they are lit in a way that makes the walls seem to glow. It is slippery inside, so wear some shoes that grip and be prepared for a couple tight areas at the beginning of the tour. I have visited the caverns twice, and do feel that it is worth it for the ticket price. The huge slimy-looking stalagmites made us feel like we were on another planet.
After the cavern tour, we grabbed lunch at the concession area and drove to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. The ranch entrance is right next to the entrance for the caverns, so you can't miss it. It was $22 per adult to go into the ranch. The tickets also provided us each with a bag of feed, which was more than enough. I actually went home with extra feed that i forgot to throw out.
This ostrich practically charged our car! I promptly rolled up the window when he approached!
Thank you for reading! Please contact me with any questions you have about visiting these places.
Did you purchase decor and props to display at your wedding? Here are some simple ways you can incorporate those items into your home.
I purchased many decorative items to display around the venue for my wedding. The props really gave the historic farmhouse venue a personal touch. While planning the wedding, I never thought about what I would do with all the stuff afterwards. It wasn't until my husband and I purchased our first house that I found ways to give the decorative items a new purpose. Here are some easy ways you can reuse wedding props in your home.
1. Pet toy basket
This one is extremely simple. Did you use some type of basket to put wedding favors in? what about programs? All you have to do is put the basket on the floor and then put your pets toys in it. If you want, you can wire a little sign on it to display your pets name.
What's crazy is that I recently found a pet toy basket on Bed Bath & Beyond for $50. I spent about $15 on mine from Hobby Lobby and it already had a little chalkboard attached.
Here's the basket from Bed Bath and Beyond. It is cute.
2. Wreath
This is not as simple as the toy basket, but this is a nice way to add some curb appeal to your home. I had a wooden monogram that I displayed on the front door of the wedding venue. I heard that some consider it bad luck to display your new monogram before you are actually married, but hanging it 2 hours before the ceremony seemed fine to me. If you used any letter or monogram, you can add it to a wreath.
This is the only picture I have with the monogram in it. It wasn't necessary that I have a picture of it, but I do regret not having a clearer photo of the front door on the big day.
I made this wreath with just a wreath backing, burlap netting, ribbon, wire, and pipe cleaners. This is one of the first wreaths I've ever made, and it was pretty simple.
A little wren decided to make my wreath home. My husband and I were always peeking into the nest while momma wren was away. A few of the eggs did not hatch, but majority did and we had 4 babies living in the wreath! Just look at their little beaks!
3. Chalkboards and Bulletin Boards
Someday people are going to laugh at the fact that chalkboards were so popular at weddings. I used a chalkboard as a welcome sign for my ceremony, and I absolutely love having it in my kitchen now. You can use chalkboard pens to draw cute seasonal displays, post upcoming events, or even just a nice quote. It's such a simple item but adds so much character to a room.
Another Item I bought for the wedding was a large bulletin board with a pretty frame around it. I used at the reception to display table numbers and I now use it in my kitchen to display cards, photos, and invitations. The bulletin board is a great alternative to putting things on the side of the fridge with magnets. I no longer have to worry about bumping the fridge and knocking things off.
Here is another small chalkboard I used for wedding favors. We had custom sunglasses for all the guests and they were a huge hit! I've had people tell me that years later they are still wearing them.
4. Picture Frames and Signs
Perhaps the easiest of them all, you can use all the picture frames and signs that were setup at the venue. You may have received even more picture frames as wedding gifts. Switch some of your engagement pics out for family pictures from the wedding and you have a whole new set of home decor. I also put one of my wedding invitations in a frame (otherwise, I would have lost it). Now my husband can never forget our anniversary ;)
5. Lanterns and Candles
Did you buy a bunch of votive candles, lanterns, or some type of little decorative trinket? You probably do not want to display 80 of the same little votive candle holders around your home, but keeping a couple of them can add a sentimental touch to a space. Out of the 8 lanterns I used at the ceremony, I have 2 of them displayed around my fireplace. My mother and grandmother also wanted a lantern to decorate their home with.
I purchased all battery powered candles for the lanterns. Now whenever I'm gifted a new candle holder, I always have a candle for it. It doesn't hurt to have extra candles hidden away. You can use them in the case of a power outage, just make sure you have extra batteries or a lighter hidden away with your candle stock.
Below you can see not only my wedding lanterns, but also the basket that I use for my puppy Bear's toys. I'm very lucky that he doesn't chew on the basket!
I felt the need to include a pic from our wedding day with my husband in it! I have this one framed in our dining room because I think it's romantic.
I love getting to look at my home decor and remembering how it played a part in my wedding day. These items have sentimental value and are a great way to decorate on a budget. The best way to warm up a space is decorating with precious keepsakes.
Thank you for reading!
I purchased many decorative items to display around the venue for my wedding. The props really gave the historic farmhouse venue a personal touch. While planning the wedding, I never thought about what I would do with all the stuff afterwards. It wasn't until my husband and I purchased our first house that I found ways to give the decorative items a new purpose. Here are some easy ways you can reuse wedding props in your home.
1. Pet toy basket
This one is extremely simple. Did you use some type of basket to put wedding favors in? what about programs? All you have to do is put the basket on the floor and then put your pets toys in it. If you want, you can wire a little sign on it to display your pets name.
What's crazy is that I recently found a pet toy basket on Bed Bath & Beyond for $50. I spent about $15 on mine from Hobby Lobby and it already had a little chalkboard attached.
Here's the basket from Bed Bath and Beyond. It is cute.
Don't have a pet? Try using a large basket to hold extra throw blankets in your living room, pillows in your bedroom, or shoes in the entryway. Smaller baskets can hold books on a shelf or act as a space to set your tablet/keys/accessories in.
2. Wreath
This is not as simple as the toy basket, but this is a nice way to add some curb appeal to your home. I had a wooden monogram that I displayed on the front door of the wedding venue. I heard that some consider it bad luck to display your new monogram before you are actually married, but hanging it 2 hours before the ceremony seemed fine to me. If you used any letter or monogram, you can add it to a wreath.
This is the only picture I have with the monogram in it. It wasn't necessary that I have a picture of it, but I do regret not having a clearer photo of the front door on the big day.
I made this wreath with just a wreath backing, burlap netting, ribbon, wire, and pipe cleaners. This is one of the first wreaths I've ever made, and it was pretty simple.
A little wren decided to make my wreath home. My husband and I were always peeking into the nest while momma wren was away. A few of the eggs did not hatch, but majority did and we had 4 babies living in the wreath! Just look at their little beaks!
3. Chalkboards and Bulletin Boards
Someday people are going to laugh at the fact that chalkboards were so popular at weddings. I used a chalkboard as a welcome sign for my ceremony, and I absolutely love having it in my kitchen now. You can use chalkboard pens to draw cute seasonal displays, post upcoming events, or even just a nice quote. It's such a simple item but adds so much character to a room.
Another Item I bought for the wedding was a large bulletin board with a pretty frame around it. I used at the reception to display table numbers and I now use it in my kitchen to display cards, photos, and invitations. The bulletin board is a great alternative to putting things on the side of the fridge with magnets. I no longer have to worry about bumping the fridge and knocking things off.
Here is another small chalkboard I used for wedding favors. We had custom sunglasses for all the guests and they were a huge hit! I've had people tell me that years later they are still wearing them.
4. Picture Frames and Signs
Perhaps the easiest of them all, you can use all the picture frames and signs that were setup at the venue. You may have received even more picture frames as wedding gifts. Switch some of your engagement pics out for family pictures from the wedding and you have a whole new set of home decor. I also put one of my wedding invitations in a frame (otherwise, I would have lost it). Now my husband can never forget our anniversary ;)
5. Lanterns and Candles
Did you buy a bunch of votive candles, lanterns, or some type of little decorative trinket? You probably do not want to display 80 of the same little votive candle holders around your home, but keeping a couple of them can add a sentimental touch to a space. Out of the 8 lanterns I used at the ceremony, I have 2 of them displayed around my fireplace. My mother and grandmother also wanted a lantern to decorate their home with.
I purchased all battery powered candles for the lanterns. Now whenever I'm gifted a new candle holder, I always have a candle for it. It doesn't hurt to have extra candles hidden away. You can use them in the case of a power outage, just make sure you have extra batteries or a lighter hidden away with your candle stock.
Below you can see not only my wedding lanterns, but also the basket that I use for my puppy Bear's toys. I'm very lucky that he doesn't chew on the basket!
I felt the need to include a pic from our wedding day with my husband in it! I have this one framed in our dining room because I think it's romantic.
I love getting to look at my home decor and remembering how it played a part in my wedding day. These items have sentimental value and are a great way to decorate on a budget. The best way to warm up a space is decorating with precious keepsakes.
Thank you for reading!
I captured so many shots while in Costa Rica, it was hard to choose which image to post first. Here is my quick trip to Costa Rica, including where I stayed, ate, hiked, and all the great things that are "must sees" in such a beautiful country. My journey only led me to discovering more that I wasn't able to fit into the trip, but that just means that I will be going back one day!
In my "Close of 2015" post, I complained about my job. I felt silly... doesn't everyone complain about their job? I'm being a baby. I feel self-centered discussing my dislike for my work situation, but conditions were very bad. I'm surprised that things have changed so quickly, but now towards the end of January I am entering my second week at my new job!
I was searching a career website, and found a listing very close to my house looking for a purchaser and inventory control associate. I wasn't sure if my skill set would be what they were looking for, but I decided to apply anyways... you never know, right?
The company is a tiny (30 people) engineering company that does extensive research in electrical and mechanical engineering. They create software and sensors for drilling. I wish I could explain more, but I really know nothing about the research they do and it is secretive. They called me back quickly and I went in for an interview. I was very nervous during the interview. I ended up speaking to the engineering team and then talked with the President of the company. It was intimidating, but I did my best and figured that it's always good to get in some interview practice. On January 6th, 2016 only one day after the interview, I was offered the position!
I had to tell my current job that I was leaving, which actually wasn't that hard. I wrote a resignation letter, and was polite. I think everyone knew I had valid reasons for leaving, so they were very kind about it and wished me the best. My company let me leave that day.
I had to provide a start date for my new job, so I decided to give myself one free week so that I could do some traveling. Reed was able to take off too, so we booked a quick trip and left the country!
I had been reading a lot about Costa Rica. It was a destination I was thinking about trying to visit this spring for an anniversary trip. With the free week, we decided to go for it and I booked flights, a car, and a hotel right away. We had an incredible experience in Costa Rica! I will be posting all about it soon!
So far I have only completed one week in my new position, but my stress level is low and I am confident in tasks I am performing. The company provides a quality work environment and great benefits. I can make my own hours provided I work 8 hours per day. It's also only 9 miles from my house. I can't believe that I am no longer dealing with a horrible commute! This company also is interested in higher education and will cover tuition costs! What a wonderful mindset/company outlook. My spirits have been lifted, and I know my future is strong.
More on Costa Rica in my next post!
I don't have a whole lot of things to post, but wow... How do people keep up with these blogs??? Life is so busy already. I just don't know how one can keep up with posts.
I am always evaluating my life and figuring out how I can improve on things. I don't mean to make my 2015 sound negative. It was really great! I just tend to pinpoint issues and see how I can be different next time. I am beginning this post with nature photos I took from this year to add positivity.
I loved this little dragonfly. He perched here every day for a month during the summer.
Job
Okay this has been a real problem for me. I accepted a job in logistics and was really excited to learn everything about transportation, specifically imports and exports. I had an upbeat boss that wasn't on my back ever and a small but friendly office.
When I cam back from Thanksgiving break, my boss called me into his office and told me he was getting laid off. He stated that the company was eliminating his position and that he would have to leave by January. I was automatically disappointed. I felt bad for him and his situation, but when I was hired on I was lead to believe that I was the first of what would become a dynamic logistics team. It was great to hear that I was safe and had a job still but what did my boss leaving mean for me?
The disappointment continued. I was made to move from my desk and take a spot in a temp building in the middle of the pipe yard. Also, they were unable to hook up my phone so it seems that I do not actually have a work phone anymore. This makes my life difficult since I use the phone multiple times a day to do my job. I am now under the shipping manager and am basically a glorified shipping clerk.
In all, I am beginning my new year in search of a new job.
Wild poppy growing in our neighborhood during the spring.
Family
Other than the whole job thing, everything else in my life has been spectacular. I've been very thankful that all of our family is healthy. We didn't go on any huge trips, but we did little fun things. Some of the cool things we did this year...
- Went to the George Observatory (looked through large telescopes and saw shooting stars)
- Took my puppy Bear to the dog park often which is now his favorite outing
- Added hardwood floors to our home and made it super pretty
- Went to the Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots game for Reeds birthday (ate in the suite and had awesome seats!)
- Celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary on May 3rd
- Stayed at home and handed out candy for the first time ever this Halloween
- Got a DSLR camera and love it
- Started volunteering with animal adoptions for the city of Sugar Land
- Did some crafting and made a nice Thanksgiving/Fall wreath (could't mention that without including a pic)
- Went to a Texas A&M football game and checked out the new stadium
- Put up our first Christmas tree in our house and decorated the yard
- I got Leo, which was probably a mistake, but he is the cutest little bunny and is such a nice guy (I didn't mean to hold him all twisted in the picture)
This was the year of the cooking for me. I used to only be able to make mac n cheese, but this year I learned how to make some great dishes that we love and that are fairly healthy (chicken fried rice, beef and broccoli, cajun chicken pasta, lasagna, and of course, turkey tacos). I am really proud of Reed and I for getting fit this year and working out more than we ever have before. We have both taken up running and I plan to continue distance running and regular workouts. I love that we can jog together with Bear. He loves to run!
He also loves getting new toys and sleeping in our bed. He's our spoiled baby.
Okay, we're pretty boring but It's a nice life. We stress and try to plan everything, but overall things are good. I always need to take time to recognize that we are blessed. Many have never experienced the wonderful things we have in our lifetime.
And here are a couple pics from our Christmas... which was the warmest Christmas I've ever experienced. Temperatures in the 70s-80s across most of the United States.
Wishes for 2016
My list could probably go on much longer but here are some of the things I would like to do in the new year (and many of them do sound like the typical new year's resolutions)
- health (keep working out, cooking healthy meals, stay a healthy weight, gain muscle)
- GO ON A VACATION (something tropical)
- find a job I really enjoy
- figure out what I want to do for a career (always trying to figure it out)
The list could go on, but these are the main things for me. Happy New Year to all! I hope to spend some time coming up with new creative posts in 2016!
When I first got my camera I started photographing everything, including my rosebud in the front yard. I plan to read up on ways I can improve my photography and one day get more lenses for the camera (they are not cheap!)
I am always evaluating my life and figuring out how I can improve on things. I don't mean to make my 2015 sound negative. It was really great! I just tend to pinpoint issues and see how I can be different next time. I am beginning this post with nature photos I took from this year to add positivity.
I loved this little dragonfly. He perched here every day for a month during the summer.
Job
Okay this has been a real problem for me. I accepted a job in logistics and was really excited to learn everything about transportation, specifically imports and exports. I had an upbeat boss that wasn't on my back ever and a small but friendly office.
When I cam back from Thanksgiving break, my boss called me into his office and told me he was getting laid off. He stated that the company was eliminating his position and that he would have to leave by January. I was automatically disappointed. I felt bad for him and his situation, but when I was hired on I was lead to believe that I was the first of what would become a dynamic logistics team. It was great to hear that I was safe and had a job still but what did my boss leaving mean for me?
The disappointment continued. I was made to move from my desk and take a spot in a temp building in the middle of the pipe yard. Also, they were unable to hook up my phone so it seems that I do not actually have a work phone anymore. This makes my life difficult since I use the phone multiple times a day to do my job. I am now under the shipping manager and am basically a glorified shipping clerk.
In all, I am beginning my new year in search of a new job.
Wild poppy growing in our neighborhood during the spring.
Family
Other than the whole job thing, everything else in my life has been spectacular. I've been very thankful that all of our family is healthy. We didn't go on any huge trips, but we did little fun things. Some of the cool things we did this year...
- Went to the George Observatory (looked through large telescopes and saw shooting stars)
- Took my puppy Bear to the dog park often which is now his favorite outing
- Added hardwood floors to our home and made it super pretty
- Went to the Dallas Cowboys vs. New England Patriots game for Reeds birthday (ate in the suite and had awesome seats!)
- Celebrated our 1 year wedding anniversary on May 3rd
- Stayed at home and handed out candy for the first time ever this Halloween
- Got a DSLR camera and love it
- Started volunteering with animal adoptions for the city of Sugar Land
- Did some crafting and made a nice Thanksgiving/Fall wreath (could't mention that without including a pic)
- Went to a Texas A&M football game and checked out the new stadium
- Put up our first Christmas tree in our house and decorated the yard
- I got Leo, which was probably a mistake, but he is the cutest little bunny and is such a nice guy (I didn't mean to hold him all twisted in the picture)
This was the year of the cooking for me. I used to only be able to make mac n cheese, but this year I learned how to make some great dishes that we love and that are fairly healthy (chicken fried rice, beef and broccoli, cajun chicken pasta, lasagna, and of course, turkey tacos). I am really proud of Reed and I for getting fit this year and working out more than we ever have before. We have both taken up running and I plan to continue distance running and regular workouts. I love that we can jog together with Bear. He loves to run!
He also loves getting new toys and sleeping in our bed. He's our spoiled baby.
Okay, we're pretty boring but It's a nice life. We stress and try to plan everything, but overall things are good. I always need to take time to recognize that we are blessed. Many have never experienced the wonderful things we have in our lifetime.
And here are a couple pics from our Christmas... which was the warmest Christmas I've ever experienced. Temperatures in the 70s-80s across most of the United States.
My list could probably go on much longer but here are some of the things I would like to do in the new year (and many of them do sound like the typical new year's resolutions)
- health (keep working out, cooking healthy meals, stay a healthy weight, gain muscle)
- GO ON A VACATION (something tropical)
- find a job I really enjoy
- figure out what I want to do for a career (always trying to figure it out)
The list could go on, but these are the main things for me. Happy New Year to all! I hope to spend some time coming up with new creative posts in 2016!
When I first got my camera I started photographing everything, including my rosebud in the front yard. I plan to read up on ways I can improve my photography and one day get more lenses for the camera (they are not cheap!)
I don't wish to betray my home state of Texas, but Colorado is my favorite state! It's the region that I've spent the most time in other than Texas. I appreciate the warm weather where I live in Houston, but there's nothing like the mountains and wildlife of Colorado. Some impeccable timing allowed me to make the 1 week trip. Here are all the details.
I'm excited to share the entire process of getting hardwood floors in our home. This includes everything from the selection, pricing, and costs of all the materials that went into the installation. It wasn't the easiest thing to do, but we are so happy with the results! These floors truly transformed our home!
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