Meet my friend, Leah.

{I love this photo because Leah is a HUGE Tori Amos fan. 

It thrills me to know that she had the chance to meet her.}

Leah is such a lovely person and one of the most talented photographers around. Her work is simply breathtaking.

And so inspired!

Leah's talent is known far and wide. She has been hired for work around the country.

That's how she met Patrick - the love of her life.

She was hired for a job in Wyoming a few years ago. When she stepped off of the plane at the airport, she was greeted by a band of true cowboys who were there to pick her up.

{Heck! I'd make the trip to Wyoming just to be chauffeured by cowboys!}

Patrick was among them and they hit it off IMMEDIATELY!

After several months of a long distance relationship, Leah made the move from Georgia to Patrick's ranch in Wyoming.

Like an uprooted magnolia.

We miss her dearly, but it warms my heart to know she's so happy.

Her photo blog, Uprooted Magnolia, chronicles her life on the ranch and makes you feel like you're right there with her - on her nature walks, tending to cattle, meeting the wildlife that surrounds her daily.

Leah was recently recognized by Wordpress.com as one of "8 Gorgeous Nature Blogs for Earth Day."

And, lawd... this girl deserves it!

So, mosey on over {in my best cowboy-speak} to Uprooted Magnolia and get ready to have your heart stolen by Miss Leah Yetter (and these little ones, too).

I'm officially half-way through my graduate program! Praise the Lord! I am only here because of Him.

I have a two week break before classes begin again so I plan to cram in as much creativity as possible.

Here's the ambitious list:

• Finish planting the garden!
• Read The Hunger Games trilogy. {What's reading for pleasure like? I've forgotten.}
• Vogue 1183, in a gorgeous plum shantung.

• Vogue 1152, in a springy peacock print in the Amy Butler Soul Blossoms line.

• Simplicity 2305, in a purple polished cotton/silk.

• Window treatments for my guest room.
• Window treatments for the playroom.
• Hemming all of my pants in need {thus doubling my wardrobe}.
• Skirt refashion.
• Pants refashion.
• Complete my oilcloth iPad cover.

AND, I'm hosting a "crafter-noon" party for some of my favorite girls.

Don't worry. I'm not disillusioned about actually completing these lofty goals - but I like having a working list.

**smile**

I've walked past this little cart about one million times since moving into our house last July.

It's been hanging out in the garage, collecting junk for our eventual yard sale. We've had it for 10 years or so and it's been through a lot.

The dog used it as a chew toy... cleaning supplies have leaked on it... there have been many generations of spiders birthed beneath it's wooden slats {shudder}...

Yep. Yard sale material.

However, I walked past it last week and it was like a light bulb came on. Eureka! I could paint her up and use her to store my sewing machines.

And I did just that.

I had the cart. I had the primer. I had the paint. Score for zero investment!

Painting this cart took FOR.........EV..........errrrrrrrrr.

But, I'm the lazy sort of painter that starts out really excited and then loses interest after about 15 minutes. {Truth.}

I thought it would be a grand idea to paint outdoors while the weather is so mild! Apparently, the bugs thought it was a pretty grand idea, too.

Two coats of primer and two coats of paint later, here she is.

I had the notion to do some creative finishing touches, but I was so glad to get that last coat of paint on that I called it done.

I did make a yo-yo knob cover to dress her up just a bit more.

I'm super-pleased with this zero-cost makeover that helped to meet a need in my studio.

That's right! I'm sending a copy of Nicholas Spark's "The Lucky One" to two lucky friends!

The random number generator selected comments #1 and #4 from my last post. Congratulations, Cindie and Cort! I'm e-mailing you both right now.

Enjoy the reads and be sure to catch the movie. It's in theaters now!

Ladies, Mr. Nicholas Sparks has it figured out - exactly what we want out of a love story. And his latest movie release, The Lucky One, is no exception.

{Hello! When did Zac Efron become appropriately drool worthy?!}

As a member of HouseParty.com, I signed up to host one of the 1,000 "The Lucky One" parties offered to promote the movie and was selected! Yippee!!

Who doesn't love a big box of F.R.E.E. showing up on their doorstep?

If you're unfamiliar with HouseParty.com, it is a free online community for brands to connect products to customers. A marketer's dream, really. Top companies, such as Godiva, Keurig, and Grand Central Publishing (obviously), select a members to send their products to. As a party host, you agree to plan a gathering of your friends, promote the product with the tools provided, and pass out all of the free swag! 

Girl time and freebies - what could be better?

So, here's what my party pack contained:

For this event, HouseParty encouraged a potluck dinner. I came up with my own interpretation and planned a salad luncheon during the middle of the workday. It was PERFECT!

We all gathered for lunch and everyone brought a salad to share - from chicken to fruit to quinoa. It was such a yummy lunch!

As everyone gathered, I conducted a creative photo shoot with their good luck charms.

(She's an amazing athlete!)

As we finished eating, we watched the extended movie preview and played a little Nicholas Spark's trivia game afterward. It was a very competitive match, but Megan reigned victorious and walked away with an awesome movie t-shirt.

Kellie was "the lucky one" selected for my door prize - a movie poster (that now hangs on the wall directly across from her desk. Nice placement, Kellie!).

Everyone left with a goodie bag containing a movie edition novel of "The Lucky One" and a bookmark.

All in all a tremendous success for my first HouseParty! We all had an amazing time together and left with plans to gather more often for little lunch parties.

**big smile**

Hey! I have one goodie bag left over! I'd love to send it your way! Leave me a comment below and I'll pick a winner at random on Friday, April 20. 

Tell me about a HouseParty that you've hosted. Not a member? You should definitely sign up at HouseParty.com and invite me to your next event.

**wink**