First Home Art

I recently discovered a new photo editing website called BeFunky. It's very much like Picnik, but has different editing options, like turning an image to a cartoon or even a painting! That's the feature I have been obsessed with. I have been wanting to frame some of my favorite pictures of our first home to display in our new home. And I decided to play with these pictures at this editing site and fell in love with the way it turned our home pictures into paintings. All I need is to save them, print them and frame them! That simple and very inexpensive. How classy do they look?

Weekend in the Mountains

Last Friday, Ronnie gave me a call in the morning and surprisingly asked me "Do you want to go to the mountains this weekend?". Of course, I said "yes!" and he took a half day to head there in the afternoon to arrive around dinner time. We've been talking a lot lately about going, but we've been so busy we haven't had the chance. Ronnie's family has a mountain home and his grandparent's were there. So, he thought it would be a good time to see them, too, since it's been a few months since our move from NC to GA.

We really enjoyed the cool air and it was strange visiting a place we called home. Actually, it felt really good to be back and we soaked up the cool mountain air and appreciated the things we love about living in NC.

I took some random "NC" things during our weekend and I hope you enjoy taking a peek at what we did and saw.

This was taken on our drive to NC. This is one of the things we first saw. The sky was really blue and clear. It was a beautiful NC day. When I see old rustic barns like this, I totally think NC. We had several of these around our town.

We saw the Grandfather Mountain sign as we were getting closer to the house. Who knows how many times we've been to it and crossed the mile high bridge? We didn't this time. But it really is an amazing place. It's also where my BFF got engaged!

One of my favorite places to visit is Beech Mountain and their little general store called "Fred's". I have to eat at their small diner at least once when I am there. And I love their sweet tea! (a must have drink in NC)

How cute are Ronnie's grandparents? He's so blessed to still have them in his life.

Of course, we had to pick up some jars of the taste of nc. We bought some pumpkin butter and honey.

Finally, here is a picture of us on the final day. Saturday was very gloomy, but Sunday it was clear and beautiful. We had a really nice time!

All packed up...moving on up!

Well, the time we've been anxiously waiting for finally arrived. The movers took 1 day to pack us up and another day to load everything. They worked really fast and carefully. Only had a small ding made to our master bedroom furniture, but I think we claimed it and they are getting it fixed. They are arriving to Georgia with our things on Monday, hopefully on Sunday.

It was very overwhelming watching them pack all of our things. I mean, don't get me wrong, we didn't have to do a thing! Something about it was just emotionally overwhelming. I am leaving behind so much I grew to love. It's still very hard to think about. I guess it will heal once we are settled in to our new home and new state. We left and I couldn't even bare taking one last picture together in front of the house. I have plenty of happy memories documented in enough pictures....so I didn't need a need to. We drove to Georgia as soon as the movers left. I must admit, I shed some tears on the way down. Then I think God was giving me signs that everything will be OK. First, I saw this truck on the road to Georgia...


Then, while reading the latest Martha Stewart Living, I came across a "peach" spread, filled with info on peaches and recipes! Ha!


So, on our first day here I took a drive to the new house and it was nice to see the grass green! (it was still brown from winter the last time I was there.) the trees behind the house are really pretty. It sure needs some pretty flowers though...have to get on that. But first we must unpack and clean it first....a lot of work still ahead! But we're ready!


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dear first nest . . .

dear first nest,

We were so lucky to find you, but didn't realize it until the previous owners accepted our offer. It happened quite fast actually. It almost was too good to be true. We were just starting out and we weren't even planning on becoming home owners so soon. But God wanted it that way and we made sure to take good care of you. We knew it wouldn't be easy, though, because you were miles away from what we always knew... but soon realized you were something truly special.

The first night we were with you it seemed like Christmas eve! I was filled with butterflies anxious to unwrap you and make you mine. We hit it off right away, although you were scary for a few nights after we moved in. What can I say? I'm a city girl and it was hard to deal with so many trees that surrounded you and foreign animals to me. (deers, bats, owls etc.) But pretty soon, I realized you were a good place to be and knew you would protect me from the really loud noises that grasshoppers were making at night (I was not used to such a symphony by nature.) Soon, I became a Carolina girl (or Carolina Cubanita like my dad likes to call me) ... and I loved it!

Ronnie was excited to mow your lawn at first. But soon realized that spending 3 hours every Saturday to maintain you was REALLY hard work. (We didn't realize how much work 1 acre of land you really were!) And get this? I even got into the action...soon I planted my first flowers, but quickly just decided I was better at telling Ronnie where to plant pretty new flowers and other plants! (I enjoyed decorating you inside more.)

Because of you, we were able have our first christmas and we decorated you inside and out so well. It deserved a "Southern Living" treatment, always. We worked hard to make you "sparkle" every Christmas.

We were able to experience all the beautiful seasons NC has to offer. My favorite was the Fall. I waited patiently for your trees to decorate you, so you could radiate in orange, yellows and reds.

Winter was my least favorite. But you knew how to keep me warm inside with your fireplace and cozy family room. And when the snow fell, we enjoyed just looking outside as it fell and your lawn became a HUGE white blanket. Each time it snowed we'd hurry outside in the morning and held a photo shoot in your honor. You looked the best during those mornings because you became even more still and there's something so peaceful after a good snow fall.

When Spring came, the azaleas outside would bloom in white and we knew Winter was soon the past. We would plan how to make you alive again with pretty new colors. During the summer, we'd love to drink wine on your front porch in our rocking chairs after a long hot day. Summer evenings in NC are magical.... there's something about the smell of boxwood and the sight of lightning bugs that would make us take walks and enjoy it!

I enjoyed making my first meals in your kitchen and when I got homesick I would try out those cuban recipes my grandmother gave me.

When family and friends would come you were most happy. You were a great place to throw bar-b-q's with your great back deck and hosting was a breeze with your quaintness of space.

I know our new home will bring many more firsts, but nothing can take away our memories with you. Our new home is a lot bigger, yes, but I will never forget the warmth of your spaces. You helped me become a good wife and have taught me a lot. I never knew how much NC would become a "home" and I owe it all to you. You always made us so happy and we are sad we couldn't spend more time with you. You'll always be #1 to us forever and always in our hearts.

Absence does make the heart grow fonder....

Flashback to Wednesday....(when Ronnie came home after his 16 days in Asia)

I finished my work at school as soon as possible.....

Drove home in a hurry.....

Waited patiently by the front door....

Heard his "sound" .....the Mustang pulling into the driveway....

My ears made me SMILE.....

I couldn't wait for him to come to the front door....

So, I ran outside and hugged and kissed him a few steps from closing the mustang door.....

My heart...was so happy and relieved....

I've never missed him quite that much....

I fell in love with him all over again.....

What a feeling!!!!!!! :)

Oh and Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Just wanted to share with you my bubby's hilarious card! If you know my husband personally, you will crack up with it. He said he had my blog "nesting in nc" in mind when he picked it. Oh sure you did honey! HA! He's too cute!

noche buena in nc

A very, Merry Christmas to all of my followers, friends and family! This is my first time ever to not be celebrating Noche Buena (Christmas eve) in my entire 28 years with my family. It is very hard, but I have to remember about how lucky and blessed we are to have them in our lives and each other. Nothing is more important than family. I've come to REALLY understand that the past 3 years. I will be OK.

God has blessed us with so much and here's to another great chapter in our fairy tale. We are full of faith and He never lets us down when we need Him the most. Happy Birthday Jesus!

Now off to marinate that turkey full of Cuban goodness! Oh, you didn't know? Yes, Erika is making her first official turkey. But something tells me this will be a team effort. My nails are too pretty in red to rub that turkey.

RONNIE!!!!!! :)

Ronnie's 30th Birthday!

We celebrated Ronnie's BIG 30th birthday yesterday with a small bbq dinner at our home! I wanted to make it really special, so I decided to throw together a Yankees theme dinner party. Many of you know my hubby is a HUGE Yankees fan ever since he was a little boy. I thought it was even more appropriate since they won the World Series just a few weeks ago. We are on a budget, but I still managed to throw something cute together without breaking the bank. Here are some pics from last night. We really had a nice time and the cake was not only perfect, but delicious! (BTW, I got some nice compliments for my "hostess capabilities". That totally made me feel special. I know I get it from my mami. Thanks Mom!) Tell me what you think! We wish you were here!!!!!

My 28th Birthday!

I turned 28 on October 17. We didn't really have much planned to celebrate my birthday. Like I said in an earlier post, the weather in NC in October was rather dreary for the most part. But the hubby suggested we head to Asheville for the day. And I couldn't pass that up because I've always wanted to visit the Biltmore House! The house was breathtaking and the leaves were almost all fully turned. Just beautiful scenery, even though it was really cold! I really enjoyed my birthday to the fullest!