Going on hiatus

Yep you heard it right.  s&j is going to take a little break.  We will still update you on the blog from time to time but for now we are trying to prioritize our lives a little better.  With Arre's bundle of joy set to arrive THIS month and my kids growing up much faster than I expected (I will admit, I was warned) s&j has taken a bit of a backseat for us.  We have always had so much fun with this venture that started out as a simple need for a few frames and turned into a business that has led us to get to know so many people that would have otherwise never entered our lives.  We are grateful for all of you s&j supporters and friends so don't leave us just yet!

If you already have an order placed with us do not worry - we are on it!  We plan to wrap up all orders before the end of the month.  We are just no longer taking new orders for the time being.  We will have some extra frames for a little early Christmas shopping so don't be a stranger.  Besides..aren't you dying to know what Arre is having?!  Me too so stick around.

one hundred years old

My great grandma Mary is 100 years old.  In early August we made a trip up to Hartwell, Georgia to celebrate her life but first stayed in Athens and spent a little time with the cousins.  The trip (goes without saying) was well worth it. 

in front of my friend, Susan’s store in downtown Athens.  Sadly she was out of town so we sent her a pic

Later that day we headed to Hartwell to celebrate 100 years of my Grandma’s life (she is my great grandmother, my kids great-great grandmother and Mary James’ namesake)

Grandma Mary with her youngest great grandson – Ralston (my nephew)

 

my mom, her mom and her mom’s mom. :)

Molly checking out old family pictures

I have always known Grandma as a quiet, kind, strong woman.  To live 100 years you’d have to be!  Here are a few words of wisdom from Grandma Mary on how to live a happy 100 years:

A promising world is built on small acts of kindness and compassion.  Everyday we have the chance to make someone’s life brighter with a helping hand, an encouraging word, a smile.  We can be a source of strength to those around us.  In the long run these small acts of love may be more value than any earth-shaking deed

When you see someone without a smile, give them yours.

True friends are the greatest treasure you can possess.

Anything the mind can conceive, the body can achieve.

it’s better to have heart without words than to have words without heart.

When the facts won’t budge you have to change your attitude and go from there.

A turtle never gets anywhere without sticking his head out.

Remember your state of mind contributes to your health.

Happiness is not having what you want but wanting what you have.

It’s not what happens to you that makes the difference, but how you react to what happens to you.

catching up with molly

Because she’s the middle child and we middle children are always being left out :) 

I completely forgot to show you what I did with all those paper crafts i mentioned a while ago.  Well they were for Molly’s end of the year swim party at my parents house and here is how it turned out!

 

 

 

The triangles (below) were the remains of the bunting (above) and they were threaded onto fishing string, and weighted with seashells and hung over the food table.

and you know good ole’ martha and her tissue paper pom poms never fail us

 

a day later Molly had her dance recital.  Sometimes I can catch the girls in such a good mood they will put on a fashion shoot for me and really get into it

 

 

but usually it goes like this:

 

you do know i only show you the pictures when everyone is smiling and happy for a split second.  we have lots and lots of fights around my house and going out in public we have taken a turn for the worse.  just letting you know :)

 

with uncle matt & aunt arre

 

Enjoy your weekend Molly style – taking it easy

end of the school year!

Yipppeeee!  We are so excited, only 2 REAL days left of school :)  Here’s how we have been spending our last days..

this time of year, I always have a lot of gifts to wrap.  Unfortunately I do not have a lot of time to go buy cute wrapping material.  Here’s what I did with what I have: packing tape, kraft paper, yellow raffia, and stamps.

 

easy sweet watercolor note cards…directions found here

 

 

 

 

I also have been working (just a little) on Molly’s end of the year party decorations (by the pool)

Last week, I had the privilege of helping host a graduation party for our adorable, sweet, and very much loved by 3 little girls baby sitter, Emily. 

She has the sweetest group of friends.  I can’t believe it’s been 14 years since I was in her place…excited about college, ready to blow this town and never look back ;)

 

I take no credit for this adorable party – all the work of the hostess whose home the party was at.

 

I will give you a yummy super easy punch recipe though, seen in the drink dispenser above.

• 1 2 liter bottle sprite
• 1 12 oz. can frozen limeade
• frozen raspberries and lime slices.  the end.  how easy is that..and yum!

 

 

 

 

 

The hostesses with the party girl: Paula, me, Emily, Molly, & Martha

And lastly I will leave you with this bit of fun provided by Pops (my dad)

Who needs six flags when you can ride under a fountain?

 

Have a wonderful weekend and start to summer (for some of you!)

frames and pictures to go in them

well for me at least..

These past months have been a complete whirlwind!  We had spring break, Easter parties, Easter, field trips, field day, a new nephew (my 2nd one this year!) and more.  These girls keep me busy and as they get older my time to blog has dwindled.  But I am here now so let’s see some frames.  Then some of my favorite pictures over the last 2 months…

I love this frame:

 

I think mostly because it’s a mix of old and new (new wood, old wood with that great chipped paint from years ago, plus a touch of gold).  But it also reminds me of the color block craze going on and I am a total sucker for trends.  I mean how else would I know what I am supposed to wear ;)  (can you tell this is not arre typing)

It’s really cute and only $37.00 so grab it up while you can (i am going to wait to put it on the shop for a week to give you blog readers first dibs).

We also have some 16x20, 11x14, 8x10s in stock for you portrait lovers out there!  Leave a comment with your email (or email us at hello at stewartandjames.com for more info)

So onto what I will be filling my frames with:

 

i mean really who can get enough of mills & cellie?

  

molly is my worrier so I absolutely love pictures like this – when she is truly truly happy and carefree

 

and this one makes me laugh.  Mills looks like a super hero.  She has gotten to where she puts her hands  on her hips when she is trying to be really grown up.  She may be onto something.

 

all of Easter Mills covered her face for pictures..

 

The grandpas checking out fish

 

and making Molly laugh

 

 

strawberry picking field trip

and is this not the cutest thing you have ever seen?!

field day 2012

go orange!

 

 

and I think that wraps it up!  Enjoy your weekend!