Prayers Needed For Tornado Victims

Hi all. I am just checking in with you.  Judd and I, as well as our families, are fine; however, so many in our state are not.  As you have probably heard by now, powerful storms rolled across Alabama yesterday.

We are so fortunate to have been spared from the storm’s wrath.  We did find debris in our backyard.  We think it was from the city of Tuscaloosa.  What we found was mostly housing insulation and chipped wood.  The same system that swept through Tuscaloosa wreaking havoc also came through Birmingham.  It was just a few miles north of where we live.

So many people in our state and throughout the southeast are hurting today.  Please keep them in your prayers.  The death toll continues to rise.  It is horrific.  The university where I work (UAB) is the only level I trauma center in the state.  The UAB hospital took 134 patients during the night.  As I sit here at my desk today I hear ambulance sirens every few minutes.  We know so many who were affected.  Please, please, please pray for the citizens of Alabama.

We are so thankful to our friends and family who continuously checked on us throughout the evening and who provided us with updated news.  We love you and appreciate your thoughtfulness and concern.

I have attached a news article from NPR on the devastation here in Birmingham.  Click here to read it.

Also attached is a video from CBS news of the devastation at first light this morning.  Click here for the video.

Currently the death toll for the city of Tuscaloosa alone is 36 dead.  600 others were injured.

The death toll for the entire state is so much worse and continues to rise.

Click here to see a list of ways you can help the tornado victims.

Rest

How did you spend your weekend celebrating the resurrection? 

We spent ours in Judd’s hometown—Brewton, AL.  It is such a lovely place.  I’ve posted about it many times.  It is a small town where no one ever seems to be in a hurry (which is such a nice reprieve from my everyday life).  Maybe in actuality the locals do feel the same stresses that I feel at home.  But one thing is certain, I am not a native Brewtonian, so when I am there I leave my work, course load, professional and scholastic pressures, and every day stressors at home.

I don’t have any pictures to share for this post because I did not pick up my camera one time while we were there.  Instead, we rested.  It. Was. Nice.

We spent good quality time with Judd’s parents, brother, sister-in-law, and grandmother.  We went to the farm two days in a row.  We all worked on a few tasks; however, it was pleasurable work.  We worked with our hands to make a place that we love and share even better.  We played a little too.  Our time at the farm consisted of boat rides, fishing, sunbathing, watching the dog swim, alligator spotting, rattlesnake spotting and killing, porch swinging, four-wheeler riding, and work that involved firing up the old blue Ford tractor.

On Sunday morning Judd and I attended Easter worship service with his parents at their church.  It is a quaint rural church.  There were eleven people in the choir.  The simplicity of it all was refreshing to my soul.  The congregation does not have the same “amenities” that are found in our Birmingham church. 

They don’t have a state-of the-art sound system, or special lighting, or an orchestra, or a large screen and projector to display the scripture and the words to hymns.  Instead, they have a passionate pastor and a God-fearing congregation.  They sing from actual hymnals while Judd’s mother plays the piano and they read scripture by holding His Word in their own hands.  It’s a no frills way to worship and I LIKED it.  After all, worship, praise, and learning the Gospel are all we are supposed to be there for anyway.

On our drive home to Birmingham I reflected on our weekend and on our worship experience there.  It was a back to the basics time for us.  It was so refreshing to to really hear the sermon without audiovisual distractions, without having to worry about filling out the sermon outline, without having to listen to the pastor’s voice via lapel mic., and without having to squint to see the pastor from a balcony view.  Instead, it was an up close and personal experience.  I was hanging on every word.

I’m not knocking the high-tech outlets that larger churches use to reach their members.  Like I said, our home church has all of those things too.  It was just nice to have a reminder of what is really required to worship:  You and God.

Coincidently, this morning my cousin sent  me today’s Girlfriends in God e-newsletter sponsored by crosswalk.com.  It contained the following prayer.  I felt it was so appropriate for me.  Maybe it will be fitting for you as well.

“Father, forgive me for the arrogance that keeps me on the run, trying to prove my worth. Teach me how to rest in You, Lord. Help me learn how to say “no” to those things that keep me from sitting at Your feet. Give me a hunger and thirst for You that can only be satisfied by time alone with You. I love You, Lord.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.”

How To: Make A Burlap Bulletin Board

As you may know from some other posts, my husband, Judd, is a landscape architect. Recently, he expressed interest in having a few bulletin boards to put in his studio. And, since I love a project, I volunteered to make them for him. I wanted to use something with a natural feel given his profession. I thought burlap would give just the right amount of texture and earthiness.

The bulletin board project was really easy. However, make sure to iron your fabric before you get started. I forgot and had already stapled a good bit before I thought about it.

Other than an iron, here are a few things you will need to get started.

• cork board (I used an old one Judd’s mom sent with him to college)
• fabric (in this case, burlap)
• scissors
• staple gun
• staples
• tape measure
  

To measure your fabric, lay it out so that it covers a few inches past each side of the board. Make sure you will have enough fabric to pull around to the back side and staple. Then cut where needed. If you want to be really exact or particular use your measuring tape to make sure you have the same amount on each side.

In an attempt to “keep it real” here at TLP I’ve included the picture below. Things are not always as pretty as they appear in blogland. As you can see here, I work best when sitting on the floor, between our dog and my husband, in our living room. We were watching a movie in our less than spotless house. My apologies for the shadow in the pictures. Cole’s dog fanny was casting a shadow on my project. You would think that the sound of a staple gun in use would be enough to wake him. Nope.

The next step is to staple the fabric to the back side of the wood frame starting in the middle of each side. Make sure to pull the fabric taut. Save the corners for last.

Fold each corner to ensure that it is sharp and flat. Play with the fabric until you get each corner just the way you want it. You can think of wrapping a present when folding the corners. It is kind of the same concept.

When all staples are in place, trim the excess fabric from around the corners and along each side.

It should look a little neater when you are finished.

Flip the board over to make sure it is smooth.

Now you have a few options on how to dress up the board a bit. You can keep it plain, just the way it is, if you like a more simplistic look.

Or you can use a piece of the fabric that you trimmed off of the back to make a burlap bow. I attached the bow with a flat push pin.

Or you can use the same piece of trim to add a stripe down your board. Although I thought the bow was cute, I’m pretty sure that was not the look Judd was after. :) Below is what I decided on for his pin up board. There were four flat push pins left in the board from when Judd had it in college. I decided to re-use them as nail heads running down the strip of fabric. I stapled each end of fabric on the back of the board and evenly distributed the “nail heads” on the front.

He can use this little detail to wedge in photographs, notes, etc without having to poke a hole in them. I hope he likes his board. What do you think?

Round ‘em Up, Move ‘em Out, Raw Hide

View Full Album

 

You may remember that back at the beginning of time (just kidding, it seems like forever since I’ve mentioned any of this) we started our own DIY printable invitation/card business.  Guess what it’s called…The Langham Project.  Ha.  No surprise there.  :)

Well, recently, Judd and I were contacted by this sweet lady.

She is from Judd’s hometown and just happens to be one of our sister-in-law’s besties.  Her name is Erin. (We are also designing Erin’s wedding invitation; however, that deserves a post of its own. (That’s just a little hint of what is to come.)

Erin commissioned us to make celebration circles for this little man’s cowboy themed fifth birthday.

Isn’t he precious?!?!?  His name is Herrington.

What are celebration circles you ask.  Well, in this case they were to be used as cupcake toppers.  But, you could use them in many ways for any party.  Judd thoughtfully designed each one to help customize Herrington’s party.  The circles ranged from a personalized sheriff's badge to cowboy silhouettes. 

All of our products arrive to our customers via email as a high resolution one-page pdf.  Then our customers, in this case, Erin, can print as many pages of their personalized order as they want on cardstock.  There is no minimum or maximum order because our customers print their products on their own. 

For the celebration circles, Judd designed the center circle to say a personalized message or to show an image that was in keeping with the party theme.  He added a background color and/or pattern just outside of the circle.  Using a 2’’ circle craft punch, Erin was able to easily cut out each celebration circle with some of the background showing just around the rim of each cutout.  We recommend this craft punch because it allows you to see and easily align what you are cutting.  The celebration circles come with 12 circles to a page. One page of celebration circles is $15.

Erin thoughtfully sent us some pictures from Herrington’s party.  Below are some examples of the celebration circles.  

 

 

At this point in time, we are only able to accept orders via email.  We are still developing an Etsy shop.  Eventually we will be able to accommodate orders placed online. 

If you are interested feel free to email us (langhjm@gmail.com) or leave us a comment with your contact information.  We can create customized celebration circles for any type or theme of party.

You’ve Got Deals

Hello friends,

“You’ve Got Deals” is what my computer should say every morning when I log on to my email.

This morning, I took the plunge and purchased my first Groupon.  In case you don’t know, Groupon is an online coupon group for your city.  I’ve often lurked on Groupon, but today I bit the bullet and purchased my first great deal. 

Straight from their website, here is how Groupon works.

“1. Get It

Check your email, Facebook or Twitter feeds for daily deals on cool local businesses.

2. Share It

Groupons are more fun when used with friends. Pass along deals by email or broadcast them to your social networks.

3. Enjoy It

Print the voucher or bring it up on your mobile device, then present it at the business to get your deal.”

So, today’s deal was from one of my favorite local stores, Harmony Landing.  This store has these chairs that I have been swooning over for the past 2 1/2 years. 

Yeah, I know, I  move at a snail’s pace.

Anyways, the deal was to purchase a $50 Groupon with a value of $200 at Harmony Landing.  Wahoo.

Maybe using this coupon by its expiration date of October, 2011 will be the little push I needed to take yet another plunge and order the darn things.  I plan to order two chairs and an ottoman.

Below is the picture Groupon used for today’s deal.  It is of some merchandise currently at Harmony Landing.

Click here to get today’s Groupon Deal.

A Time To Plant

 

Ecclesiastes 3:2 - A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.

It’s the “time to pluck up” that I am excited about with this little project.

I planted an herb container garden last weekend.  My mom had a Lowe’s buy one, get one free coupon for herbs.  She kindly let me use it since she (master gardener extraordinaire) already had her kitchen garden planted.

I bought the following:

I also bought a pack of Dill seeds to start in the garden.  I already had some chives growing.  My mom continued her thoughtfulness by splitting some mint, oregano, and rosemary with me that she had planted at her house.

Now, if you are like me and know very little about gardening, here is a helpful tip.  Mom and Judd informed me that mint and oregano should be planted in separate containers because they spread and take over other plants.  I planted the mint and oregano in the smaller containers to the side. I also planted the rosemary in a separate pot because my larger container did not have room for it.

    

I didn’t really like the plastic garden stake labels that came with my plants.  Instead, I replaced them with what you see below.  I bought some craft sticks from Hobby Lobby and labeled the plants myself using a sharpie fine point marker.

     

I made a mistake on one craft stick.  Judd turned it upside down and drew an Easter bunny on the other end for me.  I put this stake in a container, on our front porch, that holds impatiens and sweet potato vine. (Per the usual, pardon the bad photo quality.  These are all from an iphone.)

Cole helped while I planted and labeled the herbs.  He also drank from the hose while I watered them.

Here is how the container looked when I was finished, aside from the fact that I photographed this before I took the plastic labels out – oops.  I can’t wait for the dill seeds to come up and for the other plants to thrive.  I hope the plants will fill in the whole container. 

I chose variegated thyme because the green and white color variation looked pretty with the other all green plants.  The thyme was planted towards the front of the container because, according to mom and Judd, it will creep over the side and will look pretty.

I planted the tomato in the back so that as it grows tall I can easily support it with a stake.  The other plants were placed according the height I expect them grow--from back to front, tallest to shortest.

Here is another thing to note if you are also going to plant an herb container garden.  I found the cilantro and flat leaf parsley difficult to tell apart.  So, I made sure to plant my flat leaf and curly leaf parsley together and then on the opposite side of the container I planted the cilantro.  Additionally, I thought the symmetry of the flat leaf parsley and cilantro flanking either side of the thyme looked nice.

  

Mom reminded me, so I will remind you, to water the herbs everyday because they will require more water since they are in a container and not planted in the ground.

Do you have an herb garden or plans to create an herb garden?  What did you plant?  Do you have any tips on how to make this garden grow?

Happy Gardening.

The Sandlot Syndrome

Do you recall the 1990’s movie, The Sandlot?  If so, then you may remember that it is about a group of young boys who play baseball on a small field known as the sandlot.  All of the boys try to avoid hitting over-the-fence homeruns because a backyard, adjacent to the outfield, contains a large dog who steals any ball that comes over his fence.  The boys called the dog, The Beast.  They were afraid to jump the fence and retrieve their baseballs because of him.

Well, I am afraid we may have the sandlot syndrome occurring at our house too.  Only, in our backyard, Cole (a.k.a The Beast II), our black lab, is not just stealing baseballs, he is keeping golf balls, tennis balls, soccer balls, and frisbee’s too.

You see, Judd and I live behind a local elementary school.  The school has a large play ground and soccer/T-ball field.  Since the weather has been so nice lately, we have been putting Cole outside during the day. 

Usually, when one of us comes home, we immediately go out to our backyard and play with Cole.  I went out the other day and he very proudly brought me a tennis ball that we did not give him.

The next day, I stepped outside to continue our routine of afternoon playtime and he came galloping towards me with a golf ball in his mouth.

Then, on Sunday, while Judd was cutting our grass, he found a frisbee that Cole apparently called dibs on.

Last spring, we looked out the window and he was playing soccer on his own with a soccer ball that he wouldn’t give back to the local kids.

Lessons Learned:

1. Don’t put a labrador retriever in the back yard and expect him not to retrieve anything.

2. Teach him to share with children.

3. Teach him that the old saying “Finders, keepers” does not apply at our house.

4. Offer him more toys of his own so that he will stop stealing.

To all of our neighborhood children, we apologize for our dog’s lack of manners.

To all the parents in our neighborhood, consider putting your address on your sporting equipment.  We promise to return whatever Cole finds.  :)

The End.

Inspiration: Sneak Peak II

Lately, Judd and I have been especially busy.  I wish I had more time to fill you all in on the daily happenings of The Langham Project (i.e. our lives).

Here is a quick second glance at some inspiration we have been using as of late.  If you haven’t already guessed, we are designing an office space.  The photos I posted here, the other day, were for use in the main work area.  The photos below are for a small conference room with an even smaller budget in the same office.  We will see how it turns out.

View Full Album

Inspiration: Sneak Peak

 

Here is a little sneak peak of an inspiration “board” I’ve been carrying around in my head for a while.  It is for a secret project.  Well, it’s not really a secret.  I just haven’t had a chance to share it with you lovely folks just yet.  More to come soon.

 

View Full Album

Outraged:

Toomer's Corner oaks, at Auburn University, poisoned with herbicide; unlikely to survive

Ok, seriously, it doesn’t matter who you are or what school you cheer for or against, I’m sure if you are a rational person you will find this act of vandalism appalling.  Anyone who would do something like this is among the worst of all the scum on the earth.  I am in shock.  Read the full article from http://ocm.auburn.edu/news/oaks.html posted below with quotes from one of Judd’s horticulture professors.

“Toomer's Corner oaks poisoned with herbicide; unlikely to survive

AUBURN – Auburn University today confirmed that an herbicide commonly used to kill trees was deliberately applied in lethal amounts to the soil around the Toomer's Corner live oaks on campus, and there is little chance to save the trees. More information and ongoing updates as to treatment and prognosis are available on this site.

The City of Auburn Police Division is investigating the situation, and the application of this herbicide, known as Spike 80DF, or tebuthiuron, is also governed by state agricultural laws and the Environmental Protection Agency. The university does not use Spike herbicide. There is no reason to suspect any human danger from the herbicide, which manufacturer Dow Chemical says should be applied with proper clothing protection; a typical use of the herbicide is to kill trees along fence lines.

The university learned that a caller to The Paul Finebaum Show, a nationally syndicated radio show based in Birmingham, on Jan. 27, claimed he had applied the herbicide. As a precaution, soil samples were taken the next day and sent to the Alabama State Pesticide Residue Laboratory on campus for analysis. Due to a small fire that occurred in the Alabama lab in December, the tests were sent to the lab at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Miss., to expedite results.

The lowest amount detected was 0.78 parts per million, described by horticulture experts as a "very lethal dose." The highest amount detected was 51 parts per million, or 65 times the lowest dose. Experts believe a normal application by itself would have been enough to kill the trees, which are estimated to be more than 130 years old.

"We are assessing the extent of the damage and proceeding as if we have a chance to save the trees," said Gary Keever, an Auburn University professor of horticulture and a member of Auburn's Tree Preservation Committee. "We are also focused on protecting the other trees and shrubs in Samford Park. At this level the impact could be much greater than just the oaks on the corner, as Spike moves through the soil to a wide area." Additional tests are being completed to determine the movement and extent of the area affected, Keever said.

The removal process involves digging trenches and applying activated charcoal to absorb the herbicide from the soil and block its progress. A representative from Dow Chemical, which manufactures the herbicide, is advising the university on removal procedures, and expert horticulturalists are also being consulted.

"We will take every step we can to save the Toomer's oaks, which have been the home of countless celebrations and a symbol of the Auburn spirit for generations of Auburn students, fans, alumni and the community," said University President Jay Gogue.

Gogue asked members of the Auburn Family to "continue to be 'All In' in upholding its reputation for class" and not allow anger to be expressed inappropriately or undeservedly.

"It is understandable to feel outrage in reaction to a malicious act of vandalism," Gogue said. "However, we should live up to the example we set in becoming national champions and the beliefs expressed in our Auburn Creed. Individuals act alone, not on behalf of anyone or any place, and all universities are vulnerable to and condemn such reprehensible acts."

Because the application of the herbicide is being investigated, no details about the investigation can be released. Anyone with information can contact the Auburn Police Division at (334) 501-3110 or anonymously by voice or text on the tip line at (334) 246-1391.

Last Updated: Feb. 16, 2011”