JKS & CO, our new blog location

Hello Old Friends, 

It's been a quiet few years over here at my once beloved blog!
What a wonderful 8 years I had.  

It's been a needed break for me, for us!  The kiddos have grown so much in the past few years and we have as well!  If you'd like to follow us as we resurrect and renovate this old blog, feel free to visit us at our new company, JKS & CO.

We're Selling our Beloved Farmhouse

Some big changes are coming to the
Stoltzfus Home!

We've made an offer on a new home and it's been accepted!  

 We "happened" upon a property that's been for sale for some time, not too far from here, and we felt it was a great fit for our family.  Located on one acre overlooking a large stream, it's twice the square footage of our farmhouse with a place for Jake's Mom to live as well.  It once was a small cottage, but has since been added onto several times.  It's darling and has "great bones", but needs some love and attention to become what we dream it to be, (just as this place did).  

I'll share more about it, (and our journey to it) another day, but for today I wanted to let you know our news.

We'll be having an Open House here tomorrow, 

Sunday, March 2nd from 1-3pm

We have loved her well and it's very, very hard to let go, but we know that without change there is not growth. 

And hard things are brave things.  

And sometimes things that look crazy and foolish

 turn out to be amazing and faith-building.  

Every house where love abides
And friendship is a guest,
Is surely home, and home sweet home
For there the heart can rest.
~Henry Van Dyke

Our Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel BEFORE AND AFTER

HELLO BLOG FRIENDS!!  I am so sorry for my absence.  I think of you often and hope you know that I love sharing life with you when I'm able!  There's lots of changes here on the HOME FRONT, (quite literally so).  But first I wanted to share with you our new, (as in one year ago) Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel!  Here are all the before and after pictures.  WHAT A TRANSFORMATION!  We love our new space and as usual, Jake has outdone himself with his ideas, visions and implementation of amazing money-saving-skillzz!!  We enjoyed our vintage kitchen, (well, I did anyway) but felt like we wanted to move in a more modern direction, while still keeping to the style of our home.  Jake was happy to oblige because he never really cared for our "taste the rainbow" kitchen!!  Bless.  The crown molding still needs to be installed, but other than that, she's up and running!!  

Same man, new ring

Jake hit it out of the park! 

I had been without my original ring for some time, (a diamond had fallen out)!  And to my complete surprise he had it reset, added some diamonds and made it better than ever!  He completely surprised me before our annual Christmas card photoshoot.  Our Pastor, also a very talented and busy photographer was there to capture the moment!  I love this man more then ever and not just because he does this kind of stuff. 

 

 

"That you're always in my heart
You're always on my mind
But when it all becomes too much
You're never far behind

And there's no one
That comes close to you
Could ever take your place
'Cause only you can love me this way"

~Keith Urban~

Christmas Gold~~Dinner Party

Last weekend I had the privilege of hosting a dinner party 

for the ladies of Neighborlies.  

My theme was gold and cream. 

Here was my pinterest board where I gathered some ideas. 

And here's a peek into our night together.  

Each place setting had a gold frame with a specific verse for each woman, printed from this site.  It acted as decor and a favor all in one!

sprigs of fresh rosemary tucked into the napkin ring.

Greens from the backyard and white tulips from Costco. 

Gold deer and other goldish things found at Target and Goodwill. 

An extra special surprise for the evening.  Our very own violinist!!  

(As you can see in the one picture below, I wasn't the least bit excited to introduce her)!  It went just as I had dreamed....most of the guests were seated when a knock came at the door.  I said "there will be another guest joining us for the night" and in walked Brianna with her violin, (I have a friend who is violin teacher and she pointed me to one of her talented students).  It was an amazing experience having her play so near to us.  She even took requests toward the end of the night and we sang our favorite Christmas carols together. 

 Each woman kindly contributed something to our night and we ended up enjoying a feast together!  It was beautiful to sit and savor the Christmas season.  It put us right into the Christmas spirit!  I thought many times during the night that THIS is what it's about....not presents or fancy food, (both of which are wonderful), but it's TRULY about those that you are with, those around your table and in your heart.  

gifts were exchanged and hearts made full! 

"Remember
This December,
That love weighs more than gold!"
~Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon~