https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2025/07/29/how-we-make-it-all-work/2025-07-31T14:13:38+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2025/07/14/dance-scouts-and-travel-ball/2025-07-27T17:21:05+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2025/04/16/will-you-have-any-more/2025-04-16T14:41:07+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2025/01/28/i-know-i-have-disappeared-please-meet-me-on-the-other-side/2025-01-31T15:37:58+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/about/2025-01-28T15:19:54+00:00weekly0.6https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2024/10/01/on-this-side-of-motherhood/2024-10-01T17:21:19+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2021/04/19/breastfeeding-a-sequel-and-d-mer/2024-09-27T15:51:09+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2020/12/29/a-tale-of-two-suicides-the-gift-and-curse-of-memory/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img_8484.jpgimg_8484https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img_8483.jpgimg_8483https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img_8482-1.jpgimg_8482-1https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img_8482.jpgimg_8482https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/img_5949.jpgimg_59492020-12-30T06:02:31+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2019/06/05/i-hated-breastfeeding-so-i-quit/2019-08-29T14:25:07+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2019/03/24/worth-every-itch-intrahepatic-cholestasis-of-pregnancy-mourning-my-birth-plan-and-finding-joy-in-the-process/2019-06-03T16:50:55+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2019/03/18/waiting-for-baby/2019-03-18T19:20:22+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2019/03/02/3-years-many-changes/2019-03-02T15:27:58+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2016/01/01/many-many-months/2019-03-02T15:21:20+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2015/06/14/work-work-work-all-day-long/2019-03-02T15:20:37+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/09/10/the-one-holding-her-bouquet-a-twins-view-on-her-sisters-i-do/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/ca-114.jpgC&A-114https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/562265_10200944199513409_1206612644_n.jpg562265_10200944199513409_1206612644_nhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/532446_10200260472980342_902029897_n.jpg532446_10200260472980342_902029897_nhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/62175_4740019576074_1450405377_n.jpg62175_4740019576074_1450405377_n2019-03-02T15:19:40+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2015/03/01/what-a-ride/2019-03-02T15:19:27+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2015/01/19/why-20-somethings-need-to-stop-writing-marriage-advice-articles/2019-03-02T15:18:51+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2015/01/05/a-new-year/2019-03-02T15:18:33+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2014/12/10/oatmeal-and-pasta/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/veritas_4tel.jpgKONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERAThe Veritas Telescope Array where Avery observes. 2019-03-02T15:17:05+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2014/10/15/compromise-is-not-a-dirty-word/2019-03-02T15:15:56+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2014/09/03/checking-out/2019-03-02T15:14:35+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2014/05/14/j-d/2019-03-02T15:14:19+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2014/04/29/change-is-a-comin/2019-03-02T15:13:25+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2014/03/19/26/2019-03-02T15:12:54+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2014/02/18/small-space-small-budget/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/photo-54.jpgphoto 5Bought a new shade for a lamp- saved some cash. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/photo-44.jpgphoto 4This is the couch that started it all. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/photo-34.jpgphoto 3Since we couldn't paint we added color on our very tall walls with bold curtains around our doors. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/photo-24.jpgphoto 2We needed a bit of storage and an over-sized basket did the trick. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/photo-14.jpgphoto 1We have beautiful wood floors but wanted to separate our open living space and add some color with the woven avocado rug. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/photo-53.jpgphoto 5We also brought some metallics into the roomhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/photo-43.jpgphoto 4Accent chair with complimenting grey and splashes of color.https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/photo-33.jpgphoto 3We bought a small entertainment center that fit well on the wall and has closed storage. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/photo-23.jpgphoto 2The wall above our TV is huge. We broke it up with these inexpensive floating shelves that matched the tables and entertainment center. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/photo-13.jpgphoto 12019-03-02T15:11:49+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2014/02/05/pantry-banana-bread/2019-03-02T15:10:36+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2014/01/14/18-hours/2019-03-02T15:09:46+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/12/23/long-relationships-and-little-siblings/2019-03-02T15:09:07+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/12/15/our-worst-day/2019-03-02T15:07:33+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/11/01/invisible-people/2019-03-02T15:07:14+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/10/27/its-taboo-but-its-true-his-happiness/2019-03-02T15:06:50+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/10/14/hey-baby-nothin/2019-03-02T15:06:24+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/10/07/gatlinburg-getaway/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/107.jpg107https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/106.jpg106https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/105.jpg105https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/104.jpg104https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/103.jpg103https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/102.jpg102https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/101.jpg101https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/100.jpg100https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/099.jpg099https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/098.jpg0982019-03-02T15:05:43+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/08/14/anniversary-gifts-double-trouble/2019-03-02T15:04:35+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/07/29/the-husband-food-tax/2019-03-02T15:04:04+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/07/17/the-married-young-stereotype/2019-03-02T15:03:45+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/06/21/the-lawyer-and-the-astrophysicist/2019-03-02T15:03:22+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/06/05/i-know-you/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/images.jpgimages2019-03-02T15:02:48+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/04/19/life-cereal/2019-03-02T15:02:23+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/04/10/his-mine-and-ours/2019-03-02T15:00:05+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/03/27/snow-ball/2019-03-02T14:56:55+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/03/20/march-madness-healthy-competition/2019-03-02T14:56:01+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/01/23/it-shouldnt-be-like-jerry-springer/2019-03-02T14:48:22+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/01/17/my-favorite-and-cheap-wedding-ideas/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ca-628.jpgC&A-628We picked an old, naturally beautiful building for our reception, one that did not need very much decoration. Also, by going outside of a traditional wedding venue, the price was much, much cheaper. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ca-393.jpgC&A-393The food was another trick; we could not afford a plated or buffet meal. However, we picked eight different "heavy" appetizers and placed them at stations throughout the venue. this made people get up and see each other. We also put small plates at all of the stations so people took less. Many of our guests commented afterwards about how much they loved the "meal" even though they only had appetizers! The tricks was picking meal-like things (sliders, stuffed potatoes, etc) and having a caterer who was willing to work within our means. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ca-377.jpgC&A-377This was probably one of my favorite cost-cutting secrets. We did all of the decorations on our own and they were all set up and taken down by friends and family. We wanted lots of glass and candles for our centerpieces with touches of purple and ivory. We purchased tea lights, pillars, and floating candles wholesale. Then we shopped sales at craft stores getting pear webbing and purple ribbon half price to put in the glass and around the vases. Lastly, all of the glass was purchased over a period of months hitting different thrift stores; we were just picky about which ones we took and ran them all through the dishwasher. As a result, every table had a beautiful and unique centerpiece! We finished with pieces of 12x12 deep purple cardstock for some color and left silver Sharpies at each table so that people could write us messages! It was great! https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ca-316.jpgC&A-316Another thing that was just not in the budget was renting/hiring any sort of transportation. Our hotel block, reception hall, and church were all within a few blocks of each other so that people could walk. For our "getaway" car we asked a family member with a convertible if we could use it the day of the wedding. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ca-295.jpgC&A-295No bubbles, no favors. Instead of favors we made a donation to the Ovarian Cancer society and instead of bubbles we handed out noise makers that had our new address attached (people send stuff after the wedding) and "Make some noise for the Bride and Groom!!" https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ca-159.jpgC&A-159All of our musicians were family members. The live music was a wonderful touch but also something we could not have afforded to pay for. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ca-110.jpgC&A-110As Avery said, he wasn't willing to pay thousands of dollars for a "one day garden". We only spent money on "people flowers"; bouquets, boutonnieres, and family-flowers were it. https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/ca-4.jpgC&A-4All of us, bride included, did our own hair and makeup. It was actually really fun; we spent the morning getting ready in my childhood home, eating wonderful food my Mom and Dad had made and sipping mimosas. 2019-03-02T14:47:17+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2013/01/16/310/2019-03-02T14:46:39+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/11/30/the-freakin-baby-question/2019-03-02T14:43:38+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/11/13/heater/2019-03-02T14:42:58+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/11/02/cut-each-other-some-slack/2019-03-02T14:41:41+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/10/28/a-sip/2019-03-02T14:41:00+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/10/26/simple-old-fashioned-chocolate-chip-cookies/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/305053_2141211487496_1589148484_n.jpg305053_2141211487496_1589148484_ncookies when they are done 2019-03-02T14:40:30+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/10/20/salted-caramel-butter-bars/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/salted-caramel-butter-bars-037.jpgSalted Caramel Butter Bars 037cooling https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/salted-caramel-butter-bars-029.jpgSalted Caramel Butter Bars 029topping (pre-bake) https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/salted-caramel-butter-bars-0272.jpgSalted Caramel Butter Bars 027salt https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/salted-caramel-butter-bars-0271.jpgSalted Caramel Butter Bars 027salt https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/salted-caramel-butter-bars-027.jpgSalted Caramel Butter Bars 027salthttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/salted-caramel-butter-bars-024.jpgSalted Caramel Butter Bars 024pour caramel over cooled crust https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/salted-caramel-butter-bars-022.jpgSalted Caramel Butter Bars 022baked doughhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/salted-caramel-butter-bars-020.jpgSalted Caramel Butter Bars 020microwaved fillinghttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/salted-caramel-butter-bars-019.jpgSalted Caramel Butter Bars 019caramels, cream, and vanilla https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/salted-caramel-butter-bars-018.jpgSalted Caramel Butter Bars 018pressed dough 2019-03-02T14:40:04+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/10/05/the-tough-stuff/2019-03-02T14:39:03+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/09/05/lions-and-tigers-and-bears-oh-my/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/513.jpg513This is a tiger at the Wild Feline Rescue Center in Indiana. I surprised Avery by taking him there for Valentine's Day one year. It is still one of his favorite (and one of the cheapest!) gifts I have ever gotten him! 2019-03-02T14:37:54+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/08/13/year-one/2019-03-02T01:16:08+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/05/23/ribbit/2019-03-02T01:12:22+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/03/21/hello-and-goodnight/2019-03-02T01:08:50+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/03/07/write-a-caption-3/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/n1162440094_30010396_5653.jpgn1162440094_30010396_56532019-03-02T01:07:59+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/02/15/oh-shit-its-valentines-day/2019-03-02T01:06:11+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/02/01/6-months-down-eternity-to-go/2019-03-02T01:04:57+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/12/27/meet-my-fockers/2019-03-02T01:02:31+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/11/15/my-sink-is-growing-a-beard/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dscn19191-e1321325645455.jpgDSCN1919https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/dscn1919.jpgDSCN1919Our Master Bathroom2019-03-02T01:01:51+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/11/02/christine-who/2019-03-02T01:01:19+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/10/17/the-chairman/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/bio-mark-dacascos_al.jpgbio-mark-dacascos_al2019-03-02T01:00:40+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/10/09/miss-cleo/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/5323128-stack-of-dirty-dishes-by-sink.jpg5323128-stack-of-dirty-dishes-by-sink2019-03-02T00:59:27+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/09/27/the-middle/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/bed1.pngbedhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/bed.pngbed2019-03-02T00:59:01+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/09/15/keeping-it-lite/2019-03-02T00:58:21+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/09/06/the-hills-are-alive/2019-03-02T00:57:53+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/08/27/honey-its-my-man-purse/2019-03-02T00:57:08+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/08/24/cookie-monster/https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dscn19133-e1314144639800.jpgThe Monsterhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dscn19132.jpgDSCN1913https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dscn19131.jpgDSCN1913https://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/dscn1913-e1314144528965.jpgDSCN19132019-03-02T00:55:35+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/08/20/the-little-old-lady-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-road/2019-03-02T00:55:10+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2015/04/04/the-baby-question-part-2/2019-03-02T00:51:13+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2011/08/19/hello-world/2019-03-02T00:18:01+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blog/2012/07/04/facebook-rant/2017-11-05T18:29:30+00:00monthlyhttps://briefcaseonthekitchentable.blogdaily1.02025-07-31T14:13:38+00:00