Earlier this summer was my friend's dad's Surprise 60th Birthday Party. It was a gorgeous day for a celebration of this man's wonderful life!
Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Zoo Day
For our niece Lillie's 2nd birthday Matt and I had talked about what we wanted to give her as a gift from us. This little girl has so many toys and books and clothes, so being the practical people that we are we thought of trying something different.
Matt and I decided that we would give her a gift along the same idea of what we give each other: the gift of spending time together. And because we both love our uncles and aunts so much, we really want Lillie to grow up knowing us and loving us as much as we love her.
So this year our gift to Lille (and her parents lol) was to take her (on our own) for the afternoon. Because she loves animals so much we decided to take her to the zoo.
(disclaimer: all these photos were taken with my phone)
On the drive to the zoo all she would talk about was the monkeys. Monkeys! Monkeys! Monkeys!
So of course our first stop was to see the monkeys!
She got a little confused between giraffes and zebras, haha
She LOVES her uncle Matt and I just love how she wrapped her little hand around his finger all day, so sweet!
So incredibly tired. Isn't she just the cutest little girl?!?
Friday, March 23, 2012
Craft Day
This past weekend my dear friend (S) hosted Craft Day and I was invited. The basics were that each lady brought a snack to share (I brought kettle corn made from hub's great recipe) and a craft to work on.
We had planned that I would get there a little early so we could take some maternity pics of S...and then I just got giddy over editing them that they really consumed most of my crafting time. Oh well. I did start on a cutey headband slide (more on that later, when it's actually complete).
So aside from the good food and crafty ideas, I got to meet some super fun ladies! And they were totally ok with me being a paparazzi...at least they seemed to be ok with it.
We had planned that I would get there a little early so we could take some maternity pics of S...and then I just got giddy over editing them that they really consumed most of my crafting time. Oh well. I did start on a cutey headband slide (more on that later, when it's actually complete).
So aside from the good food and crafty ideas, I got to meet some super fun ladies! And they were totally ok with me being a paparazzi...at least they seemed to be ok with it.
Good coffee ~ yummy monkey bread and tostadas ~ Wally ~ cream-cheese-jelly dip
M's cutey idea: felting a heart onto a sweater...rather it turned into a Pintrosity project :(
hope she has better luck on try #2
me and my headband slide ~ S's humungo stack of coasters ~ S and her many completed projects
M and her felting ~ the materials for my headband slide ~ K's idea of craft day: painting her nails, uploading songs from her iPod and gin cocktails, I like her :)
Sunday, February 26, 2012
It's been a long time coming...
This past Sunday my mom and I went to a Pampered Chef party at the home of someone I have known for a very long time. We grew up together, going to our sisters' basketball tournaments and bonding throughout middle and high school.
Towards the end of our college time we grew apart. In retrospect (now that I'm sooo old and wise) it was so stupid to grow apart. It's been a few years now that I've been back in our home town area and have honestly thought many times over these past few years of reaching out to her...but I let my life get busy and honestly had concerns that she wouldn't want to hear from me.
So when she chose to reach out by inviting me to her home, there was no way I could decline. And I am so happy I went. I was a little nervous walking up to her house, but when she opened the door with a huge smile, said "it's been too long", and reached out to hug me it totally made my nerves go away. It's silly to think that now when I'm less than 2 years from being a 30 year old I would be nervous to see someone that I've known for over half my life...but I was.
After the P-Chef party my mom and I hung out for a little while. Our moms got caught up and so did we. As I stood there holding her 3rd child who is already about 4 months old, I was suddenly sad. Sad that I allowed myself to be stupid and immature and so focused on my own life that I let a friendship go. Since our last angry conversation we both graduated college, moved back to our hometown, met our future husbands, married our husbands, moved into our 1st grown up homes, and she has had 3 kids! It's sad to think that we both missed out on those important life moments for each other and will never get those back.
But just as quickly as I was suddenly sad, I was suddenly happy. I felt so happy that we were finally doing this. Finally seeing each other and trying to be friends again. Yes, it will take time as all wounds need healing, but I'm glad the healing process has finally started...it's been a long time coming. :)
Towards the end of our college time we grew apart. In retrospect (now that I'm sooo old and wise) it was so stupid to grow apart. It's been a few years now that I've been back in our home town area and have honestly thought many times over these past few years of reaching out to her...but I let my life get busy and honestly had concerns that she wouldn't want to hear from me.
So when she chose to reach out by inviting me to her home, there was no way I could decline. And I am so happy I went. I was a little nervous walking up to her house, but when she opened the door with a huge smile, said "it's been too long", and reached out to hug me it totally made my nerves go away. It's silly to think that now when I'm less than 2 years from being a 30 year old I would be nervous to see someone that I've known for over half my life...but I was.
After the P-Chef party my mom and I hung out for a little while. Our moms got caught up and so did we. As I stood there holding her 3rd child who is already about 4 months old, I was suddenly sad. Sad that I allowed myself to be stupid and immature and so focused on my own life that I let a friendship go. Since our last angry conversation we both graduated college, moved back to our hometown, met our future husbands, married our husbands, moved into our 1st grown up homes, and she has had 3 kids! It's sad to think that we both missed out on those important life moments for each other and will never get those back.
But just as quickly as I was suddenly sad, I was suddenly happy. I felt so happy that we were finally doing this. Finally seeing each other and trying to be friends again. Yes, it will take time as all wounds need healing, but I'm glad the healing process has finally started...it's been a long time coming. :)
Monday, February 13, 2012
Still Busy as a Bee!
This past week was pretty similar to the week before I last talked about:
Monday ~ volunteered, worked on our downstairs bathroom (I promise to write all about that), and tried to recover from all the busy-ness of the previous week and weekend
Tuesday ~ volunteer and then helped out at the salon, didn't get home until 10pm :(
Wednesday ~ I finished up a series of photography courses. When I purchased my little point and shoot the camera store gave 4 free photography class passes. I attended DSLR level 1 in July (I think), level 2 in October, and just did level 3. (I gave my mom a ticket to attend level 2 with me). Customers don't have to wait so long between levels, I just chose to so that I had time to practice and apply what I learned. Level 3 was really fun because it was all about full Manual Mode! It definitely helped solidify some of the concepts I had been reading about and obviously learned a lot of new ideas. And of course I couldn't walk away without purchasing something...I chose to purchase a little bounce flash (and a diffuser). Hoping to get some time to practice using it.
Thursday ~ I went in early to the salon (and again didn't get home til 10pm)
Friday ~ I got a call from a local college I've been interviewing with and they wanted to schedule a next step interview!!! So that is scheduled for next Monday! Yep, I've already had 2 phone interviews and 2 in person interviews with them...and I don't think this will be the last interview (if all goes well).
Saturday ~ I was at the salon all day and then stopped for a brief visit with my mom...and we all know how those brief visits can easily turn into 2 hours...which this one did :)
and Sunday....Matt and I had a pre-Valentine's Day date! I will be at the salon on Tuesday evenings so we won't have a chance to go out for anything. So instead I used a Groupon I had purchased months ago. We went to Chateau St. Croix Winery and Vineyard for a tour and tasting. I felt silly bringing our big Nikon so I just slipped my little point and shoot into my handbag and was happy with the pics I was able to get.
the Chateau St. Croix was designed after chateau's in Europe (where the owner and his wife lived for a time)
Monday ~ volunteered, worked on our downstairs bathroom (I promise to write all about that), and tried to recover from all the busy-ness of the previous week and weekend
Tuesday ~ volunteer and then helped out at the salon, didn't get home until 10pm :(
Wednesday ~ I finished up a series of photography courses. When I purchased my little point and shoot the camera store gave 4 free photography class passes. I attended DSLR level 1 in July (I think), level 2 in October, and just did level 3. (I gave my mom a ticket to attend level 2 with me). Customers don't have to wait so long between levels, I just chose to so that I had time to practice and apply what I learned. Level 3 was really fun because it was all about full Manual Mode! It definitely helped solidify some of the concepts I had been reading about and obviously learned a lot of new ideas. And of course I couldn't walk away without purchasing something...I chose to purchase a little bounce flash (and a diffuser). Hoping to get some time to practice using it.
Thursday ~ I went in early to the salon (and again didn't get home til 10pm)
Friday ~ I got a call from a local college I've been interviewing with and they wanted to schedule a next step interview!!! So that is scheduled for next Monday! Yep, I've already had 2 phone interviews and 2 in person interviews with them...and I don't think this will be the last interview (if all goes well).
Saturday ~ I was at the salon all day and then stopped for a brief visit with my mom...and we all know how those brief visits can easily turn into 2 hours...which this one did :)
and Sunday....Matt and I had a pre-Valentine's Day date! I will be at the salon on Tuesday evenings so we won't have a chance to go out for anything. So instead I used a Groupon I had purchased months ago. We went to Chateau St. Croix Winery and Vineyard for a tour and tasting. I felt silly bringing our big Nikon so I just slipped my little point and shoot into my handbag and was happy with the pics I was able to get.
these are the frozen vineyards, the tour goes outside in warmer months
the Chateau St. Croix was designed after chateau's in Europe (where the owner and his wife lived for a time)
A great (pre-)Valentines Day date! Had so much fun doing something new together!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Thank you husband
Matt's dad is a member of the Lion's Club and every year on Deer Opener Weekend the Lion's Club sells roses...for the husbands who are going out of town to give their wives...for leaving them haha. Well hubs doesn't hunt (anymore) but I still get the roses :) And this year they were extra pretty because they were sprayed with a glitter spray!
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Besties Lunch
This past weekend I got together with some girls I used to work with. We try to get together at least every other month to eat and catch up. And to make it a little more fun, whose ever house it's at gets to choose a theme and the food each of us brings has to relate to this theme. Our themes have been silly (loaf shaped items) and seasonal ("best of summer"). Well this weekend's theme was "Apples", perfect for Fall!
The hostess chose to make an apple chicken recipe, someone else made applesauce, and another made an apple dessert! I chose to make Herb and Apple Stuffing (I chose to half the recipe because there was only 4 of us and it was the perfect amount):
16 cups of 1-inch bread cubes
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 cups diced yellow onion
2 cups diced celery
2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored, and diced
2 Tbsp chopped parsley
1 1/2 tsp minced fresh rosemary leaves (I used dried rosemary)
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup sliced blanched almonds (optional)
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2) Put the bread crumbs on a 13x18x1 inch baking sheet and bake them for 7 min
3) In a large saute pan: melt butter, add onion, celery, apples, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper and saute for 10 min (until mixture is soft)
4) In a large bowl: combine bread cubes, sauteed veggie mix, stock, and almonds
Cooking options:
1) Place stuffing into turkey and cook per turkey directions OR
2) Place stuffing in a casserole dish and cook for an hour on 350 degrees F (this is the way I did it)
The hostess chose to make an apple chicken recipe, someone else made applesauce, and another made an apple dessert! I chose to make Herb and Apple Stuffing (I chose to half the recipe because there was only 4 of us and it was the perfect amount):
16 cups of 1-inch bread cubes
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 cups diced yellow onion
2 cups diced celery
2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored, and diced
2 Tbsp chopped parsley
1 1/2 tsp minced fresh rosemary leaves (I used dried rosemary)
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup sliced blanched almonds (optional)
1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2) Put the bread crumbs on a 13x18x1 inch baking sheet and bake them for 7 min
3) In a large saute pan: melt butter, add onion, celery, apples, parsley, rosemary, salt, and pepper and saute for 10 min (until mixture is soft)
4) In a large bowl: combine bread cubes, sauteed veggie mix, stock, and almonds
Cooking options:
1) Place stuffing into turkey and cook per turkey directions OR
2) Place stuffing in a casserole dish and cook for an hour on 350 degrees F (this is the way I did it)
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Just What I Needed
I have an amazing friend, J, who always creeps up when I need her. We don't live near each other at the moment and she is EXTREMELY busy with her own life (she's a doctor, yep I have a friend who is a doctor :) ) So when I get to hear from her it's always special. Plus, somehow she knows exactly what I need to hear...without having had a conversation about it.
So I was very touched when I received my birthday present from her. One night when I got home from work there on our counter was a gift from Shari's Berries! Although I had heard of these I had never had one before. And let me tell you, they are as yummy as the commercials say they are. (Nope, no pics...cuz hubs helped me eat them super fast...what?!? the package said best if eaten within 48 hours hehe).
But what was even more special was the card:
I had to put it on the fridge to remind myself that maybe this getting older stuff isn't so bad :)
So I was very touched when I received my birthday present from her. One night when I got home from work there on our counter was a gift from Shari's Berries! Although I had heard of these I had never had one before. And let me tell you, they are as yummy as the commercials say they are. (Nope, no pics...cuz hubs helped me eat them super fast...what?!? the package said best if eaten within 48 hours hehe).
But what was even more special was the card:
I had to put it on the fridge to remind myself that maybe this getting older stuff isn't so bad :)
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Happy Birthday Matt!
Today is my husband's birthday! Happy Birthday Matt! Two weekends ago we celebrated his birthday at my parents' house because they were going on a trip over his actual bday. We were served amazing red velvet cake!
And Matt received some pretty sweet gifts, a leather carry on:
and a bolster neck sleeping pillow. I have one of these and am in LOVE with it!
And today, his actual bday started celebrating by dancing with the puppies
And now we're headed out to Matt's favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse! Mmmm! Gonna get me a steak and a cocktail or two! Happy Birthday Hubs! Love you lots!
And Matt received some pretty sweet gifts, a leather carry on:
and a bolster neck sleeping pillow. I have one of these and am in LOVE with it!
And today, his actual bday started celebrating by dancing with the puppies
And now we're headed out to Matt's favorite restaurant, Texas Roadhouse! Mmmm! Gonna get me a steak and a cocktail or two! Happy Birthday Hubs! Love you lots!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Alone No More
Matt got back into town late last night...as in 3am late. I was already asleep and had been since 11pm so needless to say, I was competely out of it when he crawled into bed. But even though I was in a half dream state and couldn't focus my eyes to save my life, I felt his warmth instantly. We have a Tempur Pedic-like mattress and honestly I never feel him moving in bed, but he is always so warm that I can't help but feel warmer too.
Prior to marrying Matt I had never lived with another guy, yes I had girl roommates but not a boyfriend roommate. Not only has learning to share my home, my bathroom, my daily life been an adjustment but even greater has been learning to share my quiet, alone, personal, sleep space. While he was away these past 5 sleeps I went to sleep in the middle of the bed and woke up horizontal spread across the bed. It was glorious to revert back to my selfish, singlehood, sleep habits. For 5 nights I went to bed without thinking I was going to wake someone up or wasn't going to be woken up myself when the 2nd person came to bed. And for 4 mornings I woke up without having to worry that I talked too loud in my sleep and woke someone else up at 2am. Glorious...simply glorious.
However, hearing the soft pad of socked feet across the floor, feeling the gentle pull on the covers and smelling the familiar scent that is my husband was comforting. I have grown to accept and enjoy sleeping in the same bed as him, but last night reminded me that no amount of nights with the whole bed to myself could amount to the feeling I have when he's there right by my side.
Prior to marrying Matt I had never lived with another guy, yes I had girl roommates but not a boyfriend roommate. Not only has learning to share my home, my bathroom, my daily life been an adjustment but even greater has been learning to share my quiet, alone, personal, sleep space. While he was away these past 5 sleeps I went to sleep in the middle of the bed and woke up horizontal spread across the bed. It was glorious to revert back to my selfish, singlehood, sleep habits. For 5 nights I went to bed without thinking I was going to wake someone up or wasn't going to be woken up myself when the 2nd person came to bed. And for 4 mornings I woke up without having to worry that I talked too loud in my sleep and woke someone else up at 2am. Glorious...simply glorious.
However, hearing the soft pad of socked feet across the floor, feeling the gentle pull on the covers and smelling the familiar scent that is my husband was comforting. I have grown to accept and enjoy sleeping in the same bed as him, but last night reminded me that no amount of nights with the whole bed to myself could amount to the feeling I have when he's there right by my side.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
My Husband Left Me Today...
to go to a wedding out of town. A good friend of his is getting married this weekend and Matt is in the wedding. Yes, I was invited to attend, but after asking a few of the people we trust to watch our dogs no one was available or it was too much of a hassle. I did look into a local kennel but just didn't feel right. I'm sure it's a great place and dogs love it there...but I feel like that would be similar to bringing a human kid to daycare and leaving them there for 5 days. Everyone might not agree with me on that but that is how I felt about it. Plus the final cost was going to set us back about $400.00 (including their vet visit and shots and the stay and extra walks thoughout the days) and we just couldn't spring that right now. So it was decided that I would stay back and Matt would go to the wedding without me. I was very bummed because I had already requested the time off from work and was looking forward to the wedding but also getting out of MN for a while...and I had already bought a new dress!
But after the decision was made and Matt knew how bummed I am he suggested we go on vacation this summer for our 1st anniversary! I asked him where he was thinking...drumroll please...the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone! I have been saying I want to go there for years! I am now sooo excited for this trip in late June (it won't be exactly over our anniversary because I can't be away from work that week) and will start my trip planning soon...probably this weekend while he is away.
Also while he is away I have sooo many plans. I am so excited to spend time with my sister and 1 of my college roommates and finally clean out our guest room. I won't go into too many details about these things because I'll write more about them later, but I am kind of excited to have the house to myself! I have never lived in our house without Matt (he lived there for 6 months alone). I mean I am home alone sometimes because I work M-Th and he works M-Sat, but have only slept in our house without him twice and I was really nervous the 1st time. I already told him I plan to have the dogs sleep in our bedroom, not in the bed because he HATES that, but at least in the same room so I'm not alone.
Other than that today is my last day this week at work (because I had taken tomorrow off for the wedding) so I will be enjoying a 4 day weekend! T.G.I."W"!
But after the decision was made and Matt knew how bummed I am he suggested we go on vacation this summer for our 1st anniversary! I asked him where he was thinking...drumroll please...the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone! I have been saying I want to go there for years! I am now sooo excited for this trip in late June (it won't be exactly over our anniversary because I can't be away from work that week) and will start my trip planning soon...probably this weekend while he is away.
Also while he is away I have sooo many plans. I am so excited to spend time with my sister and 1 of my college roommates and finally clean out our guest room. I won't go into too many details about these things because I'll write more about them later, but I am kind of excited to have the house to myself! I have never lived in our house without Matt (he lived there for 6 months alone). I mean I am home alone sometimes because I work M-Th and he works M-Sat, but have only slept in our house without him twice and I was really nervous the 1st time. I already told him I plan to have the dogs sleep in our bedroom, not in the bed because he HATES that, but at least in the same room so I'm not alone.
Other than that today is my last day this week at work (because I had taken tomorrow off for the wedding) so I will be enjoying a 4 day weekend! T.G.I."W"!
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