Category Archives: living

Summer Blur :: Almost Wordless Wednesday

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Who knew that it’s been over a month since the last post? No one but my family and a few close friends read this blog anyway… so, it’s okay, right? No, no. I know friends out there are reading. I’m sorry I’ve been away. I always seem to let too much time pass between posts in the summer months. With the kids and husband home, every day is an adventure – except when outside feels like a sauna and we hunker down in our basement and play video games and ping pong. (Not very into the pool scene. I don’t buy pool passes. No chance to break even.)

Forgive me for the lack of posting? Facebook and Twitter have been easier to update on the road and on the fly.

Since I last posted…

For neighbor kids and friends, we hosted a week long art camp in our garage.

Made some great projects during art camp.

Ssampled Brazilian Brigadeiro – chocolate truffle with sea salt and lime zest

Made cake again to make sure the recipe wasn’t faulty.. happy to report that it was not.

Managed to sew some burp cloths for expecting mom friends

Found this little guy on a garden walk which inspired me to get back into my own garden.

Made some Model Magic baked goods with the kids on a “too-hot” day

Checked out the Lego Kids Club

Celebrated 4th of July with family :: cakepops by my cousin

Tasted roasted purple cauliflower at a friend’s home

Worked on a Subway Art sign for a friend

Survived my first t-ball season

Visited an awesome bed and breakfast

Got to hang out a little at the beach, too

… and turned 39.

Halfway through May: Super Moon, Crafting, Teacher Appreciation

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May started with a great Super Moon

Hello, friends. I know I say this all the time – where do the days go?! Seriously, here we are in the middle of May, and it’s been forever since I’ve blogged. Thanks for staying connected with me on Facebook and Twitter. It’s truly appreciated. Those outlets have helped me stay in touch when I’ve come up for air.

Soccer and t-ball practices, class projects, teacher appreciation week, baptism, communions, weddings… Spring is in full swing.

First T-ball practice: my son and his friends from preschool

My daughter's class project - California on a shoebox float

A shoebox float with fringed party streamer

Teacher Appreciation Gift idea: notes in a giant "pill box"

Been busy with envelope calligraphy

Daughter and I are addicted to making bows

The perfect gifts on Mother's Day: handmade with love

More Resources

Super Moon news article

Shoebox Floats

More Teacher Appreciation ideas

Paper Bows, and more Paper Bows

Forget the Chores . . . Too Nice Outside

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I want to know if there are more chore-challenged people out there besides me. Would it surprise you to know there are dishes in the sink, laundry waiting to be folded, mail piling up? It comes and goes in cycles around here. And, honestly, it kills me.



It’s the part of me I dislike the most… my procrastination. I just get exhausted picking up after everyone, and I blame myself for not teaching my kids better, for not having the picture-perfect “Better Homes & Garden” home that’s ready for guests at the drop of a pin.

Here’s the thing – there’s so much I’d rather do. Like, today. We’ve been blessed with the most ridiculous March weather in Chicago. I want to hop on my bike, I want to finish some sewing projects, start other projects, eat lunch and write outside… So, I’m trying to give myself a pass today to not feel guilty about enjoying the day. Give yourself one, too, won’t you?

Lately, I’ve been struggling a little with writing, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’m trying to be someone I’m not on the website, if I’m just REALLY overextended with things, if I’m horrible at time management. It’s time again for me to reevaluate things and find my voice. Might tweak the site a little, also. (OH, Sorry if anyone has had issues with the comment box. It’s fixed now.) I’m just glad my family and friends are super supportive. 🙂

I’m looking forward to sharing some more of our February and March: birthday party ideas, rice krispie sushi and more cooking and crafting ideas. Also, if you’re interested, take a look at 30daysofbiking.com. Can’t wait to journal about my adventures.

First Visit to a Bed and Breakfast

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Our friend turned innkeeper - perusing a cookbook

What would you say if your friends called and said, “Hey! We bought a bed and breakfast! Who wants to come for a working weekend to help us get ready?”

We said, “Of course!” We had never been to a bed and breakfast before, but mostly because of accessibility issues. Luckily, there was a ramped entrance and we had a ground floor room. Perfect.

So two weekends ago, we packed up our bags, brought an air mattress, blankets and headed two hours out of Chicago to their bed and breakfast in Michigan. A possible snow advisory didn’t stop us either.

Doors and walls in the innkeepers home needed painting, furniture had to be moved, kitchen cabinets and appliances were waiting to be cleaned… and there were over ten adults (along with at least fifteen children – I lost count) willing and able to do jobs. Talk about a great greeting – having friends come out to your car with big hugs.

I stayed in the B&B where all the kids were. (Couldn’t leave them to their own devices.) Spent most of my time in the B&B kitchen catching up with other friends who had come to help. Oh, and I contributed – scrubbing out cabinets, finding miscellaneous kitchen gadgets and glassware left behind by the previous owners. Not your typical weekend activity but I loved it. The evening ended with wine, guitar playing, kids in the basement complete with pillow fights, and prepping for the next morning’s breakfast… awesome.

What a truly exciting adventure ahead – so proud of our friends, Julie and Eric.

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