Burning the Candles

"Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie." - Life Lessons from a 90 year old. Good motto, huh? I think of this every time I take a match to my candles. It irks me to see perfectly unused candles in a home. Why save your nice things for "an occasion." Make your own occasion. I've found that the most joyful people I know find ways to celebrate day- to-day events. For example...I know of a family who celebrates each person's birthday WEEK. Not just the day, the week. Its kind of like Hanukkah. I also know a girl who consistantly keeps fresh flowers in her house. No reason other than she loves them. That's reason enough for me....why wait until company for fresh flowers?

With that being said, candles are my everyday-happiness thing. I go through some candles. I burn them in the kitchen when I'm cooking, at the table for dinner, in my room when I'm reading at night, and I even have one on my desk at school. Fire hazard? Possibly. (That one is the Eucalypyus Spearmint Stress Relief scent- much needed)

So here's to burning the candles ... literally and figuratively.

Caroline

Good Summer Salad

A few months ago I mentioned my favorite go-to salad. The picture wouldn't upload last time....but alas, I have gotten it to work. Click on the link underneath for a list of ingredients.(How to make...click here) and the ingredients are at the bottom of the post.

Enjoy!

Caroline

My Morning Run Part II

Not to bore you with more running talk, but I'm really loving my morning run routine. There are a few things that get me going when it seems so much more appealing to stay snuggled up in my warm, cozy bed... in my dark room... with the fan on high. (Cold room= better for being snuggled up.) So, here goes...

The glowing sunrise over the water. "Sunrise...sunrise...looks like morning in your eyes" A little Norah for ya.

My pink Columbia time-keeper. It makes me feel much sportier than I actually am.

Oh, good morning Egrets...just catching some breakfast?

Thank goodness people like to water their lawn in the morning. Timing is key. I always try to run by just as the sprinkler turns my way for a little spritz.... it's refreshing.

Bottle brushes covered with dew are picture perfect. Except this picture was taken with my camera phone. Just use your imagination- they're beautiful, K?

Pandora radio. I'm still stuck on Shane and Shane.

The best part of all is that I had to slow down and stop to take these pictures. Never hurts to take a little breather every now and then, right?

Rise & Shine!

Caroline

Ode to Cathlin

After this most disturbing facebook wall post: "Hi, I'm Cathlin... your SISTER! Not sure if you remember me." ....I knew it was time to do something. How could our realtionship have come to this level?! It's a sad day. So, to make amends- here's a shout out to my lil sis, Cath.

(And I understand most of you may not have a clue about half of what I'm writing, but that's ok- because this is for Cath.)

Dear CathLIN, pretty name (Tarzan bang on chest),

Here are a few things about you that the world should know.

1) Your neck gets very splotchy when you are nervous and It makes me giggle. Especially when I "help" you in June's class. "YES! BRILLIANT! Cathlin is correct AGAIN!"

2) You are the fashionista that I will never be and I miss living with you because you would give me good tips & I could borrow your clothes (as long as they were loose fitting or had elastic in them. You are skinny. I am not.) Now, all I wear is CARDIGANS.

3) The only thing you know how to successfully make in the kitchen is a mess. Probably because you can't get your thumbs off those text buttons.

4) I like going to weddings with you and dancing like a hooligan. Then coming downtown to your friend's house and drunk dialing from the bathroom. Wait...you did that, not me.

5) I will never look like you in a bathing suit. I've accepted it.

I just have to keep reminding myself that its only because you used to go by the name of stick- legs and its in your genes.

6) Two words: Aliem Fingers (and my masterful photography)

7) I love you.

Love, Sissy

An Early Morning Run

Last night I watched a really inspiring show. It was about a 21 year old girl who lost 161 pounds in a year. You may have seen it too....and I might be off on the exact number of lbs she lost, but either way, it was a big accomplishment. She worked out 5 hours a day. You heard me. 5-hours-per- day. There was a scene of her getting up early in the morning to run & she talked about how she felt unstoppable when she ran. I think that's where the inspiration came in for me. I used to be that way. I used to get up early in the mornings to work out and I actaully LIKED it. It just started the day off right, then...I had the rest of my day ahead of me where I didn't have to worry about squeezing in a workout when I was exhausted after work.

I remember back when I would be upset if I didn't get to exercise for the day. I want to feel that way again. So, last night I set out my pink nike shorts and bright green running shirt, socks, headphones, etc. (That way I couldn't "forget" when I woke up....just in case the inspiration had left me.) Well, it was the opposite. I couldn't get out of bed fast enough! My feet hit the pavement at 6:44 this morning and off I went! High tide, sunrise, neighbors out who I never see because I'm usually asleep. All around positive experience. And, I'll do it again tomorrow.

Are you inspired now too??

Caroline

Banana Popsicles

This sounds like the Jack Johnson song... no wait....that's Banana Pancakes (but those are yummy too).

So today its REALLY hot outside....90's, still stagnant air, no breeze. One of the 3rd graders brought me a banana popsicle. It's been years since I've had one and it took me right back to my childhood. Everytime I was sick and layed up in bed, my mom would give me banana popsicles. Why banana? I don't know- ask her....but it was the standard "sick" food at my house. Along with Ginger Ale. I never realized how much I missed someone feeding me banana popsicles until I was sick without her around. Somehow they have evolved into a comfort food....like a blast from the past. So weird how that works.

What did your mom feed you when you were sick? Someone else once told me that Jolly Ranchers was their "sick" food. Mom's always have little tricks up their sleeves to make their babies feel better.

And while I was googling a pic to go along with my banana popscicle blog, I just happened to find this: a more sophistocated approach to the banana popsicle. I may have to give them a try now that I'm all grown up.

Monograms and Initials

Sorry I've been falling down on the job. Blogging seems to have taken a backseat these days! I've been meaning to show y'all this little piece of happiness for over a month now and I just haven't gotten around to it. But, here is my lovely initialed/named mouse pad! It adds a little brightness to my otherwise dull workspace. Pretty fancy, huh?

And I'm a sucker for anything with my name plastered across it. You can get one too from this Etsy website for all kinds of personalized creations!

Enjoy!

Caroline