Summer Re-cap

Well...I really thought my summer would consist of more than 3 blog posts thus far. Oops. I just knew I would have all this time and I would post every other day, at least! Somehow that didn't happen. Far from it. As my neighbor said- I'm "re-charging my batteries." Yes, I totally am. So here's a recap of my summer in no particular order:

1) A few happy hours with the girls. The drink in my hand is called a "Skinny Girl Cucumber" Go to Tubby's on Riverstreet. Ask for Alex. He will make you one.

2) Acupuncture. I bought a Groupon for it and decided to give it a go. Sheer curiosity. Now that I've experienced it- I can say... that was some crazy witch doctor stuff. Straight up vood doo.  During the session, the acupuncturist was telling me to feel the presence of my ancestors and rubbing herbs on the bottom of my feet and spraying rose water in my face, while I had needles sticking out of my my head, ears, chest, stomach, fingers, legs, feet, armpits...you name it. Very odd, I know. Does it hurt? Not really at all. The needles are as thin as a strand of hair. (the ones he put in my fingers had a teeny little pinch to them, I will admit) BUT! I will say that I felt extremely relaxed later that day.

3) Softball Games. I've been a pretty good groupie for Mike's softball games this summer. Other than getting nervous when he gets up to bat and cringing when people yell at each other on the field, I actually enjoy it! I mean...I grew up with a sister and we did ballet. I'm not used to team sports.

4) Edwin McCain concert at Tubby's (in Thunderbolt) with the fam. Two words. HEAT STROKE. Other than the heat we had a great time. Hearing Wormsloew play was an added bonus.

5) Second concert of the summer: Corey Smith. This is also the second time Corey has made it to my blog- here's the link from last year's concert. My neighbor, Bradley, claims that they are friends. I'm still not sure how sold I am ;-) 

6:00 PM

12:00 AM

6. Meeting Ashley's new little munchkin, Chase. Earlier this month, my friend Ashley had her 3rd little boy. I am convinced that she has lost her mind. To add to her 3 year old and 13 month old....she now has a newborn. God bless her. But look how precious he is. She is super-mom! My favorite part is her backseat- 3 car seats all lined up in a row. If anyone can do it...it's Ashley.

7. Baking. I tend to bake when I have time on my hands. It makes me feel like I've accomplished something and I get to eat lots of batter ( the real reason.) Here was my project of the day. Strawberry Shortcake *breakfast* Muffins. They're healthy, I promise.

 I'm sure I left out some important events...forgive me. Approximately a week left of summer bliss. I'm trying to savor every last drop.

Caroline

Reading, Making, Seeing

Its been awhile since I've blogged a Joy Dare, so here's the next one on the list: 1) Something you're reading 2) Something you're making 3) Something you're seeing.

To tell ya the truth, I keep avoiding this one because I'm not sure where to go with it. The "reading" and "making" topics are easy...but...seeing? This sounds like it should be abstract. Like something I see....with my heart. Or some kind of important happening I see taking shape. Sorry, but I'm keeping it simple. Right now I see a blank space on my page with a blinking cursor, waiting for the right words to spell themselves out. I got nothin'...

Let's move on to what I'm reading, shall we? There are 2 books, currently. The first is called Come Back. Its written by a mother/daughter duo & based on the daughter's abuse and drug addiction. It's about "the mother and daughter's journey through hell & back," as the book cover says. It reeled me in at first because I tend to always pick up books about drug addiction...it fascinates me. Basically, I've been reading this book since April and I can't seem to get through it. The part about rehab is dragging on. She keeps failing & having to repeat the steps....and...enough already! Wait- that's kind of like real life, isn't it?

I have one more chapter left and I can finally move on to my next book in line...To Dance With The White Dog. Maybe a bit more uplifting? I've had it for years, literally, probably 10 + years and for some reason never read it. I heard that some middle schoolers at Hesse had to read it for class so I figured I'd give it a shot. Let me know your thoughts if you've read it.

Book #2 I'm currently reading is called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Its the book from which the Joy Dare topics are created! The author is way deep and poetic. Its a lot to wrap my little brain around.

And last.... What You're Making.

Well, I have this idea. And it's to transform my mantle from this:

to this:

The coat of white paint will start tomorrow! So, summer project numero dos is Mantle Makeover. I think it's achievable.

-Caroline

A Little Thursday Creativity

Don't you love when creativity strikes and you have all the right tools at your fingertips?? This morning I decided my knife block needed a makeover. Actually, I had decided that a long time ago, but today I took action. I saw the can of leftover Tangerine Dream paint from my bathroom & inspiration was born. As the lady on pinterest says: "Its amazing what a little paint and some sanding can do!" So, here I give you...my new and improved knife block.

What do you think? I kind of love it! And it seems as though I'm missing a knife....who cares. But doesn't it add a little pop of color to the top of the fridge?

In case you're interested...this was my lunch today. Only the most amazing salad ever. Here's what's in it: 

Spinach

Chicken

Avocado

Fresh Sweet Corn

Feta Cheese

Pine nuts

Poppy Seed Dressing

Have you ever tried La Croix Coconut Sparkling Water (the canned stuff)? I'm not a huge fan of the other flavors....but this one....oh, it is like drinking Hawaiian Tropic suntan lotion...obviously without the consistency of lotion :) Where has this been all my life? I was on a mission to find it yesterday & searched 3 stores up and down until I finally found it. Thank you Kroger at Marsh Point, you're always faithful.

And last but not least...I know you've been waiting to see the bathroom reveal. I will warn you, I'm still working on what else to go in here, but I'll give you a sneak peek. Get ready- it may burn your retinas. Whelan is a big fan of my decor. He enjoys eating the twig branches when I'm not looking.  (And when I am looking for that matter)

Benjamin Moore- Tangerine Dream

Happy Thursday!

-Caroline

This & That

Its been go, go, go for the past couple days. Today, I am taking a break and embracing some laziness. I slept until 9:00, y'all! And I'm not in a rush to go anywhere. My first thought upon waking was that I'd like to make a quiche. So, I did...and I'm still in my pajamas.  In the spirit of non-wastefulness, I used the leftover egg/squash/zucchini/onion mixture to make an omelet.

This is mine.... looks like a pizza

Summer Squash, Bacon, Mozzarella Quiche....mine isn't QUITE as pretty as the Pinterest picture because my pie crust is most certainly not homemade. I also left out the bacon. I know, I know- Caroline, how could you leave out BACON? Click this link from Cooking Light for the recipe.

I even hand washed all the dishes afterwards so I now have a clean sink, minus the orange paint brushes from my new shrimp colored bathroom. (blog post about that coming soon) I'm trying to use this month to accomplish all those little to-do projects instead of overloading myself with more ideas. Thank you summer for catch-up time.

And on the subject of catching up, earlier this week I got to visit Jenna...my oldest & goldest friend! Its not often that we are afforded the opportunity to sit on the dock- talking and laughing while her little boy sleeps in his swing. I'm sure it won't happen again for years, so I soaked it all in.  Here we are in all our glory:

It doesn't get any better. 

Oh...except for spur of the moment calls from my sister asking if she can come over. How perfect. Hope she's hungry for lunch!

You Know You Love the Necklace When...

Months ago while playing around on Pinterest, I saw this.....

(http://www.noondaycollection.com/necklaces)

I promptly re-pinned in it "My Style Board" to be stashed away in my collection of loves. Its the perfect blend of earthy/natural and chunky. Just enough to make a statement. My accessories need to have a little boldness! Probably because nothing else about me is bold. 

Time goes by and I forget about this little piece of art. 

Going about my everyday routine of reading my favorite Flower Patch Farm Girl blog, ( I talk as if we are personal friends...Shannan...maybe one day.) I read her post entitled "About The Necklace."  No, its not the turquoise one that I love, but her necklace was chunky/earthy too....so I decided to checkout the website. 

As I peruse the website...What is this!? Is this my necklace?? Why, yes! Yes it is. I think its meant to be. I need this. Oh wait...its $75. 

As much as it cries out "Choose me! Buy me!" I can't justify. I just can't. So...life goes on. 

Another month goes by and I read the book: 7- An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess. (Highly recommend. It messed with my head- in a good way)  In a nutshell, it calls us to cut out excess in our lives in order to live more simply as we draw closer to a Christ-like existence. At the end of 7, there is a page devoted to numerous websites listed to help us shop with a cause. For example: Instead of just buying ..... a scarf at the Gap, why not buy from women in Indonesia who make scarves to raise money for abused women. Just an example. Being the list follower that I am, I decided to go to each website on the list. Never know what treasures I may find behind the disguise of a "for the cause" website.

I think you can guess what's coming up next.....

noondaycollection.com

There, in all its glory, was the very website that held my beloved and too expensive necklace. Profits from this website go to raise money for orphans :

• Providing jobs that create a pathway out of poverty for families. A stable income means a family is less likely to abandon their child.
• Help families raise money for their own adoptions. 
•  Noonday Collection also gives towards orphan care and prevention. 

"When you satisfy the needs of the oppressed, your night will become like the noonday"

-Isaiah 58:10

I guess 3rd time is the charm. I'll post pictures when my necklace arrives! 

Bachelorette Commentary

*For Bachelorette fans only: (Otherwise you will be highly annoyed at the shallowness of this post)*

-Ricki's laugh sounds very forced.

-The power better not go out during my show! The lightening is poppin.

-Kalon's lips always look chapped... or maybe like he needs to lay off the Botox.

-Emily says to Sean: "Good guys are hard to come by. Not just good guys, but good guys that you actually like. Guys that look like you are usually really boring." Emily, I have to agree.

Emily                                        Sean

John 

-I still like John. My opinions haven't changed much since night #1. He would still be one of my top picks. His sarcasm gives him major points. And I continue to think Ryan is a tool bag. And what's with the hair? Its perfectly messy at the middle/back of this head.

Ryan

-Kalon is way too intense. About everything.

Arie says to Emily: "I know you're not feeling well and when I'm not feeling well...I just want to have some humor and laugh about it."  What?? No, Arie. When I'm sick the last thing I think about is laughing. Quit trying so hard. I don't know what she sees in him.

Arie

-Doug plays the "I'm a father" card way too often. We all know you have an 11 year old son. We know you love him. You tell us at least once every episode.

Doug

Emily says: "I want to go West Virginia hood rat backwoods on his ass" Maybe I'm starting to like her a little more!

Jef is just one of my favorites! I think we could be best friends. He has a depth that I haven't seen with most of the other guys on the show. He's super genuine & unique. He gets my vote for sure.

Jef

-Ryan needs to lose the scarf

-When Alejandro actually talks, he always surprises me in a good way. 

"I'm really excited to be here in Croatia" - That sounds odd to me. 

So, lets hear your thoughts about tonight!!?

Last of the 1st

180 days of first grade are officially done. I thought it would only be fitting to do a "Last of the 1st" to balance out my "1st of the First" post from day one. So, please enjoy a picture recap of my last day, as I sit in my bed and eat Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate Squares with Caramel Filling- thank you Libby.

Goodbye to neon yellow bulletin board paper backgrounds. My eyes will not miss you.

Note the 2 happiest things about the calendar today: A) Friday B) Last Day of School

Today the Green Communication Folders will communicate to the parents that they can keep their kids all summer long.

 These shoes will no longer run up to me tattling about who was mean on the playground.

The mess that is their cubbies.

No day would be complete without a full construction and deconstruction of Lego R.M.S. Titanic

A very illegitimate game of Checkers...but who's counting...

If you ever visited our classroom, you understand the importance of the 45 minute and 3 minute interval system. I will forever hear timers ringing in my head.

Cue chorus: "Schoooooool's- out- for- the -summer!" 

My plans for the summer include: as many Pinterest projects as money will allow, naps, trying new recipes, lunch dates with friends, sun, and yoga.

-Caroline

Sidenote: My favorite bulletin board of the year (never mind that its summer time now....spring and summer blend nicely)