Ketchup Popsicles

A word on blogging: I've found that my blog has helped me to slow down and notice life. At dinner tonight, I had a conversation with a friend that went something like this...

Friend: I like reading your blogs. I wish I blogged.

Me: You can!

Friend: But I don't do anything cool.

Me: Uh, neither do I.  

Its all about celebrating what matters and noticing the moments. What matters to me isn't always earth shattering, but when I take 2 seconds to write about it, it somehow gains a form of significance. It is published. It is recorded for ever and ever amen. When I'm old and gray I can look back and reminisce. 

Another thing. If you're excited about something, odds are, your passion for it will spark someone else's interest. Or their curiosity if nothing else. If you put your heart and soul into something, it really doesn't matter what it is. People seem to buy it. Its your passion for that "thing" that becomes appealing to everyone else. They may not love the "thing," but they will love your passion. Be passionate about SOMETHING. It kinda reminds me of one of the greatest movies of all time, Tommy Boy. The part when Richard says, "He could sell a ketchup popsicle to a woman in white gloves." Obviously, this quote deals more with being a good salesman- but it all ties together. If you don't believe in it,  no one else will either. 

 After all ....

Source

Well, this wasn't the original direction that this post was supposed to follow, but somehow I went off on a rabbit trail. All that to say... do something you love. And don't worry about it being not "cool" enough. 

This blog was SUPPOSED to be about my Fabulous Friday with Jessica and Julie. An after work trip to Bonna Bella, complete with: Blue Moons, Appletini's, and Coors Lights (yes- I was the classy one with the Coors Light.) We also had Nachos, Grilled Shrimp Salads and Molten Lava Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream. And last but not least, a trip to Goodwill. Who knew Goodwill was the place to be on a Friday night? We closed the joint down and left with bag fulls of thrifty goodness.  So, go on and do what you love. And if you don't know yet... try some new things until you figure it out. Start a blog! And be sure to tell me about it if you do. 

Happy Friday

Caroline

Sunday

"He works on us in all sorts of ways. But above all, he works on us through each other."

-C.S. Lewis

Funny how the worst days can sometimes turn into the best days. My Sunday routine was thrown off a little this morning, but somehow my day has morphed into something beautiful.

After church this morning I went to visit my family. I use the term visit lightly because they only live 15 minutes away. I should go see them a whole lot more than I do, but life gets in the way and I admittedly take them for granted.  Today was extra special because everyone was home. Mom, dad, Cath, even my grandparents were there from SC. Its these days that I need to savor because I know we won't all be able to be together forever. But for today, we were & it was just what I needed. We watched golf and napped on the couch and mom served me slaw dogs and Brunswick stew...still on the couch. Grama brought me some surprises including a case of cat food from Sam's and some treats for my kids at school. (Don't worry, the cat food was for Whelan). Cathlin tied a string around my toe as a reminder. She says its to remind me that she loves me. Ha.

Cath and I practiced our yoga head stands in the living room and my string fell off. But I still remember :) After some living room yoga we decided that we'd go to an actual class at the studio. I think as a blessing in disguise, the studio was unexpectedly closed. At that moment, the idea of backyard yoga was born. It may have been the most perfect place ever. See for yourself.....

Now the sun is going down and I'm feeling content and peaceful. My Sunday has turned into what a Sunday should be. A day of rest and fulfillment. I even got to talk to two of my best friends from out of town on the phone today. More often than not, our schedules don't align to talk more than 5 minutes. But today, it seemed like time stood still for awhile and we got to really connect without rushing. Jenna and Kendall- I wish you both lived closer.


And...this song has been on repeat since I heard it at church this morning. All Son & Daughters- All The Poor & Powerless.

- Caroline

Adventures in Paddleboarding

Well, I had my first experience with paddleboarding on Sunday. I posted a quick FB update about it, but I thought I'd go ahead and tell the WHOLE story here....in my little corner of the world.

It all came to be when my neighbors, Bradley & Parla, saw me catchin' some rays on my balcony this weekend.  I was taking advantage of the first sunny day & clear blue sky since '91. You see, we share this little catwalk/dock in our backyard which makes the perfect place to put in kayaks, paddleboards, basically anything without a motor. They shouted for me to come down and give it a try when they finished paddling around the island.

They came back about an hour later with a peaceful, uneventful trip to report. Now it was my turn, along with Bradley's friend Paul. We set out with no problems....just a relaxing little Sunday paddleboarding, right? Calm, quiet creeks, sunshine glistening off the water, conversation about the beautiful weather. Pretty sure I jinxed us when I said something along the lines of, "This is easier than I thought!"

Just about that time we had to go under a low bridge. Yep. And Paul warned me about 30 seconds before I went under NOT to put my feet down if I happened to fall off underneath the bridge. It was shallow and the rocks/oyster shells would cut me. Cool. Not only do I have to squat on the paddleboard AND balance AND paddle....but I also cannot fall off. Or else!!!

Success. Obstacle #1: Conquered.

Rounding the next bend was when we hit the current. We had been flowin' right along up until this point. But that current, it's no joke. About 5 minutes into the fight, it was clear that my paddleboard was not going in the direction where it was pointed. In fact, it was doing the complete opposite and spinning in circles like a duck with one leg.  Paul, at this point, thinks I'm a pansy- weak and tired....and probably a complete idiot.  So he tries to give me tips: "Try two strokes on one side, two on the other!"That's what I'm doing!" Did he not realize I was an expert up until this moment? I tried everything from kneeling on the paddleboard to laying on my stomach and paddling with my hands. Nothing was helping my cause and the current kept taking me backwards. Finally he came to a remarkable conclusion: my back fin/rudder/whatever you call it... was gone. (Did you know paddleboards have those things? Well they do.)  Steering a ship without a rudder is no easy task, let me tell ya. And we were probably another 45 min away from the dock. Paul to the rescue. We switched boards so that he had the gimp one for awhile to hopefully get us around the next bend.

Obstacle #2: Solved. Thanks Paul. And might I add, that we switched boards without falling in. I was kind of shocked.

Smooth sailing at this point. A very still and quiet stretch of river. Then came the problem: dolphins. For 98% of the population this is exciting and wonderful. However, me no likey the dolphins :) Sharks? eh...no big deal. But dolphins, I don't want to be in the water with them. Its an irrational fear, I know this. Ask me why & I'll tell you. Anyway, this gave me 10x more incentive NOT to fall off of the board.

Obstacle #3: I remained standing. The dolphins caused me no harm.

The final stretch of our journey. I felt sorry for Paul because he had the gimpy board for the remainder of the time. I offered to switch back but he wasn't having it. However, an offer that he did not refuse was when I suggested he hook on to the back of my board and I pull him in the rest of the way to the dock. He proceeded to stretch out on the board, prop himself up on his elbow, and allow me tow him in. Where was Parla with her camera when we needed her?

So we made it back. My hands were the sorest part of my body the next day from having a death grip on the paddle for an hour and a half. But, now I'm schooled in paddleboarding and I can't wait to do it again!

Caroline

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!