Little free library

I saw this on pinterest and I really want to have one in my backyard. Take a book leave a book- the basic idea is its a gathering place where neighbors share their favorite books and stores- stop by and pick up a book and bring another book to share.

The only thing standing in my way right now is the cost to purchase one - they range in price from $175 to $1,000. If I could build one I would but I don't have those building skills. I will add this to my birthday list this year!

I think Gavin and Henry would have a lot of fun stocking the library and receiving. 

Happy Birthday Sweetie pea!

Henry turned 2 today... we celebrated his birthday on Saturday with a cute donut theme. I bought the DYI donut birthday pack from Lauren Hoddox Design on Etsy this year. It came with all the files for me to print off and use (invitation, thank you notes, favor tags and much more).

We ordered a cake from the local bakery as well as all the donuts. Served juice, milk water and a coffee bar. I also made yogurt parfaits and had fruit.

The kids went home with a Curious George book, The Donut delivery. I decided to splurge on a single favor item instead of getting a bunch or small junky stuff that I always throw away. I hope the kids didn't mind!

I like to keep the party small- after all he really doesn't need a ton of anything - Christmas was just two months ago. Of course we invited family and then three family friends.

Happy Birthday, Henry William!

Work trip

Getting away is good for me! I don't travel as much anymore for work and I like it this way... flying is not something I enjoy doing. It's easier when I get in the habit but it's been 5 months since my last trip. My co-worker needed additional help and asked for volunteers - I took this opportunity to push myself outside of my comfort level.

With all the cold and snowy weather we have had in Ohio...sunny warm Scottsdale is beautiful. I thought it was just going to be another meeting inside a drab hotel with no views of the outside. This is my view from my office this week- can't beat it!

Sweetie pie turns 6

Today Gavin turns 6! I can hardly believe it... I know that 6 is getting old but the number doesn't really bother me its what's on the inside that makes me think he is still young. Every year brings new experiences, worries and memories. Sweetie pie is just one of the hundred names I call him but when I ask him what mom's nick name is for him he says, Sweetie pie!

Thanks for telling me you love me more than the universe and telling me how beautiful I am when I am getting ready for work. I wonder what this year will bring and what milestones we will cross!

Happy Birthday to you, Gavin Eddie!

organizing

its a new year and i love the feeling of finding new ways to organize at home and work. while i was home from work i wanted to get my basement organized. i've been dreaming of having a shelving unit to put all my holiday (color coordinated with the holiday) bins on with easy access. i found this shelving unit at costco for $149.99 and it didn't take too long to put together. i still have about 3 more christmas bins that have the lights and ornaments that i put up with the christmas tree in the open crawl space. i loved the way this turned out!

soups on...

with all this cold weather i made two pots of soup yesterday. classic chicken noodle i found on pinterest and corn chowder (with potato) my friend shared with me. i like to make soup because it usually doesn't take that long and its not too much food for dinner.

Click here for the recipe

fear of the gym

i am technically on PTO (paid time off) from work until the new year and needed to find a gym to go do my 30 minute workout.  we have a free trial for 2 weeks and today i went by myself... barely. i have a fear of gyms! the only reason i get to a gym everyday is because its at work and my co-workers go with me.

today i pulled into the parking lot and it was fairly crowed... almost turning around... i made a few phone calls to try and get my mind off of going in. finally mustered up the courage to get out of my car. i opened the door to the gym and AMEN... there were only 2 people inside! i'm not even sure why i am so afraid of the gym. i don't think anyone is looking at me or that i can't do any of the machines... i hate working out! this same feeling occurs every time i travel for work- i want to use the hotel gym and get the same pit in my stomach.

i tell gavin everyday to be brave and try new things... today i had to follow my own advise!

shopping day

this friday is our "shopping day"... i'm feeling a little worried that christmas is in less than 13 days. every year my famous words are, "i will try to be more prepared for the holidays next year!"

this year most of my worry comes from not knowing what to buy the kids. gavin really doesn't ask for much just more of what he already has (a million match box cars) and henry is busy playing with all of gavin's old toys. someone told me that they had the similar feeling for their second child and bought them a few things and then opened a savings account for them. i think this is a good idea and now i am considering buying fewer gifts for henry and adding the rest to his savings account... he is so young he won't really know.

maybe i need to take more advantage of black friday sales or online shopping? i was at the mall last sunday and it was a zoo... here's to hoping we we get out early and beat all the crowds.

#capturingdecember

a co-worker has introduced me to a whole new world of hash tag (#)... and i have enjoyed participating in #capturingdecember on instagram. i started late but have been able to capture the following:

Day 5 Today's Temperature

Day 6 Shopping

Day 7 Bright

Day 8 Ornament(s)

Day 9 Something you're reading ...TBD

gobble gobble - thanksgiving turkey trot

we signed up for the 8th annual thanksgiving turkey trot in ann arbor this year... it was our "first" thanksgiving trot! we really enjoyed the race and had a lot of fun- i have a feeling we will make this our annual event when we are together.

i've been running on the treadmill and in the back of my mind wanted to run this 5k.  i've only run one other 5k about 10 years ago- running is not my thing. i don't like it and i hate it! although, lately i've been trying to challenge myself to do things outside of my comfort zone.

my mom and gavin signed up for the 1 mile kids fun run and then my husband, niece, brother in law and myself all ran the 5k. i made it to the finish line in 33 minutes- i thought it would take me at least an hour! the course was tough - it was snowing and up a few hills (going down was easier). we did run right by the michigan football stadium - that was super cool.

not sure if i plan to run another 5k in the next 10 years but, i was happy that i completed this goal i had for myself on thanksgiving day.

thankful for good friends

my good friend devon is a great photographer and she gave up some of her sunday to meet my family out and snap some photos of us. we have been trying to do this for over 2 years! she not only captured some awesome pictures but made us all laugh and smile. thank you so much devon- i am so lucky to have you as my friend!

a little bit about ME

i noticed that a lot of facebook posts are listing facts about themselves... i rather post mine on my blog...

10 facts about me:

1~ I can't sit still and relax.
2~ I love shopping.
3~ I have had the same job for almost 10 years.
4~ I love to organize.
5~ My husband and I met at a bar
6~ Thanksgiving Turkey is one of my favorite dinners
7~ I have 1 sister.
8~ I like all the seasons.
9~ I used to wear a size 7.5 but now I wear an 8.5 after having kids.
10~ I have 12 tubs of Christmas decorations- love to decorate but hate taking it all down!

#myheavenonearth

Nantucket
You don't need a car since walking is the best way to explore the island. I get asked about what to do when you visit so I decided to blog about it.

Transportation
Depending on if you fly into the island or take the boat over- you can grab a cab to take you to where you are staying. Rental cars are available on the island.
If you are thinking of taking your own car over to the island you need to reserve this ahead of time- sometimes even a year in advance.
There is a very good small bus system which can take you to Surfside Beach or to the town of Seasconset (pronounced Sconset).
Bicycle rentals are also available everywhere.

 
Restaurants (to name just a few!)
 Ship’s Inn - 13 Fair St. (508 228 0040)
 The Pearl - 12 Federal St. (508 228 9701)
 The Brotherhood of Thieves - 23 Broad St. (no reservation needed) has a nice outdoor space
 Black -Eyed Susan’s (known for their breakfasts)
 Company of the Cauldron -   5 India St.  (508 228 4016)
 Topper’s at The Wauwinet - (508 228 8768) there is a boat from town that takes you there - check schedule
 The Summer House in Sconset  - if it’s a nice day, you can eat outside overlooking the ocean
 The Jared Coffin House - has nice patio space
 Fog Island Cafe on South Water St. (good breakfast!)
 Nantucket Bake Shop www.nantucketbakeshop.com The best bread and doughnuts!
 Arno’s on Main Street
 The Downyflake - great donuts/casual breakfast
 The Club Car – fun place to have drinks
 Steamboat Wharf Pizza- 10 Broad St Good for a quick lunch or late night snack. (There is also an ice cream shop that gets packed at night.
 “Old school Pharmacy” on Main Street- they serve a simple lunch at the counter and we get ice cream there at night- sometimes a little cheaper.

Beaches
Jetties Beach - wide beach, no big waves!
Surfside Beach - big waves, need to take the bus/car from town - check schedules

Things to do
Get the Newspaper at the Hub on Main St.
Murray’s Toggery at the top of Main St.
Peter Beaton hat store on Federal St.
Lilly Pulitzer
See the Nantucket baskets and scrimshaw at the Four Winds Craft Guild (15 Main St.)
Vineyard Vines
Artist shops on Old South Wharf
Whaling Museum on Broad St. and the Museum Shop
Climb to the top of the First Congregational Church for a spectacular view of the harbor!
 Gail’s Tours - take tour bus around the island
 Take a walk down Union St., Orange St., Fair St. to see some of the beautiful, traditional Nantucket homes and gardens. (These streets are right off Main St.) Another nice area is top of Main St. - The Three Bricks and other old sea captains’ homes.
Go to Siasconset  - picturesque old fishing village ; can walk around the town, have lunch at The Summer House or The Chanticleer.
Cisco Brewers- 5 Bartlett Farm Road (take a cab there)
Walking in town in the evening - usually some street entertainment
Go down to the Straight Wharf docks and see the yachts (good evening activity!)
Deep sea fishing /sunset and ice cream cruises - check at the docks

good bye march...

i am happy to say good bye to march in hopes that april will bring a health and happy home. we have all had the flu not once but twice. i ask myself how that happens! and poor henry has had one ear infection after another this friday could not come fast enough... tubes!

i've been told that the tubes will "change his life". i'm not sure what to expect... i was in 6th grade when i had tubes as well as my tonsils and adenoids removed and i remember it vividly. i know that henry is too young to remember any of this but i just hope it works.

aside of hating to be sick i feel like we have missed so much work. you can only tell your boss so many times that your sick or your kids are sick before they wonder- right! believe me... i have enough work that i can't afford to miss a day or days on end.

2 posts and 220 pins

i am 2 posts away from 100 posts on blogger and 220 pins away from 3000 pins. not sure what this means other than i am close to a milestone in my mind!

other things that i am looking forward to in the upcoming month:
* going to florida for a vacation
* going to the kid rock concert
* getting my hair cut and colored
* won tickets at work to a hockey game
* getting the monogramed jellycat bunnies i ordered for easter gifts

maybe things are looking brighter in my future!

girls night pinterest trial number 7

my husband was traveling over the weekend for work and I decided rather than going to bed early I'd have a little girls night at the house. both kids were in bed and i even planned a play date during the day so i could prep for the night.

i found the following ideas on pinterest and both were a hit...

Source

the sarasota...
1 large bottle of moscato or riesling wine
1 can of raspberry lemonade concentrate
a splash of sprite
crushed raspberries
mix all ingredients together and enjoy!

source

zesty ranch pretzels
¾ c. light olive oil

1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
½ bag of pretzels

preheat oven to 300˚ and line a baking sheet, preferably with sides (so the ranch oil doesn’t drip everywhere), with parchment paper. lay out pretzels on the baking sheet.

measure out olive oil in a measuring glass and mix the ranch packet right into the cup. pour the mixture over the pretzels and stir so that all sticks are evenly covered.

bake at 300˚ for 10 minutes, stir once or twice to ensure even coverage.

i also served veggies, homemade calzone and cookies. it was fun to relax and catch up with some new and old friends. thanks for coming over and hanging out with me!

season 5

please let there be a season 5 return of parenthood! there is no other show that i can't wait for the next episode or when the hour is over i wished for just one more hour. anyone know why their seasons are so much shorter than other shows?

every week they had me coming back for more of... kristina's story, who was sarah going to pick, was victor ever going to come around and was amber going to end up with the guy from friday night lights?

does anyone else love this show? anyone else what season 5 to start now??

pinterest trial number 6- money challenge

i'm starting this year out trying the 52 week money challange i found on pinterest this week. i haven't thought about what i will use the money for when i complete the challange- maybe a family vacation, a shopping spree or just keep saving into 2014!

pinterest trial number 5

i saw this done on pinterest and decided to see if i could create something similar. i used google+ uploaded my photo and then added some text... really easy! pinterest trial number 5 = successful!



Pinterest trail number 3 and 4...thumbs down and thumbs up

Pinterest

vinegar in place of jet dry thumbs down! i recently tried this and wishing i didn't.... my wedding silverware from pottery barn has held up for 7 years nicely  but now it almost looks like they have a permanent water stain. also some of the plates and bowls had a strange film feeling and all my dishes smelled like vinegar. i didn't think you really needed to have jet dry as a regular product in your dish cleaning until my mom told me when they bought their new dishwasher the sales associate informed her to get the best cleaning functionality from your dishwasher you will want to use jet dry. since i have been using jet dry on a regular basic and noticed that when the load is finished my dishes tend to be dryer and less spotting.

Outnumbered

"bar keepers friend" on my scratched up plates thumbs up! i tried another pinterest tip using "bar keepers friend" cleanser and polish on our dishes from macy's (we also got for our wedding). our dishes from macy's. over time they have gotten covered in scratch marks from our silverware. after calling the manufacture and no help from them i saw this pin and  i'm so glad i didn't have to buy new dishes.