D9

Yesterday I celebrated my birthday with one of my favorite people, my Dad. At a Bills football game. It was such a fun day! And a great way to kick off my next year. I hope it's a year of many great changes and experiences surrounded by people that I love and that love me. I'm thankful for some of the struggles I've had this past year because it's leading me to where I need to go. I'm going to embrace the uncertainty and just live each day with the intention to be kind to others, to be true to myself, and to have no regrets.

Cheers to a new year in my life!

Cusemas

...and this tree is my favorite and brings joy to my orange heart. I'm a nerd. A pretty creative nerd actually. Ha!

And So..,

I am not a holiday person anymore. I used to be but not now. One day I hope I will be again. But I do like pretty things and I'm all about trying to find the good in the shitty stuff. So I actually put up my big tree this year. It's pretty. And polka dotted. :)

Rewind

While trying to figure out what I direction I want my blog to move in, I realized it's been a long time since I've posted.    I'm still not sure what this blog will become but for the moment, I'll continue my boring post ways and give a photo dump of things that have happened since I last logged in here.  These pictures are not in chronological order because blogger hates me and I'm not really into trying to edit it.  Hey, life is not always in order so my pictures don't need to be either. 

 

My little friends Sofia and Emma had a lemonade stand at my house.  Just for fun.

 

tried out the sock bun.  It totally works.

 

Attended a spa birthday for some little friends (pictured above)

 

Got a new tattoo. 

 

Redecorated my bedroom and got this cute chair.  It's a favorite hangout now.  clearly.

 

Went to visit my friend, Alisha.

 

Used my new sewing machine to make some pillow covers for my living room. 

 

Golfed a few more times. 

 

Hosted a baby shower for my hairdresser. 

 

watched Daisy for a few days.  It confirms that I need a dog in my life.

 

made some aprons for the craft fair while I worked at my favorite fabric shop.

 

purchased a pair of pink skinny jeans.  yes, jeans. (I got orange ones too)

 

had a visit from my girl, Courtney.

 

welcomed Jill's son to the world.  yes, he's really that adorable.

 

stomped some grapes at a winery. 

 

voted in the election. 

 

decided polka dots are one of my favorite looks.

 

dressed as a black cat for my very brief halloween celebration.

 

striped shirts, flowers and pumpkin ice cream make this girl happy.  well, for that weekend, apparently.

 

decorated my pumpkin, cuse style. 

 

was on a committee for Light Up the Harvest in town.

 

found a cute vanity that I've been searching for.  I painted it and last week found the stool to go with it that was already painted and with fabric I loved.  My bedroom project 2012 is now complete.

 

And those are just a few of the things that have happened (at least that I have captured on my phone).   Hopefully the next time I post, I'll have come up with some interesting way to spice up this blog.  Until then, I'll keep taking random pictures of the random stuff in my life. 

 

xoxo

Third is the New First

It's been awhile.  I've been super busy.  I figured it was time to check in. 

Last summer I went to the county fair with friends and as we walk through the exhibit area, I noticed that many of the entries in the baked goods area were kind of...well...easy to make.  So I joked that I was going to enter this year.  And here we are a year later and I did just that. 

I entered my pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  I wasn't really expecting anything but ended up getting third place.  Then I entered my strawberry crisp in the dessert contest last Sunday.  I ended up with another third place ribbon.  Not too bad for my first time.  Next year I'm going to enter a few other things in the baked goods area and in the Christmas Tree contest too. 

I'm really trying new things lately and I love it!  This summer has been good for me. 

Next up I'm planning a baby sprinkle for my hairdresser (long story) this weekend.  So I'm currently making lots of pink things.  I'll be sure to post about that soon. 

And I have a million other posts I should write.  I'll get to it...eventually. 

If you still read this, thanks!  xoxo!

Check

This summer has been kind of crazy so far.  Lots of stuff.  But mostly just trying to take things day to day and enjoy the little things.

Remember how I talked about my "life to do list" a few posts ago and how learning to golf  was on that list?  Well, I'm really happy that I've been able to really take that on as a hobby.  And I REALLY love it.  Like I want to do it at every opportunity.  In fact, I need to set up some golf this weekend...

But back to this post.  Another item on my life to do list is to learn to sew.  I would like to believe I'm semi-crafty. I can crochet and knit thanks to my Grandmother and my friend Barb.  I can use modge podge like a champ too.  Unfortunately, sewing hasn't been a skill that I've really spent time with since my 7th grade home economics class.  I remember making some ridiculous pair of shorts.  I seem to remember having a pretty cool little sewing machine that I used.  I wonder where that went?  hmmm.  In any case, that was the extent of my sewing experience (save for hand sewing)

Fast forward to this summer.  A new store opened in town called Project Anthologies.  It's owned and operated by a lovely person named Melany.  It's a beautiful store with fabric, craft supplies and ideas.  I think it's probably one of the prettiest stores we have in town.  Just look at this window display.  So cute!

But I digress. Again. Melany's a smart girl and is offering a series of classes to take. Many of them are beginning sewing classes. I signed up to take one this week.  This is how the shop looked for the class.  Everyone getting ready. 

Now like I said, I haven't touched a  sewing machine since 7th grade.  At this class we were learning to make pillow covers.  We got a good lesson in machines and got to practice a little before we got down to our actual project. 

The ladies teaching the class were very patient and

fun.  (Especially with me--the sewing dummy)

But after a few hours I was pleased with my final product.  This is the back of the pillow case. 

And this is the front.  Are you really surprised at the color? 

It was a really fun night of learning!  Look at me being a nerd.  haha!

I am so excited to learn more.  I signed up for a few more classes.  This may mean that I need to invest in a sewing machine.  I mean I can't learn without doing homework, right? 

Magic

"those who don't believe in magic

will never find it"

sunset view from the country club on Friday night

This is especially meaningful to me right now. I want to believe in magic and I need to now more than ever. Say a prayer, cross your fingers, wish on 11:11, find a lucky penny, or do whatever you can to find magic for yourself...

...and maybe send me some too.

What a Ride!

A few weeks ago, I was getting into my car to go to work and I saw a girl riding down the street riding an old looking bike with a basket on the front.  I stopped and thought to myself, "That looks so relaxing and lovely"    For whatever reason the idea of a bike like that caught my attention.  You can mock me all you want, but I had visions of riding this bike to a farmer's market on a Saturday morning.  It just seemed so nice to me.  So in true AG fashion, I googled vintage bikes that weekend.  I found the inspiration of what I'd be looking for...

I just love how it looks. I knew I needed to have something similar.  Two people told me there was a vintage bike in a thrift shop in town so I went down there a few times.  Each time they were closed.  Ugh.  Rather than waiting for that shop to open, I did a search on google for vintage bikes for sale in my area. As fate would have it, there was a lady selling one about 30 minutes from here.  I wrote her an email and after about 3 weeks, we finally found a time that worked for both of us.  So tonight I drive there to take a look at it.

And now I'm pleased to share that I purchased the bike at a very reasonable price.   I'm pretty sure Schwinn is a good name for a bike like this.  In any case, I pretty much love it!  It needs a paint job and some air in the tires but the style is exactly what I want. 

My Dad said he would paint it for me.   Now the big decision is what color should I paint?  These are two of the possibilities so far.  I'm kind of into both of them.  The basket will be a wicker one for sure.

I know it's kind of random to want to get an restore a bike like this but I'm all about embracing new things right now.  It just feels like something I should do.  And after all the stuff that's gone on with me lately, the fact that I got excited about something as simple as this is a good thing.  And eventually maybe , I'll be  riding down the street and make someone stop and think, "that girls looks so relaxed and lovely..."

Berry Good

GASP!  Three days in a row.  I guess maybe some of my blogging mojo is back.  maybe. 

Yesterday I made some strawberry crisp to take over to my parents house for Father's Day and I realized in all of my chaos this spring, I haven't shared it here.  (among many other things) It was one of the recipes I've tried from Pinterest.  How great is Pinterest?  I've learned so much. 

Anyway, there is something so amazing about strawberries in the summer.  I eat them every morning with my oatmeal.  Plus, they look so pretty. 

 And now for the most amazing strawberry crisp ever.  Every time I've made it, it's been a crowd pleaser.  It will be one of my favorite dishes to bring to social functions. 

Filling:•2 to 3 cups (8 ounces strawberries, hulled and cut in half
•1/2 cup  sugar

Topping:
•1 cup  all-purpose flour
•1/2 cup  old-fashioned rolled oats
•1/3 cup  sugar
•1/3 cup firmly packed golden brown sugar
•1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•1/4 teaspoon salt
•1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted


Directions:
1. preheat to 350 degrees. Have ready a 2.5 quart ceramic or glass pie dish or baking dish.


2.  Filling: In a large bowl, stir together the strawberries and sugar until well mixed. Pour into the baking dish, and set aside.

The strawberries and sugar mixture

3. Topping: In a large bowl, stir together the flour, rolled oats, sugars, cinnamon and salt until well blended. Stir in the melted butter until evenly moistened crumbs form. Spoon the crumb mixture over the filling.

Sprinkling the topping over the strawberries

4. Bake the crisp until the juices are bubbling, and the topping is golden brown, 35-40 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool for 10 minutes. Serve warm.


Note: The crisp can be cooled, covered with plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 2 days.

The final product.  I added a few whole strawberries for some sass.

 

Enjoy!  

I'm in a strawberry mood tonight...I'm making some strawberry freezer jam.  It's almost officially SUMMER!  :) 

Go Green! Pun Intended.

Yes, you are seeing correctly.  I'm posting two days in a row.  I may be back for real, after all. 

Anyway, today is Father's Day and I always enjoy this day because I'm pretty fond of my Dad.  He's a good guy and has a crap ton to deal with some days and I don't think he gets the credit he deserves.  I wish I could something really special for him.  Someday I'll be able to.  Today he humored me and went golfing with me.  I'm pretty sure it was more for my benefit since I'm obsessed with it.  But he still did it and it was great!

Getting us started!

I look terrible in this one but whatever. 

This was the BEST part of the game today--I hit my second shot from this EXACT spot and it went in the hole.  YES!  I'd say it was about 50 yards that I hit it.  It's actually difficult to see the pin from this picture but it's literally the view right after I hit it in.  Pretty much the shot of my golf career!!  You know all three months of it! 

Me and Dad after we finished playing.  He's not so much in doing a photo shoot to get the best picture so this is what I got. 

After I ate dinner with my parents, I headed back home and stopped off to visit my Grandfather's resting spot.  I wasn't really planning it but for whatever reason I went a different way and something compelled me to stop.  This is not to say that I didn't want to, I just wasn't planning it.  If I was planning, I would have stopped at my other Grandfather's too.  In any case, I was happy that I did.  If I ever have a son, he will be named after him and my Dad.  

So that was how I spent my Sunday.  Hanging out with my favorite Dad.  This weekend has really lifted my spirits.  Now, I SHOULD be cleaning my house and getting ready for the week but I think watching the rest of the US Open is on the menu for me.  Happy Father's Day to my Dad!



Oh Baby!!

Sometimes there is nothing better than celebrating a new life to remind you to slow down and take a minute to enjoy the day.  Today was my friend Jill's baby shower.  She was married last July and here we are getting ready to welcome her son into the world!  It was a truly lovely afternoon.  I'll share some of the highlights.  For some reason blogger won't allow me to put them in the order I want.  I sometimes really hate the format of this blog.  I've got to work on that. 

The cake was made by Jenna, Jill's sister in law.  SO adorable!  I want Jenna to make my cakes from now on.

This was hanging above the gift table.  So cute!

Tara and I watching the gift opening.

Gillian and I. 

The cake table. 

The most delicious cupcakes ever!

The shower was in Jill's friends backyard and was so pretty.

The Mama to Be. 

The gift table.  Little Matteo is spoiled already!  ;)

Jill opening all of the cute clothes!

I love the way the tables looked.  So pretty and garden party.

I'm so excited to meet the little man  and watch Jill and Vinny become parents!  They will be great.  Congratulations to them!  The shower was exactly what I needed to lift my spirits.  It was a lovely shower and way to spend Saturday afternoon!