I swear I'm not dead

I did nearly die sliding down a glacier on my vacation (more on that to come!), but right now I'm just TIRED, and maybe a bit bit sick?  Ugh.  I think I'll go here...

And read one of those books on the bench... and maybe I'll snooze.  And if I'm a real rock star, I may be able to post a little project update later on =)  Have a happy and healthy Wednesday, friends!

Friday has arrived!

I hope all of you who were working this week made it successfully to today - Friday! 

What's cheerier than Pooh bear and a balloon, I ask you?  Nothing, that's what.  Well, maybe frolicking baby goats covered in glitter, but I couldn't find a picture of that, so you'll have to settle for Pooh.  I can't wait to share my trip with you when I return on Monday (I promise to keep the pictures to a reasonable amount... maybe...).   For now, goodbye from Estes...

...and Monday will be hello from Tempe!

Even though it's hotter than h-e-doublehockeysticks here, don't I get to live in a lovely town? =) Happy Friday, friends - make the most of that weekend of yours!

Big Dinner - Tiny Kitchen

Tonight is my night to make the big dinner I mentioned here!  Wish me luck, the cooking conditions are not exactly ideal.  Let's just say I wish I was cooking dinner for eight in here...

 

Rather than in here...

Oh well, I guess it'll be an adventure!  It could be a camp stove, so I guess it could be worse.  I'll let you know next week how it turns out.  Happy Thursday, friends!

A House of Logs

Did anyone else really enjoy the Laura Ingalls Wilder books growing up?  Being up here in Estes Park, I can almost hear Pa chopping trees to build into a sturdy little cabin to shut out the cool night air...  Everywhere I look there are picturesque little cabins, with wood stoves and smoke drifting from the chimney pipe.  *sigh* How romantic!  So you can share in my relaxation and joy, here are a few inspiring log cabins for your viewing pleasure...

via Homeaway.com
So, it's a painting, so what?  You can imagine...  A cute little porch abutting a stream... nice and quiet... plenty of sunshine.  Perfection.

 via Trails.com
Yes please.  I'll take two.

via stonecountytouristguide.com
Nestled right up into a tree.  My kind of house!

Who's ready to be my reading buddy on that little dock??  I love how secluded and quiet it looks.  Not even the lake is making noise. 

I can never decide which I love more, the beach or the mountains.  Every time I visit either, I swear I love more whichever one I'm visiting.  Right now I'm ready to buy real estate in the mountains.  Where do I sign??  Happy Wednesday, friends!

I'm addicted

Even while I'm furiously trying to prepare for a vacation (read: up packing at 3AM the night before), I could not resist being sucked in by another DIY project.  I don't know about you, but when I get inspired, all I want to do is see my ideas come to fruition.  I can't be bothered with things like dishes, dusting, or eating (ok, maybe I can be spare time for a snack... or two) - but I'm woman on a MISSION!

A few days ago, I was continuing to clear clutter out of our house.  And seriously, how did we accumulate so much JUNK in only 2 years of marriage?  And I can't STAND living in clutter, so I've been waging a full on war against it for the past 2 weeks.  I was debating whether or not to keep this little gem...

For those of you who don't know, this is a Lazy Susan - a spinning platter for your tabletop.  Aren't you glad you weren't the infamous Susan?  SO LAZY they named an accessory after you!  Anyway, I like having one on my table, it's really convenient.  But I'm sure you can tell that my tabletop is black, and the Lazy Susan is.... not black, nor does it really even go with black.  I also liked the idea of what it could be, and wasn't ready to part with my $7 IKEA piece just yet.

Then, a few inches away on my messy tabletop I saw something - my good friend, painter's tape.  Which led me here...

You might be thinking Charlie Brown, but I'm thinking chic tabletop accessory!  I started it in lieu of packing, hence the late bedtime the night before we left.  I'm not quite finished with it yet, so I'll have to keep you hanging until next week, but you're going to LOVE IT.  I know I do so far!  I hope all of you enjoyed yesterday immensely - hopefully not too many headaches this morning ;)  Have a very happy Tuesday, friends!

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness...  And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." 

However you celebrate today,  take a moment to remember the courage it took for those first few men to follow our country's destiny, the sacrifice it took by so many more to keep it safe, and the responsibility we have to continue to create a more perfect union.  While we probably will never become president, or even hold public office, each American is responsible for the destiny of our great nation - make it count.  Let's celebrate the great land in which we were privileged to be born.  

May God continue to bless America.  Happy Independence day from Estes Park, CO, friends!

July? Already?!

Well, today is the day we take off again for another vacation!  This is actually the main trip of the summer - Eric didn't get to come to Disneyland, and our anniversary trip was just a weekend getaway (despite the 14 hours of driving...).  We're headed off to Estes Park, CO, and what a wonderful time we'll have, I'm sure! 

While we're there, each couple will be cooking one big meal for the entire party so no one get stuck being the "family cook."  I've planned to make these...

Flank Steak pinwheels with sun dried tomatoes and goat cheese.  *drooling*  I'll serve it with whatever veggie Costco is stocking in spades, and maybe some good crusty bread.  Oh, I can hardly wait!  I'm also altering my dessert plans to make the Peach Galette recipe featured today over at Centsational Girl.  You MUST go see it!  This is what the final product will (hopefully) look like...

Can you say, "most delicious meal ever?"  Wow, I can't wait to eat!  Wish us safety as we travel to Tucson before heading out to CO tomorrow - lots of crazies on the road this weekend! 

Whatever you're doing this holiday weekend, I hope you're celebrating with friends, family and those you adore.  Happy Friday (and July 1, can you believe it?!), friends!!