Monday Mini: Kayak Adventure

I have a few new mini albums to share with you. I decided to use the next few Mondays to share them - partially because it's nice alliteration (Monday Mini) and partially because it will be a nice little kick to actually post something on the blog.

I decided to kick off the Monday Mini Madness with a 6 x 6 album to commemorate our first kayaking trip. You've probably already seen the pictures and heard the story.

I developed all the pictures in 6 x 6 at ScrapbookPictures.com. I used one of the d. reeves albums that I've been hoarding for more than a year. I added additional pages made from Heidi Swapp inkable chipboard and Hambly Clearly Heavy Overlays. The only embellishments are vintage postcards from a Studio Calico add-on and photo corners that I made myself from black cardstock. I finished it off with typed journaling.

I don't think I've ever made anything so simple, and I'm sure I've never made anything that doesn't have even one, single, solitary scrap of patterned paper in it.

Dear Luke,

Remember this? Hard to believe it was only about a year ago that we were all preparing for your arrival.

Just to remind you how very much has changed over the past year, here you are with your mama one short year ago.


Here you are with your mama now.


Your first year has been filled with lots of special occassions (like a baptism and a big Mother's Day dinner and a zoo birthday adventure) and even more extra-special little moments (like loving Drama Llama books and giving high fives and a trip to the park). Your mom and I have had plenty of adventures, too (like playing hooky to shop, enjoying lunch dates, and celebrating at the spa).

I'm so happy you're part of my life and my friendship with your mom now, Luke. I can't wait to share another year of adventures.

Love,
Aunt Barb

P.S. Here are a few of my very favorite pictures from your day(s) of birthday celebration. I couldn't pick just one to share with you.

Fun Summer Weekend

Had a super-full, super-fun summer weekend.

Kicked it off with the Farmers' Market with Stephanie. I was thrilled that the tomato stand was there (I assumed it was too early for tomatoes.) Too bad it took me a few shots to remember that I needed to adjust my camera for shooting in the bright sunlight; it's been awhile since WI has seen sunlight!


Loved all the flowers.


My purchases included a minimal amount of produce (peas, cucumber, rutabaga, and tomatoes), flowers, and a skirt.

Not pictured - the snuggles with AJ after the Farmers' Market.

Next, we had our first summer company. We stopped for lunch.


And, headed to Bay Beach.

There was plenty of photo-taking.


We rode the bumper cars - Jen wasn't quite tall enough to ride alone.



Dan and Brad rode the swings.


Amy, Jen, and I rode the carousel.
Not pictured - my not-so-graceful, skirt-clad exit from the carousel. Of course, my horse had to end way up in the air.


A group shot. . .


Some fun shots of Brad and me.



In case you haven't already noticed - there was lots and lots of eating. Saturday dinner was kabobs.


Sunday breakfast was french toast stuffed with cherries and cream cheese.

Welcome, AJ

Dear AJ,



Welcome to the world, little friend.

Love,
Auntie Barb

I Just Don't Understand - Outdoor Living

Was paging through Real Simple at breakfast this morning and came across an article about outdoor summer lighting (p. 156, July 2009). I can't find a link online to share with you, but trust me. The photos in this article were amazing! Shots of glowing lanterns and candles and solar lights and strings of lights draped amongst beautiful outdoor furniture just perfect for talking with friends or hosting a sophisticated dinner party.

The closest I could come was this amazing Pottery Barn scene that I've been eye-ing up since its catalog debut a few months ago.



So, here's what I just don't understand about outdoor living.

What happens to the ornate outdoor decoration when it rains?

What about winter? Where does one store an entire room full of furniture and decor when it is snowing and blowing and insanely cold?

What about mosquitos and bees and other unsightly summer creatures? Don't they disrupt the pleasant ambiance created by the outdoor living?

Do I just not understand outdoor living because I'm from WI - a place that is not particularly sophisticated or fashionable and a place in which outdoor living is out of the question for most of the year?

And, what do the inside of the houses of people with ornate outdoor living spaces look like?

I'm just sayin'. I love to look at it, but I don't really get it.

Oh, how I love thee.

(Note. This post is brought to you by Brad's laptop. Formerly my laptop, this dirty beast of a computer is s-l-o-w. And, I keep looking for all the little Mac short-cuts and features. Luckily, Mac's problems are only cosmetic - crack in the piece that holds in the keyboard in place - and he is scheduled to be returned to me completely flawless no later than Thursday. So, for tonight I will tell you about my newest obsession to get my mind off of not having my trusty companion by my side.)

TV on DVD, oh, how I love thee. I'd like to thank you for helping me catch up with all the recent television shows I've missed out on. I love that you actually save me time by allowing me to watch television with no commercials. Having you around means there's always something to watch. You complete me, TV on DVD.

I've always loved the TV on DVD stand-bys: Friends (started my love affair with TV on DVD love), Sex and the City, and Grey's Anatomy.

But, here are some of my favorites. . . .

There's the Gilmore Girls.
Seriously. How did I not watch this? The cuteness of Loralai and Rory is making me want to leave Brad and have a daughter of my very own, so we could grow up together just like Rory and Loralai.

Then, there is Entourage.
I've got a serious thing for E.. He is definitely my fave of Vince and all the boys. We are eagerly awaiting the release of Season 5 on DVD and actually subscribed to HBO to watch Season 6. Let me know if you'd like to come to our premiere party.

And, Lost.
We've only made it through the first disk of the first season, but we did watch that in a single night. Just when I thought I was starting to figure it out everything about the crazy man who was healed in the plane crash happened. I can't wait to find out the answers to all my questions. . . although, I hear the questions are never really answered.

And, Weeds.
I was a little skeptical at first, but have really come to love the idea of a suburban widow who deals to pay the bills. It's a little outrageous at times, though.

And, the latest obsession, True Blood.
We close the blinds when we watch this one. I so don't want my neighbors to see me watching the vampire smut. But, I love it! I can't wait to see what happens with Sookie and Bill?

Weekend

Another weekend done.

There was Lost.


And breakfast (followed by a living room ballet recital) with the kiddos.


And dinner with Stephanie.
(Don't worry - there was actual dinner. This is just the Cap'n Crunch chicken tenders, appetizers before the crab ravioli and bruschetta chicken.)


And dessert with Stephanie.
(I bet you think the chocolate cupcake looks like the tastier of the two. I thought it would be. But, it wasn't. The blueberry cupcake with the raspberry cream cheese frosting was far tastier.)



And, the last show of our 08-09 Broadway Across America season.
(I assure you - Taylor Hicks's performance as Teen Angel included a harmonica and a very sequined suit and was just as awkward as you're imagining it to be.)


Planned for this week:
Last week of school (kids through Wednesday - teachers through Friday)
Banana Pecan Cupcakes with Caramel Buttercream Frosting (a la Martha S.)
Studio Calico June kit (scheduled for Monday delivery)
Meeting Monkey (Thursday or sooner!)
An update for you on my latest addiction - TV on DVD
Mac goes to the spa for some cosmetic improvements before her warranty expires

Tuesday Wonderings

I'm wondering about what I really have to read this summer. What do you recommend?

I'm wondering how to get inspired - haven't made anything in ages. Ideas?

I'm wondering what kind of new lotion I should buy. I want something really moisturizing but not at all smelly. Suggestions?

Making Me Smile

Summer food. I caught myself actually stopping at the tomato display in the produce section and taking long, deep breaths. The smell of tomatoes is an official sign of summer. Now, I'm just waiting for the smell of tomatoes at the Farmers' Market. Sigh. A few more weeks.

I don't garden. It's too much work. But, I sure am loving finding (and smelling) lots of flowers everywhere. The lilacs are a fave, but this morning I noticed that there are poppies now, too. I almost pulled over to take a picture of some popping up in the ditch on the highway.

Cupcakes always make me smile. I was especially happy to see this at B&N today. A copy of my very own is on its way.

The sun is out in the morning now. It's actually up before I wake up, which means that Memphis curls up on the sunny spot on the bed as soon as I to hit the shower.

Found an unexpected can of Coke in the fridge today. Added a lemon (which was meant for salmon later in the week), a twisty straw, and some ice and enjoyed the best few moments of my day.


(I guess photo editing and fake TTVs are also making me happy.)