Link A Day

All I have to say about this week is thank goodness its the weekend.  TGIW!  It was a rough one with the littlest this week.  She must be growing because she is acting like a crazy person!  We went to the library and joined their summer reading program for the kids.  They are crazy excited!  We went up to the park and had free lunch and then went to the library.  We rode up with my sister in law and her kids in her Durango.  I thought Nicco was going to burst he was so excited about riding in their car.  It was so dang cute!  He kept saying I am so excited!  I am so excited!  He makes my heart swell.  He is fun and kind and rad!  ON to the links!

I love this article written by Scarlett Johansson.  She is rad.  I love her healthy view on body image and I need to remember it.

So I totally bought a black pair of these from DSW that are half the price.  Like exact same pair!  I know that 88 bucks isn't a bad price but I am a total bargain shopper so I was pretty pumped.

These banana bits look phenomenal and semi healthy!  I need to branch out from my usual twin-popsicles for frozen treats

This is an awesome PVC pool towel drying rack.  I think I need it for plain old all the time drying.

Does anyone need a natural face wash?  I would say totally yes!  My bet is that you could put any herb in here and it would be lovely.

Confession time!  I about peed myself when I heard that Trader Joes was coming to great old SLC.  This list from Shutterbean gives me and idea of items to start with.  I love blogger recommendations!

This ring needs to be mine.  I want I want!

Shave Cream Wars

I can't believe I haven't posted about the shave cream fight the kids had! It was so fun!  They loved it.  Well Lola hated every second of having the shave cream on her but the rest loved it.  The kids and some of their cousins were each given a can of shave cream and then left them to their own devices!  Nicco was a little bit too small to spray it straight out of the can so we ended up spraying "snowballs" into his hands.  When he threw them and the hit someone they stuck.  It was hilarious!  Good summer fun.

Sunday Songs

I love Dashboard Confessional.  They remind me of Nick!  

Link A Day

Sup peeps?  We have had a pretty great week. Just working and enjoying the weather.  OH and thrifting.  I just might have to do a post celebrating all the fantastic things we were able to snag this week.  Does my heart good!  The littles are happy and mostly healthy.  Lola has a bit of a cough but she seems to be doing fine other than that.  There have been fires around these parts (nothing new for a summer in Utah) and the air quality is worse than normal.  That could for sure be a factor.

OH guess what?!  I found out that my daughter is a perv but really who isn't?  She begged me to see my lady parts.  I told her no but she kept on keeping on!  Girl can beg!  I asked her why she wanted to see them and she told me because they are gross.  I guess I am a freak show to her?  What?!  Needless to say she did not get to see them and I am now going to stop showering with her.  Sad day!  I love taking showers with her.  We have the best talks- none of which have ever included the topic of our parts!!!  But she has become hyper aware that there are differences between the two of us.  I don't want to warp her fragile little mind.  So solo showers from here on out.  And a first conversation about the changes your body goes through when you become a woman.  Awkward!  I am not sure what all to tell her seeing as how she is only three but she is very aware of the differences. Any suggestions?  Should I just leave it be for a few more years?  Be super vague in my explanation?  Flat out answer her questions?  I am drowning here people!

Now that I have possibly shared too much here are some links!  



My sweet auntie makes just about the best pickles ever in a million years.  Like whoa!  They are so good that I feel inspired to try my hand at making some of my own- I also feel inspired to tell you to make some too.  Truly.  How about this easy recipe to get us all started?  Lets all try to make some and then reconvene and discuss.  Shall we?

How lovely are these hanging baskets?  My parents have a pergola in the back yard and I think they would be fantastic hanging all around it full of green growing things.

  

Anyone else need a way to entertain small children inside because it is hot as balls where they live?  How about this interlocking castle project?  Rad!

I have used this recipe for roasted asparagus several times the last month or two.  It is equally good with brussel sprouts!  It is my fantastic sisters so I admit that I like it extra hard.

This list of 7 unsafe foods is a must read.  It is crazy how many of the things on the list that we use on a regular basis!  

Are you aware that today is National Camp Out in Your Backyard Day?  Yep it is!  Even if you aren't going to camp out you can have a campy treat!  Smores!  A whole pan in minutes!

I am starting to see the value of making my own accessories.  That way I can make exactly what I want and no one else has exactly the same thing.  I think that this is a first great little project.  Plus the Alison of The Alison Show is funny and charming.

  

Fill In The Blank

I love this prompt!  NO writing just pictures! 

This summer has been a wonderful one so far.  Lots of sprinklers, water gun fights, sidewalk chalk, splash mats, and bubbles.  Just fantastic!  

fill in the blank and summer images and linking here

Fill In The Blank

I would invite only 6 people.  I haven't ever hosted a dinner party and my cooking skills are so so.  The best idea for me and my guests would be something small.  It would be people who love me for me so that if it totally sucks they would forgive.  I wouldn't even have a theme.  Just low key with some flowers on the table for decoration.  Maybe some candles lit all around.  Does it sound like this is turning into a romantic encounter?!  Cause it does to me.  HMMM.... Guess I would need to figure out something different for decorations.  Maybe origami birds?  HAHA!  I have no idea what I am doing.  Obviously!  

To eat?  Who knows?  I would probably just end up doing Papa Murphy's pizza, a salad and a fabulous dessert.  A little signature drink?  I figure it isn't about the food- it is more about the company.  The shared experience.  I love the idea of sitting around the table talking as adults with the kids over at their table with a sitter- in another room.  Laughing and enjoying each others company.  That sounds lovely!  Maybe I should venture into dinner party territory!

image and linking here       

28 before 29

It is time again for my birthday list!  Lets have a moment of truth shall we?  My 27 before 28 list sucked.  I was shooting for another galaxy instead of the stars!  Needless to say that it didn't get done.  As a matter of fact I think I did three.  Yeah three.  The three easiest ones even.  I gotta remember that I have a procrastination problem.  And a motivation problem.  I am great at getting our laundry done and the dishes and that but the extras?  They are way way back in my mind.  Then I feel bad for not getting it done.  The crap cylce begins again.  So I am going about this next one completely differently.  These are things I really truly think I could get done.  That I really truly WANT to get done.  Not just ones that will impress people.  Ones that will impress me!  So onward and upward!

28 before 29

1. Volunteer 3 hours a week

2. Hike Mt. Timpanogos

3. Take 4 weekend get-aways with the kids

4. Finish the Home Ec course

5. Don't eat out for a full 30 days

6. Take a dance class

7. Learn to make jam

8. Have my mom teach me to make her suckers/candy

9. Make a decoration for every major holiday

10. Learn a new skill i.e: new cooking technique, painting technique, computer coding.  It doesn't matter as long as it is new to me.

11. Finish piecing our quilt

12. Start and finish the kids quilts

13. Document our everyday life in some way- I mean a hard copy not just with the blog.  Maybe project life?

14. Run a 5k

15. Sponsor a favorite blog

16. Participate in S.O.S on Harpers Happenings every week.  

17. Make tortillas from scratch

18. Take a yoga class every week

19. Do a camp out in the back yard with the kids

20. Change my name!!!!!

21. Learn to make cheese

22. Make a pin hole camera.  Take and develop four rolls of film.

23. Take swim lessons

24. Send the kids Gus mail  at least once a month

25. Get Etsy shop up and running

26. Alter at least one piece of clothing every month

27. Paint my nails every week

28. Be able to do the crow yoga position

Fill In The Blank

of the community.  It is a creative and mostly super supportive group of people.  I have found that in real life I don't have a whole lot of friends that understand my need/want to be creative.  I am not by any means a super crafty awesome blogger.  As a matter of fact I haven't posted since May 29th but I really enjoy it.  I love the friends that I have made here.  And will continue to make.  People in this forum just seem to get it.  I feel more myself here than anywhere.  

I also enjoy that the blog is motivation for me.  I have painted, sewn and created way more since starting this blog.  I have made a lot of things that haven't ever been posted but I know that that is always an option.  It has helped me pay attention to my many lists of crap that need to get done.  I love making lists but I have a harder time crossing things off of the lists.  This space is great for kicking me in the pants.  Keeps me a bit more honest.  HAHA!    

linking and images taken from here