Big Life Changes

I'm such a horrible blogger- it's been exactly ten months since my last post! Wow!

So much has changed in just the last two months, really. I'm getting divorced. It came out of no where and hit me like a ton of bricks. Now I see it as my wake up call. I didn't truly see what was going on around me. Now, I'm working on me- on who I am and what I want. Already in these last two months, I've become happier and healthier than I have been in YEARS! There are still things for me to work on and I still have my bad days, but they are becoming fewer and farther between. I've set myself some short term goals and plan on trying my absolute hardest to make sure I meet them! One of them being to post more blog entries!

Week in Pictures

 There's a heat-wave in Portland!! This past week almost everyday was in the high 80's-90 (yes that's a heat wave to us Oregonians) We tried to get some yard work done in the early mornings when it was a bit cooler. While out in the yard, I was happy to see this squirrel has figured out the feeder!

Peek-a-boo!

 He goes in, grabs a piece, then takes it back to eat on top

 We had a stare down

 John Henry is DESPERATE to be outside with us

 My warm husband with his farm-tan and redneck work shirt...but he still looks good to me!

 This evil (yes, evil!) bird flew into our yard and started terrorizing us. He would fly at us, follow us around the yard, and puff up and screech at us

 

 My artsy shot of one of our project bikes

 Brian built a mini patio for our milk jug and we set a cute little plant right in the top

Finally finished our fire-pit!

 Now if it would only cool down, we could have a fire

 This is only about half a pile the previous owners left us :)

 My very hot kitty all sprawled out...yet he still manages to find a sun spot to lay in

 You can never have too many mugs!! A cute vintage diner girl mug I found at Goodwill and an adorable Snow White mug from The Disney Store.

We also had a fabulous time with out-of-town family this week...I guess I was having too much fun to take pictures!

 

Happy week!

Lavender Iced Coffee!

One of my favorite blogs to follow is a great lifestyle blog called Skunkboy. You should all go follow her here http://www.skunkboyblog.com/ The other day on her Instagram she posted a shot of Lavender Iced Coffee and I was instantly intrigued. I did a little looking around online and found a recipe for Lavender Syrup here http://gerberink.hubpages.com/hub/Coffee-and-Tea-Syrup-Recipes. So I gave it a try

 

It's really rather simple:

 

Lavender Syrup

2 cups sugar

1 cup water

1/4 cup fresh lavender blossoms

 

Mix everything well in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring often.

Reduce heat and simmer 10-15 min (I just removed it from the heat, put a lid on and let steep for 15 min)

Strain through a coffee filter or a strainer lined with cheesecloth (I used a fine mesh chinois)

Let cool.

 

 

For my coffee I used almost a full ounce of syrup to a 12oz serving and I think it was a bit too much. I would recommend starting at 1/2 ounce (or half a shot) of syrup and you can always add more to taste. I put in some half & half as well :)

 

 I like the smell of lavender but have never cared for it in any beauty product form. I have only tasted it in shortbread and cake form and LOVE both of those, but I really wasn't sure how well lavender would go in coffee. Well....it is delicious!!! It blends really nicely and cuts down a bit on the coffee's bitterness while adding a touch of sweetness. I recommend everyone trying it!

 

Enjoy!

Week in Pictures

Brian got a project motorcycle

 

My awesome find at Goodwill- vintage Barbie lunchbox for $2.99

 

My adorable new bracelet (K & Co.) from my Mom-in-law

 

Amazing squirrel feeder that my Dad made. Now the squirrels just have to figure it out!

 

How cute is this shelf unit for out on the patio? They make a matching bench to go under it-Ikea

 

Brian's great-uncle is a picker. He gave us this cool crusty milk pail.

 

Happy week!

Craft Time! -- Paper Hot Air Balloons

My 30th birthday is fast approaching (2 months + 4 days to go!) and I've decided on the theme "Up, Up, and Away" and decorating with hot air balloons. While, I won't say how I'm using these in the theme I thought I would share this lovely craft with you.

 

I saw a tutorial over on www.happyclippings.com that was very similar and just made a few adjustments for mine.

 

I started by creating a template out of a light cardboard and traced as many as I could fit on 12"x12" scrapbook paper. Each balloon takes six cutouts and I chose three different papers. Though you could do as many colors and patterns as your heart desires.

 

Once all my balloons were cut out, they needed to be folded right down the middle.

 

Using a glue stick, I started sticking them together. (Ignore the strings hanging out the bottom-my original idea was to tie the "basket" to the strings but I ditched this later on.)

 

About halfway through I stuck some rick-rack down the middle to create a hanging loop. Then keep gluing balloons back to back until you have used all six.

 

 

For my basket I used a small cupcake liner with a pipe cleaner through the bottom. I tied the end at the bottom so there's no chance of it coming through. Then the top of the pipe cleaner was able to stick up through the middle of the balloons. Since the space was tight enough and the liner was so light I didn't even need glue, it just stays!

 

 

And there you have it! Paper hot air balloons!

Happy crafting!

New Blog!

I know what you all must be thinking..."another blog?!?!?" But to be fair, I deleted all my other blogs to concentrate on just one! I had a few that had very specialized subject matter; one for photography, one for cakes and bakeries, and one just for my face! On this blog I will post a variety of everything that I love to see, create, bake, cook, shoot (with a camera!), read, wear, use, etc...

Happy reading!

Oh and if you're curious about the name- it was my adorable Grandparent's nicknames :)