inspiration...wishing i'd logged the source for this image, but so loving this creative space. this is why i love pinterest - you can actually go back to the source.


here's another one - mudroom inspiration:


maybe some day the house will look like this. for now, i'll just revel in all the nesting i got done this weekend! guess there's one good thing that came from all the heat & humidity...

baby...details overdue

update and details on baby are long overdue, but in the meantime i'm going to enjoy the hiccups that are making me smile as I try to go to sleep. can't wait to meet you baby girl...

35 @ 35

as i turn 35, i want to be more intentional about embracing life this next year. so, here are 35 things that i hope to complete @ 35:

1. volunteer at least one night at the clothing closet at church
2. have a baby :)
3. document a week in the life
4. run another half marathon (oh jeez...)
   
5. do at least one month of once a month cooking
6. take at least one photo a week for a compilation book
   
7. make a quilt
8. bake a new kind of cookies with carter
9. go on a picnic
10. hike at gooseberry with carter
11. bind the birthday/christmas/etc cards for carter (and maybe some of mine, too!)
    
12. buy more indie music
13. write five letters to friends or family members
14. road trip to visit the chobans
15. build a piece of furniture with jamie
16. bake cupcakes for neighbors
17. take carter on a ferris wheel ride
18. 30 day photo challenge
19. re-do the photo frames on the ledge in the family room
20. go to the driving range with jamie some time
21. edit some of the video from what we've taken of carter
22. host a "formal" dinner
23. start a conversation with a stranger
24. find a volunteer opportunity that carter can do with me
25. document more about grandparents' stories from the past
    
26. work on photo books - even if they don't all get printed (so then they'll be ready when coupons come!)
27. find something fun to do with carter for a date night
28. check out more books from the library
29. make curtains for the baby's room
30. wear more skirts/dresses
31. update the blog more regularly
32. log at least 50 miles on the bike this fall
    
33. send 10 cards to friends for no reason other than to say hi
    
34. scan in my scrapbook pages
35. try a new food

here goes nothing!

it was a wonderful day, today, too. great music and message at church, delicious brunch at redstone, a nice nap, getting more stuff ready for the baby, grilling for dinner, and having a "surprise" birthday cake that carter picked out - a burger cake. bwahaha! so funny.

feeling very blessed, loving life, and those that i get to share it with.

today at the doctor....

i went to the doctor today. it's been an ongoing problem, but my overactive bladder was enough to drive me to make an appointment. unfortunately there's not much they can do, so i'll just rack up the points for all the many, many times i go to the bathroom each day. ugh!

today's stats:
bp - 128/68
baby's heartbeat - 158 bpm

further confirmation that carter's prediction that the baby is a girl? :-)

if you know my grandma, you may think of her as quiet. maybe she's considered shy. and don't get me wrong - she can be quiet, for sure. however, the things that she does - the way she cares for people - speaks volumes so loud that not many people compare.

one of the ways that she reaches out to others - whether it's her kids, granddaughters (or great grandson), friends or even acquaintances - is by sending cards. it is an art that is lost on my own generation, sadly, but the joy that comes from those cards is so great. whether it's a "just thinking of you" theme, or any one of many holidays (including the hallmark ones), she lovingly and at this stage in her life, painstakingly, makes out those cards with the recipient prayerfully considered each and every time.

another way that she shows her compassion is by sharing - picking up a few extra things at the grocery store to send home with one of the granddaughters, specifically picked according to their likes. buying books or activity/coloring books for her great grandson to learn from and stay busy with. when she and grandpa were still minnesota twins season ticket holders and would attend the home games, she would come with treats such as hershey's bars and m&m's (just to name a few) to share with their group of friends they'd come to know over the years in the section.

she's always asking about others, and deflecting any question or concern about herself in favor of what is going on with you. letting you know that you're loved. prayed for. are one in a million.

but grandma - that is you. you truly are one in a million. you are loved. prayed for. a blessing to so many, but especially to me. love you.

while i haven't decided if i want to do an all out baking day, i think i may want to try my hand at these:

Sea Salt Caramels

• 1 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 can evaporated milk
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 3/4 cup light corn syrup
• 2 Tbsp. butter
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 Tbsp. coarse sea salt
• Oil or cooking spray

Directions

Active time: 30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring sugar, evaporated milk, and heavy cream to a boil over medium heat. Add corn syrup and continue cooking until mixture reaches 230°.
Add butter and vanilla; continue cooking, stirring constantly, until caramel reaches 240°. Remove from heat, stir in salt, and carefully pour into a lightly oiled 9″ x 13″ baking dish (parchment paper in the bottom of the pan is helpful).
Let cool at least 1 hour. Invert onto a cutting board covered with waxed or parchment paper and cut into 1-inch pieces with a sharp, lightly oiled knife. Caramels can be wrapped in waxed or parchment paper or cellophane. (To serve candy-store style, wrap individual pieces in parchment paper and secure the ends with a simple twist.) Store airtight at cool room temperature (around 65°) or in the refrigerator; will keep up to 3 weeks.

a note i wrote to my tall, dark and handsome husband

***

you make my heart skip as much now as you did when:

• i saw your neon jacket in 1990
• we really started dating in 1994
• we got engaged at gooseberry in 2000
• i saw you at the front of the church in 2001
• we found out i was pregnant in 2006
• carter was born in 2007

can't wait to keep adding to the list that weaves the story of our lives.