The Wedding

Photo Credit: Julie Laakso

Out of the 11 days we spent downstate, Saturday the 7th was the "Big Day." Dave and Jenna's wedding was beautiful! She reminded me of Belle from Beauty and the Beast. Really. It took me a while to figure that out but as I look back at pictures, that's all I see!
I cried. I knew I would, I cry at every wedding. I'm so happy for these two and I'm so happy to have another married couple in Jeff's family!
Congratulations again Dave and Jenna!

See more pictures from this amazing photographer here.

Gardening with Grandma L.

Whew! We're finally back home after visiting with our families for a week and a half! Usually by the time we get back from a trip I'm itching to get back into sewing projects but this time I didn't want to come home! I think I'm having house-envy. As in, I-wish-I-had-a-house-envy! It was so wonderful to be outside in the yard every day! Adrian had so much fun and it sure beat the playground for me. It's nice to give him a little freedom that he never gets any other time!
Jeff's parents hosted the rehearsal dinner so we spent several days getting the yard spruced up for that event.
 Adrian helped too!

We made it home last night around 5:30 after stopping at the grocery store to pick something up for supper. I broiled BBQ chicken (3rd time in a week that we've had that, good thing we love it!) and made some quinoa. Not the best supper but I had to run out the door to my friend Heidi's baby shower at 7. Most people would just pick up pizza but Adrian complicates things a little with his wheat intolerance. Oh well! I do what I gotta do!
Now it's back to reality, I'm just glad the sun is making an appearance after last night's thunderstorms!

My Current Wishlist

I would love to try barefoot running. Especially after seeing my brother Wade and his Five Fingers. I bought a pair of Merrell shoes several years ago (if I had to guess, it's probably been 5-6) and I wear them almost every day in cooler weather. You would never know by looking at the soles, they are just starting to show wear. I got them at a steal of a deal and I'm so glad, I might never have tried this brand otherwise. When my current running shoes wear out I definitely plan to buy some barefoot running shoes like this pair.

I really love the fabric print on this simple Anthropologie shirt. I need short sleeves shirts in the worst way! I'm planning to stop by (haha, that's a joke) Salvation Army while we are downstate so wish me luck on finding something for myself! Of course, as you probably already know, I won't be able to buy something and wear 'as-is.' If I could afford to buy all of my clothes at Anthro, I could probably just wear them without changing them! ;)

I had a pair of shorts with a belt like this that could be tied in a bow. I loved them. So much. They are too small, I actually held onto them to make a pattern because I just love everything about the cut. Until I get around to that project, I can drool over this pair from H&M.

I can't remember the last time I bought heels...oh wait, yes I can. I have a pair from Amanda's wedding that I still wear. In fact, I wear them every single week to church. I think it's time for another pair. I can't stop thinking about this pair from Ruche.

Thrifty Finds

I feel like I've been having good luck with thrift shopping lately--hopefully that keeps up once garage sale season finally gets here!
I went to an indoor [garage] sale on Saturday with my friend Heidi. I am so glad I did! There were a ton of boys clothes and I was able to find somewhere along the lines of 7 pairs of shorts and 6 pairs of pants that will fit Adrian this summer, fall...winter. He still fits into 18 months pants so who knows how long these 'new' pants will last! It's always fun to get lucky like that, now I can focus on tops for him, especially when he has enough that fit him now so I don't feel so desperate as to buy anything I can find!
I also found the animal puzzle (with the big red barn). When Adrian first tried it, he threw a fit. He was SO mad when he couldn't figure it out. Now, 4 days later, he can finish it no problem. Then he dumps it upside down and does it again. It's pretty awesome. So, I was at St. Vinny's today (a local thrift shop) and found 4 puzzles, grouped in 2's, for $0.74 each. (There is another, Elmo puzzle for older kids that isn't shown.) What a deal! Adrian couldn't wait to play with them. I'm so serious, he wanted to open them in the store! I might just hold onto the alphabet puzzle and give it to him for his birthday in August.
I found ties for the boys, Jeff always seems to be looking for striped ties and you can't beat $0.87 or whatever it was I paid for that. I'm hoping Adrian's tie will work with the vest my Mom is knitting for the wedding. I paid 3-something for the dress and it may actually become the dress I wear to the wedding. I really lost steam working on this dress, I think it was the navy, I'm not a big fan of dark colors for myself. I do still plan on finishing it and I'll post a picture when I do. Anyways, this dress should be a quick redo, I probably won't change anything, just resize it. I'm guessing it's about a size too big and it's pretty simple. Then, I just need to find a contrasting belt or make a sash to make it a little different!
I found Adrian's shoes about a week ago. St. Vinny's sells a lot of their kids shoes at $1 or less so I will always look, whether he needs them or not. I love, love, love, the blue and white striped Ked-style shoes! I want to find more for him! Unfortunately, these are in the size he wears now so he may only be able to wear them for a few more weeks, barefoot. ETA: Scratch that, I just put them on and his toes are right to the end. I guess we won't be wearing them after all. And the other pair are two sizes too big so I'm still on the lookout for shoes! I did find a pair of brown, leather sandals in the next size up that will work most of the time but I still need something for cooler, rainy days.
We're going downstate very, very soon and I'm hoping to spend some time at Salvation Army. (I know I've mentioned it before but it is HUGE!) That is, if we have any money to spare...

Happy Easter!

I had some friends over for Easter and I haven't done a thing since. 'Kay, that's sort of a lie. I went to the park with Adrian on the two nice days that we had and then surprise! I woke up to rain and snow this morning, it hasn't stopped yet. The first year we lived here, it snowed until sometime in May. Good thing too, I don't expect the last snow storm until the second week of May at the earliest. At least we have had some beautiful weather in the mix!

On Sunday, after eating a delicious meal of (you know I'm all about food) ham, green beans, my Mom's mashed potatoes, corn, and homemade bread, The girls--Kate, Heidi, and myself--took a little walk in the sunshine. I was hoping Adrian would fall asleep since it was already so late in the day but we stopped at the park for a bit and he didn't end up napping until about 4 o'clock. Oh well, he had so much fun with the kids, he's still talking about it! (I mean, he drops their names every once in a while.) It was a tight fit for all of us in our little apartment, around our little table but we made it work!

I have a few projects to finish up this week before we head downstate (early) for Jenna and Dave's wedding! I can't wait! There is supposed to be junk-picking the day before the wedding, waddya think my chances are for getting out? Oh well, our car will be crammed with hockey equipment, golf bag, and luggage so we really don't have room to be taking anything extra.

Just Something I Made

I made this a week or so ago but it was a gift so I had to wait until it was received to show it on here.

I kind of wanted to keep it for myself. I love how this apron turned out, if only I could make a skirt like this...

happiness is...

A box of raisins.