Thursday, December 23, 2010


We noticed this sign from one of the ranches in our neighborhood. Love the simplicity of it, as well as, the message.

Sunday, December 19, 2010


This are the snowflake cookies that I made for our annual neighborhood cookie exchange. Even though I have my favorites, I change it up every year and challenge myself with a new cookie. I love the way they turned out. They are far from perfect, but it was my first attempt using royal icing. I bought the edible pearls from William Sonoma.
Taylor hosted her 3rd annual Christmas Caroling party at our house Friday night. I baked for five hours Friday, my first day off from school. We also set up a little hot chocolate bar, and of course, filled some candy jars and cookie trays.


Monday, December 13, 2010


Hello Cupcake!
Saturday I went to a cupcake decorating party. It was actually for a fundraiser. We each brought a dozen cupcakes and received a lesson from a professional cake decorator. Needless to say, it was not as easy as we thought it would be. We got to bring two of our own cupcakes home and donated the remaining ten for the fundraiser. I wish I had all of her tools so that I could make recreate them while I remember all of the techniques we learned.


Sunday, November 28, 2010


Another milestone. Our 16-year old son got his driver's license yesterday. Yikes. Half of me was hoping he didn't pass the driving test. I'm not ready for this yet. He is though. He certainly is. I caught him smiling so many times yesterday. By the way, this rare photo of him was his extra credit for his Calculus class.

Thursday, November 25, 2010



HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

Sunday, November 21, 2010



Fire and Ice
Taylor and her friend's celebrated her 14th birthday Friday night. The theme for the party was "Ice Blocking". Taylor planned all of the activities including roasting marshmallows around a fire to warm up after their ice-cold ice blocking. Needless to say, I said whole lot of prayers and am so thankful that there were no injuries. They had a blast!


Some of were more adventurous than others.


The Candy Bar was a big hit. They each brought home a little goody box.

Saturday, November 06, 2010





"You have to decide early on in life if you are going to be a Tigger or an Eeyore." I love that quote from Randy Pausch in his book "The Last Lecture". Our daughter was invited to go trick or treating with a group of girls who all decided to be Pooh characters. Taylor was going to be Tigger. A few days later she was wavering over her decision and was thinking of another Pooh character. I told her about the quote. She loved it and decided that she, most definitely, would be a Tigger.

The girls went on a shopping excursion and bought tee shirts, shorts, duct tape in several colors, headbands, felt and face paint. I love how creative they were. At the last minute, I had to pull together a Hunny jar for Pooh, but other than that, they were on their own.


Monday, October 25, 2010



Carmen and Tina came up for a birthday celebration. We were actually celebrating both of their birthdays. We went out to lunch and out to dinner with a whole lot of shopping in between.




Tina has a new job as a designer in a home decor boutique in Tucson and wanted to check out a few boutiques up here. Here's where we went:

Domestic Bliss
Found
On the Veranda
Paris Envy
Melrose Vintage
Relics
Bungalow
The Willows
Embellish Home
One Posh Place
Favor Fine
Frances
The French Bee
and we had to stop at Hobby Lobby. We were very inspired by the end of the day!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010


Hello there! This little guy, well I'm pretending it was him, greeted us all three nights that we walked the new Iowa/Nebraska Pedestrian Bridge crossing over the Missouri River. Our final destination was Council Bluffs, IA where I grew up and where my sister and several family members live. This was on my sister's list of activities for the kids. We loved it and enjoyed seeing the river. We were amazed at how many people were there.







I never go home without visiting the Old Market in Omaha. It's been my favorite spot in Omaha since I was in high school. I remember my parents taking me there and talking about how it was a produce market when they were young. They said the window boxes on top of the buildings were always filled with flowers. I remember wearing heels going to a few pubs in college and slipping on the icy cobblestone streets. Lots of memories there.


I was able to squeeze in about one hour to myself this entire trip. My dear friend, Teresa, and I met at Second Chance Antiques. I loved it. The selection and prices were amazing. I brought home a few treasures. Teresa brought me the sweetest lavendar-scented gift. I love her and she now sits on my dresser.






Taylor and I stopped in for a quick visit to my favorite florist. She had a jar of Buckeyes on display. I remember finding those as a child. They weren't for sale though.

I love this building. I worked there one summer during college.


We were on the lookout for the "O" statues. This was the only one left. Apparently the rest have been sold. Dang! We were hoping for some good photo ops.


My sister has quite the green thumb. Her fall mums are always magnificant.

She recently received this candy corn vine as a gift. I want one!


She has several bunnies that have found their home under her gazebo. Taylor thought they were so cute. My sister, not so much. They eat her plants and make a mess.

I'm crazy about my Uncle Dick and Aunt Carol. They invited us to dinner. They live in a rural area. We spotted these wild turkeys on our way.

This is the view from their kitchen window. It makes me homesick just looking at these photos.

As you get to the edge of their property, you see this view.