Where did I go?

The past few weeks have been crazy!  And I neglected the blog for more than 3 weeks...oops!  As planned, we went to Lake Sara with my family to celebrate the 4th.  We did a lot of swimming, jumping, ice cream making, napping, eating, and fawn-watching.  The fawn up there was only a few feet from the house!  I love my family soooo much & it was a great weekend.
The next week Coco & I babysat my nieces Addie and Avry while my sister & brother-in-law went on a much-deserved cruise!  Wow, exhausting.  Everyday I dropped them off at a home daycare before work & picked them up after.  Avry was teething, Addie is 2, and we all ended up getting really bad colds.  It made for some late nights & I was completely wiped out.  But I love love love my nieces to bits so it was super fun to be with them.  Plus Cory got a diaper-changing lesson & even held down the fort by himself a few times so I could nap! Adorable :)  Our first day back home I missed them so much!  I think my body held out on the cold until I was able to actually be sick, because sure enough I felt like absolute crap all of last week.  I went to "Harry Potter church" on Sunday morning with Cory & my 2 awesome cousins from California who were visiting.  We had a jam-packed weekend with pool parties, mini golf + pizza, and a birthday bbq so a 10:30 a.m. show was the only time we could make it.  It was a sob-fest.  We loved it, I would watch it again right now if I could. 

Road Trip!!!

After work tomorrow we are heading off for the lake!!!  I'm looking forward to getting out of town for some swimming, hammock time, watching fireworks on the water & hanging with my family.  I will be back with lots of photos after the weekend!

Recipe Share: Spicy Pork & Sesame Ramen

Slightly adapted from a recipe in Let's Cook Japanese Food...

1 teaspoon sesame oil

4-6 strips of bacon, fried then crumbled

1/2 pound ground pork

1 tablespoon chili bean paste

1 teaspoon finely minced garlic

2 packages instant ramen

3 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted & ground

2 green onions, minced

Hot chili oil

In a frying pan, cook the slices of bacon and set them aside.  Wipe out the pan leaving some of the bacon grease and add the sesame oil.  Over medium-high heat, brown the pork breaking it up with a wooden spoon.  Add the chili bean paste and the garlic and continue to cook until the pork is cooked through and is very crispy.  Remove from heat & set aside (I recommend draining both the bacon and the cooked pork on a paper towel).  Cook the ramen according to the directions but discard the flavor packet.  Once cooked, drain the ramen noodles and set aside.  Divide the ground sesame seeds between two large bowls and then pour half of the chicken broth into each bowl.  Add the noodles, then top with the cooked pork, crumbled bacon & green onions.  Drizzle hot chili oil according to your taste & enjoy!!  This is one of our favorites :)

P.S.  I can usually only eat half a serving but the leftovers reheat really well & can be eaten the next day for lunch!

Weekend Update

Cory with my niece Avry....these coordinating outfits were a complete coincidence & I had to get a photo of them.  Don't they just look like they're deep in conversation?  We had a pretty good weekend: some good friends got hitched on Friday night, an a-mazing meal with my family on Saturday, a Sunday picnic in the park with the dogs (forgot the camera - boo!), and checked lots of things off my to do list!

Wedding Update: Inspiration

I saw this ring pillow over on A Beautiful Mess probably years ago at this point.  I tucked the photo away for someday and now that day is imminent!  I have a rad collection of felt from Benzie Bazaar that I got a while back and happen to have the exact colors I need to make my own.

Father's Day Weekend

Our friends Travis & Becky tied the knot on Saturday and we celebrated with the most fantastic BBQ dinner EVER!  I don't think I've ever had beef brisket & corn bread that good before. YUM.  On Sunday we had a laid back little burger grill at my parent's house to celebrate Father's Day.  My little niece Avry was napping for most of the get together, and when she woke up she was so darn serious!  Isn't she ridiculously adorable?  Not that I am biased or anything :)  My dad is doing pretty well.  Since I last updated, he had another surgery (this time at Duke) and has started treatment.  He gets very tired but just last week he golfed a full 18 holes twice!  Please continue to include him in your prayers, we are feeling very blessed that he is doing so well but we know he has a fight ahead of him.  Happy Father's Day!!!

Projects: Daisy Chain Wreath

I've been meaning to make a summer yarn & felt wreath for the past 2 years...finally I can check it off my list!  A really simple project but extra nice because I can use it in both the spring & summer.  My least favorite part is definitely wrapping the yarn around the wreath form - kind of annoying.  Making the felt flowers & hot gluing them on the wreath is the best part :)

Happy Birthday Mom!

We love & appreciate you so much more than we can say...we always wonder how you survived our childhood & continue to be in awe of the sacrifices you make for your family.  Your grace & strength through life's challenges are inspiring.  We all wish you sunshine, love & peace for your birthday this year!  Summer birthday bonus - DQ ice cream cake!!!

Wedding Update: Sweets

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We haven't finalized the details - but we know we want to celebrate our marriage with cupcakes & mini-pies!  Some thoughts on cupcake flavors - chocolate marshmallow, carrot or spice with cream cheese frosting, orange, ginger lemon, cinnamon sugar, & chai latte.  As far as the mini-pies are concerned, we would love to have dutch apple, pumpkin & pecan!  We'll have to see how it all pans out - but we are having so much fun planning & daydreaming about it!  

Weekend Update

The weather was AMAZING today - absolutely perfect for a picnic at the park with my sister and my nieces.  We took turns chasing Addie all over as she was just running and singing all over the playground equipment.  She's still pretty little and there seemed to be lots of places for her to fall & from heights that make your stomach flip.  We were only there about an hour and a half and were completely exhausted!  While chilling with Avry on the blanket, I could see all the rest of the parents looked pretty tired & defeated as well.  Kids can be crazy, irrational, lacking in any sense of reason or logic, and they fall down a lot.  But seeing their excitement in just running, playing, & being outside is pretty fun to witness.

Projects: Craft Room

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Keeping my supplies & workspace organized is key in me actually completing projects.  I need to be able to find what I need & fast so I can pick up a project when the mood strikes.  We have also acquired an extra monitor that I need to make space for + reorganizing my supplies is also a good way to visually see what I have to work with & helps me from purchasing duplicate supplies.  Friends & family know I like arts & crafts so I also get a lot of donated supplies that I forget I have!  I'll be back next week with some photos of my newly organized space!

Wedding Update: Vista Bricks

The top photo is of my dad looking out over the Vista Bricks at Wildlife Prairie Park.  Weather permitting, this is where our ceremony will be.  We had our tasting and got another tour this time with Mom & Dad.  We saw lots of bison & elk in the pasture just beneath the Hespell Deck where we are having the reception.  We made some big decisions - it feels good to have things falling into place! 

Wedding Update

I freaking love the Augusta gown from J. Crew but it is no longer for sale.  Insert big fat frown-y face here. 

Dog Walking

 My favorite form of exercise lately has been a very brisk 2 mile walk with the dogs and my iPod (or Cory).  We've had a few hot days this week so we've walked after 7pm when its finally starting to cool down.  We walk around Miller Park, pictured above.  It's a great way to get out my frustrations from the workday & I love listening to all different kinds of music.  I'll admit when I'm on the back side of the lake by myself I've belted it out to a few songs.  The only thing nearby is a cemetery and I don't think they mind my singing voice :)

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a busy but excellent Memorial Day weekend.  My sister and uncle were home visiting from out of state & we didn't let 5 days of rain ruin our fun!  My cousin's high school graduation party was on Saturday at the park - I babysat for him when he was just a baby, which doesn't make me feel old or anything, ha!  :)  We saw Bridesmaids (sooooo love Melissa McCarthy), grilled beer can chicken, sat around a campfire, played Shrek Operation (crazy fun), had burgers & shakes from Steak 'n Shake (which was founded here), got a super short but still sweet visit with my best bud at her baby shower (cutest pregger ever, by the way), & went on a country cruise with my sister (on our way to the airport) on which we sang our ever-loving hearts out to Alison Krauss's new album (which I have become obsessed with) & considered but did NOT break into a huge scary mansion just to see the inside.  If I only had $500k to buy it and another $200k to fix it up. Excellent weekend.

Projects: Rainbow Quilt

I made a quilt for my bestie's baby shower!  It was a mix of 2 rainbow quilt sets I got from Red Velvet last year....I love the hot pink binding!  I asked Coco to help me on a few rows...he got so into it he asked to see it through :)  I ended up adding 2 rows later when I realized I had done my math wrong, then I did the actual quilting & binding late one night.  I always want to skip things like - ironing and pinning - but have had my fill now of ripping out seams so I will be a good little girl & follow the rules!  

Wedding Update

We have just a little over 5 months until the big day - November 5, 2011!!!  We will be getting married at Wildlife Prairie Park.  We are hopeful that the weather will cooperate and the ceremony can take place outside, which will be followed by dinner and dancing on the Hespell Deck.  Above is the save the date I have ordered from Hello Lucky.  I plan to get invitations and RSVP post cards in the same design - it really suits the colors we have already chosen as well as the venue & season!

Fitness Goals

There's definitely been too much laying around going on in my house and unfortunately it's not just these guys.  But I know that the girls need exercise just like I do.  When I got home from work, I grabbed my iPod and took them on a brisk walk through my neighborhood and around Miller Park.  The weather was perfect for a walk.  I think they were still worn out from spending the weekend at my parent's house because by the last part of the walk they started to drag.
One of the new techniques I am using to reach my fitness goals is to set more reasonable expectations for myself so that I can actually succeed!  It's sort of like playing mind games with yourself, but hey whatever works right?  I have not been exercising much the last few years, so my goal this week is to do something active at least 4 days - it doesn't matter whether it's taking the dogs on a walk, doing a P90 DVD or walking with a co-worker over lunch break.  And when I succeed at reaching this smaller goal, I'll be proud of myself & even more pumped up to set another , more difficult goal for myself!

Recipe Share: Sugar Cookies

Sugar Cookies
3/4 cup softened butter
3/4 cup shortening
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder (this is not a typo, use full tablespoon)
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups all purpose flour

Cream butter and shortening, then add sugar, baking powder and salt.  Beat to combine then add eggs and vanilla.  Mix in flour 1 cup at a time.  Cover and chill for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350, roll out dough, cut and bake for 8-10 minutes or until edges are starting to get golden brown.

Royal Icing
 3 ounces pasteurized egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 cups confectioners sugar

Combine the egg whites and vanilla and beat until frothy.  Add sugar gradually and mix on low speed until sugar is incorporated and the mixture is shiny.  Turn up speed to high and beat until mixture forms stiff, glossy peaks.  Add food coloring if desired and spread on cookies.

I. Love. This. Recipe.

freshening up...

goal clipboard from decoylab

yoga inspiration

snack stations from real simple

fridge snack station from real simple

pillows from shop dirtsa

Long time no see!  I've made a few changes to freshen up the blog & the shop.  I'm also working towards some new health & fitness goals through some pretty basic lifestyle changes.  Living and feeling better is just a few simple changes away - why does it seem so difficult?  I'm also working on some new ways to deal with stress, anxiety & depression by making time for art, journals, sewing & other craft projects.  I plan to have a regular blogging schedule to help keep me on track & accountable.  I have definitely had some struggles this year & I keep having to remind myself that this is all just temporary.  In the most perfect & cosmic timing, I saw this quote over on Elise's blog earlier this week:

Last year was shitty & this year, I live in Paris.  So if you're having a hard time, cross your fingers for luck & put your head down & work.  
 -Jordan Ferney of Oh Happy Day.

oh, bugger...

Under the weather today & confined to spend most of the day lying down...so in honor of the Royal Wedding, I am watching Four Weddings & a Funeral on Netflix.  The main reason I chose this movie is because I read that Mr. Bean was a guest at Will & Kate's wedding earlier today.  I just love the part in the movie where he flubs up the wedding ceremony so terribly.  And I must say, what I watched of the Royal Wedding on the internet was beautiful.  I loved the trees inside the first part of Westminster Abbey.  I loved her dress.  I loved the hats.  Why don't we wear hats on this side of the pond?

hello there...

We had a lovely Easter celebration with my family.  Above is my niece Addie while hunting eggs in my parent's yard.  We had a huge lunch, took lots of photos & the kiddos hunted for eggs in the yard.  We were expecting rain that never came so even though the sun wasn't really shining, we still felt lucky to be outside.

happy happy happy...

Happy Birthday to my bearded beau!!!  I made Boston Cream Pie cupcakes for the occasion and they were a hit!  We were feeling pretty low-key and it was gray and stormed most of the day.  We found ourselves making Coco's favorite (breakfast for dinner) and watching movies curled up on the couch.  It was lovely :) And henceforth, Cory may often be referred to as Coco, which is what Addie calls him. 

update

OK, this is not my dad's x-ray, it's Homer Simpson in case you happen to be from another planet.  But since the topic of this post is a brain, I thought the image (somewhat) appropriate.  And at least it is lighthearted (poor little pea-brained Homer).  We have had quite the eventful past few weeks, and unfortunately not in a good way.  The story is long & scary.  Maybe I will share the details later.  But to make that long story very short, my father has brain cancer.  It was a total shock.  He is pretty young & in very good health (other than the brain cancer obviously), so we are trying to keep the most positive outlook we can.  He is home recuperating after 2 brain surgeries and we will know more when we get lab results back.  The last few weeks have felt almost out of body, like I was watching a movie or something.  This is a game changer for sure.  Please keep him in your thoughts right now.  Life has settled down (somewhat), so I hope to be back sharing craft projects, new shop products and recipes very soon!  And please take a moment today to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. 

Dear God, it's me Sarah...

Please keep us calm, strong and together.  Please give us all the peace to get some much needed rest.  Help us to remember we must take care of ourselves so we can be the absolute best support for Dad.  Please watch over him and speed his recovery.  Please give us all the strength You know we need and calm our minds when we need it.  Please hear all the prayers from everyone who is sending their thoughts to Dad and our family. Give us patience with each other as we embark on this new chapter.  Help us learn the lessons You intend for us.  Help us hear Your voice when you are speaking to us.  Help us feel Your embrace when you hold us.  Please allow us to let go of negative energy so we can focus our minds & our hearts where they should be focused.  Let us lean on each other when we need to, give hugs often and keep our hearts always praying.  Thank You for the gift of our family and give us all courage, conviction and fighting spirits.  Amen.

record-shattering longest post ever...

My lovely little niece, Miss Avry Plum Miller came for a visit this past week.  She was the bright spot in an otherwise gloomy & secluded week.  I have been under the weather in more ways than one and have pretty much been a shut-in.  I didn't even mind that she spent half her visit asleep!  And she is looking more & more like her sister Addie every day.  Look at all her hair!!!
My friend Bethany posted this happiness flow chart earlier this week.

original source unknown

I absolutely love it.  I am actively working towards getting myself healthy & happy again...and I'll take any bit of sunshine (whether from the sky or in the form of my beautiful niece) whenever I can.  I was hoping to make these Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes to celebrate St Patrick's Day...maybe I'll make them a weekend project instead.  My sister has made them before & they come highly recommended.
I also want to share a warm welcome to the world Mister Isaac Ross and congratulations to my dear friend Shelbi & her family on their new addition.  I can't wait to see her this fall for our wedding as it has been far, far too long.

And one last but not least important thing, please send prayers to Japan.  It is the only other place in the world that has been my home and my heart has been breaking this past week watching the devastation there.  I was terrified the first 2 days waiting to hear if my host family & all my friends still living there were all right.  Everyone that I know of is fine and was not near any of the most hard hit areas.  But my mind is constantly focused on what is happening there; the unimaginable devastation, the suffering of the people, the triumphs and small miracles, and the grace with which Japanese society as a whole is handling these disasters.  Please be sure to send your prayers and whatever other assistance you can to the Japanese during this time.