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.