Thursday, June 30, 2011

.So the man can Run.

And he's sorta fast. Like lighting quick fast. 
My little Marathoner.
So this past weekend, I followed Husband and a couple of his friends {Mr. Greg and Mr. Jason} out to Kananaskis to do a little marathon running. And man-oh-man, those boys sure know how to move those buns of theirs! They all beat their estimated times, and we {the happy wives club} are very, very proud.
Then we celebrated Morgan's Birthday. 
Happy Day of Birth Beautiful Lady.
I baked her a pretty cake and she blew out the 'candles'.
{ok fine, baking did not happen. but i did buy it for her} 
And then some of us hugged {Man-Hugged, that is}
All, in all, a pretty darn good weekend.
p.s. Morgan, I still owe you some nails {and a little red polish}

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Monday, June 27, 2011

.Healthy Breakfast.

i have a confession to make. i am one of 'those people'. the ones who don't eat breakfast.
there, i said it. now this is where you point your finger and lecture me on the benefits of eating this 'most' important meal of the day. and the worst part is, i know! i just can't get around to feeling hungry that early in the morning. it just isn't on my radar in the a.m. hours. to be honest, i am more worried about not forgetting deodorant or wearing clean underwear and sadly breakfast is the last thing on my mind.
that is until the traffic begins.
then i think of that luscious coffee, and how good it would taste with a croissant. then i go and buy one; spending my money on coffee (even though i have a free cup in the office or at home), on the croissant (un-healthy & spending more money again), and making myself late while waiting in the drive-thru.
it's a vicious cycle, BUT a cycle that this lady is going to kick!!
starting today.
i found this helpful breakfast meal plan here. and it's going to do the thinking for me. it lists a bunch of delicious and nutritious breakfast ideas. quick and easy. 
easy peasy.
{and if you want to try one out for yourself, click on the link below}
3) Cheerios cereal with Fresh Raspberries and 1% Milk
7) The Green Monsta - Spinach, apple, and avocado smoothie
8) Egg Sandwich with baby Spinach
10) Whole Wheat French Toast Kabobs with Fresh Fruit
13) Multi grain Cheerios cereal with Milk and a Banana
15) 1/2 Bagel with reduced fat cream cheese, 1 Fried Egg, Sauteed Red & Green Peppers
18) Trail Mix with Pecans, Dried Cherries, Dried Golden Raisins, Almonds, Cashews, Dark Chocolate Chips, Puffins Cereal
19) Flax Bread toasted with Cashew Nut butter and sliced Persimmon
Some More.....
21) Bran Flakes cereal with Fresh Peaches
22) Shredded Wheat Cereal with Fresh Blackberries and Honey drizzled
24) Flax or Ezekiel Bread with Cottage Cheese, and Tomato Slices

Friday, June 24, 2011

.Face Lift.

Hello my friends. 
You may have noticed something a little different about today. Mainly, my new facelift!
What do you think? 
I'm playing around with some cleaner images and thought 'it needs to be white'. And this is what I came up with. Nothing too crazy, but I do think it is easier to navigate and view, so I hope that you like it. I'm also looking for a new heading. I'm thinking something with a funky picture and 'Fancy Napkin' thrown across it will do nicely. Hang in there....it will come. Just need to take the right picture.
Also, I'm wondering if there's anything of particular interest that you would like me to write about?
Hmm?? Any Suggestions??
Sometimes, I can stare at a blank screen for hours, and come up with nothing. And I know I've really started to lose it, when that makes me feel like a real Pro. See, I envision {in my warped little head}, that must be what happens when you are writing a novel; You know, 'Writer's Block'.
Then, I snap out of my imaginary world and realize that I am just a procrastinator and much closer to the looney bin than to being a professional writer.
{have I lost you yet?} 
So anyways, what I was getting at is this:
Send me some suggestions so I don't bore you to death.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

.Summer Relaxation.

Have you been feeling like the little bit of summer that we get each year, especially here in Canada, is quickly slipping on by and you just haven't been able to enjoy any of it? 
Ya, me too {it's almost the end of June?!?!}
Then I came across this article over at Martha {we're on first name basis', sort of like BFF's} that gives 60 Unique ways to relax and have some fun this summer.
I took my favorite 30 and put them here for you to enjoy also.
30 Unique Ideas for Summer Relaxation + Fun
{pictures are all via Martha Stewart}
1} Make your own mood mists....they are known to balance out your mood.
2} Make your own Skin Brightening Mask. Help make your skin rosy and glowing all summer.
3} Make a Handmade Kite. Then fly it like a kid again.
4} Pack a picnic and head to a park. Better with a loved one. You can snuggle.
5} Try an Outdoor Yoga Routine. Get routine here.
6} Make your own Fragrant Tea Balls. This actually sound so relaxing.
7} Read in a Hammock. I adore hammocks. And it just may be on my outdoor wish list.
8} Try this Weekend Revival Plan.
9} Make some hanging Candle Chandeliers. I will actually try this. For sure.
10} Or Maybe I'll make these....Hanging Lanterns. Or maybe I'll just make them both.
11} Visit the local dog park. Or try out some new trails. Toto will love you.
12} Tiki-Torch Anchors. A new twist on the tiki torch. Would be good to keep the mosquito's way.
13} Make your own Beach Body Scrub.
14} Instead of spending a lot of money, try an At Home Spa.
15} Go for a Bike Ride.
16} Love these DIY Light bottles.
17} Throw a cool themed party with these Vellum Shields.
18} Make some ice cream. Or try this easy Melon Sorbet recipe. Or try Ice cream on a stick.
19} Go to a baseball game and bring a bag of sunflowers seeds. Or try out Kick/Soccer Baseball.
20} Sew up some magnetic garden gloves {I need these}.
21} Make yourself a cheese spread. Tips here.
22} Have a BBQ out at the park.
23}Make these Beautiful Flower Votive displays.
24} Make some cool Mayonnaise dips to spice up your summer Burgers.
25} Make this Berry Spread from your abundance of summer berries.
26} Make some Natural Plant Markers for your herbs out of flat river rocks.
27} In the sun too long? Make your own Sunburn Soothers out of natural ingredients. Here also.
28} Make these delicious Ice Teas.
29}Make some pickled veggies. Super easy!
30} Host with this beautiful natural centrepiece. Make it all by yourself. Feel proud.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

.Totally Me.

Can I just throw it out there that I've never been a fan of leather. Yes, even leather jackets {although, this fall, I think I'm going to bite the big one and purchase my very own Grown-up Leather Jacket}. 
But this outfit just screams "Erinn!". 
I'm loving the colors, the subtle sexiness, her earrings, the softness of the lace with the hardness of the leather. I am even convinced that my curves would actually look fantastic in this. Leather skirt and all.
Way to go Kristen Cavallari. 2 Thumbs up.


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

.A Hoot of a Shower.

A couple weeks back, I had the privilege to attend an 'Owl-themed' baby shower in honor of Miss Presley.
The host is a super crafty gal, and I just had to share some of her fabulous {and utterly adorable} decorations and themed food.
Aren't they a Hoot!
Miss Presley ain't too bad either!!
Presley with Auntie Billie
Presley with her Auntie Erinn.....a little blurry, but no one can work my camera....even me! ha
Momma Maegen opening all her loot!
Congratulations Maegen, on your sweet little arrival. 
You will make such a loving and beautiful Mother.
Love, your friend {till we're little old bitties}

Monday, June 20, 2011

.Music Mondays.

Husband and I have an AWESOME pick for Music Monday today!
It's a new hit from our very, very talented friend, Chips {aka. Mike C.}
We love you Buddy and couldn't be Prouder!
'DOPE MUSIC', by Chips

Also want to mention that Chips, has made it to the Airwaves! WSCR RADIO in Harlem, NY has added DOPE MUSIC to their Rotation!


.Happy Birthday Seester.

It's my sissy's birthday today! She's 27.
HOLY CRAP she's 27.
Not only is she 27. {27!} But she's smart, she's lovely, she's the funnest person to be around EVER and her hair is pretty much incredible.
Not much has changed since 1984.
I love you little sis. 
HAAAAAAPPPPPYYY BIRTHDAY Dootsie!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

.Zuppa Toscana Soup.

I am just going to declare this the BEST SOUP EVA!
Ohh it so is. 
And it's very similar to the Olive Garden's recipe if that sways your opinion at all.
That's it. Not too much more to say other than, 'You need to make this soup!'
Zuppa Toscana Soup
{Picture and Recipe are from www.thepastryaffair.com}
1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 tsp Paprika
1 large White onion, diced
4 clove Garlic, pureed
10 cups Chicken Broth
1 pound {about 3 large} Russet potatoes, sliced into disks
1 cup Heavy Cream
1/4 of bunch {about 3-4 cups} Kale, torn into bite sized pieces
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Directions:
1) In a large soup pot, saute together the ground sausage and paprika until the meat is browned. Drain off the excess fat and move to a different bowl. Set aside.
2) In the same pot, saute the onions and garlic until softened, about 10 to 15 minutes. Add the chicken broth and heat until boiling. Add the potatoes, cover, and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes. Add the cream, kale, and sausage and cook until heated thoroughly.
3) Serve Hot! 

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

.One Day.

New book club review.
Finished reading this novel last week, and I have to say it, I really really really loved it. 
You will too! I promise!
So I could not put this book down from the minute I started reading it. It was just instant love. 
Basically, the novel is about two main characters, Emma & Dexter, who share a special connection one night, July 15th to be exact, and somehow find a way to meet up, connect, or think of each other on that very same day every year for the next 20 years.
It will make you cry and then laugh out loud the very next minute.
I connected with the characters immediately, and loved reading the narrative from both sides, both Emma {the females} and Dexter {the males}. David Nicholls did an amazing job of this and I was never bored with either interaction.
The only criticism I can really give in a negative way, is how the novel ended. I didn't hate it by any means, but even after a week and a half, I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. It certainly will completely throw you off guard, that's for sure. 
So here's another video. It cuts off at the end {camera was out of memorr}, but you still get the idea.
So without giving anything away, you will just have to read it, and let me know what you think of the ending. Love it or Hate it?
Ohh, and it's going to the theatres in August, starring Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway.....Can't wait!




Monday, June 13, 2011

.Bits from my Weekend.

Cracking this book {slower start, but I'll push through. I see the potential}
Being a Foreman on this job site
Munching on some fresh Watermelon {My first of the season!}
Dinner at Corso 32 {again, whoo-hoo!} with my crazy family. My momma, Step-father, sister, and Hubby.
Celebrating with cake for my Step-Dad's + Sisters Birthday's
{she's one week early mind you...her's comes in the 2nd half of June}
Happy 27th & 55th!
Sampling some Homemade Ice Cream {See! Told you I'd do it! It was creamy and delicious!!}
Sunbathing in my yard {with Miss Bella} under the hot, hot sun.
Watching my funny puppy take a dip in her pool {she loved every minute of it!}
Taking sips from the hose {almost like when I was little girl again}
All in all, a very successful weekend!