Monday, February 27, 2012

and then it happened.....









SNOW!
there has not been much of this white fluffy stuff here in minne this year. in fact, we went from having the second snowiest winter on record last year to being the third driest winter ever this year.
but it just so happened to snow this last week and evan, myself and our peeps were beyond excited about this. we kept opening the front door just to watch it snow, talking about plans for the next day and how we would build a snowman, make snow angels, throw snowballs and shovel. for some reason, maya and brynn think that shoveling is cool.
evan and i were up shoveling our driveway around 7:30am and the sky was amazing and the snow was perfect for packing and i thought how lucky i was to be able to see this marvelous part of nature.
maya had school in the morning but came running off the bus telling me that it was time to make a snowman. i put zoe down for a nap and maya, brynn and i headed out.
we made a snowman who had an insanely misshapen face and his nose (a carrot) being in the wrong way. we had a snowball fight in the yard, threw snowballs at the house (probably the coolest part), then shoveled a bit.
then inside for a tasty cup of hot cocoa.
pretty much a perfect day.
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Wednesday, February 22, 2012

The Wellsville Garage

Announcing a new etsy shop!
My Dad started an etsy shop of his own.  I can't say how cool it is that he found something that he thinks is important and opened a shop to help others.

Have any of you wondered when to get car maintenance done on your car?  I remember to get my oil changed, but what about your air filter, tires, spark plugs, transmission oil, brakes, ect.? I can't seem to keep them all straight, and usually end up calling my Dad to have him remind me.

He's made this fantastic sticker that keeps a record of what maintenance you have done, and at what mileage other maintenance is due on your car.   It's genius I tell you!  You won't have to look it up in an owner manual, and when you need a new sticker, just order one.  It's the most simple way to take care of your car. 

Let me tell you a little car story and you can see why he is selling this car product.

My Dad is known as the most savvy negotiator.  In our family we like to compare him to the dad on 'A Christmas Story'.  Sometimes it's a little embarrassing to witness him negotiating...my Mom and I would tend to leave the room when he negotiates.  But the man has an iron will, and won't back down.  When I was in high school he was driving home from Salt Lake one day and saw a small white truck in a field with a for sale sign on it.  The sign said $800. My Dad pulled up, and after looking at the truck offered the man $200.  The man scoffed and again told Dad that it was $800.  Well after about twenty minutes of negotiating Dad had the title to the truck and paid $200.  He brought the truck home, and I was beyond thrilled-it was mine to drive.  It was so choice, the most beautiful little truck I'd ever seen.  (It was at least 10 years old, but to my 16 year old eyes it was the most fantastic thing).  As soon as Dad had checked the truck over he gave me one of his business cards.  I questioned him and he said "look at the back."  On the back was the mileage of my truck, and every 3,000 miles after.  He looked me in the eye and said "if your truck is not in the garage to have the oil changed every 3,000 miles, you're grounded".  Plain and simple.  And so, every 3,000 miles I'd drive the truck into the garage and we'd change the oil.  Dad taught me to change oil, air filters, fill fluids, and maintain my truck.  The man believes in taking good care of things-and knows how important cars are, and if we take care of them and maintain them it'll save us money.  And I look back now, and I'm thankful for the things that he taught me and for the good times we spent taking care of my truck in the garage.

So, go check out his shop!  And get yourself one of these stickers, and I promise all your dreams will come true!  Well, not your dreams, but your car will be happy!

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Make your own laundry soap




Laundry soap has been something that I've always wanted to try...but it seemed to be at the end of a long list of 'I'll try that someday..."
My cousin Becky, who lives here tried this out and loved it. I thought I would try it too. Check out her blog, she has lots of great ideas and tutorials.

Here's what I like about it:

*Only 4 ingredients
*The smell is delicious-not overwhelming
*I use less soap than previously
*I can make a batch in no time at all

I also calculated the cost between a big box from costco and making my own, and the price is the same per load.
I have to admit, it makes me feel really cool making my own soap-go self reliance! I have not been so great at doing my own food storage, so doing this little part makes me feel like I am making a small difference for me and my family.

Here are the ingredients, which I found all at my local grocery store:

Makes: 1 batch, 20 loads
Using 2T or 1/4 cup per load

2 c borax
1/2 c washing soda
1/2 c baking soda
1 bar fels naptha soap, grated (I grated mine finely, it mixes in better I find)
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Friday, February 17, 2012

weekending


maya being "zuko" her first true love. he is a characted from the cartoon avatar.
she is smitten.



brynn at her gymnastics class in her new blue leotard and sparkly shorts.



zoe imitating me one morning.
love those eyes!



and my praise for whomever invented cinnamon rolls.
best. dessert.ever.

happy friday peeps!

this week passed quickly and i'm loving that it's already friday. the girls and i have already been to their favorite train store here in minne and had a little mini cupcake to end the morning.

tonight we're headed to a hotel to spend the night, just for fun. maya wanted to stay for 6 nights! we're also going to brave the billion people at the mall of america and ride some rides with the ladies.

i think i'm going to make some cinnamon rolls this weekend. i made some a few weeks ago and mostly ate them myself (evan was out of town) so i'm hoping to not oink them all myself this time!

hope you all have an adventurous weekend!
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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

happy love day

picture found here

happy valentines friends! 

i found this print, and loved the sweet little girl in it, and made me think that it's about time to let you all know that we are adding another little lady to our family! yes, girl #4! we are thrilled and surprised and she'll be making her appearance sometime the end of may.  

and to see the cutest announcement of pregnancy check this out:
http://www.martawrites.com/

Monday, February 13, 2012

loving lately.....

happy monday friends! hope you all had a lovely weekend.

image found here

 a few things i'm loving:

*my new do.  thanks for your sweet comments! i'm still getting used to it, but have really liked it so far.

*red velvet cake from costco.  wow. i ate at least 1/4 of it all myself! i've never had a cake that i enjoyed like this one. go try it!

*this skinny belt.  i've been on the lookout for an orange belt and found the perfect color. plus it's stretch!

*a little pink for the holiday.  and the best part: it's not sticky.

*this book.  my all time favorite book, and very appropriate for valentines day.  i gave this to evan when we were dating and now the girls like to read it.

*sneaking downtown to evan's office while he was in chicago this last week to heart attack his office. the girls were all about being "sneaky".  a few times i had to remind them not to tell their dad.

*the weather that is perfect for winter running.  minne has had an unusually WARM winter and it has been so nice to get some winter air in my lungs and a good long conversation with my friend.

*cutting up thousands (it feels like) of hearts with the girls.  we've been putting them everywhere; in their bedroom, evan's office, kitchen cupboards and on themselves.

*sneaking away on a saturday night to shop with my cousin. it's fun to peruse without having little people with me. 

*not having too much that has to be done on a monday.  love that. zoe, brynn and i brushed our teeth and washed our faces for a good 20 minutes today.   teeth brushing is one of zoe's favorites.

here's hoping you all have a lovely week ahead!


Friday, February 10, 2012

the LONG and the SHORT of it....


the LONG


and now the SHORT
i tend to be very
systematic way with
mah hair. i grow it long,
then cut it to an a-line.
but something this winter
had me itching for a CHANGE.
so i called up my sweet
cousin becky who now lives
here in minne
(GLORY BE HALLELUJAH FOR FAMILY!)
who happens to be a stylist,
and she came over one day and chopped my locks off.
I. LOVE. IT.
i wanted asymetrical,
and this is fantastic.
i can leave it wet and
it dries funky with some curl
or straighten it a bit.
it was just the change i was hoping for.
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Monday, February 06, 2012

the sunny day studio

Do you love my new look?  It's all thanks to my wonderful sister in law Amanda.  Check out her creative space: themodernmarigold.com.  It's unique, inspiring and original.  And don't forget to check out her funky shop.  You will love it.

It's been a long time coming friends, but finally, (FINALLY!) I am happy to announce my own little etsy shop!  The Sunny Day Studio.  It's full of lovely bright earrings for women! 



I love bright colors and interesting shapes and each stone or bead has an interesting story behind it.  I like to pick beads up whenever I travel, and some are old and some are new.  All designs are The Sunny Day Studio originals and have been designed and created so that you will feel sassy when wearing them. Feeling sassy is a big deal my friends.  

I have had a fabulous time making these earrings and hope that you will love them as much as I do!  



Come on over and check it out! And thanks so much for stopping by!