Showered With Love

In a word: Amazing. My baby shower, hosted by my Mother-In-Law and coordinated with my mom and two best buddies, was this past weekend, and I can't think of a word other than 'amazing' to sum it up. So much love, so much time invested, and so much gratefulness from me. Words can't do it justice, so enjoy these pics!

My MiL's amazing friend loaned out this 115 year old family heirloom crib
to hold gifts by the front door. So gorgeous!

My parents worked their magic on creating this diaper tricycle. So cute!

Every detail accounted for - Check out those arrow-printed clothespins!

Sweetly framed invite, complete with pretty little accoutrements.

We played The Price Is Right... I lost after not even knowing the price of my own
Starbucks drink! D'oh! Haha

Gorgeous garden flowers on every surface.

My bestie from childhood, Rebecca.

Seriously, EVERY detail. See the tiny blue pacifiers?!

My mom and her neighbor whipped up the most delicious cupcakes
in three different flavors: Raspberry, orange, and chocolate coconut. YUM.

Little candy favors all dressed up like onesies.

My girls. Fifteen years of friendship and counting!

So cute. Just everything: So cute.

Thank you to all of you who contributed, came, sent good vibes, everything. I'm chock full o'love, and we have the luckiest lil' guy.

Random Round Up: Wedding Weekend

Remember the bachelorette weekend in New Orleans a while back? Well my beloved little bride Katy tied the knot this weekend, and I got to be Matron of Honor. An honor it was too, since both the bride AND groom are two of my best buds.

Defeat and Victory: Barbecue rehearsal dinner, complete with private tee box for
driving golf balls into the river, and beersbee. So fun!

A family heirloom book for the bride to carry, and a hand-crafted-by-Katy's-dad chest for
the couple's box ceremony.

The bridesmaids!

Six inch heels require some rest periods.

Reuniting with friends from the bachelorette trip!

Peonies and ranunculus. Perfect ethereal blooms.

No liquid courage for me! I cheers'd with gatorade pre-ceremony.

This preggo is wiped. out. but I wouldn't trade the weekend for the world. Congrats Ben and Katy!!

Random Round Up: Belated Birthday

My birthday may have been nearly a month ago, but we took this weekend to celebrate and that meant a bunch of stuff I love...

Some stencil action in Baby J's room - Yes, it's a tease. Yes, you'll see it all soon.

Because sometimes you just need some good ol' mac & cheese.

A tailgate picnic in 90 degree weather on the way to downtown Seattle.

The forever-gorgeous 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle for Grease!

Built in 1926, the details of The 5th never get old for me.

We capped it all off with a little sushi (vegetarian for me, oh the fun of pregnancy.) Hope your days off were equally fabulous!

'Merica!

Happy Birthday, America!

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful celebration - We're with family on the water and I couldn't be happier. Cheers!

Craven Farms Antique Sale 2015

North of Seattle in Snohomish County, there's a once-yearly few hours of treasure hunting magic: The Craven Farms Antique Sale. Collectors and vendors set up tents and trailers in a field and the public is welcome to come to browse and barter to their heart's content.

The crowd about 45 minutes after opening (with a cameo by very pregnant,
extremely gorgeous friend Rachel on the left).

From water skis to hand-painted cabinetry.

This '40's book was a hilarious how to cure yourself from everything - from diabetes
to 'dropsy' - by using positive thinking. My one regret that I didn't purchase this year!

Surgical implements? Kitchen tools? Who can tell!

Last year you might recall I walked away with a gorgeous 1940's cast iron child's sewing machine. It's proudly on display in our family room, and gets regular comments a year later. Such a gem! This year was no different in terms of fabulous treasures. I walked away only about $30 lighter with a great basket (to be turned shelf for the baby's room), some antique blocks that spell his name (Yes, we've decided. No, we're not telling. And only two blocks are in the picture on purpose, don't even try.), and a fantastically destitute bridle with blinders that I'll clean and saturate with saddle oil and hang on the wall above my saddle.

Maybe those aren't epic treasures to everyone, but I couldn't be happier.

Some treasures, some... not so much.

LOVED this pattern - I've never seen anything like the arrows!

I'd highly encourage anyone who can get to the area to head for the farm the last Saturday in June if they can - They have a Facebook page to share their info.

And hey, if you can't come... More treasures for me!

Random Round Up: Memorial Day Weekend

Hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day break! It was the typical Western Washington 'summer kick-off' here: Cloudy, gray, and in the low 60's. Luckily for me, that was the perfect weather to keep me inside painting the baby room.

All that yarn I bought a while back? It's purpose project has begun.

My sweet guy.

Testing swatches - We decided and executed! Pics to come later.

I felt like The Claw after painting for three days. Blisters are showing themselves today!

Perfect Monday dinner after a weekend of hard labor: Smoked veggie salad,
ribs, all topped off with a s'more.

Have a great - SHORT! - work week!

Random Round Up: Mother's Day Weekend

Another gorgeous one here, weather-wise, and some lovely company to boot.

Left my car keys in Nate's truck Friday... Luckily I have an amazing work friend
who was willing to come pick me up from my front steps!

My first ever Mother's Day card that wasn't from the dog! :)

Gorgeous weekend. Everything was out and about.

Buddies - Tucker and my parents' dog, Shiloh

Sweet hubs surprised me: Hilarious book and October birthstone ring!

Hope all you mama's out there had a wonderful weekend!

Random Round Up: Easter

As shown by my total radio silence last week, being sick really knocked me down for a while! But back and happy to say 100%, with room makeover plans and travel photos to share. But first, how about a few snaps from the weekend?

Can't get enough of our full-of-flowers backyard right now.

Clean comfort food has been the order of the day to try and get well again.
P.S. Do you make your own chicken soup? I was shocked at how simple it is.

Happy Easter from the country!

Gotta do it.

The Japanese Maples are leafing out again too - My fave!

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend - I couldn't have asked for better!

Hawks Pox

I'm telling you, it's a sickness. The whole state of Washington is Seahawk cuh-ray-zee, and we're getting pretty much nothing but Superbowl prep coverage from tv news to radio to print. So I'm jumping on the crazy train (no, not the bandwagon, I'm already a fan thankyouverymuch) and offering up a compilation of my own game day goodness goodies.

Patriots fans, look away.

What's Superbowl Sunday without decadent snacks?! My go-to for any and every gathering is Buffalo Chicken Dip. It's hearty, tasty, and I've legitimately never met anyone who doesn't like it.

If you want some color, I think I'm going to try out this Hawk Corn, created by the ladies of Our Best Bites. Blue and green candy corn with a Skittles chaser? Yep. Beast Mode: Engage.

More of a chocolate-based sweet snacker? Check out this toothsome treat that piles (get ready) M&Ms on frosting on brownies on oreos on chocolate chip cookie, all with a dash of peppermint thrown in. And again I say: Yep.

I've also been thoroughly entertained by the memes floating around the interwebs lately. Nate and I are in a constant group text with some friends and these visual gems have been flying thick and fast.

Last but not least, check out this post from Thrifty NW Mom for some free printable Seahawks decorations you can use on game day. Or take some inspiration and whip up your own!

Above all... Go Hawks!