Hobbies and a few resolutions

Lately I have been thinking a lot about hobbies. A lot of my loved ones have some wonderful, creative and productive hobbies - cooking/baking, art, photography, and handiwork, to name a few. I also think a lot about my mom and the wonderful things she left to remember her by - beautiful pillows, handmade ornaments, and so much more. It saddens me to think of all the wonderful mementos she would have made for Lily, and that I am so untalented in that area, but that's really another post for another day!

Thinking about all of this has inspired me to create some resolutions and ideas for using my time and talents to be productive and creative.

1. Write, write, write. I love writing and want to do it to ensure I don't forget the millions of memories we are creating with Lily everyday. That is why I hope and plan to write one blog post a week as well as a monthly letter to Lily. Honestly I would love it if people read this blog, but its worthwhile just as an outlet for me and hopefully something Lily can one day look back on and learn about herself and her mom.

2. Organize. Time is tight with a baby, full-time job and lots of weekends spent traveling for both personal and work. And it is easy to overspend on going out and picking up quick dinners. So I am working on creating a weekly meal planner and a binder of easy meal recipes, as well as a budget for our family. Can't exactly say this is creative, but is definitely productive and will hopefully give us opportunities to enjoy time together a little more and also allow us to save for vacations and maybe one of these days, a house we can call our own!

3. Exercise. I've been pretty good about walking, but it's cold now, so I need to do more indoor workouts and also hope to do a weekly yoga class starting in January. Need the "me" time and need to lose the last of the baby weight.

I also still want to find something creative I can do that won't stress me out or break the bank. Maggie suggested crocheting. I would also love to do something with stamped art, but that's definitely not an inexpensive hobby. I am going to keep thinking and looking for inspiration around me and am certainly open to any and all suggestions.

A perfect weekend

We've had many wonderful weekends since Lily was born, 11 weeks and 3 days ago. We've already been to St. Louis (twice), the Lake of the Ozarks and Kansas City and had lots of great visits from friends and family. These past 11 weeks have been full of so many memories and each day is truly a gift with sweet Lily Jane.

However, this past weekend, spent with just me, Kevin and Lily, was as perfect as it gets. Beautiful fall weather, naps, homemade chili and cookie cake, the pumpkin patch and Cardinals baseball. These moments I HOPE I will never forget, but at least blogging about it will help jog my memory as days, weeks and years fly by.

I am so blessed by my family of three and I cherish the days we spend doing nothing but being together.

Snow Day

For the past few years, I have come to really hate snow and winter weather. It is scary to drive in, makes getting to work a pain and is dangerous to walk in... BUT... because this year I am working from home, I have to admit I am learning to like snow again! Especially when it is enough to get Kevin's office closed for two days. It was so nice to have him at home. Also really nice to watch the pretty snow fall, see Cocoa hop around in it, bake cookies and enjoy being warm inside. So I guess that's my thing: If I can just stay inside and watch the snow, I can really enjoy it! I still do feel for people who have to drive (especially people this week who got stranded, got in accidents, etc.)

Here are some highlights from the 2011 Snowstorm






It is strange and exciting to think that a year from now, God-willing, we will have a 6-month-old at home with us. It makes me really glad I am due in summer - sure the heat will be miserable, but how scary would it be to go into labor with terrible roads and snow... and have family driving in this to come visit (or not able to come at all). I'll take the heat any day!

As I like to do, will end with a simple quote about family.
"Then come the wild weather, come sleet or come snow, we will stand by each other, however it blow."
(Simon Dach)

October

October is my favorite month of the year. Beautiful leaves, cooler weather, Mizzou football, pumpkins, quiet and mostly work-free weekends. Clearly I have been enjoying this month, way too much so to even spend time blogging.

So here's a quick recap of the top 5 best things about October 2010.

1. Roots N Blues - went to this event for the first time this year. It was by far the coolest weekend weather-wise this month (yet) but we still enjoyed listening to the great music, eating some delicious food, and best of all spending time with family.




2. Sunday Fundays - For the past few years, I have really come to dread Sundays in the fall. All Kevin does is watch football. I don't really like football very much. But I do like beer, bar food and hanging out with friends/fam, and sitting outside watching football. So therefore I have been talking Kevin into going to Taphouse 1839 on Sundays to watch football. And so far, Rams are 3-0 when we watch the game there. I think I have some more Sunday Fundays in my future!


3. Lunch walks - Although of course Kevin and I are both anxious for him to get a job, I will admit I like coming home for lunch and being able to see him. Lately we have been walking Cocoa at the park during my lunchhour. It's a great way to break up my day, spend time with Kev and enjoy the beautiful fall days.

4. Being at Home - this year has been an incredible whirlwind and we have no idea what the next two months hold. But this October, we have done minimal traveling, and have just relaxed at home. Not that it is always (or ever!) exciting - most of the time I am working on stuff for school or reading and Kevin is working on job stuff or reading about football. But it has been nice not to be in the car a whole lot, and to watch Thursday night TV, actually keep the place clean and enjoy our fall decor! (Cocoa likes being at home too :)


5. Shakespeare's with Maggie - Last Thursday, got to do three of my fave things - get a haircut, eat pizza and hang with Maggie. I am so grateful we live close and are able to get together to just talk/vent/laugh/reminisce.

and number 6 is soon to come... one of my greatest job perks is these:



Happy October!!

Such Great Heights

The other night Maggie and I were sitting outside... enjoying the beautiful weather this week... when suddenly we heard a loud, torch-like noise. Freaked out for a few seconds, we soon realized a hot air balloon was literally right above our apartment. It was moving so fast but I was able to snap a few photos.





I was thinking it would be really cool to take a hot air balloon ride, so I googled to get some pricing and other information. One of the first facts I came across was that the hot air balloon is the oldest successful human-carrying flight technology. Also, the first successful hot air balloon flight was made in 1783 in Paris - a city we will be visiting in just about a month.

While I checked the prices of a hot air balloon ride in Paris, it is definitely out of our budget (169 euros/person). Interestly, this is about the same as it would be to take a hot air balloon ride over Columbia, MO...

Anyway, we might have another opportunity to view a city from above (sorry, Laura!) as Maggie found this awesome "to-do" in Barcelona- Cable car on Montjuic mountain. Only 12.50 euros, a much more affordable opportunity.


image from barcelonaphotoblog.com

One day at a time

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." (Robert Brault)

Right now I am trying to enjoy every day, and live in the moment. Especially now as Kevin is searching for a job, there is a possibility that our lives could drastically change in the coming months. I am not going to lie, sometimes I do get filled with anxiety, but for the most part, I am giving it my all to take one day at a time and appreciate the mundane....

Schlafly dinner/farmer's market with family...


sweet animals that love unconditionally...


flowers to brighten a home...


having ice cream with the strongest and most good-natured father in the world...


homemade yummy food and drink, more often than not inspired by healthy, talented Maggie.




coming home every day to a hardworking, loving husband


watching a classic, timeless film


...and no matter what happens with where we live, work, travel, etc it truly is these everyday things that make up our lives, and I know no whether things change in the coming months, I can count on having these simple and wonderful experiences with people I love.

DIY: Pottery Barn inspired outdoor decor

This is the first full summer that we have a grill at our apartment, and it has been so nice! There is really nothing better than sitting outside, enjoying a meal, people-watching and breathing in the fresh air.

A couple of weeks ago Kevin, Maggie and me were sitting outside. It was getting dark and a storm was rolling in. We just sat outside and watched... and eventually brought a couple of candles from indoors. When I saw these hanging mason jars in Pottery Barn I knew I wanted something similar so we could have some light for our nights outside.




I bought jars and candles from Hobby Lobby. I already had the river rocks, and thought they were probably more appropriate since we live much closer to a river than anywhere with sand! All together, much more affordable than Pottery Barn and actually a lot larger.

Can't wait for another stormy night to sit outside!

Chicago beer at Busch Stadium!?!

This past weekend we took my brother to the Cardinal's game for his birthday. It was a beautiful day outside and we sat in the bleachers so we had plenty of sunshine. We were also close to a bar that offered some specialty beers (and margaritas for Laura!) in addition to your standard Bud Light and Bud. One of the few options was a Honker's Ale from Goose Island. I love this beer but couldn't get over the fact I was drinking a Chicago beer at a Cardinal's game. It just didn't feel right... especially when I asked where to get Schlafly and they told me I would have to walk around to behind home plate.

A little disappointed, but the game itself more than made up for that! It was one of those games you don't forget, lasting 20 innings, 18 scoreless, with several position players pitching. It was the longest scoreless game since 1989 and the second longest game in Cardinal's history! We had a wonderful time and made it to the 15th, when we got too cold and hungry to wait it out any longer.


We watched the end of the game from the Bridge which had great food and awesome beer. We shared a hummus plate, cheese plate, a couple gourmet sandwiches and delicious chocolate/espresso dessert. I thought the Bridge's beer selection was unique and enjoyed the two that I had (including a Red Rye from Founders, one my favorites). I loved the atmosphere and the decorations. They served water from wine bottles, an idea I love.

A birthday to remember for Michael.

Growth

I really do believe that with all life experiences, we grow in some way - positive or negative. I hope with all my family has been through that we grow stronger, more accepting, more appreciative of every day.

In an attempt to grow not only emotionally... but also to grow my life skills, I am trying so hard to literally grow more life around our apartment. Nature has a way of calming, reminding us that life does go on. Yes, I am sad I didn't learn everything my mom knew about growing things - but I will try to borrow from her passion and love and slowly and patiently learn.