The Best Pizza Ever

Tonight I partook in the best pizza I think I have ever eaten.  My husband recently purchased a new BBQ, and when I say BBQ I mean I small tank that could cook for an army.

We have tried many different kinds of meat on it and they have all turned out delicious, but tonight we were in the mood for something a bit more hearty and filling.  We spent the morning hiking the 9 mile trail around Silver Creek Falls, so we needed some nourishment.  We decided we would try cooking a pizza in the BBQ, and let me say it turned out better than either of us thought it could.  We bought dough from our local New York Pizza shop, put all our favorite goodies on top and let the BBQ do the rest.  It was absolutely scrumptious.  Let me just say I am very happy there is left overs for tomorrow.  So, today I am grateful for my husbands BBQ and our delicious dinner.

Other things I'm grateful for today...

a long beautiful hike with my favorite person
amazing scenery





















Italian sausage
driving with the windows down
feeling tired after working hard
music on our back patio
weather to be able to be outside
puzzles
having a place at our new home to actually do a puzzle
our new computer keyboard
loading new pictures into Iphoto
ingredients to make pesto
new dining chairs
looking forward to a relaxing evening outside

I hope everyone has found inspiration this week, whether through the outdoors or food or any other place.  Love to all my girls on this wonderful Friday.

K
xoxo

Beautiful Countryside

This past week I went on a little adventure with one of my fellow project gratitude girls.  We got in the car and drove to Hood River to spend the day on the Fruit Loop.  The Fruit Loop is a road right outside of Hood River with about 35 amazing farms and vineyards along the way.  If you haven't experienced the Fruit Loop I would recommend to take the day and do it.  If anyone has visited Napa Valley you would have an idea of what this was like.  It truly felt like a paradise.  We originally went to pick ourselves some cherries and raspberries, but due to the late spring and unfortunately summer we are having, there were no berries to pick.  Even though we didn't get to pick anything we were not disappointed in the least.  The views were spectacular, the people were so nice and the fruit that we were able to buy was delicious.

We also stopped at a lavender farm and met the lavender lady, who was decked out in more lavender than I even thought existed, down to her eyeshadow.

We even stopped at an alpaca farm and were introduced to the newest member of the farm.  He was born at 6am the same morning we were there.

All in all we were so excited about how the day turned out and are for sure planning on visiting the Fruit Loop again and again.  The trip also inspired me to start a few new projects and hobbies that I have not done in the past.  I bought some beautiful alpaca yarn and am planning on knitting a scarf (with the help of my lovely fruit looper friend) and I am going to start canning, more to follow on that subject.  Since we are focusing on new and creative projects in our lives I thought I would dedicate my post to being inspired to go out of my comfort zone and try something new, all because of the Fruit Loop.

Other things Im grateful for...

Breathtaking views
Fresh local cherries and strawberries
The smell of lavender
Exciting new roads
Finding the local hot spot for lunch (the only spot in this case)
Brand new life
Kitties that love being pet
Little antique shops
People truly passionate about what they do
Pear Wine
The thought of our next outing

I hope everyone can be inspired this week
Love
K
xoxo

A BRIGHT idea for being creative!

Over the past couple of weeks I have tried to tap into my inner artist.  I am trying to be a little creative each and every day and thanks to the help of friends with similar thinking, internet DIY projects, and some craft supplies I feel I am doing just that!


On Monday my dear cousin and I gathered CLEARANCE craft supplies and I made a little sign with some of my new items.

Today I have been on the hunt for a new project...
Recently I have been looking at different lamp shades to finish my flea market lamp find. As I searched for the perfect shade I decided that just maybe I needed to create the perfect one myself. So after a little research I found a great idea modeled after an Anthropologie shade. Off I went to pick out fabrics...who knew fabric could make you feel so happy! 

After, I went to Goodwill to find an old lamp shade for $4.99. I then set out to complete my project. 

Ta-da!!! A beautiful DIY lamp shade. I feel so proud and I cannot wait to officially add it to my lamp.
Today I am grateful for:
-Creativity
-blogs with GREAT ideas
-fabric
-shabby chic decor
-tacky glue
-good background movies
-coffee with an old friend 
-random Tuesdays


Maybe during the month of July we can add ways we are being creative into our gratitude posts??? Whether you are making a cd, working in your garden, singing in the shower, or painting a picture I bet we could all try something new this month.  I challenge you all to try something creative! (I am sure most of my girlfriends are probably doing just that right now!) 
Hmmm...what should I try next!?
Lots of love,
M

Monday and Happy!!!

So I've been MIA for the past couple weeks (as a matter of fact, most of us have been) but Im back... AND today I am so grateful for so many things, here are a few...

I am grateful for

my husband being able to work from home
time spent with great friends over the weekend
peaches
How I Met Your Mother
text messages
BBQ
roses on my bushes out front
clean laundry
birds on the feeder
making dinner with Zane
excitement on the cul-de-sac (garage sales, sidewalk chalk, tree trimmers...)
starting a new book
growing veggies
Anthro's volcano candle
mail
nail polish
re-runs of your favorite shows
the excitement of another weekend spent with my girls

Love to all
K
xoxo

God Bless America

Tonight I consider myself very lucky...
I am in the middle of a beautiful city with a view of the waterfront and a spectacular firework show.
There is something so peaceful about the crackling "BOOMS" lighting up the dark sky. You can't help but smile. The magic, the wonder, the beauty out my window helps remind me of how wonderful it is to live in such an amazing place. Tonight I am grateful for so much.


freedom
red, white, and blue
fireworks
the Blues Festival
popsicles
breakfast at Beesaws
peace
my country

Happy 4th of July everyone! 


xo M