It's SUMMER.

Sorry, folks. I've been oddly absent lately. This is going to be a short post, but I wanted you to know that I'm alive and well.

Summer has started off with a bang. Today is my last day of work for my second week back to my old job. Wowza! Confused yet?

I used to work at The Coffee Company while I was in college. I had to take some time off while I worked for housing and then I worked during my last summer of college and during student teaching. Crazy enough, I'm back at it, after an almost 2 1/2 year hiatus!

It's so nice to be back. I love coming home from work and being physically exhausted instead of mentally exhausted. It's a change of pace and scenery...and I like it that way.

So--if you want some coffee or beans, stop in or order online/via phone (only beans can be shipped, it'd be weird to ship a latte)!

I also have finished planting my entire garden! Kyle might want me to plant a few more onions, which I'd be happy to do. I just counted 4-6 rows of onions, 4 rows of carrots, 3 rows of radishes, 15 tomato plants, 5 pepper plants, 9 potato plants, approx 15 feet of beans, 4 feet of peas, 7 cucumber plants, mesclun, swiss chard, and 4 hopeful watermelon plants.

Who knows what will actually be fruitful when we're all said and done. But if we get something, I'll be happy.

I know this is super short, but I just wanted to let you know that I'm still alive. And that I will be back to this space a little more often now that summer's routine is a little more predictable.

We have a few adventures to keep you posted on: Kyle is keeping bees & I'm going to be writing a sponsored post (my first!) for Wild Moon Salsa, see the deets over on their page.


Stay tuned and Happy Friday Eve!

Five-on-Friday: Wanting Now

There are many things that I want. Unfortunately, I'm not a very patient person. With school drawing to a close, I have to remain patient and forge on ahead these last 9 school days. I think I can, I think I can...

That being said--there are at least five things I'm wanting and wanting now. Here they are:

one: summer

I love summer. I love these boys. And I love the ballpark. We're celebrating a special bride-to-be at the ballpark this summer, and I. Can't. Wait.

Oh to be that tan again. 

 

You maybe saw this on my IG on Tuesday...

Lemon water=summertime

two: a cake stand

I love to bake. I also love to decorate cakes and cupcakes. I'm not the greatest at it, but I do think an actual cake stand would help me out a lot. That way I don't have to precariously perch my cake on top of an upside down bowl and pray it doesn't tip over.

Here are a couple that could help me out a lot:

Isn't it adorable?!

And this one is just practical.

Turn table style.

And then there's this one (mint, yes please) and this one (because, pastel).

three: paint

I just want my house painted. Over on IG and Facebook the other day, I posted a photo of our wall with 4 colors on it. I asked all ya'll to vote. I think number 4 was the winner. You voted well and I think our color of choice will be.....

A mixture!

And...

I can't wait to see this mixture on our walls!

four: plants

I've got a bunch of baby aloe plants just waiting to be planted. Unfortunately the babies at my house are so much smaller than the babies at school. So they'll all have to come home with me this summer. There, I will re-pot them and I hope they'll be so happy in the sun. I know I will be.

We are also hoping to plant a decent sized garden this year. How awesome would it be to have produce for most of the summer?! Woo! Have no fear, I'll be sharing garden updates once we're in the swing of it.


five: new shoes 

I told Kyle that I plan to buy new shoes with our final pay check of the year. Here's a few I've been admiring.

Plus, he's been asking me what I'd like for my birthday. Here's a few ideas, pal!

I love these. AND they're on sale!

And since TOMS are one of my favorites...

(size 9, please!)

this one

this one

&

this one 

 

Kyle's been telling me to get Sperry's that are all leather.

So I found this other pair too.    

(9.5 M, 'kay, thanks)

But I still love these, all leather or not. 

 

I mean, c'mon. How cute are these?!

(40 please)

*Grandma & Michelle, you'd love em too--let's match!* 

And I can't leave you without more options.

Like these

these

& 

these too. 

Well, folks. There you have it. Another Five-on-Friday is in the books. I've been dreaming--in case you couldn't tell. Have a marvelous Memorial Day Weekend! 

Cheers!

Let it snow, Let it snow...Wait! It's May 18! {By the Numbers}

Yeah, you read that right. It's snowing.

On May 18.

But that's okay. Because with the forecast for the rest of the week, we're looking at mostly sunny with highs in the 70s!

Wahoo!

So I figured that today was as good as any, to do a By the Numbers. It's been a while since I've hosted one...so, why not?

As teachers, we look forward to summer. Not necessarily because we get a break (because I'm hoping to teach summer school this year & Kyle is hoping to help a beekeeper--another story for another day), but because we have a new routine. Sure--some of us do get a legit vacation, but most of us have additional jobs, we work on our curriculum, or we even take grad classes. And some of us have family obligations (por ejemplo--weddings coming out of our ears!!) that can't be attended to during the school year.

And if you've survived that crazy train, here's the rest of my school year By the Numbers.

626 miles

7 meetings

5 dinner dates

4 graduation gifts to buy

3 graduation ceremonies

2 birthday presents to make/send

2 graduation parties to attend

1 wedding
 
1 Federal Holiday

And only
17 days to do it all in

As always, grab the button and join in!

Mother's Day 2015 .:. Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

Your day is here. Well, one of them anyway. Today is the day we celebrate all moms and today I especially want to celebrate you.

Throughout the years, we've experienced different types of relationships. I remember getting off of the bus after school and being so excited that I didn't have to go to daycare anymore. You were home and you were consistent.

As I grew into a teenager, I realized how mean you were. I couldn't go online whenever I wanted. When I tried, you grounded me. I couldn't have a MySpace account and then you made me delete my Facebook account. You made me clean my room! *UGH*

But then, at the same time, I'd be invited out with friends (to activities I didn't want to go to) and you had my back. Playing the game of, "Mom, can I go?" while shaking my head. Always followed by you saying, "Sorry, we've got plans that night." You saved me from many nights of small talk and activities that I desperately tried to avoid.

After my first year of college, I moved home for the summer. Lo and behold! I had a curfew. I couldn't believe it! WHY WOULD I HAVE A CURFEW? As an "adult", I was appalled.

Did you have any idea that the summer between my freshman and sophomore years would be my last summer at home? I didn't.

I'm not sure what happened, but after that summer we became closer. I remember coming home almost every weekend that first fall semester I was at UND. Part of that was because I didn't have any friends at school yet. But the other part of it is that I wanted to spend time with my family.

And even since then, our relationship has continued to grow. Yes, I do know you're my mother. I am reminded of that every time I leave your house to come back to mine. Especially when you remind me to "text when [I] get home safe!" But you're not just my mom, anymore. You've become a friend.

But here's the thing. You've shown me so many things throughout the years.

You've shown me how to cook. It may have started out with scrambled eggs and Kraft Mac'n'Cheese, but it's evolved into one of my favorite hobbies.

You showed me how to love other people. I watched you love your kids. When you disciplined us growing up, I just thought it was you being mean. Now I see that it was you training us to become the successful, independent adults we've become.

You've shown me how to love a spouse. I've watched you love Dad. Through jobs, many Craigslist purchases, & some tough times--you've shown me how to be a loving, supportive wife. I pray that I can learn to be as good of a wife to my husband, that you've been to yours.

Most importantly, you've shown me how to be a Godly woman. You lead by example and I admire you for that.

Mom, thank you for being the woman and mother you are and have been. I look up to you every day and I pray that God would bless me with your qualities, your consistency, and your love. And one day, I pray that I can practice everything you've modeled for me, to my children.

I love you, Mom.

May the Fourth

I may not be quite the die hard Star Wars fan that some of you are. But be that as it may, I do love me a good pun. And a good meme. And a good movie.

That being said, check out this meme and the video afterward.

 

Oh, okay. I'll share another.

I hope you enjoyed these!

Oh, and May the Fourth be with you!

Book Club?

I know, I know. It's been a little crazy around these parts. Aubrey and I have been trying to get this little book club off the ground. Unfortunately, we've both been a little quiet. So...that being said. April is almost over--but Aubrey is hosting this month's discussion!

You've still got time until the end of the month to read the book!

Go check it out and come back later to discuss with us.

They carried malaria tablets, love letters, 28-pound mine detectors, dope, illustrated bibles, each other. And if they made it home alive, they carried unrelenting images of a nightmarish war that history is only beginning to absorb. Since its first publication, The Things They Carried has become an unparalleled Vietnam testament, a classic work of American literature, and a profound study of men at war that illuminates the capacity, and the limits, of the human heart and soul.  --Goodreads

Five on Friday: in photos

{one}

Sonnets in class are on my list of fun things to teach...especially when students get it. 

{two}

Our niece was born last week! So we get to visit her this weekend. 

{three}

A little crafting for a sweet little girl. 

{four}

Pink cupcakes to celebrate!

{five}

My little cousin loved his chocolate cupcake with chocolate frosting! Yum!

Linking up with A. Liz Adventures!