Happy 5th Birthday Elena!

Today, this precious little niece/godchild of mine turns 5 years old.

FIVE YEARS OLD!!!  How did that even happen?

One day she was a toddler, then I blinked and she turned 5.

She's a lover, a helper, a chit-chatter & she enjoys the color yellow.  And chocolate.
But who doesn't adore chocolate?

Today, she's getting her ears pierced & when asked where she wanted to go for her Birthday lunch, her answer, "Subway!" (the kid is pretty easy to please)...

Happy Birthday Ms. E.  This Auntie loves you to the moon & back.

Girl's Day: Paintin' Pottery

A couple weeks ago, we celebrated my mom's Birthday with a Girl's Day. My sister & I surprised my mom with a trip to Paintin' Pottery or Bead It in De Pere.

We had never been therefore, but a friend recommended it to me.  It was the cutest little place (with great coffee, might I add!), & one that we will frequent again & again.

First, you select a pre-made piece of pottery, which can range from trinkets, to mugs, to platters.  Then you select a stencil, stamp, or if you're good -- you can free-hand paint your piece.  All paint &  supplies are included, & the employees working offer inspiration & suggestions along the way.

Turns out, you need very little artistic talent to make something great.

I found it to be really relaxing & am already dreaming up my next piece...

After you're done, you leave your piece with them & they professionally glaze & fire it.  It's ready for pick-up in 3-7 days.

We ended our day with a trip to Seroogy's for chocolate & met the guys (& kiddos) for dinner at Mackinaws.
It was a wonderful day, & I love that I now have a handmade memory to cherish of our special day!

Happy Sunday.

If I owned a cottage or lake house -- it would surely be as bright & colorful as this one.

A witty read outlining last-minute wardrobe fixes to have in your back pocket.

What a nutritionist eats in a day.

A worth-while read about why God makes us wait.

Sean Hayes & husband lip Sync "Trouble" -- this will make you laugh!

Make: Pecan Pie

It wasn't until about a year ago that I tasted my first pecan pie, and then I kicked myself for not trying it sooner.  They are SO good.

I quickly set-out to find a recipe; of course I landed on the Pioneer Woman's website, and I knew it was a safe bet to try one of Ree's creations.

You can find the recipe here.










































































Pssst! I totally cheat & use a store-bought frozen pie crust because really, it tastes just as good.

Pair a slice (or two!) of this pie with coffee and, ohhh -- you'll be in heaven!

Current Happenings.

Idea inspired by Emily's 'Five Things' posts, at Cupcakes & Cashmere.
(a great way to stay active behind the camera, to document the little things)

At home manicure.

Dreaming about these apple glazed muffins & thinking I should make them again soon.

Using my silhouette to make a retirement banner for a gal at work.

Quite possibly the best smelling cleaner of all time.

True Life: My husband & I are both magazine hoarders (though he is clearly worse!)