Happy Sunday.

Fifteen things every new parent needs for baby, according to Emily.

Erin's yard make-over looks like a botanical garden -- you go girl!

Completely digging Cori's floral & stripe outfit.. and she made the skirt, go figure.  Somebody PLEASE teach me how to sew.

Dang. Grace's weekly exercise routine puts mine (or lake thereof) to complete shame.  What an inspiration she is!

This strawberry watermelon smoothie was just added to my pin board -- looks delish!

Make: Pizza Pasta Salad

Pasta Salad.

It's a side that nearly everyone loves, but yet we only make for a special occasion.  You know, for a family gathering, a baby or bridal shower.  And why?  I mean, most of the time I could make a meal just out of pasta salads, but yet I never whip one up for supper.  Hmm, maybe that should change.

Anyways, we all have a favorite, and this one happens to be mine:

Pizza Pasta Salad 

(This recipe shared to you from a former co-worker of mine; I have no idea where it originates from)

12 oz. box of Rotini noodles, cooked, drained & cooled

1 - 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes w/ basil, garlic & oregano, drained

1 can pre-sliced black olives, drained

Pepperoni, cut-up

Dried Hard Salami, cut up

Fresh mozzarella or provolone cheese, shredded

1/2 c. (more or less, depending on how saturated you like your pasta salad) Newman's Italian dressing (I've heard Wildtree Roasted Garlic Grapeseed Oil works just as well, but I've never tried it)

Add everything together in a serving bowl, toss, & enjoy!

Summer List

In just a couple weeks, summer will officially be here.  The anticipation of longer days & warmer temps has me all kinds of giddy.

Inevitably, summer is a busy season for us all -- weddings, vacations, family gatherings & graduation parties fill up most weekends, but since attending class & studying will no longer be occupying my evenings & weekends this summer, I've curated a Summer To Do List.

I can't wait to fill this list with check marks & share my adventures with you!

What's on your summer list?

Happy Sunday.

Talk about a powerful (and cute) purse... these beauties charge your phone!

Is your coffee maker not working properly anymore?  We used this cleaning method, and now ours works like a charm again!

Handmade Birthday cards are simply the best.

Reasons why you need more sleep.  See Zac, it's true. I need more sleep :)

Now that the Farmer's Markets are in full gear, read how you can save money at them.

Date Night: Fishing off the Pier

I have a tendency to label any activity that Zac & I do together as a date.  

Grocery shopping together?  Date.

Breakfast & picking out lawn fertiziler together?  Date.

Going for an evening run & then pulling weeds together?  Date.

It sounds silly really, but we have such busy lives (I know, along with 90% of the population) that I have to cherish the moments we spend together, just the two of us.  So I find that whenever we're together, I usually document the time with photos & call it a date.

In my book, dates don't have to be fancy & expensive... cue, fishing.

A recipe of deep-fried cheese curds, beer, & two fishing poles are the perfect ingredients for a simple & fun summer date night.

We've been pier fishing fairly often lately & we find it very relaxing, even if the fish aren't biting.

This particular night we were fishing for walleyes & ended up with a sucker fish.  Oh well, it was still fun & completely worth this sunset...

The best part about fishing date nights?  They are usually followed up with ice cream for the drive home.

What's an ideal date night for you? I'd love to hear!