Create: vintage mason jar decor

One of my most favorite things to decorate with are vintage Ball mason jars.

I recently picked up an antique metal jar canner at my most favorite shop in all the land, The Vintage Garden.

Instantly, I knew that it would be the most perfect piece to display some of my vintage canning jars.

I have such a weakness for vintage Ball canning jars & I've accumulated quite a few over the years, mostly from my grandma, but a few from antique stores as well.

I cut some fresh flowers from our garden, and I think they look lovely (though they kind of scream spring/summer, and it's basically fall, but oh well).

This could be used as a centerpiece on a table, it could sit nicely on a book shelf, or would look great on a coffee table.

Right now, it's sitting in my kitchen atop a lovely, vintage Cosco fold out step stool high chair (also from my grandma).

How would you style this piece in your home?

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Linking up at:

Elizabeth & Co | Adventures of Mel | Thrifty Decor Chick

Make: fruit & yogurt popsicles

I realize that I'm a day late & a dollar short with this, being that summer is nearing it's end & today is the first day of September (what?!), but these are too yummy not to share.  And they can be enjoyed year round, even though they taste best on a hot summer day.

Earlier this summer we purchased this homemade popsicle mold & I had grand plans of making all sorts of concoctions. 

As per usual, life happened & the popsicle mold got pushed to the back of the cupboard.  It wasn't until recently that I remembered we bought this, and I needed to put it to use. 

I used ingredients that we already had in the fridge -- yogurt, strawberries, & kiwis.  Nothing fancy, but frozen yogurt with mixed fruit doesn't need much else to make it delicious.

All you need to do is plop some yogurt in, followed by some fruit, then some more yogurt & then some more fruit.  Let it freeze for an hour or longer, and whhh-laa!

Super tasty & easy homemade popsicles!  Plus, they're a healthy alternative to regular ice cream.  I plan on trying a Nutella/fudge mixture for our next batch... those likely won't be as healthy :)

Have you made homemade popsicles?  What is your favorite blend?

Upcoming Travel: Girl’s Weekend in Chicago!

Last December, my mom, sister & I spent a long weekend in New York City.  This was the first time that we all traveled together, out of state.

It was magical – the entire city was decorated for Christmas; holiday spirit filled the air & us small-town Wisconsin girls had a blast, squeezing in every major “must see thing” to do in NYC on our list.

We vowed to make these Girl’s Trips an annual thing.

This year, we have decided to spend our Second Annual Girl’s Weekend, in Chicago.  We are leaving in a couple weeks, and I’d love to know what else we should put on our list.  So far, our agenda looks like this:

+ Architectural River Cruise

+ Sky Deck @ The Willis Tower

+ Millennium Park: Crown Fountain & Cloud Gate (better known as "The Bean”)

+ Navy Pier

+ Magnificent Mile shopping

+ Improv show??

What are we missing?  Any must-see things we should do, see, or eat while in the windy city?

I’d love your input! 

P.S. -- You best believe I will be taking my selfie stick along.  Zac will be so proud.

Happy Sunday.

How to harvest & store onions -- something that we will need to brush up on very soon as our garden is exploding with onions!

Kelle did a Back to School theme party, and it turned out adorable, per usual :)

Reasons to use a slow cooker overnight vs. all day while your at work.

Does anyone have an orchard rack?  I'm thinking about putting one one my wish list to store said onions & other garden veggies.  Or maybe this kitchen cart organizer -- it's cheaper & basically the same thing? Or is this hanging apparatus better?  Ahhh, the possibilities.

Frozen strawberry peach sangria -- sign me up!

Bay Beach

Continuing right along with recapping our “kid’s weekend”… (you can read about our ice cream date here & our park/beach fun, here)

My summer list said “take my niece & nephew to Bay Beach”, so totally ignoring that it was hottest, most humid day of the entire summer thus far, we drenched the kids in sunscreen, packed some Gatorade, and off we went.

Bay Beach was busy – it was Saturday, mid-morning & apparently everybody & their brother had the same idea as us.  We got $10 worth of tickets (such affordable fun!) & stood in line for the beloved train.

Halfway through the train ride, Kane’s eyes got awfully heavy & I thought “oh great, he’s gonna fall asleep & miss the whole dang experience!”  He fooled me though, and even got an extra pep in this step after riding the merry-go-round.

Next up, the swings!














Not everyone enjoyed the swings... look at that poor little girl to the left of Elena.  She screamed the entire ride :(
















Do you notice a theme to the color of the rides?  They HAD to be yellow.  Because yellow is Elena's favorite color, of course.

By 12:30, I had sweated through my shirt & the kids were getting whiney, so it was time to head into the air conditioning & feed their little bellies.

It was Subway, upon request, and let me just proclaim – hats off to all the mom’s out there who do outings by yourself with more than one child…  I made the kids wash their hands before eating while Zac ordered our lunch.  We all went into the ladies bathroom & while I was helping Elena wash her hands, Kane somehow managed to touch every single crevice of that bathroom.  Seriously, kid?

Here’s me… “Kane, no – that’s yucky.” “Kane, please don’t touch.”  “Kane, NO.”  “KANE, STOP TOUCHING THE TOILET!”  After E’s hands were washed, I told her to stand like a statue & NOT TOUCH ANYTHING.  So, what does she do?  Plays with the swinging top of the garbage can.  Uhg, #Fail.

After we all washed our hands 3 times, we enjoyed our lunch & napped on the way home.
Amen.