Words to live by...

My new mantra. LOVE it!

(image via weheartit)

The Friday Five...

{ Perfect divinity...I see some Eton Mess in the near future : )  }

{ After some research and some inspiration...I am LOVING my new specs! }

{ Inspiration: Jackson Pollock    Artist: Isabella, 4 years old   Artist Statement:   I like the colors mixed up. }

{ Ready to start my new project - wish necklaces }

{ Vanilla ice cream, fresh raspberries and a splash of Chambord - the perfect summer dessert }

What are Your Five?

Garage Girls: Workout #5

 via

Today, we are going to do a workout called "Griff".  The first time I did "Griff", I thought "No problem.  I am going to be done in no time" Not so much.  I don't believe most people in their lives, find a need to run 400m backwards (twice), but if you ever have the need in the future,  you will be prepared to do so : )

     Warm-up

     25 meters high knees

     25 meters butt kicks

     25 meters grapevine

     25 meters lateral

     "Griff " - (for time)

     Run 800 meters

     Run 400 meters backwards

     Run 800 meters

     Run 400 meters backwards

I do this workout at a local school track.  It is the perfect place- you need not worry that you will trip on anything while running backwards.

Have fun : )


***Update***
The 104 degree temp and the fire ant attack on my 4 year old put a damper on the workout today.  Going to try again tomorrow morning...early, early in the morning.

Hydrangeas: my absolute favorite!

My mom has always had the most beautiful hydrangeas.  She planted her first hydrangea over 30 years ago and it is absolutely gorgeous.  It is brimming over with the most beautiful lavender and cornflower blue blooms.

Most of the blooms are at least eight inches wide. 

A few years ago, she planted another hydrangea on the opposite side of the driveway.   As it has grown, the blooms vary in color from a cobalt blue all the way to a soft pink.

 I have never seen anything like it. 

I have planted a couple myself...and they subsequently died quick and horrible deaths, either being baked by the sun or being so deprived of sunlight, that they withered up and dwindled away.  I am determined to have beautiful hydrangeas like my mother so...

...I have done some investigating and here may be a few of the keys to my mother's overwhelming success with these beautiful and often temperamental (at least with me) plants.

1. Mom plants her hydrangeas at gutter downspouts.  They get plenty of water and when we do have a dry spell, she soaks them sporadically with a hose.

2. Plant your hydrangeas where they will have full sun either in the evening or in the morning, but not both. 

3. Last, but I am positive, not least- my mom trims back her hydrangeas every Fall but she does not trim back every branch.  The years she has trimmed them all back, she has not had as many blooms the following Spring.

I have a strategy now, and I am hoping for the best this time.  I think the hydrangeas are too : )

A song to make you blush...

Jane Birken and Serge Gainsbourg picture via

 I don't remember when I first heard this song...and I don't really know if I heard the whole thing the first time around.  I CAN tell you that I came across this song while reading A Cup of Jo a couple of weeks ago.  I was listening to it, smiling, thinking about our anniversary trip to Paris, when all of a sudden I stopped what I was doing and looked around to see if anyone was in the room  with me...hearing what I was hearing (around 2 minutes 32 seconds into the song).  I then couldn't stop laughing. 

I love moments like that! Moments that completely take you by surprise.  And make you blush...even if it's just for a moment.

Enjoy!  

*you may want to make sure the kiddos are out of the room, or at least have an explanation ready : )

Garage Girls: Workout #4

{via smallworldbeauty.com}

Don't you love this picture? If this lady can do it...so can I : )

 I am really excited about today's workout.  The last time I did it, was over a year ago.  It will definitely be interesting to see what my time is.  Anyway, I will be smiling during the whole thing, because...fitness is fun. Right?

     Warm-up - A few yoga poses

     downward facing dog for one minute
     into plank pose for one minute
     into left side plank pose for one minute
     into right side plank pose for one minute

     Workout - for time

     Run 400 meters

     10 rounds of:
     10 push-ups
     10 squats
     10 jumping pull-ups
     10 sit-ups

     Run 400 meters

      

Enjoy! : )

The Color Run...so freakin' excited!!!!

via the official The Color Run website

I had no idea The Color Run even existed until my friend Carolyn told me that we HAD to do it. She described it, and it sounded great and then I visited their website, and now...I CAN NOT WAIT for November. I am so excited! I truly believe that this race will live up to be exactly what they say it is-

The Happiest 5k on the planet !!!!

Just watch this, and tell me if you are not inspired to just be there :

Maybe I will see you there!

***Update***

There has been some concern about the health effects of breathing the cornstarch dust during the race.  The Color Run website addresses this concern here on the FAQs section of their website. 

"Do the kilometer “Color Zones” affect runner vision? Or breathing?
The Color Run explosions are basically food grade cornstarch and are 100% natural and SAFE.  As with any substance, you want to keep it out of your eyes and our “certified” color throwers make sure to aim low as you pass by.  Some “Color Runners”  opt to wear glasses or goggles for their eyes and use a bandana or dust mask for their mouths.  As shown on the “about” page the middle lane is the “low color lane,” which offers a “lighter” color experience.  In summary: We work pretty hard to make it so our precious “Color Runners” get as much or as little color on them as they like."

Can't wait: "Celeste and Jesse Forever"

Have you seen this?

I watched this preview for "Celeste and Jessie Forever"  last night and by the end of it, I had all kinds of questions rolling through my head.  I LOVE this kind of movie! - the kind that addresses the absolutes in life.  Most of us were friends, if not best friends, with our significant others before we were married.  And though I may not know what will happen in the next 50 years (I am choosing to be optimistic here), I do know this:  Jason will always be my best friend, no matter what happens, that is my absolute.  If you are not friends, then what is the foundation on which you built your love?

The question must be asked, is friendship enough? Can you be friends, fall in love and then realize one day that you are back to being just friends? Is it worse to lose love or friendship? 




I know I am already rooting for Celeste and Jessie...but I have a feeling that I may leave the theater absolutely crushed.

Artist Spotlight: Nina Nolte's pool paintings

I LOVE these paintings! They bring back so many memories of spending days on end at the pool... and the wonder found right below the pool's surface.  Now, my girls and I go to the pool as often as we can, but I always end up being a human life preserver for my four year old : )

Nina Nolte was able to take me back to my childhood and make me remember the wonder that my children are experiencing with every trip we make to the bright blue pool.  LOVE them!

You can see more of Nina Nolte's work here.

Garage Girls: Workout #3

Instead of easing back into a workout routine, we jumped right into the deep end...and I know I paid for it the whole weekend.  Friday's work-out was a doozy, but in a month's time, it will be one of our easier workouts.  Today, once again, you need no equipment.

     Warm-up: 

     100 Jumping Jacks

     Workout:  Repeat 3x  (for time)

     20 squats

     40 Russian Twists

     20 standing calf raises

     30 seconds plank

     10 lunges (each leg)

     20 tricep dips

     20 sit-ups

     30 seconds side bridge (each side)

     20 push-ups

     10 step-ups (each leg)

Have fun : )

The Friday Five...

{ My new favorite thing- Crystal Light's Mojito flavor mix-in for your water! Soooo goood! Pop a sprig of mint in there and you won't know the difference! }

{ So happy to be working out with the Garage Girls again! Feels good to be in so much pain : )   }

{ I love happy dogs! I fell in love with this pup's spotted tongue and consummate grin } 

{ I love everything about anthropologie...especially the birthday discount card they sent me! }

{ Finally found the perfect color lipstick for summer - a peachy pink called " Stellar Sunrise" ColorStay Ultimate Liquid Lipstick from Revlon .  What I love the most- it stays on from 8 am until I go to bed. }

What are Your Five?

Garage Girls: Workout #2

On to workout #2...kind of sad, that I am this sore.  It's a good kind of sore though- the kind that reminds you how many muscles you have and that it is possible for them to hurt all at the same time : )

    Warm-up:

     run 400 m

    Workout: Repeat 3x      

    (always record your time for a future comparison)

    Jumping Jacks - 20

    Squats - 20

    Squat Jumps - 20

    Alternating lunges - 20 ( each leg)

    Burpees - 10

    Push-ups - 20

    Mountain climbers - 20

    Sit-ups - 20

    Plank hold - 60 seconds

* there are links to squat jumps, burpees, mountain climbers and plank hold if you have a question about how to do them.

Remember, if you are feeling the way I am right now, today's workout will not be fun...but it will be rewarding : )

(this workout was adapted from pbfingers)

Fabulous Food: My grandma's Blackberry Cobbler

This cobbler recipe has a sweet breading on top instead of the pie-like crust found in a lot of cobblers. The breading is crunchy like a crust, but has a cake like texture closer to the fruit.  Soooo good! My grandmother made this cobbler a lot as we were growing up.  I have always liked it best with blackberries, but it is great with peaches as well.

Blackberry Cobbler:

Ingredients:

4 c. fresh blackberries
1 c. flour
2 c. sugar (1 c. to combine with the fruit and 1 c. for the batter)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 c. milk
1 stick butter (melted and cooled)

In a large bowl, combine the blackberries with 1 c. sugar.  Mix well and set aside.  In a separate bowl combine the remaining ingredients.  Pour the blackberry mixture into a 13x9 baking dish.  Pour the batter over the blackberries.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes.

This recipe is so simple, but it is very important to use a tart fruit like blackberries.  The breading is sweet on it's own, so it tastes great with the tartness of the fruit.