Wednesday, August 5, 2015

What I'm ...

I'm in the mood for a superficial phone-it-in type post.

What I'm Cooking This Week ... 
I've been craving warm, hearty, stick-to-your-sides casseroles lately which is weird. It's summertime! I should be jonseing for all things fresh and local because 'tis the season. Alas, we're actually eating Chicken Tenders with Sriracha Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce this week, along with Grilled Steak with Herb Butter and foil potatoesRanch Pork Chops with local green beans and Salmon with Avocado Salsa.

What I'm Reminiscing About ... 
Our Thailand honeymoon. Swoon! It was six years ago this week that Andi and I jet setted to Thailand for an unforgettable vacation. Last night, we re-read my old blog posts and reminisced about our experiences there. Interestingly enough, we both recalled so much about our trip -- exactly what we ate and how we felt while eating it; the endearing people we met; the sweltering humidity; Andi's feeling of near-death the last few days of our travels. Feels like it was just yesterday.

What I'm Loving ... 
A friend gave me a Birchbox subscription for my birthday this year and while I enjoyed receiving a fun gift in the mail for a few months, I wasn't particularly moved by any one product ... except! Yes To Cucumber Facial Wipes. I'm the worst at washing my face before bed (I know, I know. Ugh!) but these wipes have been my saving grace. They're easy to use, smell great, and cheap. [p.s. not sponsored, duh.]  

What I'm Dreading ... 
Later this month, Andi and I are going on a Canadian fly-in fishing trip without the kids. That's not the part I'm dreading, obviously. The idea of spending five glorious days in the beautiful outdoors with my husband sans technology sounds like heaven. Leaving Tory and Aden for almost a week, however, does not. I know they'll both be in good hands with Grandma while we're gone, but I've still got a pit in the bottom of my stomach just thinking about being away from them. Also, all the things I need to accomplish in the next few days to prepare for someone else watching them = ugh.

This is going to be me! WHUT.

source

What I'm Working On ... 
Tory turns 4 at the end of the month so I'm busy planning not one, but TWO, birthday parties for her. Go big or go home, right?

Tory requested a pink princess birthday party this year, complete with a princess cake and with her ECFE school friends in attendance. (Apparently, almost four-year-olds have very specific ideas about their birthdays. Party Planning Moms will have to get used to this.) The problem is, Tory's birthday falls over a weekend and we've always celebrated her special day at the lake cabin. I considered how I was going to meet Tory's party requests without missing a cabin weekend and decided to host two parties -- a princess party for friends (basically, a glorified play date at our house on a weekday morning) and a weekend watermelon-themed BBQ with family and cabin friends at the lake. This means I'm in full-on crafting mode to pull together two birthday party celebrations happening the week after our big fishing trip.

What I'm Watching ... 
Television isn't very high on my list of priorities, so I can only handle watching one show at a time. And, it takes me foreeeeever to finish something. This is the exact reason Andi and I dont watch TV together. Anyway, while he was traveling earlier this summer I got sucked into watching Scandal on Netflix and it's sooooo good. I'm only halfway through Season 2 so no spoiler alerts! It'll probably take me the rest of the year to finish the series.

What I'm Wearing ... 
I bought this Columbia Anytime Casual Skort at the beginning of the summer, and I wear it all the time. So comfortable (stretchable waist band - hello!) and the hidden shorts underneath make it fully-functional for mom-life. LOVE.

What I'm Looking Forward To ... 
Andi booked tickets for our family to visit my good friend Lindsey (and Tory's BFF Ashley) in Lexington, Kentucky this fall. I'm super excited to spend the weekend with our friends and to meet Lindsey's new baby born last month. The kids and I are also headed to Nebraska over Halloween to visit my family while Andi is on a work trip, so I'm excited about that trip too. So many things to look forward to in the coming weeks and months means the rest of this year is going to fly by in the blink of an eye. Fun times!

4 comments:

  1. My husband & I did a BWCA trip with friends when our daughter was 18 months and I could have puked the whole week leading up to it and the first couple of days. The leaving her was hard, but it was the lack of technology, the lack of contact, the inability to fly right home or drive right home. That's what caused me the most stress. It's hard!

    Godspeed. I suggest lots of booze to dull your brain once you're gone. And a signed medical release form with Grandma.

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  2. oh gosh you have a lot to look forward to with all the trips! And birthday parties!
    I'd be all over that fishing trip minus the fishing part. But being away from Aria would be the hardest. We've had one legit date night where Aria wasn't already sleeping and I was kind of a mess. Separation anxiety party of one over here.

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  3. Ha. I just totally got lost in your posts about your honeymoon. Curious, if you bought the skort at a local store. I'm looking to get a new one and really want to try it on before I buy. It looks really cute.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jo! I have three versions sets of Columbia skorts, and bought some online and one from the Columbia outlet in Albertville. Maybe you'd want to try a store to see if they have it so you can try it on? I thought the fit was fairly true to size and Columbia has a pretty good return policy, too, in case you end up ordering one online.

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