Where did Summer GO? Part 1

So I can't believe how this summer has FLOWN by! It makes me a little sad even, to see the last post I had was in July. I have read/ listened to tons of books, at least six I can think of off the top of my head, and I might even review a few on here. This post won't be about books though, and it won't be about crafting, though I suspect I'll be doing more in the coming months. I have ambitious plans for this Christmas, but more on that later!

July was crazy, but August, that is the one that flew by. What I think I'll do in this post is just share some of the pictures from my summertime adventures.

July was full of, (miserable) Jogging, Hiking and Biking... Although I didn't do any of the biking. I'll start first with the biking... My step-father did the Seattle to Portland Bike Ride and my mother and I were the "support staff" for him. (I was there to take pictures and just generally be impressed.)

This, in itself may or may not sound impressive except that the bike ride is 204 miles (328.3 km). Crazy.

My step-father did this in ONE day. Crazier.

My step-father is 70 years-old. Has had two knee replacements and a stint put in. Ridiculousness.

They wrote an article about him in our local newspaper. Complete silliness. (but also kinda cool.)

I will share some of those pictures, plus some my mom doesn't like. I don't care because she posts pictures on Facebook of me every now and then, where I look absolutely terrible and this is my payback. :) (I Love you mom!)

I don't know ANY of these people, but I have MUCH respect for them.
It was quite HOT out when they were riding.

View from the road. I think this is in Kelso...

This is the finish line. Hollowday Park in Portland, OR. When people arrive they
immediate find a place to discard their bike then locate the nearest Beer Garden.

My step-father, Corky, pointing out his next destination, the Beer Garden.

Mom and I on the Support Staff for Corky. We got t-shirts. We really did nothing
but follow him and shop our way south but we had fun, and we took video of him
when he crossed  the finish line.

 And then there was the Hiking...  I've been personally making an effort to lose some weight and I'm have some success. Partly because I am driven see fewer crappy pictures of myself showing up on Facebook (thanks to others who clearly hate me), but mostly because of my two motivators, Jenny and Candi.

These two young women have been at it maybe only a couple months longer than I, but they are doing fantastic! I can't even explain how well they are doing, but I know the pictures you are about to see are a month old now. A month is a LONG time in terms of the amount of weight lost between the three of us. I'm not going to talk about numbers, but I want you to know, these girls are my inspiration, and these pictures don't do anyone any justice. With that said, here are a few that I'm willing to share.

First there was the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Hike near White Pass in Washington State:

Caityn, our Mascot, couldn't seem to get this photo-op together...

I love this view because it's so lovely AND it has
Caityn, my cousin's yellow lab swimming out to
a stick in the middle.

Me, trying not to mess up the picture too much. This is Lake
Packwood or maybe it's Packwood Lake. Either way...

The view from the trail! It's Mt. Rainier!

I'm clearly not tired yet... this should be the beginning
photo. I don't even look sweaty yet in this shot!

And then there was Pete's Creek trail in Olympic National Forest... This one was a beast, and we didn't complete it. Photos never do the wilderness ANY justice. I am so impressed by the beauty of this area.

Colonel Bob - Pete's Creek trail side. Steep but shorter than the
Northern side.

This is the GOOD part of this trail.

This is part of the NOT SO GOOD part.

Rain forest trees are huge.

We stopped when we reached the wildflowers. Apparently about
half way to the top. I hear the view is spectacular though.

I am already planning my next hiking weekend. One last hurrah before the end of the summer. We have such short summers here in the Pacific Northwest. This year might be a little longer.

August, what a whirlwind month! So much happened that I think it's worth a whole separate post.

Country Style Baby Shower

First and foremost, this was a team effort!

No way it would have turned out so cool without my Aunt Kathie, her daughter Jennifer and our buddy Candi! Candi, Kathie and Jenny worked on all the beautiful (and fabulously tasty) treats, while I just ate them shamelessly. (Hey, I worked out that morning running up and down the stairs about a bazillion times!)

Baby Wyatt is destined to be a cowboy, so that's what our theme was - well that and blue antique Ball jars. Between Jenny and I, I think we had about 12! Not to mention the 25 or so we made into door prizes and shower favors.  Check out the super cute, handmade invites here.

My contribution was mainly the games and prizes, while Jenny and I teamed up on most of the decor. Tissue paper pom-poms from Martha Stewart, burlap runners, raffia, jute, clothes pins, barn wood frame, simple white flower arrangements and a tree were all part of the show.

Thankfully my Aunt had a bunch of flowers and a TREE (random I know) from he older daughter's wedding a couple of weeks earlier.... Seriously a life saver. The tree had a bunch of cute baby items for momma to take with like travel sized baby ointment, socks, binkies and a hanging picture frame even.

DIY - Door prize Ball jar soap dispensers.
Aren't they cute?

Our door prizes were soap pumps made from Ball jars and Bath & Body works soaps. We also had party favors that were Cowboy Cookies in quart sized Ball jars... It had crossed my mind to make one of the games be "How many Ball jars did we use?" but as it was, we had more games than prizes! Jenny found the Cookie recipe on Pinterest. Jenny and Candi put them together in a mad dash a day or so before... I hear it was quite the mess considering they didn't have a funnel to use. HA! I wish I'd have seen it but they turned out SUPER CUTE!

Build-a-Baby Winner and Momma of the hour!

Game list included:

• Diaper Raffle
• Match the Animal Momma with the Baby (printable)
• Guess How Many Clothes Pins Are in the Jar
• Guess the Gerber's
• Build a Baby - from Playdoh (and momma chooses winner)

Plus my all time favorite because it's so helpful...

• Thank You Card Give-Away (People address the Thank You card envelopes to themselves and a winner is drawn from the envelopes.)

** Most of the rules to these games are either self explanatory or available by searching online so I won't go into more detail but everyone seemed to have fun. Awesome Games Available here.

The food was amazing, especially the gluten-free lemon butter cream frosted (and raspberry cream filled) cupcakes. Homemade by Candi!

I made the little flags for the cupcakes and I love how they look on the pedestal with the turquoise ribbon.

I could go on and on about the food but instead I'll just share the pictures and the decor with you now. If you see something you like, let me know in the comments, and if you have questions about how something was made or done, send me a message and I will do my best to explain. Otherwise the rest is a fully gratuitous post for the the baby shower.

Thanks for reading!

Party Favors - Cowboy Cookies in Ball Jars

It's a Cowboy!

Salted Carmel drizzle... oh yeah!

The spread also included 7-layer dip and Raspberry Chipotle dip among other yummies!

All in the details - that is burlap as the table runner.

Cowboy Cookies Galore!

Making a sheriff's badge for her Playdoh baby.

This was hosted at the Polson Museum - I'd use them again in a heartbeat!

Drink Bar with Real Lemonade.

Wooden letters Momma gets to take home and decorate with in the nursery!

2 Minute Book Review: Before I Fall

Reading time for this post: 1 minute, 52 seconds. Read it Later




Book: Before I Fall
Author: Lauren Oliver
Audio book read by: Sarah Drew (Grey's Anatomy anyone?)

This book was the teen equivalent of the movie Groundhog Day (with Bill Murray). I was immediately drawn to the premise of having one day repeated until you finally "got it right." (Plus, I love the movie Groundhog Day.) Even though it was not an original idea, the story of Before I Fall was. It was an interesting concept having a the main character, a 16-year old girl named Samantha, initially be one of the antagonists. She's a mean girl. It was an fascinating look into the world of girl cliques and what turns a girl into a bully, and what lengths it takes to bring her back into civility.

What I didn't like:
I'll be honest. I didn't like how it ended, but I understand it's the author's prerogative to end the story any way she feels. I thought it was unnecessary, but I won't go into any further detail, lest I ruin the story for other readers. It irritated me that there were moments when the main character was strong and assertive, but would fall back into her old passive and weak ways so easily. This was her struggle though, and the main theme of the book. I don't feel like there was any real justice. The main character arch ends with Samantha a better person, but the rest of her clique doesn't receive punishment. There isn't even have an epilogue that sheds light on how the supporting characters have changed or improved.

What I did like:
The main character seemed more realistic to me than many other formulaic young adult novels, she is realistically flawed. I could believe that Samantha was too self centric to see her world in any other way than as a spoiled, superficial, petty, popular brat. But as the story progresses her redeeming qualities are revealed. Her ability to overcome peer pressure and to realize what really mattered to her in her life, (her family) and making amends. 

Verdict:
I'd recommend this book, particularly to teen girls who are living through the hell that is high school. I think that despite the ending, the content is valuable and would be a great tool in a classroom setting to bring up the topic of bullying. The story is aggravating but engrossing. Reading it, you simply must know if Samantha will change and grow up.

Photo Letter Blocks

I saw these photo message blocks over at the Stories by Me! blog on Pinterest, and thought what a wonderful surprise they would be for my Best Buddy who lives out of state. The poor girl ends up with all my craft attempts. This one, however, turned out pretty slick, even if my photos don't do them any justice. (Maybe she'll take a photo of them for me in their natural setting and share it.)


Pinspiration: Letter Blocks

What I used: 

• 3 to 6 blocks depending on your word(s). I found blocks measuring about 1.5 inches, but these are a little small.
• 3 - 4 coordinating scrapbook papers to match your theme
• ModPodge Matte Decoupage Glue - (Or make your own)
• Laser Printer - Inkjet colors will smear if they get wet! Most home printers are Inkjet.
• Scissors
• Foam Brush
• Sandpaper/Sanding Block
• 9 to 18 photos formatted to fit your blocks. 
• Photo editing software, such as Adobe® PhotoShop® (Gimp a downloadable program or Pixlr, an online photo editing program would work as well)

Optional:

• Finishing Spray
• Distress Ink or Chalk
• Letter Stencils
• Acrylic Paint

How To:

1. GET ORGANIZED. Figure out what you want to spell. I wanted to have two words on opposite sides of the blocks. I chose F-A-M-I-L-Y and F-R-I-E-N-D. Then I picked out some bright and summery colored paper that I knew my friend would like. Then I sorted through a bunch of photos to narrow down which ones I thought were worthy.
   
   
2. I used PhotoShop to re-size my images to what I needed and printed mine in black and white on the laser printer. You could use real photos though, printed from a photo lab.
   
   

3. I printed my letters out onto scrapbook paper that I had to trim to 8.5"x11" in order to run through the printer. Another option could be to paint or stencil your letters on to the paper. You could also cut your letters out and glue just the letters on your blocks like this example from Berlin Patch.
   
   

4. Trim all your images and letters to fit whatever size of blocks you have.
   
   
5. Paint a coat of ModPodge on the cut ends of your blocks, as they will soak up and absorb more of the glue than the other sides. Let this dry before continuing.
   
   
6. Paint a thin layer of glue to the first side of one block. Place your first photo or letter square over glue and press in to place, removing any air bubbles or crookedness. While the glue is drying, continue to repeat the process for your other blocks and squares of paper. Try your best to WAIT for the glue to dry before trimming or sanding any excess paper.
   
   
7. Once the glue is dry, sand the EDGES of each block and avoiding scratching the photos or letters. Optional: If you want an aged or distressed look, rub ink or chalk along the sides of the sanded portions of the blocks. The idea is to darken the exposed wood and disguise any white paper edges. (I chose not to do a distressed look.)
   
   
8. To protect the photos, spray a few layers of finishing Acrylic paint or a few more coats of ModPodge.

Mini Polaroid Magnets

I stumbled on a cute little magnet project from the Ambrosia Creative website for custom Polaroid shaped magnets. I decided I wanted to make them for my best friend who lives a couple states away. But after seeing how cute they were, I decided I wanted a set for myself as well. Here is how mine turned out and how I did it.

Pinspiration: Tiny Polaroid Magnets

Some of the items are a little difficult to find on the Harbor so I also included where I found them below.

You will need:

• Stiff white card stock or photo matte board (I used the same board as is used to Matte a nice photo, because it had the right thickness I wanted. These you can find anywhere they sell picture frames just about, but I bought mine at Walmart.)
• Craft knife OR sturdy scissors (with scissors, you'll need strong hands)
• Metal straight edge/ruler
• Spray mount Or Photo Mounting Squares (I get my photo mounts at Joann's or Micheal's in their scrap-booking section, but I'm sure Walmart or Target has these.)
• Adhesive-backed magnet tape (A little more tricky to find, but I bought mine at Micheal's)
• Photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop (Gimp a downloadable program or Pixlr, an online photo editing program would work as well)
• Photo paper & Printer OR If you are like me, you'll just take them to the local photo lab printers.

How To:

1. You'll need to download the Photoshop file of the Polaroid frames below. One download is for a 4x6 image, handy for taking to the photo printer, and the other is an 8.5x11 that you can use at home. In your photo editing program, place your photographs in a separate layer behind the Polaroid frame layer. Crop and re-size your photos to fit within the mini Polaroid frames.

2. Print out photos onto photo paper. (Or pick them up from the photo lab place, lol. As a side note, I used matte paper for mine, but it works either way.)

My Path diverges here: Either you use A) spray mount adhesive or you use B) photo squares.

3A.Spray the back of your sheet of photos and also the cardboard/card stock with spray mount. Let each dry a minute before mounting the photos to the card stock. 

3B. Trim your photos. I trimmed my photos before I attached them to the card stock because it would be easier to see where to stick the photo mounts. Then attach the photos to the card stock leaving a little space between for easier trimming.

4. Trim around the photos with your craft knife or scissors.  Use the metal ruler/straight edge as a guide for your knife.

NOTE: Scissors can tend to pinch the card stock at the corners if you are not careful. See photo right. If you are using a craft knife, start with a fresh blade.

5. Attach magnets to back of each individual Polaroid. Depending on whether you bought a sheet or a roll of magnets will determine whether you should stick the Polaroids to the sheet first or time the roll to fit the Polaroids and then attach them.


Downloads:

4x6 Photoshop File

8.5x11 Photoshop File

2 Minute Book Review: For One More Day

Estimated reading time for this post: 2 minute 17 seconds. Read it Later?

Book: For One More Day
Author: Mitch Albom
Audio book read by: Mitch Albom

I usually try to steer clear from those melodramatic, tear-jerker best sellers because they are usually so predictable. You know the ones, they are written by authors with names like Sparks, Picoult, Hosseini, and Niffenegger. Somehow these books always end up on my checkout list from the local library. The public has a love affair with sad stories that may or may not even be realistic. These authors have the magic equation of 1 parts believable or relatable characters, 2 parts absorbing story, and 3 parts sentimentality.

That said, I just finished one of these stories, having been sucked in by a Mitch Albom book. He is just about the king of sentimentality, and I am not certain he has written a story yet that wasn’t a about the sad yet life affirming event of death, or at least one that was popular.

(I do get tired of seeing all of his books say, on the cover no less, “Author of Tuesdays with Morrie.” If he hasn’t made buckets and buckets full of money on his other books yet, they he’ll never be considered a Best Selling Author.)

Anyway, this book was called ‘For One More Day,” and I would have to say that the title says it all. You know things are going to get sad when you only have one more day. Needless to say, I knew what I was getting into with this one.

I was surprised only once in the entire story and it was at the very end. I won’t give it away, but it’s safe to say the story was about a man, spending one more day with his mother. Sort of a “do-over” the main character gets to be with his deceased mother for a single day, learning valuable truths and lessons about life and his mother’s biggest secrets.

The story held my attention, but I am a sucker for stories about families that have been split by divorce, coming from one myself. It was a short listen (Audiobook) and I was only left with one question when the book was complete. I’d say that is pretty good, all things considered. The story turned a little preachy, like most of his books usually do, and there were the standard quotable inspirational lines.I can't say that I gained any insight into my own mother but there were a few moments where I could relate, but I have a sneaking suspicion this is all part of his formula.

My final analysis of this book is that was not terrible, and I appreciated a little change-up in the ending. Would I recommend it? Probably. Would I go out of my way to tell people to read it? Probably not. For me, it was just OK. Maybe I wasn’t in the mood for a mushy, meandering inspirational. My only defense is that I have a long commute and books on tape are better than the advertisements on the radio.

Feel free to leave me a comment. Maybe you actually LOVED this book and can't stand hearing anyone say something negative. Let me know.

2 Minute Book Review: Along for the Ride

Reading time for this post: 1 minute, 33 seconds. Read it Later

Book: Along for the Ride
Author: Sarah Dessen
Audio book read by: Rachel Botchan


This book is a summer read that takes place the summer after high school graduation for the main character Auden, an 18 year old girl. I found myself relating closely with the main character whose family is split and father remarried. Set in a small town on the coast is definitely familiar to me, but the small town was surprisingly not used as a supporting character, thank goodness.

In fact the author did a remarkable job with creating likeable and believable characters, avoided annoying pitfalls of cliché teen dialog. Maggie was particularly likeable, and many of the characters grew on me. For a story that was a little predictable, I was sincerely grateful that there were a few surprises left for the reader.  It was a relief to have a teen romance that wasn’t wrought with drama and too much sex, it was simply a sweet love story.

I was disappointed that we didn’t get to learn more about some of the supporting characters, or for that matter, the lead love interest. The author spent a great deal of time describing Auden’s father but fails to resolve the conflict she creates, and for that I am also frustrated. At least we get to see her mother grow as an individual, her father seems to remain much the same.

What you will find in this book is some fun characters that you might have even known in your own high school years, and a charming love story with a happy ending. The title, “Along for the Ride” is used as a device to explain how when life knocks you down, you need to get back up and try again. Sometimes there are second chances.  This book was light enough and as a summer read it’s perfect. If you are looking for solid resolutions for all of the back stories, then you may be left hanging.

My Baby is SICK!!!

I would like to preface this entry with the fact that I am not a parent, I have no human baby, this is NOT a mommy blog. I don’t even have a pet.

What I do have is 2002 Ford Focus SE (Comfort Edition) that was my first grown-up purchase. The first, credit building purchase I made (and paid off I might add), and I call her “Little Silver” and sometimes the “Silver Bullet.” She has been with me through my move to college, my move back after graduation, and the many, many miles I have accumulated driving to work for the last three years since graduation.

We have had some really great adventures. I remember a specific spring break road trip down the 101 highway on the Oregon Coast with my best friend. We barely even looked at the map, but we took lots of lovely pictures, and ate terrible road trip foods. I also bought my first fillet mignon that trip, but only thanks to my best friend’s mother, who had pity on us and paid for an extra night in a hotel for us. We used our extra cash to treat ourselves to a gourmet dinner.

It wasn’t all sunshine and roses. We’ve had our fender benders, but I am totally honest in saying that the two incidents I am referring to, were entirely not my fault. (It’s true, check my records!) I was rear-ended at a stop light one time, and in hindsight (pun intended) I think the guy may have been drunk. But I digress.

I have tried to be good to Little Silver, took her for her check-ups, oil changes, and filled her tank when she was thirsty. We’ve gone on leisurely drives, exciting unplanned adventures, and been through some wicked and wild weather. She even has her winter shoes! (Studded Tires)

But I can’t stop the inevitable, and I realize she is getting older. I mean, eight people years is like 80 in car years. She should be in retirement and relaxing in my driveway. But no, she is my service car, and I need her to get to my place of employment.

And now, she is sick.

She sputters like she is choking on phlegm, and I can only imagine she has some incurable car pneumonia. Cars don’t always survive car pneumonia. This breaks my heart.

I know some people would like to say, “Hey, it’s just a friggin’ Focus, it’s not even a very good year!” But to them I say, “Go to H, E double hockey sticks!" because she’s still my first new car I ever owned. There is some kind of connection we make to our first car, well, at least the first one we buy ourselves.


So tomorrow I am taking her in to the doctor, and getting a diagnosis. There will be talk of mileage I am sure, and even possibly replacement parts, but I am not ready to send her down the river. She is just a little sick. But if you let a little symptom go, it might turn into a cancer. An no car is worth saving if it comes to that. So I will say a little prayer tonight, and leave her in trusted hands. I can only hope the remedy is a cheap one… I promise I will wash you more if you make it through this!