So...it's nearly the 4th of July...a completely appropriate time to blog about what I did on Memorial Day, right?? I've taken a bit of a hiatus from the bloggy world lately...just needed a breather. I figure it's time to get back on the wagon, though...or I may never do it (plus a couple of folks have asked where the blog has been (Aunt Jean). So here goes...

For whatever reason...most holidays include some type of outdoor activity for the hubs & me. This time around was a trip to Saylorville Lake for a walk on the trails. I also got to try out my new Vibram 5-Fingers (the hubs has had his for quite a while). I actually really like the shoes...plus they're uber cute, right??

The whole time we were walking...we had to dodge these guys creeping along. There were so many of them! So many, though, that the bikers, runners...the hubs...couldn't miss stepping on them. R.I.P., tiny snails...

I love how even a place like Saylorville Lake...that I've been to tons of times...can still have beautiful things to discover. The wildflowers were lovely and the bridge we crossed totally caught my eye. I'm pretty much in love w/ anything wooden & rusty...in any form.

Aww...in how many pics will the hubs agree to pose w/ me?? I'm sure there will come a point when he'll cease to indulge my need for them. ;)

Well, if I have any blog readers left after being gone for almost a month...I hope this post has been somewhat enjoyable. I'll try and keep things a little more regular from now on. No promises, though...

~Hilary~

Saturday, in the Park...

It was an early one this last Saturday...up @ about 6 a.m. to get ready for church cleaning day. There were only a handful of us there...but we did get a lot accomplished. Windows washed, pews polished...and many, many, many Sunday School rooms cleaned.

Pretty much my accessories for the morning...uggo buggo blue gloves...and Windex (lots & lots of Windex).

The hubs & I rewarded all of our hard work w/ some amazingly delicious fish tacos. I could eat some right now, actually...yumm!

Getting ready to chick flick it up. The hubs agreed to watch The Lucky One w/ me (and Eric & Gina, too). It actually wasn't that bad...and he knows it. ;)

Ooohh...a self-portrait...love! I am ob.sessed w/ my new tee. Just so many colors! Sporting my new sunglasses too...thank you, Target for luring me into purchases I may, or may not need.

Ended the (exhausting) but good day @ Thomas Mitchell Park w/ some KFC...b/c what else do you eat @ a picnic?? After the incredible carb-load...a good ol' game of catch. I even got a new softball glove for the occassion...although...it didn't seem to be working as well as I'd hoped. ::embarassed face::

~Hilary~

Flea Market Fabulosity

Last week, it was finally here...the What Cheer Flea Market. I'd pretty much been looking forward to it since the last one in October. My posse for this treasure hunt, Sister & Chelsea, were equally excited...although, I feared Chelsea might not be joining us...as she's ready to have another cutie-pie baby very soon. She was a trooper, though...and came along for a flea adventure.

We brought the 'big rig' for this trip...all of us felt the itch to buy. Good thing, too...b/c Chelsea made the day by finally buying a big piece of furniture (she found one last time that was sobeautiful...but didn't buy).

Boxes & boxes of lovelies like this. Oh my...so much rusty goodness! Things really just aren't made this beautifully anymore...

Sisters!!

A much-welcomed peanut butter & chocolate shake after a morning of buying...and trapsing through the mud (did I mention it had rained 4 inches 2 nites b/f this??). Crazy business!

What's the big deal? Just a dude cruising town on his riding lawn mower. He was very observant of traffic laws. :)

Chelsea's our own little diva...queen-bee chair & an ooh-la-la fan. J/k...she is just really a great sport posing for all my pics.

Broke out my favorite new-to-me tie-dye tee from Salvation Army for the day. I had a lot of color happening...including my crazy-patterned cross-body bag.

It never fails to amaze me how creative and talented people are. Taking everyday, cast-off items and making the most beautiful things w/ them. The wind chimes made from a mish-mash of vintage items...amaze. We've all seen the lids to pots discarded at the thrift store...or the bin of silverware...never to be used by anyone. Well...this lovely lady put her thinking cap on and made sweet 'music' w/ them. The tiny village made up of this'n'that items...so magical.

Some tired (and muddy) feet after a great day. Thanks, again, for the fun, ladies!

~Hilary~

**P.S...pics of my treasures to come.

Day 2 of Adventure Fabulosity

After our super-fantastical first day of road-tripping...we slept in a bit. Soverynice...considering most days find me up b/f 5 a.m. (boo...I know.)

*Pretty door knob @ the magical cupcake shop...I could look at stuff like this all.day.long.

Once we filled up on b'fast @ Caroline's, the hotel's restaurant...it was off to Galena. Unfortunately for us...the forecast had been a bit mis-leading. All we packed were warm-weather clothes...only to find cold, rainy weather there. Not to worry...we explored the town quite a bit...warming up in the different shops. Kidded around in a toy shop...filled w/ all the good stuff: Play Dough, Silly Putty, magic tricks, bouncy balls, wax teeth...you name it, they had it.

Having so many sweets the day b/f had made us all a little gun-shy to eating. Lunch was delish, though...

you can never go wrong w/ pizza.

Last stop...Antique Archaeology in LeClaire. The hubs & I have been there b/f...but our partners-in-crime had not. It's cool to see in person (if you watch American Pickers)...but, unfortunately, a lot of the stuff isn't for sale. They've kind of curated things you see them "pick" on the show...so they want them to be in the store (I think) so visitors can recognize certain items. Still haven't gotten to meet any of the personalities from the show...maybe next time.

After all the fun...it was time to come home. The drive back from a road trip is always the worst. We eventually made it, though...unpacked and then, went to enjoy a bit of Thai food..b/c, why not?

*Chicken Pad Thai...yumm!

Not sure where the next road will lead. Maybe something impromptu??

~Hilary~

I Be Trippin'...Road Trippin'

So...I see a Groupon for a hotel that I love, in a city that I like a lot...what could I do, but buy the silly thing. Then, of course, I have to share the deal w/ our travel buddies, Eric & Gina. Next thing ya know...it's time for a day off...and an adventure!

We've stayed @ the Hotel Julien in Dubuque one other time...and I loved it. Dubuque, Iowa...why on earth would I want to go there, you ask??  Well, b/c I love history...anything to do w/ it...buildings, pictures, stories...so, this is the place for me. It's an old river town...full of (said) old buildings, etc. I could pretty much drive around looking @ the architecture all day long...imagining who lived there b/f...making up stories in my head. Since not everyone rolls the same way I do, though...we did have a few other activities. *sigh*

We started out on a Friday morning w/ our first destination in mind...Traer, Iowa. Now what the heck?? How could this possibly be on our agenda? I'll tell you why...b/c of a little bakery called Cookie Mom Cookies. The hubs and I stumbled upon it the last time we travelled up this way. I needed to get out and stretch and the town had a really cute main street. Also...I love anything w/ frosting...so seeing this bakery made me giddy. I've wanted to go back ever since. Luckily...this trip provided the perfect excuse for another visit.

This little gem of a town also provided a tasty lunch @ a local watering hole. I chose the cheeseburger (as pub cheeseburgers seem to be the tastiest) and some cheese balls. Healthy...I know.

Now, this is awkward...but our next stop was another bakery...the All Things Sweet Shop. (I promise that not all road trips include so many treats...but isn't eating a big part of open-road adventures?) It is a very good thing that I do not, in fact, live in Dubuque...b/c I would be unable to avoid these tasty cupcakes. The lady baker...has mad skills. It is entirely possible that I have some cupcakes stowed away in the freezer...for a rainy day.

When we finally got to the hotel...I was fully loaded on sugar...and starting to get crank.y. So, the hubs and I took to the streets for a little walk...enjoying the city & the first of spring's blooms. Then...a  little relaxation...hubs (instantly) on the computer...and a little InStyle for moi.

Once we got our 2nd wind...we had dinner (seafood place, gross...not worth mentioning), took in the sights from an amazing public park w/ insane views (it was super cold, though, as per Gina's being wrapped in a blanket)...and then settled in back @ the hotel for a rousing game of Hearts. While the card game was fun...we mostly enjoyed the sailor-like swearing of a lady outside of the hotel's bar. Wowza...she was M.A.D....and let everyone know it. Hi.larious!

Day 2 of the trip was spent in Galena & LeClaire...but that, my friends is for another day.

~Hilary~