I'm Still Here...

So...I pretty much haven't blogged in a zillion years. Ok...a slight exaggeration...but I do know it's been a really long time. Why?? I really think there are a few contributing factors: 1. it takes a really long time to upload my pictures from my iPhone to my computer (seems lame...but I get irrationally angry almost every time I try and do it), 2. The hubs and I have been working on so many projects this summer...something just had to give. Unfortunately...it was this little bloggy, and 3. I really felt like I was starting to sound repetitive and a little not-like-myself in my blog posts.

Anyhoo...I'm gonna give it another go...b/c I really do like the concept of a blog...and the feedback that I get from my posts!

Here are just a few of the things we've been busy w/ over the last several months...

Starting in about March of this year, we began planning/working on almost a complete re-do of our main level. We had our walls, ceilings, kitchen cupboards and built-ins painted. After that was done...we finally got new flooring!!! I have been dreaming for so long about getting rid of our nasty baby blue carpet...and it actually came true this summer. While we did hire out all of the work...it took up so much of our time packing stuff up and making sure everything was out of the workers' way. I don't do well when things are out of place...so this was kind of a trying time for me... All's well that ends well, though...and I L.O.V.E., love, the results!!

Also on my to-do list for the summer was helping my very best friend, Jill, plan her parents' 40th anniversary party. I was so honored to help her decide the feel and design of the party. The color scheme played off the original wedding colors...and was so bright and cheery!

We did get to do a lot of relaxing after all the planning...but vacations can be just as much work as regular life...

 

Now that things have settled down a bit...I'm hoping to get back into sharing my daily thoughts and experiences w/ you all.

 

~Hilary~

Sisters

My sister...honestly...if you had asked me up until the age of (oh about) 24...was my nemesis. We really couldn't have been more different growing up...she's a social butterfly...I'm a homebody. She was really good at sports...I played golf. She was always pushing the limits...I was all about rules. Not to mention all of the fights we had...they never ended in my favor..."I was older...should know better."

After our dad died, though...everything changed. Our little family was suddenly even smaller. If we didn't lean on each other...who could we count on? It turns out...Sister and I actually have a lot more in common than we had thought. A lot of that was probably just growing up, though...

I am so happy we decided to not only be sisters...but to be friends. Sister pushes me to be a better person...inspiring me w/ her constant energy chasing around Miss Addy...my most-adorable 2-year-old niece. 

I'm so happy we put the petty differences of our youth behind us (sorry about that hole in the wall from a flying bottle of nail polish, Mom). Now...instead of fighting...we can enjoy each other's company...doing just about anything! Although...I'm still a homebody...

Thanks for being a great sister, Ashley!

~Hilary~

40th Anniversary Party

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to decorate for a party my friend Jill was having in honor of her parents' 40th wedding anniversary. First off...the venue for the party could not have been prettier. It was held at the Iowa Historical Building on the Cafe Terrace...with downtown Des Moines as the back-drop...gor.ge.ous! We decided the theme should incorporate some of the color palette from their wedding (we picked out shades of yellow w/ white and green accents) and that it should feel "country chic."

Now...the way I usually decorate for parties stems from what I have on-hand...how I can transform those items into centerpieces & table-scapes. For this party...I used every mason jar I could get my hand on, in addition to larger glass pieces I have (a cake stand and various vases).

Every table had a sheet of craft paper, plus a combination of vases w/ flowers and mason jars. I filled the jars w/ rice (it was the cheapest thing I could think of) an l.e.d. candle, and a teeny-tiny chalkboard w/ love notes written on it. The jars were also wrapped in twine...to add to the country feel. I incorporated yellow into the mix with both flowers and lemons. I will say...I loved the look of the lemons. They were really natural...and added a great pop of color!

Jill and I planned this party for quite a while...from the very start, though...I knew I wanted s'mores as the favor...for people to enjoy after. The hubs and I wrapped grahams, mallows, and chocolate squares...tying them all up w/ twine and a little note card that said "to many s'more years." Awww.... The lover.ly sign was painted by my friend, Abby, who also made one for the main level of the building...to help point guests in the right direction. 

I had to come up w/ a last minute idea for something guests could sign. Decided on a large piece of foam board (I was lucky to find it in black)...and just had folks use chalk markers to write their names & well-wishes.

I love the banner! It was a great addition of color...and on a large scale. Jill made the numbers (covered in vintage pics of her parents) and they turned out great...gave everyone something to look at while they picked out their tasty desserts.

Just a couple of old friends...

I was so relieved when everything was up to be enjoyed! What a beautiful way to enjoy the party...and all the hard work.

~Hilary~

On the Cheap

The hubs & I had a b-day celebration for his dad waaaaay back in May. It was just supposed to be a laid-back get-together (b/c our house has been torn apart from projects since late March)...but I couldn't leave the table naked. So...I pulled together a few things I've thrifted recently and a few snippets from our yard.

The table cloth (a vintage sheet) and the crystal cut glasses are all from Salvation Army. I picked up the super-de-duper frog @ a flea...I couldn't resist his wide-open mouth and chippy green paint. Back in the day (when we first got married) I was very into Fiesta...the s&p shakers are remnants from then. I should probably put those dishes back into my regular rotation...what a waste, otherwise.  Last, but not least...the "flowers." We don't really have much for pretty flowers, etc (we will next year!!!)...but I do have quite a few hosta. A couple leaves from those...and cuttings from a purply plant (how scientific)...voila!

The total cost of this table scape...less than $5. :)

~Hilary~

Summer

Bend low again, night of summer stars.
So near you are, sky of summer stars,
So near, a long-arm man can pick off stars,
Pick off what he wants in the sky bowl,
So near you are, summer stars,
So near, strumming, strumming,
So lazy and hum-strumming.

--From the poem "Summer Stars" by Carl Sandburg

Been having a fantabulous summer around here thus-far! We've already finished 1 of our 3 vacations...looking forward to the second in the next couple of weeks! I've been working on a lot of projects...hoping to get some of them up on this bloggy...maybe even this week! I'm also helping one of my dearest friends w/ her parents' 40th anniversary party this weekend. Pictures of that to come for sure!

*Corn fields outside of Spirit Lake, Iowa...filled w/ wind turbines. They look like some kind of mythical giants to me...

Hoping everyone else is enjoying all the fun things summer has to offer. Remembering also...to slow down a bit and savor the sounds, smells, and relaxation of the season.

~Hilary~

What the Pho?

A couple weeks ago, I had a very long day @ the ol' job. The last thing I could possibly think about was cooking dinner. Eating out sounded so wonderfully delicious...and easy. So...off to Taste of Thai the hubs and I went. (I pretty much have to merely mention the word Thai...and he's already backing out the car).

This little piece of street art was on a building in the restaurant's parking lot. Idk why...but I couldn't stop laughing at it...just thought it was super clever!

Pho...the tastiest soup you will ever eat. Ever. How to pronounce it, though...is another story entirely. Since I'm never really sure how to say it...I make a big deal of saying it. Then...if it's wrong...it seems like I meant to do it. Ya follow??

And...on the way home...this menagerie. Not only were 2 full-grown adults cruising on this bike...but so was their Pommerenian. No worries...there were so many straps on his cage...he wasn't moving for days.

So...w/ a belly full of Pho (now tell me...how did you say it in your head??)...we ventured home.

~Hilary~

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~

Soveryclose...

So...I've been noticeably absent from this bloggy lately. Sorry, folks...there's been just too much going on. At current count...we are on approximately 3-4 major house projects...none of which are anywhere close to being done. I'm very excited to unveil the final results, though!

The only thing keeping me somewhat sane is knowing vacation is coming up in about...2 weeks! I set up this fun little app on my iPhone to track downtothesecond when vaca will actually be happening. It currently reads: 0 months, 2 weeks, 4 days, 18 hours, 19 minutes, and 37 seconds (& counting). It's probably not very helpful to be constantly monitoring the countdown...

Hoping everyone has some fun summer plans...something to countdown for! :) Happy weekend...almost.

~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~

Passion for Fashion...and Cupcakes, Too

Got to celebrate my lovely friend Jill a few days ago @ her Dress for Success event...Passion for Fashion.  She has done such an incredible job bringing this organization to the Des Moines market...helping women get the training and clothing they need to make a new start for themselves in the working world. I was happy to see her have a fun, inspirational evening of fashion...and recognition for how far they've come as a team this past year.

I got to start my evening w/ a de.light.ful cupcake from my favorite...Sugar Plums. Thank you Julie for making my frosting dreams come true.

2 lovely ladies...

The event was held at Drake University...my alma mater...kind of weird being back on campus. Although, it has changed quite a bit since I was there. Thought it was pretty cute that someone had left doggie biscuits for the bright blue bulldog (Drake's mascot).

Such a good event for a great friend...way to go, Jill!

~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.