perfect day.

I would classify today as one of those perfect days.

• Slept in (aaaahhhh fabulous!)
• Ran a few errands with Troy (emptied some *junk* from the garage)
• Put up a few Autumn decorations (Yay!)
• Made a huge pot of Taco Soup (for lunch and dinner - linner or dunch - I like dunch better!)
• Watched movies with my guys (Love Guru and Baby Mama - both funny!)
• Quiet, lazy Saturday...Love it! Love it!

were you wondering

So...were you wondering where I was this weekend? No? What? Now that isn't nice! Oh, you were joking! Good. Since you were wondering...I went to Bellevue with Cheryl to visit her sister, Donna, and cheer her on as she walked in the 3-day Breast Cancer Walk. Way to go Donna! You're the BrEaST!

Go here for a bit more detail of the weekend (and some pictures). Of course I have pictures that I took, however I haven't been feeling well (in a few different ways...I think Troy & Archer shared last week's cooties with me...and...really you don't want details) since I've been home, so no big fancy post filled with pictures today!

today.

I am looking forward to a lazy Saturday. Read a book, watch a movie maybe, catch up on my backlog of magazines, clean a little. Just do a little bit of {this and that}. You know...whatever strikes me at the moment. Right now cruising blogs, replying to emails, and updating this and the book blog is striking me. We will see where Saturday goes. How is that for vague?

And this picture of my "little" boy...I took it a week or so ago and I love it. We were at my parent's new house and he was being goofy with Nicholas and fell to the ground. I pointed my camera and he even smiled. Didn't get up and run away. Didn't tell me no. Just smiled. I love my boy.

review & to do

This weekend was really fun! (How is that for a catchy beginning sentence? Makes you want to keep reading, huh?)...

Saturday morning Troy and I dropped Archer off at my parent's house while we had a day trip to Bellevue. Troy had to pick up a *gun* (surprise, surprise) and thought we could make a day out of it. I hadn't been to Bellevue square since Archer was a baby (I know the horror) - so we spent a few hours wandering around. I love, love, love spending time in Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma. We were very good though and limited our purchasing to a few (obviously much needed) items. I hate coming home knowing I spent too much on things I don't really need. This trip was perfect - browsing, inspiration, writing down some books to check out at the library!

We ate at the Cheesecake Factory (uh...YUM)! I had the most delicious Mango-rita - I am sure Troy could replicate it if he truly wants to make me happy!

The loot - sometimes the bags just make me happy!a litte of what was inside those bags (Archer's legos were taken out)

On the way home we stopped by Joel and Katrina's house to visit and drop off a birthday present for Madeline. We love to visit with them - don't see them nearly often enough. Well...maybe...getting Troy and Joel together is sometimes an iffy scenario! (haha)

When we stopped to pick up Archer he was evidently not ready to leave Grandma & Grandpa's house. On Sunday I asked my mom to pick me up a compost bin at the Re-Store before she brought Archer home, however a compost bin is evidently a very personal item and she didn't want to pick it out...So, a trip to Bellingham for me was necessary. My mom said she saw a compost bin in the Fred Meyer ad for only $34.99 so we went there and picked up this beauty!

WoooHooo! Jerrie's got herself a compost bin! I decided against a pile for several reasons (smell, neighbors, being right here, smack-dab in the middle of this town). My initial plan was for a pile, but I think this may make everyone just a wee-bit happier! Anyway...I am excited by the compost bin! (I can cross off one of those items on my "100 things to do" list. Yay!)

Well...that is is...our weekend all wrapped up this Monday morning.

Monday's to dos: go to the library (for real...wasn't that on the list last week?), clean off the kitchen table.
There. That is it. If I can do those two things I will have accomplished two much needed tasks. My books are overdue, I have a few to pick up which will expire tomorrow - good incentive to go. My kitchen table is in the kitchen, somewhere. Oh, I think it is under all that *stuff* there. I think I can see the legs. Ya, it needs some help! Wish me luck!

weekend update.

We have gotten some good family time in over the weekend. Troy's parents, Troy's sister, my brother. Nick's 3rd birthday party. And of course photos along the way. I will upload when I get home tomorrow (I hope) and share.

Right now I'm loving - quiet time with a good book, naps, cuddling with cats and my kid, family time. 

weekend recap

Where shall I start? Maybe with a weekend breakdown...

Friday Archer and I began our summer vacation. Quick trip to town, lunch, a new video game (really...what else is there to do in the summer? whatever).
Saturday was DeAnne's graduation party.
Sunday lunch with Troy and a BBQ at my cousin Lorinda's.

Okay. So those are the facts. What really happened?

What about the lessons I learned this weekend? That may be much more fun for you.
Lesson 1 - I am not in the 18 - 22 year old range anymore. Interpret that how you will.
Lesson 2 - umm....Okay. I think one lesson is enough. If you think you want details you may want to think again.
Oh yea - maybe lesson 2 should be make sure battery in camera is charged prior to party...

I got a few shots over the weekend (before the dead battery).

*The Graduate* All decked out like a movie star. Those are some rockin' pants and sunglasses!

Alex who looks like he walked out of Top Gun (which he has never even seen...). Where does one find sunglasses like that? I have to admit he pulls them off pretty well.

One of my favorite things is seeing my big brother with his son. I never thought I would see the day. He is truly a great father and Nick is a wonderful little boy! We bought Nick some "big" books and he spent much time reading...Lovely.

Cousins. I am so grateful that Lorinda's boys are such great friends to Archer. It is precious to have friends that are family. (Caleb, Dawson, Archer)

My cousin Kelly, who wasn't able to join us, sent his kids up for the day with his sister. I haven't seen Kelly in years, however I usually get to see the kids a few times a year. This is Skylar and Alexis. Darling girls.

Kelly's son Ty who is just days older than Nick. Ty is a hard one to get a picture of. I have quite a few of him running away from me. As soon as I would hold up the camera away he would run!

One last one of the graduate. Sweet, smiley girl (don't let the cute fool you! haha)!

Happy Monday. First Monday of summer vacation! Yay!

living up to the name...

In an attempt to live up to the name "a little bit of this and that" this is a post filled with, what one might see as, random pictures.

On Saturday Cheryl and I went to the Farmer's Market, lunch at Fiamma Burger, a movie (What Happens in Vegas - cute, go see it), and a little more shopping.

I love this sign at the Farmer's Market. As you may remember I do love cupcakes and there is a place there that sells cupcakes, real cupcakes. However, I was a bit disappointed in the selection today and ended up buying tarts (lemon and strawberry-rhubarb) at a different stand. Lunch at Fiamma Burger was okay. I liked my burger, Cheryl's chicken sandwich was a little on the iffy side. It was a bit expensive and should come with fries, but that is another story (burgers should ALWAYS come with fries...are fries really that expensive to make? No. I don't think so.)

Anyway...the best thing about Fiamma Burger is the restroom. It is one of those fully automated ones...you know with the self-flusher, auto faucet, auto hand dryer. It is very futuristic. Of course before lunch I had to go in and well...you know. When I went to use the auto dryer I was quite literally blown away. So...I forced Cheryl into the one-staller bathroom with me (I don't think it was that much of an arm-twister especially after I came out laughing) to take pictures.

This picture is of Cheryl's hand under the auto-dryer. Look closely at the skin...that was a powerful dryer...Oh my! It was like being on a roller-coaster or something. We came out of the bathroom together, laughing...people were watching, giggling...It was so worth it. Fantastic!

Came home to my lovely husband who is in the process of making wine (rhubarb & mixed fruit wine which he is calling Melange). He is obviously having too much fun...I should really cut back on his fun.
Our new little patch of dirt. I bought some pumpkins and squash at Archer's Horticulture class' Farmer's Market and needed a spot to grow them. This spot, on the side of the garage gets lots-o-sun and I always see it so it will actually get watered. Yay!
There was a beautiful sunset in Lynden tonight. I could hardly believe it when we got home from Jake's and I saw these gorgeous colors from behind the trees.
I am looking forward to Archer coming home today. He left on Thursday afternoon on a camping trip to Baker Lake with the family (grandpa, cousins, uncles...). Fun times for him and I have kept myself busy, but I sure am starting to miss him a bunch.

Happy Sunday!

*stuff* on Saturday

Ready for some super Saturday *stuff*?

First, got some rhubarb from the fabulous Shelly. Thank you much ma'am and I am sure my family will much appreciate it even more once I make something. Yummers.

When I went to pick up the above mentioned rhubarb I found a book waiting for me from my dear friend Tami. I love when a friend recommends a book and drops it off...yay!

I went into Bellingham and went with my mom to the Bellingham Farmer's Market. I hadn't been there for several years and was very impressed with the whole thing. The new building, the set up, the size, the amount of vendors. It was great. I found some cupcakes (I do LOVE cupcakes) from Icing on the Cake, a local company...and the cupcakes were fan-flipping-tastic! I also bought some lemon-verbena natural salt polish from Kristie (my aunt's sister) who owns Birchwood Botanicals. Love her stuff!

Then last, but NOT least, we went to Mallard's. If you are local (Whatcom County) you no doubt have at least heard of Mallards. Most likely you have been there. You have been there right? No? Go. Now. Drop what you are doing and GO! When Troy and I lived in Bham (prior to the arrival of sweet Archer) we lived within walking distance of the old Mallard's location. Wonderful. Lovely. Love it....My dad has been raving (since last year) about a certain type of ice cream they make there. Of course I love ice cream (and cupcakes) and the ice cream sounded good and I thought I should try it. My parents have been going weekly waiting for this ice cream and today...today it was there...I am holding out...it is...wait for it...

RHUBARB ICE CREAM!!!! Yummers. Delightful. Get some because I am not sharing mine! :) haha They also have a rhubarb ice for those who can't have/don't want dairy (the ice was good too I promise)!

Okay. So next weekend or some weekend real soon go to the Bellingham Farmer's Market and eat crepes (oh yea they had a guy there - from FRANCE who makes crepes - yum), stop by the Birchwood Botanicals booth and say hi to Kristie then go to Mallard's and get some Rhubarb ice cream...

Hey Cheryl, guess where we are going next Saturday? (well...unless it is raining then it will have to wait...)

Lovely Sunday!

Watched some movies. The Game Play. Sliding Doors. Martian Child. Enjoyable.

Scrapbooked! Yay! I haven't really sat down and scrapped for quite some time. Today I completed this very cute mini-album of Archer and Nicholas. The pictures were all from last Fall when Nick came to stay for a couple weeks. I really enjoyed making this little album - it was quick and simple and I love how it turned out! I also completed a few pages - I feel quite accomplished today.

Happy Day!

Better.

Thank you friends for your kind words. Yesterday was a challenge. Many days are a challenge. Today was challenging, yet a much better day than yesterday. Your words of empathy, kindness, and encouragement were (was) happily received.

Looking forward to this weekend. It is full and is looking to be fantastic!

Saturday - From 12:30 - 4:00 p.m. there will be a free coffee/chocolate tasting at the Lynden Pioneer Museum. If you are close by you should come by for a taste of Starbucks and some chocolate from the new Lynden Chocolate Shop. What is not to love? If you are around town stop by the museum, say hi to my beautiful cousin, Lorinda & I, and enjoy a little cuppa joe & some awesome chocolate.

My brother, John, and my gorgeous nephew, Nicholas, are at mom's for the weekend. After the coffee/chocolate day I will go to mom's for a visit. I haven't seen Nick since Christmas and John since Nick's 2nd birthday party in August! John was in Germany for four months serving our country (he spent his 40th birthday there- so not only have I not seen him for six months he got OLD in that time - haha).

Sunday - Oh the beauty of Sunday. My friend Cheryl and I will be going to see our boyfriend, Matthew, in his new movie Fool's Gold. While the movie may not have received good review (dumb newspaper) I don't think they took into account the review of Matthew himself. Can't wait for that one!

Those are the plans. My guys? I don't know - video games, air soft, boy stuff.

Fairhaven w/ the Girls

Today we had a girl's day out - me, Cheryl, Sharon, and Julie. We went and saw Juno - which was very good - go see it!

We went to the new Thai restaurant in Fairhaven - On Rice (next to the Market Place building). Then walked around Fairhaven - I love Fairhaven! And then the movie.

Here are a few picture from the Garden Spot nursery - a cute little nursery that I enjoy...Troy bought me a flower from there when we were first dating. He didn't have very much money and brought his own (glass) Coke bottle and they hand delivered it w/ a poem he wrote - so nice!



The "J" section in the Picture book section.
Sharon & Cheryl on the stairs at Village Books - going to look at the adult books!

Lazy.

A wonderfully lazy Saturday at home. I did minimal housework (two loads of laundry - still more to do). Watched some CSI (shocking I know). Troy went to a friend's. Archer hung out. It was wonderful (did I say that already?). I did venture out today to purchase some new phones at Radio Shack and pick up pizza (no cooking for me today!). Happy Saturday!

Watching.

I've been watching the clouds the last couple of days - seems like they are really rolling in. It looks like it could storm. I'm just waiting.

I am so glad it is Friday and I can cozy up in my little house with my book, a cup of tea, Troy. Archer is gone to a birthday party tonight and tomorrow night (2 parties -he is a par-tay boy) so I will be missing one of my best cuddlers.

Plans for the weekend are relaxed. Clean a little, read a little, relax a little. Sounds good.

Perfect.

A perfect Saturday morning - sleeping in :), reading a book, Archer making breakfast, eating outside. Loving it.

Weekend Update

Okay...This was a lazy weekend. It was very nice, beautiful sunshine both days.
I finally got my digital camera in the mail. Yippee! Troy spent the weekend sick. Horton was used for "kitty healing power." But Troy is still feeling down...Horton needs to work harder evidently. Archer was not happy with the arrival of another camera in the house. This has definately become the year of no Archer pictures. He used to humor me at least. Not so much anymore. Okay onto another note. For those of you who can help me out with plant/weed identification. What is this? Is it a weed? I am claiming complete ignorance in this matter.... Thanks for your help!
Until next time...