Elevated

*Image by Instant Joy

I now have some time and some ideas stocked up to make some envelopes for the Elevated Envelope mailing that I signed up for. I have to make a stop at a paper store for some good heavy cotton envelopes, because I am painting on mine & another stop at the post office for some pretty stamps befitting of my creations. I'm making and mailing more than the required list because I have several friends deserving of something beautiful in the post. At least I have something to look forward to, right? Think you're on the list? Want to be?

Popcorn

*Image & cupcake by Life's a Batch

Yesterday I slaved over some mini cupcakes and marshmallows in hopes that my final creations will slightly resemble popped popcorn. Fingers crossed. Today is the circus-themed baby shower and this is dessert. At least the cupcakes will be tasty (no boxed mixes from this house) even if they aren't pretty. What do you think, popcorn cupcakes anyone?

Raccoon

*Image & top via J.Crew

I am totally a raccoon when it comes to shiny clothes. I love tops and dresses that shimmer and sparkle. I can't tell if I could still take myself seriously in this tank, but that doesn't mean I am not still drooling over it and wanting to add it to my fall wardrobe. Would this be too distracting if you were a student?

Working

*Image by dzinik

Seriously?! Seriously?! I have to work my tail off now to prove that I am actually competent and good at my job. Tomorrow I have to go to a meeting knowing I'll just show my hard work and hear some BS lip service and that it will count for nothing. I'm not going down without a fight, but this is just stupid. The year hasn't even begun and I'm already wading in the crap. How do you deal with conflict at work?

Friendship

*Image & bracelet by Wooclet

While I was entertaining it was like summer camp at my house. One day we spent the afternoon in our pajamas watching Harry Potter and making friendship bracelets. Apparently stacked friendship bracelets are all the rage on the fall fashion front. I might just be a hip adult after all, with all of my crafty skills. Looking online it seems like there are so many cool options to try, so sad that my summer is coming to an end. Would you like a friendship bracelet?

River

*Image & print by ArthursPlaidPants

Today we're venturing out to the Medina River/Lake to see what it's all about. First my husband is making pancakes for everyone and we're going to feast on breakfast together. Then we'll head out and see what nature has in store for us today. Hopefully the weather stays nice and calm, but then again, we'll be on the water. I am excited to play in the water, to float on a tube and to relax with friends. What are you up to this weekend?

Adventure

*Image & ring by YOUgNeek

I am off for a long weekend of adventures in TX with an awesome companion. Blogging may just end up taking a back seat for the rest of the week and I can't say I'm sad about that. Old friends in town are always cooler than the internet. I can't wait to entertain & explore, although I have seen the Alamo too many times in the few years I've lived here. What would you want to see in TX?

Grit

*Image & necklace by billyblue22

You know where I am today, don't expect much from me - or a good mood. Eh, why be sour, I can only hope for the best and my ipod is loaded so hopefully it can transport my mind out of the dentist's chair and to a calm entertaining place. I can also use the yoga breathing I've been doing for the past two evenings. I'd rather not sit around and grit my teeth. Wish me luck?

Triple

*Image & print by PRRINT

For most people, the triple crown is a race for horses and I am sure that it is extremely exciting. Instead of sitting in a dentist's chair for three hours tomorrow, I would much rather be a three-year-old horse out racing. That would actually be quite awesome, in fact. Not this girl, I get to eat a substantial breakfast, because I'm assuming that lunch will be liquid after three hours of dental work or that I will just be in a foul mood and unable to chew properly. Wish me luck. They did say, however, that I could bring an ipod to drown out the noise and keep me entertained. What songs should I add to the triple crown playlist?

Scoop

*Image & art by MikeDestructive

We inaugurated our ice cream maker on Saturday and decided on a vanilla custard as a good first time recipe. It really complimented the blondies (vanilla brownies with white & dark chocolate chips and walnuts) my husband baked. I also have to say that being an in-home ice cream taste tester is not bad work. Now I am going to hunt down the perfect fruit based recipe for this weekend. I have adventure in store because a dear friend is coming to visit. How does Meyer lemon sound?

Limping

*Image via silentmara

Early in the wee hours of Saturday morning my little family was hanging out at the emergency vet's office. After a night with friends we got home Friday night and were finally getting ready for bed. My husband scooped up the bull (he's heavy - 52 lbs.) and plopped him onto the bed. Odin promptly collapsed and gave us quite a scare. He wouldn't put any weight on his front right foot and we were scared that something was dislocated. Not a fun way to end a Friday night, but I'm happy to report that the x-ray didn't show anything abnormal and this morning when I got home from water polo practice I was greeted at the door by a wiggly dog who is almost totally back to normal after a long day of rest. We think he had a sprain or something, but man - that was a scare. Have you experienced any feelings of relief this week?

Opening

*Image by me

The other day when I walked into the grocery store I saw that there was some kind of rose festival happening, which meant I got these beauties at a nice discounted price. I've been buying flowers at the farmer's market, but I couldn't resist roses, especially these nice pink flowers. Wisely, I chose flowers that were nice and closed knowing they would open up over several days and would last longer making me smile. What is brightening your Saturday?

Harry

*Image by TheArtOfAdamJuresko

Today is the day for Potter fans all around, the final film in the series. I'm not watching it at midnight, not tomorrow or this weekend in fact. I can handle waiting until the crowds die down a bit and I can sit comfortably in my favorite local theater with a beer, or butter beer for that matter. Don't spoil it, if you do go - tell me it was awesome, or not and stop there. We're fans in this house, how about you? Potter anyone?

Brushing

*Image & print by BellyBabies

Have I mentioned that I hate going to the dentist? I feel like a bad person every time I leave the office and have cavities. I swear I brush and even floss daily. I really do! First thing when I get up in the morning because I can't stand morning breath. I feel like they don't believe me when I say I don't drink soda or eat sugar straight from the bag. I guess just looking at my teeth and x-rays it paints a different picture. Would I feel worse if I did consume sugar at the rate my teeth are showing? Or would I just have a mouth full of dentures? I wish I was the little kid leaving proudly beaming, "look ma' no cavities!" Not me. But then again, does anyone love the dentist?

Screaming

*Image & painting by SodapopCorleone

Guess what came in the mail yesterday? That's right, the ice cream maker! We couldn't wait to fill it with sugar and cream to churn out some ice cream but part of the machine has to be frozen for 24 hours before you can begin. No fair! It's in the freezer taunting me, really. Now I just have to find a kick ass recipe so I can have the ingredients on hand to make something amazing tonight. Which flavor should I choose first?

Should

*Image & card by Mary Kate McDevitt

Well, I should have given you a high-5, that would have been more appropriate. Good news always deserves a congratulatory gesture, and even a hand slap would probably be inadequate but it sure is fun. Man, I hate being far away from all of the fun and action, being able to actually reach out and touch the hands of my friends or hug them when that is what they really need. It's time to celebrate good news. What is your favorite reaction/action upon receiving good news?

Wooden

*Image & necklace by levoyagecreatif

A friend's husband asked me to help him find some inspiration for a 5th anniversary gift. The traditional gift is something made from wood. My first ideas led me to do an overall search of 'wood' on etsy - but that was pretty tedious. His wife is especially fashionable and always seems to be wearing statement jewelry pieces. These necklaces from Norway inspired me because they are so simple and neutral. What would you suggest for a wooden gift?

Vanilla

*Image & print by oohprettyshiny

Vanilla is one of my favorite ice cream flavors. Simple, smooth and perfect with pie. Apparently I was wrong expecting the ice cream maker this weekend... next weekend it will be dropped off at my front door. Until then, I have plenty of time to look for recipes. Do you have any that you'd like to share?

Waiting

*Image & print by amandaksloan

Ever since my husband told me we were getting an ice cream maker I've been trying not to drool over the potential to make delicious frozen dessert in my own home. It feels like far too long since he confessed his purchase (after careful review of the recommendations at America's Test Kitchen). I've been ready for days to feel guilty about trying a new recipe daily, and yet I'm still waiting for the machine. Can you tell I'm growing impatient? We are wasting perfectly good ice cream weather here! Are you anticipating anything fun this weekend?

Atlantis

*Image & print by monstergallery

I just watched the final launch of the space shuttle Atlantis the final flight of our space shuttle program. Exciting and sad at the same time. I love the idea of outer space and the exploration of our universe. Hopefully we will find a way to continue manned space exploration in our lifetime. Happy Friday to you all. I'll be eagerly awaiting two packages full of goodies today - bacon buns & the ice cream maker. Bacon ice cream anyone?

I-scream

*Image & print by hindsightnostalgia

Someone ordered an ice-cream maker and it wasn't me. I'm going to pretend to be upset now that I'm awaiting said gadget's arrival. Will this be better or worse than the Dairy Queen that is down the street from where we live? Maybe it will be better in the sense that the ice cream will be custom, but that we'll have to make it if we want to eat any. Worse in the sense that we can make ice cream at home any time we want. What do you think, homemade ice cream - blessing or curse?

Sungold

*Image by Trevor Jorgensen

My dining room glows at sundown now thanks to my new curtains. My husband laughs at how long it took me to finish these four panels because I cut the fabric way back in November when my mom was visiting. It was such a big investment to buy the fabric, I didn't want to screw it up. Now they are hanging, and I love the look and feel they bring to the dining room. I also love that when a house is being built behind us, it will be a great thing to draw the curtains shut so I can prance through the kitchen in my underpants in the mornings. What do you think about the finished curtains?

Margarita

*Image by An Abundance of Lisa

Yesterday's watermelon margaritas were a hit. I was surprised by how fresh they were. I was so pleased with the outcome I wanted to share it with you. I don't have a very specific recipe, but this is what I did:

Enough cubed watermelon to fill the blender
2 ounces tequila
1 ounce triple sec
1 ounce Grand Marnier
1/2 tablespoon agave nectar
juice of 1 lime
Ice to achieve desired consistency

First I cubed up my seedless melon and put as much as I could fit into the blender, knowing that it would easily reduce. After the melon was in I added all of my liquids so that everything would blend nicely- feel free to add more tequila to taste. Once the watermelon was blended I added ice to get a smoothie-like consistency (now that there was room for ice!). The lime really helped brighten the flavor and brought out the natural sweetness of the watermelon even more. I think in the future, if I plan ahead I could even skip the ice if I cube and then freeze the watermelon. The results were delicious. Have you ever had a watermelon margarita?

Watermelon

*Image by moreno0101

Today I'll be volunteering at water stop #2 while my husband races. When we get home, we'll have time to rest, fire up the grill and make some watermelon margaritas. We have half of a melon sitting in the fridge just waiting to become more delicious. Friends are coming over, and while we won't get to watch fireworks in the night sky I think it will be a good time nonetheless. How are you celebrating the 4th?

Popsicle

*Image by kaytethinks

This is what I am going to do today. (Yes there are other things on the list, but none as important). What about you, in the mood for a popsicle today?

Strawberry

*Image & recipe by Cook's Illustrated

I think I want to bake this pie. More like, I want to eat this pie, but I have to bake it first. This would be a patriotic addition to my 4th of July weekend, right?