outdoor dining...

I think of dinner as more of an event than just a meal. Especially in the summertime! I have been noticing more and more since I have gotten married that I always want to set the table with matching dishes and pretty napkins.. I want the serve-ware to look nice and think that even the arrangement of the food is important now. Sooo.. I thought I would share with you some pretty summer dishes I have found. I wish I owned ALL of them!

Now only if more people had time to come over! 

anthropologie

anthropologie

anthropologie

Crate&Barrel

Crate&Barrel

Macys

 

where is the sun??

I am so ready for it to be summertime! I am ready to have BBQs on the back porch without people having to be wrapped in blankets! I am ready to make seafood and put it on colorful plates. 

Some things I am looking forward to come summer:

-corn on the cob

-farmers market where we can get all out veggies and herbs for fresh dinners

-summer dresses and tank tops

-watermelon

-bathing suits 

-being able to wear bright, bold colors all the time

-sandals and in turn, pedicures!

-staying up late and it still being warm

-drinking beers on the back porch

-going swimming at lakes

-long drives to the beach

-picnics!

These are just a few things I am REALLY looking forward to!

What are your favorite things about summer??

fill in the blank friday...

play along at the little things we do...

1. If I could get away somewhere for the weekend I would go to Italy... I would want to drink cafe and eat Nutella while people watching and I would bring Erik... and all the sundresses I own.

2. Something I often rant about is people being selfish. I HATE when people are super self centered and only think about themselves.. i think about other people probably to a fault... but it just pisses me off when people don't think about all the people they are affecting.

3. One item I need to have in my fridge at all time is white wine.... i hate when it is warm. What I always need to eat... is bell peppers, garlic, and tomatoes.

4. My "life-saving" product is masacra... no matter how tired you are... you always look better after freshly applied mascara.. Preferably lengthening and thickening.. since I have really short, sparse lashes.

5. A friend is someone who can tell when something is bothering you without you saying anything, someone who can just sit with you and say nothing but you both feel better being together, someone who remembers when you are having a big day and asks you how it went, someone who makes sure that you're feelings are always considered. 

6. If I could write my own blank it would be what helps you to feel energized besides caffeine? and sleep of course.

7, My favorite type of art is: anything that provokes an emotional response. Like when my brother plays music, my sister Katie writes literature, or when my sister Jessyka weaves beautiful tapestries. I love it when my whole body feels on edge because something has moved me in my inner core. 

p.s its my birthday on Sunday so I am not sure I will be on here again. :) have a great weekend!

WA: Seattle!

Sorry about the little hiatus from blogging, but this week was finals week for school and I started my new job so it has been hectic. But right now, I have a little bit of time. So, I thought I would share with you, my "Mid-Week Adventure" to Seattle to see my sister Jessyka, when she was there for work and for her blog, Let's Talk About Beer. 

So, I drove up to Seattle last Tuesday and stayed till Wednesday afternoon! My sister was there for a promotional event for her work at Copper River Salmon, and also to write for her blog.. So, I got to tag along to take pictures of beautiful Alaskan Salmon and drink beer! My kinda trip! So here are a few photos from this awesome adventure!

 To get reviews of the beers we drank, 

Check out Jessyka's Blog, Let's Talk about Beer!

Happy Tuesday!

fill in the blank friday....

 

Link up... Here

 

 

1. People always tell me I look like   my dad... and my brother Will. Not sure how I feel about everyone always saying I look like Men... but they are very good looking men! :)

 

2. Friends don't let friends  have beer goggles.. I know its been a really long time since this has been a problem for me, since most of my friends have found their men. But I hate when I see a friend let another friend hook up with someone gross or obnoxious because they're drunk.

3. A sunny day is perfect for  camping! Or... any kind of outdoor activity. I even love just drinking a cup of coffee outside in the morning or a cocktail in the evening with BBQ and friends.

4. My favorite accessory is besides my wedding ring of course, probably my orange string earrings.. they just add so much to an outfit! I also love all the jewerly I have gotten as gifts because when I wear it, I think about the people who gave it to me all day!

 

 

5. If I could afford it I would     go on vavation twice a year and buy a house with Erik and decorate it entirely in Crate&Barrel and Anthropologie!

6. The cure for boredom is   to crack jokes with your husband or friends or family! I am always instantly cheered up when Erik and I intentionally try to make each other laugh... usually because we just act really lame and immature .

7. I am currently "in like" with  Badmittion, camping, sunshine, anddddd an ice cold glass of white wine.

p.s. tomorrow i will be back to post about my "Mid-Week" adventure in Seattle!

Seattle...

In Seattle for a bit...

i'll be back later this week..

have a great tuesday!

i could really love these...

from anthropologie...

hmmm.. i love anthro...

and my birthday is coming up...

Friday!

I am so happy it is Friday today and that it is finally the weekend! I got all my work done for the week so I can actually enjoy it! I am very excited for this weekend because Erik and I have actually planned a lot to do and even if it doesn't all work out, I am just so happy it is sunny today and hopefully the weather will stay nice.

Here are a few things we have planned for this weekend:

* Tonight is the first meeting of my book club! I couldn't be more excited, it has been something I have wanted to do for a looong time and never had the right people to start it with or never really thought I could make the time. But I am so excited with the group that is coming and realized that it is so much easier to make time if you prioritze correctly!

* Tomorrow we are going to a lacrosse game for the team that Erik is helping coach! Finally... I am getting a glimpse of my dream to be a coach's wife.. haha I feel like I am going to have to channel Tami Taylor and wear some coyboy boots and say "hey ya'll" a lot.. Even though Erik is helping coach lacrosse and not football and we are in Oregon not Texas. Oh well. Should still be fun.

* Later in the day tomorrow/tomorrow night, we are going to try to get out to the UFO Festival that Mcmenamins is having in Mcminnville. There is a "Dress your Pet like an alien" contest and live music, and of course beer. Should be a good time.

*Then Sunday, plans aren't exact yet, but if they don't work out... maybe we will just have a day of rest. But if they do work out, hopefully we will get some drinks with friends and have a great afternoon. hopefully the weather will compromise!

I am so happy Spring is FINALLY here in Oregon!

Anyone else have awesome plans for this weekend??

Currently Obsessed With...

My little sister, Kathryn, started her new blog, Currently Obsessed With..., and I love the concept so much that I thought I would share my current obsessions here to contribute to the creativity of the site!

So.. I am currently obessing over...

Statement Necklaces

Cowboy Boots



Fresh Produce

Drinking Out of Mason Jars





 What are you currently obsessing over??

wee bit wednesday...

 {one} what profession have you always admired?I think that day care providers and teachers get less credit than they deserve. I respect the people that take care of children when their parents are at work. It is so poorly paid and such a hard job. And so, that's who I admire.
{two} what would the title of your memoir/biography be if it was written today? I just answered one close to this on a Friday Questionarie. I can't remember what I said, but I think it would be something like "Can't Wait For The Weekend" or something like that...
{three} how far do you commute to work?Right now... down the hall. Starting in a week and a half, it'll be about a five minute drive.
{four} are your earlobes attached or detached?Detached.
{five} do you eat the unpopped kernels of popcorn at the bottom of the bag?I eat the ones that are slightly popped.. but not the completely unpopped kernels.
{six} what is the strangest gift you’ve ever received?I cannot really think of anything weird that I have gotten, I gave my sister an insane white faux fur bomber jacket though... {seven} what is one TV show that you wish hadn’t been canceled?Friday Night Lights and Roswell.. I love both those shows so much!
{eight} what is something that you are saving money for right now?Car payments... and money to buy a house and fix it up.. somedayyyy.
{nine} what hobby would you like to take up?Hiking and water sports. Now that it is summer.. I really wish we had a boat to go out on the lake on weekends.
{ten} how many times a year do you get really dressed up?I guess it matters what really dressed up is? If it is formal gowns and tuxes.. the last time I got dressed up was being a bridesmaid in my friend, Amanda's wedding.. So I would have to say as many times as I go to weddings a year.. and if it is one notch down from that... I try to dress up to go on dates with my husband if they are in the city.

Health

Recently, I have been having a lot of health issues and have had to go to the doctor a few times, and while I am not going to elaborate past that on here.. bascially I have been feeling horrible. My doctor asked me to start keeping a food jounral to see if anything can be alleviated by cutting out any particular food or drink. So I have been doing this for about a week and I have realized that I eat very poorly. I used to be a vegetarian.. well almost, I have always eaten fish. But I stopped doing that about a year ago when Erik and I first moved in together because I didn't want to have to make tw different dinners. But, Erik is great, and told me he doesn't mind eating mostly vegetarian again. So, I am thinking I might need to go back to that. (I will REALLY miss buffalo wings... for some reason they are pretty much the only meat food I love). 

So, here I go. Also, I have been looking into cutting my caffeine intake because I am not sure it makes me feel good and also cutting down on gluten. So, here is an experiment that I am willing to try. First things first, I need to figure out a plan for grocery shopping where I don't just buy everything I think looks good, but instead go in there with my weekly plans set out. And, I need to start eating a better breakfast, exercising, doing yoga, cutting down on alcohol, and setting up a sleep schedule. All of this will come easier once I start work again and have a set time to arrive at work. But I need to start now so that the transition is easier. 

So. Wish. Me. Luck. 

Music I want to Own...

WA: Portland Farmer's Market

I have been seriously slacking on my Weekend Adventures section of this blog because I lost my camera and the one I have been using didn't have a way to put the pictures on the computer. But I found a way! So here it is, about a week ago, we went to the Portland Farmer's Market with my parents. It was really fun because I had never been there before, and even though it was a little overcast, all the colors and people made it a lively outing! I love fresh vegetables and seeing so many people buy local! I loved it!

What did you do this weekend?

fill in the blank friday...

 

Play Along Here... "the little things we do"

1.   What I love most about my home is the way that when you are here, nothing matters as much. You can be sitting on the couch reading a book or watching a movie and not feel lazy. Also, I love my bedroom that my husband painted gray for me and I got to spruce up with a large with mirror and beautiful linens. 

2.  I'm excited because, it is Friday, my cousin and uncle will be here tonight, and I am throwing a mothers day dinner/ get together party on Sunday and using MarthaStewart.com for inspiration! I hope it turns out looking as good as it does in my head! 

3.  My preferred method for blowing  off steam when I'm frustrated is to be completely honest, usually I pick fights with my husband. But it usually works out because then once he calms me down, because he is an amazing man, we go on a date or he helps me make dinner. 

4.  Currently I am craving warm weather... It was nice for a few random days here but now it is back to the cloudy skies and mid-50s. I want sun and heat!

5.  The thing I love most about my mom is I love how my mom can be doing a million things and still thinking a million things at the same time. I think it is amazing how much she loves her family and how no matter how much she has going on in her own life she is still thinking about all of us constantly and how she can make our lives easier. Also, she has a great sense of humor. Love you mom! 

6.  If I was going to write a book about my life, the title would be "The Happiness Experiment", because I am trying everyday to figure out how to no matter what... be happy! Because, the world gets everyone down, and I wasn't born an optimist, so I strive to be one! :)

7.  If I were to eat one thing for the rest of eternity it would be  Tomatoes... But that might be hard if I had nothing to eat them with. I think it would be vegetables and tomatoes. Or pasta with tomatoes, or chips and fresh salsa... Oh man, I don't think I could ever just eat one thing for the rest of my life. I love food way too much!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Summer Pepper Salad

 

First off, I must admit that I LOVE bell peppers. I love the way they taste and their texture. So I thought I would share a salad that I made up involving them that I just love! Last night I made it to accompany salmon and rice. 

What you need: 

*2 large bell peppers whichever color you like.. I did red and orange.. chopped into small pieces

*8-10 grape tomatoes.. cut in half or thirds

* 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar

* 1/4 cup Olive Oil

*2-3 cloves of fresh garlic depending on how much you like garlic

*1/2 tablespoon dried basil or 3-4 leaves of fresh basil

Mix it all together..

ENJOY!

here is a picture of my salad..