Summer Farewell

I've been feeling a bit melancholy about the inevitable end of summer. Today is the first day of classes for my 21 month, accelerated nursing program. In the past I preferred Autumn over summer, but now saying goodbye to summer feels like I'm saying goodbye to my "youth" instead of part time jobs and carefree summers, I'm trading up for a career and working holidays. August just flew by, and I feel I did really well filling up every spare minute of my social calender. All in all, I have to say that this has been one of the best summers that I can remember.

At one point this summer, during our summer getaway in June, I thought about putting together a list of words to describe each day of our trip. I never completed said list but thought it would be fun to compile a list of words to describe the summer in it's entirety. Some are inside jokes, but most can be taken at face value. Here goes:

Trailer Park Boys
Fenn Valley Rosé
Deck Sprayer
Last Hurrah
Thunderstorms
Catfish
Serrano Peppers
Butter Pecan
True Blood
Life changing decisions
Mosquitoes
Campfire Chili
Air Conditioning
Lunchtime walks
UV Blue
Half Sticks
Detox
Eclipse
Kiddie Pool
The Lonely Walk
S'Mores
Tarp City
Farmers Market
Beer Steins
Power Outages
Puppy Play dates
Guacamole
Summer Shandy
Twelfth Night

Hey, we still have Labor Day weekend...

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Budget Threads

Forever 21 has a new line of clothing called Love 21 which offers "a more sophisticated, modest fit". A friend of mine went to check out the line in person and the salesgirl just gave her a blank look when she ask about it. So that, coupled with the general disorganization of the store itself, might make it a better choice to order online at this point. Here's some of the looks I'm digging.

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Video Vixen

We recently bought a Flip Video in order to document our exploits in more detail.

Of course, Olive is my favorite subject to shoot in photos, so video was no exception.

Fetch from Amynonymous on Vimeo.

Bedtime from Amynonymous on Vimeo.

So cute.

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Muddy Buddy

This year, Mike once again competed in the Muddy Buddy adventure race. Read about the first go round here. As I mentioned in that first post, the Muddy Buddy is an "adventure race" where teams of two alternates between running/completing obstacles and biking over the five leg race. Once you finish the run/bike you and your partner must crawl through the mud pit to the finish line. It was particularly muddy this year due to the unusually high amount of rain we received throughout the month of July.

Mike and Erik's team name was "One Liberal and a Conservative" in hopes the announcer would yell, "here comes one liberal and a conservative", alas, no such luck with the lackluster announcer.

But they did manage to get dirtier than last year, and just as drunk.


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Tick Tock

Every time I see a mama with a belly, or read a facebook post about contractions, or pictures of newborn babes, or when I see a baby in a sling, or hear it cry, I hear it. I hear this ticking in my head, and feel a little squeeze in my heart. I'm ready.

I've wanted to be pregnant and have children for as long as I can remember. I've been happily in love with my husband for 9 years and married 2. I'm so ready to have children. But there's a problem. No, not a problem with Mike or I (fortunately) but we have this plan about the order we want things to happen. Mike has his career, we have a house, a sweet little pup, and we're financially stable. But the problem is that I don't have my career. I have a degree, but no career (read about that here). Although I could forgo the career and starting having babies, I know that, for me, I need to have that accomplished first. I want to feel like I've completed all the necessary steps of adulthood, and to find fulfillment in my education and profession. And I will. I start my accelerated nursing program on September 1st. After I complete 21 months of coursework, and take my boards, I'll be done.

Then I can get pregnant.

So I know I have to wait about 2 more years, but that doesn't stop me from scouring the internet for beautiful and badass baby gear (yes, I know babies are more than sweet gear, c'mon) but this is all I can do for now to dim the ticking in my head.

Here is some of that sweet gear now.

ERGObaby carrier

Vullie Sophie the Giraffe Teether

aden & anais swaddle blankets

I even have plans for the future nursery

Caesar Dressing

1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 egg
juice of 1 lemon
Anchovy paste
2-3 cloves minced garlic
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese

In a medium bowl, mix together the oil and egg with fork. Stir in lemon juice

Take the anchovy paste and squeeze about 3 inches of paste into the bowl. Mix well with a fork until smooth

Add Parmesan cheese. Mix again. Salt/Pepper to taste.

Make sure to check the taste and doing any last minute tweaks before tossing the dressing with the lettuce.

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Whole Wheat Penne with Creamy Pesto

The basil is growing beautifully and although we've been using a few leaves here and there for some regular recipes, I figured it was time to use it for something that would use up a substantial amount of the proliferating herb. Of course, nothing uses basil like pesto. Classic pesto always comes across a little harsh for me, so when I found this creamy version concocted by chef Rocco DiSpirito in Mike's Runners' World, I thought I'd give it a go.

-2 cups basil

-1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

-1 cup sour cream

-2 tablespoons pine nuts

-3 cloves of garlic

-small handful flat leaf parsley

-salt and pepper to taste

In a food processor (I rock the magic bullet), combine all the ingredients and pulse until smooth and creamy. This recipe makes enough pesto for 3/4 to 1 pound of pasta

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Master Bedroom

Here's a little peak into our master bedroom. It's nice and large for a townhouse (18' x 12') and allows for ample space for the bed and a sitting area. We're pretty minimal in our style, choosing simple, pretty decor to keep the bedroom feeling calm and relaxing.

Good Morning

In the morning, I am one of the crabbiest people you will ever meet. I've been known to shout obsentites at my cat for wanting attention the instant I wake up. Although I'm not to the point where I through my alarm clock across the room, I do contemplate it every morning. I also contemplate calling in sick. Every. Day.

Even with this sweet disposition in the morning, I don't mind being woken up in the middle of the night by thunder and rain on the roof. I actually enjoy waking up to listen, then turning over, snuggling deep into the comforter and falling blissfully back to sleep. That was not the case this morning. The thunder was hitting loudly at regular intervals and Olive was scared as usual, snuggled into my neck as I held the blanket tightly around her like a swaddle. I figured it was about 2:00 am. False. It was 5:50. How cruel to wake up to a storm only to have your alarm go off 10 minutes later. Coupled with this sweet headache I have, it's going to be a great day.

Etsy Love - Pure Michigan

Home is Where the Heart is Print

Petoskey Stone Pendant

Wool and Felt Michigan Pillow

Bamboo Cutting Board