Thursday, November 28, 2013

more stuffing please

cause who doesn't LOVE stuffing.
and stuffing our faces ha.

such a great day celebrating Thanksgiving with our families

I am so Thankful this year for...
being blessed with J
being blessed with wonderful family/families
being blessed with dear friends
a healthy year for me, J, friend, family, loved ones
for a house project
and the list could go on and on


Do not always see snow on Thanksgiving, but it sure was pretty!

Thankful for these men :)

and this food

and this lady..happy birthday 

and these guys

thanks
thankful
thankfulness

bring on the Christmas music!




Tuesday, November 26, 2013

two is better

than ONE..especially when it comes to deliciousness!!!!

Hello and thank you to Trader Joes
My love for cookie butter and chocolate has now collided!!


now if only Trader Joes would try to collided with Grand Rapids
Now that would be even better
or maybe it best it stays FAR FAR away with it goodness [since I will most likely eat the whole jar] :) 
you decide!




Sunday, November 24, 2013

11 plus hours

of shopping galore
we went to Oakbrook and Downtown Chicago
we shopped, walked, talked [a lot] and goofed

we were successful on the Christmas lists

On Friday night Oakbrook was having a Christmas celebration
There were Reindeer and lights and music


always having fun with the mom
love her!

Saturday it was FREEZING...I mean so cold the my forehead hurt hahah
But we did not let it stop us from going all day long!

Even had to make a stop at Garrets!
sooo good!


and the tree on State Street Macys

Such a fun weekend!!


Wednesday, November 20, 2013

oh a happy

happy day of celebrating a fabulous man
my dad the douger dougie
my work buddy, friend, and much more
truly blessed to have him as my dad 
thankful for all he does for me and many others
and so happy to be celebrating 61 years of him
and planning to celebrate MANY more of him

happy happy day
Its singing and cake time

The whole fam

grandpas BIG buddy!  they are so cute together

help from little boy reading the card he picked out

and his other buddy. uncle jason
He is always talking about going to Uncle Jason house
hmm Auntie lives there too ;-)

such a fun dinner and night!
love these guys


Tuesday, November 19, 2013

classic time

joking time

Classic joking time!

Why did the bicycle fall asleep??
It was two tired.

Which runs faster hot or cold??
Hot, everyone can catch cold

What kind of flower do you have on your face???
Tulips 


LAUGH on Laugh ON!  

Happy happy Day!

Monday, November 18, 2013

the power went out

at the house, but I can show you the progress up to that point
hope it will come on soon
granted there is wire hanging over our road...ekkk

anyway here is the latest progress

The kitchen cabinets are in
this has been the thing that has made it feel the most 'real' to me


the sun porch ceiling is getting there

the basement has its first coat of base paint!

J and douger checking out the deck progress


our room is ready for its next step...paint!

bathroom and headed into the closet

more of the bathroom

one of the basement bedrooms

next up
more paint
more trim
more time :) 

Saturday, November 16, 2013

we "traveled" to

The dutch dinner
may have had to eat in the hall
which in all reality was good, bc it was a well attended function :) 
Just missed our friends!



Then we traveled to Dino land on a Safari
Really a great themed event
even were told to dress the part
so we did and ate the part
Fun night!



Tuesday, November 12, 2013

I need a good laugh

So classic joking time it is. 

What kind of car does Mickey's wife drive????
A Minnie van 

Two blondes were driving to Disneyland. The sign said: Disneyland left. So they started to cry and headed home. 

Why was the broom late to class?? 
Because it overswept. 

Hope you are laughing :) 

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Busy B's Baking

Bachelorette Bash!

Traverse city style
Eight friends head up north to celebrate B

Thanks to Lindsay for a TON of help with including setting up before we arrived

Time to dress the bride


and then it was off to Simply Cupcakes to learn how to decorate cupcakes


Hello Bride!

A little lesson

How about frosting shots?  Guess the flavor..yummm!

Time to use the skills we just learned


Finished product!


Then Spa Time
nails, hand scrubs, foot spa
Homemade again thanks to Lindsay


Dinner out at the Jolly Pumpkin

Back for gifts and dessert

Then up for Breakfast

Back in the HUGE black expo and back to GR!

So fun to be with friends all weekend and to be able to celebrate B!

Friday, November 8, 2013

raining and pouring

and showering the BRIDE
Betsy the Bride!

Celebrating at her church shower!


Less than two months to go!!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

excuse me, but what aisle

can I find dates in?

Yes had to ask that this week at the grocery store.
It was time to create Bacon wrapped dates 
compliments of the book Bread and Wine
and bring them to our cooking club
also compliments of the book Bread and Wine

Not going to lie, I was a but skeptical of it all 
I mean dates [aka fruit] weird looking
goat cheese 
and bacon in one!?

Glad I tried something new
they were good [not to toot my own horn]
other people said the same

anyway
this shall have to be made again 


Monday, November 4, 2013

your words are inspiring

Shauna Niequest
They are real, raw, open, truth, meaningful
and inspiring.

and I am so glad that I got to hear them LIVE this weekend 
Thanks to my sister in law for the invitation to Mars Hill event

She spoke about her book Bread and Wine
Then she did a Q&A
Then we were able to share a meal like her book talks about
and then bought her book that she signed haha

and Bonus she was preaching at Mars the next morning, so I got to hear her all over again




Fun to able to hear some you admire live