Progress Report: January 2012

ummm... is it just me or did January pass us by in record time?  Also the weirdest January weather ever.  Who knows what Wiarton Willie  {that's Punxsutawney Phil's Canadian counterpart} is going to tell us on Thursday.   Probably to start preparing for the apocalypse. Can groundhogs predict that?  Which reminds me - I should probably watch Groundhog Day.  Who here likes Bill Murray?  Dude is funny.  That's a topic for another time. I's got other stuff to tell you. 

At the start of twenty-dozen {2012} I set some goals.  Twelve of them actually.  I thought I would give you a quick update about my progress.  I am not sure whether to be proud.  Or to bow my head in shame. 

1. Complete my 365 + 1 Project
Well if you check my 365+1 Project blog - you'd think I had given up.  This isn't true.  I've taken photos.  It's just so hard to edit and upload them into individual posts.  I made it to day 16.  I have now decided to do one weekly upload from the photos of the week, one from each day.  This seems more manageable.  I will try to get the January pictures up ASAP so I can start fresh for February.

  
2. Figure out how a DSLR camera works.
I have tried to use my DSLR as much as possible and am starting to feel more comfortable with it. However I still don't know what I am doing.  I started participating in a weekly scavenger hunt.  But I find that it's so much easier to snap a moment with my iPhone. There are two February Photo-a-day challenges I am going to participate in. One I will do through instagram with my iPhone - and the other I will use my DSLR.  I might not get every shot - but go big or go home.  I should basically be a full fledged photographer by the end of February.  Packing my bags.  Heading to LA.  Becoming a PAP.

{DSLR Challenge - Whiskey Tango Foxtrot}

{Instagram Challange - #FEBphotoaday}

3. Learn how to better use Photoshop
I am still winging it. And am still without a book. And no time to watch tutorials. I still don't know what I doing. I am sure that's evident.

4. Set up a blog in Wordpress
This is probably going to happen in the summer.  Or the fall.  Or .....

5. Sew More!
Sew - no.  

6. Learn to quilt! 
I believe this requires some sewing? Check back in the fall. 

7. Set up our home office/craft room! 
YES!  This is in progress.  We dropped some cash at ikea.  Got a new desk.  A new carpet.  And started organizing.  And now our house looks like we should be casted for Hoarders.  I am hoping to get a chance to work on it this coming weekend.  Not the audition - the organizing.

8. Cook more - eat out less!
We starting meal planning.  We survived one week and fell off the wagon the next.  We're giving it another go this week.  I am determined to make this a habit.

9. Stop eating lunch at my desk! 
I did awesome with this the first week - but then it got cold and venturing outside sounded more like torture. I've had a lot of coffee and granola bars. 

10. Take more me time
I have started to post more often.  This is me time.  This is a good outlet for me.  It's not work.  I read funny stuff.  I enjoy it around here.  I would say for January - goal accomplished. 

11. Sleep more!  
I feel as though this is an impossible goal.  How does one cure chronic insomnia? 

12. Go on more dates with Steve!
January was a dateless month - but we have some planned for February to make up.  


Overall I think I did pretty good for January.  February will be even better.  Here are some other things that happened in January {In pictures}

{pretty much snoozing and treats.  Treats and snoozing}

Music Monday: Top Five Favourite Songs from an Artist/Band

I totally bombed our meal plan last week.  We got one meal out of four in. We just got caught up in the daily grind and I basically ended up eating cereal for a few dinners.  Therefor I am moving last weeks meal plan to this week - and will try again.  Because I am not a quitter.  Click here to read about that {if you want}. 

But I can't deprive you of a post.  I am on a role this month.  Did you notice? In the past I was lucky if I could pump out 5 posts a month.  But I am trying my best to be more active.  It's a good outlet for me.  

A few weeks ago I put together what I thought was an amazing SoCal Punk Rock Workout playlist only to have Steve laugh and tell me that it was funny.  Apparently I could have chosen a few better songs.  What does he know?!  Well I had so much fun pulling it together that when I stumbled across a new link up 'Music Monday' that Kristen over at Confessions of a Graphic Design Student has started I was instantly excited.  And perfect timing.  I was wondering why I hadn't come across a music linkup and it's about time someone did it.

This weeks theme is:
 
{Your top 5 favorite songs from a single artist or band}

This is a tough one. There are many bands that I would consider my favourite - but if I am forced to pick just one it would have to be Coheed and Cambria. I can't get enough of this band. I was lucky enough to see them live back in 2002. When they were still smallish. Now they sell out and I can't justify to pay the ticket price to see them live in an awful venue.

Here are my five favourite Coheed and Cambria songs:

 
1. Time Consumer - Second Stage Turbine Blade
This song brings me back to the summer of 2002. And pinpoints the time that I fell in love with this band. It is also the summer that Steve left for South Korea - and when I realized that we were more than just friends. {If you're so inclined you can read about that here}

2. The Velourium Camper I: Faint Of Heart - In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3

3. Blood Red Summer - In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3

Both songs 2 & 3 bring me back to living in our first apartment in Vietnam.  Some of the happiest days of my life.

4. Welcome Home - Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness

5. Feathers - Good Apollo I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 2: No World for Tomorrow

This songs brings me back to my second year of college 2007/2008 - when Steve and I were commuting back and forth to Toronto.  This song got a lot of air play - therefor I was made to like.

Enjoy!

Get more music over at Kristen's

Scavenger Hunt Sunday: Week 3

I don't know about you but I have a love hate relationship with Sundays.  But I love everything about Scavenger Hunt Sunday - host by Ramblings & Photos.  Because I am a scavenger - not a very good one mind you.  This weeks items were a bit of a challenge.  But I persevered and managed to capture all five with my DSLR.  Let's check out my interpretations this week shall we?

1. Smile

I wish I could have had a better model.  This is how I look on Sunday morning.  This is as big a smile I could muster up.  This could also fall under the artificial category.

2. Stand Alone

Basil is observing the activity of the neighbourhood tom cats.  Actually I think they aren't really tom cats - but there are several of them.  I kind of feel bad that Basil can't go out and play - for fear that he would pummel them to their untimely death {or get hit by a car}.  Thus he must remain a lonely observer.

3.  Rusty or Something Old

This was tricky.  I looked for awhile for something rusty.  OK well I didn't go outside because I didn't feel like venturing out into the arctic.   So I gave up and started looking for something old.   I don't know how old this acoustic guitar is - but it looks like it's been well played. 

4. Artificial 

Luckily we don't have real mice in our house - however Basil does enjoy these artificial mice .  I am giving the new guy two weeks tops. 

5. Repeating Pattern

This was so hard to find.  I don't know why.  This is the floor tile in my bathroom.  I made it black and white because I didn't need you all to see the real colour.  It's pink and black.  Like the entire bathroom.  Right out of the 50's.  We live in a rental - so we deal with it.

If you like looking at pretty pictures - go over to Ashley's and feast your eyes

Basil is a Winner!

This probably reaches all levels of a crazed cat loving lady and might be as horrible as entering your children into beauty pageants but I did it anyways.  A few months back I signed up to a blogging community iBlog4me - it's a great community that connects you with awesome blogs.   Obviously I consider the status of my blog to be just that.   Anyways - there is a weekly challenge titled 'Picture Perfect' that participants can enter by submitting their best snapshots {even more than one}.  Last week I couldn't resist entering this shot of Basil - and guess what????  He won.  Obviously.

Check out his victory mention over at iBlog4me.

Also the lovely Allison from Nestful of Love has an awesome giveaway.  You should go over and visit her and enter - and just because her blog is lovely.  You'll probably win just for the fact that I sent you.  The two of us have been quite lucky in the winning department. What are you waiting for??  Go over there now.

Friday's Letters

Oh hey what's up Friday!??!  How did you get here so fast?  Well whatever - you're here.  That's awesome.

Dear Husband I like you.  A lot.  You're cute.  You're funny.  You're handsome.  And you let me take photos of you when you've got Ace Ventura hair.  Alrighty then!  p.s.  I'm sorry I lied about deleting these.  I just couldn't.  I hope you'll forgive me. 

Dear Gym I still like you.  I was just too busy to hang out with you this week.  Sorry about that.  I'll try harder next week.  Because this butt can't get any bigger.  For realz!

Dear New Specs I can see clearly now.  {I betcha $10 bucks this song is already stuck in your head} It's so nice to see again.  Everything is so clear.  I swear I must have been looking out a dirty finger smudged window before.  HELLO WORLD.

{nice smile.  nice hair.  this is real life yo}

Dear Netflix Why do I only have access to the first six seasons of BH 90210?  I mean there are still four seasons I need {not want} to watch.  This Valerie  vs. Kelly feud is getting intense how can you just leave me hanging?  And I need to witness the return of Dylan McKay.  Please let me have access to more seasons?

Dear Basilio {that's a nickname for Basil in case you didn't catch it}  Dude - why are you always sleeping?  Is it because you're getting old?  Or the winter blues?  I miss your spunky attitude.  Wake up man.

  Check out some other fab letters {or write some of your own} over at Ashley's

Meet Penny!

Last week I informed you all that I signed up with Amira from Shades of Gray to be matched with a Pen-pal.  Well if you're new here or just can't remember all the awesome things I talk about - you can read more about that here. 

On Tuesday I received the name and contact information of my new pen-pal.  So I wasted no time to contact her to get the ball rolling.  Because I have a habit of over thinking and over analyzing and just plain forgetting to do stuff that I promised.  I obviously wanted to leave her with a good impression.

I sent her an e-mail introducing myself.  Afterwards I read it to Steve and he informed be that she probably wouldn't respond due to the fact that I am weirdo.  How dare my husband call me a weirdo.  All he got for that comment was a big fat HMMPH. 

Well she responded.  And with an even wittier response.  Seriously love.at.first.e-mail.  I knew this was the perfect match for me.  I spent some time reading her blog.  Signing up to all her social media connections.  Stalking her friends.  You know - single white female stuff.  And realized that this girl is hilarious.

Without further ado I would like to introduce you all to my new pen-pal - Lauren {or Lo}  from Crazy Ever After.  But we mutually decided that she will be referred to as Penny.  If you don't already follow her - you should.  Or even if you don't want to follow her - go over and say hello!  She likes visitors.  I pinky swear that you won't leave without a few good belly laughs.

I am seriously excited to start sending this fabulous lady some snail mail. - but not snails in the mail because I don't think they'd survive the trip to Minnesota {isn't that where the Walsh's are from?}

A big shout out to Amira for hooking us up - your match making skills are impeccable.

Wedding ABC's: Keepsakes & Location

After a long hiatus I am back to share with you the details of my wedding.  In six weeks and three days {March 3rd} Steve and I will celebrate our one year wedding anniversary.  I am only sort of freaking out about this. How the heck did a year pass us by? 

I started to recap my wedding with a series of Wedding ABC posts - where I would capture the day and the events leading up to it one letter at a time.  You can catch up on all of that here or by visiting the wedding link in my link bar.  In case you don't look I will tell you I only made it to the letter J.  That's only 10 letters.  And 16 letters remaining.  Can I really bore you with 16 more posts about my wedding?  I mean it was a great wedding - but let's be serious.

So instead I will knock through the letters two/three at a time - for a total of 6 posts for the next six Wednesdays.  This will bring us up to speed just in time to wish my handsome husband and I happy anniversary.  If you want to send us a card - let me know - I can hook you up with my addy.  I do love mail. Did you know I got a pen pal?  Completely unrelated but I can't wait to both introduce her to you and more importantly start crafting - hope she likes my granny crafts.

So with that out of the way back to where we left off.

{K} Keepsakes

There are a few things from our wedding that are super special to me - besides my amazing dress that is sadly hanging behind a door screaming/begging to be put back on.  Maybe I will wear it on our anniversary - maybe I will do a trash the dress session?  Maybe I will sleep in it.  Don't think I haven't thought about it. Whatever it is I'm doing I'll look awesome.

Alright this isn't about my dress.   This is about the mementos from the day.  The guestbook.  With a wedding of 20 + guests a guestbook seemed ridiculous.  And to be quite honest I didn't want something that would just collect dust sitting on the shelf.  I scoured Etsy like it was nobodies business.  Man I wish I had heard of Pinterest.  It wasn't until on a message board that I came across a brilliant idea.  A framed map.  Where guests would sign on the matte.  This was perfect for our small destination wedding.  And - it now proudly lives in our dining room.  I love passing by it everyday and read all the love from the most important peeps.  It's truly special.  I've considered having it insured.

{L} Location

This is basically just an excuse for me to share with you not only where we got married - but just how awesome this small coastal town is.  Steve and I had been to Varadero, Cuba twice before.  When selecting a wedding destination we thought of two factors 1. the cost for people to join us.  And 2. the ease to get into town off the resort.  If our guests are anything like us - being stuck at a hotel for 7 days isn't always enjoyable.  It's nice to get off the resort and explore the towns.  Mingle with the locals.  And take pictures.  Get kissed by dolphins.  You know everyday normal guy stuff.

Now keep in mind that Varadero is a tourist town but nonetheless it's pretty awesome.  Prior to the wedding - we travelled to Cuba to do some location scouting.  Another perk to planning a destination wedding.  Having both been to Cuba before we knew that 5 stars in Cuba doesn't translate into international ratings.  So checking out the hotels and the rooms was necessary before making a final decision.  We finally decided on Hotel Iberostar Laguana Azul.  If you're interested check out out wedblog: Steve Plus Emily

Here is what we found during our research trip.

Prior to research - you need a little R&R so we hung out here a bit.  I mean we needed to assess how awesome the ocean and beach really was.  Maybe the sand would be too sandy? 

After a lengthy assessment - the result - the ocean is awesome!

We then went on a catamaran trip - to assess the quality and fun factor.  Oh and the beer.  Of course we had to sample that too.  Result - catamaran booze cruise=fun

A trip into Varadero to check out the scene - result Varadero is pretty rad.

Back at the resort - to sample the beers and to celebrate selecting our wedding location.

Oh - and I think the kisses from this dolphin sealed the deal. 

Are you wedding obsessed?  Read about all things wedding related over at Something Charming.

 

Missing something?  Get caught up here as I recap our wedding, from A-Z. 

{A} Attendance

{B} Bridal Party 
{C} Ceremony 
{D} Dress 
{E} Engagement 
{F} Father of the Bride 
{G} Getting Ready 
{H} Hen Night
{I} Invitations 

{J} Jitters

Ghost Tag

If you haven't seen the tag game floating around the blogosphere I'd be surprised.   Because I think everyone and their grandma has participated in this.  And I am a great band wagoner.  I love to jump on board.   I also don't talk about myself a lot.  Or maybe I do and I just want to do it more?  Is that self-centered and/or vain? And the lovely Allison from Nestful of Love tagged me. So I guess that means I'm it.  First go visit her and say hello.  I'll wait. 

Like any good game - there are rules.  However I am not a stickler and you can choose to follow, bend or break them if you want.

Da Rules.

1. You must post the rules. 2. Post eleven fun facts about yourself.3. Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post, then create eleven new people to ask the people you've tagged.4. Tag eleven people and link them on your post.5. Let them know you've tagged them! 

{photo credit Randalin @ Harvesting Kale}

1. Like most girls born in the 80's my all time favourite movie is Dirty Dancing.  I watch it at least four times a year and always on or around my birthday.  When I was younger I would watch it back to back - sometimes three times in a row.  I was that obsessed.  I loved, and still do, the log scene.  I would day dream about meeting a boy to recreate this moment.  Steve is unwilling.   2.  I love to dance.  I don't know if I am any good at it - but I am not afraid to shake it on the dance floor.  Nothing pleases me more than an impromptu living room dance sesh.  Plan one and surprise me with it.  Start with this song please.   
3. I am terribly shy.  I have a hard time making new friends.  Mostly because they think I am stuck up.   Really I just try to feel people out.  I am really misunderstood.  
4. Speaking of dancing - I also loved the New Kids on the Block {Donnie Wahlberg - yes please!}.  I used to watch the video for You Got It (the right stuff) religiously so I could practice the moves. I had the choreograph down pat.   It got to the point that I asked my mom if I could host a dance concert in our backyard for the neighbours.  Thankfully this never came to life.  I don't think I'd ever live it down.
5.  My favourite food - french fries and gravy preferably from a snack bar or a chip wagon/truck.  If my hips didn't disagree I'd go on a strict french fry only diet.
6.  I am really gullible.  Like if you tell me something I will probably believe you - even if I think it sounds ridiculous.  I have learned from so many embarrassing moments to check my facts.  Now if I am skeptical - I consult Google.  I hope Google won't let me down.
7.  Like Dirty Dancing - I also love(d) the movie Labyrinth as a child. Only because I had a big fat crush on David Bowie AKA Jareth the Goblin King. Looking back - I am not sure what I saw in him?  Was it the hair?  Or the spandex? Or both? We just bought this movie on Blu Ray.  I have already made Steve watch it with me.  Can you believe he had never seen it?  I know I was shocked too.   8.   I love mangoes. I never liked them before I visited a mango farm in Cuba in 2007 and had to help pick them.  But hate papaya and bananas.  I am iffy with peaches - once I bit into one and there was a worm in it.  I try to eat them with a knife now.   

{working the mango fields in Cuba - cool outfit obviously required}

 9. I don't have a drivers license.  I did - but I let it expire.  This is a sore spot between Steve and I.  I plan to get it back this summer.  
10.  When I was around eight I used to have reoccurring dreams about Corey Haim and how we were in love.  He passed away on my 30th birthday.  I was devastated.   Dream a Little Dream was another movie I watched back to back.   11. I am going to be 32 in six weeks but I still feel like I am 19.  I hope I feel like this the rest of my life.
Allison's Questions

1. If you had to choose between a burger or a slice of pizza, which would you choose?

I think I have eaten enough pizza to last me a lifetime.  I've mentioned before - but Steve loves pizza.  We eat it at least once a week.  At points - almost twice.  I never thought I could tire of something so delicious.  I would have to go with a burger.   2. What is your favourite cartoon character?

Since I have shared with you some traits about my childhood - this question seems fitting.  She-Ra the princess of power.  Enough said. 

3. Would you rather be at home in sweatpants or out on the town looking snazzy?

I like to think I look snazzy in my sweatpants.  But as soon as I reached 30 - getting snazzy seems like a lot of work.  I am down with sweatpants. 

4. Which do you prefer kittens or puppies?

Do I even need to answer this question?  Obviously I prefer kittens.  What's cuter than a kitten?  OK maybe a beagle puppy.  Now those little guys are adorbs.  

5.Have you ever eaten or heard of Skyline Chili?


No.  But I Googled.  It's a long ways from Toronto.  Is it worth the drive to Cincinnati? 
 

6. If you could pick one band to write the soundtrack to your life, which one would it be?

I would have to choose Coheed and Cambria.  My love for this band hasn't wavered since I first heard of them.  Each album gets better than the next {though I like the album second stage turbine blade the most}.  We even had this song selected as our first dance song - though we never used it.  I feel like each album represents a different stage of my life for the last ten years.  They are amazing.  If you don't listen to them - you should.

7. {the missing question}

8. If you could get a free subscription to any magazine, which one would it be?

I guess I should also reveal that I am a celebrity gossip junky?  I've toned down a bit and stuck with online blogs; Perez Hilton, Pink Is The New Blog, TMZ, Popsugar - you get the idea.  I miss purchasing weekly magazines.  I would definitely snatch up a subscription to US Weekly.  Totally the most reliable source - right?

9. Would you rather live near the mountains or near the beach?

Oh tough question.  I am a lover of both.  However I get more satisfaction from the beach.  Wait - are we talking ocean beach? or lake beach?  I would prefer the ocean.

10. What's the best meal or recipe you've ever made?

Definitely my beef stew.  It's pretty kick ass.  I don't follow a recipe.  I just wing it.  Ask my husband he'll tell you it's the best.  I didn't even pay him to tell you son. 

11. What is your favorite holiday?

My birthday of course.  Just kidding (kind of).  But really - I love thanksgiving.  It's like Christmas - but minus the empty bank accounts and stress.  Food, family, full bellies.  It's the perfect holiday. 

.......And I am going to bow out here and break half of rule three, four and five.  Did I mention I am also rebellious?  Not really.  If you want to participate - go visit Kate @ Stripes and Polka Dots and ask her if you can steal her questions because she didn't tag anyone either and also has some great questions. 

This is enough about me.

Meal Plan: Jan23-Jan29

I am sure impressed with myself as I was able to stick to our meal plan - well almost.  If you missed my big long spiel about it check that our here. Not only did we manage to make three out of the five meals - but Steve and I cooked them together.  We didn't come up with any excuses about why we should order take out.  We DIDN'T argue about what to eat for dinner.  This is reward enough.

When selecting our meals for the week - I took to Clean Eating Magazine.  I have read a bit about clean eating and have heard other bloggers rave about it.  I like the idea of cleaning eating since, from what I gather, involves cooking with fresh, natural products.  I have for years now tried to stray from the centre of the grocery store and only shop the perimeter. Occasionally I break this for sweet indulgences like Presidents Choice The Decadent Chocolate Chip Cookies - seriously these are to die for.  Anyhow - cooking clean dinners sounded easy and not to out of my skill set.

As I mentioned we only got to three of the five meals - two nights we got home to late from work & the gym that we both weren't up for cooking and whipped up something quick.  

Here is what we cooked:


Spicy Tuna Melts
OMG delicious! and so super easy to make.  We will definitely be making these again.  Also these are probably considered lunch food - but they are perfect to make after a long day at work.  I think in total they took 20 minutes from start to finish.  However I do have a few adjustments - next time I will sub the cumin for Jalapeno Peppers.  I think the flavour/spice will be less powerful.  Other than that - perfect easy recipe.

Grilled Chicken with Broccoli Florets
Another winner, winner chicken dinner.  Seriously if eating healthy is this delicious sign me up!  First of all this recipe is intended to serve four so I halved all the ingredients.  Thankfully Siri, my trusty iPhone assistant, is so helpful in the kitchen - she's been spitting measurement conversions at me all week.  I omitted the sauce - because the spice on the chicken sounded like it would be enough.  I was right.  Steve however reached for some BBQ sauce - what can I say he's a sauce man.

Country-Fried Steak with Mushroom Gravy
 Again - another success. And I also made a few adjustments to this recipe.  I'll be honest I have a hard time following a recipe to a T.  This is why I am not so successful at baking.  This recipe calls for you to make your own mushroom sauce.   I ended up using a package mushroom sauce from Simply Organic - I could read all the so I assumed it was 'healthy' and seriously a heck of a lot easier.  It worked.  Also - I didn't use beef I subbed it with pork.  Since I spontaneously bought a beef roast for Sunday night {it was a good price} I decided that was too much red meat for one week.  Oh and instead of making my own crust - I used panko.  Cheating?  Whatever - it was delicious nonetheless.

Slow Cooked Beef Roast with Corn & Beans
This one wasn't on the menu - but nothing is better than a slow cooked meal on a Sunday evening. This recipe is pretty generic for a beef roast and I only omitted the onion soup mix and subbed the carrots for celery because I didn't have any.  The corn and beans are from a can.  Lazy?! 

What we missed: Smothered Cheeseburgers &  Zucchini, Tomato, Fresh Herb Fettuccine {both of which I definitely want to try}

And here is what's on the menu for this week:

And in case you can't read my neglected black board writing abilities;

• Leftovers from Sunday {Beef Wraps} 
• Chili-Lime Kabobs
• Tex Mex Vegetarian Sheppard's Pie
• Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese
• Bo Luc Lac (Vietnamese Shaking Beef) {an attempt at Vietnamese cuisine}

What's on your menu? Looking for ideas?  Go visit my friend Randalin for some more really delicious reviews.  And then check head over to orgjunkie for some more and helpful meal planning tips - but don't blame me if you get hungry.

Scavenger Hunt Sunday: Week 2

Last week I quickly participated in Scavenger Hunt Sunday {if you missed it click here} host by Ashley at Ramblings and Photos.  By quickly I mean I found it and then went around the house looking for inspiration.  This week wasn't much different.  I remember this afternoon that I needed to snap the a few of following five shots .  I hope as I continue to participate in these challenges I wont always leave it to the last minute. 

Here is what I came up with this week.

1. Sunset:  I totally missed the sunset all week.  Actually I am convinced that the sun never rose at all.  It's been so dark, drab, and dreary.  Typical Canadian January.  However I do like the lighting of dusk.

2. Black & White:  I could have been more creative then snapping a photo in black & white.  But I like this photo {even if it's a tad bit blurry}.  This is Basil - and he got a new toy.  They are just getting acquainted.

3. Day in My Life:  Steve and I went out for brunch.  Well I had brunch - he had chicken wings.  We try to get out for brunch on the weekend at least once.  It's usually the best part of the week.

I hate the straw in the pic - if I knew how to remove it I would have {iPhone pic}

4. Four:  I struggled with this one.  Then I was preparing to do laundry and this is why you get four quarters.  Yes that's a moose on our quarter.

5. Colourful:  I won these super cozy socks in a giveaway last December.  Seriously so warm and comfy.

Check out other scavenged finds over at Ashley's and congratulate her on her BIG news.

Friday's Letters

Ashley from Adventures of Newlyweds has come off hiatus - and is back with her fabulous Friday's Letters link up.  This is probably my favourite link up floating the blogosphere - because i have some a peeps to write to.

Dear Husband:  You're awesome!  Seriously the best husband out there.  All the girls be jellin' on me.   You're awesome because you braved the Sunday afternoon crowds of Ikea to pick up a much needed desk.  And you didn't complain.  You even thanked me for being so quick.  Love you so much.  p.s.  Thanks for also not complaining when you had to put it together while I sat back and took photos.  You did a super job.

Dear Body:  I've been working hard to make you feel better.  Pumping iron at the gym.  Working on my fitness. Eating clean & fresh dinners.  I hope you start to notice and appreciate what I am doing for you and start to shrink and tone up a little.  It's seriously embarrassing if I have to wave.  Keep the muffin tops where they belong.  SERIOUSLY!

Dear Juliet:  Your first hardcore song is amazing!  Seriously who doesn't love their dog as much as you?!  I would if I had one. I laugh every time I watch this.

Dear Basil:  Thanks for wearing a bow tie - without protest.  It really makes you look more distinguished.

Dear Meal Plan: I wish I starting hanging with you sooner.  You've made my home happier.  No more agreements {edit: arguments} about what to eat.  Delicious home cooked meals. And best of all some quality kitchen bonding time with Steve.  You're also AMAZING.  

Dear Husband {Again because of your awesomeness}:  Thanks for being a good sport like Basil and putting up with my ridiculousness.  Like participating in unwanted photo shoots when requested.  I love you dearly for it. 

Got some letters to write?  Visit Ashley's blog and get writing.  

Dear Postman,

Back in December I was the winner of one of the 12 days of giveaways.  I was fortunate enough to be selected as the winner of the giveaway that Erica from Young and Fabulous was hosting. 

Seriously I was so excited waiting for this package to arrive.  I love getting mail.  I am so sick of getting piles and piles of bills.  It arrived last week but I missed the UPS delivery - so I had to wait until the weekend to pick it up from the post office.

I was so excited that I ripped it open in the car because there was no way I was waiting until we got back home - but then carefully put it back together so I could share the awesomeness with you. But first I want to take a moment and thank Erica for offering such a fabulous giveaway.  THANKS GIRL!   It totally kicked off my Christmas spirit. 

Now back to my loot. Note that this is only part one - because the awesome camera strap that I selected from Capturing Couture hasn't yet arrived. Which means I have another awesome delivery to be excited for.

Check out how cute this package is? Now you can see why I ripped it open, immediately!

Oh and the card?  It totally made me giggle.   So funny right?

And the best part - all the goodies.  Check out these rockin' earmuffs.  They have iPod headphones in them.  Amazing!  I can't wait to break these in.  It had been pretty mild here lately but looks like winter arrived a few days ago - so perfect timing. Otherwise I'd be hittin' the gym with them.

perfect fit

And you can't just keep your ears warm - so Erica made sure to cover it all and included these incredibly comfy slipper/socks.  They have treads on the bottom so I don't slip in fall.  Good thinking. 

Oh and there is more.  Some delicious smelling Pink Sugarplum body lotion, shower gel, and body spray from Bath and Body Works.  Seriously stop by there sometime and smell how sweet and amazing this stuff is. 

oh and a cute mailbox - this is going in my new office to house some of my sewing stuff

I can't wait until the next package arrives. 

Now all this got me thinking about how awesome it is sending and receiving mail.  Whether its a letter, a card, a care package {which are awesome by the way} - whatever it is - it's always awesome to get something lovely in the mail.  You totally agree with me right? 

So when I told my husband today that I signed up to be matched with a pen-pal he asked me if I felt I didn't have enough to do - I replied with 'this is something for me to do'.  I've always wanted to have a pen-pal but never knew how to go about getting one.  I grew up in a small town.  So when I saw that Amira from Shade of Gray put out a call for a pen-pal match up - I knew this was something I wanted to participate in.  OK I did have to think about if I'd be able to commit to it - but after some thought I realized that this will help keep me accountable for some crafting tasks I want to tackle.  Hopefully my new pen-pal likes crafts.   EEKK I am so excited just thinking about it.   Oh all the pretty stationary and envelope decorating. 

If you're interested in getting matched with a pen-pal of your own - go visit Amira and she'll get you all hooked up. And maybe if we're lucky - we'll be matched up.  I promise you the letters/packages will be SWEET!