Vintage Dictionary

In June we hit the Walnut, IA antique fair.  I had a couple things on my list that I was keeping my eyes peeled for . . . one being a vintage dictionary!  I found one, a HUMONGOUS one in great shape.

I was hoping the pages would be the right size so I could line envelopes with them . . . they fit perfectly onto my accucut die! Such excitement in the stationery world!

Since I brought that beauty home I have been a tad preoccupied with creating designs that would fit with my lined envelopes.

Here's my latest creation . . .

a Summer Favorite

A friend of mine recently asked when I was going to post another recipe . . . here's two! This is one of my favorite summer time meals. WARNING: I said favorite, not healthy!

Part Two of our Iowa Adventure

On Saturday we got up and headed straight to the Antique Fair! Everyone was well rested and ready to go. Booth after booth after booth . . . you name it, we saw it! 

Henry had one thing on his list . . . a banana seat bike. Before we left I warned him that he might not find one, but he did! We only saw one.  It was in great shape and the price was right! He was THRILLED! I loved that he didn't care that it was a girls bike with big daisies on the seat!

I didn't really have anything specific on my list, but I did bring my camera in hopes that I would capture some "arty farty" shots. Here are a couple of my favorites: 

I could have walked all day, but the three little people with us were done after 5 hours! 

Slight Obsession #3

I am little obsessed with Cleo's hair or maybe I should say the lack of hair . . . I found these on Etsy about a year ago thinking I would purchase them in the near future . . . nope! Still not enough hair to clip it or to tell what color it's going to be! 


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To Iowa and Back

Part I of our Summer Adventure

First Stop:  Cabella's in Owatonna, MN
Picnic with Uncle Carl who was on his way to Wisconsin.

Second Stop: Clear Lake, IA

FORT CUSTER MAZE

We have driven past this maze several times and have never stopped . . . so we finally did! Admission was easy, getting out proved more difficult!

BUDDY HOLLY CRASH SITE

Yes, this was my idea!  Lots of pissing and moaning from the back seat, but in the end all three kids said they were glad we stopped!

How do you explain to a 10, 9 and 8 year old why women leave their undies at places like the Buddy Holly Crash . . . . hmmmmmmm

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the Clear Lake beach. Had dinner in the park,  and to top the day off . . .  an ice cream truck! So fun to see all the kids running towards the truck!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, dad! 

p.s. this is one of my very favorite pictures of my dad and me!

What's on your summer to do list?

An RV trip has been on my summer list for a very long time, but I had never imagined doing it by myself with Henry.  After getting married to Kevin, it didn't take long to talk him into an RV adventure!

Last summer, Henry, Cleo, Kevin and I took off on an RV adventure that we are still talking about. We drove to North Carolina to visit Kevin's brother and Henry's great grandparents. As we headed back home, we made a quick stop at Dollywood's Splash Country.

Along the way, we made several stops at different flea/antique markets . . . something the three of us all enjoyed. So it was no surprise that flea/antique markets were on the top of our 2011 summer to do lists!

I googled top antique fairs in the United States and found one that was close enough to drive to. So we are heading to Walnut, Iowa for the Walnut Antique Show today!

Can't wait to share pictures with you next week!

Show and Tell: Custom Baby Shower Invites

When the mom-to-be was a little girl she had a stuffed elephant that played the song, "You are My Sunshine." The hostess wanted to surprise her by incorporating that into the invites somehow . . . this is what we came up with!

We used the set up from the  First Comes Love shower invite and the elephant as the inspiration.

The hostess loved the way they turned out and couldn't wait for her sister-in-law to receive hers in the mail.

And the winner is . . .

according to random.org, Sweet Love Vintage!!

Thank you everyone for throwing your name in the hat!

Happy Monday!

Slight Obsession #2

I love a good mason jar craft, but no where near as much as my good friend, Becky! 

 I dedicate this Slight Obsession to her!

#1 Mason Jar Meals

#2 Lanterns

#3 Jar of Buttons

#4 Hairpin Vase

#5 Cupcake in a Jar "etsy"
      Cupcake in a Jar "make your own"

#6 Ice Cream in a Jar

Sentimental Gardening

these lily of the valley's started out at my great grandparent's  house 

my mom replanted some at her house

and then i replanted some at my house

every spring i look forward to seeing them pop up. and i am sure that once upon a time my great grandma ella looked forward to her lily of the valleys popping up too!

this is what i call sentimental gardening!

Giveaway

Win a custom family illustration hand drawn by

 Pretty Girl Illustrator, Andrée Tracey. 

To enter, just leave a comment below {i.e I love this blog, I love these family illustrations, the color pink rocks, I have three kids, I have two dogs, etc}

A winner will be chosen at random on Friday the Tenth

fine print: prize includes one family illustration for a family of 4 or less 

{pets are considered family members} with ONE revision. 

One 8x10 print {printed on white 80# paper} and 12 notecards.

Slight Obsession #1

my definition of a slight obsession? 

i find something that i am instantly drawn to 

i bookmark it

add it to my favorites

i look at it 1000 times

i tell everyone i know about it

i don't know what it is about these bags but i am clearly 

obsessed with them! maybe it's because  i grew up

 in a small farming community in wisconsin?

 or my grandpa was a turkey farmer who

 i am sure used these same sort of sacks. . . 

 it doesn't matter.  i love them.

Photography Challenge

Wanna know the best way to learn how to use your "fancy camera"? PRACTICE and then PRACTICE some more! Here is a great way to get started. Check out this 30 day photography challenge I found on Pinterest (thank you white peach) My dear friend, Kristin and I are going to start on Saturday. Join Us!