the great(?) outdoors

anyone who knows me, knows that I love to be outside...most of the time...and while I do prefer to sleep inside...I ventured along on the annual summer camping trip for Brett's hockey team...the day was perfect, weather was hot but not humid...then came the rain at night...but all in all I had fun...you're surprised, aren't you??

anyway...here are a few photos from the trip :) enjoy!














our campsite














Cobb, Kiwi and Brett taking a break from fishing















one of the cute little raccoons I saw...during the day?

Mondays Item of the Week!

Songbird Necklace!



















This is one of my favorites...I wear it all the time :) If you purchase this necklace this week, you'll receive free shipping on your entire order!

bestest friends get married :)

probably one of the most anticipated weddings of the year for me...and my first stint as Maid of Honor...Bonnie and Andy got married on Saturday :)


















it really was a beautiful day, we got pictures on the beach, the newlyweds arrived on a boat, and we were up till 3am celebrating...to two of my very best friends...congratulations :)

Congratulations to the new Mr & Mrs Holmgren :)

Friday night we celebrated Kait & Wes' wedding...it was a ton of fun, the bride looked beautiful, and I got to see the old VT roomies and some of my other favorite Hokies :)

practice makes perfect

Thursday was the day...that marks the start of one of the busiest weekends of my life...but also one of the most memorable :) we had Bonnie & Andy's rehearsal dinner, first at the church, and then dinner back at my parents house...Alfonso's catering, funny stories, a few happy tears and lovely gifts from the bride and groom...now we just need it to be Saturday!

Art with a Heart

Even though I won't be at Artscape this weekend, many of my talented friends from BEST will be...so if you're still in the city this weekend...make your way over and see what they've got! and...if you have any spare art supplies, they will be taking donations- read on to find out!


The BEST team had a really successful craft supply drive for "Art with a Heart, Inc." last year during Hampdenfest, so we've decided to do it again at one of our largest group venues, and "America's largest free art festival" Artscape.

So help us help Art with a Heart, Inc. carry out their mission by bringing craft supply items to one of the BEST artists at Artscape. As a "thank you" for your donation, BEST is offering a one-time 10% discount off a single item purchased at Artscape from one of our participating BEST artists. Please bring any unused craft (or office) supplies or gift card to our BEST tent at Artscape or to any of our participating artists at Artscape to receive the discount. One discount per person, and the offer is only valid on purchases made at Artscape on July 17, 18 & 19th. We look forward to seeing you there!













Here's a list of items we are looking to collect:

* Deco Markers / Paint Markers
* Elmer’s Glue
* Erasers
* Fabric Glue / Fabric-Tac
* Hot glue guns and glue sticks
* Glue sticks
* Markers
* Masking tape
* Mod Podge
* Paint brushes
* Pencil sharpeners
* Pencils
* Single hole punchers
* Scissors
* Scotch Tape
* Tacky Glue
* Aluminum foil
* Beads
* Disposable/plastic bowls
* Elastic string
* Glitter glue
* Jewelry hardware
* Mat board
* Mat cutter
* Mini hot glue gun sticks
* Paper towels
* Puffy paint
* Screw gun
* Sculpey clay
* Self-hardening clay
* Tag board/poster board
* Thread
* Watercolor paper
* Wire

All donations will go to Art with a Heart, Inc.

"Art with a Heart, Inc. brings the joy and benefit of visual art to those who need it most. They provide interactive, hands-on art activities to disadvantaged families and children, and to people with developmental and physical challenges. They offer our unique, custom programs at a variety of sites throughout the Baltimore area, including:

• group housing facilities and shelters
• senior citizen centers
• assisted living facilities
• community centers
• public schools

Art with a Heart programs include an exciting combination of interactive activities and various art mediums. Some projects recognize important cultural and/or historical events, while others introduce participants to the world's most famous artists. They see how these accomplished creators used their medium to express emotions. Participants are then encouraged to create their own works using varied techniques and mediums.

Dr Pepper...steak??

So we all know how much I love Dr Pepper :) and my dad is a big fan too...so when I saw this recipe, I thought I'd share, and eventually try it for myself

so I bring you...Dr Pepper Tenderloin...enjoy!
(photo from www.rachaelraymag.com)

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds beef fillet (preferably cut from the large end of a whole tenderloin), tied with butcher twine every inch
• 1 liter Dr Pepper
• ½ cup soy sauce
• Juice of 3 lemons (about 3/4 cup)
• 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon coarse salt
• 3 cloves garlic, crushed

4 Servings PrepTime 10 min + marinating Cook 45 min

Directions:

1. Place the beef in a deep container for marinating. Add 2 cups Dr Pepper and the remaining ingredients and mix well. Add more Dr Pepper to cover. Seal and refrigerate for at least 5 hours or overnight.

2. Preheat an outdoor grill to medium. Place the tenderloin on the grill, reserving the marinade, and cover the grill (or heat a grill pan over medium heat, add the tenderloin and cover loosely with foil). Cook, turning occasionally, until the meat registers 130° on a meat thermometer for medium-rare, about 45 minutes. Transfer to a board to rest for 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, bring the reserved marinade to a boil in a medium saucepan, then lower the heat and simmer until slightly reduced, 5 minutes. Slice the beef and drizzle with the Dr Pepper sauce.

my parents rock

just on the same train of thought...parents and babies...

and since I probably don't say it enough...my parents are awesome...the best I could have ever hoped for :)















photo from Memorial Day 2008

oh, and I have this pretty cool brother too :p I was going back through pictures, and I realized...I like to get him weird gifts...that usually, I find way funnier then everyone else does...case in point...the big pen, and the mustache monster...

boy, boy, girl...

so many of my friends are expecting, and I am so excited for them! so far we've got 2 boys and a girl :) I can't wait till the fall to meet all the new lil ones!!

Sunday's shop of the week!

IvCreations is this week's featured shop :)


another one of my very first hearted shops, this one has so much character and charm! an adorable selection of necklaces, earrings and bracelets...you simply must stop on by :)

to a great teacher

Mr Hahl, Team 7C, Hillsborough Middle School...you will be missed...

very sad to hear the news of one of my favorite teachers...he made science fun, and even got a bunch of 12 year old girls to like drag racing, camping and canoeing...












photo from Debra Alberti Porowski of my 7th grade teachers :)

Saturday's Photo

a week from today we'll be at the hotel, getting ready for Bonnie & Andy's wedding!! so here's a photo flashback to 1990...

1st Birthday!

happy first birthday to my favorite little twins!

making progress

three cats, living together peacefully...never thought I'd see the day :)

What I'm Working on...Wednesday :)

so this is the very early stages of an idea...but I'm learning to play with resin and glitter and all that fun stuff :) stay tuned!

Mondays Item of the Week!

You can earn yourself free shipping if one of your purchases this week is....

the Trio Necklace!













so...what are you waiting for?? ;)

Sunday's shop of the week!

this week...JennaAppleton!

her shop is my second I ever marked as a favorite on Etsy...I have now figured the method to my madness when it comes to shop of the week!...


















I just love her style and her pieces are stunning...they ship from Australia, so you might have to wait a bit to get your purchase...but it would definitely be worth it!










stop on by her shop and check it out!

Happy Birthday America :)

spent the day by the pool, bbq'ing with Joe & Amanda, and watching the fireworks from Canton :)

Saturday's Photo

under the boardwalk in AC

Friday Finds on Etsy!

okay, I am determined to get back on a good blog schedule! here's hoping :)

friday finds on this lovely fourth of July weekend!

America wall decal by VinalVinyard










Patriotic Pendant by NaturalatHeartToo



















USA Birdhouse by MargArts



















Patriotic Cupcake Soap by machinegunlullaby

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD & BONNIE!!

to two of my very favorite people...Happy Birthday :) I looooooooooove you both!!