Summer Life Lately

My parents are here this week for a visit and we're soaking in lots of traditional summer activities...gardening, backyard picnics and walks around the gorgeous lakes. Yesterday mom and I planted some beautiful red and yellow flowers in our previously empty window boxes! They immediately brought that extra pop of color our front yard needed! Now if I can just remember to water them each day....

Looking forward to my big sister's arrival tomorrow, too!

Weekend in Baltimore and DC

We traveled to Baltimore, Gaithersburg, Maryland and Washington D.C. last weekend to visit friends and celebrate the wedding of my high school best friend, Kim! First stop was Baltimore to visit Karl's college friend Ben and his fiancé Gretchen. We had a blast exploring the city after a torrential rain storm, enjoyed a fabulous southern inspired dinner at Langermann's, noshed on delicious stacks of pancakes at Miss Shirley's Cafe, toured the Inner Harbor area and played a few rounds of our new favorite game, Cards Against Humanity. It's like Apples to Apples all grown up...you have to have a sense of humor to enjoy it!

Friday night and Saturday were spent celebrating Kim and Stu's wedding! Kim was a beautiful bride...so glad we got to be part of the special day! I loved the sunflower theme and having a chance to really catch up with fellow best friend and bridesmaid Kathryn. There are too many miles between Athens, Georgia and Minnesota!

On Sunday we headed back to D.C. to explore the monuments and museums with Ben, Gretchen, and Karl's friend Mike and his fiancé Alison. I haven't been to D.C. since elementary school, so it was almost like my first visit. We were thrilled to see Joe Biden ride by in an extensive motorcade and even saw the President's helicopter land to pick him up for a trip to Colorado! I fed my history and American Studies soul with a quick trip to the National Museum of American History where I found Dorothy's sparkly red shoes and the lunch counter from the Greensboro, NC sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement. It was awesome.

Mike and Allison hosted a delicious bbq before we flew home on Sunday night. Such a quick trip, but we can't wait to go back for another visit!

*I took this picture of an anchor just for you, Emily! :)

DC Bound!

best friends after college graduation, August 2008

{kim, meredith, Kathryn}

Today we're heading out to the DC area to celebrate the wedding of my sweet friend from Tennessee, Kim and her fiancé Stu! Can't wait for a mini best friend reunion with Kathryn as well. She's my partner in crime who just graduated from veterinary school! 

We're flying into Baltimore today for a day and a half of sightseeing with Karl's college friends and then we're off to wedding festivities on Friday. I packed my camera, so here's hoping I remember to take a few pictures to share! :)

Happy weekend to all!

Master Bedroom Mood Board

We're currently working on decorating our master bedroom in the new house. Here's the mood board that's inspiring the room! We're using several pieces we already had and plan to refurbish a few old pieces and pick up a few final touches. 

Image sources: 

1 via / 2 via / 3 via / 4 via / 5 via

 6 via/ 7 via / 8 via/ 9 via

1, I love the idea of a green bed or headboard! I'm planning to build my own headboard similar to this tutorial from Young House Love.

2. We currently have a great dresser and mirror from Karl's grandparents. It's in good shape, but definitely needs a paint makeover. We're thinking of updating it with a pale blue that will pick up the blue in the curtain fabric (#6)

3. Love these green artichoke lamps! I think some green lamps would be perfect for our white nightstands. 

4. I found this chevron chair on sale at Target.com about 6 weeks ago. Coupled with a few gift cards and free shipping, it turned out to be a great deal. It arrived quickly, was easy to assemble and is really sturdy! 

5. I'd love to spray paint a few cardboard letters for our dresser top. I love the XOXO idea. 

6. This Amy Butler fabric was recently turned into our curtains!

7. Our sheets are Amy Butler from a sale on Rue La La last year. 

8. I purchased this Karam Living pom pom throw from Joss and Main a few months ago. The coral really ties the blues, greens, and yellows together.

9. I think I'll pick up 2 of these little lamps from Target instead of the artichoke ones! :)

Chevron Canvas Tutorial

Here's the easy, three step process for creating your own chevron canvas art.

Supplies: (not pictured)

• 1 wrapped canvas, any size (I purchased mine at Michael's with a 40% off coupon)
• Blue painter's tape
• Paint, any color (I used arylic craft paint I had on hand, but higher end paint might work better)
• Paint brush

Step 1:

Tape out your pattern on the canvas using blue painter's tape. I just sort of eyeballed the chevron pattern, knowing that it wouldn't be exactly symmetrical on each row. I was OK with that...if you're not, consider stenciling the stripes on lightly in pencil first.

Step 2:

Apply paint to canvas. I applied several coats.

Step 3:

Once the paint dries, slowly remove the blue tape. Touch up any areas with a tiny paintbrush if needed. Step back and admire your work!



I brought my new painting to work to decorate my dreary gray cube. Loving the pop of color it brings everyday!

*photos taken via cell phone...pardon the blurry bits.

Homemade Keelber Rainbow Chip Cookies

As a small child, I loved Keelber Rainbow Chip cookies. I used to pick all the M and M's off first, eat them, and then decide wheather to eat the actual cookie. I really just should have been given a bag of M and M's!

Last year I came across a new cookie recipe and decided to throw in some M and M's for good measure. I've made this recipe often, including a big batch for a great friend's upcoming wedding! I love how the cookies turn out perfect everytime and taste like an even better version of a Keebler cookie. Chewier, sweeter and full of rainbow M and M's!

The recipe makes a small batch of regular sized cookies. You can double or triple it depending on how many you need (or want!) I made mini cookies the last time I baked these and love how tiny they turned out.

The cookies may not look “done” when you pull them out of the oven, but they will continue to bake on the hot baking sheets. If the edges look set and they are slightly brown, they are done!

I usually transfer the cooled cookies to a gallon size freezer bag, freeze and pull them out as needed. If you're careful not to break your teeth, try them straight from the freezer...there's something about an almost frozen cookie on a hot summer day that just hits the spot!

Here's the receipe, adapted slightly, from Brown Eyed Baker:

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 stick unsalted butter (at room temperature)
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup light brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1 cup M and M's (regular or peanut butter)
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Beat butter and sugars until creamy. Add eggs, vanilla extract and baking soda. Mix well. Add in peanut butter and then oats. Mix until combined. Pour in chocolate chips and M and M's.

Drop cookies 2-inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes, depending on your oven and cookie preferences. Cool on wire rack and store in an airtight container or in the freezer.

Makes 16 cookies.

It's the little things: hot weather + barn wedding

Happy weekend! I am so glad Saturday is finally here...having a day off for the 4th of July in the middle of the week really threw me for a loop! Here are some fun things from the past week:

Loving my new bubble necklace that arrived on Thursday! Search "J.Crew bubble necklace" on ebay for some awesome options that don't cost a small fortune. Mine was $15!

It's been so hot here in Minnesota the past few weeks. We're breaking records right and left and have heat advisories each day. Yuck! To stay cool I've been mixing up my favorite Italian soda (club soda + Monin cherry syrup) and lemonade with fresh mint in between lots and lots of Nalgenes full of water.

We went to a barn wedding on Tuesday night! Yes, Tuesday! It was a gorgeous venue on the lake complete with a hayride, sheep, corn hole, and this delicious and beautiful cake made by one of Karl's friends from nursing school.

It is a gorgeous morning today! Loving blogging in the backyard...and the cooler mid 70s temperatures!

Last Sunday we finally picked up new chairs for our back patio! The turquoise color pops with our yellow cafe chairs (you can see one folded up in the background!)

Today we're headed to Red Wing, MN for a little mini-break....we'll be staying at a bed and breakfast, touring a winery, possibly doing a little shopping and hopefully enjoying some yummy food. I'll be sure to take pictures!

Enjoy your weekend, friends!

Recipe: Julane's Delight

Excited to share my favorite summer desert with you today! My parents originally found this receipe at the Fresh Market (I think...) and frequently made it growing up. I "re-discovered" this receipe a few weeks ago when we ended up with a large amount of blueberries and strawberries. It's a cinch to make and disappears so fast in our family! Even Karl, who rarely has a sweet tooth (how is this possible?!) loves it.

We normally make this with a combination of strawberries and blueberries, but using fresh peaches would also be delicious! Man, what I wouldn't give for a roadside stand with South Carolina or Georgia peaches right now...

Enjoy!

Julane's Delight

3 cups vanilla wafer crumbs (1 box)
1/2 cup melted margarine or butter
8 oz cream cheese (I use low-fat)
2 cups milk (I use skim)
1 small box instant vanilla pudding
1 quart fresh sliced strawberries (or peaches, blueberries, raspberries or a combo!)
9 oz. Cool Whip (I use fat free)

Mix wafer crumbs with melted margarine and spread 2 cups in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Reserve remaining cup of crumbs for later.

Mix 1/2 cup milk with softened cream cheese and blend until smooth. Add instant pudding and the remainder of milk and beat for one minute. Pour mixture over wafer crumbs then spread on strawberries or other fruit. Spread Cool Whip on top and finish by sprinkling on remaining wafer crumbs. Refigerate for an hour before eating. The dessert is best while the wafer crumbs are crunchy and the fruit is fresh! Serve within a day or two for best results.

This would be perfect for that 4th of July BBQ you are headed to tomorrow!