Quick Fix

I need to get sewing! But in the meantime, here is a tasty recipe for a gathering.

Artichoke and Bean Crostini

It makes quite a bit, so if you just have a few guests over I'd think about halving the recipe.  I'm looking forward to smearing it on 2 slices of Daves Killer Spelt bread and building a delicious sandwich, or mixing it in with some eggs in the morning.  I might even freeze some for next time we have guests over.

I'd like to say that my next post will be about a new project I've sewn...but I'm feeling the urge to mix things up here a bit at home.  Like new paint and accessories for the house.  Do you ever get that way?  If so, do you act on it or just let things be? 

Mr. Golden

SUN that is.  We fully took advantage of the nice weather this weekend! I have been sad to see it go and am anxiously waiting its return.

We bought cruiser bikes a few summers ago, and its been so much fun!  Davis loves riding in the trailer, but we also got him the old school bike seat  to go on the back of our bikes that he likes too.  Sunday we went out to cruise NE neighborhoods and try to get ideas for our front yard.    Before and after pics as soon as its done.

I also made it up to the mountain for the first time in 4 years! How lame is that, 4 years! I used to go every Saturday and Sunday....guess life has just happened.  Needless to say it was awesome and just like riding a bike it was like I had been last week.  Can't wait to do more of that too.

No sewing :)  I'll get to it soon.

Alll aboard!

We decided to take the train up to Seattle to visit my in-laws in Bellevue this weekend.  We purposefully didn't tell Davis our plan until we were heading to the train station... you see...its all we would have heard about until we were actually on the train.  He doesn't quite understand waiting, so we just made it easy for him (and us;)  Davis was beyond happy, it was really fun to see the excitment in his eyes and you could hear it in his little voice.  He did pretty well and the train was really relaxing. 

Love this picture:

In my quest to have more pics taken of D and I (I really should wear more makeup or something...ugh)

I'm happy to report the little guy is completely potty trained :)  Which means #2 is now on track...super thrilled and happy the little guy picked it up so quickly.  I have 0 diapers in the house right now except Pull-ups for night time....WAHOOOOO

On other news, I feel the need to be a bit personal right now.  I'm struggling with knowing if I am meant to have another child or not.  Many of you know I miscarried again in December, and of course I was sad but was able to move forward fairly quickly.  I believe its because I had been through it all before...but anyway since we are now waiting to try again I can't help but ask myself if I really carry the patience and selflessness to have another child.  There are days when I'm wiped from working all day and come home with little patience left, how would I do this with another child?  There are days when all I want is for my own quiet time, and days when I would give anything to have the day to myself.  So with those thoughts, I'm struggling at knowing if that means that 1 is enough.  BUT then there are days when I would give anything to have another little Simmons in the house, to get to know another personality and watch them grow into their own person.  To see a little one have so much independence and learn so quickly.....and to have so much love and devotion to someone who truly depends on you is the  best.  With all that I've decided to leave it out of my hands and I figure the answer will come to me when its right. 

Here's to a good week..... Bye

40 before I'm 40

So my birthday is a little over a month away...ok more than that, but getting close.  Once I passed 30, I tend to forget really how old I am.....even as I type this I'm doing the math.  I guess I'm turning 32 (if my math is correct, Pi, can you help me out here?!) but I was convinced I was turning 33. 

Anyway, on the the subject of this post...I saw on a list of 30 things before 30 on the Oh Happy Day blog.  It really has got me thinking the last few days.  What are 40 things I want to do in the next 7 errr... 8 years. 

I started my list and plan to add to it as time goes on.  I bet it gets you thinking too....

1.  Capture all items on list through my blog
2.  Visit Palm Springs
3.  Take a cake decorating class
4.  Organize my pictures on my computer
5.  Paint my front room a color other than beige
6.  Hopefully have another baby
7.  Ride another 100 mile ride with my sister
8.  Have someone take more pictures of myself with Brandon and Davis, I'm always behind the lense.
9.  Find one signature baking item that I can call my own.
10.  Have my vitamin D tested, very curious
11.  Go on more dates with Brandon
12.  Run the Nike Women's half marathon again
13.  Rent a house somewhere in WA that I haven't been to before
14.  Go camping
15.  Go on a road trip with my family
16.  Work on patience.
17.  Visit Crater Lake
18.  Enjoy my 10 year anniversary at Nike with a memorable 5 week sabatical.
19.  Return to Maui alone with B.
20.  Return to Maui with the fam
21.  Go on a ski trip with Brandon
22.  Teach Davis to ski
23.  Buy a boat
24.  Visit New York
25.  Visit Cannon Beach for an extended weekend
26.  Volunteer at least once a year
27.  Get a will
28.  Go somewhere GREAT for my 40th, with lots of friends
29.  Do a triathlon with my girlfriends from grade school
30.  Sew a quilt
31.  Investigate my strengths
32.  Girls Trip!
33.  Read a history book about Oregon
34.  Make a cheesecake
35.  Bake a pie
36.  Buy a new house

Phew...I made it almost to 40...stay tuned!

Faves

I have a few new faves, I thought I'd share them with you.  Do you like how I am finding everything else to blog about besides sewing projects...I need to get sewing again!

I found a few new blogs I added to my Google Reader, btw if you haven't checked out Google Reader I highly suggest it!  I also started using Google Analytics and have found it to be pretty interesting.

A cool chick I run with sent me this blog, she said that she thought it might be something I'd like...boy was she right! How awesome is that cake?  And don't think I haven't pondered on how it possibly could have been made!

Jordan Ferney

In Google Reader, gosh this is turning out to be a advertising pitch for them, it has a folder that is recommended sites for you based on those sites you have saved.  I found this site here, I love her fabric and she is very artistic, great pics to look at.  Ohh and btw, do you know how badly I want a pink tree to hang my Barbie ornament collection on?!!!

Tula Pink

This next and final blog I found and fell in love with a few things...1. her kitchen remodel and her ability to refurbish vintage furniture.  She made that butcher block island! 2.  Her great style, if you scroll through she has some pictures of dream kitchens.  I love that style and it secretly makes me want to move and redo a kitchen.

Just Beachy

What are some of you faves?

L is for lentils

Recently a friend of mine turned me onto a new soup recipe.  Its become a staple in the Simmons household.  I like the simplicity of the recipe, I like that no matter what you add to it it tastes great, and the leftovers are good too (I keep some in the freezer for those nights when I can't quite get dinner together).

Give it a try, you won't regret it.

Lively up yourself lentil soup

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