My Little Cub

Calvin is spending a few days this summer at Cub Scout Day Camp.

Each night, he stumbles into the house around 11pm

with a huge smile on his face.

When I ask how it was, he exclaims,

"Mom, it was AMAZING!"

Swimming, bb guns, water balloon fights, bows & arrows...

What more could an 8 yr old boy want?

Strange Things That Make Me Smile

When I was a kid

we kept a little potted aloe vera plant in our bathroom at home.

My mom used it for everything that ailed us-

sunburns, cuts, burns, you name it.

My mom would take a knife, cut off a slice and rub away our pain.

This week, I bought my first aloe vera plant.

Seeing it sitting on the bathroom counter makes me smile.

Another reminder of Mom.

My Summer Favorites

A couple of months back, I came across some candles at Target (I'm a sucker for anything delicious smelling) and I couldn't resist. Each time I walk into my house I look forward to lighting my vintage looking, "Happiness" candle. It makes me... well, happy.

I thought I'd list a few more of the things that are making me happy this summer.

It's the little things in life, right?

Downeast Basics Cropped Cap Sleeve Tee

I layer these under everything and because they are cropped, they don't make me hot. 

Vanilla Fields

I have worn this inexpensive perfume since high school. I still love it!

Nike Women's Running Shorts

R&F Anti-Age Hand Regimen

Makes my hand look years younger!

Happiness Yuzu & Lime Aromatherapy Candle from Target

Smells amazing!

Hard Boiled Eggs

Organic, cage-free, & so full of goodness!

Brooks Cascadia Trail Running Shoes

So comfortable and cushioned...just the way I like 'em!

Coco Reef Swimwear

The first well-made & supportive suits I've owned!

Green Matcha Tea

Full of antioxidants and inhibits cancer growth!

It's Summer Time

Summer is here.

The last day of school was bittersweet. It always is.

Friends moving away, another year over, and the realization that, yes, my kids are growing up.

My proudest moment of the day was watching my fearless 11 yr. old sing a solo in the school talent show. Pretty amazing.

I'm so thrilled to spend the summer months with these special kiddos.

Max- Talent Show Performance

Sea Salt Choc Chip Cookies

Big Sea Salted Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 sticks unsalted European butter

¾ c. granulated sugar

¾ c. packed light brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups all purpose flour

¾ tsp. sea salt

1 ¼ tsp baking powder

½ tsp. baking soda

2 cups semi-sweet chocolate, chips or chopped

1 cup chopped walnuts

Sea salt for sprinkling

-          Using a cheese grater, grate cold butter. Beat with mixer until creamy. Add sugars. Beat.  

-          Add eggs and vanilla and mix.

-          In another bowl, mix flour, baking sold, baking powder, and salt. Add to batter and blend.

-          Add chocolate chips and walnuts.

-          Chill dough overnight.

-          Preheat oven to 375°

-          Divide dough into 16 balls. Do not press flat. Bake them on ungreased cookie sheets.

-          Bake for 7 minutes at 375°, then lower temp to 325° and bake for 8 more minutes.

-          Take them out of the oven and let cool on cookie sheet.

-          While they are cooling, sprinkle sea salt over the tops of the cookies.

-          Enjoy!

Whiskey Off-Road

This past weekend, Lance competed in the Whiskey Off-Road up in Prescott, AZ. This year, he has concentrated on road biking and has had a hugely successful race season. At the last minute, Lance decided to do this mt. bike race.

It's a 50 mile race, so I got to enjoy several hours eating in bakeries and shopping in little boutiques. About 40 minutes into the race, the announcer reported where the lead racers were and announced that Lance was in first place. I was so excited!

Thirty minutes later, another update was given and Lance's name wasn't announced. I knew he either crashed or flatted. Dang it!

I texted one of Lance's buddies who I knew was on the trail handing him bottles. He let me know that Lance had flatted and had fallen behind.

We waited at the finish line watching the first riders come in and who do I see coming around the corner? My husband, of course. After changing a flat, he managed to race his heart out and move back up and finish 3rd in the open division.

I am continuously impressed by Lance's physical abilities and his unwillingness to EVER quit!

She's Close

Busy daily life is a blessing.

It helps to distract yourself from the reality you've lost someone you love.

This morning, I quickly stopped by my parents' house to pick something up.

I rang the doorbell and waited.

As I stood there, I envisioned my mom answering the door.

I forgot for a moment that she was gone.

Then, I remembered and it was like someone punched me in the chest.

That's how it is when you lose someone.

After 4 years, you'd think those little moments would no longer occur.

But, maybe it's her way of letting me know she isn't really so far away.

Celebrating with a Good Sweat!

Max wanted to spend St. Patrick's Day running in a race. Of course, this makes me all giddy. My boy likes to run! I signed him up for the Scottsdale St. Patrick's Day Run. It was a 4 mile race that race along the canals in downtown Scottsdale. He takes this running thing seriously. He was out there warming up with a few sprints alongside the competitive runners (I don't even warm up before a race). I urged him to get right in the front at the start since they were using ankle timers which all start at the same time instead of starting when he passed through the start line. 10 seconds into the race I realized this was a mistake! He was getting carried along by the fast runners and I thought he was definitely going out too fast. Uh oh. We lost sight of him until he came back around with a mile left to go. He passed with a huge smile on his face. We cheered him on! He finished in 34 minutes (which is a 8:33 pace if you are wondering)! Wow, my kid is fast! Max placed 52nd out of 162 men and 5th in his age division (10-14yrs). I am so proud of him for setting a goal and surpassing it! He's been searching for more races online since we've been home!