Photo Challenge: Days 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23

I have some catching up to do on my August photo challenge! I have taken pictures daily, but haven't had time to post them. We have been away from home, attending football games and traveling to friend's wedding showers. It has been a fun couple of days! 

Day 19: Where I Slept

I took one amazing nap here last Friday. 

Day 20: What I Read

I recently had the urge to watch The Time Traveler's Wife, but since it's not on Netflix yet I decided I would read it instead. I think it's a better book than it is movie. I'll let you know for sure when I finish reading!

Day 21: Pretty Pattern

While we were out of town, we stayed at my brother and sister-in-law's house and their guest room bedding had a great pattern! 

Day 22: Trees

I love the oak tree in our backyard.

Day 23: Sunset

The sky had a pink glow tonight.

Photo Challenge: Day 18

Today's Challenge:

In My Bag

Whenever I buy something, I use my reusable Target bag, no matter how small the purchase. Today at the store I picked up deodorant and a case to hold my phone in order to track my distance and speed while I am running. Baxter did not come from the store, he just likes to lay on everything. 

My favorite part about this bag is that it packs away for easy storage in my purse.

Photo Challenge: Day 17

Today's Challenge:

On the Shelf

On the shelf in our fridge is the most delicious dark chocolate that I can find in our little town: Lindt's Touch of Sea Salt. (I found this bar at Wally World).

I really only eat dark chocolate and I like it cold.

Photo Challenge: Days 15 and 16

Yesterday's Challenge:

My Shoes

I love my Nike Free running shoes. They are the most comfortable athletic shoes I've ever owned. I wear them to the gym, for runs, and on walks with Harley. I highly recommend them if you're in the market for new shoes.

Today's Challenge:

What I Ate

I had broccoli salad for lunch today. I used this recipe, with only a few changes. It's delicious, but I am determined to make it even healthier. 

I ate my bright green broccoli salad from my bright yellow bowl today while swinging on the porch.

The weather was perfect. I was able to stay outside during most of my lunch break without even breaking a sweat.

Harley, Baxter and I relaxed and enjoyed the lovely weather. 

Fall was in the air. 

We felt it.

I painted my fingers and toes recently. Gray and Sea foam. I kind of love them :)

How has your week been so far?

Photo Challenge: Days 13 and 14

Yesterday's Challenge:

From a Distance

We love to watch from a distance as Baxter plays with his favorite string.

Today's Challenge:

Flowers

Since my favorite flowers are hydrangeas, we planted six bushes in the front flower beds. Some of them are blooming and flourishing, others aren't doing so well. Hopefully they will grow to be big and beautiful one day. My fingers are crossed. 

Hope your weekend has been as relaxing as ours!

Photo Challenge: Days 11 and 12

Yesterday's Challenge:

Something Fun

Since I was working all day yesterday, I didn't DO anything outrageously fun, but I did wear some of my favorite earrings! Aren't they fun?

Today's Challenge:

Close-up

Paws of the furry ones

Happy Friday!

Photo Challenge: Day 10

Something I Made

This basket of finger knitted garland just makes me happy. It's full of softness and color! Whenever I have an urge to make something and I don't have very much time (or I feel like doing some mindless crafting), I simply grab some yarn from my stash and finger knit for a little while. It's quick, easy, and relaxing!

(And, since the basket currently resides on the floor of my office, Baxter always has yarn at his fingertips paws whenever he's in the mood to play).

What have you made lately?

Photo Challenge: Day 9

Today's Photo Challenge: Faceless Self Portrait

I could practice yoga for hours.

How did you wind down today? 

Photo Challenge: Day 8

Today's Photo Challenge:

Technology

I am so thankful for technology (and facebook) when it allows me to connect with old friends that are so dear to me. 

Happy Monday!

Photo Challenge: Days 6 and 7

We have had a packed weekend. Packed full of fun on the boat and dinner with friends. The best kind of weekends, if you ask me!

Yesterday's photo challenge: childhood memory

This is a little picture frame I have in my office of my childhood dog, Joli. We got her when she was just a puppy, while we were living in Belgium. I don't have very many childhood memories that she's not a part of. 

Today's photo challenge: Something New

A little something new from the grocery store. I have never had dates before, and I don't know why. They are delicious and nutritious. 

Hope everyone had a great weekend! School starts back tomorrow, so we are gearing up for the busy week to come!

Photo Challenge: Days 4 and 5

We had such a busy day yesterday I didn't have time to share my photo challenge: favorite color

It's green.  Any shade. I like them all. 

(This is the sweet little plant that lives on my nightstand). 

Today's Photo Challenge: Someone I Love

It's my husband Alan. Doing what he does best: research.

Hope everyone has a great weekend! 

Photo Challenge: Day 3

Today's Photo Challenge: Clouds

Earlier today there wasn't a cloud in the sky visible from our yard. I waited until later in the day for this view...ah, much better. 

Photo Challenge: Day 2

Today's photo challenge: What I Wore

This is my usual work uniform. A t-shirt, jeans, sandals, and fun accessories. 

August Challenges

It's already August 1st? Holy Cow!
Where did the summer go?
Alan goes back to work tomorrow, so today is officially the end to our summer. (Well, his summer. I don't have summers. But, either way, it's over).


With a new school year comes a more hectic household. Even though Alan is a teacher, he doesn't leave school at 4pm or so, when the teachers are released. He makes it home between 6:30-7:30pm (I have a hard working hubby). So, when I get home at 5pm from work, I usually get dinner started. I love to cook, but don't normally like to spend my entire evening preparing a meal. 


So, after some g-chatting with my sister-in-law (Alan's sister), Jennifer, we both decided we're going to challenge ourselves to cook weeknight dinners only in our crockpot for the month of August. We realized that we both don't use our slowcookers often enough. 


During my lunch break, Alan and I prepared our first crockpot supper of August: Ziti. I haven't ever cooked pasta in the crockpot before, so we're experimenting with this first recipe. We decided, since there's only two of us, we will probably only have to make two crockpot meals each week. We'll eat the leftovers for lunch and possibly another dinner.  


We eat at church one night a week, have date night on Thursdays, and normally eat with friends on Friday nights. (Yea, that seems like a lot of eating out, but we always come home with leftovers for the next day's lunches, so we're getting multiple meals out of each restaurant visit which makes us feel less guilty about eating out). 


I figured, since we're already challenging ourselves in the kitchen, I would also challenge myself with my camera. I came across this blog post from Sherry at Oh So Lovely and thought it would be fun to participate. I don't take nearly enough pictures of our everyday life and I thought this would be a fun way to change that!

Here's my Day 1: Self Portrait

And, yes, I did get my hair cut (last week actually)! I will share that story tomorrow. Can you say Locks of Love? Oh yea...my hair was pretty long! 


A new school year is pretty much like a new year all together for us. That happens when your lives revolve around the school calendar. That's fine with me because it gives me a chance to start new and make resolutions in the middle of the (calendar) year! Cheers to a new school year! It's been fun summer, we'll see you next year.