Vintage Earrings

My vintage earrings from this adorable online shop came in the mail today (have I mentioned how much I love getting things in the mail?). I bought them in support of her recovery. I can't wait to wear them. Maybe I will don them on Matt and I's romantic anniversary getaway in a couple weeks (I think Stephanie would have liked that).

To: My Izzy, My Girl.

Dear Izzy, You bring me so much joy.

I bet you didn't know that I really wanted a boy dog named Deacon.
But don't worry, because 4 months ago a little 8 week old girl puppy came into my life and she has become quite the companion. I love you because you lay in bed with me when Matt is away and you let me put my arm around you like a big fluffy (smelly) teddy bear. You are my pace setter on our morning runs (please stop pulling my arm off when a car drives by, thanks). You greet me at the door, everyday, without fail,adorned with licks, jumps and occasionally an excited tinkle. I have even become accustomed to you laying your (usually wet) chin on my lap whilst I use the facilities.

Thank you for not throwing up (forcing Matt to leap out of bed in the middle of the night and hold your head over the bathroom floor) for a couple days now. Do you feel better? I hope so. Truthfully it doesn't really matter, I'd mug on you anyway, even if you do eat your own vomit.

I still plan to take you to obedience class. Maybe then you will STOP barking at me when I brush my teeth & mawling everyone who comes through the door. I would really appreciate that.
Thanks for being so cute.
I love you

Butterflies like this.

Thanks to the awesome "Plant Expert" and lots of sales at Prairie Gardens Matt and I got to exercise marital teamwork at its finest over labor day weekend. I don't even think dirt was flung.
He did the digging, I did the planting, Izzy did the barking.Now I just get to sit back and enjoy the butterflies who are enjoying my Limelight Hydrangea.

Love looks like this...

Love means a tray of homemade fettuccine, a blanket, a romantic veranda under a starlit sky (more like a concrete slab outside our back door), and spending time eating and canoodling on a perfectly chilly September evening.

I suggest you try my Mom's fettuccine and have a romantic rendezvous yourselves.

Fettuccine Alfredo

• 2 Tbsp butter
• 7/8 cup heavy cream (7 oz)
• 1 pound fresh fettuccine
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus extra to
  serve
• salt and pepper

put 5 oz. of cream in a large saucepan and melt butter

bring mixture to a boil over medium heat

reduce heat and simmer for 1 and a half minutes or until slightly
thickened

meanwhile bring lightly salted water to a boil and add
fettuccineand olive oil and cook until tender, but still slightly firm to the
bite

drain fettuccine

pour the cream and butter sause over fettucine noodles

add the remaining cream and parmesan.

(it actually calls for twice the ammount of sauce but my mom and I
liked it a little less thick)

Serve and Enjoy!

Day 6 and 7

By Thursday morning this was what we saw. My family decided that tropical storms are much like our blizzards in the Mid-West. Crazy winds, the shops and schools close, everyone is advised to stay indoors, etc. Although the weather was icky Matt and I decided to brave it. After much family deliberation we decided to leave on Thursday instead of Saturday. All of us were so sick of the howling wind and rain. Since Matt and I were back in town a full 2 DAYS before we planned we stayed with his parents Thursday and Friday night. We were both very excited to see Izzy who was staying at the there. I think she had a GREAT time with Grandma and Grandpa Anderson and of course Uncle Pat. Friday we headed to the Art Museum. (Below: Matt appreciating an ancient Chinese sculpture). Saturday we laid by the pool. Even though the trip was cut 3 days short by a stupid tropical storm we still had a fantastic time.
THE END!

Day 5

Kellen and the Chocolate factory.
On the second all-day-rainy-day we went to a local chocolate factory and went on a tour. They even gave us free chocolate at the end. I think that Kellen enjoyed it.

Day 4

I forgot to mention that on Monday night the whole bunch of us went out to dinner. While we were waiting for a table Florence Henderson walked right in front of me and said "excuse me" (you know the mom from the Brady Bunch?). It was CRAZY-COol. She was totally down to earth in her sweatshirt and jeans. She was out to eat with her grandchildren. I wish I was brave enough to ask her for her autograph.

Any way... on to DAY 4.

Tuesday morning we woke up to this.

Tropical Storm Faye decided to grace us with her presence early Tuesday morning. The employees at the resort tossed the lawn chairs into the pool, closed the pool deck, and locked the gates to the beach. In fact, just as I snapped the last of these images I was forced to leave the pool deck. I was thinking "come on people... this stupid storm has caused my 'beach' vacation to screech to a halt and I am not going to be in the middle of a tropical storm and NOT take her picture. Let a girl live a little.

After my dance with Faye, the fam decided to head to the indoor putt-putt course. Thank goodness for rainy-day activities right?

That night we celebrated my Mom's birthday. We practically risked our lives driving around town to find her a Coconut Cream pie while Dad kept her occupied back at the condo. I still haven't given her her gift, with good reason mind you (of course I can't discuss that here). It is coming soon Mom!

Although the wind was howling we stayed up way too late playing cards and watching the Olympics. Ahhh vacation. When will you visit me again?

:)