Sailin' on the Quote Boat - Adventure

"... Like I always say, "If you're bored, you're boring."

If I could go back and visit my younger self, I would push her out the door and tell her, "Don't come home until you've had an adventure! You are a young woman in a wonderful town. Go to the art museum; take a class; visit a girlfriend. You ought to be struggling to choose what to do today, not killing the hours like they were flies. Before you know it, you'll have children and wish you had so much free time at your disposal!"

... I learned a little trick so that I would never be bored: when I was almost too busy to think, I would still take a moment to write down the things I would love to do if I only had the time. Then, when free time presented itself, I did not run the danger of being unable to think of something to do, since I had a list to consult."

- Barbara "Cutie" Cooper, Fall in Love for Life

Lucky Score

Cutest It's a Southern Thing! frame. I've always wanted the platter (surprise!), but when I spotted this frame, I thought it was even better. Retail is $38, and I found it on clearance for $4. I completed this lucky score with one of my favorite pictures of Hank in Rome. 

Bits

Pumpkin spice latte in January? Don't mind if I do.

Dinner at PRs plus bowling at the alley makes for a fun night. 

Valentine's decorations are up! Hearts and pink everywhere. 

Lovely evening on the lake. 

Snack time! There's nothing like fresh baked chocolate chip cookies and milk. 

Hi, Norman! He's our resident gnome, and his skill is opening bottles. Cheers!

Glamimals: How To

Craft Supplies:

I used a 40 percent off coupon on the animals at Michaels, and I spray painted them gold.

Looking good! I then poured glue in a cup and used a brush to paint the glue onto an animal. Then I dipped the animal in a cup of chunky gold glitter. Repeat. At the end, I touched up spots with a bit of glue and another dip to be sure each animal looked as glam as possible.



At the end, I sprayed each animal with fixatif to harden the glitter to prevent shedding : )

Happy Crafting!

Weekend Recap

In between enjoying the pretty weather and running, here's a bit of my weekend.

Chipotle! New to me is the kid's single taco meal + guacamole = tasty and a perfect portion. 

The first of an artsy weekend - homemade abstract - especially fun when paired with wine. 

A little downtown Durham action for snacks and drinks before showtime. 

Jekyll & Hyde! The stars were outstanding and the play dark and sexy. It kept me on edge.

Brunch at a new spot... Rise. This donut had delightful strawberry icing (I'll be back).

A crafternoon made fancy with glitter. A few bits went from drab to fab.

Drab Shell & Animals

Fab Shell

Fab Glamimals. 

I also watched one of my favorite Disney movies, The Princess and the Frog. It's message is always a good one: You wish and you dream with all your heart, but remember, a star can only take you part of the way. You have to help that star with some hard work of your own. Then you can do anything you set your mind to.

Welcome, 2013

New Year's Eve is always special as it's Hank's birthday eve too. This year we brought in the new year with dinner at Poole's Diner amongst friends. It was quite sparkly and delicious. 

Here's the sparkly...

Here's the delicious...

Jumbo lump NC crab with fines herbes and avocado-buttermilk panna cotta

Cauliflower velouté with pecan butter and caramelized shallots

Brown-butter scallops with sherry-creamed Brussels sprouts and charred red onion confit

Warm pumpkin donuts with roasted white chocolate and nutmeg 

Peace, 2012.

And Happy Birthday, Hank!

May this seriously be your best year yet.

Holiday

Holiday break was quite relaxing. I had all shopping done by the first weekend of December, and Hank and I stayed in town - no traveling as sweet family came to us. There was something special about this Christmas - I woke up at 4:30 a.m. Christmas day with that same childhood excitement where you can't hardly stand it - I felt like a kid again. This plus a Christmas Eve service that gave me chill bumps made the entire holiday season just right. 

Relaxation at its finest.

Little tree is ready.

Cookies for Santa.

Tacky Tinsel Tour. 

Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day.

Hank and Andrea Christmas.

Let the feasting commence.

Holiday dessert at 18 Seaboard (eggnog bread pudding with peppermint ice cream).

Bar night with friends and family.

Feliz Navidad from this party guy. 

Happiness all around.