InstaFriday

Welcome to InstaFriday! This is where I empty my phone of pictures that I've taken throughout the week, to share with you all the random, pretty things that we see and do. I'm linking up with Life Rearranged, because Jeannette was the original InstaFriday extraordinaire!

I really need to start writing these posts on Thursday and schedule them to post on Friday morning, but I can't get my act together enough to get that done, so every Friday morning, I'm frantically trying to get this done. I'll figure it out someday. 

I really like this picture. This was Sunday night, and we were helping a good friend look for elk. It's hunting season around here, so it's kinda a big deal. That's Jamie on the right side of the picture, she's one of the lovely ladies that ran the 5K with me! Sitting up on this hill looking at the San Fransisco Peaks was just a beautiful evening. 

Not the best picture here, but would you look at that temperature! WTF. Our afternoons have been a glorious 70ish degrees, but the mornings are dropping into the 30's. (Disregard the dog hair on my dash - it's hard to get rid off) And I'm not very happy about this. On a side note, the aspen leaves are beginning to change colors, which might be the prettiest sight you've ever seen. I'll try to get some photos of that this weekend. 

It's been chilly in our house in the evenings, so snuggles on the couch are much appreciated. I even had to pull my sweat pants out from the bottom of my PJ bin to stay warm! 

And with those chilly mornings is a hot breakfast to fill us up and keep us moving throughout the day. My good friend introduced me to Oatcakes last weekend, and I've been making them every morning.

In a bowl, mix:

1 egg

a dash of cinnamon

a squirt of maple syrup

a splash of vanilla

and I add flax seeds to mine, but that's totally optional

Then mix in:

1/2 cup of oats

and diced or dried fruit of your choice. I've been using apples. 

Pour it all into a frying pan, cook about 1 minute on each side. They always look burnt, but don't let that deter you! 

Top them with butter, or syrup and eat them like a pancake! 

This is Kona on the way to work this morning... she sat like this, with her ratty toy hanging from her mouth for half the drive. Silly girl. 

This picture is a few weeks old now, but I ran across it in my phone and I thought I would share. Kona is like our spoiled daughter. She gets her way 99% of the time. Including sleeping in our bed...ok ON it, not IN it. And sitting in our laps.... it's slightly ridiculous how much she gets away with at our house, but look at that face, how could you not love her!

My parents are visiting from CA this weekend, we're really looking forward to having a house full of 3 yellow Labradors and showing off our new home! Also, my little younger  brother is playing hockey for Northern Arizona University and his first game is tonight, so if you're in the area you should stop by! 

Happy Friday folks! 

First 5K = Success!

A few weeks ago, Sam and I went out to a great little craft beer bar, and while enjoying our beers and people watching (possibly my favorite thing to do) I saw a flyer about a 2K walk, 5K and 10K run for Parkinson's Disease. I instantly thought it would be so fun to do the 2K walk with some girlfriends - you know, exercising, chatting, and helping a good cause. Well of course when I called up the girls, they decided we should push it a little harder and attempt the 5K run. 

Let me just clarify something real quick: I hate running. Things jiggle, my eyeballs feel like they might fall out, my fingers swell, I wheeze, I sweat, my heart might pop. Scary stuff. Not fun. 

But I can't back down from a challenge. 

So on Saturday morning, Jamie, Bethany, and I whipped up some greek yogurt pancakes and bacon for a protein filled breakfast, then made our way to the starting line. 

I felt like I was an Olympic athlete with my number bib --  it's the first time I've ever raced so I've never worn one before, and I think just the thought of having a number pinned to my shirt made me feel extra fast.

Mile 1: I felt like death. The start was too fast. I only made it about halfway through the first mile before I had to walk, not to mention that the route took us over a HUGE hill on the first mile.

Mile 2: Though it took me all of mile 1 to find a groove, I finally found it, and stuck with it for all or most of mile 2. I felt good, I was passing a few people, I wasn't thinking about the jiggling, and the sweating, or the fat fingers. 

Mile 3: Walk. Run.Walk. Run. There was no jogging. I was just trying to finish. I lost the groove that I had in mile 2. And just wanted to be DONE. 

Last tenth of a mile: I had finally caught up with Jamie. Or maybe she was kind enough to wait for me, I'm not sure which. But we pulled every last ounce of strength and every last molecule of oxygen and sprinted the entire last tenth of a mile. But the finish line made it so worth it - people were cheering and yelling and waving, and I felt like I was going to faint but that didn't stop us from running right across the line. It was a powerful moment. I understand now why people like racing, such an immediate feeling of accomplishment. 

Are you a runner? Do you have any tips to help get me out the door? Does everyone feel as jiggly as I do? Give me your tips!

InstaFriday - Pre 5K

Welcome to Friday!

I'm linking Floral+Ivory with Life Rearranged today for another InstaFriday! 

InstaFriday is just a place to post all the cellphone/instagram pictures that I've taken throughout the week. If you follow me on Instagram, you've probably seen most of these already, if not, here ya go:

1. Where I wish I was today - Morro Bay, CA 

2. The plate of Iced Pumpkin Spice Cookies that is no longer.

3. My super exciting Saturday night - wine and Failure to Launch

4. Kona, she looks like a big kid riding in the back of the car. 

5. Sam being super sexy and sewing on the new/old machine.

6. Snippet of products on Floral + Ivory - check it out! 

7. Ok, there is no 7th picture, but if you don't hear from me again it's because I'm running a 5K tomorrow, my first one, and I may or may not make it :) Kidding. I'll be sure to do a post about it next week. For those of you interested, it's the Parkinson's Run/Walk at NAU. Click HERE to sign up (It's not too late!)

When I grow up...

After high school, I moved straight away into a dorm 600 miles away from home. I had a vague idea of what I wanted to be after graduation. But I assumed that four years of college would sculpt and define that vision for me.

Boy was I wrong.

Like most students, I did the summer jobs, the internships, and job shadows, always thinking that I would be inspired to become something like the people I was being mentored by. While these experiences were interesting, I can honestly say that I was hardly inspired by the 9-5ers, the corner office holders, or the suit and tie wearers, I can say that what I learned most from these experiences was what I didn't want to be.

It's been two years since I graduated from college, and I don't know any more about what I'm going to be when I grow up than I did two,three, or four  years ago. I've held two "big girl" jobs since graduation, and both have only helped me grow my list of "don't likes".

Finding a career must be like picking a husband...at least that's what my current conclusion is. You date all these boys/men making a mental list of the attributes and weird habits that you don't like, before you settle for someone that has non of those. Of course, there is always a few things that might irk you now and then, like setting dirty clothes on the hamper instead of lifting the lid and placing the item inside, but we love them besides those little irks. A career must be the same, right? Nothing in life can be perfect. I can't expect to be best friends with everyone at work, and there's always going to be the office gossiper. But I'll learn to deal with that, just like I deal with the hamper issue. (Love you babe!)

So that brings me to the question: am I being too picky? or am I dating a career that I really can't stand? Just like some relationships drag on and on, even when you both know the relationship isn't marriage material, can a job drag on and on too? Maybe it's the paycheck, or the fact that I can bring my dog to work that makes me want to stay. But let's be honest here:

I'm not happy to be sitting at this desk, I don't have any friends here. And I definitely look forward to leaving everyday. 

When does it get to the point where I've had enough? When do I put my foot down and say NO MORE? It's like you know the break up talk is going to come, you just don't know when. I've read about people who have come to that point in their careers, they've said NO MORE to the office, and have made the leap into something else. I admire the courage those folks have. And many of them have become very successful doing what makes them happy. That's awesome. I want that. But the question that looms before me still is: what DOES make me happy? What am I willing to ditch a steady pay check for? Like I mentioned before, the list of things that I don't like is miles longer than the list of things that I do like. So if I quit my job today, what am I willing to spend my time doing tomorrow? (Obviously by "spend my time" I mean what kind of job/work will make me happy?)

When does being happy out weigh a decent paycheck?

Not that we're planning on having kids anytime soon, but when we do, it would be so amazing to be able to stay at home with them, and work from home. That's a big factor to me, and it's high on the list of things that I do like. But doing what, I don't know.  I can continue to teach my workout classes, but I can't make a living doing that, no one can teach 8 hours a day without dying. But I suppose the big question is: how much longer do I put up with this crappy job before I can start pouring my time into making my life part of my career? (versus having a career be your life...if that makes sense). I've been making baby steps, like opening the Etsy shop, and learning to sew better, those haven't proven to be career worthy steps, but I've got to start somewhere.

What's a job where you can bake cookies, eat, sew, shop, sleep, read, and go on long walks that pays, ohhh 50K??

Kidding.

I'm looking for inspiration here folks, maybe you are in the same boat as me, or maybe you've made that leap into happiness. What are your stories? What do you think I should do? If you made that leap, what was the point where you said NO MORE?

Leave a comment, I could use a little stimulating conversation :)




 

Pumpkin Cookies and other things

Saturday afternoon I spent a few hours in the kitchen making some 

to. die. for. Iced Pumpkin Spice Cookies. 

Then I proceeded to write a yummy looking post all about said cookies. But unfortunately, Blogger was struggling this weekend and wouldn't let me post it. 

Lame. 

So today, I'm going to share with you my Iced Pumpkin Spice Cookies, which I stole from the ah-mazing Casey, from TheWiegand's.com! (visit her gorgeous blog!)

Casey doesn't know me, but based on how scrumptious these cookies were, I'm sure we would best friends :) 

Iced Pumpkin Spiced Cookies:

You will need the following:

 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup light butter, softened

1 1/2 tsp. Stevia (or 1 1/2 cups sugar)

    1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

 

 

 

1. Mix the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, salt.

2. Mix the rest: softened butter, sugar or Stevia, pumpkin, egg, vanilla. 

3. Mix both mixtures together.

4. Spoon on to a cookie sheet.

5. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

 

 

While those babies are cooling, whip up some simple glaze.

 

You will need the following:

 

2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 Tbsp milk

1 Tbsp melted light butter

1 tsp. vanilla extract

 

1. Mix all the ingredients together.

2. Use a utensil of your choice to drizzle the glaze over the cookies.

3. Eat all the cookies!

 

 

So what else went on this weekend? Sam was out hunting again, leaving Kona and I to our own devices. 

Hello to Marshall's and Old Navy!

Hello to newly planted iris bulbs - Thanks MIL!

Hello to Kona laying on newly planted iris bulbs!

Hello to running - I signed up for my first 5K run with some lady friends!

Hello to walking - I don't enjoy running as much as I enjoy walking.

Hello to movies and a glass of wine!

Hello to greek yogurt pancakes and strong coffee!

Hello to vacuuming the car and the house...

Hello to LOADS of dog fur. 

And of course,

Hello Monday. 

No exclamation mark for Monday.

 

Except for the cute Old Navy shirt - seen here. 

I'm linking up today with Lisa from Lisa Leonard Designs - beautiful handmade jewelry straight from the CA Central Coast! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

InstaFriday - Kona Style

Welcome to InstaFriday! It's a collection of cell phone pictures from the week!

This morning Kona was all sorts of cuddly, wanting to be right in my lap while I was eating my oatmeal. So we had a little photo session - obviously she was very excited about it.

Last weekend, Sam was hunting, so Kona and I took a date together down to the Route 66 Car Show! 

It was super hot, so we shared a yummy, fresh squeezed lemonade!  

And since Sam was gone, and we had nothing better to do, I created this pretty wreath! Click the picture to see the original idea.

Here's how mine turned out! I really like it! It's now for sale too! So stop by the Etsy store if you're interested!

And if you've been reading Floral + Ivory for the last week, you've seen the whole post dedicated to this picture. I'm pretty proud how it turned out. And I'll be trying to rearrange the mantel this weekend to make it more cohesive rather than a compilation of every single vase and candle stick I own.

A super duper gift from Hubby! It's a 1950's (+/- 3 years) White Rotary sewing machine that can handle sewing through canvas and other tough materials! Yay! It's exciting to try my hand at new things, and this will be definitely be a challenge!

Cold weather is upon us here in Flagstaff!.... I'm not sure how excited I am about this. But I did get to bust out a super cute sweater vest for work yesterday!

And because it's so chilly in my house, I whipped up some yummy warm oatmeal for breakfast this morning to keep the chill away. A little bit of brown sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, and chopped apples!

I'm linking Floral + Ivory up with Jeanette from Life Rearranged, so hop over to her blog after you check out the rest of our week!

Top 10 Things: That Cause My Eyes To Roll

1. When people get overly excited for things that aren't that exciting. 

It's like literally being excited about that god awful pair of itchy socks in your stocking at Christmas.

 

2. When people use the word "irregardless". 

Regardless. OR Irrelevant. It's can't be both at the same time. 

3. When people complain about being themselves. 

4. Really weak coffee. 

What's the point of drinking it!?

5.Obnoxious laughing. 

Ok, yes, it was funny, but you made it unfunny.... Stop it.

6. Not using cruise control.

With the exception of my mother, the only person on Earth that doesn't have cruise control...the rest of you need to learn the power of a steady speed on the highway - don't give me that look just cause I'm going the speed limit!

7. Asking permission to use your common sense.

I'm not even sure I can explain this one. 

  

8. Not popping white heads. 

Seriously, get rid of that thing!

9. Wearing high heels in the snow. 

I'm probably going to laugh when you eat it. 

10. Your Turn:

 Tell me what makes your eyes roll. I promise it feels good to lay it all out there.

 

Late Night Painting

After seeing all of these beautiful images, I got a wild hair up my you-know-where and decided to give it a go in my living room.

 

Click the photo to go to the original source.

 

 

  

 

 So, you know....When the hubby is away, the wifey will play! I whipped out my painters tape and started measuring the space to make sure I had it all right. 

I'm sure Sam would have laughed at me trying to stand on the fireplace mantel to reach the ceiling (not recommended), trying to figure out how many points I should have if the space was 117" wide... I struggled with my nonexistent math skills until I had the tape perfect.

After an hour of staring at the perfectly taped chevron pattern, trying to decide what color to make it, mind you it's 9:00 at night already...I grabbed my keys and was about to head out the door when I happened to glance at my kitchen cabinets, which happen to be a creamy beige color...and I remembered that I had an extra gallon of that particular color in the garage already. 

Voila!

 Free paint = happy Leah.

So, I'm going to debut my chevron stripes now! I still need to redecorate the mantel, right now it's an assortment of things that don't have a home in our home yet. I'm also thinking a round mirror would be a better solution to the square one that's there now. I'm thinking bright green or yellow would look pretty snazzy!

So here goes:

Ok, I realize the Before picture is really a picture of the coffee table, but it's the only one I could find that remotely showed the mantel...use your imagination. 

 

 

 I most definitely peeled that tape off about 12.5 minutes after painting...Breaking painter's rules left and right! Did you know, that a q-tip with acetone will take off paint that accidentally got on the wrong side of the tape?

 Now you know. 

So, there you have it. What I do when Sam is away. Pardon the horrible phone pictures, I didn't think to take arsty-fartsy pictures until just now...too late. 

What do you think?? Do you agree that it needs something round to soften all those harsh lines? What colors should I pull up there? 

Happy Monday to you all!

OH, and PS - there are new products up at Floral + Ivory: sneak peek here:

 Check it out!

 

InstaFriday

1. My saving grace. Literally. Get some. 

2. Who's going to get me this couch? It needs to be in my home!

3. Latest kitchen feat: zucchini bread. Love it. 

4. Embroidery hoops, by yours truly. Need to get some more of this gorgeous fabric. 

5. Pretty little candles for my not-so-pretty laundry room.

6. Looking to repaint this mirror. Thinking green, or yellow.

7. Me. Tired.

8. I officially killed a cactus. Didn't know there was such thing as overwatering. 

Linking up with Jeannett at LifeRearranged!

The sale at Floral + Ivory ends tomorrow, so stop by the Etsy shop today for %15 off! The discount code is on the shop home page!

Monday-Tuesdays + Rambling

Today is one of those days affectionately known as a Monday-Tuesday (mostly by my Mom and I), in other words it's a Tuesday that feels like a Monday.

I've always been a fan of Monday-Tuesdays, obviously because that meant that I had a 3 day weekend to enjoy, but now that I'm a workin' woman, it means only a 4 day work week! That's pretty exciting.

It was a glorious Labor Day weekend here, Sam and I spent Friday night at home watching Super 8. I was skeptical about this movie at first, I'm really not a sci-fi fan, neither is Sam, but we both really enjoyed it, and I would recommend it for a good family movie. 

Saturday we drove up to a spot near a little city called Valle, it's on the road to the Grand Canyon. We spent the morning and afternoon with our good friends cutting firewood, getting ready for the quickly approaching fall and winter...ugh. I've already had to break into my sweaters for my early morning commute to work.

It was a hard day's work filling up our trailer with firewood, but we're hoping to keep our heating bill down by using our fireplace a lot this winter.

This has become our favorite thing ever! We've made 3 batches already, and all of them are yummy! We'll probably be using it well into the winter! I whipped up some for dessert on Saturday night, and between 5 of us, we finished the whole thing! Can you tell what it is???

And Sunday we took a drive out in the woods and discovered this beautiful place, and yes, that's a cliff, about 200 feet of vertical drop beneath us, don't worry, we made it without falling off :)

The rest of the weekend was low-key, cleaning the house, rearranging our back room (we still have boxes of stuff with no home left over from moving). I even got a little sewing done :) I found these awesome pink pom poms on clearance at WalMart of all places! So I embellished my plain blue tea towel!

The Floral and Ivory shop did really well this weekend, lots of people came and looked around, I'll be trying to add some new products this weekend, so keep your eyes out, and don't forget that the %15 off runs out on Saturday! Also, about 80% of the products are can be customized to fit you, so if you see something you like, but don't LOVE, contact me and we can design something just for you!