July And August...Family, Feasts, the Fourth, and Frivolous (stuff)...

Mom, cousin Tiffany, and me.

 I can't believe I didn't write one post during the month of July.  That can only mean one thing...either I'm TOO OVERLY busy...or...NOTHING AT ALL is happening.

I think it is the first.  Too much going on.

I will warn you...these events are COMPLETELY out of order because I posted the pictures backwards, LOL!

Last weekend, my cousin Tiffany and her family came up to Michigan from Illinois to visit.  On Saturday my sis invite my family and my parents up for a cookout so we could all visit and catch up.

Logan, Raegan, and Ben

 We had a fabulous time.  We had burgers and dogs, fresh veggies, watermelon, chips, and dip.  We all chatted and the kids played and then we took them down to the subdivision's pool later for a dip.

Me and Jess.

 Sisters...friends.

Raegan, my niece, with her "name cookie" that I baked.

 For dessert, my sister had butterscotch chewies, strawberry rhubarb crisp, ice cream, monster cookies...and then I brought along some of my decorated sugar cookies.

Summer Lovin' cookies!

 I went with a summer theme for this platter and made one with everyone's name as well.

You can check out all of my creations on my baking blog here:
http://sweetivyconfections.blogspot.com/

My flowers and patriotic decor

 Like I said, this post is out of order...forgive!

This year instead of planting my old stand-by (petunias)...I went with geraniums and dusty miller.  They have done really well, even though we haven't had much rain.  I've been consistently watering them daily, but they seem to be more forgiving than petunias if I miss a day.  This was the first July 4th in YEARS, that we haven't spent the week at Mackinac Island.  Due to hubby and Evan's work schedules, we had to take a June trip instead of a July trip (BUT WE'RE GOING BACK IN AUGUST!).  Anywho...I put out some patriotic decor since we were home this year.  Some little flags and red/white/blue hearts in the window box.

My garden flag and more flowers!

 Oh!  I also got marigolds!  I almost forgot.  They are doing exceptionally well too!

I put two pots of those on each side of the garage.

The deck

 Last year, we had to have all of the wood trim replaced around the sides of our garage.  That is where I had my bracket/holder for my flag.  Well, we had to take it down during the construction...and...it never got put back up.  Soooo...I now hang my American flag as a banner on the deck during the patriotic holidays.  I added some red/white/blue bows as well.

The front porch

 My hydrangea bush seems to be struggling each year.  A big threatening "weed" or "growth" of some kind took root in there and it is THICK.  I think it may be threatening my poor little hydrangea.  It is too thick to pull out, so I have cut it down to the ground, but it still grows back.  The hydrangeas have been holding their own though and blooming beautifully each year.  I got it as a tiny little plant and now it's quite large!

 Some of you may remember me sharing, I was born in Tennessee, but grew up in Illinois before moving to Michigan at age 12.  When I lived in Illinois, we lived just the other side of the river from St. Louis...so we were always Cardinal fans growing up. (I've since been converted to a Detroit Tiger fan by my hubby, hehe!)  But anyway, my parents were headed back "home" for a family reunion and my aunt asked if I'd make her some cookies (what I do in my "free" time, lol).  These were a fun set to make and I think they enjoyed them.  They are buttery vanilla almond with royal icing.

 Ever since I got my fireplace for Christmas last year, I've enjoyed decorating it for all the holidays and seasons.  After July 4th, I didn't really have a season/holiday to go with.  So I did a "Pure Michigan" theme!

Smitten With The Mitten

Home

 Well...after many years...I finally retired "Rex".  "Rex" was my old cell phone.  The boys called it Rex (as in T-Rex) because it was as "old as a dinosaur" they told me.  I am a "little" late to the party, but I finally got a smart phone.  WOW.  Am I ever having fun, LOL!

And I am in love with my girly little case!  Ha!

Each month when I decorate my mantel, I try to coordinate my hallway chalkboard.  Thus...the "Smitten With The Mitten" (Pure Michigan) chalkboard!

 I am still plugging away at school!

I am almost done with my third term at WGU which will put me just over half way done with my degree!  If there is one thing I can instill in my sons, it's to FINISH COLLEGE immediately after high school.  I am proud of what I am doing in showing them that it's important to finish what you start and that anything is possible!  But I want them to know how important it is for them to do it right when they finish high school.  They see how hard it is for me now...working 55+ hours a week with my daycare business, running my part-time baking business, raising a family...PLUS going to school full time!  But I'm going to show them!  Dreams come true when you work hard!  I know that the day I get my diploma not only will I be excited...but I'm pretty sure I will cry...tears of joy, pure exhaustion, and gratitude.

Well...I think that catches us up 'til now!

We have one more trip to Mackinac we're taking.  I'll be sure to post pics of that when we get back.  I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer!

God bless!

Mackinac Island In June!

 In June, we took a trip to our favorite vacation destination, Mackinac Island.

People don't even have to ask us where we're going on vacation...they know.

Our love for the Island is evident.  Everyone knows.

Some folks have asked us, "Don't you get sick of going there? Don't you want to go somewhere else?"  And they always get a resounding (from all four of us) "NO THANK-YOU!"  Haha!

We stayed for five days and had a wonderful time.

One of my favorite signs on a trail.

 It rained a little, but we never let that dampen our spirits.  "That's what umbrellas are for!" we always say!  We still walk, hike, bike, and do every other thing we feel like doing.  No amount of imperfect weather stops us!

 We walked the entire perimeter of the Island (8 miles) and stopped off at British Landing at the CannonBall for fried pickles.

 I always love seeing all of these rock statues that people stop and build.  The boys stopped and created one during our walk.

 The flowers are always so beautiful on the Island.

 For June, it was actually quite cool (meaning jackets most days and even jeans for me on a few occasions).

 Naturally, being so cool...I didn't think about sunscreen (one of the few days I wore shorts).

So, my knees got a little fried as I was sitting outside by the lake.

 Me and my babes!

The boys on their electronics...

 We stayed at the Harbour View Inn.

 Me and my Natee!

 We always stop off at Sadie's for ice cream (at least once)!

 Gorgeous flowers at Mission Point.

 Jamie and the boys at Sugar Loaf.

 GORGEOUS lilacs!

My guys get sick of me...I stop at EVERY lilac bush to stop and smell them, LOL!

 Jamie and the boys hiking up Rifle Range to see the newly built Fort Holmes.

All of us at Round Island Bar & Grill for dinner.

We had an awesome time and will be headed back later this summer with my parents for a week!  I can't wait!

May Musings...Let's Catch Up...

 Well, as I've mentioned before...since I've started going back to school full time (along with working full time)...the blog has taken a back seat.   But I figure as long as I can get one good post a month and catch up our family life...I'm doing good!  Ha!

We're doing well, busy as always.  Yesterday was National Hug A Cat Day...hence the first picture in the post, LOL!  Katarina is the little princess in our household, so I had to nab a picture of her for the day.

 Yesterday was Nate's last day of school.  It was his last year at Cityside.  Look out ZEHS...here he comes!  He came home with his Celebr8 video (year end photo/video), a President's Education Awards Program certificate, 8th grade graduation certificate, and a Finish Strong t-shirt (logging hours for staying active/physically fit).  He is looking forward to a summer of relaxation.

 In my "spare time" (right), I've been experimenting with some Pinterest ideas I've always wanted to try...namely dry shampoo.  It turned out really well and I really like it!  This one is very simple...corn starch and oatmeal.  I love that it's all natural and inexpensive...and best of all, it works!

A couple weeks ago, mom, Jess, and I had our annual Girl's Day Out.  We love going to thrift stores.  It's like treasure hunting!  We always enjoy lunch out and coffee or smoothies later!

 We stopped in Hobby Lobby while we were out thrifting and they had a clearance on their wall decor.  I got this cute "J" and pink platter for 60% off.  I'm going to spray paint the "J" and use chalkboard paint on the tray and hang both in my kitchen!

 Between all of our thrift store stops, I found an abundance of cookie cutters!  Cookie cutters are my obsession.  I love coming across unusual or vintage ones.  It's actually rare when I find one I don't have.

 I got quite a few cute clothes.  My summer wardrobe expanded!

 In other news, my rose bushes are blooming!

 As you all know, I'm going back to school to get my teaching degree.  My school (WGU) held a little contest (Thank A Teacher) and I wrote a post about my favorite high school teacher...and I was selected as one of the winners!  I won a $30.00 gift certificate to the school store!  I chose this hoodie!

 I have had this beautiful flowering bush in my yard for 15 years.  Each year I post a picture and ask friends if they know what it's called.  No one ever knows what it is.  This year, a friend of mine helped me locate a picture of it online and we discovered it's called a Japanese Snowball!  Unfortunately, the blooms only last about 2 weeks.  But I love it!

 Last year, my mom gave me some Hens & Chicks to plant...they came back!  I love succulents!

 Nate and I have been taking bike rides in the evenings.  I hope to do this all summer long.  It's one of the few forms of exercise I enjoy!

 Tulip Time was a success again this year.  This was Nate's last year marching with the middle school band.  Next year he'll march with the high school band.  Evan said it was weird NOT to be marching after 7 years in the band!

 The parades are always fun and the evenings filled with walking through the tulips and getting fair food are great too!

 There's my Nate!

 Nate once again made the Champion Chix list all 6 terms and was a part of the awards ceremony.  We were very proud of him!

 I've been busy working with my baking business.  I did this graduation gift for our pastor's son.  If you haven't already, be sure to check out my baking blog at:
http://sweetivyconfections.blogspot.com/

We are also on Facebook:
Sweet Ivy Confections

And Twitter:
Sweet_Ivy_Conf

I have a wedding order coming up...400 cake pops and a small cutting cake for the bride and groom!  So this month will be busy!

 Our car lease was up this year...and we are now the proud new owners of a Toyota Rav4!

We really love it!  We are buying instead of leasing this time.

 And...introducing...EVAN'S CAR!  Yes, my baby has his own car now!

He completed his first year at GVSU and has been working full time this summer at Meijer.  He bought it all on his own!  It's a 2005 Toyota Matrix.  He really loves it.  INDEPENDENCE!

Nate had his end of year trip with his class to Mackinac Island.  He had a blast, but they jam pack so much into 24 hours, he said he's really looking forward to our family trip in June when he can do his own thing, LOL!

Well, that about sums up our May.  Hope you're all having an amazing summer!

TTFN!