February 27, 2009

currently.

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wanting to go to the library to pick up this book. 
baking a cake. stay tuned for more on this next week.
uploading photos. organizing. editing.
completed my required 12 visits to the gym per month.
working on homework for marta's new club. 
filling up a new notebook.
sporting red nails.
infused with a new respect for c.s. lewis.
disappointed that there aren't more narnia books in the chronicles.
starting mere christianity.. again. hopefully will finish it this time.
amazed at how a $4 purchase can make you feel like a brand new girl.
loving the new bangs haley gave me.
jealous that mom & dad are in jamaica. 
wearing grant's thick, grey socks.
happy to hear that anna is enjoying the mitford books.
done with jeremiah.
reading acts.
counting down the days until we can start working at camp.
looking forward to dinner at the harms farm tonight.
visiting new favorite blogs.. darling dexter, oh hello friend, & pretty good.
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friday feels like pizza

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when i was little, my dad established friday night as movie night.
it was a family affair, including a hand-picked movie & the ordering of pizza.
i credit my love for movies & memory bank of actor names to this tradition.
thanks, dad. friday night will forever feel like a night for pizza.
sadly, our teeny-tiny town offers us no pizza parlor. i've heard scuttlebutt (yes! this is a real word. i didn't believe it either.) that we'll be getting one soon. but until that day, I will continue with the homemade way. and really, this doesn't bother me much at all. not anymore, that is. not since my sister-in-law heidi shared her deep-dish recipe on her blog. as we like to say in the camp kitchen, this pizza is perf. it has come out just right every single time! i make a half batch, throw it in my little cake pan, & presto: pizza party for two. deidi, how can i thank you?
in other news..
happy hard-water friday to all!
that's right. i'm trying not to be upset about the loss of soft water for a few days. something's up with the softener. my hair & hands are evidence. dry skin & breaking ends. my stylist (ah-hem.. haley) will not be happy. i will be supremely happy when the dry winter & drying water are gone.
another snowstorm showed up at my door yesterday, sending my husband home from school at noon. thank goodness for snowdays, even a 1/2 snowday will do. grant filled out tax forms, i made french bread & we both watched idol & 30 rock. happily, we were able to get away from the curb this morning because a snow plow was conveniently close & graciously dug us out. yay for the people who work through the snowdays.
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February 26, 2009

seize the day

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maintenance men comedy & creativity in its truest form; the music video.
the men & my own leading man are back, with another musical rendition.
newsies-style. performance by.. grant, graham, ryan, sam, bryant, & jared.
to get the story on the men & see the first m.m. music video, click here.
ps. grant & i had been dating for about a week when they filmed this.
pps. the "father" who pops up is the camp director & my father-in-law, steve.
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February 25, 2009

it's in the mix

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my philosophy.. everything is better with music. including mail.
surprise: my sister just sent me a mix cd.
this probably doesn't sound all that exciting, but believe me, it is.
haley's mixes are always an excellent blend of old songs that need to be resurrected
& fresh songs that are new & fab. she has killer music selecting skills.
she could be one of those people who scout out the perfect song for a movie scene.
(i've always secretly wanted that job.)
my suggestion.. if you ever need a quick & inexpensive little gift idea,
mix cd's are personalized, practical, and miles of fun to have on road trips.
thanks, haley. you rock. and now, so do i.
ps. haley, how long has it been since you listened to imogen?
i'm getting back into must be dreaming & flicks & other ff stuff. loving it.
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February 24, 2009

granola

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speaking of granola, i made a batch on friday night.
right before an evening showing of when harry met sally.
our house was overwhelmed with cinnamon & spice & everything nice.
this granola recipe is famous at camp shetek. our campers will tell you that it's the best of breakfasts. the acclaimed morning mix was created by my mother-in-law, judy, who is a genius in the kitchen.
when it comes to planning meals, fashioning a pretty table, whipping up a something quick & hearty, finding new dishes, writing & perfecting recipes, & baking unbeatable bread, she is the queen. i have learned so much from her. i have the great privilege of working with her in the camp kitchen during the summer, where i gather fresh ideas & inspiration from her brilliance.
just a couple days ago, she displayed her sensational skills as she prepared a lovely meal & gracefully served a housefull of hungry guests. 18 people trounced through her kitchen, put their feet under her table, polished off the stroganoff & dirtied up her dishes. always the perfect hostess, she makes this feat look effortless. her work is streamlined & seamless. no hurrying, no scurrying, no frustrations, just an unshakable smile & kind words & wholsome, homemade cuisine.
more & more, as I watch judy, and as I watch my mom when I come home to visit, the value of being a good hostess & the desire to be proficient in the realm of hospitality steadily grows in my mind. their generous ways, always-think-of-everything cleverness, & put-everyone-at-ease tendencies have me amazed. ladies, you are my most fascinating study material. will be mentally taking notes on your stunning social graces.
judy and mom, thank you for being an excellent examples for me. thank you for showing me what it looks like to work joyfully, with the heart of a servant, and with a gentle & quiet spirit. i just love learning from you.
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February 22, 2009

dish up

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last weekend 
found these mini pumpkin-colored bowls at pottery barn. stocked on the sale shelf, the petite dishes were only $1.47 a pop. what may be an out of season color to pb is just right for my cupboard. perfect for a side of southwestern salsa for grant's favorite chili & lime chips, a single scoop of my favorite, or a smidgen of homemade granola.
this weekend 
found us with a full plate. 
grant did our taxes & set up an external hard drive. we went to the farm to be with the fam. february birthdays to celebrate, babies to hold, cakes to cut, games to play, songs to practice, & vacations to plan. the harms' house is one of my very favorite places to have a gathering.
sunday night agenda: 
sprawling on the couch, enjoying one of my new baby bowls filled with cereal.
i smothered myself in a quilt, planted my laptop in the folds, & browsed for new running shoes. grant & i figured out that my current pair have somewhere around 1,000 miles on them. my poor knees! it's definitely time to get me some new cushioning. 
to top it all off, tuned in to abc for a night with the glitzy & glamorous side of hollywood. i'm a sucker for sparkly dresses, star camaraderie & hurried speeches. hugh jackman: smart choice. classy. zac & vanessa: happily surpised to see you on the big stage. slumdog: can't wait to see you. glad you got the big win. musicals: they are so back. and you won't see me complaining. kate winslet: even though i haven't seen your two new movies, you are always my favorite. mr. roboto: hilarious.
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February 20, 2009

just because

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it's friday. happy friday!
here are some links to help you celebrate.
1. the best of the best: a list of the top 50 food bloggers
2. because he's a new fave & i'd like rebecca to see this: brian regan
3. she's just really good at this: judy grimes
4. grant gave his students an incredible spelling word today. 
5. because we finished the 2nd half of the jackson 5 movie & i'm a bit in love..
    a. everybody enjoys the classics
    b. did you know that they did a commercial? it's plenty cute & cheesy.
    c. little michael is adorable in a not so famous song that's simply smashing.
ps. your next itunes purchase could be.. i wanna be where you are, by mj.
don't ask me why it's not more famous. i can't believe how good this one is.
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February 19, 2009

sweetie pie

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another post v-day post.
this is the last one, i promise.
see that circular object, topped with cream & spotted with m&m's,
the thing next to the strawberries?
that, my dear readers, is a pie. and not just any pie- a peanut butter pie.
we should get one thing straight; you won't find many pies in this place.
cookies, cakes, brownies... yes, please. pie? no, thank you.
unless, of course, it is filled with chocolate or peanut butter.
then I'm totally into it.
this is what i made for my valentine.
because i am not afraid of keebler ready crust.
because my man prefers peanut butter desserts.
because there's no shame in pudding pies.
because i had plenty of reese's to pack into it.
because we both like it. (me= too selfish)
because it is chocolate & vanilla.
because it serves up cold & creamy.
because it's as good the next day, or maybe even better.
categories:, | 2 comments
February 18, 2009

post-valentine's post

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finally, i'm back.
i was all excited for a week of normal posting, & here it is wednesday already & only my first post!
oh well. here is a little recap of our extended valentine weekend.
he told me to pack my bags, we're headed out. 
my sweetheart husband had planned the perfect weekend on the sly.
in the car. grant sports shades & a tie, 
with jesse mccartney singing "how do you sleep?" in the background. 
i break out my mags & latest book, one of my favorite parts of any journey.
ps. the older you get, the more you appreciate the cleverness & subtle wit of c.s. lewis. 
we stop @ bk and load up on the nestea. we're set.
documenting. our little excursion eventually brought us to omaha... my old stomping grounds.
it was great to be back where they have stoplights & target & a thick, issued-daily newspaper. 
nighttime. still hanging on to my camera. we're almost there!
listening to john mayer's "city love" and really feeling the love.
in omaha, the trees were freshly coated with snow, 680 was a bit sloppy, the traffic wasn't bad, the moon was huge, & the world was glowing. perfect.
we arrived in time to enjoy all my favorite things, which of course, was grant's plan.
he spoiled me with mini cheeseburgers, a leisurely browse through the regency shoppes, a relaxing morning including good coffee & scrambled eggs, a stop at borsheims, & a visit with my fam. must mention that traveling & being in a city are among my favorite things too.
we also squeezed in a documentary on the jackson 5. (because grant deserves to enjoy a favorite too!)
grant, thank you for an unforgettable valentine's day. i love you madly.
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February 13, 2009

this is the day

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today grant & I woke up at 5:30.
he started singing "this is the day" & I joined in.
are you impressed by our early morning skills & stamina?
this is not a normal occurrence, but this day is for celebrating.
the preschool job is over, i had a lot of fun.
week is almost done.
basketball practice officially ends today- no more 5:30 am alarm.
will be off on an extended date with grant this weekend.
packing, prepping, leaving!
hit the gym before 7 am this morning. 
today is a good day.
I am seriously happy about the fact that this week I was able to once again participate in the valentine ritual that takes place in a classroom. 
make a valentine "mail box." 
write the name of each of your classmates on a perforated card with Troy Bolton or Transformers on the front.
bring to school & pass out
carry home a stash of sugar. 
no winning, earning, or deserving involved.
I truly love that Valentine's Day has become so popular & significant that it is worthy of being celebrated within school hours. yay.
I'm glad that it's observed by one & all. This morning I received a valentine package from my mother-in-law, a lovely brown paper bag loaded with our favorites. yay! Now, there's nothing Hallmark about that. (.. for those of you who are of the opinion that valentine's day is nothing but scheme cooked up by a greeting card co.) 
I'm glad that it's a day set apart for those in love. yay! Romance in its purest form. Love at its prime. 
It's such a versatile holiday!
It's the ultimate excuse holiday.
You now have an excuse to buy candy, or go out, or get flowers, or blow up balloons, or bake a cake. Or send a note, or light candles, or spritz on extra perfume. Or wear a dress & heels.
Make it whatever you want it to be.
Happy Valentine's Day!
ps. a quote from the week with 4 & 5 year olds...
"I'm never gonna go to Florida because I always go to the YMCA."
their logic is quite clever, isn't it?
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February 12, 2009

look!

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it's me!
i'm over here.
so glad to be mentioned on my favorite spot.
i'm sorry. i've been kind of distracted this week & it shows in my posting,
which has been untimely & somewhat removed.
will be back to my normal routine next week, i promise.
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February 10, 2009

me + marta mail = magic

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remember my dismal day yesterday? 
despite my efforts to dwell on all things nice,
the weather was gloomy and I was glum.
happily, something to cheer me up sat just outside my door!
my sweet friend marta sent me a lovely valentine surprise.
her gift-giving brilliance absolutely made my day.
start with cinnamon bears to put a sugary smile upon my face,
add an adorable dish to serve 'em up & show 'em off,
plus perfect packaging. genius. 
thank you so very much, marta! 
doesn't she have the best handwriting in the world?
I know. I'm completely jealous.
let's all just take a minute to snatch a slip of paper 
and attempt to emulate her killer penmanship...
(but let's face it, no one can jot it out like her)
however, her oh-so-sublime script is just the icing.
ready for the cake? marta is the best writer. the best.
on my lunch break, I usually go over and dip into her archives.
i've found that m.writes is the perfect complement to a turkey sandwich.
it's totally better than finagling the paper or flipping through a magazine.
get in on a piece of this cake. it's my favorite kind.
you'll love it. and you'll love her.
we'll just call this my valentine's day gift to all of you.
a little love story.
happy reading!
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February 9, 2009

brown and gray day

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yuck. muck.
not a pleasant way to start such a lovely week...
but i'm trying to drop the dreariness & dwell on happy things.
last week of grant's early a.m. practices.
am spending the afternoon with funny 4-year-olds.
pineapple-pretzel salad in the fridge.
making a valentine for my valentine.
hot shower coming right up.
phone call with becca penciled in.
weekend getaway with grant on the horizon.
love is in the air.
the list is on my desk.
the list | number four
646. sitting on top of a counter, 
with a bowl of something yummy in my hands
056. nice restaurants
111. washing the car. on the driveway. on a hot day.
117. roast beef, corn, & mashed potatoes on my plate
254. make-up bags
628. getting that deep voice when I'm sick
203. the smell of chlorine
380. sleeping straight through the night
083. movie soundtracks
435. being treated like a lady
437. anne of green gables
250. valentine's day
602. holding a puppy
609. when my hair still looks good when I wake up
052. swedish pancakes
bonus! {not even added to the official list yet}
debbie reynolds' wardrobe in singin' in the rain
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February 6, 2009

drawer daydreaming

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when we found my writing desk at that little thrift shop,
we also picked up this dandy chocolate brown piece.
it has shelves inside the little door & is topped by a drawer.
looks like a short & fat school locker.
very practical. very peculiar. very fab.
we used the top drawer to hide away some knitting supplies.
am I the only one who gets really excited about an empty drawer?
something about having unused space & the potential to organize better...
it is quite a thrill for me.
ever ask yourself what you would do with another drawer in your house? i do.
right now our home only has a handful of drawers, so storage space is precious & dreams are big. when I do the dishes, I often stand at the sink & contemplate this matter.
I dream up how to best compartmentalize my things.
I fantasize about cleaning out, filling up & arranging away.
so far my imaginary extra drawer has been filled with...
tupperware & lids
gloves & mittens
prep for grant's lunches
un-framed photos
handy glass jars & bottles
swimming suits
notes & souvenirs from grant
magazine clippings
dry ingredients for chocolate chip cookies
envelopes & stationery
coloring books, word searches, crossword puzzles
my favorite blanket
vitamin bottles
grocery list, coupons, pen & post-its
old school papers
extra gum, chapstick, & hand lotion
everything separated + coordinated, & all in one place.
perfect.
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February 5, 2009

my other laptop

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just found this portable writing desk at an antique & thrift shop.
are these things common? i had never come across one before.
i love it. and it was only six bucks.
here it is again, displaying its wonderful, practical insides. 
i am loving how it so handily houses my list-making essentials.
can't wait to start doing more writing out & about in my house- 
sans computer.
back to basics.
categories:, | 7 comments
February 4, 2009

preschool days

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for the next week, i'll be the substitute.
helping with glue, tying shoes, filling juice cups, resolving sharing problems.
all that good preschool stuff.
we should all teach preschool every now & then.
it makes you realize just how far you've come.
it allows you a day to study the letter Pp & the number 8.
it gives you a chance to make paper pepperoni pizzas & circle 8 pirate's parrots.
it means taking home the extra snack-size keebler chips deluxe.
which are incredibly delicious, but you've probably forgotten about that.
today I remembered.
nothing like a good reminder to enjoy simple things.
like store-bought cookies, brought to share with the class.
like knowing your abc's.
like the ability to read the instructions on a worksheet.
like possessing readable handwriting.
yay for us!
categories: | 6 comments
February 3, 2009

"if you would tell me the heart of a man, tell me not what he reads, but what he rereads"

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i've always had a healthy appetite for reading, and never has it been so satisfied than with the mitford books.
the love affair between myself and this story began when my grandma handed me the first book. i was in fifth grade. eleven-year-old-girl that i was, i felt very grown up with the smooth, thick novel between my hands. i was smitten with the delicate pages and small font. this book was different than nancy drew.
i remember keeping my mitford novel safely tucked away behind the purple fiscars scissors and extra erasers inside my desk. i would pull it out when i had finished an assignment and read myself away into another world. a world that made me feel good. a world that was sweet and mellow. endearing and addicting.
i will admit, when i started out with book one, i went in with a bad attitude. it was slow and i was a doubtful. i didn't think that i was old enough for it. i didn't like that the main character was a man, and an old man, at that. how could a story about a 60-year-old man be appealing to me? or to anybody? (60 seemed ancient to me, of course)
happily, it didn't take long for me to realize that i was very much mistaken. the charming village life and delightful cast of characters quickly captured my heart.
i am hopelessly devoted to these books. i will read them for the rest of my life. i don't know how many times i've read them over the years, i've lost count. i give my memory a little bit of time to 'forget' the story and then pick them up to read over again. why should a good thing only be enjoyed once?
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February 2, 2009

summing up saturday

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You know you've become a Minnesotan when you hear that it's 36 degrees outside & decide that you don't need a coat for the day. 
I deeply regretted the decision to go coatless on Saturday afternoon, when the wind picked up while Grant & I were on a running-errands-date. 
When you live in a small town, dates like this are quite common. 
You set aside a day to make the journey to someplace well-populated enough to have a walmart. You stockpile your grocery lists ahead of time, opting to wait for the walmart bargains rather than surrender to the overpriced goods at the little market in your tiny town. You hop in the car, sporting sunglasses & pretending that it's warm outside, smiling because it's Saturday & because you are heading to a city! Hurray! And even though this "city" is small & has recently been stripped of its Starbucks, it is still a very happy occasion. While you're in that metropolis, you take advantage of other "big city" things, like mcdonalds & a movie theatre. (humble things become rather significant after a dose of small town life) At the movie theatre, you take in a new flick about a city girl who moves to a little town in Minnesota... how ironic. 
Thankfully on this cold day of running errands I had the following items to get me through...
gloves. don't leave home without them.
sour patch kids. for me. for the movie.
reese's pieces. for grant. for the movie.
grocery list. for surviving the walmart aisles.
v. c. grapes lotion. dry hands are my unending battle.
(my sister haley stuck this perfect-for-the-purse bottle into my stocking. it smells phenomenal.)
categories:,, | 5 comments
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about this blog

Hello, I'm Summer. A people-loving introvert whose hope and life is in Jesus. His promises are my passion and my ministry is homelife. This blog is a place for me to write about everyday things. Especially food. My favorite thing to do is sit around a table, lingering over a long meal with good conversation. I live with my husband and our 2 littles. We like blizzards, thrifting, grammar, guacamole, cheerful hearts, nice manners, good movies, and making simple, real, nutrient-dense food.

"If Christ be anything, He must be everything."
-C.H. Spurgeon

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