Moving! Again!
We are moving! Again! Our time in Ireland has come to an end. I say this with mixed emotions because even when leaving is the right thing to do, it is still hard to say ‘see you later’ to a beautiful place and amazing people. I’ll write more about why we chose to leave Ireland and what factored into our decision in a later article. It’s complicated! The song, America and Me, by Luke Spehar has been stuck in my head since we touched down in the U.S. It’s a catchy tune you may relate to if you’ve ever been filled with wide-eyed wonder with all there is to explore…
Happy List: #73
It’s June 1, baby! I’m not going to say that thing about this year flying by. I’m not. You can’t make me. On Monday we celebrated Memorial Day and I pondered some thoughts about all that. On Wednesday I shared my tips for visiting Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in Washington state. My kids have been very into volcanoes since they learned about Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii. Pompeii is on our Travel Bucket List now and I have no complaints about that. It’s been interesting to compare and contrast what’s currently happening in Hawaii with eruptions from other volcanoes like Mt. St. Helens. Mother Nature is amazing. She’s also…
Travel: Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument
We have traveled to a lot of places in the past couple of years, but it was a visit a to my childhood home that prompted a recent excursion to Mt. St. Helens with my kids, ages 8 and 11. I have been to Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument a couple of times, but this was my children’s first visit. And, boy, did they have a lot of questions, starting with this one… “What was it like when Mt. St. Helens erupted, Mom?” I indignantly replied, “How old do you think I am, kids? Huh?” Actually, they were right. I was alive during the volcano’s last big eruption, but I was…
Memorial Day
Is it correct to say “happy” Memorial Day? After all, it is a day to remember those who died serving in the United States armed forces. Perhaps it is just one of those things we say because the holiday has also morphed into the unofficial start of summer and a long weekend to spend with friends and family. Happy might not be the right word, but I am extraordinarily grateful for the men and women who have served our nation. There was a period in our country’s history when military service was required. Having never lived through an era when I was really ‘forced’ to do anything, not to mention…
Happy List: #72 Memorial Day Weekend Edition
Who’s ready for a 3-day weekend? Me, Me, ME! Doesn’t Memorial Day kick off the beginning of summer too? I’m ALL about summer! This week I whined shared about how I’ve come to terms with embraced back-to-back birthdays for my kiddos. I also shared a gorgeous DIY live edge wood coffee table that I tried to bring home with me on my last visit to my parents’ house. Here’s this week’s Happy List! WALLPAPER ON A CEILING Normally, I’d say if your ceiling has these gorgeous beams, it doesn’t need anything else. I think I’m wrong. This ceiling is so eye-catching with the wallpaper. If you aren’t sure, click over to…
DIY Live Edge Wood Coffee Table
When I go “home” for a visit, I literally go home to the same house I grew up in. Anyone else sleep in their old bedroom when they go home? Thankfully, all my old posters are long gone because there are some things I just don’t want to explain to my kids. However, I am happy to tell them over and over until they say, “MOOOM!” about the endless amount of chores I had to do. When I was growing up one of our home’s “design features” was a 5-foot long slab of unfinished black walnut wood sitting on top of a half wall. I’m not even sure if the wood…
Back-to-Back Kid Birthdays
What’s it like for all you people out there whose kids’ birthdays are nice and evenly spaced out? Is it amazing and stress-free? It is, isn’t it? I KNEW IT!! I have to say, it was really smart of you to plan the births of your children that way. And if it wasn’t exactly planned, I don’t want to know the details take that luck and enjoy the heck out of it! My children’s birthdays are ONE. DAY. APART. Let that sink in… Whatever you are thinking about this life-long situation, yes, it’s probably like that. My inner efficiency expert would prefer one small joint birthday celebration. She’s a party…
Happy List: #71
May is FLYING by, isn’t it? This week I shared my tips on visiting one of Ireland’s greatest cultural treasures, the Book of Kells. I also wrote about a recipe that changed my life. Okay, fine. I exaggerate, but only slightly. If you don’t follow me on Instagram, I’ve posted some gems recently! It’s ever-changing, but always present – here’s this week’s Happy List! GREY PENNY TILE I’m sure the pictures are out there, but I haven’t seen grey penny tile taking over the universe. Maybe it should? This tile and that door aren’t even the best part of this house by Bria Hammel Interiors! Be sure and check out…
Would I Make It Again: Cilantro Vinaigrette
If you are a faithful reader of this blog (thank you!), you might remember me rambling on at least once about trying a recipe for Cilantro Vinaigrette from What’s Gaby Cooking. I decided this blog needed less talk and more action, so the other night I made the Cilantro Vinaigrette. Then I decided to tell you ALL about it. The recipe is not hard at all, but it does take a few minutes to pick the amount of cilantro leaves needed off the stems. Spoiler alert! Do you want a spoiler? Okay fine. I’m feeling generous. It was a few minutes well spent. The Cilantro Vinaigrette recipe description says: “It…
Visiting Ireland: The Book of Kells
It’s hard to prioritize what to do and see in Dublin if you are visiting for a short period of time. You’d think this process would be easier if you are living in Dublin, but NOPE! It took us two years before we got around to seeing the Book of Kells. I’m not sure why we waited so long. No one else does! Close to a million visitors a year view the Book of Kells making it the 5th most popular tourist attraction in Ireland. If you’re a history buff, a book lover, a believer in the gospels and/or a Star Wars fan, this is the tour for you! WHAT IS…
