THE SOUL SISTER GETAWAY

at the coast was a blast.
We stayed in a 4th floor 2 bedroom 2 bath condo that had a full kitchen, jacuzzi on the deck and a beautiful, peaceful view of the ocean.

We strolled amongst antique shops and found items that ranged from uber funny to interesting to creepy and everything in between.

We treated ourselves to a relaxing pedicure and ate at many yummy restaurants.

Can I just tell you that if you think you play Ms. Pac-Man well, Heidi and Heather would wipe the floor with you. They should be professional competitors.

This was such a fun long overdue weekend.

And yes, we might have had fun with the camera's self timer.

HEY SISTER, SOUL SISTER

The Soul Sisters are an amazing bunch of women. Luckily for us, our husbands adore one another just as we adore one another, maybe they should be Soul Brothers.
We've known one another for ages and we celebrate our birthdays with lunch dates, we go on dinner dates with our husbands, would give our shirts off our backs for one another but our last girls weekend getaway was 10 years ago!
This long overdue slumber party was this weekend at the coast where we experienced beautiful sun, stormy clouds, intense rain, tsunami winds, food, pampering, relaxation, chick flicks, sleep and belly roll laughing.

I heart these women.

PS - I'll post some photo highlights later.

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO

celebrate Ivon's birthday!

Ivon is uber talented, loving, thoughtful, a hard worker, interesting, a wonderful brother, an awesome cheesecake loving uncle, full of surprises, smart, kind and fun.

WE LOVE YOU IVY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

EMAILS

I'm behind. Really behind.
Oh dear.

BATHROOM UPDATES ON A BUDGET

We used Textile Grey on the walls and Brilliant White on the ceiling and molding. We had white paint left over from the baseboard project, so paint was 24.95. It would have been less, but I wasn't thinking and got a gallon.

The tub we took out was 28" wide and was replaced with a 30" wide. We would have loved to go wider and WAY deeper, but the super deep ones start at 32" and the tub space we had to work with couldn't go wider than 30".

We saved and purchased our tub last summer at 40% off. It's one that feels like cast iron but it isn't. The great thing about this tub is that it is insulated and keeps the bath water super warm for a long time. It also has a slanted back for a relaxing soak.

The new shower curtain was 26.99 and we installed our curved shower rod that we already had.
Larry changed out the plumbing so we wouldn't get scalded when someone flushes the toilet while you're showering. We got the new faucet/shower (and all the inside necessities) at 40% off.

We were thrilled to find subway tile at Lowes for .23 a tile. We tiled the surround up to the ceiling for 113.46.

Our floor was on sale for 1.58 a tile and was completed for 56.88.

A big expense was the behind the scene items needed to complete the projects: hardie backer, cement board, thin set, grout, sealer, caulk, etc... The 'etc..' came to just over 300.

Left on the bathroom TO-DO list:

-repaint the existing vanity brilliant white - cost .00

-paint and install baseboards - cost .00

-purchase and install new hardware

-make a new counter top (if this turns out like I hope, it will be rad!)

-purchase and install new sink

-purchase and install new sink faucet

-purchase a new bathroom door

When all the projects are complete, we will have transformed the bathroom, sub-floor to ceiling, for well under 1500.00

HOMEMADE FLOUR TORTILLAS

I made these last night for our Taco Tuesday dinner. So easy and so mmm, mmm good.2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 TBSP oil
3/4 cup warm water

Mix dry ingredients together in a medium bowl. Combine wet ingredients. Add wet ingredients 1 TBSP at a time to flour mixture, mixing with a fork as you go. When finished the dough will be sticky.
Knead on floured surface until stickiness goes away. Let sit for 20 minutes, covered with a damp cloth.
Roll dough into balls, about the size of a golf ball and let sit for 10 minutes, covered with a damp cloth.
Flatten ball with your hand then roll out to approx 6-7 inches. Cook each tortilla for 30 seconds on each side on a preheated skillet.

LILY

had a little girly operation.She doesn't seem to understand that she needs to rest.

APPYHAY IRTHDAYBAY

We had a fun family dinner to celebrate Grandpa Joan's big day.

When we are all together, it's always a party.

WE LOVE YOU GRANDPA JOAN!

CELEBRATING TEN YEARS

of life is fun, especially when you have a giraffe cake.
We partied like it was her birthday...

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO

celebrate two family birthdays. Grandpa Joan is awesome. He is loving, spiritual, caring, interesting, funny, hard working, loyal and most importantly a wonderful husband, father and grandfather.

Maddie has one of the best laughs ever. She is full of energy, thoughtful, loving, smart, cute, funny and an awesome giraffe loving niece.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

WE LOVE YOU!

A SEWING MACHINE

that belonged to my Grandma Betty, is now with me.

One of my favorite things about the machine is that her thread is still in her bobbin.

I miss her.

BAD HAIR DAY

She went to the groomers and got butched.

I STILL EAT LIKE THIS

1976 in Pinetamare, Italy

Ivon, mom & me

ALBERT

via brown button

ARIZONA DREAMING

photo via arizona vignettes

I'm planning an Arizona trip for hopefully this year.

I have a family homestead and an unmarked grave to photograph in Thatcher and I'd love to find answers about an interesting, mischievous relative in Globe and Gilbert.

Maybe the cheapest time to fly to Arizona is the hottest part of the year?

14 DAYS OF LOVE - DAY 14

We had a simple and fun family dinner that consisted of Scotch Broth, sour dough bread and chocolate fondue.

It was a delicious Valentine's evening!

ON A CRISP AFTERNOON PICNIC,

17 years ago, Larry and I were engaged. Awe.

It's the best decision I ever made.

I love you Mr. LaLa.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!