Tag Archives: Summer

Let’s Chat.

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I love all the tea time, coffee break and catch-up posts floating around… and I’m a big-time lover of lists, so merge the two and I’ve got myself a perfect blog post! Bam! So, instead of a Finally Friday post, let’s catch up…

Getting In Some Baby Snuggles

 

[Getting in some after work baby snuggles last night]

My Sisters Baby: 

My sister had her sweet baby boy on April 24 and I can’t get enough of him… his wrinkly little hands, sweet little face and snugly little body. There’s something about him being my sisters baby that makes me just *that* much more comfortable. With other people’s children (even my other nieces and nephew) there’s always been this worry that they don’t trust me not to break their kid (or even soothe them when they’re upset). With Sarah, I’m just a lot less worried that she doesn’t trust me. Plus, I can beg to hold him, feed him, change him… (no shame)… and she won’t judge me too much.

On remodeling our house:

We’re living in complete chaos right now… while we do have counter tops and a sink (after 1.5 weeks without), all of our dishes and appliances are either jammed in the pantry, residing in the office or covering our kitchen table. There isn’t an end in sight, either. We’ve got another week ahead of us in the world of cabinet painting and then we’re painting the first floor and redoing all the flooring. It makes me tired just thinking about it. Having a house that feels like home (and like us) will be worth it in the end, but it’s keeping us on our toes for now!

Eating Well:

As you probably know by now, one of my goals for the year was to start feeling better. Along  with that goal was to get stronger, eat better and hopefully lose some weight. I didn’t want to conquer the weight thing head on because at this phase in my life I’m a lot more focused on being healthy rather than being a size 2. Ahem. Also, wine + cookies are a few ingredients in the recipe for my happiness.

I have however embarked on two 24-day Challenges through Advocare and have been really limiting the dairy, wheat (most grains) and sugar in my life. Last Friday marked the end of the second challenge and while I was so excited to eat a freakin’ slice of pizza, I can also say that I’ve been feeling SO much better on the whole (and as a bonus sleeping better too).

TV:

I’m sick of our TV. Or, more precisely, all three of them. They seem like this time suck attached to all the major rooms in our home and I find myself gravitating towards them when I’m either avoiding or lacking something to do. Netflix this or DVR that takes over most nights after we’ve eaten and cleaned up dinner. I would quit (get ready for the lamest excuse you’ve ever heard), but I’ve invested X amount of months into some shows (I’m looking at you Elementary, Big Bang Theory and Nashville) and want to see how the seasons wrap up without waiting until September. So, while I work on a solution for a more healthy TV relationship, know that I’m giving our TV the side eye each time I turn it on.

Warmer Weather: 

I’m almost overwhelmed by the joy I feel when I wake up and see the sun peeking in through my blinds. As I get older I’m finding more and more patterns with the way I feel (in all aspects) with one of the major changes in my attitude/outlook on life hinging on the seasons plus the amount of warm temperatures/sunshine. Spring and summer (and even fall) hold such hope, I’m drinking it all in and trying not to get too addicted. Also, is it weird that I’m already dreading November when it shifts back to dreary-ville?

Getting Up Early:

I’ve started several posts that talk about how I’ve been a little crazed and over scheduled – it seemed like there just weren’t enough hours in the day to enjoy (and/or do) life. I was just checking things off my list (even the good things) and not allowing myself the time to really enjoy the moment. Plus, there are some remedial life tasks that just weren’t happening which added to the stress load. All of this to say that I’ve been working on my morning routine, specifically getting up early. Out of the last 8 work days, I was up at least 30 minutes earlier than usual and some days over an hour earlier than usual. I love the extra time I have to get ready without scrambling, take the dogs for a walk or just do the dishes. It’s making such a difference… hoping that I can make it a forever habit.


That’s where I am today. I’m also thankful it’s Friday! Finally.

Denver Darlin’.

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With summer officially in full swing, a heat wave rocking us up to over 104 for several days this past week, we’re all in desperate need of some relief. Enter, homemade Friday Happy Hour. Fridays seems like the one day a week where you need a celebratory , cough, beverage the most. To celebrate one more week under the belt and to kick the weekend off right.

This past weekend Christian’s Dad whipped up a batch of Moscow Mule’s after a hot day working on the sprinkler system in our money pit house. They were so refreshing and delicious… the perfect thing after a day in the heat. Last night, as I sat contemplating dinner, the only thing I really wanted was something just as refreshing. I, however, had none of the ingredients (except Vodka) I needed to replicate the ol’ Moscow deliciousness. So I improvised and made something that might just be even better.

It all started with a little fresh mint from my garden… can we all agree that fresh herbs are only one more reason why summer is the best?

And the knowledge that muddling mint makes it just that much better.

Toss in the vodka and some citrus deliciousness and, baby, you’ve got yourself a cocktail you won’t want to put down. Yum!

Denver Darlin’

Serves 1

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon Organic Cane Sugar

4 Mint Leaves (washed)

1/4 cup Vodka

1/2 can of Lemon San Pellegrino

1/2 cup of Sierra Mist Natural or Club Soda (depending on your preferences)

Ice Cubes

Directions:

1.) Take the cane sugar and mint leaves and put them in your happy hour glass of choice.

2.) Use a muddler (or back of a spoon if you don’t have a muddler) to mash the mint leaves and the sugar together in the bottom of the glass. This releases the oils for the mint leaves, making the drink that much more delicious.

3.) Pour in the vodka, San Pellegrino and Sierra Mist. Stir.

4.) Add ice cubes to fill your glass and add a straw for fun.

5.) Enjoy!

May Day.

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It’s May, it’s May, it’s May. Granted the weather around here has felt May-ish since mid-March… but who cares. It’s MAY. May is such a great month, it signals the ends of school, the start of summer, the end of snow/cold, the start of glorious weather and good times.

In honor of May I’m going to try participating in the ‘ol photo a day challenge. Here’s the scoop:

 

Please join the fun if you want or follow along on Instagram @meganstecker! Off to a good start with Day 1: Peace!

Me, sans make-up at the end of the day.

 

A break from the cold.

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I’m in need of a pick me up and some hope that the dreadful cold months will pass and give way to summer. Here’s to warm beach day dreams and afternoons where you can float on the waves for hours.

These photos make me desperate to back on my honeymoon with Christian. Days floating on the waves and laying by the pool – with not a care in the world. Sigh, summer can’t come soon enough.