Light Postings..........

We are currently up here

enjoying the week with family and friends. 

I'll try to get another post or two in this week, but it may not happen. 

 I'll try as this big girl

and this little guy

miss you all!

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July.  It was hotter than blazes up here (90 degrees and humid- uggg!) so it wasn't the best day ever, unfortunately.  I do get a little testy when it's hot out.  I was born and bred for tundra like weather!  Plus trying to keep a baby out of the sun is hard work, peeps (for those of you who are not already moms, they can't wear sunscreen until at least 6 months)! 

It has since cooled off a bit and we've gotten to have some enjoyable moments including playing with the pup in the water, my 86 year old grandmother babysitting for SYT, 2 parties, golf for BYT, etc.  Looks like rain tomorrow, but hopefully the rest of the week will be beach afternoons.  BYT and I are also going on a date, just the two of us while we are here.  I bought a new top to wear- here's to hoping he thinks that this 7.5 week post-partum women looks decent enough to go out with :)

I have lots to tell you once we are back to "real life" including pics of the most darling little outfit for SYT, a new diet for his momma (including why this had to kick in), and a GREAT pink and green Thursday. 

B's Guest Post: SKIPPERS!

Hey ladies, B here.  You know, Spencer's dad and all around husband of the year, right?

AET has asked me to write a guest post about the greatest adult beverage in the history of the whole planet of Earth.  It's summer time, the weather is getting nice, and in harbor towns all over the Great Lakes, people are looking forward to their annual perch fries, cookouts, and various other parties.  And there is no better drink to get you groovin' to Van Morrison tunes on the beach than the classic "Skipper!" 

More formally, this cocktail is known as the "Skip 'n Go Naked," because that's exactly what you'll want to do after a few of these bad boys.  In our family, it's commonly referred to as the "Skipper."  It's a tradition to take these with us to the beach of Little Traverse Bay in Harbor Springs, MI for the annual Lobster Party at my aunt and uncle's cottage.

It's bubbly, it's refreshing, it's cold, it tastes like limes, and here's how you make it:

Before the Party:

- Prepare one can of frozen Lime-Ade per package directions.  Minute Made makes one, but you can pretty much use any brand.
- Add Lime-Ade to a large pitcher or other durable transportation vessel, you're going to need to bring this to the beach with you and pour from it
- Add an entire bottle of light rum, like Bacardi.  The pitcher should essentially have 1 part rum for every 1 part Lime-Ade.  Don't worry, if it sounds like this is too boozy, we'll dumb it down later....a little
- Buy a case of light beer.  It doesn't need to be low-calorie, but you definitely don't want anything too dark, thick, or wheat-y.  Perhaps since our Up North paradise is so close to Canada, we usually use Labbatt Blue or Blue Light.
- Buy a sleeve of Solo cups and a big bag of ice, enough to share

At the Party:

- Designate a "mixing cup."  We usually mark it with hockey tape or a sharpie marker.  If you use a Sharpie, make sure to mark it before you get the cup wet, or the marker will smudge.  Yeah, we're pretty experienced in this.
- Grab your cup. 
- Add ice as high as you like it
- Fill your own cup half way with the Lime-Ade/Rum mixture
- Top off your cup with beer
- Pour the entire contents quickly into the Mixing Cup and quickly back into your own glass to get a homogeneous mixture.
- Prepare to have your mind blown.

Make sure you have plenty of supplies.  People are going to see what a raging good time you're having and they're going to want one too.  Even your uncle who drinks nothing but Dewar's will have two of them before dinner.  I speak from experience.

Here's a quick pic of my cousin and me holding our Skippers at the Lobster Party two summers ago.  This photo was taken exactly one week before he served as my Best Man and AEO became AET! 

And before you ask- yes, those are pants with Lobsters embroidered all over them.  AET may not have mentioned it on this blog, but she's the world champion eBay-er, and she found these for me a few years ago.  They get one or two uses a year, and they're fantastic.  And since I've lose a little weight in the last couple of years, they actually fit now!

Happy 4th!!

Happy Birthday, America!!

  Today is my very favorite holiday of all.  I simply adore parades, fireworks, the art fair in Harbor Springs, and today's color scheme!  SYT and I are going to watch BYT run in the 10 mile this morning in Harbor Springs before all the festivities begin.  What a way to start the day, huh?  Then it's home to shower, the art fair, the parade, drinks on Dudley's Deck, a family dinner at Gram's, and the fireworks with friends (all while decked out in red, white, and blue of course).  Hopefully we'll get some great pics to post!!

Have a fantastic day, lovely blogger friends. I hope you enjoy this most wonderful of holidays with your families and friends as much as we will!

found here

"Go to Hell" pants

A few of you asked about this term that I used in my last Magic Sparklies post.  I didn't realize that it's not a common term in all parts of the country.  Here is a great article on the term, here is another one.  Essentially, it's when men where obnoxiously loud Lilly P, critter emblazened, or 4 panel type pants and pull them off effortlessly.  A few examples below:

I think they can also be known as party pants in some circles.  What is essential to know about these pants is that they should be worn with understated button downs, ties, blazers, and boat shoes.  The pants make enough of a statement, so you do not need to do much else. 

You can also have GTH blazers (for the even more daring!)

These probably shouldn't be worn until you are at least 50 and own two companies.  Oh, and should only be worn at the cottage or at your Christmas cocktail party (if it's your winter one).

Magic Sparklies!

My magic sparklies include:

smiles from babies....

long, slow kisses....

a great day at work....

pretzel doughnuts....

a great workout....

red, white, and navy....

baking in the kitchen....

dinner al fresco....

deli sandwiches....

croquet....

laying in bed on Saturday morning as a family (yep, that means Junie too!)....

fall leaves....

our veggie garden....

starting a good book....

ice cream....

pajamas....

checking the mail....

sundresses, sandals, and a clutch....

Bote and Totes....

Arnold Palmers (1/2 lemonade, 1/2 iced tea)....

PGA & LPGA

bloggers....

decorating for Christmas....

holidays....

Bay View/Up North....

long walks....

a good pedicure....

glass front cabinets....

pearls....

black dresses....

hot rollers....

"go to hell" pants on men....

fires in fireplaces....

board games....

sunshine....

Glee!....

glasses on men....

dinners at amazing restaurants....

besties....

Champagne....

anything monogrammed....

Miami Men's Glee Club....

a really good steak....

Thanks, QBS, this was fun!

8 places I would like to visit.......

QBS did this a few weeks ago, and I knew I had to jump on the bandwagon.  B and I have often been out at dinner and done "tags" like this with each other.  We'll do top 10 places to see, top 5 "events" we'd like to attend (usually sport related), top 10 restaurants we've been to, etc.  We love to see what the other comes up with, and it definitely makes for fun conversation after we've created our lists. 

Anyway, I've been very few places in my life.  Due to the fact that we spent 8 weeks at the cottage every summer while growing up, we didn't have the typical "summer vacation" trip that a lot of others had.  We also have a lot of family in Aspen (love that!) and so a lot of vacations were spent there with my mom's side (skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer).  My first trip to Europe was for our honeymoon to Spain, and other than that, my only trip out of the country was to Mexico and one cruise.  Since my traveling has been somewhat limited, I probably wouldn't turn down any trip that was presented to me, but as of today, here are my current top 8 places...................

1.  Switzerland/Austria

After seeing this movie (my very favorite of ALL movies), it has always been my dream to head to Austria to take the Sound of Music tour (yes, incredibly cheesy, but I don't care!!!).  Since I'm going to be "in the area", I thought I'd also just pop over to Switzerland as well.  Really, these countries seem to be incredibly beautiful in all the pictures I've seen, and I'd love to go in any season. 

2.  Canada

I have always loved the idea of seeing all of Canada by taking a train across the country.  Traveling by train seems weirdly glamorous to me, and Canada, while a direct neighbor of ours, gets very little glory for it's gorgeous mountainous scenery.  I remember reading about a trip like this in one of my Gram's elderhostel catalogs, and thinking that I couldn't wait to retire and do this. I think doing it with Elderhostel or Grand Circle would be perfect as it would be a great way to meet other people, have an educational component, and have it all arranged for you. I have also seen a few travel channel and PBS specials on trips similar to this and have loved watching them.

3.  Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, and Napa (Road Trip!)

While this would have to be a 2 week extended trip, it's definitely something that I think would be so much fun.  I haven't been to any of the first 3 cities though I did do a day trip to Napa from SF once.  I'd really like to do Napa with B though- we'd have a ball.  There are so many things to do in all of these cities, and I'd love to see the coastline of the Pacific Northwest. 

4.  Argentina

Truly, this is just because I want to eat Argentinian beef for a week or two and not feel guilty about it.  I love steak pretty much more than anything, and this would be such a grand adventure in eating.  Plus, Argentinian wine has really come onto the scene in the last 10 years, and I'd love to enjoy all of them with my beef!  

5.  London

A truly metropolitan vacation with wonderful sightseeing, great shopping, tons of walking, the ability to take the tube (I love figuring out subway systems, and B is great at it), thoughts of royalty, good theater, and Pimm's Cups every night.  Plus I would also take a few jaunts to the English countryside- most specifically to Cornwall (my mother's heritage).

6.  Madison, WI

Yup, I really want to go to Mad-town. Why? I love college towns, everyone that is from Madison constantly talks about how much they love it, it's really outdoorsy, it seems that there are tons of great restaurants, and I love the midwest with all my heart. It's sad, really, that I lived in Chicago for 8 years and never went there- it's sooo close. Now, we're just going to have to make a family vacay of it. B is all for going too, so we will hopefully go in 2011 or 2012.

7.  Costa Rica

Specifically the Four Seasons in Peninsual Papagayo.  Um, can you say GORGEOUS???  I suppose at $600/night it certainly should be!!!  Costa Rica was somewhere we talked about going on our honeymoon before we decided on going to Spain.  Perhaps for an anniversary one year?   I wouldn't leave without doing a zipline through the rainforest.  A friend of mine did this and said it was the coolest thing she'd ever done.

Seriously, incredible isn't it???

8.   Telluride

I've been skiing a lot in CO (in my opinion it's the best skiing in the west), but never in Telluride.  It's such a PITA to get to, that you have to plan a vacation specifically to Telluride and know you're going to stay there the whole time.  I'd love to go here for our next ski vacay (or Steamboat Springs- another one that is off the beaten path).  I just love the small town feel of the Colorado ski towns and the huge mountains that surround them.  Such glorious views!  You can definitely feel God at work when you are on mainstreet looking up at the snowcovered beauties!

Tell me, what are your top one, five, or eight future dream trips?? 

God Pause for Sunday

Do people who become Christians really know what they are getting into?


They come to our church because we are welcoming and friendly, because our greeters smile, because our youth have fun. They come because our music is beautiful and inspirational. They come because the word is out that our pastor's sermons are really meaningful and lively. They come because we are spiritually peaceful and they want this. Perhaps they come to your church for these reasons too. But do they really know what they're getting into?

This hymn asks that question. Because following Jesus changes us. Following is more than sitting in a chair or pew, singing quietly for our own benefit. Following is getting up and walking in Jesus' footsteps. Are you interested in being changed -- not only at the resurrection, but this afternoon, tonight and tomorrow? Follow Jesus into the crowds and you'll never be the same.

Here we come, Jesus, wanting safety, peace and quiet. And here you meet us, anxious to whirl us into a wild dance of love, healing and reconciliation. We want to never be the same again, but we hesitate because where you go and how you dance scares us! Teach us to trust your lead, Lord Jesus, and become the music with you. Amen.

Chris Kramer
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, The Dalles, Ore.
Master of Divinity, 2007

"Will You Come and Follow Me?" ELW 798 (Also known as The Summons in the Catholic Church)

1. Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?

Will you go where you don't know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown? Will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

2. Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

3. Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
and admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

4. Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found to reshape the world around,
through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

5. Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In Your company I'll go where Your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

Fun summer necklaces

Aren't these perfect for summer?  I just love them and would have an awfully hard time deciding which color scheme to go with- though I think it would be the last one.  You can find them here. 

If you aren't already following Caroline's blog, you can do that here.  She posts great recipes along with her fabulous jewelry and has two darling kiddos!

B's Peeves - June, 2010

Hey there ladies, B here.  You know, the diaper changing, Giving Tree reading new dad who compares farts with young Mr Spencer T.  Anywho, it's been a while since I rapped at 'ya, so I thought I'd get a few things off my chest.  So without and further ado, here are a few things that are grinding my gears these days:


1.  Applebee's

Okay, we all know that Applebee's has been trying to convince America that they serve actual food for several years now with the tag line of "Eatin' good in the neighborhood!"  Sounds folksy, right?  Appetizing?  Not exactly.  And now, they have this ridiculous ad campaign covering the airwaves claiming that their new hamburgers are "as unique as the neighborhoods that inspired them."  Let's be honest...

You can't put peppers, onions and mushrooms on a burger and say that it's "from Philly."  If you are lucky enough to have been to Philly in your lifetime, you'll know that a classic Philly Cheesesteak has beef and cheese whiz, and maybe onions.  That's it.  This disgusting looking thing is neither unique, nor is it typically Philadelphian (yeah, I just invented the word "Philadelphian"). 

And by the way, Philly is a city, not a neighborhood.


2. Vuvuzelas

Enough has been written about these ridiculous horns, so I'll make my point in pictures. 

A bee hive is supposed to look like this:

Or this:

Or this:

But not like this:

Just stop those stupid things already.  That high pitched whine is brutal.

3.  This Guy

Let's just say I don't exactly have Bieber Fever.  And if you saw this performance...

...on the Today Show (as AET likes to watch), you'd join me in my disgust.  This kid is just awful.

Side note, AET is still raving mad about how frequently he touches his hair.  Now, I'm a guy who takes pride in his hair, and I'm not even close.

4.  Dog Zits

When you adopt a 6month old, 65 pound Mastiff Mix (half Neapolitan Mastiff and half English Mastiff) puppy at the shelters in Chicago these days, they "accidentally" fail to mention that Mastiffs have more minor health and beauty issues than your average Miss America contestant.  Somehow, we have already had to deal with:

- Kennel Cough

- Anal Gland Expression

- Urinary Tract Infections

- Yeast Infections

and finally,

- "Moderate Acne" on the lips and chin

How did we get from this

(at 6 months old- the day we got her)

to this?

(last week, at 18 months old)

Ugh.  We've been to the vet more this year than I have been to a doctor in the last 10 years.


5.  The French
Quick, name a famous French athlete....

no, really.  Go ahead, I'll wait.....

Couldn't think of one?  That's what I thought.

However, the French have been popping up in the Sporting world a lot lately, and not for the best reasons.

First, we had the French Open, which was won by a Spaniard:

Then, we had a random Frog pop up to finish two strokes from the championship at the US Open at Pebble Beach.  Gregory Havret was ranked 391st in the Official World Golf Rankings.  After tripping and falling into a near-miss at the US Open, he is now ranked 104th, and I agree- we'll never hear from him again. 

Thanks for the memories, Gregory.

Don't worry, I've saved the best for last.  The French national team, also known as Les Bleus.  These guys are a bigger mess than an early-2007 Britney Spears.  After drawing its first game against a good Uruguayan team, Les Bleus wet the bed against Mexico and then truly melted down over the weekend by kicking a player off the team, seeing the resignation of the team's General Manager, and having the entire team refuse to practice on Sunday (when they still had a chance to advance).  After the worst weekend in team history, France went out yesterday and lost 2:1 to a mediocre-at-best South African team and left its final image of World Cup 2010 in this way:

I know you're all out of sorts because your team sucks, but you could at least shake the hand of the opposing coach whose team just beat you fair and square.

Ahhh, that feels better.  At this moment, I'm settling in for the US-Algeria game, and looking forward to seeing our boys go out there and get revenge for the bush-league call that kept them from winning last week.  But if the US doesn't win or advance into the next round, well, I guess you could expect another B's Peeves in the very near future!  You stay classy, Blogosphere.

1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,...........................

NINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's how many hours our little Spencinator slept last night!  He went to bed a little after 8:30 and woke up at 5:30 to eat!  Do you know how good it feels to sleep through the night for the first time??  Pretty amazing if I do say so myself!

B and I both woke up about 4, and I said "He's still sleeping."  B's first statement was "Is he still alive??"  Don't worry- he was!  I had to go pump as soon as I woke up because I was so engorged (that's what woke me up- when I tried to roll over, I couldn't b/c my boobs hurt so bad!).  I got 5 oz in 3 min (and for those of you who haven't breastfed- that's a lot for a 5 1/2 week old baby!)- that's how full I was.  I was able to go back to bed and slept until he woke up cooing in his crib about an hour later. 

I don't know if this will happen every night, but just having one night of sheer, blissful sleep is awesome!  The only bad part about the long night of sleep is that we're ALL up at 6 a.m. instead of sleeping until 8 like we have been so far during maternity leave.  Oh well, just means we'll get a lot done today!

Oh, yesterday I had to go to work to drop off a baby gift, so I got SYT on the scale while I was there.  He's just over 12 lbs- that means he's gained 3 lbs since birth.  Yowzers!  He definitely is growing well as his 0-3 month clothing is definitely getting too tight and yesterday he wore a 3-6 month outfit.  His cheeks are a little chunky and he has a few tiny baby rolls in his thighs, but he's so long that he really doesn't look as heavy as he is measuring.  Just a cute little punkin! 

And, Just because...............
here's a picture of him in one of our favorite pajamas from his first week of life!  These are the ones he is outgrowing.

And here's a pic from last week (also in jammies!)