"That one sunny day that winter gave up"

Today was that sunny day.

I don't have any pictures from today

but here are pictures of another sunny day-

Easter 2011

the Easter we were dating

the Easter that we spent with friends, all with out of town families

the Easter when we dyed eggs on the front porch

the Easter that a coal hopped out of the bonfire and burned through my pants

the Easter that we ate hot dogs all day, and roasted buttered corn over the fire.

Looking forward to many more Easters with this man.

 -K&M

Maxi Skirts, etc.

Lately, I have found myself with more time than usual.  Whenever I get the time to be productive, like really be productive, I forget all of the things on my to-do list.  Not intentional forgetting/denial, just oops?  The next day that I'm back to business, I'm remembering all of these projects that were invisibly hanging over my head the entire weekend.

I should probably just start writing things down.

In preparation for summer - I am planning to make some maxi skirts!  I am currently scouring the internet for some fun floral fabric.  The patterns that I am looking at are here and here, both found on pinterest.  However, I have yet to sort through this list of 41 patterns maxi skirts and dresses, and it looks like a few of those will be keepers.

I am a fairly selective blog reader, but when I find one that I like, oh my.  I have recently discovered this lovely married couple in Australia, he - a photographer, she - a mom.  I've been so encouraged by this couple's love for each other.  You can find his photography blog here and her's, here.

Tonight while we ate dinner, I was watching The Mindy Project while Michael was watching his classmates' sermons.  He's so close to graduating!  And honestly, his hard work encourages me every day.  I have so much respect for that man.

Also, I would really like to pick up a new book.

Sorry about the rambling posts as of late.  We've gotten lazy with taking pictures, but that will hopefully pick back up again soon.  (Maybe for M's birthday in 2 days?? hmmm)

-K&M

Portland Cravings

 We are planning to go to Portland next month which means...

Stumptown Coffee

And Voodoo Doughnuts.

If you like an assortment of delicious food and drink, Portland is the city for you.

-K&M

February Happenings

February has been an exciting month, but I am glad that it is soon coming to a close... because after February comes spring, right? Unless you're in Spokane, then it's more like after April comes spring. :)

Some of this month's happenings have included:

Celebrating our first married Valentine's Day.  It was a relaxing evening at home with a yummy dinner  and Netflix - exactly what we needed in the midst of yet another busy semester.  I love that Valentine more and more every day. 

Experiencing a natural birth!  A friend of ours was kind enough to let me accompany her and her husband for the birth of their 4th child - it was such a privilege to get to be there.  She was AMAZING - I was blown away by her strength and bravery.  While it was a very real process (definitely different than just watching "The Business of Being Born"), it was incredibly more beautiful to experience it firsthand.  (I had asked if I could be there because I am considering becoming a Doula... perhaps a post on that soon!)

Cooking gnocchi.  I made this dish for Valentine's Day - it was SO yummy and easy.  Michael and I have gotten hooked on gnocchi thanks to Olive Garden's Chicken and Gnocchi soup - they are these perfect little dumplings that aren't too big or squishy.  I'm making this gnocchi dish tomorrow - I'll let you know how it goes!

Baking sugar cookie bars.  I was needing a dessert to make for work that could feed 60 people, and I found this little gem of a recipe.  Not only did it only take an hour to make 3 pans, but they were a big hit.  Plus, it has the best homemade icing recipe included - so easy and delicious!

Listening to Mark Driscoll's series Who Do You Think You Are?.  I had stopped listening to sermons online while I was in school, so I'm excited to be making this a part of life again.  It makes doing the dishes a little more interesting. :)

(I've also been listening to Beyonce while writing this post. So. Much. Talent.) 

Wearing mom shoes. I did it. I bought these bad boys.  I've decided to try to stop buying large quantities of cute, cheap shoes, and invest in less pairs of shoes, but shoes that last and are good for me.  (Mom - I have you to thank for this, since you were always prophesying about future foot problems when I wore flats and heels) :)  And hey, Danskos were recently spotted on The Sartorialist, so that's saying something, right?

Hope you all had a wonderful February month, and are not snowed in for too long, wherever you might be in the country!

-K&M

Cumbies in Spokane

Well, now that tomorrow is February, I figured that it's about time we share some pictures from our wonderful December month!  First is when my family came to town... there were so many good things about this weekend amongst a very busy season.

This was an action-packed weekend, so please bear with me in the length of this post!

The first morning that they were here we visited Donut Parade - a central part of mine and Michael's history here in Spokane :)

 Then I graduated!! It was so nice having our friends and family there.

 The next day we adventured around Spokane - including a visit to the park where Michael and I were engaged

 It was so nice to be in the same place as these dear ones for a few days.

To see how Natalie and Jack have turned into little adults

To catch up on movies and other news with my dad

To get to serve my mom in a very small way of how she served me for 18 years

I'm still so grateful that you guys were able to make the trip.

Love and miss you all!

-K&M