My mom and I went shopping and Grandma bought Nina two pairs of new shoes (these and these) and a cookie from Mrs. Fields! What a treat! :)
Nina was so excited she was dancing "on stage" in the window display. Silly girl!
New Shoes for Nina
Grandma's sure spoil Nina. Last Friday was no exception!
My mom and I went shopping and Grandma bought Nina two pairs of new shoes (these and these) and a cookie from Mrs. Fields! What a treat! :)
Nina was so excited she was dancing "on stage" in the window display. Silly girl!
My mom and I went shopping and Grandma bought Nina two pairs of new shoes (these and these) and a cookie from Mrs. Fields! What a treat! :)
Nina was so excited she was dancing "on stage" in the window display. Silly girl!
Essential Oils
I recently got a hefty supply of Young Living Essential Oils and am excited to start using them. Does anyone out there have any good tips?
St. Patrick's Day
Did you really think I'd let the year pass and not comment on our St. Patty's Day!?
It's no secret, we love celebrating St. Patrick's Day. This year, we spent the morning at my in-laws and participated in the annual parade and celebratory toast (ahem, shots!) at 52 Stafford Irish Pub. Afterwards, we enjoyed my mother-in-law's delicious homemade meal - Irish Stew, soda bread, cabbage, potatoes, Guinness, and whiskey!
Later that afternoon, Mr. Evans and I headed out downtown Milwaukee with friends. We went to Mo's Irish Pub for drinks, dinner and Trinity Irish Dancers watching! Later, we had tickets to see Gaelic Storm. We've seen them a few times now (and listened to their cd's all throughout our road trip around Ireland). Their concert is high-energy and a perfect way to spend the night!
Slainte!
It's no secret, we love celebrating St. Patrick's Day. This year, we spent the morning at my in-laws and participated in the annual parade and celebratory toast (ahem, shots!) at 52 Stafford Irish Pub. Afterwards, we enjoyed my mother-in-law's delicious homemade meal - Irish Stew, soda bread, cabbage, potatoes, Guinness, and whiskey!
Later that afternoon, Mr. Evans and I headed out downtown Milwaukee with friends. We went to Mo's Irish Pub for drinks, dinner and Trinity Irish Dancers watching! Later, we had tickets to see Gaelic Storm. We've seen them a few times now (and listened to their cd's all throughout our road trip around Ireland). Their concert is high-energy and a perfect way to spend the night!
The Sun Yesterday...
The sunrise yesterday reminded me of a bright yellow yolk inching up, as if to salute the morning sky and triumphantly announce "Here I am! Despite the frigid cold, the warmth will be here soon!"
I loved it.
Happy Spring!
I snapped this photo in the car a few days ago. Nina looked so peaceful and her eyelashes so long.
Something about this photo seems perfect to post today... the first day of Spring.
I always think of spring as the time when nature opens its eyes. Ready for a new beginning. Ready to bask in the sunlight.
Maybe our little Earth is sleeping peacefully, like Nina. Ready to wake and move mountains.
Happy Spring!
“She turned to the sunlight/ And shook her yellow head,/ And whispered to her neighbor:/ "Winter is dead.” ― A.A. Milne, When We Were Very Young
“Spring is the time of plans and projects.” ― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina
Luck
On Sunday's episode of 60 Minutes Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg was profiled. She discussed her new book Lean In and it struck a chord with me. If you haven't seen it you can read the transcript here. If you work, are a women (mother, married, single, no matter what), it's worth checking out. The book and interview has sparked much discussion over the past few days.
Many things resonated - like when she said "I want every little girl who someone says they're bossy to be told instead, 'You have leadership skills.'" So true.
I have my Master's in Organizational Leadership and Communication so I like this kind of thing. I could go on and on, but...
Here's the part I want to share. In Sandberg's opinion "Women attribute their success to working hard, luck, and help from other people. Men will attribute that-- whatever success they have, that same success, to their own core skills."
Do you agree? Hmmm. Interesting.
Then, on Monday I came across this. A Malcolm Gladwell-esque Graduation Speech by Michael Lewis, author of Moneyball and other works.
The entire speech is worth reading, but here's one excerpt:
"Life's outcomes, while not entirely random, have a huge amount of luck baked into them. Above all, recognize that if you have had success, you have also had luck — and with luck comes obligation. You owe a debt, and not just to your Gods. You owe a debt to the unlucky."
It's interesting how I randomly came across both of these unrelated pieces but somehow they are connected. At least to me. I'd love to know what you think!
Remember too, that luck is when preparation meets opportunity.
Many things resonated - like when she said "I want every little girl who someone says they're bossy to be told instead, 'You have leadership skills.'" So true.
I have my Master's in Organizational Leadership and Communication so I like this kind of thing. I could go on and on, but...
Here's the part I want to share. In Sandberg's opinion "Women attribute their success to working hard, luck, and help from other people. Men will attribute that-- whatever success they have, that same success, to their own core skills."
Do you agree? Hmmm. Interesting.
Then, on Monday I came across this. A Malcolm Gladwell-esque Graduation Speech by Michael Lewis, author of Moneyball and other works.
The entire speech is worth reading, but here's one excerpt:
"Life's outcomes, while not entirely random, have a huge amount of luck baked into them. Above all, recognize that if you have had success, you have also had luck — and with luck comes obligation. You owe a debt, and not just to your Gods. You owe a debt to the unlucky."
It's interesting how I randomly came across both of these unrelated pieces but somehow they are connected. At least to me. I'd love to know what you think!
Remember too, that luck is when preparation meets opportunity.
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3rd Annual SNC Girls Weekend
Last weekend we got together for our 3rd Annual SNC Girls Weekend! Per the usual, it was full of lots of wine, food, laughter, catching up and reminiscing. I always feel re-energized after our weekends together. I'm pretty lucky to have such great girlfriends. :)
On Friday, we met in De Pere, home of our alma mater. Our friend Pam hosted us for pizza, apps and wine at her new home.
On Saturday morning, we drove to The Creamery - a new business owned by my college roomie Pam! It features her delicious homemade cupcakes, great coffee (with latte art) and some insanely yummy Chai. If you're in the area, this is a must! I am so proud of her for fulfilling a dream!
Saturday afternoon, we buzzed around campus and hit up our beloved bookstore. After lunch at The Abbey (pic below), we had lots of talk time!
Later that night for dinner, we tried De Pere's new restaurant SALT. The menu is modern comfort food - perfect for a girls weekend!
P.S. Annual girls weekends from the past, here and here.
On Friday, we met in De Pere, home of our alma mater. Our friend Pam hosted us for pizza, apps and wine at her new home.
On Saturday morning, we drove to The Creamery - a new business owned by my college roomie Pam! It features her delicious homemade cupcakes, great coffee (with latte art) and some insanely yummy Chai. If you're in the area, this is a must! I am so proud of her for fulfilling a dream!
Saturday afternoon, we buzzed around campus and hit up our beloved bookstore. After lunch at The Abbey (pic below), we had lots of talk time!
Later that night for dinner, we tried De Pere's new restaurant SALT. The menu is modern comfort food - perfect for a girls weekend!
This is the only photo I make an appearance in... :) Girls, please pass along your photos. Or, if you blog and post, comment below with a link!
Cheers, girls! I think we all had the best time, as usual!
Quick Dry Manicure
This is a game changer. I've seen this on Pinterest a few times and finally gave it a try.
Just mist Pam Cooking Spray on your nails after they are painted. And, instantly they are dry! This is a complete miracle because us mothers of young kids know... freshly painted and non-smudged nails are a luxury!
Here's the deal. I painted my nails. Waited about 30 seconds. Misted on some Pam. Rubbed it in a bit (to test it and to give my cuticles a nice coating of oil). Washed my hands with some light soap and water (to get rid of the grease) and carefully dried my hands.
Done.
You're welcome. :)
Children's Museum Morning
This past Saturday morning we ventured to Betty Brinn Children's Museum in Milwaukee. We got there right when it opened and Nina had a blast! Here are a few snapshots.
Afterwards we had lunch at the Wicked Hop (check out that Bloody Mary below!), stopped in at my favorite Broadway Paper in the Third Ward, drove up the north shore for a little furniture consignment shopping and headed home.
Afterwards we had lunch at the Wicked Hop (check out that Bloody Mary below!), stopped in at my favorite Broadway Paper in the Third Ward, drove up the north shore for a little furniture consignment shopping and headed home.
P.S. Another fun morning with a toddler is at the Milwaukee Domes.
The Violin
I'm sure we all have a list stored in the back of our minds filed away as maybe-one-days. Not bucket list items or truly important goals (I believe those should be written on paper somewhere where you can see them daily), but a fun list.
Or, maybe it's just me. I seem to have a list for everything!
Maybe it's read War and Peace, get a tandem bike, buy a pair of Jimmy Choo's?!
For me, it's to learn the violin.
One day.
You see, I already play piano. Quite well in fact. Although my fingers have lost their strength and could use some muscle memory practice, my brain still remembers the hours logged memorizing and practicing. I love playing piano and it's something I try to do as often as I can. So, I can't imagine learning the violin would be like starting from scratch (?!).
But, back to why violin.
After my Grandma Lorraine died my Grandpa came across his mother's (we think) old violin. My Grandpa generously gave it to me and I had it repaired (new strings, new bridge, etc) a few years back.
Since then, it's been sitting next to my baby grand. Just sitting. Staring. Waiting to be played.
I hear this song and just wish I could play it. Hauntingly beautiful.
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| The fact that the interior of the case is purple is meant to be. It's my favorite color. |
One day. Right now, it's not a priority or something to which I'm willing to devote time. I already have a long list of things that I choose to make priorities. But you better believe, one day... when babies are grown and Mr. Evans and I are old and gray I'll be playing Ashokan Farewell on my violin.
What's on your maybe-one-day list?
** All photos above are of the violin. It's labeled as a Model Stradivarius made by Frederick Geisler Sachsen 1920. I can't help but wonder... who played it? Why? When? They were a rural family so I imagine this was a luxury?
** All photos above are of the violin. It's labeled as a Model Stradivarius made by Frederick Geisler Sachsen 1920. I can't help but wonder... who played it? Why? When? They were a rural family so I imagine this was a luxury?
Randoms
A few random photos from lately...
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| Grandma got Nina a stroller for her dolly. These two curly haired cuties could play together all day! |
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| Nina is a great mommy to her two dollies. The one on the left was a gift (her favorite) and the dolly on the right was mine circa 1987. Nina's favorite thing to do is hold her dolly and rock her to sleep patting her and saying "Shh..."... :) |
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| Daily, Mr. Evans and Nina practice "circus baby" - she trusts him more than anything and can stand like this with knees locked, balancing for quite some time. What do you think of Nina's socks on Mr. Evans's ears? |
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| My little pigtailed girl giving me a kiss. :) |
Wisconsin Fish Fry
When Mr. Evans and I got married one thing he quickly learned was my reliance on a Wisconsin Fish Fry every Friday night. He's from a town not far from me, but was born out of state so never truly appreciated this culinary tradition that is totally normal to me, but a bit random to him.
To me, it's about tradition. Not just during Lent, but (pretty much) every Friday. Although, I do like getting Fish Fry just a little bit more during Lent because I feel like, finally, everyone else jumps on board with my quirk! :)
I've become quite the self-proclaimed Fish Fry connoisseur. And, I've had years of experience perfecting my tastebuds. Growing up, we depended on going out or getting take out from a variety of local supper club's.
Of course, what goes best with a Fish Fry? An old-fashioned. Below was the one I drank this past Friday using Meyer Brothers mix. However, my true order is a Southern Comfort old-fashioned sweet with olives (thanks, Dad). Ask anyone around and they'll rattle off their order. Whiskey. Brandy. Sweet. Sour. Olives or cherries.
Here's my half-eaten take out fish fry from Silver Lake Country Inn. Yumm. For my local blog readers, my top favs are Silver Lake Inn (great fish, warm and bacony german potato salad) and Hon-e-Kor (the best potato sides, and the relish tray is perfect). Which spots do you like (and why)?
In case you're wondering, I order perch with potato pancakes (with syrup AND applesauce). I prefer homemade coleslaw, lots of tartar sauce and warm rye bread. A splurge, but totally worth it in my book!
To me, it's about tradition. Not just during Lent, but (pretty much) every Friday. Although, I do like getting Fish Fry just a little bit more during Lent because I feel like, finally, everyone else jumps on board with my quirk! :)
I've become quite the self-proclaimed Fish Fry connoisseur. And, I've had years of experience perfecting my tastebuds. Growing up, we depended on going out or getting take out from a variety of local supper club's.
Of course, what goes best with a Fish Fry? An old-fashioned. Below was the one I drank this past Friday using Meyer Brothers mix. However, my true order is a Southern Comfort old-fashioned sweet with olives (thanks, Dad). Ask anyone around and they'll rattle off their order. Whiskey. Brandy. Sweet. Sour. Olives or cherries.
Here's my half-eaten take out fish fry from Silver Lake Country Inn. Yumm. For my local blog readers, my top favs are Silver Lake Inn (great fish, warm and bacony german potato salad) and Hon-e-Kor (the best potato sides, and the relish tray is perfect). Which spots do you like (and why)?
In case you're wondering, I order perch with potato pancakes (with syrup AND applesauce). I prefer homemade coleslaw, lots of tartar sauce and warm rye bread. A splurge, but totally worth it in my book!
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