Valentine's Weekend.

Is it too late to recap Valentine's weekend? Does anyone really care what we did? ok, well, there are not photos to document it so I need to journal/blog about it in case I want to know later in life ;)

Since, we went to the MCC fights in late January, I attended a Friday-Sunday crop in the city, he sent me flowers on my birthday, I got him a Duck Dynasty book + candy for his & we agreed we couldn't splurge on another trip to the lake for their Mystery Dinner, I figured we would hang out at home, have snack-y foods, play games,
make Molten Lava Cakes (these things better be amazing for as long as I have been planning to make them & haven't), & have a quiet weekend with minimal outside interaction. (longest sentence in the history of this blog??)

Friday went off like a normal one around here.
Saturday he decided to skip work-first time in about 8-10 weeks, he's earned it. I did my normal Saturday morning errands-groceries, bank, & then picked up the monthly order of sugar cookies I subscribed to for my Grandparents for their Christmas gift that will last all year. Home for a couple of hours to chill until my hair cut. Then when I returned from my appointment, he had the trunk up on the car & the truck was running.  He was huffing & puffing about how the brake line had blown on the car so we were taking the truck to look at a used camper. (CHEAP used camper-cheap enough we could afford to put some money into it to make it what we want/need)  It was stored at 'lot' down by the lake so we hit the road. Due to the crazy winter weather last weekend + the wind, some spots of the highway were blown over which in turn = some pretty dangerously slick spots. We made it all in one piece, off & on w/me picking on him that he had packed a whole 20# bag of dog food for a 3 hour trip.. his story was that he was flustered after the brake line & just grabbed everything from the trunk to take. *I* fell for it.  So we are following the GPS on his phone until we get to the sign that says 'Whispering Breezes cabins'.  The light bulb comes on! (finally) Seems he had made this overnight reservation for us in a cabin a few weeks ago & kept it a total surprise. Packed food & clothes & everything. THERE WAS NO CAMPER!!!!!!! What a scam. LOL  We stayed here in 2010 w/friends who had stayed the previous year's Valentine's weekend, then we got the whole group there for Memorial Weekend that same year I think & different groups of us have stayed since then.  Its a fun little area. The owners are just over the hill in their house, there is a catch & release fishing pond, pets are welcome. We have always had a good time.
Sunday was an easy breezy lazy morning getting around, we had breakfast, he watched some TV & I read some in my book (on my phone) then we got around & headed for home so he could work on the brake line in the car.

TOTAL SURPRISE!!!!!!! He is good.. looking back through photos, I see this isn't his first Valentine's to surprise me with & he helped with the 2 surprise birthday parties I have had.  I am blessed.

Pretty mind boggling that I didn't take a single photo- even w/my phone-as I have been known to get monster orders like this ~~> from the developer on a regular basis in the not so distant past. 

Valentine's

Since both of our birthdays are in February, we have almost always done one big weekend & calling all 3 covered.  a couple of years ago, we invited the only other childless coupole (at the time) in our boating family to join us & we had cabins @ Rathbun, fancy dinner out @ the resort & then we bar hopped around the lake in a blizzard :) goofy but oh so fun!!

the next morning we weren't sure about getting home!

This year, Lauren (the she of the childless couple) invited us to join them @ Rathbun resort for a Murder Mystery Dinner & overnight stay.  HOW FUN!! plus a perfect excuse to get dressed up, do the hair & make up!  I borrowed her yellow dress & bought the scarf, shoes & earrings at a local shop.  it was so fun getting new things & dressing like spring

 Here we are.. Resort room bathroom mirror.. the new photo booth you know..

be still my heart! white & milk chocolate fountains for the appetizers! yummmmmmmthe cast of the show. they were fantastic! this was our first, so we weren't sure what to expect but they did GREAT at putting us at ease!

 ahhhh the Valentine's Couples!

 + =

 The next morning.. in room coffee + this view= could have sat here all day!

Super Fun Weekend!!!

February Hog Hunt

Last summer Tim scheduled a September hog hunting trip to Oklahoma with a co-worker.  One thing led to another & they each had to back out of the September date.  Since Tim had already made his deposit they let him reschedule it for February & we used it for our annual Birthday/Valentine's trip.  We also invited another child-less couple to go with. 

 So on Thursday night, February 9th, we all loaded up into our truck & headed South.

This is the best shot I could get of the GPS on the trip down from the back seat.

 We got in rather late but the guide & Tim had been texting so he knew to come get the guys @6am.  They thought he'd take them out, show them the area, take them back to the cabin to get ready & let them walk out, but he had other plans, "no sense in making 2 trips," he says, "you 2 get ready & I'll be back." as he headed to the cabin next door to gather the other hunting party to take them out.  The guys hurried around showering & descenting & such as hunters do & us girls managed to sleep thru the majority of it.  It seemed like they had just hopped on the 4 wheeler & left when my phone started to ring next to my head.  On the other end was a very excited Tim, seriously, he had his first hog already & they'd only been out 30 minutes! YIKES!! So I jumped up, threw on some warmer clothes & headed out the door to take pictures of it before the guide took it to the shop. 

  Hupp stayed out hunting & Tim headed back out for his second one (the package included one hog any size & one under 100#).  While they were gone we dug into the ADORABLE & YUMMY dipped fruit I had ordered locally & taken w/us.  What a great breakfast!

 Tim soon wounded his second hog but was unable to track it (even tho it appeared to have blasted a shoulder) & after tracking it a while, he was done for the day.  Hupp on the other hand had gotten his first, but neglected to bring it to the cabin before having it taken to the shop.  So I have no photos of it.  Since they each had one hog in 'hand' they decided to come to town with us & do some sightseeing! The best place we went was the Pawnee Bill Estate.  The museum was under construction but was still full of fun stuff to see.  Then we got to tour the mansion next & it was so neat that it was kept as close to original as possible & that was REALLY close (but of course no photos allowed inside) but his wife May's boots were by the bed, her mirror on the dresser, dishes on the table.   here are a few details of the property I was able to capture outside:

tile work on cement around the house:

 the view from the side of the house:

 this is the front of the house

I forget what this tower was built for but we could see the entire property once inside it.

here is a sample of what one of the traveling wild west shows may have looked like.

 then we looked around town a bit in search of some antique malls/thrift shops but nothing to be found we headed back to the cabin for naps/scrabble.  Oh yea, we had to play ball w/Sammy because he'd been in his kennel the time we were out sight seeing.... here is Sammy & Tim looking under the couch for the ball.

Sunday morning Hupp was able to get his second hog & this time remembered to bring it to the cabin for photos.

 Then we headed into the nearest college town of Stillwater & tried to shop around but most places we spotted were already closed.  Trying not to be bummed, we stopped for appetizers & cocktails @ Mexico Joe's.  Fun time!!

this is just a station different than anything we have in Iowa so I had to capture it 'on film':

Since it was close to Valentine's Day the guys had the foresight to have our guide make reservations for us for dinner at the only restaurant in town open in the evening! our reservations were a surprise to us girls & not until 7:30, which seemed late to us but that place was hoppin'!! Our first experience with a place that didn't serve alcohol but let you bring your own in. So of course, we did :)  This is a crazy meringue pie in the cooler:

 the outside of the building:

 hehe... oh the sights we see that are different than home....

 once back to the cabin w/tummies full, we had a photo shoot of heads: (my apologies to those of weak stomach)

 Sunday before heading home we did some photo shoots around the sights we found over the weekend:

 (evidently in really bright sunlight but cold wind)

Oh the technology on the way home! I discovered (with Lauren's help) pinterest on my blackberry while Hupp & Lauren played each other in Words with Friends.  We only made 2 stops on the way home for food or gas. We were all READY to be HOME!

For those wondering, we did bring the meat back on ice to have processed at our 'local' locker-loins, chops & 2 kinds of sausage YUMMMMM. the heads also came home, our one went to a taxidermist for processing.  We were delighted to find out that we could get 2 trophies our of the one head, the skin is stretched over a foam form leaving the skull useless.  So we had them clean the skull into a European mount as well as mounting the head.  We just got these back last week & are both very pleased with the results!

 

not exactly traditional way to spend Valentine's day but it was fun & relaxing & we each got to see a new state & a few sights we hadn't seen before.  How did you spend Valentine's Day??

thursday misc.

today's list:

• spending freezes SUCK! especially self inforced ones b/c really... no one else even knows I am on it, so who will know if I cheat? ME that's who! :(( I am sometimes my own worst enemy. but it will all be worth it to get some more things paid off & get Tim's new truck sooner
• foot dr appt today=afternoon off. hmmm what to do what to do.. think my time is already full
• Driver's license renewal -ugh something I can do on my afternoon off
• Helping mom finish move out her old house this afternoon
• mmmm cheese tots for breakfast
• prepping house this evening for delivery of new fridge tomorrow (spur for spending freeze)
• take down vday decor & start in on St. Patty's day goodies :)
• laundry
• make homemade refried beans-wish me luck

there it is folks. out there for all to see (the 10 of you that read hehe). my agenda for today. now its time to DO it.

a slow goin' monday

Which works out really well coming off of a long vacation weekend. :)

for the past few years we've taken a weekend away in February to celebrate our birthdays & valentine's instead of trying to shop for each other so soon after Christmas. Its the perfect time for us after the hoidays & before boating season in May. This year we decided to go to the lake we boat on & stay in the cabins we stayed in last Memorial weekend.

We both took Friday off from work to sleep in abit, then we grabbed a pizza on our way & settled into our cabin "Sailing Away". We ventured into Centerville in the late afternoon/early evening to scope it out. Tho we've been to town often while camping, we've never gone past O'Reilly Auto Parts or Wal-Mart. But Sadly I didn't take very many photos @ all. None while driving around town or even on Saturday while we were shopping @ Bradley Hall. which was SUPER COOL & WE ARE going back!!!

When we went back to the cabin for the afternoon, I dipped strawberries in chocolate-the stinking easiest thing I have ever done! yummmm & scrapped 3 pages of the '07 ice storm(almost done w/that chapter!!) while Tim napped.

Later in the evening, Hupp & Lauren moved into the cabin next to us & after getting Jack settled, we all went out. We ate supper

w/yummy drinks & gorgeous deserts @ Honey Creek Resort

Restaurant then bar hopped around the lake. Hitting Dogg's, The Ole' Red Barn & finally Krazy Connie's Landing for some awesome Sloe Gin Fizzes! :)

When we woke up yesterday it was like living in a snowglobe! so much snow!! so we cleaned our cabin & went to Hupp & Lauren's cabin for breakfast. mmmmmm so cozy to sit & chat w/mimosas & the guys cooking breakfast!!! awesome morning! the ride home was yucky until about 1/2 way then it got better.

as wonderful as it is to GO away, its

always Wonderful to come home!! :)

WOW tons of great ideas!!!!

I have been working on this post for a couple of weeks to have a record of things I want to try for next year :) if any of you still feel you have time.. I do not :) here are some ideas..

Love boards
Garland #1, Garland #2, #3 , #4,
Hanging Tile
Framed Art #1, #2, #3

candy

Frame Art #4
Wall Sign, #2, #3, #4,

"Valentine"
a wreath recycling christmas garland
framed art w/recycled egg carton
tag decoration

yard decor

Banner
Pillow inspiration
HEART

Fun blocks

W/alterations for the season.. THESE frames would be sweet--I could see some in the child care that change every month!

Cute tag

Yummy treats & more snacks

& a pic of some ofmy cuties in their vday attire :)

Monday-ness

one last crafty vday decor :)
this one I saw on Scraplovers Blog on Saturday & just couldn't resist!!! The tags were leftovers from a crop, the hearts are stamped on printed paper then hand cut-very not me!- the letters & rose bkgd are also stamps. it was fun to revisit that craftiness!

Later in the week I will show u the crafty I made for the kids for Thursday! :)



Weekend Recap:
dental cleaning-survived
taxes figured-survived w/refunds even :)
craftiness-achieved
house cleaned-achieved
van tuned up-done
pretty productive!!!!!!!!!!!!

taxes, Valentine's, Friday!

With all the tax prep I procrastinated about, I didn't give myself time to post anything here yesterday --oops. you probably didn't miss me w/all the CHA stuff being posted about the net, the weather reporting yucky stuff to come, & decorating/crafting for Valentine's day in your home. The good news is that we are in the home stretch!!!! al. most. done :) good thing since the appointment is Tomorrow 12:30 :)

I have NEVER gotten as into Valentine's day as I have this year!! All of the crafty l inks have inspired me!!! looooooooooove it :)here's my last Valentine craft for 2010

Next week I will post the mega post I have been adding to daily for a while of other crafties I'd like to try in the next couple of years :) & while I am on the topic, the Remodelaholic is having a FABULOUS giveaway that I am entering! go check it out!!!

FRIDAY!!!! this week was a full week @ school!! an oddity for us this year ;) we are all ready for the weekend! I will just be happy when tomorrow is over. Dental cleaning ICK & tax appointment! then going to hide away w/New Moon!!!

I am off to finish the tax prep that I can tackle w/running, screaming, children around me :)

Good MOrning Sun!!!

I don't ask for much for my birthday anymore :)

1. sunshine
2. cooperative children -even relatively works for me
3. some quiet time to myself

3 simple things. so far I have 2 of the 3 :) lovely!

Some things I wish I didn't have to deal w/on my birthday

1. poopy diapers -haha j/k-sorta
2. tax prep-maybe next year I should plan to have them finished & filed by now!?
3. negative nellies & grumpy guses

3 more simple things-so far I have encountered none but the first 2 are sure to surface thru the day ;)

Weigh in Wednesday. ugh. gotta get my butt back on that treadmill or getting back to shredding! this is disgusting! almsot back up to my heaviest :(

I have decided to make these adorable lil Valentines from Sisters Stuff for the cc kids for snack next Thursday. I plan to make them this weekend.

Ok enough procrastinating!!! off to work on tax prep UGH!!!

2 in a row??

on a Sunday even?? wow!

here's TODAY'S craftiness!! completely copied from Craftaholics Anonymous that she saw on Where the Heart is & now I have one too
:) I think mine might be a bit big for the amt of burlap I used but I like it! might end up too heavy for that door, thinking about moving it to one that doesn't swing. hehe.

hmmmm wonder what I should tackle next....