Young Love by Mat Kearney, The Relationship Album

It took me less than a minute to remember who exactly Mat Kearney was, but only because I am better with the names, lyrics, and chords of songs that I am with the name of the artist that sings them--- I know.

Birthday Giveaways! Carmex Lime Twist & Picnic Blanket

Congrats to my winner, Kimberly C.!
 
One of our favorite ways to spend a Saturday is out by the river, either walking, biking, or laying in the grass reading. This weekend was the first weekend we headed out without Melissa, who went off to school last week, but with Zorro along we were still a party of four :)

This week we decided to picnic and spread out on the grass. Carmex sent us their new tubes of Ultra Moisturizing lip balm in Vanilla and Lime Twist, along with a brand new picnic blanket!

Birthday Giveaways! Gorton's Seafood 100 Days of Sizzle

Because today is my birthday, and because I have received many goodies over the past few weeks to try and then giveaway to readers, I figured, why not post them all at once to celebrate! 

..but then again, that's a lot of work. And today is my birthday. So, instead, I'll post one today and one tomorrow and one the next day and the next and the next, till I run out! How's that sound? 

A Smart Group Called The Clever Girls Collective

Not that long ago there were many sleepless nights, stressed out days, and countless hours spent waiting and wondering. If you have ever had anyone in your family, or that you love, just go and try to drop dead on you in the course of a beautiful morning, then you might know what I am talking about.  Aches and pains took my daddy to the doctor, and then in for a scan for what they thought was a slipped disc, and then rushed right into the hospital for an abdominal aortic aneurysm-- among other things. 

What's Blooming Today

Taking that vacation at the peak of summer meant missing some of the best blooms in the garden. The bright orange Asiatic lilies, yellow daisies, and red geraniums galore. Missed all of it. 

But after a couple years of trying to whip the gardens around the house into shape-- there's the herb, shade, rain, water, sun, lawn, drive and rock gardens-- I can now enjoy something at every point of the season, and fall, spring and winter too!

#Perseids - Chasing Your Starlight!

Tonight is THE night of the year. The night I wait all year for. The night I scout out potential viewing sites year round for. And tonight there will be a full moon. A full moon that is directly overhead at midnight :(

227 images taken during the night of the Perseid Meteor Shower, combined in to one image, using the free startrails.exe. Nick Ares from Auburn, CA, United States

If you are lost, tonight is the night we pass through the Perseids meteor shower, my meteor shower (my dad gave it to me right before my birthday when I was little).  I catch it every year.

Send Me Away With the Words of a Love Song

Halfway through Kentucky the song, If I Die Young by The Band Perry, came on over the radio. I was already familiar with the group, but it was the first time any of us heard this song.  If you haven't heard it yet, it's a beautiful song sure to stir up tons of emotions if you have ever known someone that has died young. 

Gimme Some of that Disney Magic

When we set out for Florida the word Disney was not in our vocabulary. Yes, without telling the girls I had priced a couple days at Disney, but between the cost, the plans we already made, and the fact that I had to be back in Chicago, I knew there was no way.

There ended up being a little Disney magic at work for us anyway. On our very last day in Florida, the girls and I were treated to a day at Walt Disney World!  Our Disney Magic came in the form of very thoughtful family friends, and their generous friend and then friends of those friends.

It's safe to say we are quite taken, and totally addicted! The day was so much fun.....see for yourselves. 

1st stop, Hollywood Studios!!