Birkie or Bust!!!!

Good Morning Friends!!!!

Yup!  Still here.... just been busy, and it seems like every time I get out my computer to start blogging, other stuff starts calling my name - usually Josie yelling, "MOOOOOOOOOM.... can you come and catch my feet while I do a hand stand!??!!!"  (she is in gymnastics, and would wear a leotard every day if it wasn't 10 degrees outside)....

anyways... on with the show:

 

So, on January 18, 2015 I did this fun little ski thing called the "Birkie Tour".... it's actually very much the opposite of "little"... but you catch my drift.

The Birkie Tour takes place in Wisconsin and is some of the most challenging cross country ski terrain I have ever laid my eyes on!  This was the 2nd year participating in the non-timed, non-competitive event with my fearless leader Julie!!!!

 



she is the most encouraging, beautiful soul I have ever met!!!  We used to share an office and pretty much decorated it like it was our very own teeny tiny apartment!  Not one ounce of space left undecorated ~ some of my FAVORITE memories include this warrior!
Last year we had NO CLUE what the day would be like, so we got up and drove from home... this year we knew what we were up against, so we booked a room at the hotel in town (the only room left was a suite with a heart shaped jacuzzi!  Mama likey!!!) so we could hit the trails right away!
The thing about the Birkie Tour is that it is very hilly!  And when I say hilly I mean like going down a mountain, with sharp turns at the bottom..... scary? YES! challenging? YES! exciting? YES! makes you pray you survive? DOUBLE YES! am I going again next year?  OF COURSE!
there is just something about the rush of adrenaline that I love!!!
We did the 10K this year (approx 6 miles) and found out at the finish line that the 10K was the most challenging of all the choices (23K and 44K) - Proud doesn't even begin to describe how I was feeling after completing the run! 
*** We also got a chance to chat with another skier that has been participating in the Tour for several years, and she informed us that many many moons ago when they set out to create this "Trail" ... the goal for the creators was to make something that would bring skiers to their knees - as in difficult.  as in just pray you don't get injured.  Yowsa! 
Here are some pictures from out INCREDIBLE DAY!

People come from all around the globe to participate in this Tour - and I have never met so many lovely individuals - they are kind, helpful, supportive, amazing people!


No day would be complete without stopping for a drink of water and a few pix!




a view from one of the "hills" - look at all of those cars!!!!! 








This is our new, beautiful friend Mary!  At one point during the run, I fell and was hanging out in a large fluffy pile of snow, and along came Mary!  She handed me her pole and pulled me out - Once we started chatting with her she told us she is a 23 year breast cancer survivor!!!!  And now, at the age of 70 she is completing her 10th Birkie Tour.... she was an inspiration - even in the small amount of time we got to talk to her.... as she skied off she yelled
"Never, Never, Never Give UP!"
Mary.... you are such a courageous woman!  Thank you for blessing us with your presence!


Whoop Whoop!!!!! Made it!!!! 
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To my dear Julie Girl - Thank you so much for being my rock during this adventure!!!
Can't wait for next year!

HAPPY SUNDAY EVERYBODY!
~M.

Hey Saturday!

Happy Saturday Lovely Friends.....

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How was your week??

Ours was GREAT - a little bit warmer out, so we have been on our backyard skating rink!  AND - this afternoon I leave for a big Sunday Ski in Wisconsin!!!  The Birkie Tour - I can hardly WAIT!!!  Pitures from The Birkie coming next week!
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Here's a little catch up on life around here lately.....

Barbie Land was set up in our living room for about a week... even a pool and waterslide!  We have now cleaned it up, but  I am still stepping on itty bitty stilleto heels every once in a while -
Sweet Sasafrass that hurts!!!!   

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I got a haircut!!!  Out with the old and in with the new!

(this just in: I am a horrible "selfie" taker... sorry 'bout that)

 It's super easy! I ordered a few new Buff headbands on Amazon.com to try out!
~Cheers to New Years and a New Look!~
** While I had my hair cut, Josie took pictures on my phone of pretty brides in a bridal hair book!  I think it was probably from the 1980's and there are about 70 pictures on my phone of some stellar looks!  Anybody wanna come play dress-up with us???
{sidenote: she also got slightly yelled at by the hairdressers for pumping the chair up as high as it would go.... Yikes!  that night in the bathtub we had a little Come to Jesus meeting about how she got yelled at and I told her that she needed to just pray for the nice ladies that were perhaps just having a bad day, or had just gotten a bad haircut and raised their voice at her... it was a good lesson... amen.}
***
Hubby and I celebrated 7 years of wedded bliss last weekend! 
We had a little overnight getaway in our hometown, and went and saw Selma at the theatre!  This just in:  You. Must. Go. See. This. Movie!!!!
It is powerful, amazing, real, and beautifully done!  At several points in the movie I was crying.... To think that these things actually occured, and not that long ago... thank you Martin Luether King Jr.  for all of your passion and wisdom.
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My sis taught me how to knit in the round (circular needles - whoop whoop!) several weeks ago and I am THRILLED to report that it has gone AWESOME!!!!  Once I finish the cowl I am almost done with... I am going to get some yummy yarn and whip up a beanie...
My Pin-Spiration....

Find it Here

Find it Here

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!

Much Love,
~M.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 





FuNkY FrEsH!

Hi Friends!!!

So, the New Year is upon us... HAPPY 2015!!!!

 

***** Yaaay!!!*****

This is the time of year that I CRAVE color!!  Color in my home and color in my clothing - All Fall I focus on neutral colors and the yummy reds, golds, oranges.. etc.  And then Christmas hits and I am all about the RED and GREEN festivities!  Well, the tree is in the bonfire pit and the decorations are packed up, and did I mention that it is like 40 below zero here??? 

 So it's time to let er rip!

Let's EMBRACE the colors!!!!

I started out with some brand spanking new bright blue ski tights!  

Aaaarrrrriiiibbbbaaa!  

Thank you Athleta!!!

I also got a yummy buttery yellow top - it's scrumptious!

Once again, thanks to Athleta.... you rock my world!

p.s. if you see me in this get-up at Target more than one time this winter, just shake it off!  I think I may live in this outfit.  It's warm, cozy and bright! 

Here is some more "Pin-Spiring - colorful beauty for you to indulge in this morning - so grab your large mug of coffee and enjoy!

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Isn't he to die for!!!????

I want this hanging in my living room!

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When I walk into a yarn store, all of my control is left at the door.... I am like a small child in an antique store... I MUST touch everything!!!!!  Hold it up to my face... nuzzle the softness!  Kind of a freak!

 

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I want this collection of hats PLEASE!!!???

 

Have a BEAUTIFUL day!!!

xo,

~M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Happy 2015!!!!

Good Morning my dear friends!

I hope this finds you enjoying your 2nd official day the New Year and continuing to soak up all of the goodness that the holidays bring. 

We got to spend Christmas Eve and Day with our families - it was relaxing and filled with delicious and endless amounts of food, laughter and some outdoor adventures BUT unfortunatley ended in colds and flu.  But there is no better time to rest and snuggle up than Christmas break. 

{And I am happy to report that we are all doing MUCH better! 

ALLELUIA! This mama was getting just a little stir crazy and played one to many rounds of UNO!}

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Here's some pictures from our holiday....

Christmas morning we had our own little Yule Log in the backyard at Brian's parents home!  We burned a bunch of brush and visited around the very large fire!  Can you say FESTIVE?

 My sister made our hats!  Aren't they the BEST?!  THANKS INA!

 

 ~Christmas morning snugges from Grandpa Dave~

 

Ho Ho Ho

Merry Christmas - isn't this Santa fun!?

 

Twinkling tree awaiting the festivities!  

 

My helper - love the holly on her headband!

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Today we are heading to my sisters for some sledding and knitting (of course!)

More coming soon! 

Happy New Year -

Lots of love and goodness,

~M.

 

 

 

 



These are a few of my favorite things....

Happy Monday Friends, and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

 

I figure now is as good a time as any to re-vamp the old blog.  I have been feeling (Pin)spired lately and really missing this happy place of mine.  I scrolled back to the very beginning of This Little Life of Mine and my eyes filled with tears.... Josie was a rolly polly precious little baby - she is now a 5 year old that adores preschool, gymnastics, ice skating, dancing, anything having to do with American Girl Dolls and is a rocking good backup Christmas carol singer in the car!  She truly is a GEM! 

(this is NOT our ginormous dog - it is our daycare providers - he is a sweet teddy bear named Ambrose)

 

And we must not forget about Mr. Hubbling - he is my main squeeze and earned extra points when he shoveled off our marsh, set up lights and a warming house in our back yard - just call me Nancy Kerrigan (teeheehee!)

 

We have been having "Skate Dates" on our rink before supper!  It's the BEST EVER!

 

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Now it's on with the show!!!  What would a blog post be without some of Pinterest fun?

Here are a few of my FAVORITE THINGS that have been bringing me joy lately....

ENJOY!

 

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**I simply love vintage postcards like this!  It reminds me of a book that my grandma used to put out every year on her coffee table.  Memories like that are what make the holidays so special!  Don't you agree?**

 

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 Some knit goods, done by yours truly!!! 

My sweet friend Beth and I did a small craft show at the beginning of December, and I made my debut with knit baby hats and adult cowls - I even had fancy little tags on each one (THANK YOU BETHIE FOR YOUR ARTISTIC BLESSINGS) as well as vintage buttons and fancy fabulous ribbon (THANK YOU MAMA FOR THE RIBBON AND BUTTONS! and JoAnne fabrics!)

Isn't this the CUTEST tag EVER???

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I hope each and every one of you has a warm and happy Christmas - embrace those around you and take time to sit back and soak up the holiday season and all that it represents to you and your loved ones.

A Very Merry Christmas to YOU,

~M.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



I smell smoke!

So here's the thing:
I grew up terribly afraid of spending the night places.  My mama was 100% supportive of this and if I was asked to spend the night at a friends, she would just simply tell the parents that I could come for awhile, but we were going out of town the next day so I couldn't spend the night.  It was GENIUS!  Rarely did we EVER actually go out of town, by the way.... and if we did it was about 1 hour away to a Target and a TJ Maxx!  (Not that either one of those are a bad thing... Love me some Target and TJ Maxx)  ANYWAYS, so let me take you back to 8th grade.....

1. Still afraid to spend the night anyplace (seriously!)
2. I had about 2 friends and was taller than all of the boys in my class.
3. We had to go on a mandatory sleep over to a camp as a class.  (SOOOO NOT OK!)

This just completely set me up for disaster ~ there is no other way to put it.  But there I was, on the bus, on my way to the camp in the middle of nowhere!  Pardon me while I go and take some Robitussin - flashbacks!
I can PROUDLY say that I successfully spent the 1st night (there may or may not have been some Benadryl involved, but that is SO NOT THE POINT!) The next day we got dropped off in the woods in groups of 3 with a map and a compass (again, with the Robitussin) - I mean seriously people!  I remember it was raining, muddy, slippery and Praise the LORD I had group members that knew what they were doing or I would still be out there sucking my thumb and befriending squirrels.  By that evening I was a bit of a hot mess and ready to be done!  Not. Even. Kidding.  So there I sit in my cabin.  Me and my 2 friends.  Rehashing the days hideousness, when lo and behold we start to smell cigarette smoke!!!  (Cue the horror on my face!  Girlfriend has allergies and slight asthma AND is not a rule breaker... I was a freak of nature people!!!)... we sent down a brave little warrior from our group to go and inspect and sure enough some of the girls had smuggled in cigarettes in their bras and were smoking and it was coming up thru the heat vents.

Now, let's just remember that I was in 8th grade.  A nerd.  Uncomfortable in my pimpled skin AND ready to go home.... so I went to the first adult I laid eyes on and spilled the beans ~ Big TIME!  Don't be a hater y'all...... my glands were swollen, my nose was congested and I was SO OVER IT!  Enough said.
One of the chaperone's gave me a ride home ~ Hasta La Vista campground.... Kiss My GRITS! 
Fast forward to that next Monday.  Homeroom.  Word on the street was that the gang of Marlboro gals from downstairs at camp were going to kick. my. booty.  Let's just say I ran like I was being mugged from class to class for the following week and a half!  Legs flailing, backpack swinging.... I was a sight!  But hey, they NEVER caught me! Sorry ladies!
xo,
Red

p.s. I still run like I did in the 8th grade.
p.s.s. I still don't know how to use a compass.

tonight...

 

Tonight.....

 

 

we played treasure hunt (you wore your new bathingsuit and I wore clothing), did our fingernails (bright pink for you and dark red for mama) and ate cereal for a bedsnack (Lucky Charms, what else is there!?)

The perfect end to a day.

Love you sweet babe,

Your Mama (aka "Red")