Eventful Sunday

The two of us have had quite an eventful Sunday!

Our day started at about 5 am when we had to wake up to get ready to head to Amy's 2nd half marathon.

The weather in Chicago is always an interesting experience, and this Sunday was no exception.  The start time got changed multiple times, and ended up starting pretty early due to the heat predicted for the day.

Amy was all decked out in her pink to make sure she was easily seen.  She will update more on the race in a couple of days, but, long story short, the weather was too warm for running, but pretty great for cheering!

We-are-family!

After the race, coffee was indeed a necessity.

Soon enough, it was time to head home for naps and relaxation.  Amy, however, had promised dinner to Matt and Ashley in exchange for them being super helpful by picking up her race packet.  Enter a restaurant Amy  has been wanting to try for quite awhile: Which Wich!

We had intended to do a New Recipe Night, but a 5 am start to the day just did not give us the motivation to cook.  So, we called this a New Restaurant Night. We all agreed we would definitely go back.  You get a cute little bag and fill out everything you want on your sandwich.  Amy was thrilled to have her black bean burger after a couple days of carbing up!

How was your Sunday?

Is it hot where you are?

Sisters through photography

I want to take the time to focus on part of the reason the title of this blog is "Sisters, Spaces and Stuff"  more-so the SISTER aspect of that.  Throughout our lives Amy and I have been compared and told how similar we are.  I think we're very different in many ways but in some ways exactly alike.   In my post last week, feeling like everything was spinning out of control, Amy took the initiative and in one way that we are similar we turned to dessert to feel better and on our "fro yo outing"  I began to feel much better about everything.   So I'll take this opportunity to write a little bit about what it means to be a sister and to HAVE a sister.

 Being a sister is....

•                  Never worrying about not having a friend because you always will.
•                  Kind of like a live in memory book... if I've forgotten, chances are she's remembered.
•                  Someone who doesn't think you're weird because she probably has some of the same querks as  you do...

                               

•                  It's an easy shoe in for choosing the maid of honor in your wedding, and knowing she will do a good job with her duties.

• A sister is motivation

• A go to person
• Someone you are able to laugh with about stupid things (like flipping off the couch) when we were kids in the house while trying not to get caught by our parents.
• Like a mirror image of yourself even if you're as different as hamburgers and hot dogs...

•                 A built in cheerleader.... even when its cold and rainy out.   

•     Someone that will (almost) always forgive you after a fight

and when

shes more than likely going to remind me   = )

This week roles have reversed... if you noticed last week I didn't have a photo challenge

so....my challenge to Amy is to : Give me a challenge for next week.  = )

Ok next weeks challenge is:  Something you didn't expect.

101 Foods

Just the other day, I was chatting about all the foods I refused to eat as a kid, but now, as an adult, really like (or at least am willing to eat).  Then, I stumbled upon this post on Reads, Recipes, Runs, and I figured it would make a great weekend post for me and the picky-eating sister!  :)

At least she's a good sport on New Recipe Night!

This is a list of 100 rather obscure foods, and we're going to see if we've tried them.  I'll go ahead and admit from the start that I had to look up MANY of these!

1. Abalone: No thank you.
2. Absinthe: Nope
Amy: All I can think of it the movie Moulin Rouge, and it freaks me out that I'll see a little green fairy, haha.
3. Alligator: Nope...where do you even get that?
4. Baba Ghanoush: Nope...wow...not a very good record so far...
5. Bagel and Lox: Nope
Amy: I'm a sweet breakfast kind of girl.
Ashley:  I'm pretty partial to plain bagels..boring I know
6. Baklava:
Amy: Yes!  YUM!
Ashley:  Nope not here.
7. Barbecue Ribs: Yes!  I feel bad for anyone who has to say no to this one.
8. Bellini: Actually, no.
9. Bird’s Nest Soup: Nope.  Had to look this one up.  Was appalled.
Ashley: Haven't had it and i'm not brave enough to look it up... eesh
10. Biscuits and Gravy:
Amy: YES!  LOVE this stuff.  If only it wasn't so terrible for you!  (And yes, I just realized that this completely contradicts my previous statement about being a sweet breakfast kind of girl.)
Ashley:  I've had it and believe it or not, everyone thinks i'm weird that I do NOT like it... i'm not a fan of any breakfast meats (bacon, sausage...)
11. Black Pudding: No.  Another clueless one.
12. Black Truffle: Nope.  Isn't this stuff like wicked expensive?
13. Borscht: Another one that scares me for some reason.
14. Calamari:
Amy: Yep, but not a big fan.  Weird texture.
Ashley:  No Thanks!  I don't even like the smell.
15. Carp:
Amy: Probably, but I don't know for sure.
Ashley:  Nope, I'm very aware of the type of food I'm eating.
16. Caviar:
Amy: I remember way back in 4th grade we got to try things like this because a parent brought it in.  I also remember I had to call my mom to see if I was allergic to any of it, haha.  I don't remember how it tasted at all though.
Ashley:  Nope...better off giving it to someone else.
17. Cheese Fondue:
Amy: Yep.  Made it myself.  Rock star!
Ashley: Yep, thats one thing I do like!
18. Chicken and Waffles:
Amy: Nope.  I'm such a carb-o-holic, that, if put in front of me, I would probably pick around the chicken to get to the waffles.  Kind of like eating only the outside of the corn dog.  It's logic.
Ashley:  Chicken and Waffles??? Makes no sense to me.  Chicken is one food that doesn't go with Breakfast like waffles.
19. Chicken Tikka Masala: Nope.
20. Chile Relleno: Another nope.
21. Chitlins: No, does not sound appealing.  At. All.
22. Churros:
Amy: Yes.  They used to serve these at my school, and I would get hot lunch that day just for that reason.  If it's amazing even in a school cafeteria, you know it's good stuff!
Ashley:  Yep, fantastic!
23. Clam Chowder:
Amy: Kind of shocked that I'm just realizing this, but no.
Ashley:  Whoa I've tried something that Amy has not!  I wasn't a fan.
24. Cognac: Nope.
25. Crab Cakes:
Amy: Yes, and it was just OK.  I'm not a big crab person.
Ashley:  No thanks.
26. Crickets:
Amy: No, although they did have them at my school this week, and I considered giving it a shot.  Considered is the operative word here.
Ashley:  I don't think i'd even consider it.
27. Currywurst: Nope, not a curry fan.
28. Dandelion Wine: Nope.
29. Dulce De Leche:
Amy: Does it count in cake form?
30. Durian: Never heard of it.
31. Eel: Not brave enough for that one yet.
Ashley: Will never be brave enough!!
32. Eggs Benedict:
Amy: For an egg lover, I'm shocked that I have not.
Ashley:  I'm definatly NOT an egg fan like my sister!
33. Fish Tacos:
Amy: Quite possibly my favorite kind of taco.  Not fried though.
Ashley:  I can't get brave enough to try them.
34. Foie Gras: Nope.  Not sure I'm classy enough.
35. Fresh Spring Rolls: Nope.
36. Fried Catfish:
Amy: Yep, at an amazing soul food place in Nashville.  It was, well, amazing.
Ashley:  No thanks.. not a fish person either!
37. Fried Green Tomatoes: Nope.
38. Fried Plantain: Nope
Ashley:  Not fried but I have tried a Plantain.
39. Frito Pie:
Amy: Yes, but not actually in the bag.  Blah.
Ashley:  Again nope
40. Frogs’ Legs:
Amy: Yes, at a cheap-o Chinese buffet in a college town.  Really did taste like chicken.
Ashley:  Frogs' Legs Amy really?  No thank you here.
41. Fugu: Nope! Another one to add to the look-up list!
42. Funnel Cake: And another one to add to the list of things I would have to feel bad for you if you hadn't tried.
Ashley:  yummy!
43. Gazpacho: Does it count when we used to stir up our melty sherbet so it was like soup?  Haha... (We were awesome kids)
44. Goat: Nope. 
45. Goat’s Milk: And nope.
46. Goulash: I don't think so.
Ashley:  No thanks
47. Gumbo:
Amy: Yes, but I don't remember anything about it, haha.
Ashley: Tried it, wasnt a fan because the kind I tried was very spicy.
48. Haggis: No thank you.  Yuck.
49. Head Cheese: Again, no thank you.
50. Heirloom Tomatoes:
Amy: Yep, tomatoes are finally starting to grow on me.
Ashley:  I have tried them, I like tomatoes.
51. Honeycomb:
Amy: I think I tried this on the same day I tried caviar.
Ashley:  The only honeycomb I will eat is cereal  = )
53. Hostess Fruit Pie:
Amy: Only remember ever being able to eat half.  But these were generally off limits in the fridge, because they were for dad's lunch.  :)
Ashley:  AGREE with Amy!! I didn't like them though because I don't like pie.

54. Huevos Rancheros:
Amy: Another shocking no for my egg-lover self.
Ashley:  sounds like heartburn waiting to happen.
55. Jerk Chicken:
Amy: Yep.  Nothing special.  Perhaps I haven't had the good stuff?
Ashley: Tried some of Matts before, not a fan.
56. Kangaroo: No, just had a vision of the one from Winnie the Pooh and it made me sad, haha.
57. Key Lime Pie:
Amy: Yes.  Not a lime fan.
Ashley:  Yeah it was too tart!
58. Kobe Beef:
Amy: I think so.  Again, no big impact on me.
Ashley:  Nope I havn't
59. Lassi:
Amy: Nope, I'm too cheap.
Ashley:  All I can think of when I see lassi is the .25 cent goldfish that my mom called Lassi when we were kids....
60. Lobster:
Amy: Yep.  Kind of feel the same way I feel about crab.
Ashley:  Tried and I didn't like the smell or taste.
61. Mimosa:
Amy: Nope.  Not an orange juice fan.
Ashley:  Yep I've tried them a few times.  Pretty good but can't drink much because I'm not that big of an OJ fan either.
62. MoonPie:
Amy: I think so?
Ashley:  I think so too?
63. Morel Mushrooms:
Amy: Nope, not a big mushroom person.
Ashley:  I can't even stand the thought of a mushroom.
64. Nettle Tea: Nope.
65. Octopus: Can't stand the way it looks.
Ashley:  I cant even try it because its just a cute sea creature.
66. Oxtail Soup: No thank you.
67. Paella:
Amy: No, but have thought about making it.
Ashley:  What is it?
68. Paneer: No...I feel like I need to be more cultured!
69. Pastrami on Rye:
Amy: Actually, no.
Ashley:  Yep I've tried!  Not good.
70. Pavlova: Nope.
71. Phaal: No, another curry situation.
72. Philly Cheese Steak:
Amy: I suppose yes, but never a "real" one.
Ashley:  Nope
73. Pho: Nope.  (Ashley: but for some reason I am really wondering how people come up with these names and Matt keeps asking me why i'm smiling at my computer)
74. Pineapple and Cottage Cheese:
Amy: No, but I might need to try it, like today!
Ashley:  Yep!  I didn't like them mixed but I sure do like them seperate.

Now I'm craving pineapple salsa...great.

75. Pistachio Ice Cream:
Amy: Shockingly enough, I'm not much of an ice cream eater.
Ashley:  Yep I have and I was pretty concerned by the fact its like neon green.
76. Po’ Boy:
Amy: I am, however, a sandwich eater, so yes!
Ashley:  Nope never had it.
77. Pocky:
Amy: No, but I often look at it curiously.  :)
Ashley:  I think I HAVE tried this but I may be thinking something else.
78. Polenta:
Amy: No, but definitely want to try it.  Just don't know how to cook it.
Ashley:  What ever happened to normal food?  = )
79. Prickly Pear:
Amy: Another one from caviar day.  Who knew 4th grade would come in so handy?  :)
Ashley:  Nope
80. Rabbit Stew: No...but maybe if I ever visit District 12.  :)
Ashley:  Sweet Answer Amy!
81. Raw Oysters: Ew, no.
82. Root Beer Float: Yep, yum!
Amy: Remember those popsicles that used to get stuck to our tongues?  Haha!
Ashley:  Yes I remember and it hurt so bad when Mom had to get them off. 
83. S’mores: Uh, yes.  Add it to the list of things we'll feel bad for you for.
84. Sauerkraut:
Amy: Yes.  On a total rueben kick lately.
Ashley:  Amy, I laughed that you just said Rueben... and I do NOT like Sauerkraut.
85. Sea Urchin: Nope.
86. Shark: No.  We need expand our seafood horizons.  :)
Ashley:  I'm very content with my almost nonexistant seafood horizons. 
87. Snail:
Amy: My first thought is "I don't think so," but I'm pretty sure this is somethign I would remember.
88. Snake: No, thank you!
89. Soft Shell Crab: No; kind of creeps me out.
Ashley:  All of these creatures don't belong on plates!
90. Som Tam: Nope.  Actually never even had papaya (yep, I looked it up!).
91. Spaetzle: No, and that puts our German culture to shame.
92. Spam: No, and not sad about it.
93. Squirrel: No...but it wasn't far away with the multiple squirrels I have nearly run over this weekend, haha.
Ashley:  Amy remember that Squirrels have families too!!
94. Steak Tartare: Eek!  No!
95. Sweet Potato Fries: Uh, yes!  Addicted!
96. Sweetbreads: No...who on Earth decided to name something so yucky after something that sounds so good?
97. Tom Yum: Nope.
98. Umeboshi: Another nope.
99. Venison: Our dad is a hunter, so yes.  Yearly, in fact.  Yum!
100. Wasabi Peas:
Amy: I don't do wasabi.  Or peas.  So no.  :)
Ashley:  No Wasabi but I don't mind peas.
101. Zucchini Flowers: Nope.  Intrigued though.
Ashley:  Just recently tried regular Zucchini.

Our totals?
Amy: 32.  Not as bad as I thought!
Ashley: 19... out of 101?  Oh goodness... but like Amy mentioned I'm picky and I think after some of the things I know I havent tried, i'm very content with my "normal" staples... plain Multigrain Cheerios here I come!!

Any interesting stories about some of these foods?
Did you have to look up as many as I did?  :)

These are a few of our favorite things!

Weekends are for sister dates (both on our blog and in real life, haha).  After a fun "sister date" yesterday (Amy and I went to see The Hunger Games movie and then enjoyed some delicious dinner at Cheesecake Factory).  We've decided to do a blog about some of our favorite things!!


Favorite book:
Ashley:  I'm a fan of all books written by Nicholas Sparks, but my favorite of his is The Rescue.
Amy: No surprise that I became a middle school English teacher when you hear my favs:  Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott, and The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton.


Favorite food:
Ashley:  Pasta!
Amy: It's probably the world's most boring answer, but I LOVE bread.  I could seriously make a meal of it, if I didn't know anything about nutrition and was OK with being hungry within an hour, lol.

Favortie article of clothing:
Ashley:  I love my NIU hoodies, warm and cozy!
Amy: I LOVE long tank tops...not sure why.


Favorite time of day:
Ashley:  I like evenings, about 7pm, because the work day is over, most times dinner is made, eaten and cleaned up, and I can relax and reflect on the day. If it was a good day I like telling Matt the funny stories; if it wasn't that great of a day I usually just enjoy some quiet time.
Amy: I started off saying a "ditto" to Ashley's, but when I think about it, I am becoming more and more of a morning person.  Nothing better than my quiet time on weekends eating breakfast and drinking coffee.


Favorite thing to do:
Ashley:  Lately I've really enjoyed having time to read books and of course blogs!
Amy: I really like going on long walks and talking with people I care about...cheesy, I know.

Favorite vacation spot:
Ashley: I haven't been on many vacations too far from home.  One place that I know I look forward to is Wisconsin.   Matt and I go to Vegas this week, my first time on an airplane and my first time in Vegas! 
Amy: The more I think about it, the more amazing I think New York is.  I would love to go back...but I have lots of other places to check off my list first!

Favorite spot to be in your house:
Ashley:  I am most comfortable in the living room or my bedroom if I want quiet.
Amy: I love my little corner spot on the couch.  My bed is also pretty awesome.  And...I love sitting on my back porch on a nice day.  Hm...I pretty much like all the places in my house!  :)

Favorite item in your posession:
Ashley:  My photo albums are by far my favorites becuase I put a lot of work into all of them, and I enjoy looking through pictures over and over.
Amy: Hmm...well I pretty much love my Kindle.  I do, however, have little items that make me think of different people that I find really special.  My birthstone ring, my maid of honor book from Ashley's wedding, etc.

Favorite childhood memory:
Ashley:  I have many favorite memories, but I think that my favorite would be being able to go back outside to play after dinner in the summer because it stayed light outside until almost 9pm.
Amy: The first ones to pop into my head were having indoor picnics with my mom and Ashley and playing games with my Dad.  :)

Favorite TV show:
Ashley:  Total fan of The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars.
Amy: Right now, I am sooo into The Biggest Loser.  I'm also quite the Gleek!  :)

Favorite movie:
Ashley:  I could watch and rewatch the movie UP.  Its so cute and such a good story.
Amy: I'm not a huge movie person, but I really like Batman Begins, Shakespeare in Love, and the Transformers movies.  Quite an interesting mix...huh?

Favorite work out:
Ashley:  I like going for walks... I'm almost to the point where I might start doing my Couch to 5k program.  I'm following the plan I found here.
Amy: Running.  Hands down.  Although I do miss spin class!

Favorite accessory:
Ashley:  The necklace that Amy made me for Christmas!  She blogged about them on this post.
Amy: My go-to is always my knock-off (oops...secret's out!) Tiffany's necklace that looks like a ribbon.  I get lots of compliments on it, and it has an important meaning for me.


Favorite cosmetic must-have:
Ashley:  Eye liner!  I never used to wear it, but now I feel like my eyes look tired if I don't use it to open them up.
Amy: Mascara.  If I'm not wearing it, I feel like I look sick.

Favorite part of your job:  
Ashley:  Making memories.
Amy: Those unexpected moments when you realize you're making a difference.

Favorite thing to do on a summer day:
Ashley: It doesn't happen often, but a few times a summer Matt and I will go to the zoo... it's super fun! 
Amy: Sit outside with people I love and chat.  So relaxing!

These are just some of our favorite things (shout out to Julie Andrews!), now we want to know what are some of your favorite things??

Random Sister Facts

This weekend, we went on a lovely sister date to see The Vow.  Of course, we forgot to take pictures.  Afterward, we went back to Ashley and Matt's house and chatted about a bunch of random things we did as kids.  So, I figured this would be a good time to post some random stuff you might not know about us!

1. When we were little, people thought we were twins.  Not sure why though.

2. We love country music.  We get it from our dad.

3. This picture shows a RARE occasion when Ashley has let me play with her hair.  Generally, these situations involve her squirming away and taking out whatever I did to her hair only minutes later.  This may or may not have something to do with the time I tried to pluck her eyebrows and got some skin...oops.

4. We are on a never-ending quest to find a set of clown salt-and-pepper shakers at an antique store that make us laugh every time.  How's that for random?

5. We find it rather hilarious to pose like we had to in our first-day-of-school pictures as kids.  We do this often.  And it does not get old...at least to us.

6. Ashley has some mad skills at rapping like M.I.A., and it makes Amy laugh every time she hears the song.

7. We will take just about any opportunity to take a rockstar picture at a special event.

Bridal showers included.

8. We like to hide random, rather ugly objects among each other's stuff in order to get rid of them.  A certain snowman sweatshirt comes to mind.  Our mom is generally the mastermind behind this plan.

9. We rarely fight.  This is rather shocking if you knew my sister's temper.  :)

10. We like to sing...obnoxiously.  I'm sure Matt greatly appreciates this.

Your turn!  Tell us something random about you!





We Showered Today

Today was a pretty awesome day.  I (really, I should say "Ashley and I," because she was a HUGE help) threw a baby shower for our very good friend, Amanda, who was my roommate in college.

To start, there was a "shower" theme for a couple of reasons.  1.) It goes along with the baby's nickname, and 2.) the Mom to Be is a weather geek.  :)

Food

I served a couple different types of salsa, including a pineapple version, since pineapple has been the MtB's biggest craving, which I found here.

There was all sorts of other good stuff, like veggie pizza, cupcakes, and fruit salsa with cinnamon chips.  And, of course, chocolate pretzel buttons.  And lots of them.

And I am left with way, WAY too many leftover cupcakes.  Plan to bring them to my dad tomorrow.  :)

Games

I went sort of low-key on the games, since I don't have a ton of space.  On the invitation, I asked each guest to bring a onesie that represents herself.  The Mom to Be had to guess who brought which onesie.  It was fun, and Amanda did a great job guessing!

I also made a quick little trivia game in which the Mom to Be answered questions and the guests had to guess how she would answer.  Ashley got the idea from another shower she went to recently.

Craftiness

Our Pinterest addiction led us to several fun ideas that we worked on for the big day.

My favorite was this one.

Not sure why I never repinned it, but I saw this idea on a wedding pinboard.  The tree goes great with the theme for the baby's room, so I had each guest label her thumbprint on the tree.  It turned out really cute!

This pin led me to try to make clouds with raindrops.  They didn't turn out quite as adorable as the pin, but cute nonetheless!

Ashley came up with the great favor idea of making little raindrops out of tulle and m&m's and putting a cocktail umbrella on top.  Adorable!

Aside from all the fun and craftiness, we had the awesome opportunity to catch up with some friends from college that we very rarely see.  We ended up extended the party by several hours just to chat.  What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon?

Today was just one of those great days that is all about someone really special to you who deserves the best.  I will definitely go to bed with a smile on my face tonight!

What did YOU do this weekend?

Old Memories

I've been thinking more about WHY I want to pursue this love for photography and didn't have any trouble realizing why it is so important to me-- simply put, the memories.  A photo (good or bad) provides a memory; it tells a story; it's a description in some sense.   Even if a memory may be one we want to forget, there may come a day when you feel the desire to have the memory resurface. 

As many people in the general area and across the world have heard, on February 14, 2008 the world of Northern Illinois University was shaken.  As Alma Mater to both Amy and myself, as well as most of our friends, it hit close to home.  I was on the campus of NIU that day, so this week was the anniversary of this heart breaking day, and it has made me appreciate the memories I have of college.  Some are great, some are not, but each one tells me a story, which to me is extremely important. 

Since I have felt the need to take a break from my camera this week, I haven't taken many photos to add to this post but along with my photos come my memories so I've picked a few photos that tell an important story to me.

A photo of me as a child feeding a baby doll.  This is around the age I established that when I grew up I wanted to be a mom.  While I have no children of my own, I still carry on the passion of working with children.  A photo to begin years of memories...at the time this photo was taken no one could have told me that it would be a preview of what my life would be 20 years later.

Sorry about the way this photo is presented, it has been scanned and cropped and now wont present correctly.   Anyway, this is a photo showing me as Amy's "mirror" a way to show I've always looked up to my sister.  Little did we know at this time we would be so much alike yet different in so many ways. 

There is not enough ways to describe the memories depicted in old photographs, but I find it amazing to think that the same photo has so many different meanings to every person who looks at it! 

That, my friends, is WHY I want to take this photography thing and run with it!


Amy's Photo Challenge!
Challenge:  A photo of something I like to spend my free time doing... to which I'll also provide you this picture of the cover of the book The Hunger Games (more information found here.)  a recommended read by you guessed it....

Amy!

So here you have it... I love to spend my free time READING!!

Until next time....

Alright sis...for next week's challenge, I'd like to see a picture that prominently shows your favorite color.

Have you read The Hunger Games?  Who's excited for the movie?

Bucket List

If you're a Pinterest junkie like we are, you know of the trend that is sparking up of people pinning their bucket lists.  There are all sorts of cool pictures on the Perfect Bucket List blog to pin if you want to check them out.  To end the weekend, we thought we'd lay out some of the things on our bucket lists.  We'll start with Amy.

Write a letter to yourself and open it in 10 years.

I did this one just recently.  It was actually really fun, and now I have it hidden away in my "special things" box with the date I'm allowed to open it.  It should be really cool to read when I'm 37.

Run a marathon.

My good friend Amanda and I are in agreement on Chicago Marathon 2013.  It will certainly be epic!

Adopt a puppy.

I'm itching to get one.  My friend at work loves to send me pictures of adorable dogs to adopt.  I'm just dragging my feet with it comes to taking the leap.

Learn fluent sign language.

Sign language has always fascinated me, so I can't wait to find the time to truly learn.

Find someone who will treat me right.

Cheesiest item on my list, but it's there.  Does it count as a bucket list item if fate/luck is in charge?

Get a matching tattoo with my sister.

This. is. happening.  And Mom will probably not be happy.  :)

So I (Ashley) also have a "bucket list" board on Pinterest and some important things on my list are as follows...

Reach my Goal Weight:  Which is part of my New Years resolution this year (establishing a workout routine that I like)

Open my own business : What can I say I like to be my own boss... and with as many goals and aspirations I have in my life what better way to do that is opening my own Early Childhood program.

Own a nice camera:  The goal of all of my photography blogging...

I'd also LOVE to see and photograph a pack of wild horses.  I think animals in their natural habitat is an awesome thing to see and one thing you can't see at the zoo (yes I know the zoo is not natural for the animals)  is a pack of wild horses.

and to combine a few on my bucket list into one

Have a healthy pregnancy, have a son AND a daughter and be a good parent.  

of course... get a matching tattoo with my sister, and no Mom will not be happy  = )

C'mon, Mom...you know it will be awesome!

Check It Off the To-Do List!

I've said it once, and I'll say it again...my sister rocks.

I'm a pretty independent person, but there are some things I just can't get accomplished on my own.  This weekend, I really wanted to get a couple of just such things checked off my to-do list, so Ashley was kind enough to come over and give me a helping hand.

This was the state of my living room as of yesterday morning.  Pretty boring.  I'm hosting a baby shower for my good friend in a couple of weeks, and I wanted to pretty this place up!  Plus, the art I got for Christmas has been sitting on my floor for two months now...time to put 'er up!

The spacing was complicated, which is where Ashley came in.  She helped eyeball it...

...and was great at helping me remember numbers as I measured. :)

I am loving the finished product!  (Sorry for the glare...working on learning to take pics with the new phone.)  So far, they have not fallen off the wall.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Thanks again for the help, sis!  I am one lucky girl.

Did anyone knock some good stuff off the to-do list this weekend?

Resolutions Update

Can you believe it's already the end of January!  It seems like just yesterday we were posting about our 2012 goals/resolutions.  Being a month into the year, we thought it would a good idea to update on the goals we set...also to help remind and motivate us!

Amy's up first...

1. Actually complete either my workout room or my office.  No progress made on this one so far.  It's on the financial to-do list for March, after I throw my friend's baby shower and hopefully pay off a student loan.

2. Start a retirement savings account.  Again, no progress.  This one will pop up after the office is finished.

3. Run a sub-2:00 half marathon.  Starting to get nervous about this one, but I know it's too early for nerves.  The shin splints are back, and I'm not sure what it's going to do to my training (I've got my eyes on a May race, so would need to start training fairly soon).

4. Run a race in every season.  So far, so good...sort of.  I'm signed up for a Superbowl Shuffle 5K next weekend.  After that, planning on talking to the doctor about the evil shin splints, and then running a half in May.  Just haven't signed up yet.

Both of our teams are out this year...may as well run before the Superbowl (and then go eat some wings, obviously)!

5. Go meatless one day per week. Check. So far, so good!

Resolution: To spend more time appreciating what I have than worrying about what I don't.  I have my good days and bad days...but most are good.  Glad for the reminder though!

And Ashley...

Goals:
1.  Finish painting my house:  No progress made on this yet, being our house is new construction it had to be looked over and any issues with the construction had to be fixed by the builder... that took MUCH longer than planned and the work was only sub-par to me so we are currently fighting to have the work re-done...this time BETTER!  Paint will come soon after.

2.  Establish a workout routine that I look forward to following:  So far I've been seeing what is out there...  I've been able to get out for a few long walks that made me feel good about myself and I plan on trying to start the "Couch to 5K plan" found here.  I feel it is worth a try but I'm not going to hurt myself if I discover I'm just not a runner.

3.  Organize my life:  Working super hard on this and so far so good!! Very proud of myself.

and my resolution- To get in touch with old friends.    I haven't gotten in touch with many old friends YET, but I have tried to see the positive in people even if they aren't or have never been my friend.






How are you doing on your 2012 goals/resolutions?

Ch-Ch-Changes

Ashley and I have been talking, and we finally decided to give our blog a little shift in focus.

When we started this blog, we were inspired by blogs like Young House Love and wanted to take a DIY/decorating approach.

While we really love to do crafty stuff, we just don't have time to make it enough of a priority to really focus our blog on it.

Case in point...the window frosting project that has been only partially completed since July.  Way to go Amy.

So, we had a talk about what each of us would love to blog about and how to work them together so we can still blog together.

I could spend hours in front of running/healthy living blogs like Hungry Runner Girl and Carrots 'n Cake.

Ashley, on the other hand, loves to spend her time looking for photography ideas and honing her skills at it.

With our new year's goals/resolutions in mind, we decided to make this blog more about finding a balance between what is necessary (work, being healthy, etc.) and what makes us happy (photography, running, going on random adventures, etc.).

You had better believe we will still be making time for New Recipe Night...balance, people!

We still don't have a definitive answer as to what this blog is "about."  Here is what we know:

• I will post at least once a week about something health/nutrition/running related that interests me.
• Ashley will post at least once a week about something photography related (we have a fun little challenge up our sleeves).
• Each week we will post something random that we have done together...because that is how we roll!

Eventually, we might be able to categorize this blog.  But maybe not!  Time will tell, and we hope you follow along for the ride!

Color Me Mine

For my bachelorette party , Amy had the idea of going to a place called Color Me Mine  Where you can choose a piece of pottery and paint it how you wish.  After about a week you pick up your finished piece.  Amy and I had hoped to make it to Color Me Mine to pick and paint something for our mom for a Christmas gift.  We didn't make it to paint something for her so we decided to let her choose for herself and we made a mother/daughter day out of it. 

This is my bowl when in progress.

Amy chose to make a large mug as a memoir of her first half marathon.  She also painted the mileage on the mug.

Our Mom chose a mug as well but hers was more for fun rather than to remember something special to her. 

Complete! 

We've agreed that Color Me Mine is a fun place to go on a rainy (or snowy) day.  Whether you have a vision of the product you want to accomplish at the end or not its a good way to use your creative side!