A Picnicking We'll Go!

This time of year I get so excited about being able to be outside in the warm weather. And my favorite kind of meals are the kind that are delicious, and easy, and you don't have to clean up. So, when you pair those loves all together, you very simply get the answer...picnics!

I think sometimes we can get trapped by the thought that it's just too much to get together, and not enough time to do it. But with a few helpful hints, I think that this "out to eat" plan is a lot more simple than we realize...not to mention affordable!

1. I like to keep a stash of reusable plastic dishes and cups in my favorite picnic "basket" for whenever the mood strikes. (It's also great to have a little travel size of hand sanitizer and napkins or wipes in there so you're totally prepped!) Usually I keep mine on top of my fridge, so that I can just grab it and fill it with whatever goodies I have on hand. (Not to mention, it makes my kitchen have another little pop of color!)

2. Grab your favorite quilt to either have a gorgeous tablecloth or just to be able to cop a squat somewhere outside. If you don't have one, hunt one down on etsy! There are some that are simply delicious.

3. I try to keep a few things on hand that are easy "on the go" healthy snacks. I very rarely make sandwiches for every person and individually wrap up everyone's food. I just grab a couple apples, some cheese, hummus, the bag of pretzels, some baby carrots, and to be really fun and fancy, I love to throw in some french soda! Once you throw those all in your tote, you have yourself a little french picnic!

4. If you're really doing it up, check out these award-winning picnic recipes. You'd be sure to impress your guests!

5. One great thing about being outside together, is that you're more likely to play together! The Ogo sport disc is a family friendly game that can be used in a variety of ways. This was a Christmas present we gave to our kids this past year, and we all love it! You can play frisbee, catch, bouncing water balloons, or just to be silly!

6. Another timeless favorite is the hula hoop. These fun hoops are handmade and collapsable...not to mention will work those love handles right off!!! (can I get an amen!)

Let me hear if you have any awesome picnic tips!

You Gals Know How To Party

Well, you sure know how to make a girl happy. Thanks, y'all for the support with all the changes! As you can see, I have a problem with change. Did anyone see how many different backgrounds I have had in only 3 days!!!??? Seriously, if you can guess that, I think I might have to give you a prize. Oh my goodness.

I do the same thing when I rearrange a room in my house. Sometimes I make my husband stay up with me until wee hours of the morning, just to get it done exactly right. Oh, wait...that's what I did tonight, too! I love him so much.

Ok, so onto the fun part. **(ok, just to let you know...i just typed "party" when i went to type "part" and had to backspace. that's how engrained it is in me!!!)** Sorry...I digress.

Drumroll please....

The lucky winner was EMILY C !!! Yay girl! Good things come to those who follow! ;)

So excited to be on this little journey with you all. Thanks for making this transition such a fun time!

Celebrating Change with a Give Away!

Ever since I started this blog, I've been having a blog identity crisis. Well, no more. I'm deciding (kind of with a heavy heart) to combine my two blogs. Eeeekkk. I know, I need therapy.

I've been posting over at A Resting Place for several years, now, and part of me feels like I'm quitting on her. But, really, I just want the two to become one. Now, I sound like I'm coaching one of my newly engaged couples.

This morning, as I was trying to sit and write a post that would be meaningful and encouraging, I kept being interrupted. The three year olds kept needing something, the kitchen was a disaster, and I had a meeting in an hour. After about 10 interruptions, I frustratingly hit the quit button. It made me realize that trying to keep up 2 blogs just isn't possible right now.

As is my custom, I can't incur a transition without celebrating it. So, I'm going to throw my first party over here. I'm giving away one of my super cute and BRAND NEW mini market totes. See and drool...

If you haven't noticed these amazing market totes, they are the best things ever. I use my big ones all the time, and this new size is just so cute. Perfect for picnics, graduation gifts, bridesmaids gifts, or just leaving in your car to bring all your junk to and from your house. Not only that, but I'm gonna throw in a funky charm bracelet just to make it a little more enticing.

Now, to make this transition fun for me (because you know it has to be fun for me, too!) I'm asking that you "follow" this blog and then leave a comment letting me know which mini market you would want! If you're super competitive and want an extra entry, link back to this post from your blog, and then comment to let me know you did the "extra credit". (And if you are already a follower, just leave a comment, and I'll still enter you!) You have til' midnight on Thursday the 20th to link up. I'll announce the winner on Friday!

Change isn't always easy, but I know that with your help, even this little change in my life could be a really great way to celebrate everyday life. Now go check out all the other great ways to celebrate the gifts of the everyday over at Emily's! Tuesdays (Unwrapped) have become one of my favorite days of the week.

Oh, and I can't wait to tell you about the graduation party I designed last weekend!!

Strawberry Fields Forever

I know it seems like I won't get off the strawberry subject, but I just can't help myself. For the past several years, we have gone strawberry picking with my sister and her kids. You can read more about why this is such a special tradition here, but I won't go into all the sappiness again this year. It's always a really fun time, and we love being able to keep the tradition. I made a delicious fresh strawberry cake that was beautiful, and was devoured so quickly that I didn't even have time to take any pictures!

Anyway, back to the strawberry picking. Every year, I think I take more pictures than pick strawberries, and everyone else endures the pain of the camera. This is still the best way to explain how my kids pick. Now, they just look a little bit older, but still are very much the same.

Here are some shots from the day this year. Sweetness I tell you!

Go see what other sweetness you can find over at Tuesday's Unwrapped with Emily!

Yay for Strawberry Season!

One reason I love May is because of strawberry season. All year we wait and finally the time has arrived. We love going every year to pick our own strawberries. It has become such a fun tradition that the kids start asking around March, if it's time to go pickin! This is a great site for finding where you can "pick your own" fruits and vegetables, in any state, in any season. These are some of my favorite local spots to go pick your own strawberries:

Rudd Farm

Ingram Farm

However, if you're one who would rather the farm come to you, make sure you check out this free event, tomorrow at the Farmers Market!

Your Big Backyard

I absolutely love the spring. However, these days it hasn't quite felt like spring. It has felt like more like summer. Hot, sticky, want-to-jump-in-a-pool summer.

One reason why I love to be around children so much, is how easily they celebrate life. You don't always have to have a pool...you can splash in a tub of cold water. Or, instead of going to a fancy water park, just water your grass, and while you're at it, run through the water.

I was going back through pictures, and I came across some from April 2008. This was one of them.

We didn't belong to a pool, and didn't even have the cash to visit one every now and then. And we definitely couldn't afford to go to any water parks. As the days are fast approaching that we're longing for pools to open and vacations to begin, it makes me remember that sometimes the best times are had right in your own backyard.

Here are some links to my favorite summertime spots that don't cost a fortune:

*(if you're not local, google "free" and your city's name)

BB & T Beach Music Festival

Music for A Sunday Evening in the Park - free concert every week!

NC Festivals & Events calendar (find one close to you!)

Free Family Film Festival - how can you go wrong with free movies!?!

Public Library (there are always a TON of free events going on throughout the summer)

Greensboro Calendar of Events

Go Triad Free Events

And remember, when all else fails, just get out the hose!

May Song & Sterling Silver Sale!

I'm so happy now that it's May,

Birds are singing all day.

Flowers blooming,

Springtime is here.

I'm so happy now that it's May,

Birds are singing all day.

My daughter takes Suzuki violin and all day this song was in my head. Well, I am happy that it's May, after all! Anyone else have random May songs stuck in their heads today?

In other news, I have a half off sale going on right now for all my sterling silver! Any brides out there, this is a great gift for your bridesmaids and wedding party!