living artfully

thirty before thirty

I love making lists and dreaming up plans for the future. And since I'm turning 29 today, I'd love to share my "thirty before thirty" list.

These are thirty things that I hope and plan to do in the year ahead. Some big, some small. A few challenges and a few things just for me. It's a list that I hope brings me joy and growth. So here we go...


1. finish reading the booker prize winners from 2000-2010
2. collect and scan my grandma's photos
3. take a cake decorating class
4. find two new musicians to love
5. see a play
6. run a ten-minute mile
7. buy a diana or holga and experiment with lomography
8. visit the modern wing of the art institute of chicago
9. go to church
10. create a high school scrapbook
11. make a pie
12. watch the top ten of afi's top 100 movies
13. refinish a piece of furniture
14. organize the basement
15. visit the apostle islands
16. learn more about my parents' childhoods and love story
17. find a new perfume
18. search for an affordable vintage typewriter
19. take my grandma on a date, just us
20. lose twenty pounds
21. take a digital scrapbooking class
22. raise money for breast cancer research
23. try indian food
24. attend the milwaukee film festival
25. eat veggies grown in our backyard
26. go to jazz in the park
27. organize our recipe collection
28. plan a trip with my bestie (and maybe hubbies, too)
29. sew something that's not paper
30. renew my passport

I'm hoping for a wonderful last year in my twenties before I enjoy everything being a thirty-something has to offer :)

 

happy birthday rocco

I can't believe how much love and joy Rocco has brought into our lives this past year. And I can't believe how times flies...

Our little guy turns one today!

 

When we brought him home last summer, he was so pudgy and cuddly. He still loves to sit on laps and snuggle, but now he's looking more like a grown dog and less like a puppy.

This weekend we had a backyard barbeque to celebrate his birthday (and mine too, which is later this month). He loved all the attention and laps to sit on. But the highlight was definitely letting him devour the doggy-safe birthday cake I baked for him.

We are so lucky to have him as part of our little family. Happy First Birthday, Rocco!!

 

where has sharyn been?

 

 
  
 

Missing my crafting and blogging time ever so much! But now our garden is completely overhauled, veggies are in the ground, and there are barely any weeds in sight.

And, after three weeks, we've turned our new eating and exercise plan into a habit. Hitting the gym every day and making all our (healthy) meals at home takes far more planning and time than I ever realized. Eating tons of fresh produce daily and fresh fish nearly every day = lots of grocery store runs. But we are feeling amazing and are starting to figure out how to work these changes into our routine so that our hobbies don't continue to suffer. Because I don't know about you, but I need my scrapping and blogging for my mental health!

I'll be back again very soon!

happy memorial day

Today, I just wanted to offer my heartfelt thanks to all of the veterans who have served our country, as well as to today's armed services members who sacrifice and risk their lives to protect us.

Thank you to our veterans, including my most favorite veteran of all... 

 

My husband, who served 4 years in the United States Air Force :)

Happy Memorial Day!

 

iron cupcake milwaukee - candy

Since we love cupcakes, we again jumped at the chance to attend Milwaukee's monthly baking competition - Iron Cupcake Milwaukee. This month's theme ingredient was candy and I was very curious to see if the bakers would choose more obvious ingredients (like chocolate candy bars) or if they would try to use really unique candies. We were blown away by the creativity! Here are some of the most interesting designs from the candy cupcake challenge...

Jolly Ranchers
 

White Chocolate Buttons
 

(L) Smores - (R) Maple Nut Goodies and Boston Baked Beans
 

Popcorn and Root Beer Jelly Beans
  

A huge variety, including Swedish Fish
  

Cinnamon Red Hots
  

Mr. Lemonheads
 

 

We loaded up on samples and learned a few things about how we like candy in cupcakes. Topped with Nerds? Not a personal favorite. Topped with Pop Rocks? Or a caramelized Jelly Belly? Delicious!

I'm overwhelmed by all the ideas! Have you ever made a cupcake inspired by or using candy?

 

milwaukee ballet - peter pan

I don't often do things on a total whim. I usually have a plan, a schedule. So two days ago, I think I shocked my husband when I told him there was nothing more that I wanted than to see the Milwaukee Ballet perform Peter Pan... and that, oh by the way, it's sold out and only playing this weekend.

Somehow, he came through, and we were able to see the opening night performance last night. Ah-ma-zing! It was so very magical and beautiful. I feel incredibly grateful to be able to do things like this on a whim.

Photography wasn't allowed, but in case you want a little sneak, here is some rehearsal footage where you can watch Peter Pan do some of the flying that he and the Darlings do throughout the show.

My lesson learned? Sometimes magical things happen when you decide to be spontaneous! What was the last thing you did on a whim?

 

mother's day

I hope that everyone had a lovely Mother's Day! We had two beautiful get-togethers. Last weekend, we went with Steve's family to a cute cafe for brunch and celebrated with his mother. And this past weekend, we had my mom and grandma over for a homemade brunch. Unfortunately, my dad had to work but we still had a nice little celebration.

 

 

I was in desperate need of new place mats, so we ran out this weekend and picked out a new set. After decorating the table for brunch, I think it's official... I have a new favorite color!

 

 

 
  
I am dreaming of pops of yellow all throughout the house. I am so loving yellow right now :)

iron cupcake milwaukee - cheese

There is something special about a cupcake that is both delicious and perfectly decorated. We love cupcakes around here and were super excited yesterday to attend our favorite local baking competition, Iron Cupcake Milwaukee.

Yesterday, the bakers had to focus on adding cheese to their cupcakes. From the more common dessert choices like cream cheese and cheesecake, to the more unique like bleu cheese and cheddar, we were blown away by the artistry and creativity. And we ate some pretty darn good cupcakes in the process. I could photograph cupcakes for hours, but here are just a few of my favorites...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite cupcake combined port wine, bleu cheese and pear. Isn't it amazing what some bakers can come up with?!

 

what's in your bag

I just came across a fun photo project called "What's in your Bag?" If you haven't taken a shot like this recently, it would make a great picture for your Week in the Life or Project 365. This one is definitely going to make it into our album.

Thanks, Kelly, for the inspiration! And if you'd like to see more, check out the What's in your Bag Pool on Flickr.

 

happy birthday

 

Happy Birthday to the guy who lets me call him husband, hubby and husbone... instead of his name. To the guy who puts our little family to bed every night and makes breakfast every morning. To the guy who will spend hours in a scrapbook store without complaining, even trying to show an interest in whatever I *must* have. To the guy who does all the vacuuming and laundry so I don't have to. To the guy who still gives me butterflies, flowers, and foot rubs. To the guy who makes me the happiest lady ever.

I love you, Steve! Happy Birthday!!

PS - Someone is getting cookies made with his most favorite ingredient ever -- bacon!