{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama:    A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Running Errands with Sir Henry

Yesterday Henry insisted on wearing his helmet EVERYWHERE.  And sometimes I know better than to argue with a 2 year old...I pick my battles, and this was not one of them.  Plus it was kind of cute.  An entire group of employees from the nail salon at Kenwood Mall stopped to stare at him.  The only downside was when a guy called him Hannibal Lector...what the heck?  I turned and yelled back at him that my baby was a gladiator, not a cannibal!

He wore it in the car...

He wore it to the mall...

He wore it in the LEGO store...

He wore it grocery shopping...

And maybe he had good reason to...it was a ferocious sort of day.

our evening walks

We have been squeezing in alot of evening walks this summer, on those rare evenings that the temps are not hovering near 100.  I usually take at least one or two of the kids with me.  Max often chooses to stay home and have some "Daddy Time" but Ella loves to go with me everytime.  It's a great chance for us to chat.  Sam walks with us sometimes, but other times he likes to ride next to Henry in the double stroller.  Evening walks are so special, I cherish them.

too cool

this hill is my enemy when pushing the double stroller

this is the boys' favorite part of the walk...going over the expressway and waving to all of the trucks.  every once in a while we get one to blow it's horn at us, which makes the kids giggle.

my girl.

Menu Plan Monday ~ July 23

Are you looking for menu ideas for your family this week?  Check out what we've been eating at our house, and for more yummy recipe links see Menu Plan Monday or orgjunkie.com!

Slow Cooker Three Envelope Pot Roast Sliders (oh my...these were so tasty!  And don't be afraid to eat that sauce with it, just go light if you aren't a big fan of HOTness.  And I used provologne cheese instead of swiss.  The kids loved these too).
Caprese Grilled Cheese (I'm in love)
Brinner: Whole Wheat Waffles, sausage and fruit
And for Ella's Birthday dinner we picked up pizza from Giuseppe's after going to the Pompeii exhibit.
I also made some pesto and bruschetta this weekend.

A few of my veggies...
Fresh Green Beans -- YUM (I used less bacon grease than she did, added just a bit of butter)
Squash -- roasted it with olive oil and kosher salt at 425 for 20 minutes, I also sauted it in a pan.

What are you eating at your house??

~~Sunday Sayings~~

Each Sunday I want to share with you a few words of wisdom.  These might be words that I have stumbled upon during my day to day life, lyrics from a favorite song, a poem, a knock-knock joke, a quote from someone famous, or even from someone not-so-famous.  Sometimes I see a quote, or hear a song and it speaks to me, inspires me, or just makes me laugh.  What words of wisdom do you have to share?  Leave a link below with your own "Sunday Sayings", but please be sure to give credit where credit is due (unless the words are your own). 

**I found this quote etched in the sidewalk in front of the Underground Freedom Center in Cincinnati

If you would like to take part in "Sunday Sayings" on your own blog feel free to snatch my logo picture above, and please link back to my blog in your post!  Then comment below with a link to your Saying!  Let's inspire each other!

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

it was just like....

Until three weeks ago it had been over a decade since I had ridden a bike.  I don't know why I let this happen, because I love riding a bike!  I'm so glad my daddio, baby sister and I are making weekly bike rides happen now.  Next up...getting Michael and Johnny out with us!  You know what a picture-taking freak I am, so of course I have pictures from our rides to share with you.  I love my Canon Elph!

It really was...just like riding a bike!  I was trying my best to get a picture of me and my Tessy here.

My Dad...a superstar biker

We ride around Lunken, and I love seeing the planes take off and land up close.

Tess is pretty much a superstar too. 

Tessy

Dad approaching the Ohio River (and the car...such a long ride!)

Pretty in Pink

gobama go!

A little bit of excitement for our Monday morning...the president was rolling through town to go to an event downtown.  We had a great view of the motorcade from our house, I love my new zoom lens!

Menu Plan Monday ~ July 16

We had some very tasty meals here this past week, please check out the links below, and for more menu planning inspiration check out Orgjunkie.com.  She has so many different menu plans linked on to her Menu Plan Monday post!  My favorite this week had to be the Lemon Basil Chicken, we love this dish so much.  I've been blue because my lemon basil and regular basil are not growing, but this week's CSA included lemon AND lime basil, and my aunt gave me her share as well, so I had enough lemon & lime basil to make FIVE servings of this marinade.  We ate one serving, and I froze the other four.  There is nothing like pulling this marinade, or homemade pesto out of the fridge in the middle of the winter!

Here's our menu for last week - all very yummy meals!
Skillet Pork Chops (from the Eat What you Love cookbook by Marlene Koch)
Best Burgers with Garlic Fries
Black Bean & Rice Burritos from Skinny Mom's Kitchen (we actually ate these twice this week, and I used the remainder of the beans to make nachos...yuuuum)
Brinner: Junior's Griddle Cakes, Bacon & Melon
Lemon Basil Chicken with angel hair pasta and roasted squash

I also co-hosted a wedding shower for my sister-in-law, so I made several appetizers, and ordered beautiful cookies from Vivian Sweets in Northern Kentucky.  I made French Onion Dip (served with Everything Bagels), Sundried Tomato & Basil Hummus (served with Pita), Basil Pesto Rounds and more!

I took a lot of pictures of food this week...

griddle cakes

a bountiful buffet made by my aunt patti to celebrate stephen's graduation.  i emulate my aunt's kitchen skills, she makes everything seem so easy & effortless, and it's always so delicious.

lemon basil!  i was blessed with two bunches this week, so there's lots of lemon basil marinade in the deepfreeze

squash (soon to be roasted with salt & olive oil)

wedding shower cookies

the wedding shower spread

~~Sunday Sayings~~

Each Sunday I want to share with you a few words of wisdom. These might be words that I have stumbled upon during my day to day life, lyrics from a favorite song, a poem, a knock-knock joke, a quote from someone famous, or even from someone not-so-famous. Sometimes I see a quote, or hear a song and it speaks to me, inspires me, or just makes me laugh. What words of wisdom do you have to share? Leave a link below with your own "Sunday Sayings", but please be sure to give credit where credit is due (unless the words are your own).

The cleaning and scrubbing will wait till tomorrow,

For children grow up, as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down, cobwebs. Dust go to sleep.
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.
-Ruth Hulbert Hamilton

If you would like to take part in "Sunday Sayings" on your own blog feel free to snatch my logo picture above, and please link back to my blog in your post! Then comment below with a link to your Saying! Let's inspire each other!

Pirates, Otters & Such...

{this moment}

Inspired by SouleMama:   A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

Bachelorette Bash :: Giveaway [CLOSED]

Congrats to Shooting Stars Mag who said...


i like this wedding shower activity idea- Recipe for a Good Marriage-
http://sweetcsdesigns.com/archives/3628#comment-3918

Shooting Stars Mag, shoot me an email at Katie(at)Cards-by-Katie.com to claim your prize!


I was recently asked to take part in a fabulous event for brides in the Northern Kentucky & Cincinnati area.  I will be attending the "Bachelorette Bash" as a vendor with my "Cards by Katie" business.  I will be showing off samples of cards that I have made...wedding invitations, shower invites, thank you notes, rehearsal dinner invitations and personalized stationary that would make perfect gifts for bridesmaids.  I am so tickled to be a part of this event.  I will not only be showing samples, but selling cards as well.  It will be a big night for Cards by Katie, and I cannot wait!

Bachelorette Bash ::
Thursday, August 9th at the Grand in Covington 6:30 - 9:00 pm.  Presented by McHale's Events & Catering.  The cost is $20 per person in advance, $25 at the door the night of the event.  Visit the McHale's website for more details and to purchase tickets.
Details from their Facebook page:
Join us for an amazing evening of drinks, food, dancing, prizes, and more as we celebrate your bachelorettes.

What better way to start a Thursday evening than with food, drinks and chair massages?
Get ready to move as DJ Mark McFadden emcees this high energy event. Be inspired by Three French Hens for bridesmaid gifts, wedding day jewelry, or to find the perfect handbag. Get your groove on and learn new dance moves with Step-N-Out Dance Studio, or see a demonstration from Swing This Kettlebell studio on how to get in shape for the big day and more!
Snag a free group photo from Kamera Art at their green screen photo station, get a caricature with your friends, or simply grab your friends and dance it out on our lighted dance floor.
Learn about great bachelorette party ideas including a getaway at Elk Creek Winery, a night of dancing at Toro on the Levee, an evening at Hollywood Casino, hosting a Pure Romance party, or talk with a boudoir photographer about a great gift for the groom.

The Giveaway ::
I have been given TWO FREE ADMISSIONS to the Bachelorette Bash to give away.  You do not need to be the bride to attend this event...you could be the mother of the bride, the mother of the groom, a bridesmaid, or even just someone who loves all things wedding!  The winner will get the TWO FREE ADMISSIONS, as well as 10 Free CARDS BY KATIE note cards (a variety pack).

Follow directions below to enter this giveaway, you must be 18 to enter, the winner will be drawn using Random.org on Friday, July 20th at 2pm and announced here on the blog and on the little things blog facebook page.  The winner will have 48 hours to respond or another name will be drawn.  Best of luck!

Entry 1 ~ Leave a comment below (with your email address) letting me know why you would like to win this giveaway
Entry 2 ~ "Like" Cards by Katie AND McHale's Events & Catering on facebook and then leave a comment below letting me know you liked them.
Entry 3 ~ Spread the word about this giveaway, using Facebook or Email and then leave a comment below telling me how you got the word out.
Entry 4 ~ Leave a comment below that includes a link to one of your favorite wedding ideas...it can be a craft, a centerpiece,  a bridal shower game, a cake recipe...whatever you'd like!


Disclaimer :: I was given these two free admissions by McHale's Events and Catering to give away.

Rough River Dam

A few of my favorite pictures from our family vacation last month to Rough River Dam State Park....

exploring

reading

hiking

playing video games

catching up

boating

reflecting

learning new games

You can read more about our trip to Rough River Dam State Park in this post I wrote for Family Friendly Cincinnati.

Archiving

I’m a bit of a pack rat. I don’t deny this. I’m a collector, a keeper, a saver, and I’m destined to be one of those people who will grow old and when I die you will enter my house and find mazes consisting of old newspapers and dusty boxes. But probably no cats. But to make up for my packratishness, I’ve developed ways to organize my collections to keep things in order and condensed. I’ve told you about how I organize all of our mementos (tickets to shows, wedding invites, etc), but I also have stacks and stacks of newspapers in the basement. Every time I see a story in the paper I want to save (usually because it is about an event I attended, or spotlights a family member or friend) I would put the newspaper in a stack in the basement instead of just clipping the story. These stacks are not high enough o create mazes yet, but there’s enough of them to make my inner-organizer a bit twitchy. So I decided to do something about this chaos.

Before I begin, let me give you a little bit of background. I come by this tendancy to collect newspaper articles naturally…it’s in my genes. You see my Nana used to sit in this couch seen to the right and go through the papers each and every day and clip any article that she thought someone in her family (or one of her friends) would be interested in. If there was ever an article about parenting or early childhood education that article would be clipped and my name would go on the top of it. She clipped stories about my siblings & cousins when they made the paper for sports activities. She clipped every single story about GE and gave it to Michael. Sometimes she would clip recipes for me, or stories about fun places to take the kids in our area. I often wondered what her paper must have looked like after she was finished clipping for the day. It must have looked rather like paper swiss cheese. Once she clipped these stories and added names to them she would put them in a beautiful china bowl that sat on a table by her front door. And every time someone would visit her house they would know to look in the bowl for clippings and other miscellaneous items she had left there for them.

I think it’s only fitting that when I took a weekend to sort through all of my newspapers that this picture of my Nana slipped out from between the papers:

I decided the best way to preserve these articles that I wanted to save was in a scrapbook format, so I cut each article out, taking care to clip the date when I could, and the title of the paper it was in, and then I used a scrapbooking adhesive to safely adhere the articles to papers that I put into the album. I know, I know, I could have just kept them all in a manilla folder, but I’m addicted to scrapbooking, so they are in an album.

We were going away to the cabin for the weekend, and I wanted to do something productive (cleaning out clutter from my basement) but fun (again, I love scrapping). So I thought this would be a perfectly relaxing activity for me while we were away, and I was right…it was nice to be on vacation yet cross a project off my list.

And I found so many treasures while digging through these papers.  Here's a few snippets...

My father in law atop a bridge...

My beloved BopBop

A story about my Nana connecting with our Irish cousins

If papers were still 35cents I'd still be a daily subscriber

To see more of my posts about organizing around the house click here.