Summer Memories

I was browsing through some of our old photos and came across a few from our first Summer together, way back on the ol' days of 2008. You'll have to forgive me for the random nature of this post, but I wanted to share a few memories of those days!

I met his parents that June, and a couple months later we helped them make cherry jam! They have miniature cherry bushes in their backyard, and they make the best cherry jam ever.

We also went to his Grandpa's cabin up North. We spent the weekend huddling inside because it was so windy and rainy! Yet, it was one of the funnest weekends I have ever had. I just loved Josh's family from the very beginning- they welcomed me with open arms and made me feel so at home!

The night we got back to the cities, Josh dropped me off at my apartment and we watched the movie "Juno." After the movie, we sat and talked for a while. At one point, he chuckled a little to himself. "What?" I questioned him, expecting to hear some funny anecdote or something. Instead, he just looked at so seriously me and said "I love you." For the first time.

We had so much fun spending that Summer together! It was so emotional and yet wonderful at the same time! I knew I was falling in love with him, and that my life was going to drastically change.. for the better.

Josh met (almost) my entire family that Summer- including a graduation open house with 40 of my cousins. Talk about overwhelming!

We drove his motorcycle to the fireworks at Taste of Minnesota, and sat and sipped coffee as we watched the lights dance above our heads. You didn't think I would fall in love with someone who doesn't like coffee, did you?

I love having those memories. Now that life is more steady, more sure and settled, I love looking back and remembering those times. I'm so thankful for the way God directed our lives that Summer!

What are some of your fondest Summer memories?

If you don't like it, Re-Work it! (or just clean it)

I had high hopes of really enjoying our little porch this summer. Unfortunately, in the past couple of months it had become little more than a place to store our plants and other miscellaneous gardening materials. It became clear to me that some cleaning needed to happen.



I thought about cleaning it for a few weeks. I would wake up in the middle of the night and think "Gee, I really should actually move that bag of dirt that's been sitting there since May. The neighbors must think I'm crazy."

Finally, I just found that little bit of energy I needed to accomplish the task on Tuesday. All in all, I think it took me 20 minutes! I moved the gardening supplies down to the garage, wiped down the chairs with some Pine Sol (not just for floors!), rearranged the furniture a little, and added another small table and a pretty votive holder I had laying around.



Ah yes. That looks more like a place where I want to sit and read a book, or eat some Pioneer Woman's Fancy Macaroni with my Hubby.


See that little tree on the left? I rescued it from my Grandma's garbage. She threw it away because apparently there was one branch that was dead. I had been admiring the plant for a while, so I saw my chance and I saved it from an untimely demise. Isn't it cute?

I think my new motto for decorating is "If you don't like it, Re-Work it!" As in, don't run out to the nearest store and try to buy a bunch of things to make your house better. You will end up with less money, and more stuff that you don't know what to do with! Instead, do some "shopping" around your house, and play around with an arrangement to find what suits you best! When in doubt, it never hurts to clean. A clean ugly house is way better than a dirty ugly house, ya know?







(I’m linking up to JAG’s Show and Share day- hop on over and check it out!)

Featured House #1, A Cottage by the Lake

Something I've been thinking about for quite some time is doing little features on the homes of some of my friends! I love seeing other people's decorating styles, and I know so many women who just have fabulous homes!

First up, the home of my Mom's friend Chris! I grew up with her daughters and have spent a lot of time in their home. I have always admired her effortlessly elegant style! Their home is on a lake, so it has a cottage/beachy/elegant vibe.

The first room you see when you walk in is their breakfast/informal dining room.


Here, the table is set for our 4th of July feast! Chris' husband Jay actually MADE this table. I have always loved it, it is so gorgeous!


In another corner they have an antique icebox. Love!


Their formal dining room is also amazing:


I love the green walls with the dark wood- it looks elegant and yet not fussy! I also really wanted to steal this vase.


And the dining room from another angle:


There's a beautiful front porch as well, separated by some french doors.



And here's a view of the brick fireplace and living room. I love how they use a lot of antiques and antique replicas to stay true to the vintage style of the home.


And finally, a view of the entire living/dining area.


Don't you just love their home? I am so impressed by the way they designed it. Their house feels so homey and yet elegant at the same time! I can definitely say that Chris is one of the people who inspired me to love home design. Thanks for letting me share some of your beautiful home, Chris!

I Sailed

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July weekend!

Baby Bird Update!

I know I promised some pictures of our baby birds! Sadly, the way the nest was built it was really hard to get any pictures while they were still wee baby birds, but here is a more recent picture! They are probably more like teenage birds now.


They are all peeking out of their nest. So cute! We think there are four baby birds. Here they are hanging out on our porch, probably getting ready for a flying lesson.


I love having baby animals around!

A new use for something old

Have you ever thought to yourself, "Gee, I wish I knew what to do with all these doilies!"

If so, you have come to the right place.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

I painstakingly attached this doily to the pillow using safety pins the sheer force of my will! For a project that took a total of 3 seconds, I'm really happy with the results! If you are inclined to make something like this more permanent, it would be super easy to run a few stitches around the edges as well.

Happy Friday, everyone! What are your plans for the weekend? I would love to hear about them!

A little story for you...

The other day, a man named Josh was calmly sitting on his couch and sipping a new "flavor" of beer. (I know, you're probably wincing that I just referred to beer as a flavor, but I really don't like the taste of it. To me, all beer tastes like dish soap).



Moving on...



So he was sitting there, calmly sipping away and probably reading something about gold prices in Turkey, when suddenly, he felt that he was being watched. He quickly glanced up. Across the room, his wife was eyeing him. Or was she eyeing his beer?




Unsure of how to react to the sudden, penetrating stare, he carefully set the beer down (on a coaster, of course) on the coffee table. Was she angry that yet again he had failed to replace the toilet paper roll when it was empty? Was she livid about the fact that he had actually worn socks with his flip flops the other day?



"Honey, is something wrong?" He asked, his voice faltering with trepidation. There was always an answer to that question.



Ok, now this is the real Mikalah here. Sorry for the soap-opera themed commentary above, but I thought it would make this post more interesting.

You see, I believe in finding potential in even the most mundane of items. Like beer bottles. So that's how these 3 pretty green glass bottles ended up on our windowsill. Oddly enough, it was also the same week that design*sponge did a feature on green glass. Ha!



So the nugget of wisdom here is... don't be afraid to "shop" out of your recycling bin. Or just straight out of your hubby's hands.