July Goals

I'm a goal type of gal.  I have been recording them for myself for a while.  A few years ago, I posted them online for the whole year, but found that was too overwhelming.  I recently read a blog where the author posts goals for the month.  More reasonable?  Let's try it, even though for July it's kind of cheating since the month is almost done.

1. Celebrate Josh's birthday in style
2. Repaint the dresser in the guest bedroom
3. Finally get toilet paper holders in the bathroom
4. Make and hang towel holders for the bathrooms
5. Hang out chalk board
6. Organize the garage
7. Recover our dining room chairs

The good news is that you won't have to wait long to get an update :)

Mmmm, Mmmm, Mojitos

When Josh and I were planning our garden this spring, we decided that we wanted to try mint so we could make our own mojitos.  We didn't have a tried and true recipe, or even a rum to use, but we love mojitos.  Finally our mint was ready for harvest, just in time for Josh's birthday!  Commence research mode!  Ok, so I really just googled "Best rum for mojitos."  First result?  This article.  We also decided to stick with the recipe they listed so we would get great results.

-Mint leaves (approximately 8 depending on size and your taste)
-1/2 oz.simple syrup
-2 oz. white rum
-3/4 oz. lime juice (about one lime, and fresh lime is definitely better)
-Lots of ice
-Club soda

To make the simple syrup boil a one to one ratio of water and sugar until the sugar is dissolved.  Let it cool as much as you can stand before using it.  Put the mint in a regular glass.  Add the simple syrup and muddle the mint leaves (I used the handle side of our wisk, because I'm legit like that).  Add the lime juice.  Fill the glass with ice.  Pour the rum over the ice and top off the glass with club soda (we just made our own plain, fizzy water with the soda stream.  Stir and enjoy, preferably on a patio in a lounge chair.

As for rum, our liquor store did not have Brugal (voted "best in show") but they did have the second place Don Q Cristal ("Highly recommended/ great value").  It was about $12 for a liter.  Great value and delicious.  We went through the whole liter that weekend (with a little help from friends) and had to go buy a new one (which we sadly have not opened yet).  Please make these, you will not regret it!

Lazy Fab Friday

5. Only 3 weeks in, but sticking to the Couch to 5k program

4. Homemade mojitos (I will post the SUPER simple recipe soon)

3. A deeply-cleaned house.  Too bad it only lasts about 4 hours!

2. All-Star Fan Fest.  Kind of boring, but it was cool to be a (small) part of the All-Star festivities.

 1. Absolutely one of the best weekends we have had just hanging out at home for Josh's birthday

Sweater Weather

It has been quite chilly here the last few days, and I LOVE it.  Don't get me wrong, I love summer.  Well, I actually love sun and water, if I'm being honest, but the last two days have been awesome!  Highs almost 20 degrees below average?  With some sun, I'll take it.  I sure slept like a baby last night :)  The best of both worlds is getting to enjoy fall weather knowing that summer will be back shortly.

I will never complain about snuggling with a blanket and this pup.

Fab Friday and BIRTHDAY

Today is Josh's birthday!  When I asked him about a month ago what he wanted to do for his birthday, he said he just wanted to hang out at home.  At the time, I doubted it, but now nothing sounds better.  It is a kind of uneventful year (he got a yard trimmer for his birthday and bought it for himself last week, womp womp), but we are determined to make the best of it.

Garden is bumpin

5. Getting a glimpse into another job and remembering my passion.

Josh holding our first bean from the garden.  Delicious snack for Avery!

4. Google hangouts

Minnesota, Texas, Nebraska, united

3. Our backyard

Guacamole

2. Homemade mojitos

And new anniversary lounge chairs

1. Birthday weekend with Josh

4th of July at the lake

Avery and Grandma

Anniversary dinner at Rosa Mexicano, yum!

Wedding date!

Wedding Bliss

Getting married in June means that you will always have reminders of your anniversary, since every year there seems to be at least one wedding in the month.  Everyone always warns you that your wedding day will pass in a blur.  If you are like me, this is somewhat true.  I am not good at remembering small details of a day, but I can easily remember how the day made me feel and other big picture details.

For some reason, one of the only small details I remember from the day is part of our pastor's sermon.  In his sermon, he asked all of our family and friends present to remember that they would play an important role in our relationship.  He asked them to be there to support and love us through the good times and bad.

I would say that the people in our lives have more than fulfilled this role.  I am so thankful every day for the amazing people in our lives.  So, for the two people who read this, thank you for all that you do!

Fab Friday and Cinnamon Rolls

We are once again headed out of town this weekend for another wedding.  I wanted to bring cinnamon rolls for the 4th of July, but I had never made homemade ones before.  Test recipe to the rescue, and we are bringing cinnamon rolls with us this weekend as well.

I used this recipe but did not use bread flour, I used all whole wheat flour.  They are delicious.  I will make them again and I will most likely use all whole wheat flour again.  I was surprised to find there was no sugar in the dough itself.  Don't worry, there is plenty in the frosting and cinnamon swirl!

5. A weekend "off" last weekend.  We didn't have any travelling, so of course it was filled up with things to do around here.  It was refreshing nonetheless.

4. Happy hours (because one hour with people you love is never enough)

3. Bridal showers for people you love

2. Something exciting happening next Tuesday.  Send some good juju my way please!

1. Backyard patio hangs with Josh and new furniture in the basement (woohoo!)