Winning :: On this first day of Spring

Can you believe we've already made it through another Winter?  I'm amazed at how painless it was.  I think it has everything to do with our Indian Summer last year.  September and October were so nice that they fended off many soggy memories of the rain that we know too well here in the PNW.  #win

But this is not to say we've had a shortage of wet weather.  In fact, today, there was rain, hail and sleet, topped off with a little bit of sunshine.  There was a rainbow somewhere, for sure.  Did you see it?

With Spring sprouting around the property and the frogs croaking their harmonies into the night, there are a handful of exciting events happening.  First off, I don't want to make you envious or anything, but I just found out that I won a second giveaway in about a week's time.  Whaaaaat?  Winning!  I can't wait to show you what's coming to me in the mail from this blogger and this blogger!  Love me some month-of-March luck!

Another score this month are the two FREE tickets to see Cheryl Strayed speak at a local event where she'll be speaking on her bestseller, "Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail."  I just pre-ordered the paperback and can't wait to read it before Husband and I see her speak at the beginning of April.  If you don't already, I recommend you follow her on Facebook.  Good-hearted, entertaining stuff. 

We just booked our tickets to Cabo for Spring Break!  We haven't been on a family vacay like this EVER.  The last time Husband and I went on a vacation was our honeymoon--to NYC.  And there was no sunshine, heat, or blue water about it.  This is a big deal.  BIG deal. 

On another note, tonight, while scouring my brain and Pinterest for a dessert idea for book club tomorrow, I came across these.  Holy!  I've been baking sugar cookies for decades, and I have a feeling that this recipe could bring a whole new level of goodness into the kitchen.  Just looking at these cookies makes me want to eat two...or three, and completely forget that I'm cleansing for Cabo.  If it looks that good, I call it a win.

Lastly, the cherry blossoms have bloomed and they made me smile this afternoon.  Definitely a win.

Any recent wins? 

 

Monday Mentions: bits and curiositites from around the web

Today, Brooklynn brought home a special book from the library.  I'm guessing she chose it because it had our last name on the cover, or maybe it was the leprechauns and it being March, but what she didn't know is that the illustrator of the book, Emily Arnold McCully, a Caldecott Medalist, is actually her Great, Great Aunt!  Husband and the kids and I shared a fun moment over the book.  Personally, I've never met this Great, Great Aunt, but I'd love to.  If I could, I'd ask her to tea, and cozy in for warm scones and hours talking the creative life.  I never dreamed that I would be a children's book author when I was young - but it turns out that I was preparing myself to be just that all along.  Love that.

Speaking of leprechauns, this St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt looks like such festive fun!  Do you have traditions for St. Pattie's Day?

Did you know that daylight saving causes some folks to act strangely?  Check out these facts and statistics.

I've added this to my growing 31 before 31 list.  It's right there with make cinnamon rolls and wake up on a mountaintop.  You know--the important things in life.

Since I mentioned life, what about this beautiful book of images titled, "Where Children Sleep."  I think the premise is great--intended to interest and engage children in the details of the lives of other children around the world, and the social issues affecting them, while also being a serious photographic essay for an adult audience.  Beautiful.

Now I'm going to get on the rest of that important 31 before 31 list!  I hope you're off to a great week! 

Image:: Brooklynn in 2012

Monday Mentions: monday, you came fast.

How was your weekend, friends?  Ours was enjoyable and pretty laid back.  I got to visit with one of my mentors on Friday and I gifted her "One Thousand Gifts."  I'm guessing I'll gift that book fifteen times this year.  I love it and think everyone needs a copy. 

I've been working hard to keep my workouts up, as I'm getting ready for the Shamrock 15k in just under two weeks.  Since I started crossfitting last June, my long-distance running has become nearly non-exisitant.  But I got the itch to hit the road long and hard, and signed up for the Portland Shamrock Run.  Nothing beats the Shamrock Run!  It's my favorite run by far, and it has become an annual tradition of mine.  The great news is that increased strength has definitely made me faster.  I've cut 25 seconds off my average mile pace since I began crossfit.  I'm ecstatic!  Friday and Saturday I did crossfit and then Sunday, I ran six miles at race pace, while my sweet SIL biked behind me. 

Saturday night, we had a small gathering, which included BBQ, the males playing the game, Quelf, while the wives looked on, some humored/some not, friends down from Bellevue (near Seattle--and newly pregnant!) and me passing out on the couch with a pillow in my face while my guests were still present.  Wow.  That's embarrassing.  I blame it on the workouts. 

Sunday was extra fun as my SIL took the kids and I to see Yo Gabba Gabba live, with tickets she won from a local radio station.  Cotton candy, Kettle Corn, Rockstars and glow sticks are a few of the things that carried us through.  Not going to lie--there were some catchy tunes, a cool beat-boxer (who Husband tells me is extremely famous), and sweet moments as the kids danced and smiled the time away.

And then Monday came, and I realized I hadn't gathered any Monday Mentions, and I considered quitting blogging because I clearly can't stick to a schedule.  And then I realized you probably don't give a lick whether or not I blog Monday Mentions, so I went ahead and wrote this instead. 

What fun did you have this weekend?