Fav Summer Finds

Hello my Friend!

Summer is right around the corner (or already here, if you’re like us and live in Florida).  I thought I’d put together some fun things to help celebrate the warm weather and all the time we spend outside during the season.  What are your favorite finds for the Summer?

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The details and where to find them:

West Elm Outdoor Metal Drink Dispenser, $29

Crate and Barrel Leave-In Mini Thermometer (for beef, pork & chicken), $3.50

Uncommon Goods Wine Glass Holder (stick a few in the lawn for hands-free enjoyment), set of 2 for $12

CB2 Striped Outdoor Pouf (perfect outdoor portable seating), $69.95

Crate and Barrel Food Tent (keep the bugs out), $5.95

Sears Swimline Corn Hole Pool Toss Game, $39.99

Tiki Toss Original Hook and Toss Game on Amazon (they have these at a ton of beach bars around here, usually nailed to trees, GREAT game for everyone), $29.99

Target Poolmaster Toss N Splash, $15.89

Target Evening Sky Campfire Ring (summer=bonfires), $54.99

Pier 1 Cabana Stripe Pillow (multiple colors), on sale for $16

Uncommon Goods Bamboo Wine Table (great gifts), $22

Pier 1 Silicone Wine Identifiers (haha), on sale for $6.98

Z Gallerie Chevron Tray and Coaster Set, $39.95 and $16.95

Hope you’ve been enjoying the “favorite lists” I’ve been putting together.  It was a suggestion from a reader, so let me know what other “fav list” topics you’d like me to feature.

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Outback Memories

Hello my Friend!

Haaaaappy Neeeeew Yeeeeear!!!  Today was the Outback Bowl here in Tampa and it was gorgeous out.  Upper 70s.  We didn’t go this year, but have gone to FOUR in the past…..only when they matter to us though haha.  I thought I’d take you down memory lane of the past Outback Bowls that we’ve been to.

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Most recently was in 2011 for Gators-Penn State.  This was perfect, since the boys are obviously rooting for the Gators and Ellen went to Penn State, so of course we were making this game happen.

I got us leis….

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CW got us wristbands.  Wonder-twin powers…..activate!

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The family that plays together-stays together.

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That’s not very hard for us.  We have so much fun together.  Ellen and I go to Gainsville to support the boys…these trips were back in the day!

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I even went to the “Gator Club” here…

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In 2009 we went to the bowl game because the Hawks were in it.  Yee-haw!  It was Iowa vs. South Carolina and Jeff and Ellen were good sports and donned Iowa gear for me.

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I had Hawkeye gear for all…

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The boys thought they were in the band…

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We had actually gone back to Iowa City in 2008 for a second wedding reception with all of my family (since we got married in the mountains and not everyone was able to make it).  It just so happened that Iowa was playing Penn State the weekend we were there.  CW’s whole family flew there with us, including his Ma.  Ah…miss her.  CW got these amazing Hawkeye striped overalls.  What a trooper.  We saved them and ended up wearing them for that 2009 Outback Bowl.

In front of the Old Capitol.

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E&J cheering for Penn State…

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Steichen and Jason came in from Chicago.  It was COLD, but a blast.

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I love any reason for a stocking hat.

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The very first Outback Bowl we went to after I moved here, Iowa was in it (those Hawk fans LOVE to travel for Bowls–especially to Florida).  It was Gators vs. Iowa in 2004 (we won) and again in 2006 (they won), so we were appropriately wearing our own teams for each game.  This was before I had a digital camera, so I only have this pic–that I took a pic from a framed picture—from 2006.  I’ll have to dig up the 2004 ones.  I remember there was a sign that said Gators ths way –> and Hawkeyes this way  <– and we took a photo by it.

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I’ve been pretty lucky that the Hawks (and Gators) have been in so many Outback Bowl games here.  That’s pretty awesome if you think about it.  Wishing you the best in 2013 my friends!

Printables and Fun Stuff

I just stumbled upon a great site for those of you with kids.  Disney’s FamilyFun.  I was searching for some free printable games for the kid’s table at my brother-in-law’s wedding in a couple of weeks.  I’m lucky enough to be creating their programs, menus, table cards and place cards for it =)  You know I LOVE that stuff.  Finishing up a lot of it this weekend, but probably won’t post till after the wedding (gotta be a surprise).  It’s on the beach  here in St. Pete and the colors are aqua, with tiny bits of orange.  A starfish theme is carried throughout.

Anyways, I thought it would be nice to have
some games printed for the kids (especially cute in a beach theme). 
I came across an Under the Sea maze,
that you can download and print here:

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They have tons of different themes for holidays,
slumber parties and everyday fun. 
Best part—they’re all FREE!!

I noticed lots of other great things on this site. 
They have a whole section of printable stickers
you just print them on the full page
sticker pages available at any office store.
(I used these full page label sheets for all of our
monogrammed items for our wedding–
I put them on the welcome bags and programs).

Aren’t these adorable?

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Book Cover Collage Wall Hanging

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There are printable calendars, volunteer charts,
chore lists, craft ideas, party ideas…even recipes.

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I think this site is amazing!!!

Give a Game

So, I sent my brother and his wife their birthday gifts
and they received them,
so now I can post this =)
Didn’t want to spoil any surprises….

I decided to send them a box full of games for their house.
I know this is the age of Wii and whatnot,
but whatever happened to good ol board games???
I try to be creative with gifts….
and was hoping they didn’t have any of the ones I picked.
They didn’t–yeah, I rock!

First though, I had a couple people ask what that game
was that we played in Telluride…
Here it is.
It’s pretty funny.
If you’re looking for a new game for your pad,
I definitely recommend.

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Back to my gifts (all from Amazon fyi)
I found out they make Connect Four in “teams”,
so of course I got them the Chicago Cubs version.

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And the Cubs Jenga
(I also got this for our house)–
to any of you Jenga fans–
bring it on…

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I was going back and forth on one of these puzzles…
Pretty cool, huh?
Looks hard…

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Kelly and Janet were telling us about a pretty great idea that Janet’s family did over the holidays.  Someone bought and shipped the same puzzle to all of their houses (parents, brother’s, etc) before Christmas.  They picked a day–think they actually chose Christmas Day (when you’re usually just sitting around doing nothing anyways).  There was a start time and the first “household” to email everyone a picture of their finished puzzle won.  That’s some good competition…..and a GREAT idea and way to spend your day with the family. 

Back again to my “box o games”…
I also sent this one…
I heard it’s similar to the Whoonu game we played.

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and this one…

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They LOVED all of the games,
so there’s an idea for ya–
if you’re having a brain freeze on something to give someone.
I’ve also given a “basket” of similar items for
engagement gifts that go over really well.

Here are some other games I saw that look fun….

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Now, I have usually only played this while drinking and
laughed that someone actually made a real board game out of it.
I like the “late night” version hah…

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Most people don’t buy games for themselves,
but it’s so great to have them on hand in the house.
Game nights need a comeback!

Got any other ones that are fun?????
Give a girl a bone and
share por favor…

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