School Break – I’m Totally Sleeping IN
Happy Monday! I slept in today because my kids have a midterm break from school. By slept in, I mean 7 a.m. My dumb internal alarm clock cannot pretend it is a teenager. Oh, and by internal alarm clock, I mean bladder. I really think I’ve got this “aging gracefully” thing down. I think I enjoy a week without homework and packing lunches as much, maybe even more, than my kids do! Not even exaggerating. All that to say, I’m taking the week off from blogging to spend time with the kiddos. We’re going to hang out with friends and explore more of Ireland. Follow me on Instagram to see where…
Happy List #14
Hello, hello! This week felt a little long to me, so I’m all about the TGIF today. Earlier this week I took you on a tour of my local grocery store in Ireland and showcased some of my favorite food items for your viewing pleasure. In honor of Valentine’s Day and all of you who make my world a happier place, I also shared two free love printables. Here’s what’s on my Happy List this week. Girl Scout Gum? Someone makes Girl Scouts Gum now. I read somewhere that the gum holds its flavor for an hour. An hour? Really? What can’t those Girl Scouts do? I haven’t tried it though. If you’ve…
Living in Ireland: Grocery Shopping
I don’t want to brag (or do I?), but I feel like quite the pro when it comes to procuring groceries for our family sans automobile. (If you’re new here: We moved to Ireland from the USA. We haven’t tried driving here – yet. Public transportation and walking for the win!) Grocery shopping in Ireland without a vehicle requires a bit of planning. For instance, I don’t want to purchase all the heavy stuff in one trip because I have to carry it home in a backpack or reusable shopping bag. More or less, I’m purchasing what we will consume that day or the next. No bulk shopping here. A jumbo pack…
Free Printable: Love is All You Need
Have you ever noticed Valentine’s Day is quite polarizing? Depending on life situations, people either love the holiday or want to kick it to the curb. Since the 14th century Valentine’s Day has been associated with romantic love and romantic love is fabulous. Handy Husband and I celebrated 18 years of marriage a few days ago, so I have a deep appreciation for all things romance. I also have an even deeper appreciation for all things beginning and ending with “Honey, I’ll do the dishes.” But let’s not talk about me. What I want to say on this Valentine’s Day Eve in the mushiest way I know how is THANK YOU. Thank you to each…
Happy List #13
It’s your lucky day, folks. I’ve got some doozies on the Happy List to share. But first, earlier this week I shared how I got distracted and learned that 1960s wood paneling can actually look pretty decent. Continuing with my “living in Ireland” series, I also shared pictures of my hot press. It was so not hot. Here we go… Copper Roof on a Farmhouse I have followed Joan’s blog for quite awhile. She’s living my dream of renovating an old farmhouse and converting a barn into part of her home. You should really dive into her story. I am loving the new addition to her farmhouse, a copper roof over the…
1960s Wood Paneling That Looks Good
There’s a bookcase in my house that bugs the crud out of me. Really bugs me. I have to make it look good without changing the root of the problem. I’m still not sure how to do that, so I decided to dive into the black hole of inspiration commonly known as the Internet. While there, I got a little distracted… But those boots I’ve been eyeing were finally on sale! Then I stumbled on a new-to-me blog, Bigger Than The Three Of Us, and ran across a picture of blogger Ashley’s playroom/office. Two things made me pause in my scroll. 1) She has a wood bookcase similar to the one that bugs me to pieces.…
Living in Ireland: Want to See My Hot Press?
Moving to a foreign country – even one where you speak the language – is a humbling experience. My advice? Settle into the feeling that you are going to be the biggest idiot in the room. A little humor and humility go a long way toward settling in. When we were looking for house in Ireland we toured an owner-occupied home they were putting on the rental market. During the tour the owner made a passing reference to the hot press. “I’m sorry. A hot what?” In hindsight, my question probably did not inspire confidence with the homeowner. Needless to say, we did not get that house. The house we ended up moving…
Happy List #12
Hello, world! I had a first-ever experience yesterday. I was walking down the sidewalk minding my own business when a car driving by sped through a gigantic puddle. A huge wave of water sprayed out and completely, and I do mean completely, drenched me. I’m sure my reaction was comical to anyone observing the incident. But, really, Ireland is great. You should totally visit in February. On the blog this week I shared the most amazing, earth-shattering tutorial on how to turn a makeup bag into a hidden cell phone pocket in a fleece scarf. If you haven’t made one yet, what are you waiting for? I also shared our experience…
A Day in Malmö, Sweden with Kids
During our New Year’s trip to Copenhagen, Denmark, we were able to spend a day in Malmö, Sweden. Being able to easily visit two countries in one trip is still a novelty for us and we were thrilled for the opportunity. Getting There Conveniently, Malmö is only a 20-minute train ride from the Copenhagen Airport. If you’ve been traveling around Copenhagen on the Copenhagen Card, you will need to purchase a separate ticket to Malmö at a kiosk in the airport. Kids go free. Keep your Copenhagen Card with you though because on the return trip, you’ll likely need to show both tickets. When you board the train to Malmö, there is…
