Sunday Afternoon Project

I am a little bit in love with the wall art project I just completed. It was not only easy, but also inexpensive. I picked up these Mighty Magnet Photo Cables at a cute little store in Holland last weekend.

... and I found a lamp today, too! A productive day, indeed.

Fall Trip #1: Holland, Michigan

[I have several trips coming up this fall, so I decided I'd write about my three favorite things from each trip.]

For Labor Day weekend, Jess and I decided to go to Holland, Michigan. And here are my three favorite things:

1. Crimson Cottage Inn - This is pretty much the reason we decided to go to Holland. We found this place in a google search, and it was love at first sight. For days leading up to our trip, we would both look at the web site and daydream about this place. I can't say enough about how amazing it was. There were chocolate chip cookies just outside our room at all times. There was a great little picnic table in the backyard, where we sat well into the night, eating cookies, drinking wine and using a battery operated candle for light. (It was the perfect kind of camping.) The breakfast was fantastic, including things like baked French toast, sausage casserole, blueberry coffee cake, and white chocolate cranberry scones. The owners were warm and kind, and it felt like we were at a friend's parents' house. (You know, the friend with the parents you really like.)

2. Fenn Valley Winery/Crane's Pie Pantry Excursion - On Sunday, after a trip to the beach, we drove down to Fennville for a wine tasting. Unfortunately, the tours were full, but a nice old lady helped us navigate the many varieties of vino as we each tried five different ones. In the end, the two of us ended up with seven bottles between us (resisting the urge to make it to twelve, when we would have gotten a 15% discount). On our way to the winery, we'd seen several signs for pie at Crane's. And really, what goes better with wine than pie? Crane's was an interesting place. It's kind of like a primitive Cracker Barrel. First we went inside to the bakery, only to discover they only sell whole pies. Then we tried the outdoor walk-up window, to find that they only accepted cash (which we did not have). Finally we went inside, down a long hallway, then waited ten minutes for a table in the restaurant. Jess had blueberry pie and I had apple crisp. Well worth the confusion.

3. Not having a plan - A planner by nature (and not to mention it's what I do for a living), it was a nice change to not really have a plan. We visited galleries, sat outside to read, ate ice cream and discovered great restaurants- not to mention our time from about 5-7 pm each day when we sat on the bed and read People magazines or watched television.

All in all- a great little weekend getaway. I certainly see a return trip to the Crimson Cottage in my future!

Steph's Starbucks Challenge

[Disclaimer: I'm not writing this so you think I am awesome. I am writing to hopefully encourage you to make someone's day. Plus, chances are that if you read this, you already know how awesome I am! haha. ]

I'll admit it - I go through the Starbucks drive thru a few too many times a week. But when there are employees as awesome as Meredith and Ronnie, you just can't help yourself! Lately, my drink of choice has been a grande iced coffee with skim milk and one pump of vanilla.

A few months ago, I got to the window and was told the person in front of me paid for my drink. I've always heard of people doing things like that, but never thought I would be the recipient of such kindness. Fast forward to last week: a co-worker was two cars behind me in the drive thru and I bought her coffee. She was super-appreciative, and even wrote about it on her Facebook status. :)

I started thinking how a simple thing can bring such joy, and I decided that once a week I will buy coffee for the person behind me in the drive thru. Am I saving orphans in China or ending poverty or getting clean water to Africa? Certainly not. But I am making someone's day a little brighter.

I challenge you to do the same. (Ooh, I don't think I've ever issued a challenge on my blog!) Maybe you don't frequent Starbucks (gasp!), but I encourage you to find something you can do - regularly - to show a little lovin' to a stranger. What are your ideas?

Mildly obsessed.

I like these. A lot. And they are on sale at Target this week.

I'll meet you at the deep fried pizza...

Today I took the afternoon off and - you guessed it - went to the State Fair. This was trip number four. I must say, going on an afternoon during the week when school has already started is pretty amazing. I met up with Abby and Ryker to take advantage of the $2 food specials.

Deep fried pizza. I have to admit, this let me down. It was basically an elephant ear with some tomato sauce and parmesan cheese on it.

This was my favorite food of the day- a chicken parfait. Weird, I know, but yummy. It's barbeque sauce, pulled chicken and mashed potatoes.

The top of the parfait... a nice little smiley face with chicken nose.

Strawberry shortcake. Yum.

Deep fried cookie dough. I would give it a B+.

Non-food fair photos:

Love these two!

Ryker chilled in the stroller and took in all the sights and sounds of the fair. And old ladies LOVE him!

Yes, friends, this is a "Christian" pumpkin...

Ryker was not impressed with the animals.

I wonder if he has a complex...

Ok, well I think today was my last trip to the fair, but I'm not making any promises. It's still open for five more days, so we'll see.

Have Room; Need Guests

Well, my summer guest room project is all but finished. I need to get the wrinkles out of the comforter, and get a lamp, but I'm open for business!

Yep, those are Barbies on the wall.

I heart my bedside table.

Comfy tweed chair!

Reason # 264 Why I Love the State Fair