warm & fuzzy

 Have you seen this sweet post?  These two 

kiddos enthusiastically send their Dad off 

every morning with lots of kisses and hugs 

- and it's adorable.  (Watch the video 

to totally melt your heart.)

Did you ever do happy things like this?

I vividly remember standing on my tiptoes

(on the heater!) so that I could see out 

the window in the living room and wave

goodbye to my Daddy every morning. 

I felt so loved knowing that he cherished

our crazy antics in the front window,

and got so excited when he would honk

the truck horn and wave back at us.   It was 

a happy tradition in our house for years, 

and even now I still wave and blow kisses

to my family when they drive away after

a visit.  Old habits die hard.  :)

*found via Cup of Jo

memories

I did an unexpected grocery run this morning 

before work, and in a sentimental moment, 

stopped at the bakery to grab one of these 

decadent double-chocolate muffins.

I was blessed to grow up eating the most

delicious homemade goodies.  Between 

Momma and Grammy, we always ate really

well - and it was always fresh and from scratch.

But every once in a while, Grammy would

pick up one of these chocolatey muffins 

from the local grocery store and we would 

share it over a steaming hot cup of coffee.  

Some of our best chats and laughs happened

over coffee and a muffin, and to this day

I can't bite into one of these without 

missing those sweet times together. 

 

*recipe

bikes

This picture makes me smile.

I remember riding bikes
with my cousins as kids and
how much fun we always had.

Three cheers for summer!


*via here

stuck in my head...

I'm pretty sure we all know this song. Maybe you don't love it like I do, but that's okay.

(I'll try not to judge you if that's how you feel.)

Anyway, ever since hearing this last weekend, I've been randomly breaking out in into song. Poor Twin always looks a little confused when I just start belting out whatever pops into my head...and with such a long song, you never know where I'll start singing, which adds to the adventure.

After waking up this morning and singing random snippets all through breakfast, you can only imagine my pure joy when what came blasting out of my car radio when I left for work but my beloved Don McLean. (and by beloved I mean he sang two songs I like...)

For almost half of my sunny drive to work, I happily sang along - content that some songs never change, and that childhood memories can make a Friday morning really fun. I just adore that feeling when the right song comes on the radio at the right time. It's like for those few minutes of blissful singing, all is well with the world.

What's been stuck in your head lately?

windblown

I think that riding on the tailgate of a pickup truck might be one of my favorite things in the world. As a kid on the farm, we often got to ride between the various buildings in the back of the truck - always to my delight.

The wind rushing all around you is so intoxicating, and the sense of security from knowing that Daddy is at the wheel and you are safe with him was pure bliss to this little girl.

(Although I never was dressed like this in all my farm-girl-riding-in-trucks years...)


*image via tumblr

hop, skip & a jump

Doesn't this picture make you feel like a kid again...just waiting to take your turn?

Hope your Thursday is happy - I'm determined to make sure mine is!


*image via tumblr

princess sparkle...

Recently my boss and I were talking about how little girls consistently wear all of their favorite clothes and accessories - no matter if they all match or if it's occasion appropriate.

She, and a number of her girlfriends, have decided that it would be fun to have a princess sparkle party where they do exactly that - wear all of their favorite pretty party things despite what matches and doesn't. I suggested that they give out tiaras as party favors so that they could all really sparkle. I mean really, what girl doesn't want a tiara?


Shortly after that discussion, I happened upon this photos. Needless to say, I thought they fell into the princess sparkle category quite nicely!

When I first look at the brooches and intensely shiny little stones, my thoughts immediately flit to all of those rings, long necklaces, clip on earrings and pins that my grammies used to let us play with when we were little girls. Back in the floozie days, when didn't know why all of the aunts and uncles laughed at us when we were okay with being called floozies!

I remember how we loved to claim our favorite glamorous party dresses and then pile on the accessories - no matter if they all matched. In our minds, if they were pretty and we liked them, on they went. And then how proudly we paraded around, showing off our beauty!


Ladies, when you look at these photos (especially the shoes - be still my beating heart!!) doesn't a little part of you want to flaunt your sparkle again?

Don't you want to layer on all of the rhinestones and parade in front of whatever audience you have, just to hear them ooooh and aahhh over the fabulous ensemble you've created?



Perhaps I'll just settle for an incredible new pair of shoes.

Like these gold beauties...definitely work appropriate, right?


*as always, images & inspiration via Garance Dore