We Made It!

Monday, 23 May 2011

Well, I think we finally made it. It was starting to feel like Narnia around here with that never ending winter but it would appear that spring is officially here. We have had some beautiful sunny weather and even the days that aren't perfect are still pleasant enough to go out for a walk in the evenings. It's so nice to wake up (at 5:30am -- that part's not so nice) to bright skies, fresh air and chirping birds. We can even leave our window open a couple of inches at night and not have to worry about catching hypothermia in our sleep.

I had the pleasure of throwing a bridal shower for my dear friend Lena a week and a half ago. In case you don't already know this I love, love, love throwing parties!! The listing and baking are probably my favorite parts...

(photo courtesy of Mandie at Sindisiwe Photography)

Hence these yummies that I put together. I'll admit, I didn't bake the brownies -- I bought them at Costco (I'm a working woman, some sacrifices must be made, plus, they're super yummy) and then topped them with a whipped chocolate ganache and fresh raspberries. Almond cake in the center, of course. That one's been a recent favorite.

(photo courtesy of Mandie at Sindisiwe Photography)

I invited everyone who came to the party to help put a srapbook together for Lena. I purchased a Sesame Street book from Goodwill and covered it with fabric, ribbon and paper and everybody else designed and glued-in their own page. It turned out beautifully. I'll have to get some more photos of it sometime.

(photo courtesy of Mandie at Sindisiwe Photography)

We played games and laughed and sang and Lena opened gifts and we ooed and awed and we ate and ate and ate :) It was fabulous!

(photo courtesy of Mandie at Sindisiwe Photography)

I think Lena enjoyed it as well.

Her aunt was gracious enough to host us in her home. She made quiches and scones and salads and a cheesecake and everything was just beautiful. Oh! And for anyone who cares (slash knows what it is) we also played Pass the Parcel!

After the party I made my way over to my mom's house where Tara was getting ready for Prom!! So fun. Amanda and I didn't do the whole prom thing so this was kind of exciting. Tara was super cute and super excited and looked fabulous in her dress! (well, a dress that was -- is? -- mine but happens to fit her perfectly) I don't have any photos yet of Tara in her dress but I do have this photo...

Mikey picked Tara up in this lovely little Lexus -- the product of his father's mid-life crisis I'm sure.

Continuing our super busy celebratory weekend, we also had the joy of getting together with the whole Parducci clan in honor of Mandie, Rick and Barry's birthdays. Mom picked up some new glasses for the occasion. We ate and laughed and talked and ate some more. Uncle Scott's German chocolate cake was unbelievable, as usual. I could eat it every day and be a very happy camper.

Here's what I was most excited for this past week -- this monstrosity of a TV was picked up last Monday by a guy who runs a local recycling business.

So the ginormous TV that hasn't worked in over two months is finally gone!!! I was so excited to come home from work and have a new project. I think the results are pretty great. Check it out.

We moved the little TV and bookshelf down from our bedroom and we're now using my laptop as our "TV" upstairs. Do you love it? I do. I think it's a huge improvement. The space feels bigger and I think this little TV and shelf are much better suited to the small space we have available to us. Having the big screen TV was nice, when it worked, but I think this will suffice until we have a bigger home and a bigger budget :)

So those are my happy thoughts for the week: spring is finally here and our living room just got a fresh new look -- love it!