Recent Simple Pleasures

I don't know about you, but I can find myself in a funk for no particular reason. This is why I am documenting some simple pleasure: things to be grateful for that I easily overlook.

Simple Pleasure 1- spending a few hours learning about new curriculum with Whitney Krietlow & Cherie Robbins followed by an impromptu trip to Greenlake.

Simple Pleasure 2- being apart of friends' families. What a gift it is to spend time with families, even when they aren't my own. TV time, story time, & bon fires are just a few things I'm grateful for.

Simple Pleasure 3- celebrating Cassie's, my oldest friend, 26th birthday with her & her family.

Simple Pleasure 4- unexpectedly spending an afternoon with Jenica. Good (discounted thanks to Pirq) coffee, antiquing in Seattle, my first trip to Ivar's, and singing Happy Birthday. Thanks for letting me spend your special day with you!

Simple Pleasure 5- trying out a new recipe. The best part was the chance to sit down with my nanny girls for quality time. Them liking it was just a bonus. Who knew onion soup would be a hit.

Simple Pleasure 6- watching Giselle open her permit. I remember being 15...I felt invincible. I hope she doesn't.

Simple Pleasure 7- living in walking distance from Lake Washington.

First Fall Day Pictures

So, for some reason my pictures posted blurry. These should be better. Thanks!

First Fall Day

Today I woke up to fall, so I lit a pumpkin candle, made a cup of coffee, turned on friends, and looked for projects. Project #1...revamping my room. I changed my pillowcases (bought at Value Village) & framed scrapbook paper in FREE frames I found a couple weeks ago. Outcome- a SIMPLE change in scenery that I'm quite happy about and for under $10!!!! Project #2...wrapping gifts for an upcoming baby shower & birthday party. I used modern tissue paper, vintage lace (from an estate sale), and ribbon from my collection. I like the softened modern outcome. I'm a little sad my hard work will be ripped off, but they will look cute among the other gifts. This project (not including the actual gift) was FREE! My favorite :)

 

Project #3 was a surprise. Heather, my nanny mom texted me to tell me she bought me a roast to cook. When I went to pick it up (they live just around the corner) she included the wine & a quick walk through on what to do. So, tonight everyone in my home will be enjoying a wonderful slow-cooked roast. What better meal for a fall day!?!? Here is a picture of everything before...look for the after picture. 

The Pot Roast Outcome

So, after 5 hours the pot roast is done. I would like to call it "first-day-of-fall-in-a-bowl."

This is what's in it:

1 pot roast
3 large portabella mushrooms (sliced)
1 yellow onion
1 bag baby carrots
1 bag small potatoes
Lots of garlic
1/2 a bottle of red wine
Beef broth
Basil
Rosemary
Oregano
Thyme
Salt
TJ's all seasoning

You simply throw it all together & wait & wait & wait & then enjoy.

Sixty-one months ago I drove out of my parents' driveway teary eyed with my best friend by my side. I had no idea I was a few days away from falling in love with the Northwest. My parents moved me into my dorm, we cried, and I was left to face new adventures of sharing a room, choosing a major, not sleeping, discovering Seattle, and church hunting. Fast forward sixty-one months...I graduated two years ago. I live with two lovely ladies in a three bedroom condo in Juanita/Kirkland, just 0.6 miles from the beach. There aren't any waves, salt water, sand, or lifeguards, but I like it. My search for a church has ended...Journey Church, you ROCK! I work as a nanny, and I LOVE it. Also, I'm addicted to coffee and walk around dehydrated most of the time. I travel back to Orange a couple times a year...although I fully enjoy my life here in the Northwest, I equally enjoy spending quality time with my family. In this blog you will find posts about my favorite places, projects, coffee, friends, travel, family, nannying, cooking, scrapbooking, decorating, and much more.