Happy Memorial Day!

We've been enjoying our long weekend, spending time together.

June is a really busy month for us, (1 anniversary, 2 birthdays, + Father's Day) 

so it's been nice to have an extra long weekend before our busy month.

We've been shopping, cooking, visiting with family and scrapbooking. 

Well, just I have been scrapping, but Zoe occasionally helps:)

I got some of those new supplies I was gushing over last week. 

Those scooters just warm my heart.

:::Sigh::: I love pretty paper.

I started doodling on these pictures with my white pen and had a hard time stopping, 

I almost did the hearts on all 3 pictures, but I decided that was overkill.

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My sister and  her family were featured on their local news channel

for a story about the Missoula Carousel turning 15.

I showed it to Zoe and she was all excited to see cousin Noah. 

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Last but certainly not least, I just wanted to give my thanks

to all those that serve to protect our country and my rights. 

God Bless You.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Homemade French Bread

I did it! I made homemade french bread.



I used a recipe I found on this blog: Craftiness is not optional.



50 min



20 min prep

2 loaves

2 cups warm water

• 1 tablespoon yeast


• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil


• 2 teaspoons salt


•  1 tablespoon sugar


• 5-5 1/2 cups bread flour

1.Dissolve yeast in warm water (110 degrees) and sugar in large bowl; allow yeast to proof or foam (about 10 minutes).

2.Add salt, oil, and 3 cups flour; beat for 2 minutes.

3.Stir in 2 cups flour to make a stiff dough.

4.Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.

5.Place in oiled bowl, turn dough to coat all sides, cover and let rise until doubled.

6.Punch down and divide in half.

7.Shape dough into two long slender loaves.

8.Grease and sprinkle with cornmeal either a french bread pan or large cookie sheet.

9.Place loaves in pan and cut diagonal gashes on top of each loaf (I use scissors).

10.Cover and let rise until doubled.

11.Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 minutes.

12.Note: You can sprinkle or spray water on the loaves during baking if you want a really crunchy crust.

Seriously yummy bread. It also works with wheat flour, as I found out, because I ran out of white. But if using wheat flour, give it a little more time to rise.

Also, you don't need a bread mixer for this recipe. I used a whisk and my hands, and it came out great.

I doubt we will ever buy another loaf from the grocery store.



XOXO,

Holly & Co.

In Love

with this...

{and she makes any state or country}

I lived in Oklahoma, less time than I lived anywhere else. Just 8 months.

It was a very long 8 months.

Ryan and I were almost 2,000 apart, and working with a 2 hour time difference.

It made for lonely days and nights spent falling asleep on the phone.

But it only made us stronger.

I made lifelong friends in Oklahoma.

Kindred spirits. People who have made such an impact on my life.

The summer I spent there, was one of my favorites ever.

Full of days at the pool and nightly visits to Taco Bueno.

My first visit to a Piggly-Wiggly.

Since my parents moved, I haven't been back and don't know when/if I will ever make it back there.

But I still love Oklahoma. I miss it all the time.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

ten on tuesday

1. The rain makes me happy. It was raining when I left work today. It made me lots of happy. For most people, rain is depressing. I love it!



2. Zoe is deathly afraid of windshield wipers. Because of this, she screamed all the way home. To get her to stop screaming, I promised her she could play in the puddles.

3. I love snuggling. I found this picture on my camera from days ago.

4. I'm totally craving chili and cornbread right now. It's May 25th. yeah, weird.



5. 6 years ago today, I graduated high school.

thanks for the photo, Heather

6. I'm really, really excited for Studio Calico's new scrapbooking line, Documentary. I love the scooters.

7.  We're going to start serious potty training this weekend. We've had some success already this week.

8.  Of all the movies Zoe owns, Finding Nemo gets on my nerves the most. I think it's Marlin, the helicopter parent, that makes it so bad. I can only handle this one in rotation like once every couple weeks. I would much rather watch Dora the Explorer for 2 hours. 

9. Zoe's new phrase is, "So Cute!" Whenever she gets dressed, puts on shoes, gets her hair done...it's hysterical. I love it.

10. I love that Zoe got my cheeks.

have a wonderful evening.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

nothing too special

Ryan and I did get to go out for a bit, Friday night. Thanks to Uncle Brok for babysitting.

We finished up birthday shopping for Zoe and then went to Dinner at El Torito.

We stayed while, just talking. It was nice, we haven't been able to do that in a while.



Saturday, we worked on some stuff around the house.

Ran some errands.

Ryan worked on his talk.

and ended the day at the park.



Today we had an awesome church meeting.

Visit from our Home Teacher and the Census guy.

A nice nap.

Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

& for Ryan, the LOST finale in just a few minutes.

I don't watch LOST, so I'll have my headphones on watch some girly movie on the computer.

(the music in LOST creeps me out)



Nothing too special weekend. Looking forward to next weekend (3 day!)

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Costco Saturdays

I grew up looking forward to Saturdays, when my whole family would pile in our van and we'd spend our lunch hour at Costco. Shopping, enjoying the samples, convincing my parents we needed that 96 pack of Bagel Bites. We'd joke about who would ever need 15 lbs of peanut butter at one time. Or how we'll never, ever use up all that wrapping paper.

Now when we're all back home, we ususally try to fit in a Costco run.

Some families went on fishing trips, some went to the beach,

we went to Costco and loved every minute of it!

(of course, we also went on fishing trips and to the beach, but mostly Costco :)

Early in our marriage, Ryan and I would meet at the Costco down the road my my office to meet for lunch.

Lunch for 2 under $5.00, including drinks and dessert, sold!

Today, I had a craving for a hot dog, so I headed there on my lunch. I ate my lunch by myself, but it had my wishing for the day's when I lived at home and looked forward to Saturday outings.

I think Ryan and I are going to get a Costco membership for our anniversary.

Romantic, huh.

Hopefully, we can start providing Zoe with some of those fun Costco saturday memories.

the straw is not up her nose in this picture, it just looks like it.

I took this of Zoe on Monday. McD's has drinks on sale for $1 no matter the size.

Large diet coke for mommy - Apple Juice box for Zoe.

Thanks to Uncle Brok, the volunteer babysitter,

 I think Ryan and I might get a little date night tonight.

Happy Friday!

XOXO,

Holly & Co

best $2.00 ever spent

Foam swords at Target = Hours of Entertainment

Pardon the rag-a-muffin child, this is one of the few action shots I got.

Zoe loves these things. We have so much fun sword fighting. She even says, "Enguard!"

If you live close to a Target, I highly suggest in these. They are lots of fun!

Not much going on here. Just enjoying Ryan's time off from school for the next couple weeks.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

a Blur.

I totally love this picture. 

I imagined this layout and it came out just the way I wanted.

I love that.

Just a layout share 

and we're back to Monday again.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

pretty-little-girl

Our porch gets such great light.

She turns 2 in just under 3 weeks.

She's my pretty-little-girl.



XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Daddy Date

Yesterday, Ryan took Zoe on a daddy date.

They got ice cream and got some new books at B&N.

I took some pictures before because they looked so cute.

Such a love/hate relationship :)

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

A good day

You know it's going to be a good day when it's 8am, and this little bug is still asleep.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Never...

...have I been so ready for a weekend.

Today I totally woke up thinking it was Saturday, what a rude awakening.

But, I made it through my workday, and I'm celebrating with Cowboy Cookies.

{if you don't have M&M's or pecans, you can just use the chocolate chips. That's how I make them}

These are becoming my new favorite cookies.

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It's started warming up here in Nor Cal, much to my disappointment. 

Neither Ryan or I have A/C in our cars.

Yes, I know, it's crazy, but I enjoy no car payment more than I dislike no A/C.

Which makes for a ::warm:: drive home on summer days.

I cannot wear shorts to work, and I have short legs, so I prefer not to wear capris, which pretty much leaves me with long pants, skirts, or dresses.

I'm really loving all the cute summer dresses from Down East Basics.

I'm so in love with this dress.

I think this will be my anniversary gift from Ryan.

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Hope you are enjoying you're evening as much as I'm enjoying my cookies.

Back tomorrow with some finished projects.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Peek-a-boo!

Peek-a-boo

More fun at the park yesterday with the Stauffers.

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Tonight we got a Dora the explorer potty seat and some big girl pants to start the potty training soon.

Zoe was so excited she wanted to wear them over her diaper. 

She kept saying, " So Cute!" 

We're not starting just yet, but laying down the framework :)

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I just love this picture that Aly took. It's so Zoe.

I've lost my scrapbook mojo. This was the last page I was able to make.

I think I need a scrapbooking break for now.

I'm really wanting to crochet a baby blanket, with soft grey and white stripes. Only, I forgot how to crochet. So I need to find someone who can remind me how to do it.

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Ryan finished his finals today! Hooray!

Hopefully we can celebrate this weekend with some R&R .

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

I had a lovely day with a yummy breakfast and dinner by Ryan and a sweet card.

 I even got a little scrapbooking done too!

 

inside the envelope is a note to Zoe with all of her favorite things right now.

 I scraplifted Jennifer Johner for this layout. 

She has such a funky style I love, but can't replicate, so this is my attempt.

Hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Problem meet Solution!

Dilema: It's Sunday, and I'm all out of powder foundation. I can't go to the store, what's a girl to do?

Solution: Sneak into your toddler's room and borrow the baby powder!

Step 1: Apply liquid foundation as usual.

Step 2: Use big fluffy brush and apply small amounts of baby powder in place of powder foundation.

Step 3: Fool everyone! & Enjoy the baby fresh scent on your face :)

I was shocked at how similar it is to my regular powder foundation. I'm not sure of the long term effects of this or anything, but in a pinch it sure works out great.

{It's now Tuesday and I still haven't gotten new powder make-up.}

Happy Tuesday everyone!



XOXO,

Holly & Co.

23 Months

::: Listen, Do you hear that?:::

That's what Zoe is saying in this picture. 

She's growing up way too fast. 

We went to the Dr. last week and she's 95% for height.

She's hit a growth spurt recently.

She loves to jump on the bed.

She loves to eat cutie oranges. (she calls them "boranges")

She loves puzzles.

 She gives the best hugs ever.

She loves bubble baths.

 Her favorite movie is Kung Fu panda.

& 

She loves going to the park.

I'm still trying to decide what we're going to do for her birthday.

I'd really love to get away for the weekend to the beach, but a simple party will probably be the result.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

inspired - National Scrapbook Day

Happy National Scrapbook Day!

Jamie and I finally got to crop together last night. She smoked and made a bunch of layouts. I only got 2 done. {*ETA: Jamie did not actually smoke, but she showed me up by how fast she was on getting her layouts done.}But I really like what I got done.

The pictures Aly took gave me some inspiration, so I've been having a good time.

Hope you're having a great weekend.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.