Domestic Kate

Happy Birthday Dear Handsome! Phil. 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. photo taken on last year's birthday

I love  this time of year when my neighbor's tree starts to bloom.  I would love to have this tree in our front yard.  At about this same time last year, Handsome and I made a trek out to one of our favorite  places in the whole wide world to see one of our favorite  people in the whole wide world...my grandma.  Trips to grandma's house are always special-filled with great chats, lots of laughs, and lots of scrabble!  On this particular visit, we had a mission- we were looking for some trees to take from her land to put in our ever-so-desperate yard.  We managed a four hour car ride home with seven  trees stuffed into a toyota camry! {and yes, I said seven } Sadly, only three of the trees are thriving today..sniff sniff.  Next visit, I want to keep my eye out for a beautiful blossom tree! Our tree is blooming too!!! {I think I can, I think I can...}

Mommy Nee over at Nee Caps (also known as my lovely sister) posted a great thought/challenge to spend time with your family (or students in my case) by making May Day baskets and remembering a wonderful tradition. Head on over here to take a look!

I am going to a baby shower tomorrow that is being thrown in honor of a woman from my church. I am in charge of the games :::gulp:::. I have the games planned and prepared but was trying to decide what to do for the prizes. I found some great buys on my budget. I found two clay pots in the dollar section of target. I thought they were a little boring but wanted to keep a simplistic look. I hot glued hemp string around the pots, tucked a little Zinnia grow kit inside {another find from the dollar section of target}, and added a plant-inspiring word "Live". "Live" is the motto I hope all of my plants use! Happy Spring!

Recently, my parents celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary here, and happened to pick up one of these, so it could go on my bike, and look like this, {coincidentally i love the store MANGO} Beautiful. I just can't wait to ride around and ring my little bell. "French baguette please!"

April is the month of birthdays in this family. Today. Is. Mine. 26 years! I have had a terrific day and am so thankful for my wonderful family and friends (and students) that have made me feel so-special today! Now, I'm looking forward to the other special birthdays I will be celebrating this month! >

Or just wanna eat Mexican food?  I finally convinced my co-worker to write down how she makes her wonderful {and sometimes very spicy } salsa verde {or "green salsa" for you minnesotan's}.   What you will need: 3-4 jalepenos (whole) 4-5 tomatillos 1 white onion Cilantro Lime Avocado Boil ingredients together, in water, for 10 minutes or less. Drain ingredients. (leave a little bit of the water in for some flavor) Mix with fresh cilantro and 2 cloves of garlic. Blend ALL ingredients together in blender.  Add Salt and Lime to taste. Add slices of fresh avocado. Put it in a cute dish and you're set for a really good evening!

I have decided that my "guest room" needs to actually turn into a guest room.   I'm also in spring  mode and want to start thinking of fun projects that I can tackle as soon as school lets out for the summer!  I have the nautical theme going in the basement and bathroom and would like to continue that theme in the guest bedroom as well.   This is my nautical inspired family room: {Ignore the red  ottoman please...} I recently read a post from Layla at The Lettered Cottage  about a beautiful antique linen press she had found at a flea market {read about it here }.  I especially love how the piece became beautiful and fresh with a silky coat of white paint.....thus, making me itch to paint furniture for my soon-to-be guest room downstairs.   I am currently looking on craigslist for a cheap side table that I could easily paint. This is my question...should I paint this?.... This was first my dresser in my nursery and then remained in my bedroom throughout my childhood and a...

Can I just say that after 2 years of marriage I love this man MORE !  This is my favorite picture of him that I took on our trip to Mexico.   I'm a little sad because it's not completely in focus but it still makes me smile.....a lot!

We had a wonderful time!!!   Some highlights of our trip in words : holding hands waking up early drinking coffee smiling pedicure (me) ocean pool kissing celebrating TWO YEARS  of marriage! Some highlights from our trip in pictures :