Time for a Hoedown

My birthday is fastly approaching. Yes I am one of those girls. The girl who celebrates her birthday all month long, or at a minimum the week leading up to said birthday. I love a great party and capitalize on any excuse to throw one. This year will involve a very small town country bar and hopefully my new favorite country singer….For sure a Western theme. I need invite ideas. Anyone know of any cute Hoedown invites I can reproduce in a flash (like in the next few days)?

Thank You Veterans

There are certain times when words are not enough. This is one of those times. To each of you who have put yourself in harm’s way thank you, you have put the freedom of others before the comforts of yourself and for this I am grateful, because of you I live safe and free. I hope everyone takes time today to not only thank all the Veterans you may encounter but also to say a prayer for all of those currently fighting - their friends and families. I had the honor of visiting the WWII Veteran Memorial in DC a few weeks ago with my brother. It was amazing.




There were a few Freedom Flights there at the same time and so touching to see these Veterans visiting THEIR memorial. The memories of that war flashing across their faces as they looked around was something you cannot recreate. We visited the Korean Memorial as well which was also very touching.


I am grateful that I live in the USA land of the free and home of the brave! I thank each and every Veteran and service member for this privilege.

Sorry Bambi :(

Sunday I hit my first deer. Miracle of miracles I have never hit one before with all the traveling I do to my parents out in the country and to our cabin in gorgeous middle of nowhere Nebraska. All I can say is I hope this is my first and last! Traumatic to put it mildly. I felt awful as just no way to avoid hitting poor Bambi. Not sure if she died or lived as she took off into the field and it was super dark. I am trying to be an optimist and hope for the best but the realist in me knows better….I have decided there is no chance in H-E-double hockey sticks that I will ever become a hunter – I cried for a solid hour (and possibly again later that night) over the loss of Bambi and it was an accident. As annoying as the deer are when they eat my Garden goodies I just don’t think I can pull the trigger and purposely kill one for sport. Nothing against those of you that do – just think my shooting will be contained to target practice only.

Ladies Love Country Boys

CanFest was a little over a week ago and I am just now posting photos. Ooops! Needless to say it was a super fun night. I went with two of my favorite country peeps. My brother (who has a lil country in him and rocks the cowboy boots).

And my Sister-in-law

The acts were superior. Started with Jimmy Weber (amazing - stationed at Offutt Air Force Base & huge supporter of USO tours)

Ray Scott (gorgeous and an killer voice)

Walker Hayes

Steel Magnolia

Laura Bell Bundy (My Sis-in-laws idol as you can tell)


And Joe Nichols

Amazing amazing performers and such a small venue that we met most of them afterwards.




And we may have even partied a lil with the country boys….

Prettiness for my Camera

Thanks to my wonderful parents my camera finally has a proper bag. No more throwing it into any ol purse and hoping for the best!

I love love love the bag. It’s stylish and looks just like a purse with plenty of room for the camera and extras so easy to take for a night out, while traveling, whatever the occasion may be. If you are looking for a great camera bag check out Epiphanie. My mom ordered mine a few months ago and we had been patiently awaiting its arrival. Now I just need one of these beauties by Shey*B for the strap and I will be set!



Oh yeah and maybe a photography class or two and a zoom lens. Birthday and Christmas ideas galore.

Looking for that perfect shade of brey….

I am painting our cabin living room next week. Here is a snap shot of the living room when we first moved in.

I want that perfect not quite brown and not quite grey color I so often see in homes and love. Sadly I can’t quite figure out what color it is. Here are a few photos for refrence (sorry don’t know where I found these photos to give credit!).





Any ideas what color this would be? Or any suggestions for a color that is similar? I prefer Sherwin Williams paint. Thanks bloggers!

VOTE VOTE VOTE TODAY!!

Please take a few minutes out of your very busy day to vote. Every vote counts – let your voice be heard. I voted first thing this morning and am proudly donning my “I Voted” sticker.
Good luck to all the candidates – I know how nerve racking this day can be! I can’t believe how fast this year has flown by! Last year’s election I was biting my nails to the quick full of nervousness. I wanted the day to be over so the results would come in, and then suddenly I didn’t want it to end as was afraid the results would not equal a city council seat for me. I cannot begin to express what a wonderful year it has been and how lucky and honored I feel to serve the citizens of Council Bluffs! But I am SOOOOO very happy to be sitting on the sidelines this election just enjoying the excitement and buzz surrounding an election. Looking forward to stopping by the courthouse this evening with the candidates to watch the results roll in. So please go VOTE and help shape your future.
*Photo from last November's Election

One Can Never be too Old for Halloween!

My friend Sara and I ventured to our cabin in Niobrara, NE for the annual Halloween party at Cody’s (aka Sportsmen’s) Bar. This is Cody!!

Amazing costume. Sara and I were obviously cheerleaders. For those not from the Midwest for some crazy reason Iowa and Nebraska fans are always hating on the other team so we thought it would be fun to each embrace our home team.

Starting next year these two teams will play each other – we may have to host a party just so we can wear the unifroms again! A little pre-party fun at Two Rivers


And a little post-party fun at my house

(I realize the photo is blurry, but the only photo that really shows our full outfits - sadly I took very few photos this evening!).
The perfect ending to the Halloween weekend was a fun Silpada Jewelry party hosted by my friend and coworker where we all donned funny masks. Best $1.25 she ever spent!

How did you celebrate Halloween? Do you still dress up even as an adult??

TOMORROW IS TURN CB PINK DAY

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR PINK TOMORROW!!!
Daily Nonpareil Online
By Chad Nation, News Editor, cnation@nonpareilonline.com
Published: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 10:59 AM CDT
Citizens will have the chance to view the city through rose-colored glasses Friday.

People who live and work in Council Bluffs are asked to wear pink Friday to show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and numerous businesses have joined forces with the Council Bluffs Fire Department to raise funds for breast cancer research.

All month long, firefighters have been sporting pink T-shirts and polo shirts and have asked citizens to purchase the shirts to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Fund.

Chief Alan Byers said so far only 300 of the 3,000 shirts ordered remain, and that number was dwindling Tuesday.

Capt. Jim Maaske said employees at Walgreen’s stores and U.S. Bank would wear pink shirts to show support for the cause, as well as teachers in some of the Council Bluffs Community Schools on their casual days.

Mayor Tom Hanafan signed a proclamation Monday at the City Council meeting declaring Friday pink day in the city.

“The City Council and I have bought T-shirts from the fire department and wore them to the last two council meetings,” Hanafan said. “I think it is a great way to show support.”
Hanafan said everyone at City Hall would be donning pink shirts or pink ribbons on Friday.

“It’s a pretty good message to send together,” he said. “A lot of people out there are suffering from cancer, whether it is breast cancer or another form.”

Hanafan urged residents and workers in town to show their support.

“It will be kind of colorful day around here, which I think is good.”

Our Nation’s Capital at Night

Is gorgeous!!

We decided to venture out into the chilly temps to view the many monuments lit up at night. I highly recommend it to everyone. It was breathtaking.



And for the most part less crowded than during the day.


Other than the Lincoln Monument which was still packed!

I wish we would have trekked to the Capital as well and closer to the White House. Always next time.