::The Three of Us::

I was cleaning out some cabinets as I often never do and I came across a picture from Molly's wedding in 2008.  I probably have a digital copy of this somewhere but let's make do with a picture of the picture, shall we?  It's a lot easier that way and I have a ton more housework  sewing  Real Housewives tv watching to do.

So anyhoo, Molly was totes looking gorge in this picture, Flannery was laughing and smiling and apparently I was singing along with the band.  I look like I'm literally looking AT THE BAND and singing with them like I know them.  I mean, look at my eye contact for cryin' out loud.  (In my next life, I'm coming back as Stevie Nicks with billowy clothes, a tambourine, ribbons on my microphone and singing "Whenever I Call You 'Friend' with Kenny Loggins.  But that's a whole 'nother post)

This is such a telling picture... because Molly ALWAYS looks gorgeous (so say me and Flann),  Flannery is ALWAYS laughing and smiling because she's got the best sense of humor, and me? well, I'm usually doing something ridiculous and goofy.

Here's more proof if you don't believe me:

In this pic, Molly is IN LABOR and on her way to the hospital.  How cute is she?  Who looks this cute while IN LABOR?  Did I mention she was IN LABOR!?  And just stopped to talk to a little pup from next door.




Molly, looking pretty as ever, with her little nugget, Eamonn.




And here again on her wedding day.  Beautiful.  She had hot pink wedding shoes and a birdcage veil.  Just stunning.




Here's Flannery with her sweet, Ginger.  Always, always, always with a smile.

Flannery smiling at the pool.

Classic Flannery.  Laughing.  Telling a funny story and when she's really, really laughing, she always points her hand out like that during the punch line.




And last but not least, much to my embarrassment, the proof that I end up doing something ridiculous when near a camera.

Like the time I met Ann Curry on national television.

Like the time I was singing along with/stealing a tie from/flirting with the lead singer of another wedding band.  

(And no, my hubs is not worried that I'm going to run off with any lead singer.  In fact, he thinks it's quite hysterical and he TOOK this picture because he wanted to preserve my ridiculousness for all eternity.)

Or just like when I'm at home.

Hmmm, wonder what kind of pictures we'll take next week when we're all together?!

::Almost, Just Almost::

I heard birds chirping the other morning.  Have you any idea just how good my soul feels when I hear birds chirping?  It means Spring is almost, just almost coming and the sun too.  And it means that I smile deep down inside that winter is almost over.  I can't wait.  Despite snowstorms all around us in Philly, we have managed to pull through without using the snowblower even once.  And the hubs uses it at the slightest accumulation.



In just a few weeks, the three of us will be together for a week of spring break and Easter fun in Charlottesville, VA area with our parents.  The three of us, our hubs, our kids and our parents.  No easy feat.  And I promise that we will take pictures of us to post on our dear ol' blog.

Courtenay, 10 *****Flannery 6 *****Molly 1

(this picture is 30!, 3-0, 30! years old! whoa.)

Spring 1983

And we will most definitely be making our mom's Easter Eggs.  'Cause nothing says swim suit season is coming like sugar.  Almost.







They are delish.  Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

1 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

6 (yes, SIX) cups sifted confectioners sugar

8 squares semi-sweet chocolate

Directions

Cream butter, salt & vanilla. Blend in milk until smooth. Add sugar, blending after each addition until mixture becomes smooth, but not sticky. Mold into egg shapes. Place on wax paper lined cookie sheet. Chill several hours. Dip in melted chocolate.  Mom always used a fondue pot and large fork.  Another way to do it is to melt the chocolate in a glass bowl over boiling water.  And let harden in fridge.  

Are you ready for Spring?

 

::Thou Shall Covet:: Vintage Doors

Flann recently bought a beautiful home outside of Chicago.  I'm having major house jealousy being that I am currently in a two bedroom condo with a husband, two little boys & a dog. ;)  So, let's just say that instead of being jealous...I'm living vicariously through her.  Sound good?

Anyway...Flann found this a-ma-zing old (barn?) door in her basement which the previous owners left behind.  She posted this picture on Instagram and the wheels immediately started turning.

She hit the jackpot, don't you think?!

  Check out the (original?) paperwork:

And the knob (swoon!):

Flann posed the question, "What should I do with it?"  

I couldn't send her my ideas fast enough - I was so jealous excited!

One, use it as a headboard.  Maybe for one of the girl's beds?

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OR two, use it as a sliding door (my personal favorite!):

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So, dear readers, which idea is your favorite?!  Or do you have another idea for Flannery?!  We want to hear what you think!

::It Had to Be Done::

so, apparently my sisters either didn't read my post from yesterday

or they were extremely busy and couldn't find the time.

considering that molly administers chemo to cancer patients during the day

and flannery has moved for the third time in a year,

i'll cut them a little slack this time.

however, i will force them to share pics of themselves.

aren't i lucky to have such pretty sisterz?

here's flannery showing us what she wore
to the back-to-school luncheon.

and here's mols on a little weekend vaca
with her seriously cute lil' bambino

Don't be mad sistersz!

love ya!

Scenes From My Walk

So I traveled all the way from Philly to Chicago to visit Flannery and her family, plus my husband's 4 sisters. Took a total of 12.5 hours and one overnight with my 3 girls. Sounds awful to be the only driver (stuck in the car with 3 children who usually fight while running errands around town) but it's not as bad as it sounds and was actual quite pleasant. As soon as we got to her cute little neighborhood in Chi Town, I wanted to stretch my legs and explore! The only problemo was that I left one essential piece of equipment in PA. My running bra. So, yup, it was def a walk and NOT a run.

And I must say, while my usual jaunts around my hometown are much more 'country' with horses and such, there are definitely many beautiful sights in this urban area.

So here we go...

chicken wire! i love chicken wire anyway... the shape and the daintyness of it, but hello?!!? in a city? lined up against a white picket fence? so cute. i love that someone took the time to add this. i wonder if it serves a purpose~ there were no chickens in the immediate area!~ or just for prettyness? i may have to add this to my own picket fence.

City cottages

with tiny lots

and porches.

funky garden art

great old signs

and Chicago style pizza

of course!

rows and rows of houses

these appear to be new

construction

but built to blend in to the neighborhood

city sidewalks

Old Irving Park Neighborhood

funky and creepy wig store

love the old sign

The Irving Hotel

would love to have seen it back in the day

all lit up

Wow. Free office job, huh?

shabby old fence

i love looking at these homes

and have made this walk

several times

it's been nice to take a walk

and find the beauty

in the city streets.

Middle Sister

What do you do when your middle sister is missing from happy hour!?

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You drink Middle Sister wine!

(We enjoyed their Smarty Pants Chardonnay)

We missed you this weekend, Flann.  XOXO



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