I save corks.  Do you?  I have bags full and have never done a thing with them.  I came across this and thought, “Hmmmm.” 

DIY.  Learn how to make these mini planters here. 

My arch enemy.  Cheez-Its.  If there is a box of these in my house it is a problem.  I usually eat 5-10 at a time.  All day long.  It might be better for me to sit down and eat the whole damn box at once.  Maybe then I would just get sick of them [from feeling ill] and never go back. 

As a friend so aptly named it yesterday, “It is the season of s’mores.”  If I am going to have s’mores and/or other delicious desserts with an extra glass of wine this summer, I am going to lay off the Cheez-Its.  They are not permitted to enter my house.  Because once they are in the house…… there is no stopping me!

Do you have a snack or food item that gets you every time?

The power of Dawn saved my life this weekend.  [That might be a touch dramatic.]  Dawn saved my shirt.  While taking a pan of bacon out of the oven, a pop and a splatter covered a brand new shirt with bacon grease.  After a brief freak out, I remembered I had a bottle of original (blue) Dawn in my laundry room.   The recipe for rescue:  a small drop on each of the grease splatters and let it sit over night.  I washed it this morning in hot water. All traces of bacon grease are gone!  I am a true believer. Think about it and it makes perfect sense.  If Dawn can cut through the grease on your pots and pans, why not your clothing? 

[Please note:  If you use this clothing rescue, make sure to air dry your clothing after washing.  You don’t want to throw it in the dryer and set any remaining grease.  You might need to repeat the process to fully remove the stains.  I did.]

This song, Hello by Martin Solveig and Dragonette, just makes me happy. Build a new playlist and add this track.  [Ironically, the video continues with my tennis theme from yesterday!]

I am thinking that it is high time for some outdoor entertaining. A few things from ACME Party Box Company would set the mood.   The company motto is party. rinse. repeat.  Don’t you love that?  Started by two working moms, this online company specializes in darling, reusable party items.

This is what I am thinking for a warm afternoon on the patio:

Check out ACME Party Box.  What items shout, “Let’s Party!” to you?
Add some sun and let’s go.

Our family has a new favorite cereal…….

What does Quaker have to say about this cute little heart-shaped cereal?

“Enjoy the perfect balance of taste and nutrition. Finally! Every lightly sweetened piece of deliciously crisp oat cereal is in the shape of a heart to remind you that you’re starting your day with a heart-healthy choice.”

My boys ask for them as a dry snack.  I enjoy a bowl for breakfast with a ton of blueberries.  Tastes great. Good for you.  How often does that happen?

Interested in the nutritional information?  Get all the specifics here.

Summer officially begins, around these parts, at 11:01am today.  Let the marathon begin.

Stay up late, let them run wild, encourage them to get dirty, play catch with them, take them swimming, buy them super soakers, build something together, say yes to candy, take a bike ride, go on a road trip, lay in the shade and read, make ice cream.  Love them and enjoy them.  If not now, when? 

Look where mine took me in the month of May!  Unbelievable beauty.  A sleepy, morning beach on Maui. A serene, wooded road in the Canadian Gulf Islands.  Both runs were equally invigorating and restorative. 

While I love great fitness classes, nothing can beat a pair of running shoes and an iPod while away from home.   You need nothing else to get a great workout.  I know that running isn’t for everyone.   If you aren’t a runner [or absolutely HATE to run], give it another shot.  You may find that it isn’t that bad if you have simple, attainable goals.  Run for fitness, health, and overall well-being.  So what if you walk a lot and jog a little.  I promise you won’t regret going for a run.  [Plus, it means you earn an extra glass of wine or cocktail at the end of the day!]

Go run like a mother!