That One Time I Met a Bachelor....

Summer summer summer.

While it's still here in season, it's gone really.  School started two weeks ago, so it's back to being a weekend warrior.  But that's okay, because this summer was a good one.  The longest one in years.  We clocked just shy of three months off.  I had lots on my "to-do" list, but one of my main goals was to get to the beach.......and we did.......

We went to Naples, Florida!  We did a lot of exploring this time (versus the last time where we hit up lots of tourist spots). Meaning, we took some road trips!  We drove to Sanibel Island..........

And we drove to the Keys..........

We chased sunsets at our favorite spot.......

And at our favorite beach, this happened..........

I met Chris Soules, a former Bachelor.

As a forever fan of the show, this was monumental.  So monumental I couldn't form a string of words to say to him.

All thanks to the mister.  Because I wasn't going to approach him.  The mister made it happen.  And I'm not mad about it.

I mean, look at my ridiculous face!

Dreams Do Come True

Ever since my college days, I've longed to live in a certain neighborhood not too far away from campus.  A neighborhood with big trees and old homes.  Where porches are sprawling and there's a strong sense of community.

Last Friday, that dream came true.  We sold our 1967 Fixer Upper, and bought a 1921 Craftsman.......

It's crazy how it all came together!  We were actually viewing an open house one Sunday when a high school friend messaged me on FB asking if we knew anyone interested in her neighborhood.

ME!  ME!  ME!

We looked at her house that very night.......listed our home shortly thereafter..........and here we are!

As sad as we were to sell our house, we knew the timing was right for us.  I'll admit to shedding a few tears over saying good-bye to that place.  We loved it so much.  But we were ready for a change of scenery.

All my dreams came true on Friday.  This neighborhood.  This house.  I feel very blessed.  I can't wait to share more of this new adventure with you!  Check out my Instagram for a few extra interior pics!

(Oh, and I'll explain those strange fang-looking things on my porch later!)

Naples, Florida

For the last few summers, I have longed to take a vacation.  But we are terrible planners.  And it just didn't happen.  This summer started off no differently.  Then one Monday morning we got up, went to the Allegiant website, and booked a trip.

Finally beaches and palm trees would be in my future.

I was a little skeptical of booking everything (down to the car) on one site, but after the fact, I would do it again and again.  Everything went so smoothly!  We even got a free upgrade on our rental (and it happened to be a brand new Challenger ~ which is my current car crush).

Naples, Florida was everything.  

Dolphins, alligators, pristine white sand beaches, dinner on the beach at sunset, sailboat excursions, airboat swamp tours.....

We enjoyed lots of beach time with our pick of spots (it wasn't crowded), lots of great food, the pier, and a few fun boat excursions.

I could go on and on. 

We will definitely go back.  And we would definitely use the Allegiant site for booking again.  This trip cost less than one plane ticket to Hawaii (which is where we went on our honeymoon).  We had no issues with reservations or flights.  Our hotel was amazing too!

This trip went beyond my expectations.  It was more than I could have hoped for.  I am so thankful we were able to go.

We love Naples, Florida (hit play for more photos)........

(You can find my bathing suit in the slideshow HERE.)

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Linking up with......High Five for Friday, Friday Favorites, Insta-Friday annnnd....

Happy Things (via Instagram)

Recently, the mister and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary.  I had but one request that day.

To document the milestone.

The mister said yes.

I wanted to visit our wedding venue and recreate a wedding photo.......

Five years to the day.  Same spot.  This side-by-side makes me all kinds of happy.

So does the mister's way with kids.......

He visited my classroom last week.  He is the child whisperer. 

Something else that makes me happy......

Playing with the parachute on our rained out-plan b-field day.  It just never gets old.

Neither does packing up the classroom for the summer.........

Good-bye work!

Hello summer!!!!

Time for pools and reading til midnight and sleeping in.

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Linking up with......High Five for Friday, Friday Favorites, and Insta-Friday.

Snow Days (via Instagram)

It's not even officially winter yet.  And yet the snow day count has risen to four.

You know how I feel about snow days.

Love.

But wow.  Four already?!  (Good-bye summer.)

Anyway, I make good use of my time off.

I take way too many pictures of Gizmo in order to capture the perfect one.......

It was his first snow!  And he loves it.

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I bake......

And eat.

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I build fires.........

The first one of the season needs to be documented.  Especially when the tree is up and school closings are scrolling across the bottom of the t.v.

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I huddle in front of the fire with my pups.........

They love it too.

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And I take time to watch the snow fall.....

It really is magical this time of year.

Now to begin snow day number four........

Cookies, cleaning, and reading await.

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Linking up with......High Five for Friday, Friday Favorites, and Insta-Friday.

A letter....

Dear Fall,

You are almost here.  And while I hate to rush days like this.......

I will welcome you with open arms.

When you arrive, I plan to wear the heck outta my new boots......

Drape scarves over cozy sweaters.........

source

And buy lots of fancy pumpkins for my porch.......

But I'll be honest.  I've sort of cheated.

I couldn't wait for your crisp fall temps to get here, so I had to at least sample some tastes of autumn to tide me over.

Like those pumpkin spice M&M's that Target carries......

And then there was the locally roasted coffee I bought.........

I might have even ordered a pumpkin spice latte (or two) from Starbucks.

It's because I love you.

You are my favorite.  (Except we need to talk about that whole having-to-rake-leaves thing.)

See you soon!

Love,

Danavee

Vintage Mug Swap

Recently, I participated in a fun little swap..........a vintage mug swap.

My partner and I received our packages on the same day!

She sent me..........

I was thrilled with that particular mug.  I collect Jadeite!!!  How did she know I had only one that needed its mate!?!

But that's not all.

She also surprised me via email.........

Starbucks?

COME ON!  I about died.

She really took her time to find out what I love!

I was just hoping she'd love what I'd sent her.........

(stolen from Ann Marie's Instagram)

I went all daisies for her......with matching mugs, fun tea, and a vintage canister.

According to her Instagram post, she ended up a happy camper too!

Thanks again to Sarah for hosting and to Ann Marie for her thoughtfulness!

I can't wait for the next swap!

Snow Day (Instagram Style)

Dear Winter,

Thank you.

Do you know the joy I felt when I saw my school district's name scrolling across the bottom of my television yesterday?

I was able to bake fudge brownie cookies for the mister (who was hard at work out in the elements).......

I managed to clean a bit.  And decided to keep some vintage items meant for the booth because they made organizing scarves and makeup a little cuter.........

I took a bubble bath and read my favorite magazine......

Annnnd experimented with some ingredients to make my own dinner concoction.......

Then (and best of all) I found out I get to do it all again today.

Winter, your timing was perfect.  You totally rock.

Love,

Danavee

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Linking up with......High Five for Friday and Insta-Friday.

Five Things Friday

Since this week was spring break, I have really soaked up the not working thing.  I've done way more than five things, but these might be at the top of the list....

1.  The mister and I went bowling and had flaming sushi.....

2.  My friends and I threw a baby shower for a lovely mama-to-be....

 

3.  Had a legit spa day (massage, mani, and pedi) and came home with yet another color....

 

4.  Got to spend some time with my Grampy....

5.  Did a deep clean at the homestead.  Mom came over and was a beast.  She has some unconventional cleaning techniques.....

I had a serious "that's where those were" moment
when we moved the coffee table for vacuuming......

And kept thinking someone was standing on my
porch every time I walked by the open front door....

 

But really it was just my coat stand.  

Outside for dust bunny removal.

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Spring Break, why do you have to end?  I didn't even get a chance to start cleaning my special room.

I guess with 45ish days left of school, summer isn't too far away.

I'm so good at not working.

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 Linking up with...

 

Featured!!

Last week I linked up with Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms.  I participated in her blog hop by posting that pork roast I'd made.

Imagine my shock and excitement when I checked her most recent post and found that my roast was her most viewed recipe that week.

EEEEEEEEEKKKK!!! 

DOUBLE EEEEEEKKKKKK!!!

Fall Frenzy

After work today, I sort of went on a rampage.

A pumpkin buying rampage. 

I filled an old Radio Flyer with heirloom variety pumpkins......

I blame the gorgeous weather after the dreary weekend we had.

Anyway, I just couldn't resist.  I needed to be outside, and the best pumpkin "patch" in the world (with awesome prices) was on my way home.  They have an excellent selection.  From the typical jack-o-lantern style to gourds.  They have mini pumpkins, hay, cornstalks, mums.  EVERYTHING for fallifying your home.

Look at the perfect stems and vines..........

And how cute is a collection of baby pumpkins in a vintage compote..........

Schlag, thanks for making me buy that compote.

Oh, and one more thing.  My mum.......

I think my house is fallified.

With one exception.........Jan, I need to come raid your bittersweet vines.