Hello, August!

Where did this summer go? I saw a quote earlier today or yesterday somewhere on Instagram: 

June & July lasted 4 seconds.

(They're not wrong).

I feel like this Summer has flown straight past me; I gathered that much when June hit and I was in Panama, and then proceeded to spend the rest of June out of state on the weekends. July wasn't much different. Now we're here, it's August 1st, and today was a GOOD DAY to slow down and enjoy it.

I got drafted to head northward for my office's weekly interview round-up in Warren County. Ashley's on vacation this week, and I'm the next closest geographically, so off I went this morning to Lebanon. It was a standard morning of interviews, new employee orientations... all the fun stuff that comprises my day-in-day-out. 

AND THENNNN.. 

helloooooooo, gorgeous!

I'd never been to the heart of Lebanon, so I typed in 'coffee' and waited to see what happened. As it turns out, there are at least four coffee shops/houses in cute little Lebanon, so I picked the first one and saved the rest to explore another day. 

I picked right. 

This is exactly what I picture when I think of quirky little cafe/coffee joints: It was tucked into a row of street-side businesses, decorated like a parlour, and covered with chalkboards and coffee-themed things. The board inside the doorway reads, 'FUN FACT: We have a different flavored coffee EVERY DAY!' And obviously this was where I was supposed to come, because I have an irrational desire for this stuff. 

^^ lampshade ceiling ^^ 

Approaching the counter to order food is a serious affair for me, although not as serious as trying to find a place to order the food in the first place. So I asked what the most popular dishes were on the menu, and was told that both the chicken salad sandwich and cornbread salad were award-winning (literally) items. Let's DO IT, because I am in no way a fan of making my own decisions at a food counter. 

how your food is delivered at royce cafe & coffeehouse:
ADORABLY.

I've never had so much non-salady salad on one plate. Frankly, I never even knew that was an option.

And then I saw this, which will be promptly displayed in my office when I get back to the homefront. I made it a point to thank the owner after this entire lunch experience for doing this, because not only is it a step and statement of faith to add scripture to a lunch order, but it told me that they'd thought well enough about how to encourage people, even if just for a second.

love, love, love.

On my way out, I ordered a Red Velvet Mocha, after again having asked for the most popular vote. Sure, let's do it... and omg this was the right choice kthanksi'llbebackbye. 

wifi password, also my life motto. 

SO FOLKS, if you're ever in or around Lebanon (OH), GO HERE. :)

And if you're ever in or around Eastgate (or Fairfield, don't forget!), go to Jungle Jim's and definitely buy escargot shells five-foot long dog ropes and mochi and most definitely 3 giant buckets of pop boba.

the filipino food aisle... 

Say yes to dog toys. Especially those that are taller than you and can withstand the force of two 70 pound dingos at home.

Today was a beautiful day, and August is here.
Let's do it!

xo | cms 

Sunshine, Bicycles & Good Books

Ohhh, sunny DAYS!
Even though I was working today, I did have an altered schedule that I didn't hate. It was mostly due to a hiring event I hosted in partnership with one of the Northern Kentucky career placement services; she set me up in a conference room for the afternoon and I knew then that the day would be all right:

i'll just swim on in there... hardy har har... 

The event ending gave way to a commute back across the river, which was packed full of commuters until I neared the river line on 275, and I couldn't help but snag a shot of the state line welcoming me back across the water.

and i'm cooomin' on back.. 

I hurried so that I could catch Sydni's bus; it's the first time this year that I've been able to see her off the bus after school, and while I snagged a shot of her coming off the bus, I wish I could've captured her face when she realized she was going straight to the car, with me. Be still, my heart... seriously.

so little, but so grown up.. how's that possible?!

We ran a couple of errands, went grocery shopping and had a mini mommy-daughter date for a snack before we headed home. Today's been gorgeous, and this evening didn't disappoint. Sydni and I cleaned up some around the house, and then I joined her outside for a couple hours of bike riding.

my toothless little darling! ♥

I had to remind her today that there was a time not long ago that she believed she would never learn how to ride her bike, and now.. this.  For hours, if I'd let her. I love everything about it.

I sat outside sprawled across one of the patio chairs, with Sydni blurring across my left and right peripherals as she rode in a circle up and down our street. Eventually, the bike retired to the garage, and for a moment, I became audience to an impromptu 1 person gymnastics meet:

She tumbled on and on, rolled around the yard several times and chased a teasing blue jay until it finally got bored of her being bound to the land. I drank it in, and managed to squeeze in the final few chapters, epilogue and bonus short story at the end of the latest book. I've been afraid of finishing Lady Midnight, because if I'm honest, I've read all 6 of the The Mortal Instruments, all 3 of The Infernal Devices and now this, the first in The Dark Artifices series that Cassandra Clare has released.. all within the span of less than 2 months.

lady midnight - done! 

NOW WHAT DO I READ?! 

Just kidding. I'll hunt down the Bane Chronicles or the Shadowhunter Academy books next and indulge myself in Simon's quest for ascendance. Do I sound like a nerdy maniac? Only if you've never read any of these, I suppose.. haha. Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be the one hooked on a book series like this, but yeah.. let's go with it! 

Anywho, it's late, and we're all spent. Happy Tuesday to you, blogbots! 

xo | cmd

Hello, Summer!

It's SUMMER!
I have a feeling this one's gonna be a long one, but I'm okay with that. It's been hot outside a few times already this year, so let's see what the year has to offer.

Last year around this time was Paddlefest, the river-based expo for vendors and adventure-lovers alike. We decided to attend again this year, so that meant gearing up for it today!

But FIRST..

Breakfast. Today that meant home made French Toast, because I love these people who live in my home and also because WHY NOT.. It's Saturday! :)

delicious!

Then...
A trip down to the farm, because there are baby goats! They're just a month old right now, but cute as could be. We had to see them.

hi, babies!

syd with the goats

mr. rob helping her ring the farm bell

We made a pitstop to pick up some organic feed, and there were more animals - this time bulls.

sydni the bull-whispering yogi .. ♥

bulls!

It was back to the farm to drop off the feed, and then back on our way to our main destination of the day - Paddlefest!

someone was ready to go!

Sad fact: Paddlefest this year - at least the daytime Saturday version - was a bit of a disappointment. We had hoped the reason was just simply that we came during the day, when the crowd was super light and there wasn't much going on. Most of the vendor stands had limited foot traffic, and the event as a whole seemed a bit sluggish, at least in comparison to what we saw last year.

Fortunately, Becky enlisted her and me with her tree-climbing group, an entity with which I'd apparently climbed before, years back, but not realizing it until the owner of the business mentioned it to me. Small world!

becky & me

Anyway, we hooked in, roped up and climbed our way into a half hour or so of air time in the beautiful Sycamore overlooking the river.

roping up

pardon that weird face.. not really sure about that look?

hello down there!

descent :)

Back on the ground, we ditched the harnesses and headed for the river. Sydni was being so good all afternoon, and for that we'd promised her some play time in the water.

running back and forth in the "boat waves"

And this guy:

look at those snazzy glasses! ;)

We finally decided to load up and head home; there was World Cup action to be had and we didn't want to miss any of it. I found these in Becky's car on our way back:

inspiration!

Starbucks is really stepping up its game with the new Teavana partnership [and apparently one with Oprah, as well...]. Speaking of Starbucks, Becky & I made a quick run to get some iced caffeine in oiur lives, and found a collection of donated Starbucks mugs from around the world.

Right in front? These:

awesome awesome awesome!

^ LOVE that!

Anyway, we're creeping up on the evening hours now and although it's been a great day, we... are.. spent! That's how a good Saturday is supposed to be, so I'm not complaining. Tomorrow it's church and Kara's graduation party. I'm excited :)

Happy weekend, friends!

xo | cmd

Friends On The Water

We woke up this morning to that atmosphere you can only find when camping. The smell of dew from overnight was still hanging in the air when we crawled out of the tent, and the sun was peeking through between the trees. The campfire ashes were still smoldering, and the familiar feeling of being surrounded by mud and camping gear first thing in the morning set in immediately.

I LOVE it.

I also love being on a boat.
With Rob.
.. And our friends (:

This was day 2 of taking the boat out on the water; yesterday was her baptism to the 2014 season, and today we motored a course around the lake by ourselves for a couple hours before Kalyn, Brittany and Chad rolled in.

Here's the photographic story of that happening :P 

my love (:
day 2!

sparkly water (:

floatin' away!

We decided to dock up for a minute to get our friends in on the action!

hi guys!!!

laid out with my best friend

love. love. looooove. these girls.

And what's a boating trip without doing yoga on the bow of the boat? 

just a little yoga for the trip out

Oh, and the polar plunge, aka the cold water challenge... whatever you wanna call it. It might be warm out, but the water is still pretty.. freakin'... frigid.

trying to talk ourselves into it....

go!
.... coldcoldcoldcoldcold...

We talked Chad & Rob into doing it, as well... 

 

I love these people...  

loungin' out without a single thing on the agenda

besters.

It was finally time to tow in... we were all winding down and ready to eat.

headin' on home



i am one absolutely content girl (:

^ Yeah, lots of selfies on the boat today. None of us could help it; happy people, happy pictures!

 

Rob & I dropped the boat at the house, threw on some jeans and made a U-Turn back out of the neighborhood on the bike to meet the other three for dinner. Our destination: The Eagle in OTR. We hadn't yet been, but we'll be back!  

sweet potato bake, chicken sandwiches, mac & cheese, spoonbread..
... nomsssss.

Whew. That's the way to finish a Sunday! We definitely got some sun out there this weekend, but it's nice to be home again with our pups for a the rest of the night. We're gonna crash here in a minute, I can tell.

I'll deal with Monday when it gets here... hah. G'Nite!

xo | cmd 

So Today.. Was AWESOME (:

Today and tomorrow, no matter what year, are always awesome: TODAY is my cousin Maricor's birthday, and tomorrow is my dad's birthday.

So, first things first, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, beautiful COUSIN!!!

gorgeous. ♥you! happy birthday!!

As is customary in my blogworld, here are a few highlights of this girl over the years. I probably could not have imagined a better human being to be my cousin.. one of my best friends, ridiculous confidante, fellow first-time-mom, and a multitude of other things. Mar, I love you and I hope you had the best birthday yet. ♥ 

deliciously vintage, 1997.
f: myself & kim | b: jena [r.i.p.] . katie. maricor.

2006

sad day [for me].. 2007 when maricor moved to hawaii

happy day [for me] .. 2009 when she came back to visit!

her wedding - 2010

our cousin jeremy's bmw.. haha

of course, fun with the little girls syd & madison
  who are exactly 1 week apart ♥

this famous one... from jamie's graduation!

Happy birthday, love.. I can't wait to see you and the family at Madison's birthday!

So yeah... back at the Drenn Lodge, we certainly didn't waste the day, either. First it was church, then we made the call to do some swimming before Sydni and I took back to the Cincinnati-bound road. Good. Calls.

church girls! ♥

just some story time to relax (:

... but not for long.. it's pool time!!!

she's a fish!

We couldn't do a family visit to the pool without some video footage (: Just a little...

not a huge fan of the swim breaks..

And of course, Rob sent me some love in the form of kisses from Sasha to Stella. (: I miss them both, and him, and reaaaally want to see him.. and them.. s.o.o.N.

the girls.. pibbles (: (:

We're home now... back in Cincinnati, getting ready for another week.