a photo ode to may

May 31st. Thirty-first. Because spelling it out makes it a reality that tomorrow is the beginning of June. I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but I'm going to say it anyway...how did this happen? It's practically summer!

So in honor of the month that was, here's a random collection of photos from my camera. Enjoy!

What's a birthday without a little OwowCow...

With a side of homemade mocha cupcakes with espresso buttercream?

project progress report

I know you're probably hoping to find a new tutorial for some incredibly wonderful project I've recently completed. Alas, today is not the day you'll find one. You see this little thing called "life" is getting in the way of me actually starting (and finishing) blog projects lately. But since I want you, my lovely readers, to feel included I'm sharing a few snapshots of what's currently up our crafty sleeves. Full tutorials and details coming soon...once we actually complete something on our expanding project to-do list...

kitchen hack: easy greek yogurt

It's probably no surprise to you that I love a good hack that saves me precious time and money. If your a fellow frugal greek yogurt lover, than this post is for you.

This little kitchen hack is an easy, quick alternative to the pricey greek yogurt cups you find in stores. Please note: this is not a substitute for homemade greek yogurt. Homemade still wins the prize for creamy, deliciousness with a slight tang in my book. But sometimes there's just not enough hours in the day to heat the milk, wait for it to cool slightly, and then incubate it until it reaches yogurt consistency. For those days when you're in a pinch and your budget is crunched this hack is a great alternative.

diy bridal shower gift: pantry essentials

'Tis the season for wedded bliss. Showers and weddings on repeat. We're currently in the stage of life that is filled with all things white and/or baby-cute. Anyone else relate?  Maybe later I'll talk about some of my favorite baby gifts [ahem board books!], but for now lets focus on bridal showers.

I'm all for showering a soon-to-be bride with gifts of love, usefulness, and necessity. But sometimes the process of finding, printing, and searching in vain for an elusive registry item isn't the way I want to spend a few free precious hours. Not that I'm saying you should completely ignore a registry. As a bride once, I understand a registry's value and purpose. So this thoughtful and functional diy gift is for those showers when you need another option beyond the registry madness.

My mom and I first gave this gift a few months ago to a bride who had no registry. We were at a loss for what to do. You give towels and they might not match what the couple already owns. Appliances? They already had them. Linens? We weren't sure if any were needed or wanted. So we settled on pantry staples packaged in glass jars and gifted in reusuable grocery bags. What woman doesn't love an organized pantry?  The bonus reusable gift wrap is just icing on the cake! 

First, get yourself some jars. We bought ours from the container store, but HomeGoods is also a great place to find cheap glass jars in different sizes. One recommendation about the jars: make sure they are airtight. Otherwise, all your efforts to create a beautiful, stocked pantry will fail. I don't care how cute the jar is...nobody likes stale ingredients [and wasted money].

links to inspire a diy weekend

Happy weekend! The hubster and I have a weekend of diy, friends, family, and sunshine-soaking planned. Can't wait to share our projects with you in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, I've rounded up a few of my favorite diy links lately to unleash your creative side. Be inspired.

16 Farmer's Market Totes a roundup from Whimseybox - I have big plans to paint my billy ball flower design onto a tote in the future, but I'm loving this roundup of farmer's market diy totes!

Paper Hydrangeas by Lia Griffith - Gorgeous summer centerpiece! Bonus: it won't die when you forget to water.

Giant Pom Pom Flower by Hearts & Sharts - Ahh! In love with the little curly wire stem!

DIY Clay Cactus Garden by Inspired by Charm - Because who wouldn't want their own personalized clay cactus garden?! I'm pretty sure I have a few cacti-obsessed friends who need this.

DIY Ombre Jenga by Lovely Indeed - The hubster just told me he's never played Jenga. WHAT?! Guess I now have an excuse to break out the paint and the game.

How to Age Terracotta Pots - Three Methods by Craftberry Bush - Love the look of these aged pots! Perfect for a kitchen window herb garden.

DIY Macaron Soap by Hello Home Shoppe via Poppytalk - And this last one is specifically a link for the master of soap making that created the soaps in the photo above. My mom. Seriously, better than many we've seen in stores lately! I figure she needs a challenge. I'm putting in my request for a macaron shaped soap ;)

Any diy links your loving lately? Do share!

diy sneak peek

Happy weekend! Just stopped by to share our newest diy project with you. Any guesses on what we're up to? 

Need a hint? We've decided to embrace the granny chic decor that currently occupies our apartment walls. Full post coming soon. Until then enjoy your weekend friends!

farm sitting 101

Friends, it's been quite the week. We spent the last nine days farm sitting for my parents. It was a busy week of cute animals, stinky muck, pouring rain, and glimpses of sun and spring. Here's a little recap of the week that was...

My city boy hubster has become quite the country man. Down to the flannel, muck boots, egg collecting, and steer tending.

We raided the cheese drawer and treated ourselves to a cheese fondue dinner.

Sneaky sheep. They let themselves out to graze in the yard.

Averted basement waterfall disaster after 4 plus inches fell in a day. Thank goodness for sump pumps, replacement hoses, and a Dad on call in Cali.

Thankful for an evening of sunshine after all that rain.

spicy sausage and hash brown mini frittatas

Friends, it's May. MAY! When did this happen? Where did spring go? I feel like we've jumped from the snowy days of winter to almost summer craziness all in the span of a week. Ok, slight exaggeration...but truly it seems like just a few days ago we were celebrating Valentine's Day and cozying up on the couch with a steamy cup of hot cocoa!

May is quite the busy month in our house. Mother's Day. Birthdays. Showers. Graduation parties. It's enough to make my head spin and my wallet ache. So today we are combating the time and budget crunch with an easy filling mini frittatas. These little spicy gems are perfect for a Mother's Day brunch, a quick weeknight dinner, or wedding shower luncheon.

We could pretend that I was really on top of my holidays and this is my way of celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Sadly, these mini frittatas were simply a coincidence. A tasty coincidence. The product of a block of jalapeno cheddar calling my name, a roll of sausage in the freezer, and dozens upon dozens of farm fresh eggs spilling out of the fridge. Let's get crackin'!