The Mommy Workout

{Cole at 8 months}

This little guy keeps me on my toes...and has proven to be the best workout routine I've had to date. :) I'm not much for workout schedules anyhow...I always seem to fail at them. I'll be doing good for a week or two, then slowly but surely I'll give myself too much grace here and there and before you know it.....I haven't put on my running shoes in over a month. So, when I became a mom and my life was forever adjusted to a squirming, crawling, getting into everything, wants to touch everything, needs me for everything baby....I also found a workout routine I couldn't shake or lose at....and if you ask me....

...it suits me pretty well. :)

The Mommy Workout:

*Lifting baby throughout the day =back, shoulders & arms workout

*Lifting & carrying baby in {extremely heavy} carseat to and from car & in and out of grocery carts =back, shoulders, arms but esp....abs workout

*Running after baby before he gets into a "No no" in the house =legs workout

*Getting little to no rest at night =endurance workout

*Waiting to eat my food until the baby has had his =patience workout

*Carrying baby in Baby Hawk =back strengthening workout

*Squatting down to help baby with a toy =calves workout

*Pushing baby stroller =stamina & legs workout

*Bouncing baby on legs for what seems like forever =cardio & arms workout

*Dancing for baby to entertain him =more cardio workout

*Sitting straight up in bed at the sound of his cry at night =abs workout

*Making hand motions to entertain baby (like "itsy, bitsy spider") =fingers workout

*Holding baby on hip while doing housework, vacuuming, cooking,

folding clothes, getting mail, putting on makeup, watering plants, etc =balancing, strength & multi-tasking workout

*Sitting cross-legged on floor with baby to play =stretching workout

So that's my workout these days! :) Since I gave birth I've managed to lose the baby pounds I put on during my pregnancy and feel like I'm in better shape than I've been in for years. I attribute that to the Mommy Workout, but also....to the wonder of breastfeeding! God is so miraculous for creating such a thing. ;) I know in the future I'll need to kick it up a notch with my workout when I'm no longer running after Cole...but who knows...by then I may be running after another little someone! :)

So what's your workout? Do SHARE! :)

Have a wonderful Tuesday,

Gail

Vintage Bridal Shower

I had the pleasure of hosting a vintage lingerie bridal shower with 3 other maids' of the Bride at our home a few weekends ago. The bride is a very dear friend of mine...and now she's all off and married! Missy & Michael---I couldn't be more happy for the two of you!

Here's some pictures and collages I created to give you an idea of our evening. We chose the colors red, black & turquoise for the shower and tried to use them throughout our decor. (I apologize in advance that some of the photos are of poor quality.)

The Invitation:

Inside it invited guests to an

"Old Lace & New Love"

vintage lingerie bridal shower

My delightful friend, Missy,

playing the part in the "Photo Room"

I created a room where guests could have

fun and be silly by creating their own phrases

on chalkboard painted cardboard quote cut-outs

and an assortment of vintage hats, gloves & purses.

Hostesses & Bride:

One of my favorite details were the drink tags

we made using leftover scrapbook paper from the

invitations. I already have a lot of turquoise in my home

and getting to bring these little goblets out was fun

cause I don't use them that often and they just

happened to work perfectly with our color scheme!

Above: turquoise goblets with scrapbook paper name tag,

coffee filter pom poms, the food table, red velvet cupcakes

with cream cheese frosting & strawberries, red roses.

What my make-shift mantel looked

like before all the presents arrived! I

used the vintage dancer print in the decor

cause the Bride is a dancer (it used to hang in my

room when I was growing up).

More decorations:

Above: tree decorated with coffee filter flowers, vintage

ballet dancer print, coffee table glamour, refurbished

goodwill lamp

My chalkboard adorned with a natural

coffee filter flower & red ribbon chain

If you're interested in making these flowers,

they really are a breeze. All you have to do is crinkle

each filter til they are crumpled and soft, spread them out,

then pinch in the middle of each filter and arrange with your

fingers until you get the look you want. If you want them really

fluffy and layered you can stack several filters. Secure with

a pipe cleaner or ribbon and you're done!

Vintage details:

Above: vintage 1950's Ladies Home Journal Magazine

lingerie ad, vintage paper dolls (I played endlessly with

these when I was younger), vintage silk

robe with tulle that belonged to my great Aunt.

It's hard to see in this photo, but the scrabble letters

read: "MISSY AND MICHAEL SITTING IN A TREE....

FIRST LOVE.....THEN MARRIAGE...

And married they are indeed!!!

~~~~~~~

I hope you enjoyed the party!

Gail

Cole Playing with His Reflection

Have a Happy Wednesday!!!

Gail

Three Cheers for the Red, White & Blue!

Yesterday was a very relaxing day for our little family. We had an extremely busy week last week and barely spent time together, so we decided to set aside time....just us....to celebrate the 4th together. It was just what the doctor ordered!

Our morning started off with festive "Fourth of July Waffles". They were delicious! I may end up making that a tradition each year....we'll see. ;)

I made this wreath from natural coffee filters that I had used to make pom poms with for a bridal shower I hosted (more on that later). It was an easy & fun project that I created while watching Cole play with his toys on the floor. All I did was crinkle each filter so it looked more wrinkled and soft, pinched the center and twisted it a little, then push-pinned it to a styrofoam wreath form. The flag ribbon was some I already had on hand.

Old recital sheet music makes for a good 4th decoration!

Mini flags in white vases gathered from years past sit atop my dining room buffet.

My 3-tiered plate stand displays my small collection of vintage jello molds. They're not just for show though....I do actually use them too!

More vintage patriotic sheet music!

An arrangement I made using some leftover flowers from a wedding I designed for over the weekend. It just so happens that they were patriotic colors! Perfect. I tied some patriotic ribbon on it for a more festive look. The pom poms are made from white coffee filters (also from the bridal shower).

My handsome hubby and Cole letting their patriotism show. ;)

Aren't those sunglasses a riot?! I love 'em! Thank you Gram'ma & Gram'pa!

Me & my precious boy :)

I was so glad to finally purchase a flag this year! I had been looking for one with embroidered stars and individually-pieced stripes for a good price and finally was able to find just what I was looking for! Now we'll be able to proudly display it at the appropriate times and holidays.

It's official! We're Americans!

The rest of our day was spent going out to dinner at "Red Hot & Blue" (yummy ribs & bbq brisket!) and watching some good ol' fireworks while listening to WRR Classical 101's patriotic music. If you ask me, I'd say it was a day well spent!

I hope your day was as equally enjoyable!

Hugs,

Gail

Freedom in Christ! & Fourth of July Waffles

This Fourth of July I thought I'd share some verses that are good reminders to me of our FREEDOM IN CHRIST!! How grateful I am that we have freedoms here in the USA, but without the freedom that Christ brings....oh my...I would be lost. Thank you, Dear Jesus!!


"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

"We are under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us. On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us." (2 Corinthians 1:10)

"In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free." (Psalm 118:5)

May those verses resonate through your heart today!

And now onto a delicious waffle recipe! Good for today (though it's a bit late for breakfast now) or any day of the week. Enjoy!!

~Fourth of July Waffles~

Adapted from my mother's recipe of "Popular Waffles & Pancakes"

*Makes 8 7" waffles*

2 free range eggs- beat

beat in remaining ingredients:

2 cups organic buttermilk

2 cups organic whole wheat flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons coconut oil

Heat waffle iron; cook. Top with a little butter,

your favorite organic berries, & a drizzle of pure

maple syrup. Yummy & healthy!!!

HAPPY FOURTH of JULY!!!

Gail