Five Years and Counting

Five years ago today, Andrew and I said "I do," promising to spend the rest of our lives together. It still feels like it just yesterday that I was about to walk down the aisle, on the happiest day of my life. I absolutely love being married, to my best friend, and I look forward to every day that we spend together. Five years doesn't seem like a long time, especially when it's gone by so quickly. It's like I blinked, and here we are.

I couldn't have asked for a better life with the man I love. We have a home together (that he lets me decorate), with a big back yard that we both enjoy. Simple things, like a walk at the park, riding our bikes, watching a movie, getting ice cream, laughing at silly jokes - everything is better with him by my side. I know that God brought us together, in a way that only He could. A simple meeting in our college cafeteria, almost 7 years ago, started it all.

I'm still learning what it means to truly love someone, unconditionally. Andrew has been the greatest example of that to me. Never have I felt so loved, so accepted, so complete. Of course we have our "moments" like every couple does, and not every day is a magical. But the glue that keeps us together is knowing that we have God on our side. He is our real life example of true love in action.

I am amazed by the ways we compliment each other. From our personalities to our skill sets. The things that I am not good at, Andrew is. The tasks he doesn't like to do, I don't mind doing. The chores I don't like, he does for me. He encourages me in my creative pursuits. He teaches me about the wonderful world of sports. I like to cook and he likes to eat (ok, we both like to eat!). I think of more projects to do around the house and he helps me. He makes messes and I clean them up (kidding! Ok, not kidding). It works out pretty nicely.

Honestly though, marriage, though it takes commitment and work is such a learning ground. I have learned more about myself, who I am and who I want to be, by loving him and being in a relationship 'till death do us part. I know God is teaching both of us through each other. I'm so glad I get to walk this life with Andrew. Did I mention how handsome my husband is? Yeah, I am one lucky girl! Those baby blues get me every time. I pray that at least one of our future children has his eyes.

It has been an amazing first five years. We have taken trips together, visited family, spent time with great friends, got our first house (and a couple of cats), and too many wonderful memories and moments to recount. I say, bring on the next 5, 10, 50+ years!

Happy Anniversary Love. xoxo 

Lemon Blender Pie

This recipe is easy as...well, pie. Literally. When my Mom told me how to make it, it sounded too easy not to try it. I usually don't prefer lemon desserts, but this one was perfectly refreshing, especially on a hot 4th of July afternoon. You can definitely taste the lemon zest.

Ingredients:
1 Whole Lemon, seeds removed, cut into very small pieces, skin and all (make sure to catch the juice)
4 eggs
1 stick of butter or margarine, softened/melted
1 1/2 cups of sugar
Tub of whipped topping
1 deep dish pie crust

Directions:
1. Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Really smooth. You may want to use a food processor instead of a blender.
2. Pour into a deep dish frozen pie crust, such as Marie Calendar, Pillsbury or other brand (must be deep dish).
3. Bake 35-40 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool.
4. Refrigerate for a couple hours or overnight.
5. Spread top with 3/4 tub (or all) whipped topping and serve. 


Get ready for lemony deliciousness. The only thing I would do differently the next time I make it, is to cut the lemon skin into tinier pieces. The pie will contain small bits of lemon - that's what makes it homemade! However, I got a few bites of skin that were a bit too much for me. So blend, blend, blend.

Enjoy!

Grateful for Independence

Happy July 4th (yesterday) to everyone in the U.S. We are truly blessed. A "thank you" goes out to my Mom and Dad for our flag, which we proudly display. I enjoyed celebrating with some of my favorite people. We spent the afternoon basking in beautiful weather, sunshine, grilling, good food and lots of backyard fun...like this! My niece and nephew (and husband and brother-in-law) had a blast in our blow-up pool, that has lasted a 3rd summer, much to our amazement.

A little before 10pm, Andrew and I rode our bikes down the street to the sports park, which was hosting the annual Spirit of America fireworks celebration. It has become a tradition since we moved into our house. The display was spectacular as usual. But I forgot to bring my camera! We like being able to zip past the lines of cars streaming into the park, find a nice spot on the grass to watch the show, then back on our bikes and home again in no time.

My heart is full. So grateful for so much.

Bugs, Blooms 'n Elphs

Let's play a game. See if you can find the bug in each photo.

I love taking photos, and I love my little Canon Power Shot Digital Elph camera. It's only 8.0 mega pixels (I know, 8 mega pixels is soooo 2008), but it does have my favorite setting: macro. I like using this setting to take close-up photos of flowers. The macro icon is even a flower. This is by no means a "professional" camera, but in my opinion, it does a really great job for being a pocket-size point and shoot. This is actually my second Canon. I have compared similar models in Sony and Kodak, and this one still takes the cake. They are up to 12+ mega pixels now and have even more snazzy features. I would recommend this one. The only thing I would add is a larger zoom lens.

Back to the game. There were a number of bugs enjoying my garden, so I challenged myself to capture a few. Do you have any idea how difficult it is to photography a bee? In flight?

Click each photo to enlarge. I got some decent detail, in my amateur opinion. I took a couple photography classes in college. I like to think I have some basic photography knowledge. Shoo fly.

Meet Ant Rose. Pun. Intended.

The best for last. Do you see it?

Here is a clearer view of a rather large dragon fly resting on a drainpipe.

Buzzzzz.

The perfect size to put in your jacket pocket or purse. Or to sneak up on bugs with.

DIY Shower Curtain

Some of you wonderful readers have been asking how to make a shower curtain. I'm delighted to share my do-it-yourself guide, because I love you guys. I really do. Get your supply lists and creative juices ready.

After shopping around for a shower curtain, I came to the conclusion that I didn't like any of them enough. Especially since it would be a focal point in my new bathroom. I was thinking about making one.

One day, while perusing the aisles of Marshalls (oh, how I love thee),  I stopped in my tracks when I saw this tablecloth. It was exactly what I was looking for! Unique pattern and the right colors. For $20, I knew I could make it work.

You will need some grommets, also known as eyelets. Joann Fabrics sells these little kits that come with little tools that you will need. I used extra-large rings. Just make sure they will fit over your shower curtain rings/hooks. Available in brass or silver, the kit comes with 10 grommets, but of course you need 12, so you will need to buy an extra pack of just grommets.

You will also need a hammer and a cement surface. No joke. I had to pound them together on my basement floor. 

Some type of medium weight interfacing and an iron.

I used these great dual shower curtain hooks that my Mom gave me from JCPenny. They are also available at Bed Bath and Beyond.

Make sure you have a shower curtain liner, which will act as your template. I found a white hotel style fabric shower curtain liner, also at Marshalls, for $6 (is there no end to your bountifulness Marshalls?). I don't know why I didn't think of a fabric liner years ago. Those plastic ones get so gross. Who wants to scrub that? I even tried those "Guaranteed to resist mildew" curtails. Fail. I'm giving this fabric one a chance, and when it needs cleaning, I'll throw it in the laundry and report back.

Start by selecting a piece of fabric that will be large enough to make a shower curtain. Standard size is 70 inches wide by 72 inches high. It can be a tablecloth, duvet cover, sheet, window curtain, whatever your little heart desires or finds in the clearance aisle.

Using the shower curtain liner as a guide, make sure it is the same length and height of your fabric. Hem the edges and adjust the size if needed. My tablecloth was too wide, so I had to shorten it and create a seam. Luckily, the border pattern made it appear seamless.

Cut a strip of interfacing, about two inches wide and as long as your curtain. Iron the interfacing strip to the BACK side of your soon-to-be-curtain at the very TOP. This will provide reinforcement for your grommets. (Don't you love my palm tree ironing board cover?)

I apologize, I didn't photograph this step. Clip your liner and fabric together temporarily with clothespins (or other clips), with the liner on top. Using a pencil, trace each hole onto the interfacing of your curtain fabric. Make sure top and sides are lined up. Mark all 12 holes.

Using an x-acto knife or sharp pair of scissors, cut out a small hole where you made each mark on your fabric. Don't cut it too big. Use the tube part of the grommet as a sizing guide. You want the grommet to fit SNUG. Even if you have to wedge the grommet into the fabric a little bit, it should be fine.  If the hole you cut is bigger than the grommet, it won't work.

Follow the directions on the back of the grommet kit for assembling the grommets. It takes some layering coordination. First, put the round little pedestal down on the cement floor. Then stack on top of it the grommet that has the tube. Then slip your fabric with pre-cut hole onto the grommet tube. Then put the flat grommet ring on top (make sure it is good side up). Then insert the long tool that came with the kit (short end in). Keeping everything centered and level, hold the tool in place and pound away with your hammer. This is where some elbow grease comes in. I would say try 15 to 20 drives with the hammer, then check to see if the ring has enclosed together. If not, hammer a couple more times. The tool may get stuck, but it can be wiggled out. If my directions sound confusing, the back of the box should help.

Repeat for all 12 rings. 
When you're done, it should look something like this.

You're ready to hang up your new shower curtain!

I am so happy with how this project turned out. It's not too difficult, right? If you decide to make one, I would love to see the results. Let me know if there's any part of the process that you have questions about.

Happy shower curtain making!

Feature Site: Turn a Sonogram into Art

A new website launched today, that allows you to turn a sonogram into a timeless piece of art. What a cool idea! Wouldn't this make a great baby gift or wall hanging for expectant parents?

At mysonogramart.com you can customize your own ultrasound print in 3 steps. Upload your photo (or mail a CD), select your choice of paper, canvas or metal, along with color, texture and style, then proceed to checkout. Your order will be shipped to you. The best part - they offer 13 sizes to choose from, starting at 8x10 inches ($40) through 60x80 inches ($650). Talk about a conversation piece!

Mysonogramart.com is a production of local talent at Booksmart Studio Inc., Rochester, NY. They offer a wide range of book publishing, fine edition printing, workshops and printing supplies. If you're in the market for best in class photography printing, including fine art metals, or an exquisite gift, check out both sites. Mention you read about it on Sohl Design.

P.S.
This is a sonogram sample from the website (it's not mine). No Baby announcement here. Sorry if I got your hopes up! I would like to get one of these sonogram prints, when the time comes (whenever that may be).

Favorite Things: McDonald's Hazelnut Iced Coffee with Low Fat Milk

This is perfection. With a straw. To go.

McDonald's hazelnut iced coffee with low fat milk is my favorite. Let me stress the low fat milk part again. If you get regular milk, it's too sweet with not enough coffee flavor. I would categorize myself as an occasional coffee drinker. I don't need a cup o' joe every day. But on those extra sleepy mornings, when I need some get-up-'n-go, this does it. I especially love hazelnut.

I think I've tried most of the iced coffee's in town. Dunkin' Donuts, Tim Horton's, Jitter's, Starbucks. There's just something about McDonald's coffee. And a medium is reasonably priced around $2.29. Prices and participation may vary. Do I sound like one of their commercials or what? Maybe McDonald's will see this endorsement and give me free iced coffee for life. Hurry! Tell your friends!

So, what coffee do you coffee-lovers prefer? Hot? Cold? Do you have a favorite brand? Or will any cup of java do? Do tell. It's time for coffee talk.