Summer + Snow= Yummy Goodness

I'm addicted to snow cones. Always have been, always will be. I even owned one of these when I was a little girl:

That's why I get so excited when summer finally rolls around and the snow shacks are setting up shop in every parking lot throughout the city. Shaved ice, snow cones, cup o snow, call it what you will- I call it delicious :)

Thank goodness Michael has a habit of always throwing his left over change in the console of his car. I only pack plastic so it isn't any wonder that every night this week Michael and I have savagely ransacked his stash of quarters, nickels, dimes and anything silver that could go towards the purchase of paradise in a styrofoam cup. His shiny silver stash enables me, a declared snow cone-aholic, to purchase my nightly fix. Even KeeLee looks forward to this daily "treat" as she and Michael have a craving for the same flavor: Blue Cotton Candy.

However, this icy goodness doesn't come cheap. Prices have gone up over the summers, from a mere 75 cents to what is now $2.50 for a 16 oz cup. Kind of ridiculous considering it's ice and syrup. Don't try to tell me I'm paying for the cup. No STYROFOAM cup is $2.50. But an addiction is an addiction, and I don't plan to attend snow cone anonymous any time soon (I'm already thinking about what flavor I'm getting tonight).

Last night we had to break into the large plastic jar that Michael collects change in, because we had emptied out the console in his car. He wasn't at all happy about this as he refers to this as our "vacation money" which makes me laugh considering there's not enough in there to even purchase a full tank of gas for a mere road trip. Michael seems to disagree with me and threatened to "count it" tonight to prove to me that this snow cone addiction could empty us of our vacation dreams. Highly unlikely if you ask me.

Now there is an art to purchasing a good snow cone as Michael and I quickly discovered on Tuesday night. We ventured away from our staple snow cone supplier as we had an errand to run on the other side of town. It was then that we saw another snow cone vendor and decided to give it a go. Although tasty, it just wasn't the same. The ice wasn't as fluffy (yes, there is such thing as fluffy ice). Michael says the blade on their snow cone machine must be wearing out because the shave wasn't as good as our regular place. To make up for this, we stuck to what we knew and visited our regular supplier last night. And you can bet I'll be scrounging up some change and will be in line again tonight.

On another note- I have to mention what Michael and I saw last night while in line at Cup-O-Snow. This mother pulls up in her red convertable sports car, decked out to the nines and weighing in at probably exactly 100 lbs. You know the type: 50 but trying to look 15. And lucky for us she had her 15 year old daughter with her sporting a mini skirt she couldn't sit down in, heels, jewelry on every extremity, and too much make-up. You know the type: 15 trying to look 25. Funny how Mom is trying to look younger than her age (and failing miserably) and Daughter is trying to look older than her age (also failing). I'm not a mom yet, and who is to say if I'll have a girl when I am a mom, but if and when I do- she will NOT dress like a prostitute. Not at the age of 5 OR 25. And someone should tell mommy skinny pants that there's actually SUGAR in snow cones. DUH!

UPDATE:

Last night I tried a new flavor- Rio Grande and it was DE-LISH. And if you can get cream on top for free (just another yummy added bonus at Cup-o-Snow) DO IT! It makes the icy sin so much sweeter :)

Green Thumbs and Sore Body Parts

We worked all weekend. The bedroom downstairs is almost finished, and the yard is coming along. Still have stuff to plant, weeds to pull, grass to mow, but it's looking nice and feeling more and more like home.

I'm actually excited because last night I planted a bunch of English Ivy in my backyard. My hope is that it will grow quickly and climb the fence and side of the house. I have always loved the yards that have the overgrown ivy climbing fences and walls. There's something so cozy and beautiful about it. And because my backyard faces north, it provides the perfect environment for this lush plant. I also planted some Vinca ground cover which should spread quickly and fill in the corner by the fence that needs some color. I'm going to take pictures to mark the progress of my plants. Yes, I'm a nerd, but a nerd with a green thumb :)

Michael and I are also making plans to put in a water feature off of our deck. We have the perfect spot for it, and it will be nice to sit on the deck and listen to the trickling water. Therefore, I planted ivy here too. I'd love for it to climb the sides of the deck and wall behind the fountain that we'll probably put in next month.

It's a ton of work, and every muscle in my body aches from spending three whole days on my knees pulling weeds and planting. My arms are also very weak from using the giant clippers to give the trees and bushes a much needed haircut. I seriously need like a two hour massage (hint hint because my birthday is in two weeks). Last night I downed some Tylenol PM to take care of the aches and pain, and crashed out at 10:00. But all the while I know I'm burning calories, building muscle, and beautifying our home which makes me extremely happy :)

3 Whole Days of....

Holy Hannah! We have a lot to do.

This weekend, for most, is a 3-day, fun-packed vacation which (at least in Utah) involves boats, campers, ATV's, BBQ's, lots of sun, etc, etc, etc...

For Michael and I? WORK. At least this year. Kyle, Michael's son, is coming to stay with us this summer and we have yet to finish his room. This project began about two months ago when it was still snowing blizzards here and we couldn't work out in the yard. Since the sun decided to show it's face, we quickly abandoned this project and moved outdoors getting our yard and deck ready for the summer months. BUT- since Kyle will be here in a week, we need to finish our bedroom project.

At least the walls are painted. At least the dry wall is patched. At least furniture and decor are purchased and put together. However, the crown molding, floor boards, and bead board isn't cut, mounted, complete. So we have THAT on our to do list this weekend as Kyle will be arriving in 8 days.

Other projects include replacing the ever running toilet in the master bathroom with the new toilet that has been sitting in a box for three months in our now organized garage. Also, the installation of a new garbage disposal (which is currently sitting in a box next to the new toilet in the garage) needs to be installed so my life in the kitchen can resume normalcy.

Oh and of course the basic yard stuff like mowing, edging, pulling weeds, planting flowers, water the lawn, etc...

Oh and the normal weekend chores of cleaning, cooking, laundry etc...

And I'm sure I'm forgetting about 50 other priorities on the list, ETC...

Three days might be enough for most to relax and have fun this holiday weekend, but I doubt it's enough time to accomplish everything Michael and I need to. I swear, once you buy a house there's never enough time, money, relaxation, yadda yadda yadda.

So for those of you who can, enjoy the weekend congrats. And please pause for a moment to think of me sporting my paint stained clothing, accessorized with muddy yard gloves and sweat pouring from my brow as you comfortably sip your Mai Tai in the sun.