Weekend Journal

It's been an extraordinary week for me.  Mike and Nadia arrived safely from California last Saturday, so the entire family has been together for the whole week.  Yes - I'm happy beyond words!  There have been family cookouts and way too much food (but I've enjoyed every calorie!), quiet strolls along the beach, visits to parks, and hours just sitting around reminiscing and laughing.  I really hate to see it come to an end as Mike and Nadia head back to CA tomorrow.

Heather has been making mouth watering desserts for us all week.  My personal favorite - Biscoff Truffles.  Biscoff spread. Cream cheese.  Chocolate.  Speechless goodness.  Heather is amazing with the baked goods and has a wonderful blog: Bake, Run, Live.  If you want to see some great baked goods and sweets and collect some wonderful recipes, this is your ticket!  And the most importantl part - they're "made with love, not calories".  I've been telling myself that all week.

Other family members got in on the sweet action, too.  Mike and Nadia sent Keith this unbelievable box of chocolate covered strawberries from Sheri's Berries for his birthday.  They're deliciously sweet and crazy big!  Sis also contributed awesome chocolate peanut butter brownies to the dessert table.  

And let us not forget Nadia's creamy, luscious homemade flan.  Definitely no calories in this! (Ha!)

Of course, we had to offset all the food (a trip to Melt, breakfast at the 50's Diner, cabbage rolls, chicken curry, etc., etc.....) with some activitiy, and I also had to sneak in some journaling via camera.  Here are some snippets of our trip to the Cleveland Metroparks / North Chagrin Reservation in Willoughby Hills.

Squire's Castle front

Squire's Castle rear right

Looking up through the tower

Crab apple tree blossoms

Red Bud tree

Spring Beauty flowers

Yesterday was all about "the guys" as they washed, polished and "prettied up" the Mustangs.  Four-wheeled Mustangs, that is.  Mike, (videographer extraordinaire), attached his camera to the back window of my car and took video footage of the trip to and from the beach.  I can't wait to see the finished product and I'll be sure to share the link with you.  Here are a couple pictures from yesterday's photo shoot.

Mustang photos:  Keith Thompson

Nick's 99 Saleen, Keith's 69 Coupe and 96 GT Coupe

I have to admit to just a little journaling activity.  Remember the 29 Faces Challenge?  Mike helped me iron out my tech kinks and make a short video of the project.  Here's the finished video.  For the best viewing, watch on YouTube in full screen.

As this week winds down, I hope you are finding ways to not only create, but to celebrate and love this amazing journey we call life.  I hope you're surrounded by loving family and friends, and all the wonderful things that bring you pleasure.

Heather, Nick, Keith, Nadia, Mike

As for me, life just doesn't get any better than this.  I'm an extremely blessed and happy woman.

CELEBRATE * LOVE * CREATE