ode to mama

Dear Mama, 

I don't know how I could possibly thank you for all you have given me,

or how I can adequately express how you've shaped my life

and made me into someone

I could have never been 

with any other mama.

You and your silly rhymes, your special, fun language,  your dramatic stories {especially your re-counting of the sullied homecoming election, or anything else to do with "Charlie" or "Sheila" - those dirty birds!}, your facial expressions, and the hundreds of musicals we watched together throughout my childhood...over and over and over...

This all made me the dramatic, lover of the stage and all musicals {especially State Fair-1965 version!!!} expressive and goofy woman that I am today. 

Thank you for your drama, Mama!

Thank you for your beauty, grace, and fashion.  

You taught me to be girly, dress nicely for all occasions, 

and pose in photographs in a flattering way.

Thank you for teaching me you can look cute anywhere...even when camping...if you put in a little creative effort.

{Pinecone curler, anyone?}

{bwca, circa 1972}

  You taught me to love Jesus and family, in that order

and I have been blessed with a firm belief of Jesus as my Savior from sin

and a personal relationship with God that will allow me to live 

forever with you in heaven someday.

How awesome is that?   Thank you, Mama, for church every Sunday, Bible stories every night, and always holding me to the highest standard - God's.

{Circa 1987 - Don't my sister and I look excited to be dressed alike with matching hairstyles?}

Now your girls {and boys} have all grown up,

shaped in so many ways by you.

We are slowly all getting married

and becoming parents 

and creating families

ourselves...

{montana, 2010}

 Thank you for being a good Mother.  
It's what you always wanted to do, yet I know you sacrificed a lot to stay home and take care of four kids who I am sure tried your patience endlessly.  Especially me! {Which in the grand scheme wasn't really that bad.} 

:)

You always kept me safe.

You always hugged me and made me feel loved.

You taught me to love snuggling and being affectionate.

You let me be independent, creative, and introspective.

{chicago, 1981}

{Christmas - 2002}

So today, even though you are living far away in Prague,

know that I love you

and am thankful for you 

and cannot wait for you to meet your

newest grandson

to whom I hope I can be

even half the amazing mother

you are for me.

I know Dad got you these flowers -- I hope you look at them and know how much all four of your kids love you, even though we are all in different parts of the country right now {Montana, Kentucky, the Canadian border???, and good old Minnesota}

having many different adventures.

I love you, Mama!

Your daughter, 

Greta Robyn

"Goota-K"

"Gert the Squirt"

{silently singing in my head all the songs you made up that went with these nicknames}

:o)

Happy Mother's Day, bloggers!

g

favorite finds: anthro mugs

Can I just say:

I love your mug?

Yes, you, Anthropologie, 

beautiful store 

where pretty much all I can afford is 

your precious, lovely, initial-icious mugs:

{photos via anthropologie}

I'd like to have a tea party 

in a garden of succulents 

sipping from these mugs.
g

black bean and corn salsa

Is it May already?

Wow - time is flying!

The birth of Baby Boy looms ahead - only two months away!

{could not be more thrilled!}

Since it is May, it is time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

Perhaps you are having a party?  Or maybe going out with friends to indulge in delicious Mexican food and, in my case, a "momarita?"  

If nothing else, make a delicious, fresh salsa and enjoy!

Here is one of hubby's and my faves: a simple, fresh black bean and corn salsa.  My sis gave me the recipe long ago -- thank you Sis!

What you'll need:


5-6 Roma tomatoes (or whatever kind you like)
1 small red onion
1 small white onion
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can sweet corn kernels
fresh cilantro (to taste)
lime juice (to taste)


Chop the onions, and combine them with the black beans and corn.  Add as much lime juice and cilantro as desired.  {I like a lot!} Add the tomatoes shortly before serving.  {Makes enough for a small crowd.}  

Serve chilled with a Corona or margarita!

g

gaga for gray! {more nursery inspirations}

I am in the throes of the nesting stage.  

Yesterday I got up at 4am {on a Saturday}and just had to clean!  Sure, it may have been my sleep schedule is way out of whack from working 3rd shift the past 27 days straight, but still...4am?


The nursery is my current obsession.  It is painted, the furniture purchased and fully assembled {I still need a chair!} and now I can begin accessorizing!


For inspiration I have been scouring the web.  I found a chic website called Project Nursery and was hooked:  gorgeous photo galleries of nurseries, darling baby showers and sweet ideas for baby's 1st birthday party!


I can reveal: the walls of Baby Boy's nursery are gray.  Who says gray has to be "neutral" and dull?  I found the perfect, powdery, pale shade and ran with it.  So...

Here are some of my favorite "gray" nurseries featured on the site:

V's Nursery:  the gray walls, the shabby-chic, eclectic decor...makes me want to have a girl {er, someday}

Aria's Nursery: the subtle pale gray and yellow color scheme is modern and gender-neutral...and check out the chalkboard toy basket - LURVE!  {learn make your own here}

Bright Gender-Neutral Nursery is fabulous: Bright and fun and oh so colorful...yet, gray!

Cameron's Nursery: I love the modern look of this one!  The tree/bird wall decal and elephant basket add fun elements without going overboard.

I could go on and on finding inspirations on Project Nursery.  In fact, I probably will! 

:)

Which is the one you love?

G

baby bump alert: a mover and a shaker

 Two things have changed since my last "bump alert":

1) I now really have to let people do things for me.  It is hugely humbling for me to admit I need help with anything...particularly bending over to pick things up!


2) Baby is constantly moving!  I can now see my tummy contort and shake {which hopefully is normal?}, which only makes me feel more connected to him. It. is. amazing. 


I am also now the pregnant woman who literally always has her hand on her tummy.  Please forgive me if we are in mid-conversation and I zone out, press on a particular area of my abdomen, and grin wildly.  Just ignore it.  Or if you say something particularly sad or shocking, I immediately envelope my bulging tummy with both arms as though Baby can hear what you are saying and I can somehow protect him from it.  Yikes!  Overprotective Mom Alert!  

Weeks: 28

Weight gained: 25 pounds

Hours working per week{3rd shift}: 70+

Hours spent sleeping during the day: 10

Kicks per typical hour: 20+

I used to worry that when I started doing "kick counts" baby and I would come up short.  Obviously not so.  Baby kicks, flip, jumps, karate chops, flails wildly, head butts...it's GREAT!

Keep kicking the crap out of me, Baby Boy - I love it.

:o)

 {If I look tired in that last picture...it is because I am.
This mama is done tired, ya'll.}

G

rotini salad!

As the weather gets warmer I naturally crave lighter and fresher meals.   

Goodbye heavy stews, chilis, and heavily sauced stick-to-your-ribs pastas, and hell-O fruits, citrus-infused marinades, and chilled pasta salads.


Speaking of...today I'd like to pay homage the classic rainbow rotini salad.  I love it because it is light, simple, healthy, and colorful!  My mom used to make her own variation in the summer and I remember it being one of the first things I wanted to learn to make as soon as I was brave enough to start cooking {read: when I got married!!!!}


Reminder: I am still no cook -- but I am passionate about good food and enjoy every moment spent in my kitchen.  Er, except the dishes.

Makes a great side at a picnic -- or use it as a main vegetarian meal, paired with crusty bread.

Basil and tomatoes are probably my two favorite ingredients.  Period.

Aren't these the prettiest little cherry tomatoes?

I use this fabulous chopper to make pestos and other salad dressings.  

This one consisted of 2 cups basil leaves, olive oil, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, and seasoned with salt and pepper.

The "meat" of this meal would definitely be the halved {sometimes quartered} cherry tomatoes, but actual meat-lovers could add ham chunks or pepperoni slices. Other additions may include:  black olives, broccoli, parmesan cheese, or chopped sun-dried tomatoes.

Mix it all together and you've got your rainbow salad!  

Best served immediately after tossing...

What is your favorite summer pasta salad?

Do tell!

Share recipe!

l o v e,

G

before and after: bathroom!

Our tiny bathroom redo is finally done!

Well, for now.

I have been waiting impatiently excitedly for us to be able to move into our master suite {previously used as a guest suite} so that we can make room for Baby's nursery in our former bedroom.  (Click {HERE} to check out the sweet little space we used to dwell.)

Because our house is very old, and previous owners put value in having a full bathroom attached to all bedrooms, all the bedrooms and aforementioned bathrooms are, well, tiny. The solution?  Ikea!  

*birds sing, heavens part*

I welcome any excuse to drive the 30 miles to Ikea with Hubby...

and our tiny bathroom redo was the perfect excuse!

It is where we found this beautiful, modern vanity cabinet...

...and these sinks and faucets!

Ikea such a great place to find stylish, small-space solutions at a fabulous price...

and Hubby and I love saving cash where we can.

So what did we do for $1500?

1. Moved plumbing in order to accomodate a double sink vanity.

2. Moved electrical and added outlets.

3. Installed new, gigantic mirrored medicine cabinets 

4. New light fixtures

5. Painted walls

{disclaimer: all labor done by Hubby...with help on the electrical from the Mustache Man. :o)  Thanks Rickster!}

before: tan walls, tiny sink space

after: rearranged space and cool blue-gray walls

before: no storage space

after: storage in mirrored cabinets, deep cabinet drawers, and hidden baskets underneath!

{click HERE to check out inside the medicine cabinets -- so great!}

before: 

after:

{excuse the missing baseboard...these are getting replaced!}

before: wasted space!

after: utilized space!

before:

after: 

{hoping to one day make this a tiled shower with glass enclosure...a girl can dream!}

{found this cute rug and storage baskets at Target}

Someday we will re-tile the floor and shower -- gotta save up some more cash!

Happy for now with the updated space...

How have you made your "house" your "home" lately?

G