He (We) Did It!

Matthew graduated from the Fire Academy a couple weeks ago! My super talented photographer friend took some pictures of the ceremony and afterwards for us (if you are friends with me on facebook or follow me at NewlyWife, then I apologize for the repetitiveness)!

Getting that diploma

Can you see him (second from left in the back)

With his parents and grandpa, I love the laughs!

These two helped out get through the Academy. They are amazing!

Woo hoo! I'm jumping for joy!

Major congratulations to my man for sticking it out. This was a long 12 (16) weeks, but you did it! Now the application and waiting process begins! If you want to see his speech (shout out to me in the last minute), I posted it on YouTube.

Food, Crochet, and New Shoes

Life just keeps moving on... More Insta-randomness

Making a bunch of breakfast sandwiches for Matt's last two weeks of school.
I made like 12 of them. Wrapped each in a paper towel and then put in a ziploc and froze.

The ripple blanket is coming along nicely (although I have about 5 current projects)

Im obsessed with cute sandals, I've recently added four pairs to my closet!

This was the result of a long night of heat pressing...

Apricot Jam! Is it bad to stick them in the fridge to make them seal / pop?

There you have it. Random life of mine. In case you were wondering, the jam was super tasty, I've given most of it away though -- I should have saved more!

Weekend in the Desert

There is not much that I love more than spending time by the pool with a good book and a drink. My parents have access to this great house in the desert with it's own pool. We get to go out a few times a year, and I love it more and more each time. This last trip was in between family night and graduation and I definitely needed some R & R. And yes, I totally got in some crochet time in the evenings. One night I got my Mom to watch Ramona and Beezus with me, and the other night I caught Monte Carlo.

My kinda Friday afternoon.... (on vacation it's okay to drink at 2 pm)

Oils & Jams, Lunch, Fun Manicure

Pool hair!

Olive Oil Tasting. So fun!



My Apricot Sage Jam and toast!

Dinner at Ruth's Chris to celebrate graduation. It was sooo good!

When we said we were celebrating a graduation the waiter magically
pulled confetti out of his pocket and threw it on the table.
They also gave Matt this super awesome dessert!

I am so ready to go back! how do you like to recharge?

Giveaway Day, Package #2

This giveaway is now closed. The winner (thanks to random.org) is commenter #3. Congrats to JL Verde!

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Welcome! So glad to have you here from Sew Mama Sew! I love giveaway day -- it is so much fun to participate in, both giving and winning! I have two fun giveaways today, this package is a cross stitch gift (because yarn is bulky to mail). Your prize includes two cross stitch sets, three strands of embroidery floss, and a blue flower pin!

This giveaway is open until 5 pm on Friday, May 25. You have two ways to win:

1. Leave a comment telling me what craft you prefer? Are you partial to sewing or crocheting? Do you like all sorts of crafts?
2. Tweet about this giveaway (@themegababe) or follow me in any way. Leave a comment letting me know what you did!

Only two entries per person / IP address. One comment per entry. Giveaway closes at 5 pm on Friday, May 25. Winners will be announced by Sunday. 

Check out my other giveaways here (coffee cozies) and at NewlyWife (coasters or supplies); the rest of the entries are at Sew Mama Sew.

Giveaway Day, Package #1

This giveaway is now closed. The winner is comment #53 (random.org). Congratulations to Cindy of Creating at Home. You should receive an email shortly!
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Welcome! So glad to have you here from Sew Mama Sew! I love giveaway day -- it is so much fun to participate in, both giving and winning! I have two fun giveaways today, the first is for a caffeinated package! The winner will receive two coffee cozies (one floral fabric one and one variegated blue crocheted one), a small package of French Vanilla Godiva coffee, and an assortment of recipe cards.

This giveaway is open until 5 pm on Friday, May 25. You have two ways to win:

1. Leave a comment telling me what you plan to craft this summer. Are you getting started on Christmas gifts? Are you making something for the home?
2. Tweet about this giveaway (@themegababe) or follow me in any way. Leave a comment letting me know what you did!

Only two entries per person / IP address. One comment per entry. Giveaway closes at 5 pm on Friday, May 25. Winners will be announced by Sunday. 

Check out my other giveaways here (supplies) and at NewlyWife (coasters or supplies); the rest of the entries are at Sew Mama Sew.

Randomness

It has been too long since I've shared Insta-randomness. This was actually from the week leading up to Family Night....

My front garden -- three weeks later it is actually much bigger!

The one perk of working from home is the wine...

Skweaks decided she could help me color....

We finally got our shirts for the Fire Academy (these were for family).
I have since taken over his workout clothes as loungewear -- since he is done!

This little ditty was at work (on the fridge) and I literally laughed out loud.

What randomness is going on in your life? Any crazies at your office?

Fire Academy Family Night

The boys from Class 25 of the MVC Fire Academy invited their families over for a little night of fire fun. We were able to eat dinner with the cadets and then watch them do evolutions (I learned that term that night -- it's basically whatever exercise they are practicing). It was a fun night with my parents and his parents, including a few martinis afterwards!! I thought I would share some pictures from the night -- if you follow NewlyWife, then you've seen them already.

With my man before dinner.

Matt was on flag duty. He folded the California flag.
The school is para-military, so everything is by the book!

Waiting for the evolutions with my Momma.

Uniform inspections by their instructors.

I believe Matt was first on the nozzle on this one.

That reflective 21 means it is my man!

Matt is behind me -- waiting for his next turn

Right after he came off of the drill grounds

Kisses!

Went out for drinks with my parents and Matt's parents afterwards.
It was lots of fun!

Showered with Love

The main reason that I traveled up north last month was for my dear friend's bridal shower. I will be in her wedding in June, and helped host this bridal shower with the other bridesmaids. So much fun!

A crapload of pictures from the shower.

Sarah and I have been friends since high school!

I know this is not a fasion blog, but I really loved my outfit that day! The dress was a hand me down from my sister in law and the shoes were a hand me down from my cousin (which I had just received the day before)! I LOVE new-to-me but free clothes!

Birthday in the Bay

I was lucky to celebrate my birthday for over a week this year! I went to the Bay Area for a shower and my parents spoiled me with some birthday gifts too! I also remembered to pack a few doilies that I was working on. Those are great projects for traveleing, because they take up so little room!

My mom gave me her old Kindle and it had the Hunger Games on it.
I possibly read all weekend and barely saw my fam... possibly...

Coffee for two!

What do you think I (my mom) bought?

A gift from my sweet friend Jess.

Wine tasting afternoon with Mom. So fun!

Caramel Birthday Cheesecake

And I can't forget... birthday dinner at Paradiso!

One last pic from the winery (we were at Concannon, if you were wondering).

 Pictures from the shower to come later...

Birthday 2012

Yo shorty... It's yo birthday.... Enough of that. I just can't help but sing it to myself on my birthday though (even though I'm not short). This year was pretty low key. But I knew that would be the case, with the Academy and all. Last year was epic with a surprise party though, and I did get to go visit my parents this year, so I really can't complain! Anywho, a few friends spoiled me with gifts, Matthew took me out for sushi, and I felt like a very lucky girl! My in-laws also had me over for a Greek dinner on the Saturday before -- so tasty!

Nail polish & flip flops -- Mel knows me so well!

New cd from Matt that I knew we both would love!

Not pictured - Downton Abbey Season One from Jen and fabric and an amazon gift card from my in laws. (Downton Season Two was just purchased with that)! Also purchased with birthday money -- three pairs of shoes (two pictured below) and other random dvds. Happy Day!