Watermelon, Lime and Mint Infused Water

Teresa and I hung out yesterday and had a great time chatting about the blog and coming up with summer post ideas. 

While we were chatting, we made infused water. I'm doing a five day cleanse this week, part of which involves me actually remembering to drink water. So I thought this would be a good way to start. 

I've always said I'd make infused water. It's so simple! All you need to do is add fruit or herbs to water and let it soak up the flavor for a bit. 

Our version included watermelon chunks, mint sprigs and lime. And, if you're me and want to make it really easy, you buy precut watermelon. It's wonderfully refreshing, so it was perfect for this hot Seattle weather. 

I often find infused water at weddings (and spas of course) and different combinations I want to try for myself in the future include: 

Lemon and Orange

Grapefruit

Blackberry and Sage

Cucumber, Lemon, Mint and Rosemary 

Basil and Strawberry 

Friday Roundup

Happy Friday! What are you up to this weekend? It's going to be HOTTT and sunny here in Seattle so we are thinking of ways to keep cool. Jenny and I are getting together to drink wine spritzers and do some blogging -- we have big plans for the summer. :)

Here are some links to get us started:

I HAVVVE to make these in my new Vitamix!

This made me laugh out loud. Also, this, I love Amy Schumer.

A perfect summer garden party menu.

Five quick and cheap kitchen upgrades that could be done in a weekend.

Gorgeous textiles.

Loved this -- real women in Victoria's Secret swimsuits.

Incredible mid-century bridge house and eclectic Portland bungalow.

Advice from famous ladies.

The 90's are definitely back in style.

WA folks:12 easy waterfall hikes that can be done with kids or dogs! Also GLAMPING on Orcas Island.

(Yummy drink picture)

My Summer Drink: Wine Spritzer

My friend Erika introduced me to my new favorite summer drink: the wine spritzer. It's the perfect way to sip wine over a whole afternoon or cut back a little on work evenings. I just combine soda/seltzer water with my favorite semi-effervescent wine (a Vinho Verde or Grüner Veltliner work great), add ice and maybe a splash of lemon and you're set! 

PS. 17 reasons wine spritzers are the best drink of the summer. :)

Summer Reading Recommendations from Jenny...

I spent the last few days in Vegas for my aunt's wedding. I've been enjoying laying by the pool reading and of course jumping in to cool off every so often in this 110 degree heat. Yikes!

I brought Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude  to read on this trip. Something I've been meaning to read since forever ago. While I was enjoying the beautiful prose on the surprisingly quiet flight down, I was reminded that classics don't always make the best vacation reads when trying to concentrate by the pool. It took me awhile to get into it, but about 100 pages in, I'm hooked.

In general,  for summer books, you need something that's going to hold your attention while the stranger on the lounger next to you tells their companion in excruciating detail about their peeling sunburn and kids run by dripping water on the pages. Something that's going to make you want to lay in one place a little longer, instead of feeling guilty about not checking your email or having your mind wander to what snack you could find.

So here's a list of books that passed the test and kept my attention while lounging on a lazy day at the beach, by a pool, or in my backyard...

If you're looking worthwhile chick-lit with a bit of a mystery to keep you hooked: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriaty

If you're a Harry Potter fan, check out this grown up Hogwarts:  The Magicians by Lev Grossman

If you enjoy getting sucked onto a different time with historical romances: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

If ever tried to do a book report on a Choose Your Own Adventure book: Choose Your Own Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris

If you're wanting something to inspire you to eat healthy and enjoy nature: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbra Kingsolver

If you enjoy unlikely love stories with heart: One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

If you want to be inspired that it's never too late to find your passion: My Life in France by Julia Child

If you want to laugh so loud strangers star at you: Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris

If you like mysteries: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling)

And if you're in the mood for a classic, I know it's long and daunting, but I devoured The Count of Monte Cristo on a beach in Hawaii, poor Jason had to go swimming by himself :)



What are you reading this summer? I'd love to hear! 

Seven Questions for Seven Years

In honor of Teresa and Patrick's wedding anniversary on the 14th, I thought I'd ask Teresa some questions about her wedding and life these past 7 years...

Jenny: What's your favorite memory of your wedding day? 

Teresa: My wedding day was such a blur, I always recommend that people get a wedding videographer because I barely remember anything from the day! That being said my favorite memory was probably the moment you have pictured above. Our ceremony was really personal and beautiful and yet simple. I loved looking out into the crowd at all of our family and friends and just basking in the love of our community celebrating our marriage. 

J: Looking back, what is one thing you wish you would have done differently? 

T: Oh man, I would have had a destination wedding! We had a huge wedding in Tacoma that lasted about six hours. Instead I would have a weekend away with three whole days to celebrate with a smaller group. Don't get me wrong, it was amazing to have a big crowd (see above) but in retrospect my anxious personality would have enjoyed a smaller gathering more I think.

J: What off of your wedding registry are you still using now? What do you regret not registering for? 

T: I love the vases that we got and one of my dear friends from high school got us a gorgeous decanter that I've had on display for a lot of years. Patrick uses our coffee maker everyday. We didn't have a lot so we were grateful for everything. I just bought a Vitamix which I'm super excited about! 

J: I know you have TONS of fun memories of life with Patrick, but what's one that sticks out? 

T: Patrick is super friendly (unlike me) and on our flight home from our honeymoon he struck up a conversation with the person sitting next to him that led to us housesitting this mansion in Washington DC for the rest of the summer! Made me second guess my no chatting on planes policy...for a minute. 

J: What do you think the Teresa of seven years ago would be most surprised to hear that you've done?

T: Chilled out. I'm definitely less high strung than I used to be, and I'm more honest about who I am. I wouldn't plan a 300 person wedding now because I know how much that would stress me out. Also, that I've kept working full time as a mom, I never thought I would have enough energy for that. 

J: If you could give one piece of relationship advice to someone who's getting married now, what would it be? 

T: Say you're sorry quickly. Patrick is so good at this and it has been such a gift in our marriage. Doesn't matter if it's something small or a big argument we try to say sorry very quickly (even when it's soooo hard) and it has saved us from a lot of pain. Saying sorry diffuses an argument and helps to start a conversation instead of just angry words.

Also, don't be afraid to do things separately! We have definitely benefited from vacations, activities, and friendships that are independent of each other. 

J: Looking forward what do you think life will look like for you and Patrick seven years from now? 

T: The next seven years will probably be just as adventurous as the first but in very different ways. Our life is focused on family and work right now, but having kids and settling down is it's own unknown adventure. :)

That was fun, thanks for asking, Jenny!

We're (finally) on Instagram!

Yes, this is something we should have done a long time ago. Follow us! 

Monday Motivation

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