Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts

June 28, 2013

summer gift guide

today we have a guest sharing about 8 perfect summer time gifts.
lets welcome Kristin.

I am a mommy of two and love to be active with my family, especially in the summer. I am a freelance writer and went to college to study writing as a minor. In my free time I write, bake, and garden.

8 Awesome Summer Time Birthday Gifts to Give
There is nothing I love more than giving a unique gift to someone I care about. I want the person to know that I really went the extra mile to fine something that fits their personality and style perfectly. When someone has a birthday in the summer, the possibilities are really endless. Here are eight awesome summertime birthday gifts.
1.     iPhone case: Everyone loves getting tech-centric gifts. Instead of just going to the mall and picking up a standard iPhone case, I like to add a personal twist to it. I order customized iPhone cases on Shutterfly.com. This way I can add photos to it or someone’s initials. It makes for a really unique gift and everyone knows you can’t just pick something like this up without some forethought.

2.     Tote bag: When summer rolls around, there will certainly be plenty of trips to the beach, the pool, or the lake. And a must-have is a solid tote to carry everything. While it sounds like a boring gift at first, you can really make it custom by creating the ultimate totebag from L.L. Bean. Their custom “Boat and Tote” bag is a personalized twist on their classic tote bag. You can pick the color of the bag, the color of the handles, and add the person’s initials or name.

3.     Sea glass necklace: Another great summer treat when you are on the beach is finding sea glass.  Sea glass is glass that has been weathered by the beach and either fresh or salt water. Over time the glass becomes naturally frosted. Many people collecct sea glass when they see it on the beach and some even use it to make jewelry. That’s exactly what White Light Productions has done. They create beautiful jewelry from sea glass.



4.     Baseball cufflinks: Nothing says summer like baseball. And the man in your life will definitely appreciate these baseball cufflinks. What makes these really unique, however, is that they are made from baseballs used at actual major league games. This will make for a impressive gift!

5.     Cruiser bicycle: When I was little, my first bike was a Huffy. I rode that bike until I was too tall for it and needed a new one. Huffy now has an awesome Panama Jack version of the classic cruiser bicycle. This is the perfect bicycle for the summer! Everytime I head down the shore I see vacationers riding up and down the boardwalk on cruisers. The special person who receives this as a birthday gift will definitely appreciate it!

6.     Baby beach chair: There are plenty of great summer birthday gifts for the kids. Every little boy or girl needs their own beach chair. It is also important to have an umbrella nearby to keep away the sun’s strong rays. What makes this chair and umbrella set unqiue is that you can have it customized with the little beach goer’s name and design! Whether they love going fishing or picking flowers, you can have this set customized to exactly their liking.

7.     BBQ sauce: Anyone who loves to grill in the summer knows that a quality BBQ sauce is critical. While it may sound like a silly gift, anyone who is a grill aficionado will certainly appreciate BBQ sauce from Rufus Teague. Even the pickiest of sauce fans will find something they like in this complete line of sauces. 
8. Grill: The ultimate summer birthday gift is of course the grill! And of course the ultimate grill will obviously come from the top grill manufacturer – Weber. The Performer Grill will surely impress any grill chef and is definitely the top summer birthday

thanks for sharing Kristin!
be sure to go follow Kristin on twitter to connect with her.
@InstaMommy

June 24, 2013

anniversary weekend recap

 this weekend marked our first anniversary! we decided to have a little family weekend getaway. it was so much fun to have a weekend with nothing planned and to adventure around at our own pace.

we hit the road and drove a few hours away to kenora, ontario.  it was micah's first time going to a different province, so of course we had to document it. he was such a good little travel buddy.


 we of course had to take our picture with husky the musky. i propped the camera on a picnic table and ran to get in the picture. it was the best we could do. the beauty that surrounded us was amazing. as a kid i would go camping here with my family. i have many memories of this place. it's exciting that i am able to make memories with my own family now at this same place.


 another first for micah this weekend was going swimming. he had just poked himself in the eye really hard so he has a scowl but i think he enjoyed it. he didn't cry and the water was cold, so that's a good sign. hopefully we will be able to hit up the beach and pool a lot this summer. 

we were able to enjoy a lot of walking and taking in the beauty around us. can you spot the fawn?

we will be back! if not for the nature, relaxed paced living, then definitely for the nutella filled perogies @twistedperogy


since google reader is no longer as of july 1. be sure to follow along with my blog via facebook, twitter, instagram or

August 6, 2012

harvest

it is full force harvest time around here. i love all the golden fields of wheat, barley, oats and canola. slowly they are all being cut down because it is just that time. 

as i was watching a combine in the field i was thinking about how harvest is brought up many times in the bible.


here are some verse that i found about harvest that i really liked and hit home.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.  But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. 
James 3:13-18 NIV

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11 NIV

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Galatians 6:7-10 NIV






June 8, 2012

favorites

 hey friends thought i would pop in on this beautiful rainy friday morning to share a few of my favorites from this week...
 
 this super simple DIY from Sew Caroline

Heather shares some great ways to welcome summer!

 absolutely adore these free prints from pen & paint


   there were some new cuties added to owls & lilies


i may have treated myself to a pair .... or four of these adorable earrings that hannah makes

it is friday so be sure to PARTAY and DANCE!!
 (a few little signs we made for the wedding photo booth)

May 25, 2012

iced coffee

iced coffee is probably one of my favorite summer drinks, 
it may be tied with homemade iced tea.

in order to save a buck this summer i have figured out the perfect way to make iced coffee at home.
this is how

3-4 tbsp coffee ground (fresh ground is best)
water

put the coffee grounds and syrup into a french press
fill with water (don't press it down)
let it sit in the fridge for 12 hours or over night

after 12 hours press it down pour over coffee ice cubes and milk of your choice (soy, almond, regular)

i like to do 1 part milk to three parts coffee. 

so there you have it my favorite iced coffee recipe.
what are some of your favorite summer recipes drinks or food?

May 3, 2012

just for a while

hi friends!
just wanted to let you know that i probably won't be around here much the next few months.
as the weather is the grass is getting greener, the trees and showing signs of life, and i'm getting hitched. 
so go enjoy the fresh air! 
and be ready for some super duper fun stuff when i get back in the fall. 
that's not to say i will be completely gone during the summer. 

have a happy day!

April 28, 2012

My garden!

So I planted my garden yesterday.

It needed to be portable since I'm moving in two months time. Also because I can't have a real garden at my new place, which makes me sad but at least I will have a few fresh things through out the summer.
I'm my mini garden I planted a variety of lettuces some radishes and in the herb planter there is chives, savory, and parsley. I'm very excited to have fresh lettuce salads instead of store bought stuff. (I could go on and on about store bought produce but I'll refrain, for now)

Just wanted to share this with you.
Do you garden? Do you wish you gardened? What are your favorite 'fresh from the garden' veggies? I would love to know!!

And here it is my portable garden!

September 9, 2011

looking back

school has started and summer is coming to an end.
so i thought why not share some of my favorite picture from the summer!

{fav thrifty find, tampoline fun, r&r, sunshine tea}
{i can still smell that peony, my big baby}{nothing says summer better}{some day care favs, best summer job eva!}{pretty, exploring the country side, kickin' up the ol' toms, God's handy work}{church picnic snuggles, fun at the fair}
{my love}{sista road trip, momma love, friendy time}{toesies, taste of summa, me in the eyes of a six year old, sista love}
looking back at these pictures i realized just how blessed i am.
i am so glad that i have tried to embrace each moment!

blessings,
amber

instagram - abranconier

August 15, 2011

bright eyes, freckles, & love

Hello friends!

Here is a glimpse into my weekend!
It was busy and fantastic!

huge, cute eyes at the petting zoo
d and me :)
taking in the rides
my sister was so stinking hilarious while we were on the sky master!
she was screaming and freaking out! so glad that i went with here even with an upset stomach.
momma and her chiclets. taking in the free concert by 'these kids wear crowns'
some friendlies came out for the day! yee! love them lots!sunday! church service in the park!
i. love. this.
breaking down walls and coming together to worship Christ together.
isn't that what the church is supposed to be?after three days of sun and heat i gained a few new freckles
love.
end off the weekend with a bang, and some sparkling lights.
Blessings,
Amber

August 10, 2011

some stuff i wear


Mud River!
What a day at day care! Such fun! I'm not scared of getting a little muddy.
It's fun!
deets:
feet- mud
jeans - gap
owl t-shirt - made by my boyfriend

after being covered in mud all day i felt like dressings up for grocery shopping.deets:
dress - old navy
earrings - forever 21
tank top - american eagle
shoes - ardeans

i read this post and wanted to do my own version. this is what i came up with.
deets:
tank - american eagle
bow - owls & lilies
i really like my hair in this picture :)

i had a hankerin' for some new polish,
this is what i came home with
<3

that is what i have worn in the last little while.

have a happy wednesday

Blessings,
Amber

August 9, 2011

reason 157 why i love day care!

hi friends

today i'm coming at ya with a day care story.
it's cute, so be prepared!

i was wearing this lovely headband the other day at day care.the day was like any other kids laughing, crying, whining, running, playing, and dirtying their diapers. when that happens its changing time, i was the fortunate one of the day so of i went with a nearly potty trained three year old. i popped her up on the change table, when

she says 'open it'
i reply 'open what?'
she says ' open the candy'
i ask ' what candy?'
pointing to my headband ' these candies'
laughing i say 'those aren't candies, they are flowers'
she assures me 'no, they are not! they are candies'

then off she went to wash her hands and play again.

i smiled and now every time i wear my headband i will think of her.

i hope that your week is turning out to be fantabulous!

Blessings,
Amber


August 1, 2011

{bubble fun}

happy monday morning to ya!
I'm not sure about my friends from the south aka the states but up here in Canada we have a holiday today!

I thought I would share a fun, easy activity for all ages!

What you need:
- two sticks, or stick like objects
- 2 old shoe lace, yarn or anything of that sort
- bucket
- water
- dish soap

1. tie both strings to the two sticks, one should be much shorter than the other, the other can hang down ( look at the picture i'm brutal at explaining this)
2. add a good squeeze of dish soap to the water in the bucket, it should be nice and bubbly
3. put the stick-string contraption in the soapy water
4. take it out and make big bubbles!

We did this at day care and it was so much fun!

Enjoy!

Blessings,
Amber

July 19, 2011

beat the heat

It is so stinkin' hot here!
Today it is calling for 37 but it's supposed to feel like 49 with humidity.
I have run out of clean shorts, because well laundry just isn't fun in the summer.
So what's a girl to do?Find an old pair of jeans and chop them!
I just lined up another pair of shorts and cut them at the same spot.
Then rolled them up!
Easy peasy!

Blessings,
Amber