just little things

i recently stumbled across a tumblr site counting off the many little things that make people smile. it is definitely the kind of site i could fall in love with; and i did. i've only made it through the first hundred or more posts so far but it's made me smile countless times. it's so cute. i sincerely recommend this site, especially for one of those rainy, gloomy days.

as you can see, these are all high in number. i didn't make it too far into the list for this post because there were simply too many little things that make me smile. i would have been writing {and you reading} all day if i went through the entire site. that makes me smile.

{image via justlittlethings.tumblr.com}

Happy Father's Day!

For Father's Day, my big sister and I took my Dad golfing. He's always been a big golfer and started teaching Maggie and I the sport a few years ago. I love going out on a course with him and I think he gets a kick out of sharing tips his with us. Golf has definitely become a way of bonding for the three of us; I love it. It was definitely a fantastic way of spending the day!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

Mallards Duck Blind

We celebrated one of my good friends' birthday this weekend at a Madison Mallards baseball game. We {semi-}watched the game from a picnic table in the Duck Blind. In the Duck Blind, you can watch the baseball game while enjoying all-you-can-eat brats, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, cheeseburgers and fries and all-you-can-drink beer and pop. Delicious!

This was my first Mallards game and I absolutely loved it! It was just baseball should be... all about the game and having a good time with friends. I can't wait to go back again. Maybe the next time I'll watch a little more of the game too.

The birthday boy was very excited to be celebrating at a Mallards game!

The best part of the night: the good beer. A few of my favorites at the Duck Blind... Goose Island 312, New Belgium Somersault, Magic Hat No. 9, Great Dane Mallards Cream Ale, Great Dane Old Glory and Great Dane Crop Circle Wheat {my favorite}. The Great Dane brews some fantastic beer. If you're ever in Madison, Wisc., you should stop in for a drink.

Nostalgia in photos

There's this great new Tumblr.com site called Dear Photograph that publishes pictures of pictures of the past in the present. {A bit confusing, huh?} It's a fantastic idea and though I have heard of it before, I still love it. The thing I love most about the posts are the photographer's comments on the pictures. It brings back such memories. I have to find a few photographs to take pictures of for Dear Photograph.

Dear Photograph,

I looked good in a tux.

Dear Photograph,

I wonder which parent let us up there?

Dear Photograph,

I drained 3's all day.

Dear Photograph,

When will I have this much swag again?

College town love

This weekend I am heading back up to my old college town, Madison, Wisc. I've missed this town since I graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2007. Since I will only be there overnight, and leaving really early in the morning, I'm going to try to fit in as much of my Madison favorites as I can.

First, I will start the day with a cup of coffee and cinnamon roll at the Capitol Square farmer's market. I used to go there every Saturday morning as an undergrad to get my fresh vegetables and the best spicy cheesy bread ever from Stella's Bakery.

Then, I plan to grab lunch at my favorite restaurant ever: Mediterranean Cafe on State Street. I've missed out on the Med Cafe the last few times I was in Madison for football and hockey games because they're only open for lunch. This time, I will make it. My friends and I used to have a standing date for lunch there every Wednesday. It's amazing, especially the hummus.

Next, if it's a beautiful day, I'm going to meet a few friends a the Union Terrace for a pitcher of Spotted Cow {my favorite Wisconsin beer} and conversation. I miss our nights at the Terrace. We used to go there all the time during the spring and summer to relax and take a break from our heavy course loads. My favorite nights were the Monday movie nights.

The next morning, I hope to convince a few friends to grab a quick breakfast at Mickies Dairy Bar by Camp Randall. We used to stand outside for over an hour waiting to get a seat in the tiny cafe. The banana nut pancakes were totally worth it. {Or, as seen on ESPN, the garbage plate also.}

Something new I plan to do... I'm going with my friends to see the Madison Mallards play on Saturday. We're going to watch the game in the 'Duck Blind' where all-you-can-eat brats and beer are served. Baseball, brats and micro-brew beer? Heaven?

{images 1. via, 2. via, 3. via, 4. via, 5. via}

Photo booth

I enjoy weddings. They're sweet, romantic and great excuses to drink, dance and have fun with friends and family. Normally, I couldn't think of one way to make them more enjoyable. {Other than cutting out group dance songs.} But I was at my friend Heidi's wedding on Saturday and they had a photo booth parked next to the bar {poor location, considering how many drunkies ended up in the booth}. When I say photo booth, I mean the kind that you used to find in the mall and try cramming in all of your high school friends. It was so much fun to jump in and make silly faces. I LOVE the idea.

As I was telling a friend later, he said it must be a girl thing. I think it is; there were far more girls hanging around the booth than boys.

Summer wish list

It finally feels like summer has come to the Midwest. And boy did it come. 95 degrees with humidity. Now that summer is finally here, I feel like I can finally create my 'Summer Wish List' and not feel sad that I still have to wait so long for it to come. {The key is for this list to make me happy at what will come, not sad and anxious.}

Some things I'm really looking forward to:

Baseball {lots and lots of it}

A couple zoo visits {Lincoln Park, Brookfield, Milwaukee}

Jazz in the park

Volleyball games

Movies in the park

Summerfest

Trips up north

Bradford Beach swims

State Fair cream puffs

Boating {lazy days on the lake}

Picnics by the lake

Golf {so I can finally get better}

{image via weheartit}

Little Notes

Dear Mother Nature,

Please do not skip Spring. My body has a tough time adjusting to the 95 degree heat {with humidity} a week after 50 degree temp.

Dear golf clubs,

Please start working with me, I'm trying.

Dear student's mom,

Your sweet, lovely letter brought tears to my eyes, I'm so glad you're pleased and really appreciate the note.

Dear Tim Tebow,

That's awesome you had an hours-long meet-and-greet with fans, but I just wanted new underwear, not to stand in line for hours.

Dear Clemente,

You are, by far, my favorite cat in the world and I love you, but cuddling in 95 degree heat is not an option. Sorry.

{image via weheartit}

Ten things that made my week

Hazelnut iced coffee on 95 degree days

A new book that I can't get enough of

Mexican & margaritas with friends

Lazy Saturday on a boat

Long walks by the lake

An incredibly sweet letter from a student's mom

Disappearing tan lines

Coffee & conversation with my big sister

Good hits on the driving range

Playing in a sprinkler like a kid

{photo via weheartit}

Boat & Pier Humor

Here’s a tip: always tie the boat to the pier before attempting to get out.

Actually, it’s not so much a tip as it is pure common sense, which apparently, my sister Maggie lacks greatly. I’m happy to say, this doesn’t run in the family.

If we were all to follow her lead, we’d be screwed. Though she has a great mind for calculus, chemistry and art, you know, things that require intelligence, the simple things in life seem to elude her. Maybe they’re just not important enough to know. Well, that’s the excuse we give her at least.

So, how would you get out of a boat according to Maggie? Let’s follow her step by step.

Step 1: Especially when in a hurry, scramble out of the boat onto the pier. But, under no circumstances should you tie the boat to the dock first.

Let’s watch Maggie explain the steps. She pushed off of the railing to climb onto the pier, which floated two feet above; the boat began to float away. She was still in it.

Step 2: Do not stop. The boat may continue to glide in the other direction but keep trying. It will work. Maybe.

The harder she struggled to climb the wooden planks, the farther the boat drifted in the other direction.

Within seconds, her body was fully extended, dangling over the water, her hands tightly grasping the edge of the dock, her toes curled around the sideboard of the boat, her eyes as big as her body long.

Step 3: Give up. During this step, your body is stretched between the boat and pier, it is now a good time to rest and contemplate how you are really going to get out of the mess.

When she couldn’t hold on any longer, she fell into the water face first, causing a painful smack and a reddened face. Always try to be as graceful as possible when dropping into the water.

Step 4: Listen to your fellow boat riders; they obviously just want to help.

Those left in the boat thought they saw a snake swim by her head, so they told her, just to be nice.

Step 5: Panic.

She started to panic even more, her arms flailing around sending seaweed and water flying into the boat. (I don’t know much about snakes but I doubt that would really stop one from biting.)

Step 5: Wait until family stops laughing hysterically, then, they will help.

When dad finally forced himself to stop laughing, he pulled Maggie out of the water and into the boat. She was shaking from head to toe like a cat cornered by a pack of dogs ready to attack. Only, she beat everyone to the punch line.

Step 6: Blame your idiocy/clumsiness on any and everyone in the vicinity. (Hide red face during this step. It only perpetuates teasing otherwise.)

Upset and embarrassed, she started yelling at everyone. Like it was really our fault she was an idiot. Maybe the reddened face was from anger and not hitting the water.

Step 7: Pray that annoying/taunting cousin did not witness your non-so-smooth departure from the boat.

But wait, oh shit, he was standing at the end of the long pier, doubled over in laughter. He saw it all. (Ten years later and he still gives her shit about it.)

Step 8: (The final step.) Proceed to cabin to do whatever important thing you were scrambling out of the boat for in the first case.

I personally wouldn’t feel the need to go though all of that to listen to an Ace of Base cassette tape, but, hey she wouldn’t be Maggie if she didn’t.

{photo via weheartit}