Backpacking vs. Camping

We used to explain our vacations as camping. Then we realized that other people's definition was a little different than ours. We don't camp, we backpack. Do you know the difference? We recently took a backpacking trip in the Adirondacks for a week. Here are some highlights. I tell you, this is the way to go for us. Hubby is so thankful that I'm even willing to spend our vacations this way and he's so into it that he loves doing all the work so do you know what I have to do? Absolutely nothing. A true vacation.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Birthdays are still my favorite, though 31 is not quite as exciting as 30. My hubby did great this year, he watched Zane so I could work on the yard uninterrupted (that's what I wanted) while he installed these under cabinet lights above the stove.

Before

AfterWe ordered in Chinese, also what I wanted, and he bought me these snazzy slippers.

And best of all he watched Zane while I took a 3 day road trip to Pittsburgh to visit my longest friend and her new baby.

Mask Night

If you have a good health food store near you, you might find this amazing facial mask that actually makes your face pulsate. It's a powder that you can mix with either water or apple cider vinegar. It's definitely one of my favorite masks.

Blankets

Tis the season for curling up in a nice cozy blanket, especially if you have a frugal, energy saving husband. My favorite kind are of the homemade variety especially blankets made by someone special. Here are my favorite.

My mom had me pick out all the fabric for this one. It took her 2 years to get to it, but then she completed it from start to finish in one week (the week before Christmas). Go Mom.

This is one my mom knitted when she was a teenager. She thinks it's the only thing she's ever knitted. Pretty impressive.

This one Jake's grandmother (Nana) made for Zane as shown below.

It's a Hard Knock Life

I use this title for my post because I've been listening to this lately. And when your hubby has had a long hard day on his feet, the items pictured above can make it not such a hard knock day. A wash cloth, towel, some liquid soap, foot creme, a candle, a bucket (not pictured) and a willing spirit (also not pictured) is all it takes to get out all the tension in his feet. Plus, chances are if he's been working hard on his feet all day, you'll enjoy the smell a lot better if you do this for him. See, everybody wins!

Vacation

Vacation is definitely one of my favorite things. And when you feel relaxed and glad to be back to your life at the end of a vacation, it was a vacation well spent. Here are some visual highlights:


Zane waking us up at the crack of dawn so we don't miss the sunrise

Zane playing with rocks on the beach of the ocean, I mean Lake Superior

Zane sleeping in the tent while we enjoy the the sunset

Taking naps outside the cabin

Playing on the beach

Canoeing on Burntside Lake

Pajamas

Today my favorite thing is staying in my p.j.'s all day while playing with my boy and enjoying the fall like weather. While I don't recommend living in your pajamas, every now and again it's good to tone down any trace of Type A personality you might have and just relax. If you need convincing, read this.