Fog is NOT Cloudy

This morning, I drove to work in a thick, grey blanket of fog.

Let me show you......

Here's what I saw driving down the road today.......

Here's what I typically see.......

BIG DIFFERENCE. I think typically we think of fog as clouding our vision - blocking us from what we want to see. Well, it occurred to me that I was actually a better driver this morning because I wasn't distracted by all of the scenery, businesses, cars, police clocking speeders, or traffic up ahead. I simply had my complete attention focused on what was happening right in front of my face. I thought about this all the way to work on my 40 minute drive.

It's so easy to get wrapped up in life responsibilities, the mundane work at work, time stuck in traffic, finances and bills, and so on. Especially now with Christmas, and the holidays in general, it feels like sometimes it engulf me into a giddy spirit. One of "Everything is so wonderful, so great" when it may not be, and may suggest for me to go crazy to become the perfect Giada, Martha, Tori, Kate, Jackie O [insert your own holiday idol of perfection], ensuring I have the perfect holiday decor that rivals any home magazine, and making every effort to visit every Santa/snow machine around town. It can be stressful, and I can stuff that feeling down inside like we did to the turkey and the stuffing on Thanksgiving last month as it secretly eats away at my happiness. These distractions may blind me. I may lose sight of what is actually important - things that are right in front of my face.

This all reminds me of this Words of Wisdom post a few weeks ago.

Always, and especially with the holidays, life should be about family. About friends. About relationships. About blessings. About celebrating faith, God, Jesus. [Santa, step aside]

 I pledge that I will not let distractions get in the way of all that I have, love, and am blessed with. I will see the wonderful family, friends, and faith that are and have always been right there close beside me. I will look at everything that life is offering right now, and embrace it, wrapping it up in a big grey blanket of soft fluffy clouds cotton.

Bring on the fog!

Words of Wisdom Wednesday & GIVEAWAY WINNER ANNOUNCED

Miranda, from June Bug & Co, and I are so excited to be giving away one of her beautiful wall hooks today on Words of Wisdom Wednesday!

Source: oleana.wordpress.com via Jessica on Pinterest

And the announcement....

THANK YOU to all of you who entered! I hope you'll revisit Miranda and her Etsy shop to scoop up her wonderful pieces!

 The giveaway item....

I am excited to announce that the winner 

of the June Bug & Co giveaway is.......

MEREDITH from Sunglasses and Sippy Cups

Congratulations! Meredith, please send me your email address as soon as possible to get your beautiful wall hook sent to you!

Last day for the GIVEAWAY

GO ENTER my June and Co. giveaway! 

The giveaway entries close at 5pm EST today!

Giveaway upgraded! Miranda from June and Co. upgraded the giveaway to this beauty. I LOVE the crown!!!

TGIF

HAPPY FRIDAY!  

FIRST go enter my June Bug and Co GIVEAWAY,

and then have a lovely and relaxing weekend!

Source: pinkwallpaper.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

GIVEAWAY TIME!

I am so excited to share with you the beautiful salvaged and vintage wood wall hooks created at June Bug & Co. She is an inspiration for making sure you're doing something you love in life.

Miranda, owner of Etsy's June Bug & Co, is a self proclaimed southern gypsy who loves adventure, treasure hunting, delicious food and lounging on the beach. Currently, she's shacked up in Nebraska with her fella and three darling labradoodles.

Miranda started her Etsy business to fulfill something in herself. "As a 30th birthday gift to myself, I decided to reclaim my creativity and love for old vintage trinkets. I feel so passionately about bringing items into your home that have a history that I started my own lil’ biz, June Bug & Co. I truly believe that salvaged, vintage and antique items add a depth to your home in a way that no store bought item can."

June Bub & Co. wall hooks are created from salvaged and vintage wood that Miranda collects on mtreasure hunts throughout the year. Each creation truly has a story and is sure to add functionality and character to your home.

Miranda has kindly donated a wall hook to giveaway!!!! But be sure to visit June Bug & Co to see all of the amazing items. They are great gifts!!!

Here it is!!!   Repurposed Crown Molding Wall Hook

Description: (Upgraded to crown hook Tuesday)

Add a tidge of royalty to your wall with this salvaged crown molding wall hook. This crown molding was tucked away and well forgotten in a barn just outside Grand Island, NE. After catching a glimpse of some distressed wood, I got to diggin' and found four of these beauties. I love the contrast of weather paint and wood against a cool cast iron crown hook. It's pretty darn cool.

Approximate Measurements:5 1/2" wide12" tall

Don't you soooo want this cute birdie wall hook with a story just in time for Christmas!!?? 

Giveaway entries will close Tuesday at 5pm EST time. A winner will be announced Wednesday morning!

Here's how to enter to win this June Bug & Co birdie wall hook:

For ONE entry:

1. Be a follower of Sincerely Sara Cate

2.  Visit either of June Bug & Co's sites and add as a favorite or like!

Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/junebugandco

Facebook: www.facebook.junebugco.com

3. Post a comment you did so! 

DONE!

You can get 2 more entries if you share this giveaway!

You can post on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter (Twitter tag JuneBugandCo)!

Just leave a separate comment with the link to where you posted it! (Max 4 additional entries)

GOOD LUCK!

Sincerely,

Sara Cate


http://www.etsy.com/shop/junebugandcohttp://www.etsy.com/shop/junebugandcohttp://www.etsy.com/shop/junebugandco

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays

Get ready....I'll have a GIVEAWAY ANNOUNCEMENT TOMORROW!

Source: etsy.com via Gypsy on Pinterest

Christmas Giving

1. Useful and gorgeous trinkets.
Gold Keychain Measuring Tape, Aspinal of London $39; Perfect for those who love crafts and design!

2.  Luxury in a jar.
Creme Brulee Sugar Scrub, Laura Mercier $46

3. Beautiful smelling and looking candles
Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle, Anthropologie $25

4. Decorative or functional bowls.
Ikat Mini Bowl, Anthropologie $8 each - Anthro has lots of amazing bowls! Like this one too.

5. The best bronzer and brush I've ever used!!!
Honey Bronzing Powder, The Body Shop $18.50

6. Technology with style.
Duchess iPad Case, Etsy - helekstudio $89

7. Statement accessory.
Infinity Scarf by Rubbish, Nordstrom $24

8. Dream and action gifts.
1,000 Places to See Before You Die, Amazon $12.96

9.  Decorative trays.
Martha Stewart DIY Decorative Tray - make one or buy one.

10. A great coffee table book.
The Perfectly Imperfect Home, Barnes and Noble $20

11. Something for holiday spirit.
Santa Cookie Plate and Ceramic Milk Carton, Table Top Christmas $20

12. Don't forget you can always make a donation to your special someone's favorite charity in their name.

And for another gift...you can enter the giveaway I'll be posting THIS Thursday!

Happy Birthday, Jesus

We decorated our tree this weekend! With all of the colors, we decided it was a Birthday tree for Jesus.  I think it turned out beautiful, and it is much brighter and prettier in person. I am waiting until after Christmas to purchase a few more large bulbs to fill out the rest of our tree for next year. We also incorporated the handful of special, sentimental ornaments we've collected thus far.

 Our good friend, Wes, also came down to Tucson to visit us. He even helped Dashing pull weeds in the back yard! He is a doll. He and Dashing are a hoot to be around. Yes, they ordered this margarita for two and shared it.

We also visited the Oro Valley 25 ft. tree and Christmas festival. We since have had Christmas music on non-stop. Love the holidays and what it means - celebrating Christ and spending time with loved ones.

PS.....Stay tuned for some Christmas giveaways! Sharing cheer and giving is part of the holiday spirit!

We wish you a Merry Christmas...

We picked a tree!

We do live in Arizona, so typically December weather still feels like early fall. But we got the full cold weather while picking out a tree experience last night. It included rain and a few of my fingers turning completely white - I should have taken a photo. We got the full "I can see my breath" weather.

Anyways..... Dashing and our tree!

It smells glorious. If it were a candle scent, I would name it North Pole. Our cat Sophie loves the new tree too!

As of this morning, our tree still looks like Sophie's picture - it's on the floor. We tried to use a plastic base from Walmart. Total fail. Lesson: Plastic does not adequately hold up a 7 foot tree. I couldn't sleep last night, so I was at Home Depot this morning at the crack of dawn buying a real metal one.

I can't wait until we will decorate it with lights and all. My tree inspiration is below. I'm think color blocking for Christmas!

Source: brightbazaar.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

The Christmas Season has Begun!

I'm so excited that is December 1st! This to me truly marks the beginning of the Christmas season (in complete opposition to retailers who believe this starts in October.)

Tonight, Dashing and I are going to go get my FIRST real Christmas tree. I grew up with artificial trees - and I'm perfectly ok with a full, straight, non-shedding tree. Dashing, however, is not. So, off we'll go to get one of these....

Source: google.com via Julie on Pinterest

I can't wait for us to decorate it. I'm inspired by the trees at our local Fry's grocery store....Aren't they beautiful!

If you have any tips or tricks regarding real trees.....I'd love to hear them!

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays

Source: sunshineandpearls.tumblr.com via Sara on Pinterest

A Happier Holiday Memory

So yes, there was a little bit of an accident over the Thanksgiving weekend, but that didn't stop us from getting into the Christmas spirit! We went to the Phoenix Zoo Lights with the family.  They get better every year! We did notice one animal set missing this year though - the group of mating gorillas. You read that right. Every year since I can remember going they have had mating gorillas as one of the lighting arrangements - they must have finally figured out that it wasn't quite appropriate for this audience. The rest of the light displays were beautiful.....

Notice band-aid covering Dashing's forehead.

 

A Thanksgiving weekend accident that had nothing to do with deep fried turkeys

Did you know that there have been 141 cases of extremely serious injuries in the last decade that have resulted from deep frying turkeys. Yikes. I'll let William Shatner explain those dangers....


But this story has nothing to do with that.

Engagement Photos in Spring 2010

On Friday, it seemed like all members of the immediate family were off doing separate things - lunch with other friends and family members, craft fairs, etc. Dashing was left behind at his parents' home to sleep, play video games, hang Christmas decorations (which he loves) or whatever until about 1pm when his mother and I were going to meet up with him for lunch followed by attending Arizona State University's football game that evening. Apparently he decided to cruise around town in his vintage 1965 mustang (the one from our engagement photos).

It was about lunch time when the phone call came in Caller ID: Dashing "Um, do you have jumper cables...." followed by "well, my car (the mustang) died at the intersection, so I jumped out to push it and the corner of the vent window cut my forehead. I think I might need to go to the Emergency Department." Remember, Dashing works in the ED in another town, so on his day off, the last thing he wants to do is to go to the ED.

I'm thinking "cut." As in the length of a typical paper cut. Like, Ok, maybe he needs some of that dermabond glue for a little cut. His mother and I show up on the scene and his forehead is drenched in blood even with the random piece of paper he found in his car to put pressure on the wound. I will spare you these pre-hospital photos. This "cut" starts at his hairline in the center of his forehead and runs vertically down to the bridge of his nose. [warning: gory detail line] I couldn't even really look at it as chunks of flesh were dangling from the site of the wound. A bit was even left on the window. Yes - I know - I should be and am thankful for the fact that he had no head trauma from the hit, nor was he hit by another car - but I did still think of the cosmetic implications of this kind of nasty gash. I must admit, Frankenstein did come to mind.You'll see what I mean below.

Now, it was lunch time, and so before we went to the ED, we went and sat and ate lunch. Yup. This is how a medical family rolls.

Anyways, a few hours + a tetanus shot + 10 real (no glue) stitches later....

Now do you see the resemblence????!!! Oh, Dashing. I will love you no matter what.

The stitches will be removed in a few days, and he'll be taking care of the wound to minimize scaring. I'll post a photo in a few weeks to show progress. We are very lucky that after the whole car dying in the middle of a busy part of town that this this the only thing that happened. He is doing just fine, and his spirits are up. Last night, he even said "You know, I think this scar will be pretty awesome."

On a side note: We had a wonderful Thursday turkey Thanksgiving with homemade, state-fair blue ribbon winning pumpkin pies - you may not believe this, but the maker of these pies is my one and only 6 foot 5 in burly father- in-law!  I will share a few of the pie making secrets soon.

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays

Source: cardiganempire.com via Heather on Pinterest

Happy THANKSgiving.

Sincerely,
Sara Cate

Monday Catch Up

I'll be catching up on reading other blogs today. However, I must say it is quite difficult to avoid reading the reviews of Twilight's Breaking Dawn. I didn't get to see it this weekend, and I'm going to have to wait a few more days.
Hope you all had a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Sara Cate

Enjoy

I hope you have a relaxing weekend.............and enjoy Breaking Dawn!

Source: google.com via Joni on Pinterest

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays

I recently heard about a growing local organization that is working to promote small acts of kindness. Ben's Bells was started by a mother (and university professor) who suddenly lost her three year old son to a surprise illness. She found it almost impossible to move forward in life, but found that when a stranger held a door, smiled, offered the extra penny needed at the checkout, helped pick up a dropped grocery bag made all the difference in her strength to live. 

Source: ffffound.com via Felicity on Pinterest

I too experienced this during and even after my cancer treatments. When I wore my wigs, I looked normal from the outside, but my insides were sick, spirits sometimes low, and self-esteem sometimes plummeting. When someone shared a small act of kindness, it brought me warmth and hope. Thank you to all those who allowed me to feel that even during moments of darkness.  I feel like I always preach it, and here it is again, it's the small things in life that matter.  

Do something kind today.

I'd love to hear from you!........

POST A COMMENT to share something someone has done for you that made a difference in your day. I'd love to hear about how the small things stay with us all.

Source: google.com via Felicity on Pinterest

Pepper Design and EmersonMade Made My Day!

I am so giddy this morning as I was just informed by Morgan at Pepper Design Blog that I won her EmersonMade giveaway! Have you checked out EmersonMade? If no, I suggest you go....like now...and peruse all of the beauty that is EmersonMade! The Fall Line is the in process of being rolled out.

Thank you to the lovely and talented Morgan at PDB for the giveaway! Check out PDB for great style, home design, and DIYs!

Sincerely,
Sara Cate

Weekend Update with Sara Cate

Breaking News! Dashing and I actually got ONE WHOLE UNINTERRUPTED DAY TOGETHER this weekend. Let me tell you that this is AMAZING as our schedules for work always seem to overlap. So, we went walking through Tucson's Sabino Canyon. It was beautiful, and so much fun. It was nice to talk without knowing there was an expiration time on our conversation because one of us had to go to work. Ahh, the simple things in life.

I made it to the TOP.......of the rock that is!

In OTHER news. I have resorted to taking pictures of myself before I get out the car to go anywhere. This was prompted when I was at work, walked into the bathroom, looked in the mirror and realized my hair was a mess and I had oatmeal on my face from breakfast! That was an interesting day.

 And finally, the last piece of news. I stopped at my favorite Tucson neighborhood coffee shop, the Bake House, this weekend and got a HOT drink (I typically get iced lattes), and found they had the most intelligent coffee sleeves ever! Look! It actually covers the whole cup. Brilliant.

Hope you had a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Sara Cate

Be Aggressive, B-E Aggressive

Does anyone remember this 1990s (and older) cheer? As a little league cheerleader, this was one of our go-to cheers Be aggressive, B-E aggressive. However, when I moved on to middle and high school cheer, we wouldn't have been caught dead cheering this out at a legitimate football or basketball game. Last night, that all changed.

I went to a University of Arizona basketball game last night. Now, first of all, you have to understand that this was slightly difficult to root for the red and blue as my alma mater is UofA's big time state rival Arizona State University (Go Devils!). However, since I work for UofA and my husband is in medicine here, I have converted to a split household fan. Plus, UofA is far better at basketball than ASU is anyways. So, onto the story. UofA was playing Duquesne University. If you just said to yourself, "Who?". Don't worry, I did too. Apparently it's a private catholic university in Pittsburgh with about 6,000 undergraduate students. Anyways, I figured that if I had never heard of them, our 16th ranked UofA Wildcats would have a field day with them. I was wrong.

This DU team was feisty, ball-thieving, rascals forcing 21 turnovers! We looked like we were being bullied around by a big brother, one who had a foot of height, 50 more lbs of body weight, and a wiffle ball bat. (not a real baseball bat, that would be violent! By the second half with us trailing by 8, I joked with my friend who brought me to the game that our Wildcats looked like they needed to be more aggressive, B-E aggressive. After a moment of laughter, friend loudly shouted into the crowd "BE AGGRESSIVE B-E AGGRESSIVE!" repeatedly. Yes, this cheer was busted out loudly, and the crazy part, I feel like it totally worked! We went from down 8 to ahead by 11 within minutes, clutching the win for the Wildcats. How wild is that! Love it!

Words of Wisdom Wednesdays

Today I'm sharing Words of Wisdom I found in a recent post of Paloma over at La Dolce Vita. When someone says something so beautifully, you shouldn't try to re-word it. So here it is....
I think this quote is a great reminder for us all.
Sincerely,
Sara Cate

Source: myonlyinstinct.tumblr.com via Paloma on Pinterest

Weekend Love

I loved this past weekend. Dashing had 2 1/2 days off IN A ROW. I must tell you that this hardly ever happens. I loved every minute of it. So with all of these hours (as in a whole 60 of them!!!), what did we do?

I made Andi's (from Can You Stay for Dinner) Chicken Tikka Masala. 

It was SOOOO delicious. Dashing ate it (which is success step 1)! THEN to really put the cherry on top. He ate the leftovers the next day. Let me tell you....Dashing NEVER eats leftovers. This should scream out to you TRY THIS RECIPE! I made Saffron Rice and steamed cauliflower to accompany this yummy dish. We ate it all before photos...so I used Andie's photo. Her photo is prettier anyways!

I also made homemade Pesto with basil given to me from a co-workers garden. To 3 cups basil, just add 1/2 c. toasted pine nuts, 1/8 c. grape seed oil (or to taste), a little salt to a food processor. You'll be in heaven! We used it as dip and then I made pesto grilled chicken. I marinated the chicken in the pesto in a ziplock bag in the fridge for a few hours, then Dashing grilled away. So yummy.

We also had a fantastic date night out to this place called Zin Burger in Tucson. Seriously Fabulous burgers, sweet potato fries, and cookies and cream shakes. Dashing saw one of his Emergency Department attendings (ie: physicians done with training) there. She has two beautiful young boys. Dashing introduced himself to the one boy and instead of saying hi or on the flip side, being bashful, he said "I like tacos." HAHAHA. It reminded me of this classic YouTube video.

We then traveled the 2 hours north to Phoenix, Arizona for our cousin's wedding at the "majestic" Royal Palms - that's quoting their website. It's a beautiful boutique hotel that hosts Presidents and celebrities regularly. Needless to say it was beautiful. It's always fun to go to a wedding to remind you and your husband of the vows you took too. Such a wonderful moment to celebrate love and tradition. Swoon....

I was concerned with my hair.....Here's how my hair turned out. I think it was alright. I was emotionally ok with it. I thought my dress and Dashing's tux rocked though!

Congratulations and best wishes to the couple!

Sincerely,
Sara Cate