Catching up...

10:27 AM Posted In Edit This 1 Comment »
Oh my blogging friends, how I apologize for being so bad about posting! I have to be honest, since hockey season has started, in combination with my new job; blogging time has been reduced to nothing! So about this new job. A while back I made mention of the historical home that was filled to the brim with antiques and collectibles, enough to make the Antiques Roadshow look like a garage sale. Well, I wheedled my way into the project and am now fully invested in photographing, measuring, researching and writing about and posting all items on our Ruby Lane antiques store website. It has been so time consuming that everything else in my life (cleaning) has taken the back burner. Well, not everything…




Not surprisingly, I managed to fit in a trip to Spokane last weekend for a hockey tournament. My team, the Black Widows, were massacred by various Canadian teams but that didn’t matter because the main focus of the tournament centered around a very special exhibition game by the women’s USA Olympic hockey team against team Canada. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, my seats were literally front row directly across the USA team’s bench! What a thrill to see that level of women’s hockey! Being a hockey player, this truly was the opportunity of a lifetime! To cap it off, I believe I made an appearance on the jumbotron during that game as it was televised, so if you happened to be watching- yes, that was me.

So, back to these antiques. I am trying to think of a way to combine the job and blogging and think I will create a blog following the process of researching these fascinating pieces. Not sure about the details exactly, but the more I research, I am finding a lot of my information on other people’s blog sites regarding historical facts, manufacturing, the materials, etc. It has been so helpful and interesting that I would like to do the same for the next helpless researcher. It truly is the opportunity of a lifetime, and I want to document it as much as possible. In fact, just yesterday we completed a sale for a cast-iron stove manufactured by Cribben & Sexton in the late 1800’s. The purchaser is a writer for the NY Times and actually bought the original building that Cribben & Sexton manufactured from. Essentially, this stove is going back to its “home.” How cool is that?


I will keep you all posted of my intentions, but for now this new blog is in development. Stay tuned!

Sam's Birthday Carnival

1:17 AM Posted In Edit This 0 Comments »

Wow!  This fall is proving to be a very busy one!  Last Sunday, we celebrated little Sam's 1st birthday with a carnival themed event.  As I was trying to think about what would be fun, I really wanted to give back to all the friends who have invited us to great parties in the past and make it a real bash for mass quantity of kiddos that would be in attendance.  "A carnival!" I thought. 

When my two older girls were one, none of our close friends had kids yet and there really wasn't any plan other than having the family over, ordering pizza, watching them dig into their cake, presents and a "thanks for coming!"  Now, things are different, I have more experience planning these parties plus I just wanted to take advantage of an outside birthday (both older kids have winter ones!)

Because of this, I knew we needed a big backyard and was able to talk our friends into letting us borrow theirs. (M, you are the best!) Next, add in bounce house, balloons, a few fun carnival games, face painting and food and waaaalaaaah... instant carnival!  Luckily, a few years ago I had the privilege of planning my kids school carnival and had thought of some easy, fun, make-yourself games that were big hits with the children. 


Basically, as long as they got a prize...it was the funnest game in the world.  They could have been folding socks for all they cared!  For Sam's we had fun doing the following games; lollipop stop, knock the can, going fishing, make a basket, bean-bag toss, and two games we rented- duck hammer and plinko.  My husband did draw the line at renting a cotton candy machine and dunk tank, but I would have added them to mix if I had know I could get away with it!  The kids went crazy and they each had a goody bag to put all their fun prizes. 



Food was super casual (Chili, hot dogs, taco dips, chips, drinks) and the bounce house filled in the gap for something the kids could go crazy with.  All in all, the party was a great success and a great way to kiss summer goodbye!  Even though Sam will never remember this little event, the other 23 kids will!  Too much fun!  You're only 1 once, my suggestion is to start out with a bang!  What a cutie!

Antique Treasures

1:14 PM Posted In Edit This 1 Comment »
I have been so busy it has been hard to make time to blog!  Here is my excuse...



So my friend Lenne needed help with the coolest project ever and I basically invited myself along for the ride.  Her boss recently invested in an old local farmhouse that was filled, I mean FILLED, with antiques and collectibles.  Most of this stuff should be in a museum, or had been in one at one time.  17th century-early 20th century authentic pieces, it is overwhelming and mind-blowing at the same time.  Anyway, long story short, Lenne has been put in charge of selling the goods and has graciously accepted my offer to help her.  So, I am venturing into the world of antiquities, which to me seems like the opportunity of a lifetime!


We are in the process of setting up our online antiques shop and getting all the business tasks squared away, but I thought, "how can I work this into my blog?"  Every piece has a story, and wouldn't it be fun to journal on our antique adventure for posterity? So, we shall see what I come up with.  In the meantime, I warned you all in my bio that my interests run far and wide, so now I am looking forward to adding this little hobby to my repertoire! 

Stay tuned....

Cute Shop

6:20 PM Posted In Edit This 0 Comments »
Today I had a glorious time taking in the sights and sounds of the Hyde Park Street Fair with my oldest BFF Jessi.  Quite honestly we could have been walking together anywhere without children and had as much fun. As moms of young children, it can sometimes be hard to have time to yourself, but every once in awhile we have a few moments by ourselves, together, and we relish the rare treat that it is! 

Anyway, the fair was fun.  There was plenty to see and we both made a few whimsical purchases along the way.  Walking back to the car we stopped for lunch at Lucky 13 and had the most delicious vegetable curry soup over rice.  I must try to re-create this dish as I am huge fan of Thai soups with a coconut milk base.  We were both loving our lunch's...as you can see!


We also had enough time to visit a few Hyde Park shops on the way back to the car.  A new discovery was the cute little confection of a store, Urban Revival.  Located at 1607 N. 13th Street, this little shop owned by Beth B. offers up gently used home items and clothing, mostly children's.  The store consists of a smaller inventory, but having been only open for three days there is time for growth.  The interior of the shop is just darling and worth going in just to see how charming Beth has made her business. 

After such a beautiful day, with fall hinting in the Boise breeze, Jessi and I drove home contented and full.  A lazy Sunday with a good friend is a rare treat to be cherished!

Hyde Park Street Fair This Weekend!

8:42 PM Posted In Edit This 1 Comment »


One of the final community events before cooler weather sets in, the Hyde Park Street Fair is a fantastic gathering of eclectic vendors, musicians, food offerings, and entertainment.  I personally like to people watch at this event over all the others due to the location and general vibe the fair generates.  Although, after Curb Cup, this fair may have some competition in that department! 

On the community stage you will find entertainment in many genres from belly dancing to bag pipes.   A personal favorite, Boise's Drum Central, will perform Sunday at noon.  (This local group of tribal drummers offer their time and beautiful music to a local foundation I have had the pleasure of being a part of, Small Village Foundation-Idaho to Africa.) The Main stage will showcase local musical favorites such as Rebecca Scott and Hoi Polloi. 
Here are the details for any of you wanting to take part this weekend...


Where: Camel's Back Park
When: Friday (18th) 5-10pm, Sat. 10-10pm, Sunday 10-6pm
Cost: FREE!


Personally, I really love the booths and vendors at this event.  One thing I am especially looking forward to is finding some great deals on items that are both fun and funky.  After the high priced Art in the Park last week, that will be a nice change of pace! 
Oh, and a shameless plug before I leave you....the Boise Women's Hockey Association will be having a garage sale across from the event to raise money for our upcoming season!  Stop by and say hi!

Zinnia Love

12:16 PM Posted In Edit This 0 Comments »



If there is one flower that I would encourage ANYONE to plant in their garden it is the beloved Zinnia. My passion for this garden princess stems from happy childhood memories of my mom and her own garden. “Plant them from seed, that’s how they grow best” she would say. Talk about bang for your buck, one package of seeds will produce hundreds of blooms if you have the room. Or, if you already have these beauties in your garden, just remove the dried seeds and store for next year.

According to Wikipedia, Zinnias are a member of the Asteraceae family (daisies, asters, sunflowers). Lovers of sun, Zinnia’s are perfect for hot, Idaho summers! These darlings are also fuss-free flowers, for all those without green thumbs attached. By planting in 1 week increments at the beginning of your growing season, you will have never ending blooms to cut starting in July. Once they are cut, zinnias have staying power with fresh water in their vase.

Zinnias and their impactful bursts of color will cheer up your garden and vases all summer until frost! I love variety, and this flower comes in many sizes and shades for whatever you have room for. If you have not planted zinnias this season, I highly recommend adding them to your flower beds and gardens next year! You won’t be disappointed!

Asian Chicken Salad Take 2!

1:52 PM Edit This 1 Comment »
My beautiful and fabulously physically fit friend Jen just had her second baby recently and when I offered to bring over dinner, she requested the Asian noodle salad.  Knowing Jen like I do, she is a Asian Chicken Salad connoisseur, I opted to bring a salad version of this Thai delight.  This salad is so easy, fresh, flavorful, and travels well, that it should be included in everyone's recipe arsenal! 

Jessie's Thai Inspired Grilled Chicken Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing

For the Dressing, in a food processor combine the following:
2 T Grated Ginger
1 Garlic clove, pressed
2-3 T Soy sauce
1 T Honey
2 tsp. Sesame Oil
1/4 C. Rice wine vinegar
3T. Smooth Peanut Butter
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
2 tsp. Chili or pepper sauce (not the ketchup sauce, but can use red pepper flakes instead)

While running the processor, slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup of Canola Oil until it is all emulsified together.

For the salad, combine* the following:
Shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or chicken that has been marinated (I use a sesame ginger marinade out of a bottle) and grilled)
1/2 head of Napa cabbage, shredded
1 head of Romaine lettuce, shredded
2 cups of spinach leaves
1/2 pkg of shredded carrots
1/2 pkg of shredded broccoli slaw
1/2 pkg sliced sugar snap peas
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 cup chopped mint leaves
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1/2 cup slivered almonds, or peanuts

*To make this salad stretch over a few meals I keep the chicken, nuts, and dressing separate until serving.
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