free printable: setting goals

These days it seems that I am constantly busy with one creative project after another. Between my Etsy shop, planning Autumn's birthday party, and some commissioned artwork, keeping myself on track can be a real challenge. When I saw Cornflower Blue Studio's Post-It goal list, I was inspired. I often scribble on Post-It notes to remind myself of things I need to do each day, and this is a perfect way to organize them. 

I decided to make my own version just for tracking my creative projects, and I'm sharing it with my readers because so many of you are awesome crafty peeps too. 

There are spaces for five different notes, and each time you accomplish one you can peel it off to reveal some words of encouragement to keep you moving. To download, click for the full sized image and save to your computer, then print on a sheet of 8.5" x 11" cardstock. Hang in your craft room or studio and get motivated!

24

Another year, another birthday! No matter how old I get, I still get excited about birthdays. What's not to like? It's the one day of the year that I get to be the center of attention without trying! I get presents and cake! I love presents and cake! I celebrated early last weekend with good food and my cute boy. We took a walk in the rain around historic Ellicott City, one of my favorite places to be, followed by dinner at The Rumor Mill, an amazing fusion restaurant in a turn-of-the-century building off of Main Street. It's our go-to place for special occasions.

 I saw strawberry beer on their drink menu and I had to try it. When I poured it into my glass I squealed when I realized it was PINK! How fabulous is that? It was definitely the girliest beer I've ever had. Perfect for sipping while wearing a frilly dress and mary jane shoes.

 The food was spectacular as always. See that pile of fried something up there with sauce on it? Yeah, that's an avocado. A curry tempura fried avocado stuffed with jumbo lump crab meat and drizzled with preserved lemon aioli. Stop drooling. You'll ruin your keyboard and I don't think your warranty covers it.

 Dessert consisted of chocolates from a local candy shop. I saw a sign in the window for "Old Bay chocolate crabs" and had to go in. They did, in fact, have molded chocolate crabs with Old Bay seasoning mixed in. How very Maryland! Sounds crazy, but they are delicious. If you've ever had chocolate covered bacon, it's sort of like that. Sweet, salty and smoky, with a hint of spice. Yum.

I cherish these dates with the man I love. We slow down, we indulge, we laugh, we take time to enjoy the things we often take for granted about each other's company in the day-to-day busyness of our lives. It's the best birthday gift he could give me.



P.S. SQUIRREL UPDATE: We ended up taking the babies to Frisky's Wildife and Primate Sanctuary in Woodstock. It's a sprawling animal rescue run by a compassionate and savvy woman who has been saving wildlife and exotic pets since the 70s. I trust that they are in capable hands and they will grow up to be healthy, strong little squirrelies.

photo friday: attack of the monster cuke from outer space

From Jude's garden. Seriously the most humongous cucumber I've ever seen! Imagine the tea sandwiches.