A Little Udpate

Hello Friends! It's been a long month away from my little bloggy blog and I have to say I've missed you! Without boring you with all the whiny details of these past two months, I'll give you the in-a-nutshell version: tax season + 60 plus hour work weeks (don't get me started on this) + 6 month old baby + 28 year year old baby (ahem, husband) + two fur babies = one exhausted Mama! At least we are in the home stretch... about two weeks to go and I can't wait. I'm hoping to jump back into some fun DIY projects and more regular posts, but we'll see...

In exciting news... we bough a new bed! Guys, let me tell you this is the most excited I think I've ever been about spending that much money on a not-fun "adult" purchase, but it. is. AMAZING. In every way. We didn't know how bad we had it before (we were still using my old queen $300 mattress from college). We got an upgrade to California King!!! Honestly, I never thought I would get a King bed for some reason, let along a California King. But the husband insisted since he is so tall and his toes had been hanging off our bed for the past six years (poor guy!). Now we have an extra four inches in length (that's what she said) and the husband is a happy camper. I'm more happy for the extra width. Don't get me wrong, I love my husband more than anything, but clean sheets on a huge comfy bed where we can each have our own space is a very close second (OK, THIRD because of Em:). I'm always hot and am not a snuggler mainly for that reason (also, am I the only one that gets neck cramps from sleeping on his shoulder?). 

A couple downsides to buying a Cal King bed: 1) it takes up more room in our bedroom, which wasn't big to begin with (although this is a sacrifice we are glad to make, and it's not horrible); 2) we also have to buy all new sheets, duvet, duvet cover, bed skirt, headboard, mattress pad, and pillows (have you felt the pillows at the Sleep Country Store? we were hooked, but we ended up buying some knock offs on, where else, Amazon). But the pros definitely outweigh the cons - we get to buy all new bed stuff! I was excited! Some of the stuff we can buy/make over time, but we did get some new sheets, duvet, pillows, and duvet cover right now. I am missing my headboard though. We re-upholstered our headboard last fall (I still owe you guys a post on this) and I LOVED it. I still love it. And I basically want to recreate it in Cal King size now, but we'll see. Our queen headboard now resides in the guest room along with our old bed. I'll post pics once we get everything set up (the duvet cover I want is on back order until May) :( 

Well, apparently I could talk about our new bed all night, but on to other VERY exciting news in the Kane household. For those of you that don't know, Zach is in medical school and will be graduating this June! It's been a long four years, including a move to Arizona and back, but now all his hard work has paid off! Last fall he was applying to residency programs and last November-January he was flying all over the West Coast for interviews. It was a rough December in particular. If you haven't heard about the residency Match Program, here's the basics. You apply for programs, interview, then submit online your rankings for your choice of programs. The residency programs also submit online their rankings of applicants. Then, a computer algorithm matches everyone up! It's kind of crazy and VERY nerve-racking. But, I'm happy to announce that last Friday we found out that we will be staying in Seattle! Zach matched at Virginia Mason in their Internal Medicine program!!!!! He'll be there for the next three years so we don't have to move! We are so happy that we can stay local and Zach is thrilled to be with this awesome program. 

So that's what's new with us lately! Other than that I have been sick for two weeks and lost my voice last weekend which was awesome... and now I'm just trying to survive the end of busy season. I'll hopefully be back soon (or, soon after April 15th...). 

And just because I can't have a post without a little Emerson, here's her totally cutie pie little face. :)

Emails to Emerson

Disclaimer: I totally did not come up with this idea. I got it from Google. Do you remember this commercial?

I just watched it again. And cried again. Like lots of tears. I loved this idea from the first time I saw it. So great. When I was pregnant with Emerson I decided to start the same thing... get ready for some mushiness.

I started writing things down in a journal about my pregnancy so I could remember these times, along with my weekly(ish) posts about my growing bump. But it was getting harder and harder to remember all the little details and to find the time to sit and write things down monthly (or even weekly if I remembered). I remembered the commercial and thought, Duh!, I should start an email account for Emerson so I can send her quick notes whenever I have a minute. I could send her photos and videos in real time so she could have a timeline of her life to read through one day. I gave the email address to Zach, too, so we could both share memories of our life with her. 

It's been one of my favorite things and makes me so happy that she will have all these memories to read back on one day (assuming we still have email by then!). While I was pregnant, I sent her an email when I felt her kick for the first time. When we found out that she would be our daughter. Random videos of her moving in my belly. Since she has been born, we've sent her a ton of photos and videos - sometimes once every week or two, sometimes three in one day. Videos of her rolling over for the first time. Sweet and funny pictures of her being a goofball. Little notes about how we are in awe of the little lady she is becoming. It's so much fun and I'm glad I can quickly put my thoughts down and send them off to her whenever I get the chance. It's very informal and has worked so well for me. I also like that Zach can email her so she can get his perspective too, and it's all right there in one place. 

Once she is grown, maybe on her 18th or 21st birthday, we will give her the email address and password so she can read through her email "scrapbook." I can't wait to give it to her. Personally, I think it would be so cool to have, so I hope one day she thinks the same. 

Now I'm going to go look through my own baby book that my mom brought over a few weeks ago! Part of it is actually a "baby calendar" where there are stickers and notes throughout for different milestones. Another great idea that I might keep up for the next one! Especially since it's so hard to remember years later when they started walking, talking, etc. 

What do you guys do to keep track of all the memories and milestones? Traditional baby book? Email account? Calendar? Shutterfly photo book? Do share!

Life Is Too Short...

Been thinking a lot about this lately... especially with 9/11 this week. Remembering those that we lost eleven years ago. Also looking forward to the future and making sure to take advantage of everything God throws our way. Life is hectic. Life is busy. Life is stressful. Life is crazy. But life is also lovely and beautiful and fun! Make the most of it you possibly can. I know I'm trying to...

Photo via

Duuuuuuude. Have a Happy Weekend.

Hey everybody! It's been a couple days hasn't it? A crazy busy couple of days, that's what it's been. Yes. It. Has. I'm so glad it's the weekend! How have you been? Good, yeah? 

The husband had his first big board exam yesterday (his second is June 18th) and he is so relieved it's over! Literally six months of studying has finally come to fruition! And you know what that means... it's time to party! So we're going camping this weekend (even though it's supposed to be rainy) and are looking forward to some much needed de-stressing. Bboy is looking forward to playing with his best bud Chloe and I'm looking forward to s'mores (and s'more cookies!), playing cards, bonfires, beach, and some reading (still need to finish book three of 50 Shades...).

I don't think it's any surprise that we've been watching a lot of Lost lately. We are hooked. Big time. Just thought I'd share this picture the husband sent me the other day. Haha! So funny.

Since this is a very random post, let's also catch up on some random Buster pics. But first, this week Buster has been such a pain! Ever since he was a young pup, he has always slept in his crate in the living room. This week, however, he does not want to go in to his crate when it's time for bed. And when we do finally get him in there (either lure him in with a treat, or force him in there) he whines and yelps and won't go to sleep. Even if he's just been asleep on the couch right before. The other night we even let him sleep in the bed with us for the first time ever (and never again!) just because it was the night before Zach's test and none of us were sleeping well anyways...

We think something in his crate might have spooked him? Or maybe it's the diet with have him on (he's 27 pounds and should be 20!). Or maybe he is just being a teenager and decided he doesn't like it anymore? We will probably never know for sure, but hopefully it is just a phase. Have your dogs ever gone though something like this? If so, please help!

Alright, now on to the cute Bboy pics. Did you know one of his favorite chores is doing the dishes?

This is what I come home to every day in our front window.

Just because he's so cute when he sleeps.

He loves when Gramma Vonnie comes to visit!

Isn't he the cutest? I think so. But I'm just a little biased. :)

Have a great weekend!

Happy Weekend!

What are your plans for the long weekend? Zach will be studying (two weeks to go until board exams!) and I will be attacking some fun projects (namely, my wing back lady!) and possibly doing a little shopping (bring on the sales!).

Have a great weekend!

(source)

Well, Hello There.

It's been a while. I've been super busy with work lately and that means this little blog is getting neglected (sad face here). It doesn't mean I haven't had good intentions... I have lots of fun DIY ideas, but just haven't had the time or energy to type them up or take any photos (but I can't wait to share them with you soon!). 

Anyways, just wanted to pop in and say hi. We are just plugging along in the Kane household... Zachary studying for board exams and school, me with busy season. It's definitely a "this too, shall pass" kind of time in our lives. But, we have a each other and our puppy and that makes us happy (if you want to see more of my little stinker check out my #dailybuster photo and follow me on instagram! @mykane). 

I hope to be back soon with some fun posts, but if I take a while, don't hate me! In the meantime, here's some fun sayings from pinterest that pretty much sum up our life right now. 

coffee, flow, breathe, enjoy, make it happen!


P.S. Andrew Bird's new album, Break It Yourself, came out today! I can't wait to listen! He is our favorite... Are you a fan?

Snow Days!

A couple weeks ago we had a huge snow storm here in Seattle. And by huge snow storm, I mean we had about 6-8 inches of snow and ice. It may not seem that bad to those of you that grew up in Michigan, Wisconsin or where you have snow on a regular basis, but to us "rainy" folk here in Seattle, it's a lot! Especially since Seattle is basically on a huge hill and has no infrastructure for snow (i.e., no snow plows). 

Anyways, we got a couple days off to enjoy the snow. It was all great until our power went off on Thursday about 10am and didn't come back on until we got home from work on Friday. Thursday was probably one of the most miserable days - we couldn't really venture out because of the ice covering the snow, no power = no heat, and the big window we have in our front room is single-pane, so we had to keep the curtains closed to keep the heat in, leaving us with less light. Snow just causes problems! But it sure it fun and pretty for the first couple of days. :) 

Of course, Buster was all over the snow. He was our little vacuum cleaner - went around the yard, nose to the snow. He also liked to catch the falling snowflakes and just eat the snow in general. Here's some pictures...

After 24 hours of snow and some freezing rain, the trees were heavy with ice! So heavy, that with the little bit of wind that came, some of the huge trees were losing branches. All Thursday night I heard the smaller branches fall from the trees and I was scared the whole tree was going to fall through the roof! Luckily, we came through with just a big branch leaning against the house. No damage, thank goodness!

Happy Blog-Day!

I can't believe it's already been a whole year since I started this here blog. A whole year! Happy Blog-Day to us! It's been a great year - exploring Arizona, moving back home, baking lots of goodies, traveling to Europe, and doing lots of projects, just to name a few (see more of our year in review here). 

I've learned a lot this year, and a big part of that was through this blog. It makes me happy and I love that it pushes me to try new things and get inspired. I had gone so long without any creativeness in my life, so I'm glad this blog has brought part of that back.

I also want to give a HUGE shout out to all of YOU. Thanks for reading my little blog this past year. I love sharing my recipes, projects, travels, and inspiration with all of you and I hope you get a little inspired in return. 

Here's to many more years of enjoying the little things and getting inspired!

P.S. Don't forget to follow my blog to get the latest posts. I'm also on Pinterest and Twitter, so you can follow me there too!

Balloons, Happy

Week 1: Photo-A-Day

Maybe you might have seen (here) that one of my "resolutions," if you will, was to take a Photo-A-Day for all of 2012. Well, I am happy to report that we are right on track! Week one: Check! For now, I'm having fun doing this little experiment so hopefully I can keep it up. Here's all my photos from the first week.

January 1

January 2

January 3

January 4

January 5

January 6

January 7

2012 Goals

Now that 2012 is upon us, I've been thinking about some of the things I want to accomplish this year. A couple big things, followed by a few personal goals. In the past, I haven't been great at keeping my resolutions... but this year will be different! (Don't be fooled, I say that every year.) Either way, it always feels good to set up something to look forward to and strive for. So, here are mine!

Save Money and Travel // In 2011, we traveled a lot, which I loved. I guess I never realized how much I loved it until recently. It's thrilling for me to be able to go someplace new and experience new cultures and people and places, especially places with so much history. It baffles me how long other cities have been around (read: European cities), and makes me long to see more since we don't see that a lot in the US. 

I wish our travel itinerary could be the same for 2012, but unfortunately traveling requires money, and that is something we need to build back up in the Kane household. After moving across the country twice and traveling over to Europe all within a year, our pocketbooks are hurting. Hurting, I tell ya! 

So... my goal for 2012 is not to give up traveling, but to do both of course! Save money while still traveling. My definition of traveling will just have to change a bit. Living in Arizona opened my eyes to how much we really haven't seen of Washington. Since we were temporary residents of AZ, we made it a point to get out and see as much of AZ as we could in the short time we were there.

Now, I want to do that with Washington. I want to take day trips to see some of the places that I have heard of, but have never been to. Because when you live somewhere, you don't really get around to the touristy places you would if you were just visiting. There is so much to see and do in Washington and I can't wait to get started (and share with all of you along the way, of course). Here's some of my list of places to see in WA (any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated!):

Mount Rainier
Forks (yes, because of Twilight - I'm not ashamed!)
San Juan Islands
Staircase
Explore more of the Peninsula
Snoqualmie Falls
Alki Beach
Leavenworth

Especially since most of the places we can see are within driving distance and can be turned in to a little day trip, it makes it easier on the 'ol checkbook (besides the obvious gas money). Plus, we can bring Buster! You know he loves to get out there and explore. 

Now for the saving part. We are re-instating the spending diet as of January 1. Remember the spending diet? From all the way back here? This worked so well for us (especially during busy season when I was working so much) that I am actually excited to start it up again. We're each getting $100 cash for the month and that is our discretionary money to spend on whatever we want. Other than that, it's just bills, food, and gas, then the rest is to savings! Time to build that savings back up so we can one day buy a house, go back to Europe, and someday have lots and lots of babies.

Get Crafty // Lately, I've been getting my stride back in the craftsy department. It's so much fun! And now with my Pinterest addiction (follow me!) it's easier than ever to gain some inspiration. I have a lot of ideas, now it's just finding the time to execute them!

In the baking department, I also want to push myself more to try new recipes. This is sometimes hard for me because I like making the good old classics (they just taste so good!), but this year I'm going to push myself harder to think outside the box.

Be Thankful // I also want to slow down a bit and just be thankful for what is around me. I got a fancy new journal for Christmas (thanks, Jenn!) so I plan on using that to record my thankfulness (kind of like my own version of this).

Picture-a-Day (or maybe, a-Week) // This is a hefty one. I might be a little too ambitious to do a picture-a-day, but I think it sounds like fun! We'll see how long it lasts, but I definitely want to do at least a picture-a-week. Won't it be interesting to look back at the end of the year and have a record of something for each day?

Along with this one, I also want to get better at taking pictures. I'm sure most of my daily pics will be with my iPhone (and instagram-ed), but I have a big DSLR camera that my dad handed down to me and I have yet to figure out how to use it on another setting than Manual.

The Usual // And then there's the usual players. The Get Healthy, the Eat Right, the Stop Biting my Nails, and all that stuff. Yes, I want to do those things, but if I don't, that's OK too. 

Well, there they are. My goals for 2012. I'm really excited about the first two. I can't wait to get out there and start exploring! What about you guys? What are your goals/resolutions/wishes/dreams for 2012?

Washington

Enjoy the Ride.

Love this. Enjoy the ride. 

(source)

Life Without a Phone

As I shared here, my phone screen pooped out over Labor Day weekend. I could still answer phone calls (it was just like the old days where you didn't know who was calling), play my music (thank goodness the week before I had decided to shuffle all... which also included all my Christmas music), and I even figured out how to check my voicemail! It wasn't unusable, just more difficult. And no texting or facebook. :( Whaaaa.

With that said, you can bet I am super anxious for the new iPhone to come out! They are supposed to announce on October 4th, and hopefully I'll be able to buy soon after. Very soon after.

Oh, and did I mention that my lovely husband lost his phone about a month ago? No? Well, he did. It's definitely been an interesting month rocking one phone between the two of us.

At first I was not too bummed about not having a phone. I thought it would be a good exercise in unplugging and getting away from the gadgets for a while. But now, I'm over it. I want a working phone!

Thankfully, my friend Kim lent me her old hot pink Motorola Slvr (we just switched out the SIM card from my screen-less iPhone) and it works fine. We can get texts, voicemail and even call out. But it's still just one phone between the two of us. And Z loves using the pink phone. :)

Anyways, I'm very excited for the new iPhone to come out. Z tried to convert me to the Samsung Galaxy SII (the phone he's getting on Sunday) but I won't do it! MAC FOR LIFE!!!

(source)

We're Baaaaaaack!

That's right people. We. Are. Back. Back in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Woot! Woot!

This past month has been a whirlwind. We have been nomadic adventurers and it has been amazing (yet, exhausting!). In July, we: road tripped along the West Coast, attended a bachelorette party (minus Zach), went to four different countries, played on the beach in Seaside, drove across the state of Washington, caught up with old friends, unpacked our new house and danced the night away at two weddings. Whew!

And now we are le tired.

I'm so behind on loading pictures from our trips and writing about our adventures, but hopefully I'll get my act together soon! Until then, have a great week!

Changing It Up!

Hi there! Some of you may have been a little confused this morning when you woke up, made your cup of coffee and immediately went to check what was going on over at The Lilliputian Project. I don't blame you. It's weird and sudden, and I'm also wondering what. just. happened.

Kidding. Unless that is your routine, then I thank you. I thank you very much. I appreciate you as a reader (Hi Mom! Hi Aunt Sue!). I did change things up over the weekend... I hope you like it. I basically just changed the name of my blog, which means The Lilliputian Project is no longer (kind of sad, I know!).

After lots of consideration, I decided that while The Lilliputian Project was cute and has a personal meaning to me, it wasn't catchy and was possibly hard to remember. (How do you even pronounce Lilliputian anyways??? I still don't know, except that my hubby still calls me that sometimes.) :)

So, as of today, The Lilliputian Project is no longer and the new, improved, and wicked awesome Make Bake and Love is now in business! Are you excited??? Because I am.

This little remodel doesn't really change anything (just the name), so I'll still be sharing all about DIY projects (I've got some good ones coming up!), cookie baking (have to keep the hubby happy) and lots of inspiration. And of course, I'll throw in a few good Buster stories now and then. :)

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy!

Happy Emancipation Day, Washington, D.C.

AKA Happy (should be) Tax Day! Today is usually the day when I get my life back. The hubs gets his wife back. Buster gets his momma back. I get to see friends again. Oh, glorious April 15th! But...

Not this year. This year, April 15th falls on Emancipation Day (Observed) - a holiday only observed by Washington, D.C. The actual holiday is on April 16th, but since that is on a Saturday it got pushed to the 15th, thus, pushing the tax deadline to April 18th. Thank you, Emancipation Day, for taking one more of my weekends away from me.

Fun Fact: Emancipation Day celebrates, yup, you guessed it, the day President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act to release slaves from forced labor about 9 months before he issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It became a national holiday in 2005 (bet you didn't think you'd get a history lesson today!).

Hopefully I won't have to work this weekend, but I'm not getting my hopes up. It's easier on my mental health if I just assume I do and then maybe, possibly I will get a happy surprise. We'll just have to wait and see what special surprises pop up!

I hope you all have your taxes in and aren't running to your accountant today to get them done! Have a great weekend everybody!

6 Days to Go...

Only six more days to go of my three least favorite months of the year. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but trying not to get too excited because there are still a lot of working hours in 6 days. Oh, to have freedom again!

I came home last night around 10 and BBoy was already asleep and the hubs kissed me and then went straight to bed. Sad. :( But, that meant I got to catch up on an episode of House Hunters - I love me some HGTV! (Side note - do you know that show is rigged? The people have already purchased a house and the other two houses they look at are "dummy" houses. Crazy, huh? I still watch it though - apparently the house they "choose" is the empty one since they have already purchased it - and try to guess which one they end up with).

Another side note - what happened to all my shows this month?! This is the one month where I want to veg out and watch TV all night when I get home after a long day of work and there hasn't been any new episodes all month! It does not make me very happy...

In other Kane family news... the hubs gets to observe an autopsy today for one of his classes. Without sounding too morbid/weird, how cool is that?! I can't wait to hear all about it (and share all the juicy details, of course!).

And just because I love this little guy so much, here's another Buster pic...